And the wind blew…
Archives for April 2011
Broncos storm Cyclones, shut out Wellington
4-H
Elementary students receive free lifejackets
Lifejackets are now in the hands of 287 Donley County students from HeadStart through 5th grade thanks to the combined efforts of the Associated Ambulance Authority and Greenbelt Water Authority.
Hedley elementary students received their jackets last Thursday, and Clarendon students got theirs on Monday. Both sets of students learned about water safety from EMS, volunteer firemen, and representatives from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Ambulance director Anna Howard said the project began last year when the ambulance service received a $1,190.90 grant from the Panhandle Regional Advisory Council for injury prevention.
“We originally were just planning to have some lifejackets on hand and pass them out when we felt it was appropriate, but I mentioned it to Greenbelt and they matched the grant – and probably went over – and got jackets for all the elementary kids in the county.”
“Next month is water awareness month, but we figured we would go ahead and do it now since May gets so busy,” said Renee Betts of Greenbelt Water Authority.
The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Dept. Dive Team, Texas Parks & Wildlife, the Department of Public Safety, Greenbelt, and the ambulance authority visited both schools. Students got a close up look and explanation of diving equipment, an ambulance, a state patrol car, and a game warden’s boat.
The kids were fitted with their jackets and reminded that they need to be worn tightly so they don’t slip off in the water.
“We were thrilled to do it,” Howard said. “The kids were excited, and hopefully it will help save a life.”
Twenty-four people have drowned in Greenbelt Lake since it opened in 1968. Betts said they hope that these jackets will help prevent that number rising. No one wearing a lifejacket has died at Greenbelt.
“We hope that our efforts help raise awareness on water safety,” Betts said.
Howard said the ambulance service intends to apply for the grant funds again next year if they are available to try to prevent future drownings.
City may increase trash fees
Trash rates may need to be increased by 30 percent City Administrator Lambert Little told the Clarendon Board of Aldermen at their regular meeting last Tuesday. But he says citizens can keep that from happening if they step up and help the city save money in its sanitation department.
Little says the current municipal budget planned for the sanitation department to run a deficit of 6.3 percent but the actual loss is going to be between 10 and 15 percent. To get the department back in the black would take a rate increase of 15 percent. To earn enough money to purchase much needed equipment would mean increasing city trash rates by 30 percent, he said.
There are alternatives to higher rates – reporting and recycling.
“If we could stop theft of service, we would not have to do this,” Little said, referring to rural residents who bring their trash to town and fill up city Dumpsters. “It’s out of control. There are enough folks using our Dumpsters from out of town that we could keep our rates low if we could stop them.”
Little says he doesn’t want to pit city folks against county folks, but he also says the situation is out of hand.
City Hall encourages anyone who sees people improperly using a Dumpster to report those individuals to the city or the sheriff’s office. Illegal dumping is a violation of city ordinance and carries of fine of up to $2,000.
Little said it would help also if citizens would recycle more. The city pays for trash going to the Memphis landfill by weight, so recycling and keeping leaves and grass clippings out of Dumpsters cuts costs for the city.
In other city business, the board approved a new policy for leak adjustments on water bills. If a citizen has had a leak and proves they have fixed the leak, City Hall will charge that customer’s water usage from the same period the year before and then charge the city’s wholesale cost for the excess water.
Aldermen authorized the purchase of a used trash truck for $15,000.
Resolutions of Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation were approved to replace the bridge on Rosenfield Street and the Seventh Street Bridge at City Park.
Little says the old bridge at the park likely will not be demolished but might be moved to a new location for pedestrian traffic, and Mayor Larry Hicks has inquired about the possibility of putting the new bridge next to the old one. The bridge design has not been finalized, city officials said.
The board discussed and approved spending $1,500 to $2,000 for a facilitator to help aldermen do a long-range planning session for future city goals.
The board conducted a six-month evaluation of the city administrator.
The resignation of Alderman Jeremy Powell was accepted with regret. Powell moved outside the city limits.
Aldermen discussed the need to replace a fire truck that was totaled when it was wrecked while responding to an accident earlier this year. The volunteer fire department will hold a fundraiser later this year to purchase a new truck, and the city will support those fundraising efforts.
CC names three distinguished alumni
The Clarendon College Ex-Students Association bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award on three former students during the 71st CC Alumni Reunion last Saturday in the Bairfield Activity Center.
Carl Irlbeck, Dr. Keith “Buddy” Hudson, and Leon “Bud” Schaffer, were each recognized for professional and personal achievements, civic responsibility, and continuing support of Clarendon College.
Carl Irlbeck of Plainview graduated from Happy High School before playing guard on the Western Junior College Conference championship team at Clarendon College in 1959. He graduated from Clarendon in 1960 and then received his Master’s degree in PE and math from West Texas State University.
He coached basketball at Nazareth, Clarendon, Abernathy, and Plainview. He also coached at Plainview Christian, Monterey, and Hart. He was known for his crew-cut hair and cowboy boots, which he used to stomp the floor and get players’ attention. He has an impressive career record in basketball with 1058 wins to 489 losses, and he has been inducted as the 138th member of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.
Irlbeck had 25 teams advance to regionals and coached nine state champions in four sports – three in basketball, three in tennis, two in cross country, and one in volleyball. He took the Clarendon Bronchos to the state tournament in 1971, which was an event that did not happen again until this year.
When Carl coached in Hart in 2001 he influenced Emmanuel Barron, a 2002 Hart graduated and now student at Clarendon College. Barron stated: “He took Hart farther than we had ever been. I’m going back to college because of him. I was able to run cross country at Clarendon because of one phone call from him. He changed my life. He was a legend who took an interest in me – a little nobody. But he won’t admit that he’s an icon.”
Dr. Keith “Buddy” Hudson of Goldthwaite attended Clarendon College in 1961 and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his classmates. He was the founding president of the Clarendon Country Club and was elected to the CC Board of Regents at the age of 28. During his works and lectures as a dentist, Keith gives credit to Clarendon College. He tells people Clarendon is one of the most educated small towns in America thanks to the opportunities Clarendon College provides. He has received numerous honors through the dentist profession and has been recognized for civic contributions as well.
Through his interaction with young people, he tries to teach them one simple rule – “Do the right thing, tell the truth, and you won’t have to remember your story.” And also, “Every person in your life can teach you something.”
He has touched countless lives and made young people know that they do matter. Among the letters of recommendation that “Dr. Fuzzy” received was one from legendary cowboy poet and close personal friend Red Stegall, who organizes the Cowboy Gathering in Ft. Worth, which Hudson participates in. For years Hudson setup his chuckwagon and taught youngsters the dying art of Dutch oven cooking. Stegall says Hudson considers it “of vital importance to educate and perpetuate the lifestyle of his roots.” He goes on to say: “The fact that Clarendon College played such a pivotal role in Dr. Hudson’s education is something for your institution to be extremely proud of. I cannot imagine a more worthy individual to be recognized by your college than my friend.”
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Hudson was also recognized for his unwavering commitment to his bride, Olivia, and his family.
Schaffer grew up near Groom and graduated from Clarendon College in 1957. He worked for Celanese in Pampa for 38 years and spent many years farming and ranching. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Groom where he has served for many years as the president of the board of trustees.
More than 25 years ago, Schaffer was asked to serve on the board of the ex-students association. And he served for seven years as the association’s president during the 1990s and later served another three years as president, including this past year. Without fail, he would make the trip to Clarendon for board meetings where he was known for his big grin, his warm heart, and the politeness of what singer/songwriter Alan Jackson calls “a small town Southern man.”
Due to health reasons, Schaffer was unable to attend Saturday night’s reunion. Former association president Roger Estlack presented the award to Schaffer in Pampa earlier that day.
In addition to the Distinguished Alumni awards, the Association presented a Platinum Diploma to Esther Morrison Bowers of White Deer, who celebrated her 100th birthday last Friday and who graduated from Clarendon College in 1929. Her granddaughter, Susan Bowers – a third generation CC Ex-Student, accepted the award on her grandmother’s behalf.
Brady, Hysinger top students for CHS Class of 2011
Clarendon High School officials have announced the names of the top students for the Class of 2011 – Dominique Brady and Maegan Hysinger
This year’s Valedictorian is Dominique Brady with a GPA of 97.42. Dominique is the daughter of Kennith and Christina Brady.
Dominique has received many honors while at CHS. She has received Honor C’s or Top Student Awards in every class that she has taken since being enrolled in high school. She has been a state qualifier in UIL Spelling, Texas State History Day, a member of the state qualifying woodwind ensemble, a regional qualifier in UIL Math, named National Hispanic Scholar, and was named to third chair All-Senior Honor Band. She is a member of the National Honor Society where she is currently serving as Vice President and has been a member of the CHS Honor Roll for all four years. Dominique also participated in the Science Bowl her junior year.
She has been really busy with extracurricular events. Dominique has been a member of the CHS Student Council where she has held the office of Parliamentarian her junior year and currently serves as President. She has also served as Treasurer and Vice President of the local chapter of the Junior Historians. Her peers selected her as Class President during her junior and senior years. Dominique has played in the Bronco Band all four years, has been a member of the Spanish Club for three years, and was a Bronco Cheerleader her freshman year and she served as basketball manager for two years.
Dominique’s hobbies include scuba diving, spending time with family and friends, watching baseball and football, and listening to ‘80s rock.
Dominique plans on attending Texas Tech University where she has received an early admission into the Texas Tech School of Medicine. This program is called the UMSI program or Undergraduate to Medical School Initiative.
This year’s Salutatorian is Maegan Hysinger, daughter of Monty and Melody Hysinger. Maegan has a GPA of 93.33.
Maegan has been very busy during her four years at CHS. She was a member of the CHS marching band for three years and has participated in UIL academics for four years and has qualified for regional competition in Literary Criticism and Headline Writing. Maegan has also been a member of the Jr. Historians, where she now serves as secretary, for three years and has qualified for Texas State History Day competition all three years. While competing in the Texas State History Day she received the TSHA Award for Outstanding History Project. Maegan also received the Texas State Historical Association Adopt-A-Building Preservation Program Award. She served as president of her freshman class and secretary of her senior class. Maegan is also a member of the French Club, the annual staff, and has participated in the One Act Play.
Maegan’s academic awards include being a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and a member of the CHS chapter of the National Honor Society. She currently serves as secretary of NHS. Maegan has been a member of the CHS Honor Roll for 4 years. She has also been very active in working with CHS and Clarendon College in the dual credit arrangement and has received several college hours while attending CHS.
Maegan is also involved in the community. She has helped decorate the nursing home during Christmas, performed hand bell programs at the nursing home, is a member of the FUMC hand bell choir and was a counselor for the Special Friends camp, a camp for mentally challenged and disabled adults.
Maegan works hard at balancing work, friends and family. She enjoys listening to music, reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Maegan plans on attending the University of North Texas in Denton this fall and will begin her studies into radio, television and film.
Athletes qualify for regional meet
The top four in each event will compete at the next level. Several relays will get to run at the next level from both Broncos and Lady Broncos.
The Lady Bronco sprint relay finished in first place with a time of 51.27 and was run by Glory Bryley, Amber Keelin, Sarah Luttrell, and Marqueda Gaines. The same four athletes ran the 800-meter relay and also took the top spot with a time of 1:48.73.
The Bronco 400-meter relay ran third with a time of 45.20 and was run by Chris Crump, Mike Crump, Charleston Harris, and Johnny Gaines.
The 800-meter relay finished fourth with a time of 1:33.64 with the same athletes running.
Sarah Luttrell finished second in the 100-meter dash at 12.75, and Audrey Shelton was fourth in the 1600-meter run at 5:55.03. Shelton also finished fourth in the 3200-meter run at 13:01.41. Jentry Shadle won the 100-meter hurdles at 16.20, and Amanda Powell was fourth in the 300-meter hurdles at 54.78. Haley Ferguson was fifth in that same event at 54.27.
Amber Keelin was sixth in the high jump with a leap of 4’10”, and Luttrell was fifth in the long jump at 15’4 ½”. McKayla Cartwright was third in the shot put with a distance of 31’10 ¼” and fifth in the discus at 95’6”.
Johnny Gaines won the 300-meter hurdles at 41.41 and was first in the long jump at 22’ ¾”. Charleston Harris was seventh in the long jump at 21’1 ¼”. Gaines jumped 43’1” in the triple jump to claim third place. Bradley Watson was fifth in the pole vault at 11’6”, and Cole Ward was seventh in the high jump at 5’8”. Chris Crump was sixth in the 200-meter dash at 22.79.
Coach Johnny Nino was pleased with the results of the meet and the dedication of the athletes.
“All of the athletes, those who are moving on and those who are not, have worked hard this track season,” Nino said.
“I appreciate the effort and the work they have put in.”
Johnny Roland Stiles
Johnny Roland Stiles, 84, died Monday, April 18, 2011, in Clarendon.
Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, in the Robertson Funeral Directors Saints Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. C.W. Parker, Odyssey Hospice Chaplain, officiating.
A private burial was held at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley. Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Johnny was born on December 30, 1926, in Hedley to Jesse F. & Ruth B. Stewart Stiles. He was a US Navy veteran and served during World War II and Korea. He married Patricia Smith on August 3, 1989, in Hedley.
He had been a resident of Hedley for over 30 years. He was a welder prior to his retirement. He enjoyed flying, fishing, and music especially playing the fiddle and guitar. He was a member of the VFW of the Hedley Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a daughter, Linda Zubia.
Survivors include his brother, Louis Stiles and wife Carol of Conroe; a sister, Linnie Ponder of Jefferson; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren.
The family request memorials be sent to Odyssey Hospice or Rowe Cemetery Association in Hedley.
Larry Wayne Taylor
Larry Wayne Taylor, 57, died April 12, in Mercer, TN.
Services were held Saturday, April 16, at Maple Springs Baptist Church near Mercer, with Rev. Tim Bass officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Lawrence-Sorensen Funeral Home.
Larry was born in Memphis and raised in Clarendon.
Larry was the son of the late Clifford and Billie Huffman Taylor, and was a retired parts manager for a General Motors vehicle dealership. He was a mason, a former Volunteer Fireman and Deputy Sheriff.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Ethan Hawk Taylor and a sister, Ginger Mills.
Survivors include his wife, Shamey Johnson Taylor and two sons, Thomas Taylor and Lukas Taylor, all of Mercer, TN; a sister, Shirley Ariola of Brady, TX; three brothers, David Taylor of Mercer, TN, Gene Taylor of Pea Ridge, AR and Jerry Taylor of Amarillo, TX; several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
The family requests any memorials be directed to Maple Springs Baptist Church.
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