Archives for July 2013

Cool, calm weather greeted a patriotic crowd gathered on the Courthouse Square last Thursday, July 4, for the 136th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.

The Kids’ Parade started the day with the youngsters peddling or driving from Third Street down Sully Street in front of the Courthouse. There were 27 participants in the 1-4 age category, and the winners were first place Braxton Gribble, second place Caleb Askew & Kassie Askew, and third place was Keiden Moody. The 5-8 age division had 34 participants, and the winners were first place Kyndall Shields, second place Maloree Wann, and third place Tandie & Kennadie Cummins. The 9 and up category had seven 7 participants, and the winners were first place Ashleigh Hatfield, second place Jordan Johnson, and third place Coby Pryer.

In the 0-4 age group, Kyndall Shields was first, Meredith Artho was second, and Elliott Frausto was third. Braxton Gribble won the 5-8 age group with MaKenna Shadle second and Molley Davis third. The 9-12 age group was won by Keeden Moody, Davis Conklin was second, and Jaxon Robertson was third. Ethan Babcock was also recognized as having the first place bicycle.

The annual Craft Fair drew a big crowd to the courthouse square with an impressive number of vendors; and the Chamber of Commerce recognized several pioneer citizens during the Old Settlers gathering. The following honorees received t-shirts from the Chamber: Tom and Lucy Saye (first place), Susie Shields and Walt Warner (second place) and Douglas Shelton (third place).

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 543 plates of barbecue, down significantly from 717 last year and 800 the year before. A portion of the proceeds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.

That afternoon, the Western Parade delighted kids of all ages as floats, riding units, emergency vehicles, and other entries wound their way from City Park through downtown and back again. The Donley County 4-H Club took first place among all parade entries, the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department Dive Team was second, and the Clarendon Girl Scouts’ were third.

Several organizations held fundraisers during the celebration. The winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo were Misty Baker, $250, and Adenia Baird and Cynthia Lindley, $50 each. Danny Cummins won the John Deere riding lawn mower given by the Junior Livestock Association in support of the Donley County Activity Center. Louise Conley was the winner of the St. Mary’s Catholic Women Quilt Drawing. Mary Vorheis won the lawnmowing from the Howardwick Fire Department, and Rainey Etcheson won the department’s fireworks drawing.

The Cash for Kids drawing fundraiser for the Donley County Child Welfare Board raised a total of $10,000, half of which went to the grand prize winner. Security Abstract Co. owned the 100th ticket drawn and received $5,000.

Winners of the Donley County Crisis Pregnancy Center’s Beautiful Baby & Toddler Contest were Addisyn (no last name) and Jaxon Robertson.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association hosted a Junior Ranch Rodeo on July Fourth and an open Ranch Rodeo on July 5 and 6. Results of those events are listed in a separate article in this week’s edition.

Henson’s annual Turtle Race was held Saturday afternoon. There were altogether 206 participants, which was an increase from the 168 terrapin handlers last year. The winners were Aiden Burnam for the 0-4 division, Angeline Chavez for the 5-8 division, and Kari O’Dell for the 9-14 division. Each winner received a coin bag full of gold dollars.

 The petition calling for an election on legalizing alcohol sales in Donley County met the threshold for the number of signatures needed to place the issue on the November ballot.

A total of 544 legal signatures were verified on the petition, Tax Assessor-Collector Linda Crump said Tuesday. Petitioners needed 413 signatures to call an election on the question.

County Clerk Fay Vargas says the petition will now sit in her office for 30 days and will go on the Commissioners’ Court’s August 12 agenda to call the election on November 5.

Petition organizer Jack Craft was pleased Crump’s verification and said a total of 596 signatures had been submitted to her office.

“I want to thank the people of Donley County for their support of this petition,” Craft said.

The petition as presented requests an election be held countywide to allow the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed drinks.

Petition supporters have cited economic reasons for wanting to legalize alcohol, including increased sales, tax revenues, and out-of-town sponsorships for local events.

Opponents of legalization say easier availability of alcohol will lead to increases in crime, underage drinking, and other social costs.

Currently, petitioners are also busy in Hemphill County where organizers are seeking to legalize the sale of alcohol and mixed beverages in the City of Canadian. Alcohol sales began this month in Perryton after Ochiltree County voters approved legalizing package sales in May. Voters in Armstrong County also approved package sales last month. Silverton, Childress, and Shamrock have all also been voted wet in the last few years.

Cowboys from Wilson Cattle made a three-peat performance as they took top honors for the third year in a row during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

Wilson Cattle’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 136th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Rody Wilson, Tyler Rice, Jordan Satterfield, Jason Thomas, and Jessie Valdez.

The Crutch Ranch team finished second with Cody Heck, Jacke Mitchell, Hegen Lamb, and Chad Smith.

The Myers/96 Ranch was third place this year with the team of Scott Myers, Cobey Turner, Ky Finck, Garrett Manness, and Tyler Avent.

The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Garrett Manness., and the Top Horse award was won Casey Jo Lewis of the Smith SJ Ranch.

This year’s total attendance for the two-day ranch rodeo and Wednesday’s junior rodeo was not available at press time, but COEA President Alex McAnear said it was lighter than he would have liked it to be.

The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by Bar H Ranch with the team of Brody Rankin, Cy Frizzell, True Lacina, Jace Bland, and Garrett Fry. The second place team was from the Mason Quarter Horse team featuring Dalton Benson, Dee Oles, Lane Oles, Hunter Kennedy, and Casey McClesky. Happy Cattle Co. was third in the junior rodeo with a team of Jayton Walden, Cameron McCarley, Colton Carley, Jayton Smith, and Jake Duckworth.

Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Casey McClesky, and Hunter Kennedy rode the Top Horse.

 

Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Madi Benson. Overall Calf Riding Champion was Colton Benson, the Overall Donkey Rider was Kyle Brown, and Steer Riding champion was Jake Baca.

Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:

July 4 – Calf Scramble – Gavin Word, Jade Benson, and Hannah Gage; Mutton Bustin’ – Madi Benson; Calf Riding – Colton Benson; Donley Riding – Coby Pryer; and Steer Riding – Jake Baca.

July 5 – Calf Scramble – Cooper McClesky, Kannen Celaham, and Jade Benson; Mutton Bustin’ – Madi Benson; Calf Riding – Cooper Oles; Donkey Riding – Dalton Benson; and Steer Riding – Jake Baca.

July 7 – Calf Scramble – Jade Benson, Colton Havens, and Cooper Huddleston; Mutton Bustin’ – Madi Benson; Calf Riding – Colton Benson; Donkey Riding – Kyle Brown; and Steer Riding – Jake Baca.

Beef winners this year were Jim Uptergrove and Samantha Golden.

The Clarendon ISD Board of Trustees met in regular session June 18 with a full agenda that included school safety issues and using an online solution to teach high school Spanish.

Roger and Ashlee Estlack led a discussion about the safety issues and communications at the school district during times of severe weather and crisis situations.

Mr. Estlack suggested the district review its emergency plans and offered suggestions to improve the plan, and Mrs. Estlack encouraged the board to adopt the same automated crisis communications system currently being used by the sheriff’s office and Clarendon College. Superintendent Monty Mr. Hysinger and the board will explore the options and present a resolution at a later date.

The board approved a proposal by mylanguage360 to offer online Spanish classes for the 2013-2014 school year. High School Principal Larry Jeffers said the school could cancel the agreement if a qualified instructor can be found before the fall semester starts.

Trustees also approved proposal from Texas Association of Public Schools (TAPS) for auto, liability, and property insurance coverage or the 2013-2014 school year as presented. The premium accepted was higher than a competing bid, but TAPS deductibles on wind and hail damage were more favorable to the district. A proposal from Claims Administrative Services, Inc., for a three-year plan for workers’ compensation insurance was also approved.

Bids were accepted on tax delinquent properties in Howardwick were unanimously accepted by the board.

The board met behind closed doors for 15 minutes and then accepted resignations from Kamy Whatley – Junior High Science; Shanna Shelton – Coach/Math; and Leslie A. White – fifth grade teacher; and offered a one-year probationary contract to Fran Stidham – fifth grade teacher.

Trustees accepted a proposal from Shadle Construction for paint and minor repairs to exterior door at Old Gym, boy’s locker room showers in Colt Gym, and E-Wing point-up and paint for a total of $8,650.