News

The Hedley Board of Aldermen voted to increase charges for garbage service during its regular meeting July 7.

Ordinance No. 114 was approved unanimously, setting residential sanitation charges at $13 per month and setting commercial sanitation charges at $13 per month per Dumpster, reflecting a $1 increase in both rates.

Aldermen also voted to increase rates on rural Dumpsters by $10 per Dumpster per month. The new rates become effective August 1, 2005.

In other city business, the board adopted a resolution to support the Hedley Senior Citizens’ efforts to obtain funds and a location for a new building.

The local economy continues to generate higher sales tax returns for the City of Clarendon according to figures released Friday by Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

The city’s July sales tax allocation totaled $19,993.52, which is an increase of an even 20 percent over the same period one year ago.

After starting the calendar year with decreases, last week’s allocation marks Clarendon’s fourth straight month of significant increases. The April allocation was up 14.88 percent, May rose 15.71 percent, and June saw in increase of 10.7 percent.

The good news brings the city’s year-to-date figure up to $151,334.82, which is up 6.81 percent from the same time in 2004.

Hedley and Howardwick have not seen the same growth, however. Hedley’s allocation this month fell 37.35 percent to $352.67; and Howardwick was down 3.31 percent to $1,013.55. Both cities are also down slightly for the year-to-date.

Statewide, Strayhorn delivered $344.5 million in July sales tax allocations to cities, counties and other local taxing entities, up 9.2 percent compared to last July. So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to local governments across the state are running 7.1 percent higher than last year.

Comptroller Strayhorn sent July sales tax allocations of $232.8 million to Texas cities, up 8.7 percent compared to July 2004. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are up 7.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

June state sales tax collections and July sales tax allocations to local governments mostly represent sales that occurred in May.

The Comptroller’s next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, August 12.

Clean up workers with the Texas Department of Transportation continued clearing debris Tuesday after strong, straight-line winds broke several tree limbs near Lelia Lake on Monday night.

The Donley County Sheriff’s Department said it had reports of several trees blown down and some minor damage done by a storm that hit the Lelia Lake area about eight o’clock.

The northbound lanes of US 287 were closed for 30 to 45 minutes due to tree limbs on the road, and TxDOT spokeswoman Barbara Seal said the department’s Donley County Maintenance crew was on the scene from about 8:30 p.m. Monday to midnight.

Seal said straight-line winds hit 80 to 90 miles per hour and some broken trees were three feet in diameter.

Limbs were removed from FM 1755, FM 1754, and FM 1260; and TxDOT also reported several broken telephone and electrical poles. TxDOT crews will likely have to spend more days this week cleaning up the debris.

One home reported a glass door being broken, and a downed power line caused a brief electrical fire due to the storm, the sheriff’s department said.

The Donley County Gin did not sustain any major damage although it seemed to be in the path of storm’s force.

Perhaps the most damage was down about a mile south of Lelia Lake at a house owned and being remodeled by Mac Stavenhagen. The branches of several large elm trees there were snapped and tossed about the property. The roof of the house sustained minor damage, and the house’s electrical service was knocked down.

One resident reported receiving damage to the roof of a barn, which was in the area.

TxDOT said only about one inch of rain was received with the storm. No injuries were reported.

The Donley County Hospital District board approved a temporary spending motion last Friday after a public notice error prevented the adoption of the 2005-06 budget.

“We lacked a day having the proper notice given to hold the budget hearing,” board president Alan Fletcher said. “We just counted wrong.”

The district thought its notice in the Thursday, June 23, edition of The Clarendon Enterprise gave it the required ten-days notice to hold a hearing on July 1 since the paper came out on Wednesday, June 22. But the Enterprise is legally a Thursday paper under its periodicals postage permit, and all public notices must be published according to that date.

The district rescheduled its budget hearing for its next regular board meeting on July 19.

In other district business during Friday’s called meeting, the board accepted the resignation of board member Pat McAnear and appointed Gene Hommel to take her place.

The board approved Medical Center Nursing Home’s having a poker run to raise funds to benefit the residents. The board also authorized several employee policy changes as presented by administrator in-training Vicky Robertson.

During the open forum, publisher Roger Estlack spoke concerning a legal opinion obtained by board president Alan Fletcher which has restricted the use of district funds for advertising and promotion.

“You can’t keep the nursing home open if you don’t keep the beds full,” Estlack said, “and you can’t fill the beds if you don’t advertise and keep a positive image in the community.”

Estlack said he had talked with another hospital district that said advertising is definitely legal and a reimbursable expense under Medicare. He encouraged the district to look at the issue again in light of its pending certification as a Medicare facility and said the board should consider getting an Attorney General’s opinion on the matter.

Some board members said they felt advertising was important and proper. Fletcher said he would look into an Attorney General’s opinion and said decreases in the promotion lines of the proposed budgets were not targeted at the newspaper but were rather an indication of how tight the district’s finances are.

“We’re in a catch 22 where we need to advertise, but the advertising cost may sink us,” he said.

A divided Board of Aldermen gave the final green light to Clarendon’s 2005 paving project when they met June 28.

Clarendon Economic Development Corporation Board President Jerry Woodard addressed the aldermen and sought the city’s approval to amend the CEDC budget to allow $100,000 in economic development funds to be spent on the streets.

Woodard’s request was approved 3-2 with Aldermen Tommy Hill and Michael Tibbets opposed to the measure.

The board then voted 3-2 to approve the paving contract with B&B Solvent with work to be completed within 180 days. Aldermen Tommy Hill and Michael Tibbets were again opposed.

Board members asked Hill and Tibbets about their opposition. They cited the cost of the project and expressed a desire to wait a year and bid again. Other board members noted the price of paving has continued to increase and would again next year.

Woodard urged the board to act for the betterment of the city and noted that there will never be a time when everything is perfect in everybody’s opinion.

“If we don’t do anything, we’ll be left behind,” he said. “We’re already 20 years behind. I want to see the town go forward. We cannot let the town continue to go backward.”

Construction on the streets is expected to begin early this month after engineers hold a pre-construction meeting with the contractor.

In other city business, Dee Dee Autry addressed the board concerning her interest in the city annexing rural lodging establishments under the city’s motel bed tax. The city cannot do this, but Autry said that the Bar H Dude Ranch and her Ace No. 8 Bed & Breakfast would be willing to voluntarily collect the tax in order to help promote tourism in Donley County.

Autry also represented the Texas Plains Trail which is preparing a regional tourism promotion. The board approved $500 from the motel bed tax fund for this project.

Donna Hicks presented her annual report for the Local Housing Authority to the board. The aldermen commended her and her staff for the work they do.

City Administrator Sean Pate discussed problems with one of the city’s trash trucks, which needs a new engine. He also updated the board on the activities getting ready for the Fourth of July.

By Cheryl Johnson, Clarendon Enterprise

A Turkey, Texas, team took top honors during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.

COEA officials say both ranch rodeo performances and the dances were well attended this year.

The Spade Ranch’s scores beat out 20 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 127th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration.  The team was made up of Wes Farley, Andy Falcom, John Bland, Tanner Johnson, and Dakota Falcon.

Finishing second was Clarendon Rafter S Ranch team of Joe Shadle, Brad Shadle, Wes Mason, Randy Crump, and Josey Shadle.

The Bit Ranch of Clarendon was third with the team of Danny Bennett, Teal Bennett, Tate Bennett, and Klay Waters; and Clarendon’s Salt Ford Rounders was fourth with the team of Brandon Burton, Will Funderburg, Jr. Crump, Elwin McClesky, and Caleb Brumley.

The top Hand award was won by Tanner Johnson of the Spade Ranch Team. Wes Mason of Clarendon took home the Top Horse award.

Event winners were as follows:

Bronc Riding – Spade Ranch (Friday) and Bit Ranch (Saturday).

Sorting and Doctoring: Spade Ranch (Friday) and Bit Ranch (Saturday).

Cow Milking: Brent Ranch (Friday) and Salt Fork Rounders (Saturday).

Branding: Spade Ranch (Friday) and Rafter S (Saturday).

The Wild Mare Race winners from Friday night were Junior Watson, Will Funderburg, and Chris Downer.  Saturday night’s winners were Shawn Kennedy, Jerrod Proffit, and Gabe Hill.

Winners of Monday’s Bronc Riding Competition were Pat Butler, first place with 150 points; Josh Crumpler, second place with 149 points; and a three way split for third place between Josh Halsell, Seth Chase, and Byron Fields.  In the long go around, first place went to Pat Butler, and a split for second was between Josh Crumpler, Josh Halsell, and Nathan Gribble.  In the short go around, Pat Butler and Josh Crumpler split first place while Byron Fields won third.

Junior Calf Riding was held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Chad Ferguson won the overall buckle in the event and took first place on Friday night.  Parker Bain won Saturday’s competition while Kade McClesky took first on Monday.

Clayton Shields was the overall winner of the Junior Steer Riding and took first place Friday and Monday night.  Johnny Gaines was the first place winner on Saturday.

The overall Donkey Ride winner was Colton Kingston.  Kingston took first place during the Saturday and Monday night performances.  Blaine Ellis won the competition on Friday.

Friday night’s Calf Scramble winners were Trevor Cobb, Colton Kingston, and Quincy Calloway.  Pecos Williams, Jake Karnes, and Johnny Gaines won on Saturday; and Tyler Crump, Danielle Ford, and Billy Ceniceros won Monday.

Beef certificate winners for the three days of rodeo were Junior Hill, Wendy Kent, and Jiggs Mann.

By Cheryl Johnson & Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Although City Park seemed crowded last Saturday, indications are that participation was down again for the 127th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration.

Early morning thunderstorms gave way to sunshine just before the celebration began, and folks enjoyed the cool weather that the rains brought.

The Kids’ Parade got things started on Saturday with 13 entries, down from 47 entries last year.  Division winners were Bradalyn Ellis, Hannah Flowers, and Shaydee Brown.

The annual Western Parade had 35 entries in four divisions this year which is down from last year’s 61 entries. The Chamber of Commerce reports that Greenbelt Electric float won first place in the float division.  The Clarendon High School Cheerleaders float placed second.  In the Riding division, Logan Lorenzo won first place while the Shriner’s Muleskinners placed second.

In the Antique Vehicles division of the parade, Henry Like won first, and Wondell Luttrell placed second. The Clarendon Firebelles won first place in the Miscellaneous division, and the Sandell Drive-In placed second.

Judges for the parade were Hedley residents Colleen O’Connor, Betty Morgan, and LaRae Shaw.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 794 plates of barbecue this year. In 2004, the Shriners served a little over 800 plates of barbecue, and they served over 1,000 in 2003.

Funds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Temple of the Shrine in Amarillo to help pay for transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals. A local Shrine Club official reported that they lost money on this year’s barbecue.

The Old Settlers Reunion was held at the City Park directly following the parade.  Muzzy Hayes Duffy traveled the greatest distance, 700 miles, to be there.  Viola Barker Graham and George Shields were the oldest man and woman present.  Viola Barker Graham was recognized as the person who has lived in Donley County the longest – 88 years.

There were two winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo – Helen Estlack and Thelma Shields.

At the annual Henson’s Turtle Race, 181 turtles competed, which was down slightly from last year’s 187 turtles.  Jordan Evans won the 0-4 age division.  Shayna Smith won first place in the 5-8 division.  Adam Topper won the 9-14 age division.

Denise Bertrand was the lucky winner of the Las Vegas trip given away by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce during Monday night’s rodeo performance.

Loyd Jeanette Richerson of Odessa died Tuesday, June 21, 2005, at Seabury Nursing Home in Odessa.

She was born August 1, 1911, in Ring, Texas, to Silas Carter Richerson and Nettie Ring Richerson.  Loyd was reared in Hedley and attended Clarendon Jr. College and West Texas State at Canyon.  She was a retired school teacher and taught school for 38 years at Clarendon and for the Ector County Independent School District.  She was a member of the Parkview Church Of Christ, the Dorcus Club of Odessa Christian School, and the Texas State Teachers Association.

She is survived by one sister, Jeanne Richerson; 2 nieces; and 2 nephews. She was preceded by six siblings, Abby Richerson, Ruth Richerson, Madge Moore, Glen Richerson, Woodley Richerson, and H.S. Richerson.

Services were Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the Parkview Church of Christ in Odessa.  Private family graveside services were at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 24, 2005, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc.

Walking up stairs without holding on. Touching your toes. Putting on your own shoes. Riding a bike. Sitting with your legs crossed.

These tasks may seem easy, but they are things that one little girl could never do… until now.

Tristin Miller’s story started on July 19, 1996, when she and her twin sister, Kristin, were born premature with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. They weighed just two pounds, 14 ounces and four pounds, 13 ounces.

Their mother Misti Watson said when the girls were born, Tristin had nothing wrong. She went home after just a week with no problems while her twin sister, Kristin, went home after five days and had to be on oxygen.

“Both girls never seemed to have problems until Kristin began doing things that Tristin couldn’t,” Misti said. “Tristin had a hard time sitting up, and doctors told me it was just because she was so small; but I knew something wasn’t right.”

Both girls suffer from hearing loss and a seizure disorder; but when Tristin was one and a half, she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition that causes a loss of muscle coordination.

She started visiting the Shriners Hospitals for Children at the age of two. There they put her into bracing and worked with her in physical therapy until she was ready for surgery at the age of eight.

“Before surgery Tristin was given a doll, and the doctors used it to show her exactly what they were going to do,” Misti said.

Tristin’s three-hour surgery was at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Houston on October 27, 2004; and the doctors did eight different procedures on her legs during that one operation.

“After her surgery she got very grouchy and mean for a few days. She kept saying, ‘Help me Mama; help me.’

“I just thought, ‘Why did I do this? Why did I put her through all this pain?’” Misti said. “But after five or six days, Tristin said, ‘I can do this;’ and then I knew she was going to be all right.”

While in the hospital, Tristin enjoyed celebrating Halloween and participated in daily activities.

“She also had a teacher while she was there,” Misti said. “We went to school everyday after therapy.

“We always had something to do. They told us that the kids there aren’t sick; they just have something wrong with them, so they didn’t need to lie around in a bed.”

Tristin spent just three weeks in the hospital and came home with casts from the knees down.

“She used a walker to get around at first, but now she is doing great,” Misti said. “We have a therapist who comes twice a week, and we do stretches with her everyday.

“Right now her therapy is a game to her, but it’s painful some days. The doctors said we are trying to reprogram her brain to walk correctly. She spent eight years walking the wrong way, so now she’s learning to walk all over again the right way.”

Tristin sleeps with a wedge pillow between her legs and knee immobilizers, and during the day she wears braces to protect her muscles; but as soon as her muscles are stronger, she can go without them.

Everything at the Shriners Hospital is personal Misti said.

“They don’t ever forget her,” she said, “and they have several doctors and therapists that do everything they need right there together.”

After returning from Houston, Tristin went right back to school.

“She would cry sometimes, but the kids were great with her,” Misti said. “The kids fought over who got to help her.”

Thanks to the Shriners, Tristin is now off and running. She can walk up the stairs without holding onto the rail, put on her own shoes, touch her toes, ride a bicycle, and sit with her legs crossed.

“She doesn’t see herself different than anyone else,” Misti said. “She loves everybody and doesn’t see that she has ever had a problem.”

Tristin said she loves to read and one day hopes to be a teacher or a doctor.

“I want to help other people,” she said.

Tristin and Kristin will be third graders in the fall, and they are spending their summer playing baseball and wrestling with each other.

“They are very different but also very close,” Misti said.

There are not enough words to describe what the Shriners Hospitals for Children do, Misti said.

“They don’t ask for anything, but just do and do and do,” she said. “We are so appreciative of everything they have done for our family.

“They’re amazing and good hearted, and people don’t realize how they help until you actually see someone up walking around like Tristin is.”

Tristin should not have to have any more surgeries in the future, but she did have to travel to Houston a few weeks ago for Botox injections into her legs after she went through a growth spurt. According to Misti, the entire process of getting Tristin better has been slow and aggravating at times but completely worth everything.

“I have cried myself to sleep many a night over her. You just feel like it’s your fault,” she said. “But seeing her get better made it all ok. The good Lord has taken care of me.”

“And me,” Tristin said. “He’s a good guy.”

 Everybody can help Shriners help children 

Twenty-two Shriners Hospitals are Masonic charities and are located throughout North America – 20 in the United States and one each in Mexico and Canada.

Since the first Shriners hospital opened in 1922, about $7 billion have been spent to help 770,000 children at Shriners hospitals. Shiners operate two children’s hospitals in Texas – an orthopedic hospital in Houston and a burn hospital in Galveston.

There is never a charge to the patient, parent, or any third party for any service or medical treatment received at Shriners Hospitals, which accept and treat children under 18 years of age without regard to race, religion, or relationship to a Shriner.

Clarendon’s Al Morrah Shrine Club traditionally supports the hospitals by donating funds raised at the annual Saints’ Roost Celebration barbecue to the Khiva Temple’s travel fund, which pays for transporting children to and from the hospitals.

This year’s barbecue will be held from 11 until the food runs out on Saturday, July 2, at City Park. Tickets are $6.50 each and are available from Henson’s or The Clarendon Enterprise.

For more information about Shiners Hospitals for Children, visit their Web site at www.shinershq.org.

If you know a child that Shiners Hospitals for Children can help, please call their toll-free patient referral at 1-800-237-5005.

The 127th anniversary Saints’ Roost Celebration and Ranch Rodeo kicks off this weekend in Clarendon.

Activities get rolling on Friday, July 1, with the Donley County Horse Club Stick Horse Rodeo at 9:00 a.m. across from the Post Office.  Registration begins June 24 at Saye’s.  Cost is $5 per child.  All proceeds benefit the club.

The fun continues on Friday with the annual Depression Lunch at the Downtown Ministries building. The meal will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will consist of beans, cornbread, and a drink for a 25¢ minimum donation. They will also serve dessert, sausage wraps, and cokes for an additional charge.  The First Baptist Church will conduct the meal as a fundraiser until 1:30  p.m.

Friday is also the first night for the Saints’ Roost Celebration Ranch Rodeo.  The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association presents the 10-team ranch rodeo at 7:30 p.m. Team events include Bronco Riding, Wild Cow Milking, Team Branding, and Team Doctoring/Sorting. The youngsters are also invited to participate in the Open Junior Calf Ride (ages 0-8), the Steer Ride (age 9-12), and the Donkey Ride (age 0-12).  Entry fee is $20 for each event.  The Open Calf Scramble, sponsored by Donley County State Bank, is open to age 0-12 and is free of charge. 

The rodeo will also feature the Open Wild Mare Race.  Six horses will be furnished each night.  There is a $90 entry fee with $150 added money.  All rough stock will be provided by Bill Hext of Canadian.

A $200 beef certificate will be drawn each night at the Rodeo Arena.

You can dance the night away Friday to the sounds of the Brant Moore Band.  The dance will be held at the rodeo grounds from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The COEA will start the fun early Saturday morning with the RHAA Ranch Horse Competition at 8:00 a.m. at the arena.

The Arts and Crafts Fair will begin at the City Park at 9:00 a.m. Booths selling food and craft items will be offering their wares until 3:00 p.m. The Donley County Extension Office is currently renting booth space for the fair.  The cost is $25.  Booth set up will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Each organization will be responsible for set-up and take-down of their booth as well as any trash around their booth.  For an entry form or more information, contact the Donley County Extension Office at 874-2141.  All entries must be received by Monday, June 27.

The Extension Service will also give away a new John Deere Riding Lawn Mower on Saturday.  Tickets are $5.00 per ticket or five tickets for $20.  They will even deliver the prize within 100 miles of Clarendon.  For tickets, contact any local 4-H or FFA member or call the Extension Office at 874-2141.  All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Donley County Junior Livestock Show Building Fund.

A big change to this year’s celebration is the Bicycle Parade and Western Parade.  The two parades will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.  The youngsters will go first with their bicycles, directly followed by the Western Parade.  The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting entry forms for both parades.  Entry forms are available in this issue of The Enterprise or at the Chamber of Commerce office or Burton Memorial Library.

Line up for the Western Parade begins at 8:30 a.m. two blocks west of the City Park.  Bicycle Parade participants can fill out the entry form in this issue of The Enterprise or register 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the City Park Pavilion. 

The Old Settlers Reunion will be held at the City Park Pavilion beginning at 11:00 a.m. along with the Shriner’s Barbecue.  Tickets for the barbecue are available from any Shriner, at Henson’s, or at The Clarendon Enterprise office.  Tickets will also be sold Saturday.

The Turtle Race will be held Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at the intersection by Henson’s.  Youngsters are encouraged to sign up now at Henson’s for their numbers. 

The ranch rodeo begins its second night of performance at 7:30 Saturday.  All events will be the same with ten new teams competing. 

You can dance with the Lonesome Goat band on Saturday night beginning at 10:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds.

Activities wind down on Monday night with the Open Ranch Bronc Ride at the Rodeo Grounds.  Competitors will ride 30 head of stock that evening.  They will also have the Open Junior Calf Ride, Steer Ride, and Donkey Ride for the youngsters along with the Open Calf Scramble.

The Chamber of Commerce will give away their National Finals Rodeo trip along with the $200 beef drawing on Monday during the rodeo performance.