Archives for July 2017

FLOYDADA – About 90 youth from the Panhandle and South Plains districts attended the annual Xcel Energy/4-H Power Camp June 30-July 2 at the Plains Baptist Encampment near Floydada.

Among those attending was Donley County 4-H member Tanner Burch.

The goal of this camp is for the youth involved in Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s 4-H program to learn about leadership, electricity and team building, said Shawnte Clawson, AgriLife Extension 4-H youth development specialist in Amarillo.

The camp activities included ziplining, ropes course, kayaking, nightly dances and other recreational activities, which allowed participants to learn the basics of leadership and character development, Clawson said.

Xcel employees from Hereford, Plainview, Perryton and Lubbock taught classes and assisted with the event. The classes covered wiring and electrical safety along with energy conservation and careers in energy, said Mike Grant, Xcel community service and economic development manager in Hereford.

“We had a great time teaching about electricity and safety, two of my favorite topics,” Grant said. “We had the largest group attend the camp in over 10 years.

“Our relationship with this wonderful group allows us to reach many of our rural areas with an electric safety message that can save lives and teach young people about electricity,” he said.

Xcel named three top campers: Carter Strawn, Ochiltree County; Katherine Bezner, Dallam/Hartley; and Kynzie Hardegree, Mitchell.

Clawson said this year’s camp also included the election of each district officer team.   Those elected for District 1, the Panhandle area, were: president – Jenna Mayer, Potter County; vice president – Asher Miller, Ochiltree County; second vice president – Clay Wilson, Wheeler County; public relations officer and state 4-H council delegate at large – Alejandro Mata, Deaf Smith County; secretary – Ashby Dauer, Carson County; health and safety officer – Lydia Miller, Ochiltree County; photographer – Sedona Bailey, Potter County; treasurer – Mallory McKinney, Potter County; and two member advisers – Kaleigh Meador of Potter County and Marcee Cooke of Hemphill County.

District 2, South Plains area, elected officers were: president- Kyler Hardegree, Mitchell County; vice president – Rachel Graham, Floyd County; delegate at large – Quinton Linson, Gaines County; second vice president – Bryson High, Castro County; third vice president – Chandler Schulte, Castro County; secretary/treasurer – David Burt, Lamb County; public relations officer – Kristi McAlister, Castro County; and member adviser – Carson Millican, Gaines County.

Clawson said 4-H and Xcel Energy have collaborated for over 64 years in educating youth about leadership and energy.

“The North Region 4-H program thanks Xcel for their continued financial and educational support of its programs,” she said.

SHAWNEE – Cole Franks of Clarendon is competing this week in the 25th annual International Finals Youth Rodeo held July 9-14 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Franks is participating in the world’s richest youth rodeo, hoping to win his share of more than $250,000 in prize money and championship saddles and buckles.

Franks will join more than 800 of the top high school rodeo athletes from around the world for the 2017 IFYR. He is vying for prizes in bareback riding and saddle bronc riding.

Contestants will compete in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas throughout the week. Events include barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, goat tying, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding. The IFYR consists of two long go-rounds and a short go. All contestants compete once in each of the long go-rounds. The top 15 averages in each event will compete Friday night in the championship round short go for fame and prizes.

“The International Finals Youth Rodeo was developed to provide high school athletes with a professional level rodeo,” said Chris Dunlap, assistant director of the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center and International Finals Youth Rodeo. “Twenty-five years later, the IFYR is where any hopeful rodeo champion wants to be and be seen.”

The IFYR is not only home to the top high school athletes in the nation, but it is also an opportunity that allows for contestants and their families to travel, rodeo along the way and meet peers from across the country. The International Finals Youth Rodeo, held annually since 1993, is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that presents top high school athletes with a professional rodeo. The internationally-recognized IFYR is held annually at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The action-packed event includes hundreds of contestants vying to win more than $250,000 in prize money, competing in 10 events running simultaneously in three arenas over six days. In 2016, more than 920 contestants and their families traveled from 34 states and Australia to participate in the IFYR. For more information, visit IFYR.com or call (405) 275-7020.

Beautiful, calm weather greeted a patriotic crowd gathered on the Courthouse Square last Saturday, July 1, for the 140th 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. In the 0-4 age group, Annislee McIntosh was first, Leah Victory was second, and Kelton Herndon third. MaKynna Williams won the 5-8 age group with Cooper Henderson second and Nevaeh & Zaylee third. The 9 and up age group was won by Kyndall Shields, Bryce Williams second and Billy Bond third.

The Herring Bank Parade delighted kids of all ages as floats, riding units, emergency vehicles, and other entries wound their way from the baseball fields through downtown. Greenbelt Electric took Grand Champion and best float, Floyd Baxter won best car or truck, Bromley Ranch won best tractor or farm equipment, and best “other” entry went to the Community Fellowship Church. Sierra Millison took first place in the Cornell’s Country Store “Show Us Your Boots” contest, and Michelle Hall was second place.

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 Oldest Settler went to Johnny Leathers age 96.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 600 plates of barbecue, down from 749 last year. 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.

Several organizations held fundraisers during the celebration. The winners of the Courthouse Lighting Committee Penny Raffle were Debbie Chowins and Tim Herbert, $100.00 each and Paulette Kidd and Russell Latham, $50 each. The Clarendon Lions Club won the $2000 Community Fund raffle and Jody Berry & Chrisi Tucek won $500 each. The winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo were Brock Holland, $250, and Brenda Hill and Russell Latham, $50 each.

The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association hosted a Junior Ranch Rodeo on July 4 and an open Ranch Rodeo on June 30 and July 1. Results of those events will be listed in next week’s edition.

Henson’s annual Turtle Race had altogether 177 participants, which was down from terrapin handlers last year. Winners were Cashlyn Linquist for the 0-4 division, Brandon Moore for the 5-8 division, Colton Benson for the 9-14 division, and Gary Chavez for the adult division. Each child division winner received $25 and a $25 Henson’s Gift Certificate. The adult division brought in $260, which was divided in half between the winner and the Donley County Child Welfare board.