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Morgan Wheatly

Broncos moving on to Regional game

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By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos put their winning record on the line against a good New Deal team last weekend in the Area round. Despite suffering one loss of the best-two-out-of-three series, the Broncos grabbed two wins to stay alive in post-season play. They are currently at 22-1-1 for the season.

In their first game, which was held in Clarendon last Thursday, the Broncos came from behind late in the game when senior Clay Koetting hit a bases loaded triple. That triple turned in to an in-the-park grand slam when the Lions mishandled the ball and committed a throwing error. The four-run at bat gave the Broncos a boost and cut the New Deal lead to only one run at 6-7.

The Clarendon Broncos are headed to the Regional Quarter Finals after securing the Area Championship last week, besting New Deal in two out of three games. The Broncos will take on West Texas High in the Regional Quarterfinal round. It will be another best of three series and will begin Friday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m. at Amarillo High baseball field in Amarillo. Game two will be Saturday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m. and if game three is needed, it will be 30 minutes after game two. Courtesy Photo / Adelita Elam

“We were down 0-7 going into the bottom of the sixth, when our offense exploded,” coach Brad Elam said.

After the Koetting slam, Josh Cobb was hit by a pitch and then Nick Shadle blasted a two-run homerun to take the lead. Kade Hunsaker was on the mound and according to Elam, was able to shut down New Deal in the seventh for the 8-7 win.

The Broncos then made the trip to Hermleigh, Texas, to face off in the second game of the series. The game went nine innings and the Broncos fell short 10-11 to record their first loss of the season.

“(It was a) back and forth game that went nine innings,” Elam said. “We jumped out to a five-run lead early, but were unable to finish it.”

The game and score seesawed for nine innings until New Deal bested the Broncos to send the series into game three. Nick Shadle recorded three doubles and scored two runs in the game, and Chance Lockhart had three hits and scored four runs.

The Broncos were able to turn things around in the third game and earned a 3-2 win.

“(This was) another game that went back and forth,” Elam said. “We got behind early at 0-2, but clawed our way back.”

Koetting singled home Payton Havens in the fourth to cut the Lion’s lead and in the fifth inning, Hunsaker singled in Josh Cobb and Andy Davis singled Hunsaker to take the lead.

“Cobb pitched a great game for 5 2/3 innings, striking out six,” Elam said. “Davis came in to close the game and struck out the last hitter with the tying run on third.”

The Broncos began playing at 7:00 that evening and game two ended at 1:00 a.m.

“(The) most intense series I have ever been a part of,” Elam said. “Games two and three were neck and neck back and fourth every inning. There was no relaxing. The kids fought hard for six innings. Very proud of them.”

The Broncos will take on West Texas High in the Regional Quarterfinal round. It will be another best of three series and will begin Friday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m. at Amarillo High baseball field in Amarillo. Game two will be Saturday, May 20, at 1:00 p.m. and if game three is needed, it will be 30 minutes after game two.

Grahn marks personal best at state meet

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By Sandy Anderberg

Clarendon senior runner Bryce Grahn competed in two races at the 2A State Track Meet last weekend.  Grahn ran the 1600m and the 3200m races.

Bryce ran his personal best in the 1600m and placed fourth at the 2A State Track Meet last weekend. Enterprise Photo / Travis Harsch

He ran a personal best time of 4:33.11 in the 1600m and placed fourth.  In the 3200m race, Grahn gave his all and finished fifth with a time of 10:18.67.

Grahn is no stranger to the State Track Meet and this was not his first appearance.

“Bryce had a good meet and ran well,” coach Johnny Nino said.  “I appreciate his efforts, not only at this meet, but all the meets he has run in the past three years.  With Bryce being a senior, that was his last high school track meet, and he will be missed next year.  I want to wish him well in his future endeavors.”

City sales tax revenue drops 11%

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Local sales tax revenues dropped this month when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed May allocations to the cities of Clarendon, Hedley, and Howardwick.

Clarendon’s allocation of $37,304.42 reflected an 11.49 percent drop from the same period in 2016. That brings the city’s calendar year-to-date figure to $156,329.33, which is 1.06 percent lower than this time last year.

Hedley saw its figure drop 15.56 percent to $891.76, bringing that city’s year-to-date figure down 11.95 percent at $3,128.69.  Howardwick’s allocation was also down, dropping 33.24 percent to $647.17 for the month and down 19.23 percent at $4,372.74 for the year.

These allocations are based on sales made in March by businesses that report tax monthly, and sales made in January, February and March by quarterly filers.

The weak sales figures also were also reflected in neighboring communities. Memphis was down 9.48 percent, Claude dropped 14.99 percent, Wellington was off 2.06 percent, Panhandle saw a 22.62 percent dive, Pampa slid 4.62 percent, and Silverton fell 19.43 percent.

The City of Childress was an exception to the area downturn, posting a 2.46 percent gain on sales taxes for May.

Statewide, Hegar distributed $787.8 million in local sales tax allocations for May, 2.6 percent more than in May 2016.

Howardwick city officials discuss limb pile

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The Howardwick City Council voted to keep location of its limb pile where it currently is during its regular meeting last Tuesday, May 9.

The city was planning to move its limb pile from its historic location east of the former Hitchin’ Post liquor store to a new location in the Carroll Creek Acres section of the city.

However, that plan drew sharp response from residents because the Carroll Creek Acres property, which is privately owned, has become the subject of warnings issued by the city’s code enforcement officer for the presence of debris and demolition waste.

About 40 people attended Tuesday’s meeting, and former alderman Doc Holladay presented a petition to the council and urged the city to have the property cleaned up.

He also addressed the issue that much of the debris is apparently from demolitions the city had contracted.

City officials indicated that in the future demolition jobs would specify how debris from such work should be handled and disposed of.

The council took no action on the property, but Mayor Mike Rowland said the city is following the legal process to have that property cleaned up.

Billy Gene Hill

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Billy Gene Hill, 85, passed away, Friday, May 12, 2017, in Clarendon.

Billy Gene Hill

Services will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Pampa with Joel Osborn, pastor, Lowell Hall, minister, and Rob Seale, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon, officiating. Burial will at Alanreed Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors in Pampa.

Mr. Hill was born September 25, 1931, in Lexington, Oklahoma. He was a White Deer High School graduate. Billy was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War. He married Mae Mays on August 26, 1963, in Clarendon where he was a resident for many years. Billy’s first pastorate was at Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon. He also pastored at many other churches, his last being at Bible Baptist Church in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lee & Blanche May Hill, three sisters and 2 brothers.

Survivors include his wife, Mae Hill of the home; two sons, Jerry Lee Hill and wife Rachel of Lefors and Darrel Hill of Pampa; a grandson, James Hill of Canyon; a sister, Ramona Joyce Merrifield of Knoxville, Tennessee; a niece, Glenda Ward of Clarksville, Arkansas; a nephew, Jerry Raines of Pampa and many great nieces and great nephews.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist church, P.O. Box 363, Clarendon, Texas 79226.

William “Bill” Huey

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William “Bill” Huey, formerly of Clarendon, died May 6, 2017, at his home in Chandler, Ariz.

William “Bill” Huey

The son of Archie and Wyoma Huey, Bill was born in Sheridan, Wyo., on September 10, 1946.

Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years Ann, son Aaron Huey and wife Kristen of Seattle, Wash.; son James of the family home; and daughter Jennifer Cooper and husband Scott of Pearland, Tex.; his brother Robert and wife Kathy of Ridgecrest, Calif.; and his best friend and brother-in-law Michael Rothman of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Pop was a loving and devoted grandfather to Emily and Ryan Cooper and Hawkeye and Juno Huey. Bill was a true renaissance man – a singer, actor, director, teacher, photographer, and historian, who spent several years leading the theatre department at Clarendon College.

At his request no services will be held, and his ashes will be scattered in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Clarendon College Theater Arts Department, c/o Ashlee Estlack, PO Box 968, Clarendon, TX 79226.

Jamie Heather Frye Morris

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Jamie Heather Frye Morris entered eternal peace on May 12, 2017, in Pampa. She was an amazing warrior during her battle with colon cancer and an inspiration to family and friends who witnessed her bravery.

Jamie Heather Frye Morris

Her unique life will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, with The Rev. Mark Lang, pastor, and Rev. Charles Smith, priest in residence, officiating.  A reception will follow.  Jamie’s ashes will be placed in the St. Matthews sanctuary and Naylor Creek where her Papa was baptized.  Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Jamie Heather, “Baby J,” as her family called her, was born February 9, 1975, in Amarillo to her proud mama and daddy, Linda and Gerald Frye.  She joined an older sister, Tara.  She was later a big sister to her brother, Blake.

Jamie attended Amarillo public schools and participated in numerous athletic activities.  She and her family moved to the DFW area in 1987.   Jamie graduated from Richland High School where she excelled in track and won numerous awards. While participating in Olympic activities in Austin she met then Gov. George W Bush, and was always proud that she had a photo taken with a future U. S. president.

Jamie loved to travel and no doubt visited almost every US state during her 42 years of life.  She also loved working on jigsaw puzzles. She would find out what her friends and family liked and would spend countless hours putting puzzles together and framing one for them.  Jamie had a generous, loving heart.  She especially loved her little nieces and her 2 month old nephew.

Jamie created many adventures and interesting stories for her family to cherish forever.  She will be missed.

Jamie was preceded in death by her dad, Gerald; her Papa TEN; her Grannie Babe & Popo; her Aunt Ava; and cousins TEN, lV, and Shane; and Uncle Tex Naylor.

Jamie is survived by her mom, Linda Lewis, who was with her when she gained her Heavenly wings, and her stepdad Jerry Lewis of Pampa; her sister Tara Jackson & husband Steve, and nieces Ava & Madison of Ft. Worth, her brother Blake Frye & fiancé Lauren, niece Natalie and nephew Jett of Flower Mound; nephew Ryan Frye and wife Amy, and great niece Sadie of Sunnyvale; and her Mimie, Faye Naylor and Grannie Joyce Totty.  She is also survived by cousins Jared & Ethan Naylor and families, Matt Naylor and family, Whitney Welch and family, Tara and Janna, Seth Mcafee and family, and Fayeth Hall as well as many aunts, uncles, and friends.

Jamie’s family will gather on Friday evening, May 19, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors to welcome friends and family.

Memorials may be made to St. Matthews/St. Matthews Day Care, 727 W. Browning, Pampa, Texas  79065.

Kylie Allison Monroe

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Kylie Allison Monroe, 12, died Saturday, May 13, 2017, near Hedley.

Kylie Allison Monroe

Services were held Wednesday, May 17, 2017, in First United Methodist Church in Clarendon, Texas with Rev. Kirk Watson, Rev. Matthew Stidham, and Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.

Interment followed in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Kylie was born April 11, 2005, in Childress to Troy and Katherine Hoobler Monroe. She was a sixth grader at Hedley Schools where she played junior high basketball. She was in Girl Scouts and loved showing animals at stock shows. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister, Lila Kate Monroe on December 1, 2006, and her paternal grandfather, Edgar Monroe.

Survivors include her parents, Troy and Katherine Monroe of Hedley; her paternal grandmother, Sandra Monroe of Hedley; her maternal grandparents, Tom and Lila Hoobler of Childress; four brothers, Paul Monroe and wife Carrie of Conway, Ark., William Monroe and girlfriend Clarice of Elk City, Okla., Caylor and Collin Monroe both of Hedley; a sister, Devon Horton of Mangum, Okla.; her nieces and nephews, Eli Monroe, Ethan Monroe, Remington Goodman, and Kensie Monroe; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family request memorials be sent to the First United Methodist Church Bread of Life Food Bank, Box 157, Clarendon, TX 79226, or to the Lila Kate and Kylie Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Donley County State Bank.

Fish tale

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Brandon Early with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Dundee State Fish Hatchery stocked approximately 1.3 million walleye into Lake Greenbelt last Thursday to improve the fishing at the lake after the walleye was hurt by the drought. Officials hope five to 10 percent of the baby fish will survive. Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd said small bass in the 10-12 inch range are being caught frequently and that crappie are biting very well right now. The lake came up about 1.5 feet over the winter and is currently sitting at 53.32 feet, Kidd said. Enterprise photo / Tara Allred

Hedley Senior Citizens in new home

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A decade of planning and praying paid off last Wednesday, May 3, when the Hedley Senior Citizens served lunch for the first time out of their new facility.

“We cried all day yesterday we were so excited,” longtime director Patsy Spier said as she stood waiting for people to line up to be served. “I’d come out, walk around the building, and go back into the office, and just cry. We’ve wanted this almost forever.”

The new facility on Hedley’s Main Street encompasses about 5,000 square feet, features a modern commercial kitchen, a large dining room, an office, and plenty of storage space. The $210,000 price tag was covered largely by numerous fundraisers and the help of a couple of grants, said Kathy Spier, who now serves as the group’s executive director.


Shirley Hall and Betty Greenhaw prepare the first meal in the Hedley Senior Citizens new building last Wednesday. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

Working out of a building that was more than 100 years old and showing its age, the Hedley Senior Citizens started exploring the possibility of a new facility about 12 years ago.

“I went to the USDA, the Bivins Foundation, and many different places to discuss it,” Kathy said. “We just couldn’t get anything going.”

Undaunted, the group set out to raise the money on their own through a series of raffles and fundraisers over several years – work that has now paid off to the benefit of the Hedley community as a whole.

“This is not just for us but for everybody,” Kathy said.

Hedley’s pride for the new facility is evident by the number of people who have supported the project as well as the volunteers who helped the group move into its new home.

“Several men helped move equipment,” Kathy said. “Jim Mitchell, Roger Hagar, Leon Ward, Gwan Wilkinson, and Jimmy Taylor did that. Jean Taylor, Tonya Metcalf, Gwynne Howard, and Lon Adams and his students helped clean the building and move the office.”

In addition, the Hedley classes of 1965 and 1964 donated money to the project, and the Zephyr Foundation also provided some assistance, Spier said.

Gwynne Howard credits the mother-daughter duo of Patsy and Kathy Spier for making the building happen.

“Those two ladies are the reason we have it,” Howard said. “If someone takes the lead, other people will help. But first someone has to put it on their shoulders and take it on.”

Jimmy Taylor, who is a regular at the Hedley Senior Citizens and whose wife, Jean, ran the organization for several years, is proud of the new facility.

“It’s real nice, first class,” Taylor said. “They put a lot of work into this. It’s been a long time since we had a new building downtown.”

Taylor also said the senior citizens provides a good service to the community and the food is always good.

“I’ve been eating here a long time,” he said. “If you leave here hungry, it’s your own fault.”

The Hedley Senior Citizens Club, as it was originally known, was founded in 1974 by J.S. and Verda Hinds. Mr. Hinds was a former school superintendent. The group moved into its first building in October of 1978. That building will now be used for storage until its final fate is determined.

The Hedley Senior Citizens serves lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Meals are $6 for those under the age of 60 and cost nothing for those age 60 and over, although a $6 donation is appreciated.

An average of 50 people a day are served on site, and home delivered meals average 15 per day.

“We don’t just serve seniors,” Kathy said. “We have a lot of cowboys a­nd farmers that come in as well as people from Clarendon and Memphis and even Amarillo. Anyone can eat with us.”

A formal opening and dedication for the new building will be held this summer.

“We want to get used to the building first,” Kathy said. “It is just so nice and we are so thankful to have it.”

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