There will be an open house honoring Bruce Ferguson on August 29, 2012 from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Donley County FSA Office located at 321 S Sully ST in Clarendon, TX. For the past 34 years, Bruce served the farmers and ranchers of Donley, Armstrong, Potter and Oldham counties. Come by and congratulate him.
King defeats Landtroop in runoff
Canadian School Board President Ken King will represent Donley County in the Texas House of Representatives after he defeated incumbent Rep. Jim Landtroop of Plainview in yesterday’s Republican Primary Runoff Election.
King received 53.99 percent of the vote across District 88 compared to Landtroop’s 46 percent. Locally, the margin was much wider with 77.35 percent of Donley County Republicans supporting King.
Landtroop had been the top vote getter in the four-man race in May’s Republican Primary, but he fell short of the majority needed to secure his party’s nomination. Donley County voters also preferred King in May with Landtroop coming in fourth locally.
Following the primary, the other two challengers – Mac Smith of Pampa and former State Rep. Gary Walker of Plains – both endorsed King, and retiring State Rep. Warren Chisum also endorsed King in the final days of before the election.
With no Democrat running for the House seat, King is the presumptive winner of the November election and will represent District 88, which was formerly represented by Chisum but was redistricted to include Landtroop’s home base of Hale County.
In statewide GOP races, Republicans nominated Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz over Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst 56.79 percent to 43.20 percent to run for the US Senate seat currently held by Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Cruz will face Democrat Paul Sadler, who won his party’s runoff yesterday with 60 percent of the vote over Grady Yarbrough.
Locally, Donley Republicans favored Dewhurst, 55.96 percent to 44.03 percent; and county Democrats sided with Sadler 63.08 percent to 36.91 percent.
Warren Chisum fell short of his goal becoming the Republican nominee for Railroad Commissioner, losing his bid to Christi Craddick 40.19 percent to 59.80 percent. Local voters preferred Chisum, 69.81 percent to 30.18 percent.
Barry Smitherman was the choice of both state and local Republicans to fill an unexpired term on the Railroad Commission over challenger Greg Parker with the vote breaking roughly 62 percent to 38 percent at both the county and state levels.
State and local Republicans also picked John Devine over David Medina to run for Supreme Court Justice, Place 4 with Devine capturing 53.27 percent of the statewide vote and 37.46 percent of the local vote.
Letter: City should finish what it starts
I am writing this letter in reference to our supposed “crown jewel” of Clarendon – East Fourth Street. I was curious to know if by chance our city administrator could explain to us why it is not being properly maintained with gravel to seal it off. It is a joke to waste the manpower and money to not to maintain this after having gone to both the trouble and expense to do so. It is in worse shape now than it was before this little project even began.
If the street project coming up is going to be handled in the same way, it will also be a tremendous waste of time, money, and effort. A contractor should start and finish the job so somebody will be liable. We might not be able to do as many streets but to be done correctly is what should matter.
I recall also that the board stated that when the “Zipper” was purchased that they were ready to see it running. What a waste of money this has been. No more than this piece of equipment has been used, it would have been more efficient to rent it.
Speaking directly to the city administrator, I would like to inquire as to what job you have completed since you took the position with the City of Clarendon? The solution to our water problem, as far as you are concerned, is to flush the fire hydrants when we are in the middle of a drought. I specifically recall you coming to my house on a Saturday to see the waste water that was coming into my tub. I asked you to see the water sample that you took that day. I never got to see it because you never sent it. I think you were probably afraid of the results. That has been almost one year ago, and I have been complaining for four years. I am not alone on this issue.
We need to finish the projects we have started before even thinking of beginning a new one. I encourage more people to voice their opinion on the street issues. Everyone wants to see our town look good and to thrive, but it can’t happen on the path we are headed. We have some very talented city employees but, but they can only do what they are allowed to do. We need to see better results for the cost of the streets, and we certainly have the capabilities in house to fix the problems.
Billy Chadwick,
Clarendon
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.
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