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Howardwick preparing for 2022 Hoedown

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Howardwick volunteers work on the new putting green in Howardwick’s McMorries Memorial Park this week. Shown here are Guy Maggi, Johnny Floyd, Del Essary, and Eddie Chavira. Not pictured are Shelly Stover and Butch Murray. The new park feature will play a prominent role in the upcoming Howardwick Hoedown on July 23. Courtesy Photo

Fun, music, games, and prizes are in store next Saturday, July 23, when Howardwick hosts its fourth annual Hoedown at McMorries Memorial Park.

City Secretary and Hoedown organizer Sandy Childress says the event is all about celebrating the community, and Mayor Tony Clemishire is encouraging everyone to join the fun.

“It’s all about recognizing Howardwick and our amazing volunteers,” Childress said. “And I just like to have a big party every year.”

Plenty of food will be available throughout the day, starting at 11 a.m., and live music featuring The Tweeks will be entertaining visitors from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The dancing will continue even after the live music stops though. Childress said recorded music will keep the party going thanks to some recently donated speakers.

A 2022 Advance EVI Golf Cart is the big raffle prize for the day and you don’t have to be present to win, but a live on-site raffle will also be going on all day for those present with winners every hour.

“We have some seriously cool items that we’re going to be giving away,” Childress said.

The Corn Hole Tournament hosted by the Clarendon Lions Club is accepting sign-ups and is offering cash prizes as well as the chance to win a custom corn hole set.

Entry is $10 per person for a two-person corn hole team, and the top prize is $200. Call City Hall at 806-874-2222 for more information.

Other competitions include the adults and kids putting contest, which will be held on the new putting green being installed in McMorries Park.

A slip-n-slide will be available for kids, and 18 vendors are currently signed up to be at the event.

Childress said those attending the Hoedown should plan to bring their own seating and their own umbrellas or other shading if they desire.

Proceeds from previous Hoedowns have gone toward park improvements and improvements to the community center. Childress says this year’s event will help raise money for the city to buy equipment to fix city streets.

Sales tax revenues mixed for local cities

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Sales tax revenues were mixed for Donley County municipalities when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar delivered monthly allocations last week.

The City of Clarendon slipped for the second month, dropping 0.74 percent for July with an allocation of $40,682.97.

Despite the setbacks this month and last month, Clarendon is still ahead for the calendar year-to-date with sales tax revenues up 5.78 percent at $286,517.93.

Hedley was up 7.39 percent for the month of July with an allocation of $634.60. That brings Hedley up 5.16 percent on the year-to-date with revenues of $6,646.61 since the first of January.

Howardwick was also up with an allocation of $1,556.13, an increase of 11.95 percent compared to the same period last year. The lakeside city is now up 4.98 percent for the year-to-date at $11,630.91.

Statewide, Hegar delivered $1.03 billion in local sales tax allocations for July, 15.3 percent more than in July 2021.
These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.

New regents join CC board

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Clarendon College recently added two new members to its Board of Regents.

On Friday, June 24, 2022, Janice Knorpp and Shaun O’Keefe were sworn into office on the Clarendon College Board of Regents, filling two of three vacancies on the board.

Regent Knorpp, a longtime resident in Clarendon and former City Council member, was appointed to fill the vacancy left by former Regent Edwin Campbell, and her seat will expire in 2024.

Regent O’Keefe, a medical professional who works with Veterans, went through the election process and fills a vacancy that is set to expire in 2028.

Clarendon College President Tex Buckhaults stated that he is excited about the addition of Regents O’Keefe and Knorpp and is looking forward to working with them.

See photos on page four. For more information, visit clarendoncollege.edu or call (806) 874-3571.

Clarendon celebrates America’s independence

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The Behind the Chutes Cowboy Church was the Grand Champion and the Animal entry winner during the 2022 Herring Bank Parade last Saturday, July 2, during the Saints’ Roost Celebration. Other winners this year were Best Float – Bronco Cheerleaders, Best Tractor – Dan Sawyer (driven by US Rep. Ronny Jackson), Best Car – Steve Carthel, and Best Other Entry – the Khiva Shriners. Enterprise Photo / Anndria Newhouse

A patriotic crowd assembled Saturday, July 2, for the 145th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration at the Donley County Courthouse in Clarendon to celebrate America’s independence.

The Liberty Electric / Masonic Lodge Kids’ Parade started the day with the youngsters peddling or driving from Third Street down Sully Street in front of the Courthouse. Winners of the kids parade were Ayden Alfonso, Waverly Crump, Matthew Newhouse, and Kingston Floyd.

The annual Herring Bank Parade followed the kids’ event and very festive with nearly all of the entries following the parade theme, “Life is a Circus.”

The Behind the Chutes Cowboy Church was the best Animal entry and also won the Grand Prize for the best overall entry.

Other winners were Best Float – the Bronco Cheerleaders, Best Tractor – Dan Sawyer (driven by US Rep. Ronny Jackson), Best Car – Steve Carthel, and Best Other Entry – the Khiva Shriners.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club served about 500 plates of barbecue this year. A portion of the proceeds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.

The Donley County Junior Livestock Assocation raffled off a gun, and Jim Stevenson won it.

The Clarendon Lions Club’s Cow Patty Bingo was won by Chris Seay, Jesus Hernandez, and Anndria Newhouse.

Bridie Lindsay won the 36” Blackstone Outdoor Griddle from the Bronco Band Boosters.

Henson’s annual Turtle Race was also held Saturday afternoon in its traditional location at Third and Kearney. Winning turtle jockeys this year were Clara Wilkins, Landrey Hill, and McKinley Wilhelm.

Wilson Cattle Co. wins 2022 ranch rodeo

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Eight-year-old Jacob Mellard hangs on tight during the Mutton Bustin’ competition during last weekend’s Saints’ Roost Celebration Ranch Rodeo. Enterprise Photo / Kari Lindsey

The Wilson Cattle Company took top honors at the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday during the 145th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.

Wilson’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional ranch rodeo teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test.

The Wilson team was made up of Cayce Lewis, Rodey Wilson, Carter Robertson, Ben Crockett, and Rylan Ferbrache.

The Bar R Horses team finished second with Phllip Reynolds, Rye Reynolds, Chance Holcombe, Wesley Gudgell, and Levi Molesworth; and the Rafter S team was third with Brad Shadle, Randy Crump, Tanner Hart, Wesley Gudgell, and Jacob Gudgell.

The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Wesley Gudgell, and the Top Horse award was won by Elwyn McCleskey riding “Banjo.”

This year’s attendance for the three-day junior rodeo and ranch rodeo was 1,222 similar to the 1,287 who attended in 2021 but still down from the pre-pandemic attendance of 1,391 in 2019.

The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by the 96 Ranch team comprised of Brooks Myers, Reece Myers, Kale Brunson, Jaxon Stoker, and Blaine Roberts.

The second place junior team was the Six-O Ranch with Rankin Proffitt, Clint Cross, Kain Van Ryn, Tate Thomson, and Flint Hill; and the Barnes Cattle team was third in the junior competition with Degan Barnes, Kesler Barnes, Kail Brunson, Bonnar Barnes, and Jaxon Stoker.

Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was the late Clayton Anderson, a young cowboy who lost his life in a automobile accident just days before the annual rodeo was to take place.

Jaxon Stoker rode the Top Horse for the junior rodeo.

Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Rance Peters.

Overall Calf Riding Champion was also Rance Peters, the Overall Donkey Rider was Chance Anderson, and Steer Riding champion was Colton Henson.

Nightly winners of the kids rodeo events were as follows:

Thursday, June 30 – Calf Scramble – Taos Armstrong, Travis Mellard, and Rank Profit; Mutton Bustin’ – Cutter Gaither; Calf Riding – Ainslee Lewis, Donkey Riding – Briggs Martin; and Steer Riding – Brigs Martin.

Friday, July 1 – Calf Scramble – Travis Mellard, Briggs Martin, and Claira Messer; Mutton Bustin’ – Rance Peters; Calf Riding – Rance Peters; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Briggs Martin.

Saturday, July 2 – Calf Scramble – Hazen Lamb, Reese Myers, and Jaylie Ducan; Mutton Bustin’ – Rance Peters; Calf Riding – Lincoln Smith; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Colton Henson.

Lions install Estlack as district governor

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Roger Estlack of the Clarendon Lions Club was installed as the District Governor of District 2-T1 during the 104th annual convention of the International Association of Lions Clubs in Montreal, Canada, last Tuesday, June 28.

Lions District Governor Roger Estlack

District 2-T1 covers 39 Lions Clubs in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and is one of 16 districts in the State of Texas.

The installation of district governors from all over the world was the culmination of the Lions international convention, which officially opened on June 24. International President Brian Sheehan of Bird Island, Wisconsin, was sworn-in first and then installed the several district governors.

Estlack was accompanied on the trip by his wife and partner in service, Lion Ashlee, and his children, Benjamin and Elaina.

Convention highlights included training for incoming governors as well as several workshops aimed at improving clubs and enhancing service to communities.

Estlack becomes the first Clarendon Lion to serve as district governor since former Clarendon News publisher Sam Braswell held the position in 1930-1932.

CVFD responds to several holiday calls

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Emergency personnel respond to a fire at the entrance of Lake Greenbelt Monday evening, July 4.

A fire on the south side of the Greenbelt Lake dam burned about seven acres Monday night, according to Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell.

The Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department was called to a fire about 9:55 p.m. Powell said firefighters allowed the fire to burn to the lake rather than try to put it out. The fire cleared out brush in a hard to get to area.

The exact cause of the fire is not known, but fireworks were being used in the area.
Later that night, the department was called out again about 3 a.m. Powell said someone had shot fireworks, cleaned up their mess, and then placed their trash in the back of their pickup. Unfortunately, that trash later caught on fire and burned up the pickup.

Also on Sunday night, the department was called to a small grass fire at the intersection of FM 2362 and CR 9, and fireworks were suspected of being the cause there as well.

“For the most part, people were fairly responsible, and some light showers helped keep things from being so dry,” he said. “It was a great Fourth of July.”

2002 Saints’ Roost Celebration begins June 30

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Clarendon is ready to welcome visitors to this year’s 145th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration June 30 and July 1 and 2, 2022.

The COEA Junior Rodeo will kick off the celebration Thursday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 1, at the same time. Dances will be held following the rodeos this year featuring Luke Koepke & The Bad Habits, sponsored by Floyd’s Automotive Supply.

The First Baptist Church will hold the Depression Luncheon again on Friday, July 1, starting at 11 a.m. and serving until 1 p.m. or when the food runs out. Visitors are encouraged to sit in the cool of the Downtown Ministry Center and fellowship with others to escape the heat.

The big day will be Saturday, July 2, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Old Settlers Reunion and the Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Third and Sully.

Chamber officials are also happy to announce Liberty Electric and the Clarendon Masonic Lodge have signed on as the official sponsors of this year’s Kids’ Parade.

Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.

Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parade is “Life is a Circus.” Entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center and online at ClarendonTX.com.

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first-place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.

Pre-registration is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due by 5 p.m. on June 29.

The Shriners barbecue will follow the parade at 11 a.m. As the only fundraisers of the Al Morrah Shrine Club, tickets are $20 per plate and proceeds benefit the transportation fund of the Khiva Shrine Temple to help children get to and from Shriners Hospitals. Barbecue tickets can be purchased in advance at the Visitor Center.

Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m. The Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Movie fans will also have their choice of entertainment this weekend with Minions: The Rise of Gru showing at the Sandell Drive-In and Top Gun: Maverick showing at the Mulkey Theatre.

For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

Accident claims life of local teenager

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Family and friends are mourning the loss of a Clarendon teenager who died Sunday following a single-vehicle accident in Canyon.

Clayton Anderson, age 16, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to the Canyon Police Department.

Canyon police and firefighters were dispatched at 6:05 a.m. Sunday, June 19, to a major vehicle crash in the 24000 block of US 87. Upon arrival, they found a 2004 Chevrolet Pickup traveling south on US 87 had left the roadway and struck a tree at the “2nd Roadside Park.”

The driver of the pickup, Trent Wood, age 19, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Anderson was a front passenger in the vehicle.

Canyon police say they are still investigating the crash, and services for Anderson had not yet been announced as of Tuesday morning.

Anderson was well known in the rodeo community and was recently named the Texas High School Reserve Reined Cowhorse champion and was to compete at Nationals this summer. He was also the Top Hand in the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Junior Ranch Rodeo and was scheduled to compete in this year’s event as well.

He was a member of the Region 1 Texas Junior High School Rodeo Association, competing in Steer Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping and Team Roping qualifying for Nationals 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2020, he won the Texas Junior High Rodeo Champion Steer Saddle Bronc Riding.

Clayton was also a member of the Tri-State Region 1 Rodeo Association and the Texas High School Rodeo Association, competing in Team Roping and Reined Cowhorse for 2022. He was a WRCA Junior Qualifier and was 2021 Top Hand recipient.

Covey is area TMCA Clerk of the Year

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Clarendon City Secretary Machiel Covey has been named the Clerk of the Year by the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association.

Covey has served TMCA for 13 years in different offices. In addition to her work with the association, a large factor in Covey’s recognition was the proactive protocols she helped implement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Clarendon was in out in front during the pandemic, and some of the things implemented here were later duplicated in other Panhandle cities.

Covey will be recognized this Thursday during the Panhandle TMCA chapter meeting in Amarillo. Her nomination will then be forwarded for a chance to win the state title at the association’s annual meeting in Georgetown in October.

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