Shelton wins Saints’ Roost Award

The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce recognized Theresa Shelton with the 2017 Saints’ Roost Award for her lifetime of service and commitment to the community during the annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday, February 8.

Man of the Year honors went to Roy Bertrand, and Mary Shields was named the Woman of the Year. Floyd’s Automotive Supply was named the Business of the Year.

The Saints’ Roost Award is the highest honor given annually by the Chamber to recognize a lifetime of volunteering and community service. Shelton’s service has focused on Little Dribblers, the Clarendon Country Club, and two decades of school functions, including class parties, sports banquets and proms. Whatever the project, she is the first to say yes, the first to show up, and the last to leave.

Two of the community’s biggest events – the Saints’ Roost Celebration Rodeo and the Clarendon Arts Festival – happen, in large part, because of her efforts. She exemplifies the best qualities of what it means to be a good citizen: dependable, hardworking, and selfless.

The Man of the Year for 2017 is Roy Bertrand, for his volunteer service across several organizations. He has been a volunteer fireman here for almost 30 years and has served his church tirelessly as a music leader, council president, and on the finance council. He also takes care of the maintenance and mowing for St. Mary’s church, park, and cemetery and cooks for all the church fundraisers. He has spent 20 years working for TxDOT and received the TxDOT “Extra Mile Award and Veterans Life Saving Award” in 2002 for his service at a train fire. He’s been involved in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, school activities, the college ministry, baseball concessions, and the courthouse lighting, and is well known for his BBQ and lending a hand when needed.

Mary Shields is the Woman of the Year for 2017. She has worked tirelessly for the last 12 years to make sure the Donley County Center Citizens Center is running properly and stays open. She is dedicated to helping more than 86 elderly and disabled citizens get food on a home delivery route, who otherwise may not have gotten a hot meal at all. Another 40 or more citizens eat in-house at the center. She has been called a “bright light of hope” in the community that never seems to dim even when things get tough.

The Chamber of Commerce named Floyd’s Automotive Supply as its Business of the Year and recognized the Floyd family as well as new owners Nathan and Tamra Floyd. The business was opened as First Supply in 1976 by Basil and Leitha Smith. It was later purchased by Bobbie and Eddie Floyd, and their sons – Jimmy, Lynn, Keith, and Johnny – all worked there. Johnny eventually took over the business and oversaw its move from 120 W. Third to its present location at 317 W. Second; and the business grew from three employees to ten employees. The business continues to serve the people of Donley County after 42 years.

The Chamber also recognized outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley.

Hannah Hommel was named the Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon. She has been involved in CHS student government for four years and is vice president this year. She has been instrumental in sponsoring and bringing blood drives to the community and played a part in the school’s recycling program. She has been involved in basketball, softball, and track and was named to the All-District basketball team as a junior. She has also been very active in 4H and has received the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Stars; the I Dare You Award, Outstanding Young Female, and Outstanding Senior Awards. She also has been active in FFA, where she has served as a chapter officer and received the Star Greenhand and Star Chapter awards. She is an example of hard work and courage to other students.

The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon is Andy Davis, who has been very involved in athletics during his time at CHS. One of his coaches says of him: “There is no quit and no slacking in him. He does things the right way and does them 100 percent whether it is a game or practice.” He is a member of the National Honor Society, was named first team all-district tight end and linebacker in foortball and was also named to the Academic All-District Team. He exhibits leadership among his classmates and has been an example of the school mottos of “Family” and “Unity.”

The Young Man of the Year from Hedley is Caylor Monroe, and he has been very active in many extracurricular activities. He has participated in basketball, football, tennis, and golf, and he was golf regional qualifier twice. He also ran cross country. This young man has been in UIL and has advanced to regionals. He is in NHS and is the senior class president. He is active in the Hedley FFA and has been on various LDE teams. He volunteers with the Bread of Life food pantry and is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

Kallie Lindsey is the Young Woman of the Year from Hedley. She has been very active in sports, student government and other organizations. She has participated in basketball, advanced to regionals in track, advanced to regionals in tennis, and served as a football manager. She is on the yearbook staff and is a member of the FFA and NHA and has participated in One Act Play. She is passionate about helping others and has had a hand in many community service activities. She is vice president of her class, president of the NHS, and Sweetheart of the Hedley Lions Club, and was this year’s homecoming queen.

This year’s Chamber banquet followed a Denim & Diamonds theme and was catered by Great Western Dining. Approximately 200 people attended the event, which was held in the Bairfield Activity Center.

World travelers Dusty and Nikki Green were the keynote speakers for the evening. The couple lives at Howardwick and star and produce in the PBS series “Two for the Road.” Their presentation featured photos and video shot from around the globe, and Dusty discussed how good people are everywhere and the thrill of traveling. He also talked about the value of the local community and the Texas Panhandle and their love for “home.”

Tables were sponsored by Clarendon College, The Clarendon Enterprise, the City of Clarendon, Herring Bank, the Donley County Senior Citizens Center, Floyd’s Automotive Supply, Flying ‘A’ Tack, Pilgrim Bank, and Shelton & Shelton Law Offices. Nikki Green selected the Enterprise table as having the best table decoration reflecting the banquet’s Denim & Diamonds theme. Ella Estlack received a tiara for the award.

This year’s corporate sponsors were Broken Road Junior, The Clarendon Enterprise, Greenbelt Electric Coop., Greenbelt Water Authority, GreenLight Gas, Lowe’s Family Center, Pioneer General Contracting, and Two for the Road.