Solidarity
Two for the Road
By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise
Dusty and Nikki Green had what many would call the good life eight years ago. He was an executive with Channel 7 in Amarillo, she was working in a dentist’s office, they had a home in Lake Tanglewood, and they were making good money. But they weren’t fulfilled, so they gave it all up, and now they travel the world.
The Greens visited the Clarendon College Vera Dial Dickey Library last Tuesday, October 13, where they shared with students the story of their own personal version of success.
“You equate money and stuff with success,” Dusty said. “We were successful.”
Successful, yes, but not happy more than a decade into their chosen careers. What did make them happy was traveling, but they had never been very far.
“Growing up a big vacation was going to Colorado or Chicago,” Nikki said.
So they sold everything, and bought a ticket to Costa Rica.
“We moved in with a family there and entered a Spanish emersion class,” Dusty said.
It was the start of an eight-month adventure of hiking around South America with no real plan from day to day, living with people they met, and living out of their backpacks. It was a wonderful time, but money ran out, and they came back to Texas to combine their professions and start their own business.
“We moved to Austin, and started shooting videos – testimonials – for dentists’ offices,” Dusty said.
The business took off and soon they were traveling across the US and Canada to shoot videos for dentists. That business morphed into shooting videos for touring companies to promote vacation getaways, starting with the Bahamas. The Greens’ dreams really came true at that point.
“We had a company put their tour book on the table and told us to pick any place in the world,” Dusty said. “I chose Antarctica because it was a once in a lifetime chance.”
“I wasn’t sold on it (going to Antarctica) at first,” Nikki said, having read about the treacherous waters that have to be crossed to get there.
The trip was fabulous and began the process of traveling the world to shoot promotional videos enticing other world travelers to journey to exotic locations.
With roots in Claude and Borger, the couple recently decided to make the Panhandle their home base and moved into a small home in Howardwick that had been in Nikki’s family. After spending some time at home, they’ll be off to China soon and other destinations in the Pacific Rim.
They chronicle their adventures their website – TwoForTheRoad.com. They both emphasized the importance of education, but they also had a simple message for college students.
“At some point in your life, go somewhere,” Dusty said.
Editorial: Just say ‘no’ to proposed amendments
It’s election time.
No, it’s nothing flashy, controversial, or even interesting really. It’s the regular, every-two-years Texas Constitutional Amendment Election.
Election Day isn’t officially until November 3; but if you’re a registered voter and have some way of proving you’re not an illegal immigrant who snuck into this great land to vote for Democrats, you can cast your ballots early now at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.
Most of you won’t. In fact, most of the rest of the state won’t vote either. A Texas Tribune reporter has noted that only about two or three of every 100 Texans will actually be deciding new rules the whole state will live with.
It is no secret that the state constitution is an overly complicated mess of a document. It has been amended more than 480 times since it was adopted in 1876. It is, to say the least, imperfect and almost begs to be tweaked; and that gives politicians a chance to propose changes we really don’t need but do make somebody feel really good.
This time there are seven amendments on the ballot. The Enterprise will go out on a limb here and predict all seven will pass, but nonetheless we’re going to encourage you to vote against all of them… just because.
Take a look at what we have on the ballot…
Amendment No. 1 – The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $15,000 to $25,000. Well now, who doesn’t want a tax cut?
There’s no way this doesn’t pass. Never mind that it cuts revenue to school districts (which will supposedly be made up by state funding and politicians would never go back on that promise). It’s stupid things like this that allow state Republicans to say they’ve “cut taxes” without really cutting state taxes. They effectively cut local taxes and, in this case, your school boards will end up dealing with it.
Amendment No. 2 – The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran who died before the law authorizing a residence homestead exemption for such a veteran took effect.
Ah, yet another sympathy tax cut. Easy passage. Who doesn’t feel sorry for the surviving spouse of a disabled vet who died before he or she could get his or her taxes cut? Let’s not even talk about how much money the surviving spouse may or may not be making. They were dealt a terrible hand by fate and deserve some relief! Next time, we should amend the constitution to freeze taxes on one-legged midgets, red-headed albinos, or male lesbians. Maybe cancer survivors should get a tax benefit, too. Shoot a mile! Why tax any one? Everybody has a sob story somewhere in their life. Did I mention my beloved cat got run over last year?
Amendment No. 3 – The constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.
Why would we want to make them live where they have to work? Let ‘em live in Ardmore, Oklahoma, if they want to. That’ll be fine.
Amendment No. 4 – The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.
Why should the Dallas Cowboys booster club get to have raffles if the Clarendon Bronco Parents can’t? Lift all the restrictions on charitable raffles and be done with it.
Amendment No. 5 – The constitutional amendment to authorize counties with a population of 7,500 or less to perform private road construction and maintenance.
I don’t really see the line of people wanting to hire Donley County to build private roads. Next.
Amendment No. 6 – The constitutional amendment recognizing the right of the people to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife subject to laws that promote wildlife conservation.
Is there some threat in the State Legislature to hunting and fishing? Are we in a parallel universe where this is a problem in Texas? This is the stupidest and most purely political thing since we added “under God” to the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. What’s next a constitutional amendment to protect your right to fly the Lone Star Flag, your right to eat pecan pie, or your right to attend a high school football game? But it will pass… just watch.
Amendment No. 7 – The constitutional amendment dedicating certain sales and use tax revenue and motor vehicle sales, use, and rental tax revenue to the state highway fund to provide funding for non-tolled roads and the reduction of certain transportation-related debt.
Hmm… more dedicated funds for TxDOT mostly going to the I-35 corridor, no doubt. Let’s pass on this. In fact, let’s pass on any more extra funding for TxDOT until rural Texas starts getting some love. I’m tired of overgrown medians and rights-of-way, tired of closed down or dismantled picnic areas, and tired of excuses that Clarendon can’t have a “Chamber of Commerce Office” sign on the highway. You want more money? Go pound sand, TxDOT. Come back when you can play nice.
So there you have it. Your Official Enterprise Voting Guide for the 2015 election. No, no, no, no, no, heck no, and no. Happy voting!
Arts festival to draw crowds this weekend
The seventh annual Clarendon Arts Festival will be held this week October 22, 24, and 27 at the Donley County Activity Center located one mile north of the city on State Hwy. 70.
The event, sponsored by Clarendon’s Les Beaux Arts Club, begins with the Preferred Buyers Reception held Thursday evening, October 22, from 6:00 to 9:00, where buyers will be delighted with the variety being offered at the Clarendon Arts Festival this year.
Many art works were checked in this week at the Clarendon Arts Festival. Anyone is welcome at Thursday’s reception; and if you haven’t already pre-paid as a preferred buyer, you can pay that night at the door.
As well as the large selection of art being offered, buyers enjoy the heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by the ladies of Les Beaux Arts Club.
The Clarendon Arts Festival opens to the public Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the art club’s Mac & Cheese Cookoff running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members of the public will be given voting tokens to vote for their favorite Mac & Cheese. The People’s Choice Award will be given to the cook that receives the most votes. Sample cups will be sold at the door for $5 for the tasting, starting at 11:00 a.m. and concluding at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday the arts festival resumes at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Those attending the Sunday can enjoy St. Mary’s famous Annual Enchilada Dinner.
In addition to the art show, there are many hand-constructed items for sale.
The 2015 Clarendon Arts Festival is sponsored by the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation and Hotel Occupancy Tax, and Donley County Activity Center. With all the fine art and crafts showing here this weekend, everyone should be able to find a unique gift or treasure.
CC clears accrediting team visit
Clarendon College cleared a significant step last week in its decennial accreditation review by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges.
A ten-member SACS on-site team spent three days in Clarendon reviewing 27 compliance issues an off-site team had flagged six months ago and found only two issues that still needed to be addressed.
“The team was very helpful and complimentary of our faculty and staff,” CC President Robert Riza said. “They said it was one of the smoothest visits they had been on.”
Accreditation by the regional association is important because it ensures that credits earned by CC students transfer to other colleges and universities and it also ensures CC is able to receive federal financial aid funds. Successful re-accreditation has been the priority of the Riza administration for almost two years.
Riza said the issues CC must still address are “very fixable.” One concerns the hours and staffing level of the college library, and the other is the need to develop a facilities master plan, which is already a priority in the college’s strategic plan.
“We have five months to respond to these issues, and then the SACS board will vote on our reaccreditation in June,” Riza said.
The SACS team also reviewed CC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), which is titled “Attend to Learning” and sets goals for improving student success.
“We had two recommendations on the QEP that were very minor,” Riza said. “They want to see a more defined timeline for professional development and for assessment. Overall it was an outstanding report.”
Riza singled out several individuals for their work on the SACS visit – Vice President of Student Services Tex Buckhaults, Vice President of Instruction Roger Schusteriet, QEP Chairman Brian Fuller, and Marketing Coordinator Ashlee Estlack.
“It’s a lot of hard work on a lot of people’s behalf, and they came through and got it done,” Riza said.
The SACS visit was the highlight of Thursday’s CC Board of Regents meeting, and chairman Jerry Woodard thanked those who helped make the process successful.
“We appreciate every one of you and how you represented this college during the SACS visit,” Woodard said. “They had nothing but good compliments. For everyone from the leader to the janitors, we appreciate what you do.”
In other business, regents accepted bids on tax delinquent property, including a bid on a trailer house that had been seized for back taxes and previously tabled by the college. The board approved a revised tax abatement policy; appointed Regents Bill Sansing, Lon Adams, and Susie Shields to work with Dr. Riza and Vice President of Administrative Services Lana Ritchie to review HVAC and equipment recommendations by Trane; and learned the college had received a $65,000 no-strings grant from the coordinating board for CC’s nursing program.
Bradley Jay Baxter
, 50, died October 14, 2015.
Services were held on Sunday, October 18, 2015, in the First Assembly of God Church in Clarendon with Rev. Matthew Stidham, officiating. Interment will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Brad was born on October 7, 1965, in Guymon, Oklahoma to Boyd and Mildred Baxter. He attended schools in Guymon, Oklahoma and graduated from Hydro, Oklahoma in 1983, went on to attend classes at Ft. Cobb Vo-Tech in Ft Cobb, Oklahoma. He married Renee Clark in 2005.
At the time of his death he was employed by Prime Pack Energy Services in Orange Grove, Texas and resided in Buffalo, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Henry and Ona Baxter, Odell and Beatrice Johnson; his wife, Renee; his father, Boyd Baxter; his nephew Jeff January; son, James Brayden Baxter.
He is survived by his mother, Mildred Baxter of Clarendon; brother, Monte Baxter of Oklahoma City; Sister, Brenda Hornberger and husband Bob of Howardwick; Sons, JD Baxter and wife Cree of Amarillo, Marc Baxter of Buffalo, and Ryan Glenn of California; Daughters, Brittany Harris and husband Andrew of Plano, Shelby Baxter of Clarendon, and Ellyn Glenn of California; Grandkids, Whitney and Tyler Harris of Plano, Natalee, Jace and Emma Glenn of California; Nieces, Mandi Baxter of Oklahoma City, Alicia Conley and husband Chris and family, Cole, Kylee, Caylin and a nephew on the way of Edmond, and Kandice January and Family, Kylnn and Jordynn of Orange Grove; A special friend Tina Rayborn of Buffalo and numerous Aunts, Uncles, cousins and a host of friends.
Lyndon Ballard Messer
Lyndon Ballard Messer, 59, died Thursday, October 15, 2015, in Amarillo.
Graveside services were held on Monday, October 19, 2015, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley with Rev. Anthony Knowles, officiating.
Arrangements were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Lyndon was born February 9, 1956 in Memphis to Willie Doyle and Susan Evelyn Messer. He had been a lifetime resident of Hedley where he was a history teacher at Hedley ISD for 30 years prior to his retirement and was a cattleman.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
He is survived by his brother, Stuart Messer and wife Kaye of Memphis; a sister, Angela Hines and husband Mike of Round Rock; his nieces and nephews, Ashton Hines and wife Karen, Aaron Hines, Meagan Miksch and husband Dustin, Kimberly Messer, and Peter Messer and wife Katelyn; his great nieces and nephews, Luke and Allie Hines and Miah Messer.
The family request memorials be sent to the Rowe Cemetery Association or Hedley Sr. Citizens.
Dorisene McAnear
Dorisene McAnear, 91, died Friday, October 16, 2015 in Memphis.
Services were held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at First Baptist Church.
Burial followed at Citizens Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Dorisene McAnear was born in Kileen on May 21, 1924, to John Dewitt and Viola Elizabeth Ray. She was married to T.W. McAnear in Memphis on May 16, 1942. She lived in Clarendon most of her life, where she worked at Henson’s and was a member of the First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, T.W. McAnear; Grandson, Mark McAnear; Great Grandson, Grady Wade Henson; 4 brother and 1 sister.
She is survived by two Daughters; Susan Henson and husband Wes of Clarendon; Deanna McCleskey of Denton and son, Don McAnear of Amarillo; 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
The family suggests memorials be to: First Baptist Church or Citizens Cemetery Association.
Sign our online guestbook at www.RobertsonFuneral.com
Broncos lose District game to Quanah
By Sandy Anderberg
The Broncos played a solid game against a good Quanah team Friday night at home, but a couple of miscues led to a 13-14 loss.
The Broncos battled hard in the evenly matched game but could not convert the extra point after Keandre Cortez ran it in from one yard out in the second quarter of play. It was also Cortez who gave the Broncos their first six points in the opening quarter on a 23-yard run with Clay Koetting adding the bonus kick.
The Broncos trailed the Indians in total yards for the night with 229 and 384 for Quanah. Quarterback Bryce Hatley was five for seven passing for 88 yards with one interception. But according to head coach Gary Jack, the Broncos had opportunities to best the ranked team.
“It was a good game against a good team,” Jack said. “They were picked to win by 27 points, and we had chances to beat them.”
The Broncos were inside the red zone, but a penalty moved them back. The following play, the Broncos had a miscue on offense, which put them back even farther. They were unable to make up the lost yardage and regain their scoring position.
“We played a solid game on both sides of the ball,” Jack said. “That’s two games we’ve came up short and lost those two by only four points total. It was two games we could have won.”
Jack thought the Broncos did a good job defensively, with Caleb Cobb racking up 12 tackles, Taylon Knorpp nine tackles and one sack, and Justin Christopher with six tackles and two sacks. He also noted Daquawne Oliver, Damarjae Cortez, and Clay Koetting with playing a solid game.
“Offensively, Keandre had 134 total yards with two touchdowns,” Jack said. “It was a big night for him. Junior Ceniceros caught five passes and our line blocked well all night.”
It was a tough loss for the Broncos and they will know they will have another battle this Friday night in Crosbyton.
“It will be a tough game again,” Jack said. “We need to play well. But I am proud of our kids for the way they came out and played. They did an exceptional job and executed well. It was a tough week of practice with everything going on, but the kids were focused. The coaches did a good job of getting ready. We would have loved to had pulled this game out.”
The Broncos will be on the road Friday, October 23, in another District match up with Crosbyton and play at 7:00 p.m.
Lady Owls to run at Regionals
Hedley Lady Owls Cross Country team is headed to the Regional Cross Country meet in Lubbock following Monday’s meet in Groom.
The Lady Owls were the District Runner Up behind the Valley Patriots.
“They all did a great job, and I am very proud of them.” said Coach Alston.
Hedley’s Bailey Downing medals with 2nd at a time of 14:16. Kealee Lambert also medaled in 4th place with 14:53.
Other runners for Hedley were; Marie Frankson, 10th with 15:42; Jayden Lambert, 11th with 15:59; Brittany Downing, 14th at 16:29; and Misti Scott, 17th at 18:51.
Hedley will compete October 26 at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock.
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