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Archives for May 2019
Original Mulkey popcorn maker restored
Mulkey re-opens with gala event
Great music, great food, and a great time marked the opening gala of the Mulkey Theatre Saturday night, May 25.
Thunderstorms and downpours stopped a few ticketholders from attending the event, but a large crowd still braved the elements and turned out to enjoy an evening of entertainment.
A red carpet awaited those arriving after they had their photos taken in front of a custom Mulkey backdrop at the Visitor Center office. Once inside the newly renovated 1946 theatre, a feast was available in front of the new Mulkey stage and in the balcony with food expertly prepared by Great Western Dining and beverages provided by the Broken Road liquor store and the Chamber of Commerce.
Click here for photos of the Gala Opening.
The threat of severe weather in the Panhandle area caused performers from the musical drama “TEXAS” to cancel their scheduled appearance, but organizers quickly adapted the program and proceeded with the Mulkey festivities.
Howardwick residents and stars of the PBS series “Two For The Road” Dusty and Nikki Green served as masters of ceremonies for the evening and welcomed the crowd, and Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Secretary Roger Estlack thanked those who had helped the Mulkey project through the years.
Live entertainment was provided for the evening by the South Plains Dance Orchestra, a 16-piece big band that performed several selections from the World War II era and up through 1946, the year the Mulkey opened. The band also performed a Bob Wills tune in honor of his roots in this area. The acoustics of the renovated auditorium were praised by those attending.
As storms continued to flare up outside, power to the town – and consequently the theatre – went out briefly at least three times, but that never stopped the performance on the stage. Emergency lights kicked in immediately, and the band never missed a single beat. The show went on.
Following an intermission and the clearing of the stage, the big screen was lowered and an updated version of the Greens’ documentary, “Cinema City: The Mulkey & Clarendon,” featuring interviews with Bob Bell, the son of Lema Mulkey’s business manager Lee Bell; former Mulkey projectionist John Molder; Don and Maxine Robinson – who had their first date at the Mulkey; and the late Jean Stavenhagen. Updated footage included a time-lapse video of the installation of the seats in the theater and a dedication to Stavenhagen at the end of the video.
The audience also got to enjoy the premier of the trailer for the third season of “Two For The Road,” getting a glimpse of the Greens’ latest world travels displayed larger than life on the Mulkey screen.
A second intermission sent the audience back to the lobby for Cokes and popcorn before the feature presentation. Back in its original location, the Mulkey’s 1946 popcorn machine was serving its intended purpose after a week-long restoration at the hands of Sandell Drive-In owner John Morrow. The machine has been put on permanent loan to the Mulkey by Vicky and Chuck Robertson in memory of Patrick Robertson.
The first feature film in the new Mulkey was John Wayne and Claudette Colbert in the 1946 “Without Reservations.”
The Mulkey’s grand re-opening continued on Sunday and Monday with free matinees at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. “Grease” was followed by “The Majestic” on Sunday, and “Despicable Me” was followed by “The Cowboys” on Monday afternoon.
Mulkey organizers will be off this week but plan to begin showing new movies next Friday, June 7. Showtimes and movie selections will be posted at ClarendonTX.com/Mulkey and on Facebook.com/mulkeytheatre.
Garage sale event boasts 23 locations
Bargain shoppers will be in for a treat during the 14th annual “Trash to Treasures” garage sale event that will be held in Clarendon and the surrounding area this Saturday, June 1.
A total of 23 individual garage sales are scheduled to be held. A complete description of each sale is printed on the official Treasure Map located on the last page of this week’s Enterprise.
From furniture to antiques, this weekend’s sales will feature hundreds of treasures just waiting to be uncovered at bargain prices.
In addition to a plethora of garage sales, those visiting Clarendon this weekend will also have the benefit of visiting about 100 vendors at the Whistle-Stop Trade Days both Saturday and Sunday.
“Trash to Treasures” is being promoted with advertising dollars in area communities; and many people from neighboring counties are expected attend.
Donley seniors earn $174k in scholarships
Donley County high school graduates for 2019 received $174,060 to further their education, according to announcements made by Clarendon and Hedley high schools.
Clarendon High School seniors are eligible for or have received $125,550, and the total for Hedley seniors is $48,510.
Students from both Clarendon and Hedley are eligible for $500 from Clarendon College. The Bulldog Bucks Tuition Assistance Program will help to defray the cost of tuition, fees, books, and housing costs. Bulldog Bucks can be used to cover any unpaid balance up to $250 per semester. That represents a $16,000 commitment to the youth of Clarendon and a $5,500 commitment to Hedley seniors.
CC President Robert Riza has also instituted a tuition cap so that Clarendon and Hedley graduates will never have to pay for more than 12 credit hours per semester no matter how many hours they take. Additionally, there is also been a $20,000 commitment by the Clarendon College Foundation to fund the PEAK scholarship for Clarendon High School dual credit students while still in high school.
Clarendon’s Class of 2019 completed a total of 537 dual credit hours through Clarendon College.
“We at CHS would like to express our appreciation to Clarendon College and Dr. Riza, president,” CHS Principal Larry Jeffers said during graduation.
Local graduates were also recognized by Clarendon College this year with honor cords for seniors who have completed dual credit classes while in high school. Green and gold honor cords to signify that they have completed 20 or more hours, and green and white honor cords to signify they have earned between eight and 19 hours of college credit.
Individual recognitions for Hedley are as follows:
Jayden Lambert received the Lila Kate & Kylie Allison Monroe Scholarship for $300, a University Interscholastic League Scholar Award, an award for the Highest Ranking High School Graduate, the Capital Farm Credit Scholarship for $250, and a Herring Bank Scholarship for $500.
Kasie Hinton was awarded the Cross Road Peanuts Scholarship for $500, the Bill Talley Memorial Scholarship for $1,000, a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship for $500, a National Western Stock Show Scholarship for $1,200, and a Texas Braunvieh Association Scholarship valued at $4,000.
Jasmine McCleskey received a Herring Bank Scholarship for $300 and a Lioness Club Scholarship for $100.
Leslie Aizaga won a La Sierra University Achievement Award valued at $34,360.
Individual recognitions for Clarendon were:
Zoe Adams was awarded the Jacob Dean Smith Memorial Scholarship for $500 per semester for one year.
Dalton Benson eceived a $750 PEAK Scholarship, a $6,500 Academic Scholarship and $2,000 Honors Program Scholarship, both from Lubbock Christian University.
Chardy Craft received the Jack Roach Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is for $500 per semester for two years or $2000
Isaac Dunham has been awarded a $500 Clarendon Masonic Lodge Scholarship and a Livestock Judging Scholarship to attend Clarendon College valued at $1,500.
Kyla Dunham has been awarded one of two $300 Mae Jeffers Memorial Scholarships.
Noab Elam received the Walter B. Knorpp Valedictory Scholarship to Clarendon College valued up to $4,000. Noab is the recipient of the Walter B. Knorpp Valedictory Scholarship. He has also received the Valedictory Scholarship awarded by the State of Texas, which is a tuition waiver valued at up to $5,000 dependent upon the choice of state college.
Preston Elam received a $750 PEAK Scholarship, a $500 Les Beaux Arts Club Scholarship, and $300 from Herring Bank.
Brandalyn Ellis received a $300 scholarship form the Donley County Retired School Personnel Association, $3,000 from the Texas Quarter Horse Association, $2,000 from the Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association, a $1,000 Tri-State Rodeo Scholarship, a Texas High School Rodeo Association Scholarship for $1,000, and a $500 Clarendon Lions Club Scholarship. Her final scholarship is a 4-H scholarship for $20,000.
Cole Franks has received a $750 PEAK Scholarship, a Clarendon Mason Lodge Scholarship for $500, and the Crossroads Peanut Scholarship for $500. He has also received a $500 scholarship from Herring Bank and $650 from the Texas High School Rodeo Association Region 3, and his final scholarship is a $2,500 per year Rodeo Scholarship to Clarendon College.
Caton Grahn is the recipient of the third Clarendon Masonic Lodge Scholarship for $500, a $750 PEAK Scholarship, and the Capital Farm Credit Scholarship of $500. Caton also received the annual Bill Talley Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 and a Trinity Valley Community College Beef Cattle Show Team scholarship for $800 per semester.
Jenci Hernandez has been accepted into the Clarendon College Honors Program. She also received a $500 Lions Club Scholarship and a $250 Homer Estlack Memorial Scholarship.
Emily Johnson was awarded a $500 Lions Club Scholarship, a $500 Kennedy Lee Scholarship, a $500 Josephine Anderson Leadership Scholarship, a $500 M.S. and Meek Lane Doss Endowed Opportunity Scholarship, and Emily’s final scholarship is a $500 Les Beaux Art Club Scholarship.
Tessa Lutters received a $750 PEAK Scholarship and $300 Mae Jeffers Memorial Scholarship.
Christian Wooten was awarded a $750 PEAK Scholarship.
Gavin Word has been accepted into the Clarendon College Honors Program. He was also awarded a PEAK Scholarship for $750, the Walter B. Knorpp Salutatorian Scholarship, and the West Texas A&M University Institution Scholarship for $4000 a year for four years or $16,000.
Cameron Smith has received multiple athletic scholarship offers. North Lake Community College in Irving, Cedar Valley Community College in Lancaster, and Bethany Community College in Bethany, Kansas. Cameron has accepted, signed, and will be playing for Brookhaven Community College in Farmers Branch.
CHS officials say these are scholarships of which they were made aware. Many of these scholarships are broken into semesters and are contingent on meeting GPA requirements and may go unclaimed because of the student’s choice of college.
Principal Larry Jeffers said in addition to the awards from Clarendon College, the total awarded to Clarendon graduates included $59,450 of local and area scholarships.
“I would like to thank our local clubs, individuals, organizations, and Clarendon College for coming through for our students. Congratulations to all of our recipients and a sincere thank you to all of those people that provided these scholarships.”
CHS also presented three annual awards during graduation. Sandrea Smith was named the Girl Athlete of the Year, Caton Grahn received the Fighting Heart Award, and Brandalyn Ellis was named the 2019 recipient of the Knorpp Cup Award.
Betty Jo Hester
Services for Betty Jo Hester will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019, at the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating. Burial will follow at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Betty Jo was born to Clay Adam and Lela Mae Houchen Risenhoover on September 10, 1929, in Seminole, Oklahoma. She married Rogers Franklin Hester on June 26, 1947, in Amarillo and together they had three children. She had many talents and was excellent at cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, canning, and making quilts that continue to keep her family and friends warm. She was good at everything and she did it all. Helpmate to husband, Rogers, in everything he did. Very loving to her eight granddaughters and 17 great grandchildren. They all loved and learned so much from their Meme.
She had a servant’s heart and served her family, church family, and community well. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and was a good and faithful servant her whole life. She was a life-long Christian in the Baptist church, and a charter member of Community Fellowship Church of Clarendon. Betty and Rogers spent much time helping to build this church from its inception.
She was preceded in death by her lifelong partner and husband, Rogers Franklin Hester; parents, Clay and Lela Mae Risenhoover; brothers, J.M. Risenhoover, C.A. Risenhoover, Theo Risenhoover, Kenneth Risenhoover, Aubrey Risenhoover, and Edwin Risenhoover; sisters, Oletha Fox, Helen McDade, and Katherine Dunham; sister-in-law, Cymantha Earl; brother-in-law, John Hester.
She is survived by one son, two daughters, eight granddaughters, and 17 great-grandchildren. Son, Rogers “Butch” Hester wife Linda and two daughters, Sherelle (husband Kenneth Wanderscheid, son Zachary and wife Alexa, and daughter BreeLin); Shayla (husband Stephen Spisak, sons Trevor and Devin). Two daughters: Gail Greer and daughters Krystal (husband Max Seymour, daughters Allison and Ashley), and Kandice (husband Chris Norrid, daughter Temperance). Pat McCurdy husband Dickie and four daughters, Lesley (husband Dusty Harris, daughters Hailey and Kaitey); Lori (husband Dustin Guinn, daughters Keilee, Lexi, and Mylee); Lindy (husband Jerry Billington, daughters Baylor and Berklee, and son Braxton); Lacy (husband Seth Hall, son Parker, and daughter Rilynn). Sister, Audrey Braddy; sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Rutherford and husband Raymond, Rita Risenhoover, Dorothy Risenhoover, and Sondra Hester; brother-in-law, Vernon Earl; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family and a host of friends.
Just like the quilts she made, she was the fabric of our beginnings, weaving threads of kindness, stitching us together with laughter, understanding, and forgiveness. She bound our hearts with fond memories and quilted us together with love. Her love for all believers in Christ, who built and established the Community Fellowship Church, remained uncompromised right to the day she went home to be with our Lord.
CHS athletes named to All-District
Five Broncos and two Lady Broncos have been selected to the Baseball and Softball All-District Teams for the 2019 season.
Freshman Brock Hatley was named Newcomer of the Year for his work offensively and defensively. Senior hurlers Noab and Preston Elam made the team for their job on the mound, giving the Broncos a solid defense. Payton Hicks, also a senior, earned his award for his play in the infield, and junior Collin Butler excelled in the outfield throughout the season.
Senior Lady Broncos Emily Johnson and Sandrea Smith have been standouts for the ladies each year in high school and was named to the All-District First team for their work on first base and in the outfield.
Senior Isaac Dunham was named to the Second All-District Team at first base, and Ryan Ward, Harm Drenth, and Aiden Caudle received Honorable Mentions.
The MVP of the district went to Creighton Killian from Wellington and Pitcher of the Year went to Kayden Valles also from Wellington. Jeff Anderson, Wellington, was named Coach of the Year by the district.
Mulkey grand opening this weekend
The Mulkey Theatre will re-open for the first time in more than 30 years this weekend following 11 years of rehabilitation work costing $1 million.
Workers this week are putting the finishing touches on the 1946 theatre as it prepares to host three days of opening activities, starting with a gala event this Saturday, May 25.
Some advance tickets are still available for the opening night. General admission for the event is $50 per person each for a full evening of entertainment. The doors will open at 5 p.m., and the entertainment will start at 6 p.m.
In addition to a red carpet entrance and food and refreshments, organizers have planned a program to take attendees back in time to the opening of the 1946 theatre while also demonstrating the theatre’s new capabilities.
The Mulkey’s first live musical performance will be the South Plains Jazz Orchestra playing big band hits from the 1940s, and the artistic director from the outdoor musical “TEXAS” is preparing a live theatre act to follow the band.
The featured motion picture presentation for the grand opening will be a 1946 John Wayne and Claudette Colbert movie, “Without Reservations.”
Mulkey organizers encourage folks to get tickets ahead of time for Saturday’s grand opening. Tickets are available at the Clarendon Visitor Center or by calling 874-SHOW.
Following Saturday night’s grand opening, the Mulkey will hold four free admission matinees on Sunday, May 27, and Monday, May 28, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day. There will be no admission charge on a first come, first served basis. Movies scheduled for those matinees are “Greece” followed by “The Majestic” on Sunday and “Despicable Me” followed by “The Cowboys” on Monday.
The Mulkey will begin scheduling new movies, classic movies, and live events beginning June 7.
For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.
Clemishire takes over as Howardwick mayor
Tony Clemishire took the reins as Howardwick’s new mayor last Tuesday, May 14, and was sworn in along with two new members of the city council.
Outgoing Mayor Greta Byars opened the meeting and presided through the canvassing of May 4 election.
Clemishire expressed his appreciation for those who elected him and asked for patience as the new council gets to business.
The mayor also said he intends to bring citizens’ comments back to the end of regular council meetings so long as folks remain respectful.
Mayor Clemishire also brought up the community effort to fund a SchoolNet weather station at the Howardwick City Hall. Within a few minutes, donations from those in attendance totaled about $800, which when added to the monies already donated and pledged was enough to secure that equipment.
The council also discussed the upcoming Howardwick Hoe-Down that will raise funds for street repairs. Aldermen approved spending $745 for hoe-down related expenses, some of which – t-shirts and caps to sell, for example – is expected to recoup that money for the city. The Hoe-Down will be held June 8.
Also taking the oath of office last week was Alderman Johnny Floyd, who was reelected to his position and newly elected Alderman Jerry Mulanax. The council accepted the resignation of Alderman Debbora Sharpton and voted to appoint Mary Grady to take her place. Alderman Grady was also sworn in and took her seat at the council table.
In other city business, the council accepted bids for properties through Texas Communities Group. City Hall said later that 37 properties were sold in that one motion through TCG.
The council also approved the sale of three lots in the Country Club North section and three lots in the Country Club Central section.
Alderman Johnny Hubbard was elected as mayor pro-tem by his fellow council members.
May 24 deadline for garage sale event
The sign-up period for Clarendon’s 14th annual “Trash To Treasures” garage sale event closes this Friday, May 24, at 5 p.m.
Residents who wish to participate in this year’s “Trash To Treasures” are asked to come by the Enterprise before 5 p.m. on Friday, May 24, to sign up for the promotion.
For just $25, each household will get a 50-word advertisement in the Big-E Classifieds and the exclusive “Trash To Treasures” garage sale signs.
In addition, the Enterprise will print a city map the week of the event indicating the location of each sale and will promote the citywide garage sale in area newspapers and with local radio ads.
For more information about the annual Trash To Treasures garage sale event, call 874-2259 or come by the Enterprise office at 105 S. Kearney.
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