Helping kids
4-H wins July 4th parade
Champion terrapin
Wilson Cattle repeats win at Ranch Rodeo
Cowboys from Wilson Cattle made a repeat performance as they took top honors for the second year in a row during the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.
Wilson Cattle’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 135th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Rody Wilson, Tyler Rice, Ky Finck, Jason Thomas, and Jessie Valdez.
The Myers & Mimms Ranch finished second with the team of Willie McClesky, Matt Cramblet, Pete Moberley, Josey Shadle, and Kelly Cates. The Conley Ranch was third again this year with the team of Jeffrey Conley, Chad Conley, K.C. Green, and Chance Johnson.
The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Tell Good of the Sand Hill Cattle Co., and the Top Horse award was won again by Rody Wilson.
This year’s total attendance for the two-day ranch rodeo and Wednesday’s junior rodeo was estimated to be 2,400 people, which was up from last year’s attendance of 2,135.
The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by the IC Cattle Co. with a team of Dustin Crump, Chance McAnear, Tres Hommel, Jack Baca, and Jayton Walden. The second place team was from the Bar H Cattle Co. and consisted of Brody Rankin, Kolton Burnett, Connor Paulsky, Kutter Burnett, and Flint Brownlee. The Mill Iron Ranch was third in the junior rodeo with a team of Brody Rankin, Kolton Burnett, Flint Brownlee, Casey McClesky, and Connor Paulsky.
Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Kutter Burnett of the Mill Iron Ranch, and he also had the Top Horse.
Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Colton Benson. Overall Calf Riding Champion was Coyt Tucek, and the Overall Donkey and Steer Riding champion was Lane Oles.
Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:
July 4 – Calf Scramble – Jade Benson, Dillian Armstrong, and Payton Havens; Mutton Bustin’ – Colton Benson 1st, Taylor Halsell 2nd, and Coyt Tucek 3rd; Calf Riding – Coyt Tucek 1st, Levi Walden 2nd, and Colton Benson 3rd; Donley Riding – Lane Oles 1st, Dalton Benson 2nd, and Cole Franks 3rd; and Steer Riding – Ryon McClesky 1st, Colton Benson 2nd, and Payton Havens 3rd.
July 6 – Calf Scramble – Toady Crump, Kooper Huddleston, and William Armstrong; Mutton Bustin’ – Emmy Stephens 1st, Coyt Tucek 2nd, and Elliot Kitten 3rd; Calf Riding – Coyt Tucek 1st, Hayden Holwick 2nd, and Reece Wright 3rd; Donkey Riding – Wyatt Griffin 1st, Lane Oles 2nd, and Kater Tate 3rd; and Steer Riding – Lane Oles, 1st, Cutter Hermesmeyer 2nd, and Ryan McClesky 3rd.
July 7 – Calf Scramble – Nathan Shadle, Tristan Harper, and Gavin Word; Mutton Bustin’ – Ashley Yankie 1st, Taylor Halsell 2nd, and Benny Proffitt 3rd; Calf Riding – Gage Hogawson 1st, Nathan Sperry 2nd, and Coyt Tucek 3rd; Donkey Riding – Kater Tate 1st, Cash Johnson 2nd, and Ben Crockett 3rd; and Steer Riding – Lane Oles 1st, Ryan McClesky 2nd, and Tristan Harper 3rd.
Beef winners for all three nights include James Oles, Kalli Griffin, and Deana Crump.
Clarendon celebrates grand Fourth
A fun and patriotic crowd gathered on the Courthouse Square last Wednesday, July 4, and enjoyed the festivities of the 135th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.
The Kids’ Parade started the day with the youngsters peddling or driving from Henson’s around the block in front of the Courthouse. In the 0-4 age group, Kyndall Shields was first, Meredith Artho was second, and Elliott Frausto was third. Braxton Gribble won the 5-8 age group with MaKenna Shadle second and Molley Davis third. The 9-12 age group was won by Keeden Moody, Davis Conklin was second, and Jaxon Robertson was third. Ethan Babcock was also recognized as having the first place bicycle.
The annual Craft Fair drew a big crowd to the courthouse square with a total of 52 vendors, up 12 from last year; and the Chamber of Commerce recognized several pioneer citizens during the Old Settlers gathering. The following honorees received t-shirts from the Chamber: Francis Skelton, Dorothy Breedlove, Helen Lamberson, Doug Lowe, Billy Powell, and Tommie Saye.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club served 717 plates of barbecue this year. That number is down from 800 last year, but Shriners said they thought it was very good with the Fourth landing on Wednesday 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.
That afternoon, the Western Parade delighted kids of all ages as floats, riding units, emergency vehicles, and other entries wound their way from City Park through downtown and back again. The Donley County 4-H Club took first place among all parade entries, the Clarendon Jr. High Cheerleaders were second, and a T-Bird owned by Jimmy Mitchel was third. Honorable mention in the parade went to Paulette Kidd and her friends with their “Dogs – A Girls’ Best Friend” entry.
Several organizations held fundraisers during the celebration. The winners of the Lions Club Cow Patty Bingo were Ronnie McAnear, $500; Christi Noble, $250; and Jesus Hernandez and Jack Moore, $50 each. Tookie Thornberry won the John Deere riding lawn mower given by the Junior Livestock Association in support of the Donley County Activity Center. Kasi Davis was the winner of the St. Mary’s Catholic Women Quilt Drawing. Steve Sell won the Saints’ Roost metal sign from the Clarendon Firebelles.
The Cash for Kids drawing fundraiser for the Donley County Child Welfare Board raised a total of $10,000, half of which went to the grand prize winner. Guy Ellis owned the 100th ticket drawn and received $5,000. The 75th ticket drawn for a trip to the Wedding Ranch was purchased by Kathy Haggerman; and the 50th ticket drawn was a Bar H Ranch trip and was purchased by Barbara Cosper. The 25th ticket drawn for a $200 Target gift card was purchased by CASA of the High Plains. The community’s support towards this fundraiser was appreciated.
The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association hosted a Junior Ranch Rodeo on July Fourth and an open Ranch Rodeo on July 6 and 7. Results of those events are listed in a separate article in this week’s edition.
The Downtown Merchants Association kicked things off Friday, July 6, with sidewalk sales and a Depression Luncheon on Kearney Street. Henson’s annual Turtle Race was held that afternoon. There were altogether 168 participants, which was a considerable increase from the 78 terrapin handlers last year. The winners were Kyler Bell of Clarendon for the 0-4 division, Malorie Collins of White Deer for the 5-8 division, and Carson Campbell of Borger for the 9-14 division. Each winner received a coin bag full of gold dollars and a turtle pin.
Weather for this year’s celebration was warm and sunny but more favorable than the week before when the mercury soared above 100. The community was again very busy, and this year’s celebration was also seen as a success.
Fireworks sparks blaze
Overgrown brush and trees were ignited by careless use of fireworks last Thursday afternoon near Bugbee Avenue and the JA Ranch Road. Clarendon Fire Chief Jeremy Powell said local firemen and a city front-end loader were able to get the fire under control but some trees continued to smolder for a couple of days. Enterprise Photo / Ashlee Estlack
Rainwater harvesting meeting to be July 28
An educational rainwater harvesting seminar, complete with a hands-on installation demonstration, has been scheduled for July 28 in Clarendon, according to Leonard Haynes, Texas AgriLife Extension Service agent for Donley County.
The seminar will begin with registration from 8-8:30 a.m. at the home of Sarah SoRelle, 507 W. 5th Street. SoRelle, who is helping sponsor the event, has offered her home as a demonstration location due to her interest in conserving water.
“The hands-on installation demonstration will be led by the world-renowned rainwater harvesting expert, Billy Kniffen, who has presented this topic at several locations across the United States,” Haynes said. Kniffen is the AgriLife Extension state rainwater harvesting specialist.
Following the hands-on portion, a meal will be provided along with an educational program at the Donley County Activity Center, 4437 N. State Highway 70. The program will end around 3 p.m., he said.
There will be a $10 registration fee per person. Checks should be made payable to Donley County Texas AgriLife Extension and mailed to Box 682, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by July 25 to the AgriLife Extension office in Donley County at 806-874-2141 or 806-282-7680, Haynes said. Call the same numbers for more information or directions.
Haynes said this meeting is a joint effort between Greenbelt Water Authority, City of Clarendon, SoRelle and AgriLife Extension, and targets communities within the Greenbelt Water Authority – Clarendon, Hedley, Childress, Quanah and Crowell – but is open to anyone.
“Not only has the Greenbelt Water Authority identified depletion of water resources as a major concern, but the Texas water-supply planning process has identified that surface and groundwater supplies will not be able to meet future water demand,” Haynes said.
Water conservation and development of alternative water supplies is necessary to meet the growing demand for fresh water, according to Kniffen. Rainwater harvesting is an innovative alternative water supply approach anyone can use. Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use.
Captured rainwater is ideal for use in landscaping, because the water is free of salts, minerals and chlorine and it adds water back into the ground and aquifer, Kniffen said. It is also useful in attracting and providing water for birds, wildlife and livestock and brought into the home for non-potable or potable use.
Implementing rainwater harvesting techniques directly benefits local communities by reducing demand on water supplies, and reducing run-off, erosion and contamination of surface water, he said.
Capturing rainwater for use in the landscape makes efficient use of a valuable resource, reduces water bills and reduces demand on the water supply.
CC names new baseball, softball coaches
Clarendon College announced last week that it has hired Devin McIntosh as the new Bulldog Baseball head coach and Raquel Hawkins as the new head coach of the Lady Bulldog softball team.
McIntosh accepted the position on June 21 and will come to Clarendon immediately. McIntosh was assistant coach at Richland College before accepting the new position at Clarendon. He succeeds Chris Joblin who resigned to take a position at Galveston College.
Coach McIntosh has coached for eight years and brings NCAA Division I experience to Clarendon College coaching at two different DI programs at Nigeria University and University at Buffalo. In addition, he has also coached in three of the premier summer collegiate wooden bat leagues – Cape Cod League, Great Lakes Collegiate Baseball League, and Northwoods Collegiate League.
He has coached over 100 players who have been drafted or signed free agent contracts with Major League Baseball including six first-round draft picks and ten major leaguers.
McIntosh is attending showcases and scheduling try outs to fill the squad for the upcoming year.
“He and his fiancé will marry in August and they look forward to getting settled in Clarendon,” CC Athletic Director John Green said. “Coach McIntosh looks to build a strong baseball program and involve his team in the community and surrounding area this fall.”
Hawkins was raised in Monahans and started her collegiate career at WJCAC opponent Western Texas College where she was on the team that advanced to the NJCAA National Softball Tournament. After earning numerous honors she was recruited to Lubbock Christian University where, in the first year of the softball program at LCU, they won the NAIA National Championship. Hawkins is an NFCA All American and has earned 17 other conference and region awards on her resume.
As an assistant coach at both Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University, Hawkins created a network of coaches at the four-year level which will benefit her as she starts recruiting softball players to Clarendon.
“Raquel is the real deal,” Green said. “I am amazed at the respect she has across all levels of college softball. She was endorsed by many coaches and has big plans for the CC Softball Program.”
Hawkins follows Coach Candra Crittendon who resigned following her husband’s relocation to another job.
Green says Hawkins has hit the ground running and has scheduled recruiting events across the Panhandle and beyond. She is also making plans to enhance and improve the softball field as well as scheduling for the next spring semester.
Phyllis Kay Schollenbarger Bain
Phyllis Kay Schollenbarger Bain, 75, died Saturday, June 30, 2012, in Wilburton, Okla.
Kay was born January 26, 1937, in Spearman to George and Lois Schollenbarger. Kay married Robert O. Bain 1954 in Clarendon.
Kay showed many talents in the work force. She worked as a lab tech in Guymon, in a dentist office at Yukon, as a bookkeeper at Rowland’s Construction Co., as a Payroll Clerk at Congoleum Manufacturing, and as Secretary at Eastern Oklahoma State College. She finally retired from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers while working as a Clerk. After her retirement Kay by no means was finished with serving her community. She served 20 years as a Latimer County Hospital Board Member. She was one of the original board members and served for many years for the Robbers Cave Fall Committee. In addition she served as a Pink Lady with Latimer County Hospital Auxiliary member, and she served as Secretary/Treasurer for the Presbyterian Church. Kay also worked many years with the Latimer County Pick-A-Star Program.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents George & Lois (Roper) Schollenbarger; her in-laws, Olin and Martha Bain; her husband, Robert O. Bain; her brother, Butch Schollenbarger; her daughter, Bliss Bain; and her son, Todd Bain.
Kay is survived by her son, Scott Bain of Wilburton, and her daughter and son-in-law Leigh & Danny Baldwin of Wilburton. Grandchildren are Jake Blackwood, Misty & Tony Hampton, Kelly & Broc Franklin, Cody Bain and Eldon Bain. Greatgrandchildren are Alyssa Blackwood, Haley & Kirstie Blackwood, Lane & Drey Franklin.
The Funeral Service was held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at Jones Harkins Funeral Home Chapel, Wilburton, Okla., with Rev. Kevin Fitzgerald and Rev. Monty Thompson officiating. Interment followed at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Wilburton, Okla.
Pallbearers were Jake Blackwood, Cody Bain, Eldon Bain, Broc Franklin, Tony Hampton and John Cook. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Jones Harkins Funeral Home, Wilburton, Okla.
The family requests donations be to the Latimer County General Hospital.
Opinion: Life in the Big Empty is full
Now that summer is in full bloom most folks are off on vacations or otherwise spending quality time with their families and friends. People in the know say that interest in the fall elections will ebb until the end of summer and the kids return to school.
This is not a bad thing, especially since both political parties are spending hundreds of millions of dollars furiously casting dispersions at each other’s candidate. Some of those dispersions may be justified, but most are probably half-truths and outright lies.
Fortunately, most of the ads are aimed at voters in the swing states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Colorado, and Nevada. The citizens of Clarendon will not be subjected to these ads because 99.999 percent of our fellow Americans don’t know that we exist, which is a good thing.
The Texas Panhandle is often referred to as “fly over” and “drive through” country. New York liberals call rural areas empty places and metropolitan areas crowed places. For reasons I don’t understand, most Eastern liberals, and more than a few conservatives, think that crowded places are superior to empty places.
If such were the case, Clarendon would not have been founded by religious Yankees shortly after the Native Americans were forcibly rounded up and relocated to Indian Territory. Of course, the Saints’ Roosters (Christian colonists) arrived 13 years after the end of the Civil War. I wonder what the resident Texans, still smarting over the Confederate defeat, thought about the sudden settlement of Yankees.
At that time, the two earlier boom towns in the Texas Panhandle, Tascosa and Mobeetie, were founded on more libertine principles. Their citizens were considerably more rough-hewn than the better educated newcomers and they disparagingly referred to the “sobriety settlement” of Clarendon as Saints’ Roost.
Now that I’ve been back home a couple of months shy of two years, I’ve come to realize that the quality of life in Clarendon and other empty places is far superior to the quality of life in crowded places.
Sure, our air may be frisky and always in a hurry going somewhere, but I don’t miss the stagnant brown smog that stings the eyes and makes strenuous outdoor activities dangerous to one’s health. Our air is clean, sweet, and fresh. Urban air is brown, smelly, and ugly.
Folks in crowded places have no way to connect to the universe because light pollution prevents their being able to see the wonders of the Milky Way and other heavenly bodies. My first night back, when I looked up to the heavens, I was startled to see the intensity of the light emanating from our galaxy. I had forgotten the infinite beauty which surrounds our exquisite planet.
Majestic sunsets celebrate the end of each day, painting the endless western sky in elegant colors and patterns that please the eye and soothes the soul.
Even though our place may be considered empty by urbanites, this land is actually teaming with a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. While larger towns and cities may be bursting at the seams with people, our neighborhood is filled with a menagerie of remarkable animals, and exquisite plants gloriously clad in colorful, delicate flowers.
To me, living life in this wonderfully empty place is much fuller than the barren life that is found in crowded places.
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