Courtesy Photos
Ho ho ho in Howardwick!
Courtesy Photos
Courtesy Photos
Community Fellowship to host African Choir
The internationally acclaimed African Children’s Choir will perform in Clarendon at 11 a.m. on December 29, giving local residents a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy this extraordinary group.
There will be no charge to attend the event at Community Fellowship Church at 4491 FM 2161. Donations will be accepted.
The African Children’s Choir is celebrating its 40th anniversary during their U.S. Tour, marking four decades of transforming lives through the power of music, education, and hope.
As they embark on this milestone celebration, the Choir will continue to captivate audiences with their heartwarming performances of popular children’s tunes, traditional spiritual songs, and vibrant African cultural pieces.
Choir Manager Tina Sipp said the organization began in 1984 when a pastor working with persecuted Christians in Africa was struck by the faith of a young boy. He thought if Americans could see that faith, they would most certainly help those in need.
Since then, the African Children’s Choir has traveled all over the world in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, but this will be their first performance in Clarendon.
“The African Children’s Choir proves just how powerful music can be,” says Choir Manager Tina Sipp. “These concerts not only provide hope and encouragement to our audiences, but they offer the children life-changing experiences that help shape them into future leaders.”
Sipp told the Enterprise the children come from some of the poorest conditions. Families agree to let the children perform in the choir for a five-month period; and afterward, the schooling for the children is paid for all the way through a college degree.
“This is 40 years of churches standing with us,” she said. “We couldn’t do it without these local churches, and I can’t express my gratitude enough. This is huge what they are doing.”
Comprised of children aged 8 to 11, all from vulnerable backgrounds across Africa, the African Children’s Choir serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and potential of Africa’s future leaders. Each child in the Choir has faced significant hardship, often with limited access to education.
Yet, through the Choir, these children gain life-changing opportunities for education and personal growth, becoming beacons of hope for their communities.
In honor of this special 40th anniversary, the Choir invites communities to experience their performances and be part of their mission to bring hope through music.
“The performance is a mix of track music, English hymns set to African music, dance, and praise music in African languages,” Sipp said. “It’s like an 80-minute aerobic exercise. It’s very amazing and entertaining.”
Sipp said the performances change the lives of the kids, who return to grow up and help others in their communities.
“We not only educate the mind; we educated the heart to give back,” Sipp said.
For more information, visit africanchildrenschoir.com.
The Spirit of Christmas
Broncos take down Vega
By Sandy Anderberg
The Broncos played solid and defeated Vega 35-32 at home last week after a physical ball game. Kaleb Bolin and Michael Randall finished with 11 points to lead the way.
The two teams battled early in the game and only one point separated the teams. But the Broncos played a strong offense in the second eight minutes to take a big lead into the break. Despite falling back somewhat after halftime, the Broncos were able to maintain the lead and finish the game for the win.
Mason Sims put in nine points and hit three of four free throws, and Caleb Herbert helped with four points. Bolin put in three three-pointers and Randall added one.
The Broncos played in the Childress Tournament over the weekend and struggled to find a rhythm. They went winless in the tourney but had some high spots against the teams.
They took on the host team in the first round and lost to the Cats 27-67. The Broncos struggled to get anything going offensively in the game. Bolin and Herbert finished with 10 points each and had five rebounds together.
They took on Amarillo High JV in the next round and lost 15-54 and Holliday in the third round. They played hard against Holliday and narrowly lost 50-54. Sims had 18 points and five rebounds in the game and Randall had 15 points with seven rebounds. Bolin finished with 11 points, two assists, and a steal in the game.
The Broncos had another close game with Vernon in the final round and lost 33-36. Sims had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Randall helped with five points and 11 rebounds.
The Broncos will open district play against Quanah at home on Friday, December 20, at 8:00 p.m. and will participate in the Lubbock Caprock Tournament over the holidays.
Lady Broncos drop District opener to Panhandle
By Sandy Anderberg
The Lady Broncos opened their district season at home against number two ranked Panhandle and were narrowly defeated 42-50.
The Lady Broncos played solid in the first eight minutes and led the Pantherettes by four points. Junior Kashlyn Conkin poured in nine points in the opening quarter that included two three-pointers and hit three of five free throws to lead the team to the early advantage. However, Panhandle was able to close the gap before the break taking the momentum into the locker room.
The Pantherettes were able to shut down the Lady Broncos’ outside game only allowing them two-pointers from there on out. Junior Kate Shaw stepped up from here inside position and add to the scoreboard, but it was not enough to get the win.
Shaw and Conkin led the way with 11 points each and Kennadie Cummins added eight. Kenidee Hayes had four, and Berkley Moore, Tandie Cummins, and Hayden Elam finished with two points each.
The ladies will host Quanah December 20 at 6:30 and will play in the Wildcat Classic in Littlefield over the holidays.
Masonic Milestone
Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack
Helping hands
Enterprise Photo
City council members grill trash service rep
Garbage collection was high on the agenda of the Clarendon City Council during its regular meeting last Thursday, December 12, as aldermen again grilled Waste Connections about its performance in the city.
The private waste collection service has been the subject of several complaints by citizens for several months. Things seemed to be improving when the council met in November; but after tapering off, the number of missed Dumpster complaints has started going up again, city officials said.
Waste Connections representative Christian Rios told the council the company has had “some hiccups the last couple of weeks” and said Waste Connections was willing to refund $3,000 to the city for its missed collections. The company claims a 95 percent collection rate.
“That’s an insult,” Alderman Eulaine McIntosh said, regarding the $3,000 offer.
Alderman Ashlee Estlack agreed with McIntosh and pushed back against the company’s collections claim.
“There’s no way we’re at 95 or more percent collections,” Estlack said.
Alderman Tommy Hill said his trash had not been picked up in three and a half weeks and suggested a Waste Connections supervisor come ride with the local driver for a week to see what’s happening.
“His truck gets full, and he has to leave town,” Hill said. “You think it’s bad now; you wait till Christmas gets here.”
Rios said he would have a supervisor ride with the driver and would have two trucks last Friday and Saturday to try to get caught up and would have two trucks run through the holidays.
Estlack and McIntosh also continued to push Rios on compensating the city for services that were paid for but not received.
City Administrator Brian Barboza brought up needing Waste Connections to allow the city to go out early for proposals for trash service. The contract with Waste Connections restricts how soon the city can solicit proposals before the end of the term next September, unless the company gives its permission.
“We’re not going to renew,” Barboza said.
To which Rios responded, “We’re not going to rebid.”
In other city business, the council took no action on a request for a transmission line easement on the north side of town. Aldermen wanted to make sure any affected residents will be properly notified first. This item will be discussed again next month.
The employee handbook was amended in two motions – first regarding overtime pay during emergencies in accordance with FEMA guidelines, and second to allow incentive pay for employees, which is something the city will consider in fiscal year 2026.
The city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax ordinance was amended to clarify its language regarding short-term rentals. The council agreed last month that the ordinance already covered bed and breakfast establishments and lodging listed on online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. The new language is an updated version.
The board discussed the status of easements for sewer line work at the former Family Dollar location. A new business plans to open in that location in the new year, but the sewer line work must be completed first.
The board voted in favor of reappointing Roger Estlack and Chuck Robertson to the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board. Alderman Estlack abstained from the vote.
Aldermen discussed possible credit card processing and food vending machines or concessions for the aquatic center next season but agreed more information is needed.
Alderman also began looking at possible streets to consider for improvements in the coming year. A map was prepared by Public Works Director John Molder, but no action was taken.
Franks wraps up another good NFR
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
LAS VEGAS – Looking at the final numbers, Cole Franks had a fantastic run at the National Finals Rodeo.
PRCA Photo / Click Thompson
He led the aggregate standings most of the way, only to be surpassed on the final night by world champion Dean Thompson, but Franks still produced at a high rate over the 10-day championship. He finished second in the average, worth more than $70,000, and placed seven times, earning $156,340 in Las Vegas.
“It was really good on paper,” said Franks, a three-time NFR qualifier from Clarendon. “A couple more points here and there would have been great; about one and a half points would have been great.”
He rode 10 horses for a cumulative score of 853.5 points, a half point behind Thompson. That extra he had hoped for would have earned Franks the coveted average championship and another $16,000. Still, he finished the campaign sixth in the world standings with $295,896.
“It was a good week, but that title would have been the cherry on top,” Franks said.
He wrapped his 2024 campaign with an 87-point ride n Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, which earned him a tie for sixth place with Jess Pope. Each man earned $2,717 for that.
In fact, it’s serving as motivation for him to build toward next season. His plan is to return to the bright lights of Las Vegas and contend for the world championship. His immediate goal, though, is to finally win a round.
Through 30 nights of competing at the NFR, he has yet to win a round, which also means he collects the lion’s share of the money on that night. Round winners are also celebrated at the South Point Hotel and Casino for a nightly presentation and receive a Montana Silversmiths buckle for the honor.
“It’s going to take me 31 rounds, the first round next year I’m getting that,” he said. “I’ve got five days before I’m off to my next one, so I just want to keep it rolling.”
If he had the chance, Franks would get on 10 more bucking horses in a row. He’ll have to wait until next December, and he has a plan to make everything happen.
City sales tax revenue rises for December
Clarendon’s sales tax revenue ticked up slightly, and Donley County Assistance District One received its first revenue when Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar delivered December allocations last week.
After dropping off last month, Clarendon’s sales tax revenue increased 2.85 percent this month for a December allocation of $47,140.34. That revenue brings the city’s calendar year total $520,180.51, which is up 1.23 percent from $513,842.32 in 2023.
Donley County Assistance District One, which was approved by voters in the City of Howardwick in May for the purpose of helping fund the Donley County Sheriff’s Office, received $1,021.02. That’s the district’s first allocation since the one percent sales tax began October 1.
The City of Howardwick itself received $2,067.04 for the month, up 33.29 percent from one year ago. That city ends the calendar year down 2.95 percent at $21,440.30, but that downturn is due in large part to the city lowering its city sales tax rate effective in October 2023.
Hedley’s sales tax revenue was up 196.44 percent for the month with an allocation of $1,304.95, and the city closes its 2024 calendar year with a 47.49 percent increase in sales tax revenues at $18,530.28.
These allocations are based on sales made in October by businesses that report tax monthly.
Statewide, Hegar distributed $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations, 6.8 percent more than in 2023.
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