Summer fun
Deadline June 29 for Chamber Blue Ribbon contest
There is still time to enter the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce’s new “Best of Donley County” competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts for this year’s Saints’ Roost Celebration.
Drop-off is at the Enterprise on Thursday, June 29, from noon to 5:30 p.m. with judging occurring on Friday, June 30. Winners will be announced Saturday, July 1, from the bandstand on the courthouse square immediately following the turtle races (around 2:30 p.m.).
See ClarendonTx.com/blueribbon for more information.
Country Club plans July 4th Scramble
The Clarendon Country Club will host a 4th of July Scramble next Tuesday, and Tee Time is 1:00 p.m.
Entry fees are $15 per person, non-member green fees are $12, and carts are $12. Bring your own four- or five-person team with no more than two “A” players. If you don’t have a team, you can be put on one.
Call the Pro Shop for more information at 806-874-2166.
Editorial: Delays in city projects nothing new
The more things change, the more they stay the same. I’m always reminded of that phrase when we delve into the archives to prepare our annual Pioneer Edition of The Donley County Leader and discover that our problems today are nothing new.
& Editor
With the downtown revitalization effort under full steam, it was natural to look back at the last time Clarendon undertook a major renovation of the central business district, which was way back in 1920.
Today, a state grant is helping the city replace sidewalks and install new ornamental light posts in the 100 block of South Kearney Street. The project will be great when it’s finished, but it will involve some inconvenience. And of course, there have been and will be some nay-sayers, griping, and project delays. Our current project was slow out of the gate from the bid process and is weeks behind schedule, but, as it turns out, that’s nothing new. In fact, one might say we’re following tradition.
In 1920, the world was still reeling from the end of World War I and the pandemic of Spanish Flu. There were supply chain issues, labor shortages, and other problems that caused the installation to go less than smoothly. The city had already cut down the historic trees lining Kearney Street to make way for the brick paving. The edge of the paving had to be pulled up to lay the electric cable for the new streetlights, which was popularly called a White Way system in those days.
As materials slowly came in, there was even one news article that reported a local body shop had to shorten the cast iron lamp posts and reweld them. No other explanation was given, but I’m sure some city official and the project supervisor were pulling their hair out.
True to form, some citizens started laying it on the city officials pretty hard, and in November, The Clarendon News reported that, having had enough of the complaints, the mayor, most of the city commission, and the city secretary all resigned, leaving one lone city commissioner to run the city and see the project through to its completion in February of 1921.
When it was done, the City Beautiful – as we called Clarendon in those days – had one of the best White Way systems in the territory with 22 brilliant 250-Watt lamps lighting downtown. The system served our city for a long time, lighting the way for pedestrians and motorists alike before eventually being replaced by modern streetlights.
Clarendon’s new system will take longer than it did in 1920, but it’s more extensive and more complicated thanks to government regulations. People cared little about how high steps or curbs were 100 years ago. Today’s sidewalks, installed with state funds, must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is a challenge when every threshold is at a different elevation and slopes can’t exceed more than a quarter inch per foot. Our new sidewalks, will have shorter steps to make it easier for people of all ages to ascend and descend, ramping in the center of each block for better access for those with disabilities, and better lighting to provide more security while enhancing the overall appearance of downtown.
The work in the 100 block will be followed, hopefully, with successive grants to perform matching projects in the 200 and 300 blocks of Kearney, and ultimately make our main street the best it’s ever been.
Also 100 years ago, the city got a new telephone switchboard to greatly expand the communications available in Clarendon. It apparently took some cajoling by city leaders to get the phone company off high center to get that project done. Interestingly, the phone company today is installing fiber internet infrastructure all over town to improve our communications for the modern era… but only after they got some prodding months ago from city officials. History repeating itself.
We hope you enjoy our Pioneer Edition, and we wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Meanwhile…
This weekend our nation takes time to celebrate the signing of our Declaration of Independence and the God-given freedoms we took ownership of in 1776. It was our Founders’ view that we are all Created Equal and that we are all entitled to certain inalienable rights, chief among them Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Once the United States was founded, however, the enjoyment of those rights was not immediately extended to everyone. It would be years before blacks and women would enjoy the full rights of citizenship.
Today, we like to think we are more enlightened. But are we? Take a look at the bevy of laws passed in the last year aimed at one segment of society or the current popularity of marginalizing or demonizing people just for the sin of being different.
Freedom is a great thing to celebrate. But it means nothing if it does not apply to everyone. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness is for everyone. As Emma Lazarus said: “Until we are all free, we are none of us free.”
Cub Reporter: Clarendon students make trip to DC
Last week, my friend Cutter Seay and I went on the trip we won for the Washington DC Summer Program.
We started our trip on Father’s Day by flying to Washington, DC. Once we arrived, we got acquainted with our Close Up Foundation leaders and our workshop groups. The workshops are the groups with whom we did mock debates and political discussions.
Over the next couple of days, Cutter and I saw just about every monument, with my favorite being the Jefferson Memorial.
In addition to seeing the monuments, we also got to visit with staff members of our US Representative, Ronny Jackson, and our US Senator, John Cornyn. After meeting with the staff members, we were given gallery passes to the House of Representatives and the Senate to see Congress in action.
That evening when we returned to the hotel, we began by having a debate over concealed carry permits. After the debate, the moderators chose two representatives from either side of the argument to be members of the mock Congress. I was selected as the committee chairman of the concealed carry legislation. My group decided to amend the bill and pass the bill with a unanimous vote.
The next day was our final day in DC, and we got to spend the day in the city. We finished the evening with a dance. We returned home Friday morning.
I’m so happy that we had the opportunity to go on this trip and wish I could go again. I would like to thank former Congressman Mac Thornberry, Superintendent Jarrod Bellar, and the selection committee for making this program happen for us.
On a separate note, this upcoming Sunday is my sister Ella’s 15th birthday, and I would like to wish her a happy birthday. Love you, sis.
Larry Lowell Christopher
Larry Lowell Christopher, 76, of Clarendon, Texas died Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Amarillo, Texas
Services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in the First Baptist Church in Clarendon with Casey Carter and Joe Neal Shadle, officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Viewing will be held Tuesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Larry was born November 13, 1946 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Jesse Lowell and Bonnie Ernestine Morgan Christopher. He married Juanice Morris on April 1, 1966 in McLean, Texas. He had been a resident of Clarendon most of his life where he was a carpenter prior to his retirement. He loved hunting, shooting guns with his kids, and playing 42. He also loved his grandkids and his beloved dog, Skeeter.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his great granddaughters, Holleigh Joe Christopher and Rynlee Dawn Burrow.
Survivors include his wife, Juanice Christopher of Clarendon; his sons, Keith Christopher and wife Kristy, Clay Christopher and wife Tammy, and Jason Christopher and wife Chandra all of Clarendon; his 9 grandchildren, Wesley and Kaysea Christopher, James and Laura Christopher, Jacob Christopher, Caitlyn and Byron Burrow all of Clarendon, Elizebeth Christopher and Ryan Lambert of Amarillo, Justin Christopher and Lori Watson of Lubbock, Trinity and Tate Sanderson of Wellington, and Shelby Christopher and Emma Christopher of Clarendon; 9 great grandchildren, Jesse, Nolan, and Weston Burrow, Blake and Kody Christopher all of Clarendon, Hayden Lambert of Amarillo, Lainey Sanderson and Jett Sanderson of Wellington, and Miles Watson of Lubbock; his sisters, Linda Judd, Karen and Buster Wortham of Clarendon, and Barbara and Russell Graham of Amarillo; his sisters in law, Carol Wyant, JoAnn and Hoyt West, and Connie Fricks all of McLean; and a slew of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
The family request memorials be sent to Donley County Senior Citizens or Citizens Cemetery Association in Clarendon.
The family will be at 404 East Burkhead in Clarendon.
Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com
Berkeley Elizabeth “Berk” Alexander
Berkeley Elizabeth “Berk” Alexander, went to be with God on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 9:07 AM at the age of 24. Although her family is devastated and already miss her terribly. God knew how absolutely amazing she was and decided He needed her more.
Berk was born to Chrisy Hommel and Stacey Alexander on March 12, 1999. She was and always will be one of her Mom’s biggest blessings. She brought so much joy. Berk attended Clarendon High School where she provided many laughs to all who were around her.
Berk went on to graduate with her Associates 1 year after High School, then LVN school, and finally Mortuary School, which was her calling in December 2022. Two months after graduating, she gave birth to her biggest blessing, her precious baby boy Lhiryc Finn Smith. Her love for him was out of this world. Anyone who knew Berk knew of her infectious, beautiful smile, her sweet soul, amazing sense of humor, and her never ending love for her baby boy and her family.
Berks survivors, those who will miss her so big include, her 4 month old son, Lhiryc Finn Smith; her one and only true love, Romello Smith; her mother, Chrisy Hommel and husband Chad; her sister, Finley Cunningham; her brother, Mason Lowrie and wife Gail; her brother, John Casey Alexander; her sister, Mamie Alexander; Grandparents, Beth and Toby Hicks and Barbara Hill; her father, Stacey Alexander; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Private family burial will be in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon. Memorial services will be 3:00 PM Sunday, June 25, 2023 in Robertson Funeral Directors Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon with Rev. Lance Wood, officiating.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
CC Rodeo team wins CNFR title
By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo
CASPER, Wyo. – The smile isn’t likely to leave Weston Timberman’s face anytime soon.
He’s just 19 years old and has already proven to be one of the best cowboys in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, claiming the bareback riding championship and serving as a major reason why the Clarendon College rodeo team won its second men’s national title in three years.
“It’s pretty surreal, and I’m still trying to grasp it all,” said Timberman, a freshman from Columbus, Montana. “It’s pretty awesome to be able to bring back two titles to Clarendon.
“It’s hard to beat the national championship I won for bareback riding, but for it to help the team ring home the national title is just as cool in my eyes.”
That’s just what happened in 2021. Cole Franks won the bareback riding title, and the Clarendon men won their first college crown. This year, Timberman stood out in a group of six standouts that guided the Bulldogs to another crown, the fourth overall for rodeo coach Bret Franks; he also won the 1997-98 men’s titles while coaching at his alma mater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
“We had a good bunch of guys that like to win,” said Franks, a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in saddle bronc riding. “We have a real close-knit group that worked hard, and that plays out in the end. We had a meeting going in, and the goal was to get all six of our guys into the short round.”
They came close. Because the Clarendon men finished second in the Southwest Region standings, the Bulldogs had a full team of six cowboys in the mix. Timberman was joined by fellow bareback rider Sam Petersen of Helena, Montana, who advanced to the championship round.
In saddle bronc riding, only Cauy Masters of Leon, Iowa, failed to make the short round, and the other three all finished strong: Dylan Hancock of Golconda, Illinois; Slade Keith of Stanfield, Arizona; and Will Pollock of Utopia, Texas, finished fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Each bronc rider secured points, which made a difference when it came time to tally the final team standings.
“We had six guys ride in three rounds each, and we had just one missed markout that kept us from having all six in the short-go and getting to ride for a fourth time,” Franks said. “To compete that well with four freshmen, one sophomore and Will, who was competing for the third year, means something. It’s impressive that they were able to compete at that level.
“This group is really determined and mentally tough. That’s the key to it.”
It’s important. After Masters was saddled with a no-score in the second round, he bounced back in the third round. Overall, he finished 19th. Hancock placed in the second, third and final go-rounds, while Keith placed in the first, third and fourth rounds. Pollock added points in the second round and in the aggregate.
Timberman was a bit more dominant. He won the first round and shared the top score on championship night, placing in the second and third rounds. He accumulated 320 points and was the CNFR’s top rookie.
“When you have a team like we have, it makes you step up every chance you get,” said Timberman, whose father, Chris, and uncle, Kelly, rode bareback horses; Kelly Timberman was the 2004 world champion. “It seems like throughout the year, I was constantly being pushed by my teammates.”
It paid off in a big way, not only for Timberman but for the rodeo team in general. Franks took control of the program in 2015. In that eight-year span, the Bulldogs have earned two men’s team titles and five individual crowns. Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper was the first in 2016, followed by Riggin Smith in 2019.
Cole Franks won both the bareback riding and all-around national titles in 2021, and Timberman adds another piece of rodeo gold to the mix.
“We focus on mental toughness more than anything,” Bret Franks said. “You have to be ready for everything, from being confronted with a tough situation on horses and not letting that beat you before you get started to riding through being a little sore.
“These guys are really good about not letting the moment be bigger than the ride. I think that helped them as much as anything.”
Playing the game at an elite level takes a lot of talent and mental fortitude. The Clarendon rodeo team has shown that year after year.
“Bret brings a lot of consistency to us, keeping track of us,” Timberman said. “He makes sure we’re up in the morning, making sure we work out or are getting on the spur board or on the bucking machine. He has a couple of sayings that stick with you.
“There’s a bunch that Bret brings to the table. He’s definitely got that old-cowboy mentality.”
Being a champion means mixing superb talent with an old-school approach, and the Clarendon College rodeo team continues to prove it.
Deadlines coming up for July parades
Clarendon’s annual 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration is coming up next week and deadlines are quickly approaching to sign up for the parades and to enter the Chamber of Commerce’s new “Best of Donley County” competitions.
Registrations for the Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade and the Herring Bank Parade are due next Wednesday, June 28, at 5 p.m. and can be submitted online at ClarendonTx.com/parade or in person at the Clarendon Visitor Center.
Pre-registration is required to win the prizes in both parades. Entries that do not pre-register will be allowed to participate but will not be eligible to win.
The Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, with line-up at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parades is “Adventure Awaits.”
The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $250 available for the best float, $150 for the best car or truck entry, $150 for the best animal or riding unit, $150 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $150 for the best “other” entry.
The Chamber is also introducing a Best of Donley County competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts. Drop-off is at the Visitor Center on Thursday, June 29, from noon to 5:30 p.m. with judging occurring on Friday, June 30. Winners will be announced Saturday, July 1, from the bandstand on the courthouse square immediately following the turtle races (around 2:30 p.m.). See ClarendonTx.com/blueribbon for more information.
This year’s celebration will be June 29 and 30 and July 1, starting with the COEA Junior Rodeo on Thursday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s events will include the Depression Luncheon at the Crossties Ministry Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the COEA Ranch Rodeo opening that night at 7:30. Live music and dancing will follow the rodeo.
Saturday’s events on the square will have Ed Montana returning to provide music and serve as master of ceremonies. The Arts & Craft Fair begins at 9 a.m. with the parades also being held that morning. Craft fair booths must be reserved by calling 806-874-2141.
Diversified Waste is sponsoring the Chamber’s new Lawnmower Barrel Race starting at 11:30 a.m. with sign-ups before that at the Chamber booth on the square.
The Shriners barbecue will start at about 11 a.m. Meal tickets are $20 each and are available on the square or in advance at the Clarendon Visitor Center.
The Lions Club’s Cow Patty Bingo will follow the barbecue, and parade winners will be announced about 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. and ending with more live music and dancing.
Call 806-874-2421 for more information.
District Court hears five Donley County cases
The district court heard five Donley County cases among 25 pleas when it met in Childress June 8.
Ronald Deven Thomas Brittain, 27, from Claude, was placed on two years’ probation for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
Brittain was arrested by 100th Judicial District Traffic Enforcement Division Investigator Todd Gambol on June 10, 2022. Brittain was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.
Brittain was also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $290 in court costs, $180 restitution, and complete 100 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Brittain faces up to two years in the State Jail Division of TDCJ.
Joseph Ray Casselberry was placed on two years’ probation for the Class A misdemeanor offense of assault causing bodily injury.
Casselberry was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Wesley Christopher on May 24, 2022. Casselberry was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on October 3, 2022.
Casselberry was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine, $340 in court costs, and complete 100 hours of community service. If his probation is revoked, Casselberry faces up to one year in the Donley County Jail.
Jennifer Marie Boyd, 38, from Fountain, Colo., was placed on three years’ probation for the third-degree felony offense of possession of credit card or debit card abuse of the elderly.
Boyd was arrested by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Longan for the offense that took place September 12, 2020. Boyd was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.
Boyd was also ordered to pay $290 in court costs, $3,321.79 restitution, and complete 200 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Boyd faces up to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
Taylor Danielle Schwertner, was placed on eight years’ probation for the third-degree felony offense of injury to a child.
Schwertner was arrested by Donley Sheriff Butch Blackburn on October 17, 2022. Schwertner was indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.
Schwertner was also ordered to pay $340 in court costs, a $500 fine, and complete 200 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, she faces up to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
Shelly Marie Brown, 56, from Kenmore, Wash., was placed on six years’ probation for the second-degree felony offense of possession of marijuana.
Brown was arrested in Donley County by DPS Trooper Stephen Bond on October 19, 2022. Brown was later indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on March 20.
Brown was also ordered to pay a $4,000 fine, $290 in court costs, $180 lab fee, and complete 300 hours of community service. If her probation is revoked, Brown faces up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ.
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