Aquatic Center opens
Clarendon sets plans for annual celebration
Mark your calendars to attend the 146th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration June 29 and 30 and July 1, 2023, in Clarendon. (Full schedule click here.)
The COEA Junior Rodeo will kick off the celebration Thursday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, June 30, at the same time. Dances will be held following the rodeos this year.
The big day will be Saturday, July 1, beginning with the Arts & Craft Fair on the square at 9 a.m. sponsored by the Donley County 4H. Booths must be reserved through the Donley County 4H by calling 806-874-2141.
Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.
The Chamber of Commerce’s Liberty Electric Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Third and Sully.
Pre-registration is required to win the kids’ parade prizes, and entry forms are available at www.ClarendonTX.com/parade.
Line up for the Herring Bank Parade will also start at 9 a.m. with the parade taking off at 10:00. The theme for this year’s parade is “Adventure Awaits.” Entry forms are available at www.ClarendonTX.com/parade.
Parade entries can also be made in person at the Visitor Center.
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.
Pre-registration is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due by 5 p.m. on June 28.
The Shriners barbecue will follow the parade at 11 a.m. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
Diversified Waste will sponsor a Lawnmower Barrel Race starting at 11:30 a.m., and the Chamber of Commerce is also introducing a Best of Donley County competition for the judging of jellies, jams, baked goods, and quilts.
More information about those competitions is available on ClarendonTX.com.
The annual 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.
Other events may be added to the schedule as they are announced. For more information, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.
Legion service held in Hedley
The Adamson-Lane Post of the American Legion held its annual Memorial Day service Monday at the Hedley Lions Den.
Will Thompson led the service and quoted Abraham Lincoln in paying tribute to those who “gave their last full measure of devotion” to the Nation. Thompson encouraged everyone to remember the reason for the holiday and to keep the focus on the sacrifices that were made in order that we might all be free.
Thompson also recognized several individuals and organizations for their support of the Legion.
As part of the ceremony, Carlton Turvaville read aloud the names of 250 veterans buried in Rowe Cemetery.
Langford retires as Howardwick Fire Chief
City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department Chief Susie Langford retired from her position recently.
Langford stepped into the role of chief during a difficult time for the department. She was reluctant to take the leadership role but did accept to the request of the Mayor, Council, and fellow Fire Fighters and committed herself to making the department something to be proud of.
During her time with the department, Chief Langford secured funding for an addition to the station adding much needed space and a bathroom, new bunker gear, new wild land gear, brought all trucks back to working conditions, installed indoor fill station for trucks, dedicated and purchased sign for McMorries Memorial Park, implemented a Junior Fire Fighter program and countless other things.
City officials say the transition for the new Fire Chief and team will be seamless thanks to what Langford has built and her endless commitment to training. They also say she may have tiny feet, but those will be the biggest shoes to fill as she has set the standard for all future leaders of this department.
Honoring the fallen
Free rodeo event at CC on Monday
Clarendon College is hosting its first ever Buster Record National Finals Steer Roping event next Monday, May 29, and rodeo coach Bret Franks invites everyone to come enjoy the free entertainment.
Slack performances will be held at 2 p.m., but the big show, Franks says, will be at 7 p.m. in the CC Livestock and Equine Center with featured matches of calf roping, break-away roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, and, of course, steer roping.
“Steer roping and bronc riding is what really started rodeo,” Franks said.
“We just want people to come out and enjoy this event.”
Swinging for the fences!
CHS athletes receive all-district honors
Numerous Broncos and Lady Broncos were rewarded for their hard work on the field this season and were named to the All-District Teams. Several were also recognized for their academic achievements as well.
Named to the Academic All-District team was Tandy Blacksher, Baylee Gabel, Aleyah Weatherton, Aliyah Weatherton, Emma Roys, Shelbi Cole, Kennadie Cummins, Tandie Cummins, Hayden Elam, Gracie Wilkins, Chelsea Wright, Elliot Frausto, and Presley Smith.
Kennadie Cummins was named as the All-District First Team MVP and Baylee Gabel was the Offensive MVP as voted on by the participating District Coaches. Tandie Cummins, Hayden Elam, Gracie Wilkins were also named to the team. The Lady Broncos had a very successful season and they all the players had a part in their accomplishments.
Wilson Ward was named the All-District First Team MVP for his work in various positions on the field. Easton Frausto was named the Defensive MVP for the season and Harrison Howard was named the Offensive MVP being recognized for his work at the plate. Howard was also named the first team All-District catcher and Tyler Harper was named as the All-District pitcher for his work on the mound. Lyric Smith was named as the first team outfielder and Jared Musick earned All-District first team honors as an infielder.
Congratulations to all of those named to All-District.
Pantex commemorates ‘topping out’ HESE facility
Consolidated Nuclear Security recently completed “topping out” the High Explosives Science and Engineering (HESE) facility at Pantex. Topping out was achieved as the construction crew placed the final steel beam on the Technology Development and Deployment Lab, one of three structures for the 72,762-square-foot complex.
“It is exciting to watch this vital facility take shape,” Pantex Senior Director for Project Management Russell Daniel said. “Our project team, in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and our construction subcontractor Hensel Phelps, has worked extremely hard to reach this milestone.”
A Congressional Line Item project, the HESE will replace 15 obsolete facilities at Pantex, the average age of which is 68 years old, and support the Pantex High Explosive (HE) Center of Excellence for Manufacturing mission for NNSA.
“Congratulations to the HESE construction project team for reaching the significant milestone of placing the final steel beam,” said Monty Cates, Explosive Technology Operations senior director. “The people in Explosives Technology Operations are committed to doing our part for the Pantex’s Global Security Mission. We appreciate all the hard work getting the project to this point, and are greatly encouraged by the progress on a facility that ensures the high explosives mission is sustained for the next generation. It is awesome to see a hopeful vision becoming a tangible reality.”
The HESE facility will provide laboratory space, classified and unclassified office and meeting areas, and a shower and change-out area for HE Operations personnel all in closer proximity to HE manufacturing operations at Pantex.
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to modernize Pantex and provide state-of-the-art amenities for our high explosives scientists and engineers.” said Colby Yeary, Pantex site manager.
“The facility will qualify new HE and assess legacy HE returning from the nuclear weapons stockpile as well as help develop and sustain high-quality scientific staff; support computational and experimental capabilities; and support development of additional evaluation and diagnostic tools.”
Ruby Dean Melton
On December 9, 2022, Ruby Dean Melton was ushered into the resting place of angels. During her lifetime she was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Everyone knew her for her unending kindness, her ability to always see the sunny side of life, her love for family, and her wonderful southern wit. Anyone lost and in need of a friend was taken in and cared for, earning her the loving nickname “Nanny Ma” to all. She had a gypsy soul, and a love for life and the Lord that carried her through her days. Her faith, love, and resilience brought her family through many hard times and continues to carry us all on today.
Ruby Dean was preceded in death by her father and mother, Charles Melton, and “Dolly” Kelley of Turkey, her sister Vernie Beck, as well as two of her children, Joe David Hale, and Rhonda Dale Reid.
She leaves behind her dear brother, Joe Melton, five of her children, and an abundance of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends. Graveside services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, June 3rd, at Dreamland Cemetery in Turkey, with reception to follow at the Bob Wills Community Event Center from 1-3 p.m. Please join us in a celebration of her life, love, and legacy.
“Remember me as someone who loved you all very, very much. Help and love one another and know I have gone on to a far better place and will plan on seeing you all there. Have a wake, not a funeral. Remember me with smiles. I have lived life, good times, and bad times. God made us a wonderful world, see it!” – Ruby Dean
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