Chamber of Commerce recognizes top citizens

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce recognized Frankie Henson with the 2006 Saints’ Roost Award for her lifetime of service to the community during the chamber’s annual banquet Saturday night.

Marvin Elam was named Man of the Year, and Woman of the Year honors were split between Rhonda Howell and Chandra Holman.

Henson was honored for her many decades of service to the community through the Saints’ Roost Museum and several other local organizations. She is a charter member of the Clarendon Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, a Life Member of Beta Sigma Phi International, and a charter member of the Saints’ Roost Museum Board.

Henson has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon since 1937 and became a member of the Mildred Ritter Group a few years after that. She has served as Worthy Matron for the Clarendon Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 6 three different times, has served as Deputy Worthy Matron twice, and as District Deputy Worthy Matron for District 2.

For 61 years, she and her husband have been partners in a local business. She relishes the fact that her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law are also involved in the business and her life everyday. For many, many years, the Fourth of July celebrations have always found this busy lady either participating in the barbecue serving line or helping with the popular turtle race. And she’s always there helping with the museum fund raisers.

As a gracious ambassador for Clarendon, Henson never misses an opportunity to boast about Clarendon, its heritage, its fine churches and schools, the college, and all that the community has to offer.

Two women shared the 2006 Woman of the Year title for extraordinary service during the infamous wildfires last spring. Chandra Holman and Rhonda Howell are both members of the Clarendon Firebelles, but on March 12, 2006, they both became heroes after a Howardwick fire truck rolled into a canyon. Without regard to their own safety, they made their way through perilous conditions to provide medical attention to the injured firemen. They were surrounded by fire, and the truck was still precariously balanced above them. The bravery and skill demonstrated by Holman and Howell allowed one fireman – James McMorries – to spend a few more precious months with his family and saved another fireman – Jeff Cooke – from possible paralysis. Countless hours of volunteer service to others show that these ladies have hearts of gold.

The 2006 Man of the Year, Marvin Elam, has been a volunteer fireman in Howardwick and was instrumental in procuring a new fire engine for his city. For a year and a half, he has also held the office of mayor in Howardwick. Elam also serves on committees in his church and has been an active member of the Clarendon Lions Club, where he has served as the Boss Lion. For nine years, Elam has been the principal of Clarendon Junior High where he has promoted high expectations for his faculty and students and always offers a kind word and helping hand.

Other awards presented at Saturday’s banquet included the Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year and the Young Men and Women of the Year.

The Pioneer Man of the Year was L.L. Wallace, born in Greenville in 1911 and later moved to Clarendon where he established the Surface Burial Vault Co. in 1930. The name of the business was later changed to Wallace Monument Co., and it is still owned and operated by his grandchildren. He was active in regional square dance groups, the First United Methodist Church, the Clarendon Lions Club, and the Clarendon Flying Club. He served on the Clarendon School Board, the Local Housing Authority Board, the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association, the Clarendon Country Club, and the Masonic Lodge. Wallace has always said that the Panhandle of Texas has good-hearted people and is the best place in the world to live.

Carmen Wright was named the Pioneer Woman of the Year for 2006. She was born in 1915, and there has never been a time since that she saw a need and didn’t respond. She has cooked food to take to those in need, sat with the sick, held people close, and kept her arms open to anyone. Despite person heartache, she has come through with a smile and a complete trust in the Lord. She worked for many years at the Adair Hospital and later as a dental assistant for Dr. Keith Hudson, and most people remember her best in her white uniform. She also volunteered at the Donley County Senior Citizens Center to take blood pressures, and she and her late husband, Bud, spent many Saturdays keeping the Saints’ Roost Museum open for visitors.

The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon High School is Jake Miser. He is a member of the CHS Student Council, providing service and leadership to both the school and the community. He has participated in band for four years, making it to state in solo and ensemble contest for three years, and was the drum major this year. He is president of the National Honor Society and has represented CHS in University Interscholastic League academic competition for four years, qualifying to compete at state in literary criticism last year. He is a member of Junior Historians and has competed in National History Day, and this year he will again go to Austin to compete at the state level. Even when not directly involved in an activity, he is still there taking pictures for the annual staff, and this year he is the copy editor. He always tries to do the best thing.

The Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon High School was Haley Carter. As a cheerleader, she works with elementary age girls during the Little Miss Cheerleader Camp. As a member and officer of the CHS Junior Historians, she has donated time to the nursing home as she worked with the recreation director to provide entertainment and a festive atmosphere for the residents.  Also as a Junior Historian, she has been a docent for the Saints’ Roost Museum and has participated in fundraising activities for four years.  She competes in the National History Day competition.  Last year she received a First Place Documentary, which qualified her to compete at state.  She has repeated that feat and will travel to Austin again this year. She is the 2006/2007 CHS recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. She has been class president twice and is currently the senior class vice president.  She has been a band Solo and Ensemble State Qualifier for four years. Her presence always brightens a room and everyone’s spirits.

The Young Woman of the Year from Hedley High School is Betty Cruz. She is active in basketball, tennis, cheerleading, National Honor Society, and UIL academic activities. She is a state qualifier in the Business Professionals of America, and she is involved in the youth group at the Hedley First Baptist Church. She has persevered through great adversity.

Seth Koetting was named the Young Man of the Year from Hedley High School. He is captain of the football team, active in the Hedley FFA, belongs to the First Baptist Church youth group, and a member of the NHS. He has been elected as senior class vice president and FFA president. He is a member of the Hedley Volunteer Fire Department. He is a role model for his peers and all the youth of his community. He intends to attend Wyoming Technical Institute to receive a degree in diesel mechanics.

Also recognized during the banquet were incoming chamber directors Jan Farris, Misty Speed, Ashlee Estlack, Lori Mays, and Michael Thompson.

New officers for the chamber were announced as President Tommy Hill, First Vice President Linda Gray, and Second Vice President Landon Lambert.

An estimated 210 people attended the Mardi Gras themed banquet, down from 224 last year.

Special music was provided by the Clarendon College Jazz Band.

This year’s banquet was sponsored by Lowe’s, Clarendon College, Windstream, Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, Robertson Funeral Directors, Crow Hollow Feed Yard, GreenLight Gas, Stanley Automotive Enterprises, Road Runner Home Care, and Don Stone Signs.