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Archives for April 2021

Enterprise wins press recognitions

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The Clarendon Enterprise received several awards including one first place plaque in the West Texas Press Association’s 2020/2019 Better Newspaper Contest.

The Enterprise placed first in Editorial Writing and was second in Special Coverage for its reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Third place honors were received for Special Sections, General Excellence, Advertising designed by Roger Estlack and Ashlee Estlack, and Photography by Elaina Estlack. Roger Estlack was also the third place in the Journalist of the Year contest.

Benjamin Estlack and Ashlee Estlack received fourth place in column writing, and the Enterprise was also fourth in News Writing and Sports Coverage and received honorable mention for Feature Writing.
The Enterprise competed in Division C for weekly papers and was third overall for Sweepstakes.

CC rodeo team heading to national finals

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The Clarendon College Men’s Rodeo teams is headed to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., in June, following their third-place finish at Tarleton State University for their last regular season rodeo last week

With the Tarleton performance, the team earned enough points there and throughout the year to finish as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southwest Region Champions and earn a trip to the national contest.

Clarendon also brought home two individual event champions in Cole Franks, Southwest Region Bareback Champion, and Cash Wilson as the Southwest Region Saddle Bronc Champion. Keene Justesen finished in a tie for third place in the region’s final standings to earn a trip to the CNFR as well.

Tarleton short round qualifiers from CC in the bareback riding were Weston Patterson, who finished sixth in the average with a 69-point ride in the long round and 72 points in the short round, and Cole Franks, who made a 76-point ride in the long round and a 79 point ride in the short round to win the average and a shot at winning a Polaris Ranger. He drew the winning key that started it and brought it home with his winnings as well.

Seth Waldron qualified in the tiedown roping with a 9.7 run but had a little trouble in the short round with a time of 20.4.

In the saddle bronc riding, Cash Wilson rode for 66 points in the long round and 76 in the short round, Brodie Roessler was 70 in the long round and bucked off in the short round, Trey Elshere was 78 in the long go and 75 in the short round for third in the average, and Weston Patterson rode for 78 and 84 points to finish second in the average. Patterson also qualified for the short round in the steer wrestling after making a nice 4.3 run in the long round but did not have a qualified time in the short round.

Cole Franks, Cash Wilson, Keene Justesen, Brody Wells, Dawson Gleaves, and Weston Patterson will represent CC at the College National Finals on June 12-19.

Pantex introduces new apprenticeship program

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Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) and the Metal Trades Council (MTC) on April 7 signed and submitted final paperwork to the US Department of Labor (DOL) for a new apprenticeship program at Pantex.

CNS and the Metal Trades Council partner to kick off new apprenticeship program at Pantex. Left to Right: Todd McKellar, Pipefitter, Gabe Pugh, deputy manager NNSA Production Office, Tonya Detten, acting manager of Pantex Labor Relations, Michael Williams, Pantex Infrastructure senior director, MTC President Robin Harris, MTC Vice President Brent Matlock, David McCown, Pantex Infrastructure manager, Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes. Courtesy Photo / Pantex

The program is being implemented to increase participation in trades work by hiring apprentices who are working on their qualifications and providing them the training and hours necessary to obtain journeyman certifications.

“We seek to hire the best talent available to provide career-enhancing assignments that improve our site,” said Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes. “The apprenticeship program will serve Pantex and job seekers by training workers for jobs with promising futures.”

Apprentices are full-time, paid employees who earn while they learn. The previous apprenticeship program at Pantex was discontinued in the late 1980s.

“The new program’s implementation will improve community involvement and help us prepare for the future,” said David McCown, Pantex Infrastructure manager. “Pantex is a unique place to work. The program will allow us to recruit and train specifically for the support we provide to operations.”

The renewal of the program has been almost two years in the making and required a lot of work and persistence by members of team that included Pantex Infrastructure, Operations, Legal, Labor Relations, and the MTC. Y-12 National Security Complex, DOL, and the United Association Local Union 404 (Plumbers and Pipefitters union) assisted with requirements and training for the new program.

“Recruiting qualified trades workers is becoming a challenge given the nature of the competitive labor market,” said Tonya Detten, acting manager of Pantex Labor Relations. “These crafts take a very specific skill and require very technical training, including classroom training and supervised hours doing the work. That is where the apprenticeship program comes in; our journeymen can teach newcomers the trade and how it’s done at Pantex.”

Pantex will first accept pipefitter apprentices with plans to expand to sheet metal workers, boilermakers, and toolmakers in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress on the program’s launch because some trades would need to travel to Houston or Albuquerque for specific training—a challenge because of travel restrictions. Fortunately, local unions were able to provide the appropriate pipefitter training to get the program started

“The local Union Association of Pipefitters and Plumbers Union stepped in with local curriculum, classroom, and trade knowledge to get us off the ground and running,” Detten said. “We just took what COVID gave us and we figured out a way to make it work, and we look towards adding other trades as COVID restrictions are lifted.”

Apprentice training will take place on- and off site. Once the apprentices fully complete their apprenticeship, which takes approximately four years, they are employed as journey-level craftsmen.
They are paid on a sliding scale according to their training and experience until they obtain journeyman status.

CNS expects to have the first five pipefitter apprentices onboard at Pantex by the end of fiscal year 2021.

“It is great to see the reestablished apprentice program at Pantex, as it will set the stage for bringing the next generation of trades stewards that will maintain our infrastructure,” said Gabe Pugh, deputy manager NNSA Production Office, Pantex. “They are critical to the success of our mission at Pantex.”

Judson Roy “J.R.” Williams

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Born August 9, 1922, to a Texas minister/sharecropper and a former one-room teacher, Judson Roy “J.R.” Williams, was the sixth of eight children.

Judson Roy “J.R.” Williams

During the Depression, the family rode in the back of their truck to work in the canneries of California, but eventually returned to rural Donley County, where he met Margaret Jean Leathers. She fell for him when he sang “Beautiful Dreamer” in a high school quartet. They married in 1943 while he was serving in WWII. He lost two brothers in that war and a third was held for months in a Nazi camp.

After his service, he obtained a degree in education. J.R. also received his master’s degree and his administrative certificate. He taught high school and college Spanish and was a basketball coach in Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. He served as a principal in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Red Mesa AZ High School, and taught many history and civics classes. He fervently valued democracy and civil rights. He was drawn to the underdog. As an educator, he sought fairness. Always a keen sports fan, J.R. was known to write letters to the NFL and NBA about his views on referee calls. He owned and operated health food stores in Durango and New Mexico.

Quick-witted and charming, he worked at the Mesa Verde Museum, the Colorado Welcome Center, looked after his bird feeders, set lofty goals for his questionable carpentry skills, and talked politics. He lived near Dove Creek, Colorado, where he began his teaching career. In his last years, J.R. replaced “thank you” with “bless you”. He was a blessing to multitudes of students who benefitted from his confidence in the worth of a good education and a strong work ethic.

Mr. Williams is survived by his son, Jan, and his daughter, Sharon McAnear. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Jaylyn Richards, and his grandsons, Joshua, Jeremy, Gabriel, and Daniel Tate, as well as eleven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Jean, and his loving son, Jay. He died April 24, 2021 at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado; graveside services are pending at the Kline Cemetery.

Joel Scott Bulman

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Joel Scott Bulman, 60, of Amarillo died Sunday, April 18, 2021 in Amarillo.

Joel Scott Bulman

Graveside services were held Friday, April 23, 2021 in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Dick Marcear, officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Joel was born September 30, 1960, in California to Gene Franklin and Shirley Morris Bulman. He married Lori Jean Esser in May of 1991 in Canyon. He was a police officer in California prior to his retirement. He and his family moved back to Amarillo several years ago. Joel loved his family and was a devoted family man.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife in 2008.

Survivors include his son, Hunter Scott Bulman of Amarillo.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com.

Joyce LaNell Blasingame

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Memorial Services for Joyce LaNell Blasingame, 83, were held on Monday, April 26, 2021 at Fellowship of Believers Church with Pastor Danny Mize, officiating. Mrs. Blasingame gained her heavenly reward on Friday, April 23, 2021.

Joyce LaNell Blasingame

Joyce Blasingame was born on October 11, 1937, to her parents, Roy and Cleo (Usrey) Crutchfield in Clarendon, Texas. Joyce was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother who enjoyed caring for her family. She was incredibly hardworking. Joyce worked on the ranch where she helped brand cattle and cook. Mrs. Blasingame was famous for the hot rolls she served to all the older men and boys on the ranch. In addition to serving her family, Joyce spent her life serving the Lord. She was a member of the Fellowship of Believers Church in Hereford.

Mrs. Joyce Blasingame is survived by her husband, Tom Blasingame of Hereford, and her three daughters, Kay Beyers and her husband Jesse of Amarillo, Millie Alford and husband Early of Hereford, and Sherry Frost of Clovis. Also surviving are six grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and her sister, Jeanette Blevins of Plainview.

Mrs. Blasingame was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Bill Blasingame, and her grandson, Tom Patterson.

The family suggests that memorials may be made in Mrs. Blasingame’s name to the Fellowship of Believers Church, P.O. Box 2425, Hereford, TX 79045.

Memphis residents win 2021 Jones 5K

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About 100 people helped raise awareness of child abuse during the ninth annual Chance Mark Jones Roar & Run 5K & Polar Bear Plunge last Saturday, April 17, at the Clarendon Aquatic Center.

Ninety-five people registered for the event with about 50 actually running or walking the 5K, and 16 or more braving the biting cold weather to be the first members of the public to jump into the city’s new pool. Dozens more volunteers, supporters, and spectators were also in attendance.

Two Memphis residents were the top men’s and women’s finishers of the 5K. Ryder Robison, age 15, had the best overall time of 18 minutes, 24 seconds, and took first place in the 11-19 age group. Kay Mendoza, age 18, had the best time of all women, coming in at 22:21 in the same age division.

New this year, city officials allowed registered participants to jump into the new Clarendon Aquatic Center pool, which will formally open on Memorial Day weekend. One feature of the new center is a basketball goal purchased by the Clarendon Lions Club in honor of the late Chance Mark Jones.

Participants of the 5K and the plunge were encouraged to wear crazy costumes for the events. Judges selected Boss Lion Landon Lambert’s tutu outfit as the best of the plunge participants and 12-year-old Ayden Bordonaro’s dinosaur costume won the runner’s division.

Complete results of this year’s race are as follows: Top Men’s Time – Ryder Robison, 18:24; Top Women’s Time – Kay Mendoza, 22:21; 10 and under – 1st Kutter O’Keefe 31:46, 2nd Lester Graham 58:50, and 3rd Joshua Jones; Ages 11-19 – 1st Robison 18:24, 2nd Bryce Williams 20:15, 3rd Tyler Tuttle 21:57; Ages 20-29 – 1st Monty Holland 25:30, 2nd Caitlin Christopher 30:12, and 3rd Haley Kirk 52:17; Ages 30-39 – 1st John Robison 29:04, 2nd Amber Williams 47:00, and 3rd Cody Jones 55:36; Ages 40-49 – 1st J.D. McMahon 24:37, 2nd Maria Hale 25:32, and 3rd Andrew Brown 29:48; Ages 50-59 – 1st Michelle Branigan 29:43, 2nd Christi Benson 32:00, and 3rd Shirley Blank 33:57; and Ages 60 and Up – 1st Dan Purdy 32:10, 2nd Nancy Kidd 47:27, and 3rd Bob Weiss 48:12.

The race sponsored by the Clarendon Lions Club honors the life of four-year-old Chance Mark Jones, who died from child abuse in 2011.

Proceeds support the charitable activities of the Lions Club.

TobyMac LIVE

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Christian hip hop artist TobyMac drew a record crowd to the Sandell Drive-In last Saturday night, April 17, for his live on-stage performance with an estimated attendance of 1,100 people including the audience, staff, and performers. Cochran & Co. opened for TobyMac and the Diverse City Band. The Sandell’s next live concert will be held May 20 and will feature the return of Zach Williams, who performed in Clarendon last year and will appear this time with Mac Powell and CAIN. For more information about the upcoming performances, visit the Sandell’s Facebook page. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Former CHS coaches in UIL top 100

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Clarendon High School basketball made headlines this year with the Broncos’ first ever state championship last month, but two former CHS coaches have also received notable recognition.

In celebration of 100 years of UIL Texas high school basketball, the University Interscholastic League with the help of some of the state’s foremost experts and historians, the UIL earlier this spring honored 100 of the top coaches to walk the sidelines in UIL History in both boys’ and girls’ competition.

Carl Irlbeck

Only two names from CHS made those lists – Coach Carl Irlbeck for boys’ basketball and Coach Jimmy Avery for girls’ basketball.

Irlbeck played for Clarendon College in 1959 when the Bulldogs won the Western Junior College Conference championship. He then coached basketball at Nazareth, Clarendon, Abernathy, Plainview, Plainview Christian, Monterey, and Hart. He’s known for his crew-cut hair and cowboy boots, which he used to stomp the floor and get players’ attention.

Irlbeck took the Bronchos to the state tournament in 1971 and overall has 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 has taught for more than 59 years and coached for 55. He’s been inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame and the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame and has a career record of 1,065 wins and 501 losses.

Jimmy Avery

Avery coached for 32 years. He began his career at Petersburg followed by Levelland, Spur, Shallowater, Lubbock-Roosevelt, Clarendon, Big Spring, Tuscola, Grady, Trophy Club Byron Nelson, and Ponder.

Coaching boys basketball at CHS, Avery led the Broncos to bi-district championships in 1995 and 1997. He won a state championship Tuscola Jim Ned in 2008, made two other appearances in the state tournament, and coached a state championship in cross-country in 2003. Avery has a career record of 813-315.

Coach Avery has been honored with the Chuck Moser Coach of the Year award, was named the Big Country Coach of the Year twice, and was the 2A South Plains Coach of the Year in 1993.

CC rodeo team third at Snyder

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The Clarendon College Men’s Rodeo Team competed at Western Texas College rodeo in Snyder this past weekend and won third place as a team with Cole Franks winning the bareback riding championship and Dawson Gleaves with the bull riding championship.

Franks won both rounds with an 87-point ride in the long go and an 84 in the short round to win the average. Weston Patterson was 78 points in the long go; and while he failed to make a qualified ride in the short go, he still finished 6th in the average.

Cole Franks

In the saddle bronc riding, four riders made it back to the short round. Trey Elshere was the only one to ride both horses and scored 73 in the long go and 77 points in the short round for 3rd in the average. Patterson won second in the long go with his 80-point ride, Brody Wells had a 79-point ride tied for 3rd place, and Cash Wilson was 78 points for 5th place.

Team ropers Kreese Milligan and Dawson Reedy had a 6.7 time in the team roping for a spot in the short go but missed their steer in the short round.

In the bull riding, Dawson Gleaves was 85 points in the long go and tied for 2nd place, 89 for 1st in the short go and the average while Reedy was 83 points in the long go for 4th place but bucked off in the short go but still earned 5th in the average.

Dawson Gleaves

The Bulldogs still hold the number one spot in the regional team standings but not by much. It will come down to the wire in the team standings and a couple events as the team competes in their last regular season rodeo this weekend at Tarleton State.

The top two teams and top three individuals in each event will advance to the College National Finals Rodeo held in Casper, Wyo., in June.

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