St. Mary’s Photo
New Church Building
St. Mary’s Photo
St. Mary’s Photo
Wanda Musgrove Dromgoole
Wanda Musgrove Dromgoole was born February 2, 1929, in Des Moines, New Mexico. She passed from this life into the waiting arms of Jesus on July 17, 2026. In her 97 years on this earth, she brought love, joy, happiness, and grace to everyone she met. She was the 12th in a family of 14 children. Always a constant in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. She was truly a Godly woman.
One of her only siblings to be born in a hospital, her upcoming birth was predicted to be during a snowstorm. Living in a rural area and wanting to make sure she could arrive in time for Wanda’s birth; her mother went on to the hospital ahead of the snow. Her mother did not immediately go into labor, so the hospital staff put her to work helping in the kitchen of the hospital preparing meals for the patients. This suited her mother just fine as she was always at work doing something, and this gene was certainly passed onto Wanda.
Her family moved to Memphis, Texas during her later childhood years. Wanda and her brother Al were inseparable as they grew up in Memphis. She shared some of their shenanigans much later in her life with her children, probably in hopes they wouldn’t try to top them. She lived in Memphis until her marriage, which resulted from a blind date arranged by one of her sisters, to Connie Dromgoole. After her marriage, she and Connie moved to Clarendon, where he had a business of radio and television repair. Wanda was very active in the community of Clarendon. She was an active member of her churches first at First Baptist and then later at Community Fellowship. She was truly one of the faithful churchgoers who was there “every time the doors were open”. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Rebecca Lodge. She spent endless hours helping to run their farm and huge garden as well as helping Connie in his business. She had her own upholstery business for many years during her “retirement”. Actually, Wanda, who had a true servant’s heart, really never retired.
She and Connie were blessed with two children, Tony and Betty. She was very active in their lives attending school and sporting events. One of her many talents was the creative birthday cakes she made for her children. She welcomed as her own, daughter-in-law Dee and son-in-law Barry. Her next big role was being grandmother (Bobo as she was called) to April and John. They both spent many memorable summers and holidays with her on the farm where she would play outside with them, go on walks, and spend many hours fishing at the lake. They both learned many grandmother lessons from her. She could not have been loved any more by them, and that love was passed on to their children as well. Wanda also loved family reunion times and proved to be a favorite of nieces and nephews.
In 2022, she relocated to assisted living to be close to her daughter in Wimberley. In reality, she probably assisted them. Wanda took this huge change in stride and with the grace that was her. She continued to garden, did daily walks, exercise and was a fierce bingo player. All she met there loved her as family. She was as active as she possibly could be even to the end of her sweet life.
She was preceded in death by Connie, her parents and all thirteen siblings.
She is survived by her son Tony and wife Dee of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by daughter Betty and husband Barry of Wimberley, Texas. Surviving granddaughter April and husband Steve, of Leland, North Carolina, along with great-granddaughters Stevie and Scout. Surviving grandson, John and wife Anna of Bulverde, Texas, and great grandchildren Madelyn and Keller.
Her family appreciates your prayers during this time of transition as well as knowing what a time of joy it is in knowing that Wanda/Mom/Bobo is in the presence of our savior, Jesus Christ. Her family would also like to recognize Pat McAnear, for her loving friendship and the many years of daily morning phone calls. Please know that Wanda loved you dearly.
Visitation will be at Robertson Funeral Directors in Clarendon, Texas on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 4:30 until 6:00. Graveside services will be Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 10:00 am in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Hoedown sets new record
H’wick fire department fundraiser nets $19K
The eighth annual Howardwick Hoedown raised more than $19,000 for the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department Saturday in McMorries Memorial Park.
Planned activities and fundraisers for the day generated $14,396.59 for the department, which by itself exceeded last year’s total by just under $5,000, but then an unexpected gift pushed the total even higher.
The Panhandle Boat & Ski Club presented a $5,000 check to the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department for their work fighting the Corner Pocket Fire earlier this year. Fire Chief Jacob Hodge said the gift was unexpected but very much appreciated.
City Secretary Sandy Childress said this year’s Hoedown was an incredible event for the community and the fire department.
“As predicted, this was the best one ever,” Childress said. “We had so many awesome raffle items donated this year, it made the raffle ticket sales go way up. And it’s so great to see the community together enjoying the event.”
Howardwick firefighters also had another surprise at the Hoedown. The Chris Britten family and the Whistle-Stop presented envelopes with checks to each individual firefighter in personal appreciation of their hard work and service.
Courtesy Photo
Childress also said that a mechanical bull was a new addittion this year to the Hoedown and that it will be making a comeback next year.
There were several raffle and special contest winners during this year’s Hoedown.
Jeff Wilkinson won the grand prize raffle – a Llama electric utility truck, and Lisa Heald was the winner of the mini golf cart.
The Putting Contest winners this year were Sherrol Johnson, first; Koby Dunham, second; and Joe Batts, third.
Kelly Dodge was the winner of the second annual poker run.
Clarendon sales tax revenue slips in July
Sales tax revenues were mixed for Donley County municipalities and special districts when Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock distributed July allocations this month.
The City of Clarendon saw its July number slip 6.21 percent to $42,362,29 after a record high June month. July’s allocation brings the city to $323,310.90 for the calendar year-to-date, which up 1.88 percent compared to this time in 2025.
Hedley’s allocation was up 37 percent from $804.65 last July to $1,102.45 this year, and that city is now up 10.77 percent for the year-to-date at $10,239.23.
Howardwick was down 12.81 percent in July at $1,550.93, driving the year-to-date total down 9.16 percent at $12,451.43.
Donley County Assistance District 1, collecting sales tax for county law enforcement in Howardwick, was up 7.74 percent at $1,096.79 this month and is even for the year-to-date at $8,750.29.
Donley County Assistance District 2, collecting sales tax in the unincorporated areas of Donley County for law enforcement support, received $4,911.02 this month and is now at $46,511.01 for the calendar year-to-date in its first fiscal year of operation.
Neighboring cities saw increased sales growth this month with Memphis posting a 25.54 percent increase at $33,206.50, and Claude up 92.96 percent at $38,202.38. Armstrong County is up 2,365.60 percent at $223,234.09. For the calendar year, Armstrong County is up 2,094.15 percent at more than $1.6 million.
Statewide, Hancock delivered $1.2 billion in local sales tax allocations for July, 5.6 percent more than in July 2025. These allocations are based on sales made in May by businesses that report tax monthly.
Clarendon to hold cleanup day July 25
Clarendon residents will have an opportunity to dispose of unwanted household trash and debris during a free 40-yard cleanup event on Saturday, July 25.
The cleanup will begin at 9:30 a.m. at 400 N. Front St. and continue until the containers are full.
The event is open only to City of Clarendon residents. Participants must present a photo ID or a current city water bill to verify residency. Commercial dumping is not permitted.
Refrigerators and other appliances containing refrigerant will not be accepted.
City officials encourage residents to take advantage of the event to help keep Clarendon clean.
Enterprise wins top PPA award
The Clarendon Enterprise won the General Excellence Award at the 117th annual Panhandle Press Association Convention in Hereford last weekend.
Competing in Division One for weekly newspapers, the Enterprise earned 14 first and second place awards in the Better Newspaper Contest.
Elaina Estlack and Roger Estlack placed first in both Editorial Writing and Feature Writing. Sandy Anderberg won first place for the Enterprise for Sports Writing; Elaina and Roger won first for Sports Photos, Tara Allred had the first place Society/Lifestyles page, and Roger and Ashlee Estlack were first place in Advertising Design. The paper also won first place in News Writing, Serious Columns, News Photos, Front Page Layout, Special Section, and Best Website with Elaina as the webmaster.
The paper placed second in Human Interest Photos by Roger and Ashlee and in Headline Writing.
Cub Reporter Benjamin Estlack was named as one of this year’s PPA Scholarship Award winners.
Kerrie Steiert of Hereford, Neoma Wall Williams of Hart, and Jeff Blackmon of Hereford were inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame this year.
PPA officers for the coming year are President Shane Lance of Quanah, Vice President Tim Ritter of the Canyon News, Immediate Past President Tara Huff of the Eagle Press in Fritch/Borger, and Secretary Roger Estlack of Clarendon.
They are joined on the board by directors Jeff Blackmon of Hereford, Ellysa Harris of Plainview, Macee Sater of Groom, Suzanne Bellsnyder of Spearman, and Shaun Wink of Panhandle.
Enterprise Photo
Attending this year’s annual Panhandle Press Association convention from Clarendon were Roger, Ashlee, Benjamin, and Elaina Estlack; and Tara Allred.
Howardwick hosting Hoedown Saturday
Organizers are expecting a big turnout this Saturday, July 18, for the eighth annual Howardwick Hoedown in McMorries Memorial Park.
“It’s going to be the best one yet,” City Secretary Sandy Childress said. “The high is supposed to be in the mid-80s and the sky is going to be cloud covered. It’s going to be beautiful.”
The second annual Hoedown Showdown Poker Run will start the day off with registration 8:30 a.m. and line-up on the northside of the Pavilion in McMorries Park. The Poker Run will take off at 9 a.m. and is open to all golf carts, ATVs, and UTVs. The cost to ride is $20 per hand, and the winner gets half the entry fees. Maps will be provided at the start of the run.
Food will be served starting at 11 a.m. and continue until it runs out, and dancing and music will continue throughout the day. Lunch will be $6 per person for a loosemeat sandwich meal.
The live on-site raffle with lots of prizes will also be going on all day for those present with winners every hour. Tickets are $1 per chance, six for $5 or 25 for $20. Childress expects to be giving away six to seven prizes away every hour thanks to all the generous donations to this year’s Hoedown.
The fifth annual putting contest will open registration at 1 p.m. and tee off at 2 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, $2 per mulligan, and $5 per chip shot.
Other activities include a mechanical bull-riding contest and a slip-n-slide will be available for kids, and there will be several vendors in the park as well.
Those attending the Hoedown should plan to bring their own seating and their own umbrellas or other shading if they desire.
Hoedown activities will wind down at 4 p.m.
Proceeds from the annual Hoedown go to support the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department.
City names Hartman as interim
Floyd Hartman will step in to lead City Hall when Clarendon City Administrator Brian Barboza leaves his post this Friday.
Hartman, a former interim city manager for the City of Amarillo, will serve as Clarendon’s interim city administrator during the search for Barboza’s successor. In its regular meeting on July 9, the city council approved an agreement with Hartman to employ him on a contract labor basis for six months with an option to renew that agreement. Hartman will be paid $2,000 per month plus travel expenses.
Council members and city employees expressed optimism about the years of experience Hartman will bring to the city. Hartman spent several hours ahead of last week’s council meeting to visit with city employees and elected officials one on one.
Aldermen also approved a motion last week to temporarily divide some of the city administrator’s daily duties between City Secretary Machiel Covey and Public Works Director John Molder and to pay each of them $500 per month until a permanent city administrator is hired.
A come and go reception for Barboza will be held on Friday, July 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. He is leaving Clarendon to become the City Manager at Friona.
In other city business last week, the council listened to and approved the annual report of the Clarendon Housing Authority as presented by Executive Director Tammy Christopher. The authority was created by the city in the late 1950s, and the mayor appoints members to the authority’s board when vacancies arise, Christopher said. The authority maintains 71 apartments, and all are occupied currently except one, which is being repaired. There is a waiting list for people wanting apartments, but the authority cannot build any new housing because it is capped based on the city’s population.
The council also voted last week to sell an old animal control truck and water department truck as surplus property and to purchase a used truck for the wastewater department. The human resources policy manual was updated, and the quarterly investment report was approved as presented.
In his administrator’s report, Barboza updated the council on several projects, including the paving work recently completed on Fourth Street between Allen and Koogle streets. Concrete work on that job is going to have to be replaced at the cost of the contractor for failing to meet specifications.
After the concrete is replaced, the city will work on improving driveway connections to the street.
St. Mary’s to hold church dedication
St. Mary’s Catholic Church will dedicate its new church this Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
Holy Mass of Dedication will be celebrated by Daniel Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Emeritus Patrick Zurek along with priests of the Amarillo Diocese.
A Meal will be held in the Church Hall after the Mass.
St. Mary’s original 1892 church was demolished in 2017 following a motor vehicle accident. Parish members have been raising funds and working to build a new home for the oldest catholic congregation in the Panhandle.
CC, TTU deal will boost student success
CC Photo
Clarendon College and Texas Tech University signed a new agreement last Wednesday, July 8, to expand educational opportunities for students by creating a seamless transfer pathway from CC to Tech.
Through this agreement, students will benefit from a smoother transition as they continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree. Clarendon College is proud to partner with Texas Tech University to support student success and make higher education more accessible and attainable.
The ceremony featured speakers from both institutions who highlighted the significance of this partnership and its impact on future students.
Larry Wiginton, Chemistry Professor at Clarendon College and an alumnus of both CC and Texas Tech, welcomed guests and provided opening remarks. His unique connection to both institutions made him the perfect person to begin the celebration.
Attendees also heard from Caleb Crosswhite, Principal Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Agriculture Office of the General Counsel, who shared a prerecorded video message. As an alumnus of both Clarendon College and Texas Tech University, Crosswhite reflected on his experiences at each institution, spoke highly of the education and opportunities they provided, and expressed his enthusiastic support for the new agreement.
Following Crosswhite’s remarks, Cindy Akers, Vice Provost for Administrative Affairs at Texas Tech University, spoke about the opportunities this partnership will create for students seeking to continue their education through a seamless transfer pathway.
CC President Tex Buckhaults addressed the audience, sharing the rich histories of both institutions and emphasizing the importance of collaboration in higher education. He remarked,
“When community colleges and universities work together, students win. Families win. Employers win. Communities win,” Buckhualts said. “The future of the Texas Panhandle and West Texas depends on an educated workforce, strong leadership, and young people who believe they can build successful lives right here at home. Partnerships like this help make that future possible.”
The program concluded with remarks from Jason Hale, Texas Tech University’s Senior Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, who reinforced the value of partnerships like this in expanding educational opportunities and helping more students achieve their academic goals.
As both institutions continue their longstanding traditions of academic excellence, student success remains at the heart of this partnership. This Memorandum of Understanding represents a shared commitment to creating clear, accessible pathways for students to earn their bachelor’s degrees while strengthening the future of the Texas Panhandle and West Texas through higher education.
Reader Comments