Clarendon Live

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.

Roger Estlack

Jackie Page

by Leave a Comment

Jackie Page, age 73, of Sulphur Springs, Texas passed away on August 5, 2021, in Tyler, Texas. A memorial service for Jackie Lucille Swinney Page will be held on Saturday, September 4 at 3:00 p.m. at the Swinney family land in Clarendon. Family and friends will meet at 717 West 3rd Street at 2:30 p.m.

Jackie Page

Jackie was born on October 25, 1947 in Clarendon to Dalton Howard and Mary Lucille (Parker) Swinney. She was a retired retail sales agent. Lucille was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by her four daughters Marlena Fields, Christi Howell, Amanda Riehl and Brigitte Painter; seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Jackie was preceded in death by her parents; great grandchild, Makila O’Brien Painter; brothers, Jerry Swinney and Jimmy Swinney; sister, Cydne Randall.

Sandell to screen Keith and Alabama Sept. 2

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon Sandell Drive-In will host a Country Kickoff to Labor Day Weekend featuring music legends Toby Keith & Alabama with a pre-show performance by hitmaker Michael Ray and hosted by Blanco Brown on Thursday, September 2.

The star-studded concert event will be the tailgating party of the season at hundreds of outdoor movie theaters across North America for one amazing night only.

Country Kickoff to Labor Day Weekend will include exclusive content and never-before-seen recorded concerts by Toby Keith and Alabama, two of the best-selling music acts of all time. With three No. 1’s and five RIAA Gold-certified singles, country music star Michael Ray will also perform as the night’s opening act, featuring his current Top 25 and climbing single “Whiskey And Rain,” while multi-platinum artist, songwriter, producer, and TrailerTrap creator Blanco Brown, who is known for blending the sounds of country and hip hop, serves as host for the night’s festivities as the event is streamed to hundreds of outdoor movie screens around the United States and Canada. Fans are encouraged to bring their friends and family, get out of their cars and dance while cranking the concert through their car speakers and radios.

“Have a great Labor Day and enjoy the show!” said Toby Keith.

“Over the years, we’ve performed in every type of venue and recorded our music across every type of format, and this night is really shaping up to be one of the coolest we’ve been a part of,” says Alabama’s Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry in a joint statement. “To reach fans in big cities and small towns all across the country with the same show is going to make for not only an awesome concert experience but a heck of an outdoor tailgate party too!”

The Toby Keith and Alabama performances were specially filmed for this one-night-only event in Nashville and Fort Payne, Alabama, respectively. The co-headlining acts will provide fans an unparalleled concert-going and tailgating experience.

Tickets are available at encorenights.com and start at $56 per car. For more information, check out the Sandell Drive-In on Facebook.

CEDC grant helps save historic 66 station

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon Economic Development Corporation President Brandon Frausto presents a check for $4,200 to Chuck Robertson as part of the CEDC’s Historic Facade Grant program. Enterprise Photo / Roger Estlack

A historic Phillips 66 station has been saved thanks to the interest of a local businessman and a grant from the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation.

Chuck Robertson received the first Historic Façade Grant awarded by the CEDC, which provided a total of $4,200 for the $24,000 project.

The Phillips station located near the Donley County Courthouse at Third and Jefferson was constructed on the site of the former A.M. Beville home in 1930. Construction by contractor Joe Humphrey, Jr., started on the Type B Phillips station in April 1930, and the business opened in May of that year under the direction of local Phillips distributor Henry D. Tomb. The Donley County Leader reported that during the opening day, 3,400 gallons of gasoline were sold and 505 cars were serviced.

As highway traffic moved from what is now Third Street to its present location on Second Street, the Phillips station eventually closed and little is known about the building’s history until about 40 years ago when Robertson’s family acquired the property. His mother, Edie Robertson, taught music lessons there in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he said.

Since then, the station has been vacant and the target of vandals. He also said the roof had started to leak.
With the help of the Historic Façade Grant, Robertson contracted with HH&R Services to complete the first phase of bringing the building back to a useful life, focusing on the exterior.

The station received a new roof, and new insulated windows were installed that closely match the originals. Part of the original gutter system was salvaged and incorporated into the new gutters. A replica “P” was installed on the chimney, and a new front door was custom-made to replicate the original, which was too rotted to salvage.

Robertson said Keith Floyd is restoring an original gas pump from the property and also working on a similar vintage pump to go with it. Also, Robertson has plans to install period lighting on the outside of the building and put up a replica Phillips sign on the original signpost as soon as it can be stabilized.

“The grant program was a huge help to being able to revitalize this local landmark,” Robertson said. “The availability of the grant prompted me to get this work done, and it helped immensely.”

Robertson also said his wife, Amanda, deserves a lot of credit for her help in making the project happen.
In addition to replica Phillips signs on windows in the gable of the building, Robertson added one personal touch – an “Edie’s Music Box” sign of the same design his mother used on the front of the building.

Robertson says he will now turn his focus to electrical and plumbing work on the interior of the building so that it can eventually be used for a small office or retails space.

The CEDC’s Historic Façade Grant Program awards grants of up to 80 percent of the actual, eligible costs up to a maximum amount of $400 per linear foot of the storefront (i.e. $10,000 for a 25-foot storefront or $20,000 for a 50-foot storefront). The program’s focus is to preserve and cultivate the historic character of buildings in the Central Business District and along the US 287 corridor.

Each applicant must meet certain criteria and submit detailed plans for their project for the CEDC board’s approval. To learn more, visit ClarendonTX.com/CEDC.

 

Cornell to perform concert at Mulkey

by Leave a Comment

Clarendon native Zach Cornell will perform on stage at the Mulkey Theatre Labor Day weekend on Sunday, September 5.

Cornell, who grew up in Clarendon and graduated from Clarendon High School, now lives in Nashville and recently released his debut studio album, Devil’s Been Working.

Advance tickets are on sale now at MulkeyTheatre.com and at the Clarendon Visitor Center. Admission is $10 per person.

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

Bronco Parents to host kick-off party

by Leave a Comment

The Clarendon Bronco Parents will hold a football season Kick-off Celebration this Friday, August 27, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the high school. Food and games will be available for pre-game activities before the Broncos’ game against Seymore at 7:00 p.m. Burger meals will be sold for $8.

Back to class

by Leave a Comment

Donley County students and faculty members went back to school last Thursday, August 19, to start the fall semester at both Clarendon and Hedley school districts. Dozens of people submitted their “First Day” photos to the Enterprise, including this great shot from Ginnie Siefkas, for a chance to win a subscription to the paper. Marsha Bruce was the lucky winner. See more “First Day” photos at Facebook.com/TheEnterprise. Courtesy Photo

And the winner is…

by Leave a Comment

Little Diamond Miss Delaney Chambless draws the winning ticket worth $2,610 during That Senior Thang last Saturday night. Beverly Burrow was the lucky winner of the 50/50 raffle which had a total of $5,220 in ticket sales. For more Senior Thang pictures, see this week’s issue. Enterprise Photo / Elaina Estlack

Loyd Dean Messer

by Leave a Comment

Loyd Dean Messer passed away Thursday morning, August 19.

Loyd Dean Messer

Loyd was born June 19, 1944 in Memphis. He was raised in Hedley by his parents L.D and Dorothy Messer along with his older brother Roger and younger sister Delores. Loyd enjoyed growing and harvesting peaches around Hedley in his early years farming with his father.

He later moved his young family to Morse, Texas, where he owned and ran a fertilizer business. Loyd then moved to Gruver and was employed by Dean Cluck where he took care of much of the farming operations for Dean Cluck Feedyard for many years. He then spent some time in Mountain View, Oklahoma, where he owned and operated a service station. He later returned to Gruver for a short time before moving on to Center Point, Texas, helping Monte Cluck again with odd and end jobs and owning his own pecan tree operation in the Hill Country. He finally retired and moved back to Wellington close to his old stomping grounds just a short time ago.

Loyd was a jack of all trades and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

He is preceded in death by his parents, L.D. and Dorothy Messer, his wife Connie Messer and his beloved son, Michael Messer whom he has missed dearly for 30 years.

He is survived by his brother Roger and wife Elloise of Memphis, a sister, Delores Crump of Clarendon, his son Darrell Messer and wife Lori of Gruver, daughter Deana Crump of Clarendon, son Loyd Ray Messer of Bellingham, WA. daughter Ashley Messer of Houston and Lindsay Messer of Anadarko, Oklahoma. Grandchildren, Matt and wife Shanae Messer of Gruver, Miles and Abbi Messer of Gruver, Mike and Julie Crump of Canyon, Chris Crump of Matador and Ethan Puerta of Anadarko. Great grandchildren, Knox Messer, Jack Messer, Hayes Messer, Fletcher Messer, Gray Messer, Scout Messer, Kyndall Crump, Waverley Crump, Keighen Crump and Carter Crump. Many nieces and nephews and many many friends.
Loyd trusted Christ and was baptized @ age 10 and became a member of Hedley Baptist Church… he was welcomed home and greeted by his son, Michael and all his many loved ones and friends.
Loyd will be greatly missed but can now breathe easy.

Graveside services were held at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley on Monday, August 23, 2021, with Scott Curry and Scotty Smith officiating.

The family request memorials be sent to Rowe Cemetery Association, PO Box 213, Hedley, Texas 79237.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

Guest Column: Re-think COVID vaccine if you haven’t gotten it

by 1 Comment

Just when we thought we could turn the page on this horrible pandemic, it has reemerged as the more highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19. Hospitalizations in Texas, and in Amarillo, due to COVID are on the rise again. And with that, an increased number of ICU beds and ventilators are used to treat victims of a disease which now can largely be prevented. Yes, we now have a safe and effective vaccine. As few as 0.2% of Texas’ current COVID-19 hospitalizations are patients who have been fully vaccinated.

Donley County Judge John Howard, MD

Vaccines have eliminated smallpox and virtually eradicated polio and a host of childhood diseases. Yet many who have taken these vaccines are reluctant to take the COVID vaccine for a variety of reasons. Some are concerned that it is a “new” vaccine or that “it was rushed through the approval process.” The m-RNA vaccine technology is not new. It was developed in the 1990’s and been increasingly used in the past decade. Yes, the approval process for this vaccine was accelerated – in response to a deadly worldwide pandemic which has killed over 4 million worldwide. But the good news is that this vaccine has been administered over 4.7 billion times! Medicines and drugs are often “fully approved” on the basis of clinical trials with as few as 3000 people. Full approval in this country for the COVID-19 vaccine is imminent.

The vaccine contains no virus. You cannot possibly get COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Some are reluctant to get the vaccine because “some people have died from the vaccine.” Any medicine, treatment, or vaccine, carries some risk. We always weigh risk versus benefit. Death following the vaccine – due to the vaccine (and this can be difficult to demonstrate) – is less than 0.002 percent. That is less than two thousandths of a percent. Death due to COVID is now more than 600,000 in this country – four million worldwide. There is a greater risk from the disease than there is from the vaccine.

Some are concerned that “the vaccine will change my DNA.” The m-RNA vaccine does not enter the nucleus of a cell, where your DNA is stored. It enters the muscle cells with a message for your ribosomes to create a protein – the protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. After your ribosomes make the protein, the m-RNA is broken down and gone. The protein your ribosomes make, however, stimulates your immune system to make antibodies which will attack the coronavirus. This is how the vaccine protects you and can keep you out of the hospital.

Some feel that “I probably already had COVID so I already have immunity.” Many who are currently in the hospital may have thought that as well. Cases are on the rise. At our clinic we went from zero cases in May, to 4 cases in June, and 9 cases in July, and 13 cases so far in August (as of Monday).

On Friday a third dose of the vaccine, a booster, was recommended for individuals with compromised immune systems. A recommendation for others is likely to follow. Now is the time to re-think the vaccine if you haven’t received it. In Texas, government will not require you to get it. It is your choice. Discuss it with your medical provider. Your choice can protect you and your family and drive the case numbers back down. Choose wisely and be well. (And don’t forget to cover your cough and wash your hands!)

DCSC to host ‘Senior Thang’ this Saturday

by Leave a Comment

The excitement is building as “That Senior Thang” prepares to hit Clarendon this Saturday evening, August 21, with activities, food, and fun for people of all ages.

With proceeds benefiting the Donley County Senior Citizens Center, organizers have lined up live music, free games, food vendors, competitions, a country store, Chicken Drop Bingo, a 50/50 raffle, and more to have something to do for people of all ages.

“I’m excited,” DCSC Director Denise Bertrand said. “Our volunteers are coming in, we have a lot of items coming to our country store, and our 50/50 raffle is up to $2,200, which means we’ll give away more than $1,000!”

Bertrand also said the silent auction is generating a lot of cool items, including a Harold Bugbee print from the Saints’ Roost Museum and some collectible model cars.

“We have school athletes coming to help, the COEA is bringing in tables for us, the Lions Club will be volunteering, and so will the Christian Mothers from Saint Mary’s Catholic Church,” Bertrand said.

In addition to coverage in the Enterprise, Bertrand said she has talked to a reporter from NewsChannel 10 about the event and also been on the air on KLSR radio.

Saturday’s fundraiser starts with the sale of barbecue chicken halves from noon to 1:00 p.m. No advance orders are being taken for the chicken, Bertrand says. It will simply be a “first come, first served” sale with pick up and go. Any chicken halves that don’t sell from noon to 1:00 will be available at the country store that evening.

The “Thang” itself will start at 5:00 p.m. and run until 10 o’clock. Bertrand says people are welcome to wear face coverings at the event and masks will be available for free. Hand sanitizing stations will also be provided courtesy of the Donley County Extension Office.

Competitions will include water balloon volleyball, watermelon seed spitting, wheelchair races, jalapeno eating, red Solo cup stacking, a crazy bike challenge, and Texas skis.

Among the free activities will be water polo, ring toss, corn hole, ladder ball, horseshoes, a roping dummy, and dominoes.

Concessions will be available with barbecue beef sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade ice cream, watermelon, and jalapeno poppers.

The entire community is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in That Senior Thang. A complete description and list of activities is available on “That Senior Thang’s” event page, which can be found at Facebook.com/DonleyCountySeniorCitizens.

Sponsors for “That Senior Thang” are A Fine Feathered Nest, Flying A Tack, Howard Farms, Road Runner Home Health, Broken Road Jr. Liquor Store, Shonda’s Snack Shack, Clarendon Bicycle Club, Estlack Bantams, VFW Post 7782 Auxiliary, Clarendon VFD, Trinity Steel, and Saints’ Roost Cottage.

Verified by MonsterInsights