Senior recognition
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Clifford wins Chamber’s top award
Fred Clifford was honored with the 2010 Saints’ Roost Award for his lifetime of service to the community during the annual Clarendon Chamber of Commerce Banquet Saturday night.
Woman of the Year recognition went to Ashlee Estlack, and Bill Auvenshine was named the Man of the Year for 2010.
Clifford was born and raised in Donley County and has a long history of helping other people. He served in the United States Army for three years, and worked many years in the family grocery business.
He delivered groceries to just about every elderly widowed lady in town and was also known for helping them with everything from changing light bulbs to carrying out the trash. Later as a salesman for Chamberlain Motor Co., Clifford worked diligently to get people the best deals possible and helped people get to and from work or appointments while their vehicles were being worked on.
For 26 years, Clifford was the head of the Citizens Cemetery Association and kept it running smoothly. He spent countless hours just making sure there was someone out there to mow the grass and make sure things were kept up in addition to numerous additional hours sending out thank you notes for donations to the cemetery.
The Woman of the Year, Ashlee Estlack, was recognized for her devotion to her family, her job, and her community. She is an active member of Donley County Child Welfare Board and teaches Sunday School and children’s classes on Wednesday nights at the First United Methodist Church. She is a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and became the secretary of that organization last summer.
Estlack has been an award-winning writer for The Clarendon Enterprise, helped organize the 2006 West Texas Press Association convention in Clarendon, and has served as the secretary of the Panhandle Press Association since 2007.
As the marketing coordinator at Clarendon College, she has standardized the college’s logo and given CC a consistent professional appearance across its brochures, advertisements, website, billboards, and stationery. Her efforts have been part of the teamwork which has produced record-setting enrollments at Clarendon College.
In 2010 she led a joint effort between the college, the city, and the Economic Development Corporation that resulted in the new digital marquee being installed at the college, which now brightly promotes both college and community events to passers-by on US 287. She has served on the Chamber of Commerce board and provided design work for many things, including promotional materials for Summer Celebration last year.
She also designed the EDC website and the Clarendon Visitor’s brochure, which has been distributed far and wide. Estlack has also been very involved with the “Bring Back the Mulkey” campaign, planning the fundraising effort for the theatre and designing the campaign’s logo, posters, and other promotional material.
Bill Auvenshine was named Man of the Year for 2010 and was recognized for his personal and professional achievements and for his work as the former president of Clarendon College.
He is an educator with more than 40 years’ experience, and among his favorite hobbies are golf, music, and classic old cars. He is a devout Methodist and a student of Civil War history. He is an illustrious musician, having played his saxophone professionally as a young man and having taught band for four years in grades six through 12.
He also operated and managed a music store in the Texas Panhandle for six years.
He is the past president of the Texas Junior/Community College Association, is a former Lions Club district governor, and was the Clarendon Lion of the Year last year.
He spent more than 20 years at Hill College in Hillsboro where built financial reserves from $225,000 to $5 million, contributed to historical preservation, and had the honor of college’s library being named for him.
He then was president at Galveston College where he implemented marketing strategies for enrollment improvement. In his brief three-year tenure at Clarendon College, Auvenshine added technical programs and passed maintenance taxes in Gray and Childress counties. He oversaw construction of two vocational buildings in Pampa – one of which bears his name – and engendered a 35.9 percent increase in contact hours and a 28 percent increase in headcount enrollment.
The Chamber also recognized Denise Bertrand and MaryRuth Bishop as the Workhorses of the Year.
In addition to her ongoing work with the Girl Scouts and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bertrand last year led the Tourism Committee as it worked with NewsChannel 10 to put on the Summer Celebration. Bishop actually retired early last year but since that time implemented educational programs for people of all ages, organized several projects, and now heads up the Mulkey Advisory Committee, which is working with the Clarendon EDC to light up downtown.
Chuck Deyhle was named the Pioneer Man for 2010. He grew up in Fannin County in East Texas and served three years in the US Navy in World War II before graduating from Texas A&M, getting married, and moving to Clarendon to start practicing veterinary medicine. During his 48-year career, he received many awards and accolades, organized the Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and was the 1989 Consultant of the Year.
He is a former city alderman, is active at the Methodist Church, and currently serves on the boards of Greenbelt Water Authority, Clarendon College, and Herring Bank. He is also a charter member of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
He is known as an innovator and has pioneered many of the concepts and procedures used in veterinary medicine today.
The Pioneer Woman for 2010 was Ismanell Gray, who has lived in Donley County for 76
years and has many friends and a large family counted in her bounty. She served for 12 years at Clarendon College as a dorm parent, helping educate many young women.
She is a mother of five, grandmother of 13, great-grandmother to 26, and great, great-grandmother to one.
Annie Patten was named the Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon and was recognized for her work in 4H, as a Sweetheart in the Clarendon Lions Club, and at the Clarendon nursing home. She has worked many hours to raise money for the new Donley County Activity Center.
She volunteers to help the elderly and is active in FFA and at the Presbyterian Church.
She has been a Clarendon High School athletic trainer for three years, taking care of whatever the boys needed, whether it was taping their ankles, fixing ice whirlpools, or just providing them with cold water. She is also the senior class treasurer and was nominated to the Homecoming Court.
The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon is Richard Nino, who was honored for his involvement in the school and the community.
As a member of the award-winning Bronco Band he has been named to all-region band and was a state qualifier in solo and ensemble. He was also been a member of the District Champion and Area Finalist Bronco Football Team where he received all-district honors as a center.
He has particpated in One Act Play and in UIL debate and speech. He has also participated in the Pantex Science Bowl.
He has served as vice-president and secretary of the Student Council. He is a member of the Spanish Club; and, as a member of the Junior Historians, he has helped as a docent in the museum during the Chuck Wagon Cook-off and has also helped decorate the nursing home at Christmas each year.
The Hedley Young Woman of the Year was Kaylee Shields, who was recognized for being goal-oriented and always striving to attain the highest degree of success. She has a 4.0 GPA and is well respected among her peers.
She is the vice president of the senior class and she has been active in basketball, cross country, tennis, and track. where she was selected Secretary of the sophomore class, Vice-President of the junior class, Vice-President of the senior class, and Vice-President of the National Honor Society. She is also currently serving as the Hedley Lions Club Sweetheart
The Hedley Young Man of the Year was Reid Copelin for excelling in all fields.
He ranks number one in his class with a 4.0 GPA and has won numerous UIL contests in the areas of science, social studies, and science. He has received awards in BPA contests and in One Act Play.
He earned the Star Greenhand Award, Star Chapter Farmer Award, Chapter Lonestar Award, and Lonestar Degree State FFA. He has held several FFA offices including Chapter President his junior and senior years.
He was nominated by Greenbelt Electric Cooperative to be a participant in the Washington, DC, Leadership Tour.
He is active in the Donley County 4H, participating Livestock Judging and Stock Shows where he received Special Recognition Awards for nine years.
He has been a participant in FFA stock shows and Horse Judging contests throughout his high school years as well. He cooked and served at the community chicken BBQ, helped plan and produce the Hedley Veteran’s Day Celebration, collected and distributed food to the less fortunate of the community during the Hedley Thanksgiving Food Drive, has been a Vacation Bible School Volunteer.
Also recognized during the banquet were incoming chamber directors Britton Hall, Chrissy Woodrum, and Tex Buckhaults. Outgoing board members were Ashlee Estlack, Jerome Martinez, Henry Hermesmeyer, Susan Word, and Regina Wootten.
Chamber officials estimate 215 people attended the “Night at the Movies” themed banquet, up from 172 last year and 182 the year before.
This year’s banquet was sponsored by Lowe’s, Clarendon College, Greenbelt Electric Cooperative, GreenLight Gas, J&W Lumber, Road Runner Home Care, Don Stone Signs, and Humalfa, LLC.
Firemen have close call at accident
Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson said volunteer firemen Michael Newhouse, Jackie Bell, Chris Wilson, and Chuck Robertson were lucky to be alive after 82-year-old J.W. Noble of Claude sped past over half a mile of vehicles parked in the inside southbound lane of US 287 and narrowly missed the men.
Simpson said Newhouse had to run out of the outside lane to avoid being struck by Noble, who then ran through traffic cones set up to block the lane, and continued on a collision course with Bell, Wilson, and Robertson, who were standing behind a Clarendon fire truck. The three men also ran out of the way as Noble struck the fire truck, which was then knocked into a Nissan SUV driving by Michael Trevino of Weatherford, Texas.
“I’m so thankful that we didn’t lose four of our firemen Saturday morning,” Simpson said.
No one was injured in the accident, and Noble was charged with Failing to Control Speed.
About 30 minutes earlier, Marcus Washington, age 45, of Sulpher Springs was traveling southbound on US 287 as the sun was causing dangerous sight restrictions. Simpson said Washington was going an unsafe speed for the conditions when he struck the rear of an International truck driven by Gene Hommel of Clarendon.
Emergency personnel had to employ the Jaws of Life and a wrecking truck to free Washington from his vehicle. He was airlifted to Northwest Texas Hospital and was treated and released that evening.
Washington was also charged with Failing to Control Speed.
Broncos roll on in District
The Broncos continued their dominance of District 3-1A last week as they rolled to a 6-0 record in District play.
Last Wednesday the Broncos took down Wheeler 60-39 on the road. Seniors Johnny Gaines and Brayden Phillips teamed up and accounted for 44 of the Broncos’ total points.
The Broncos pulled ahead by 10 early in the game and held their point-spread until the final quarter of play. Their defense held the Mustangs to only seven points while they put in 18.
“We shot the ball well,” head coach Brandt Lockhart said. “We did a good job of causing turnovers that gave us easy baskets.”
Senior Johnny Gaines accounted for 30 of Clarendon’s points, and Brayden Phillips also finished in double figures with 14.
Also scoring: Mike Crump 6, Cole Ward 4, Justin Shillings 2, Daniel West 2, and Chris Crump 2.
On Friday, the Broncos wiped out another foe when they defeated Wellington at home 57-46. The Broncos jumped out to the lead in the first half of play, but the Rockets would not give up. Clarendon gained a little ground in the fourth period to seal the win. Gaines and M. Crump finished in double figures with 25 and 11 points.
“We got a lot of offensive rebounds, which helped us get more chances to score,” Lockhart said.
Also scoring: Shillings 7, Phillips 5, Ward 5, and C. Crump 4.
The Broncos will play Memphis at home February 11 and travel to Quanah February 15 to end their regular season. Games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Deep Freeze
What’s cooking?
Imogene Little
Imogene Little passed away peacefully on January 26, 2011, in Hamilton. She was 85 years old.
Visitation and services are pending until family members are able to travel.
Imogene Beekman was born in Pike County, Ohio, on August 28, 1925. She was raised on her grandparents’ farm and attended a small community school.
She graduated from London High School in 1943, and immediately planned a vacation to Texas with her girlfriend, JoAnn.
They both obtained jobs in Dallas and stayed in rooms at the YMCA while they worked. Imogene met Lambert Wood Little in 1947 through a mutual friend, and they were married on July 28, 1947.
In 1949, they began their family one that grew so large that Lambert jokingly referred to it as the “tribe. II They lived in Dallas on Stichter Street until 1958. That year they moved out of Dallas to raise Mary, Ginnie, Marty, John, and Lambert Jr. on the Santa Teresa Ranch in Hamilton.
Imogene touched many lives in Hamilton and almost every family, especially the families with small children.
She taught Red Cross Swimming Lessons at the city pool until Lambert Sr. built her a pool at the Ranch to “keep her at home.
The first year Imogene taught, she awarded over 300 swimming certificates. Imogene continued to teach swimming at the Ranch for many years until Lambert’s death in 1968. She took over the operation of the cattle ranch, and she bought and sold cattle until 1977. With the help of her children, she opened the Santa Teresa Ranch Steak House in 1977. Imogene’s cooking was already famous locally, and the restaurant thrived with no advertisement for about six years.
Imogene decided to sell the Ranch and retire in town, but she didn’t retire.
She spent the next 11 or 12 summers cooking at the Bear Creek Angus Ranch in Montana for Bill and Doris Bricker. She loved the weather there and always looked forward to going back. In 1999, Lambert Jr. built the house next to the Yacht Club, where Imogene resided until she entered the nursing home in 2004 of her own accord.
Imogene had always been an avid reader. She loved to work on crossword puzzles, and late in life, she discovered a passion for oil painting. She completed many oil paintings, which are displayed in her house.
Most of all, Imogene never lost her passion for cooking. After a lot of coaxing from the children, she published her own cookbook called Texas Ranch Recipes, which contains several well- known recipes from the Steak House.
Imogene was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hamilton for about 50 years, the Maude Shockley Art Club and the Hamilton Study Club. She had also been a member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband of twenty years, Lambert Wood Little Sr., a daughter, Mary Louise Little, and her mother, Grace Blair of Hillsboro, OH.
She is survived by her children Ginnie Sasse in Gatesville, TX, Marty Richardson and husband Rad of Sherman, TX, John Lambert Little and wife Allison of Plantation, FL, and Lambert Wood Little Jr. of Clarendon, TX. Her greatest pride was her three grandchildren, Jeremy Gautier, LeAnn Barr, and Rachel Young and husband, Patrick. She is also survived by two brothers, Robert Blair and wife, Paula of Winchester, OH. and James Blair and wife, Gloria of Sardinia, OH., and two nephews and one niece.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Hamilton or CCS Hospice, 118 E. Live Oak, Dublin, TX 76446.
Glenna Belle Reed
Glenna Belle Reed, 81, died Monday, January 24, 2011, in Amarillo.
Services were held Wednesday, January 26, at the Groom Church of Christ with Glen Walton and Sam Line, officiating. Interment was held at Jericho Cemetery at Jericho. Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Glenna was born July 18, 1929, to Benton and Etta Mae Shields in Collingsworth County. She graduated from Quail High School in 1946 and Abilene Christian College in 1951. She taught first grade in both Whiteface and Groom. Glenna married Tom Reed on May 22, 1956, and they moved to Jericho in 1959 and then to Groom in 1972. She faithfully attended the Groom Church of Christ.
She and Tom were foster parents for High Plains Children’s Home for at least 18 infants. She assisted Tom in running Jericho Gas Station and hay baling.
Glenna was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Kent Dale in 2008; and her son Ronny Ray in 1969.
Survivors include her husband, Tom of Groom; her daughter, Donna Cattaneo and husband Mike, of Amarillo; her son, Thomas Reed and wife Lisa, of Friona and their children Shayli, Sawyer, Stetson, and Teri; her daughter-in-law, Kellye Reed of Claude and her children Kaci and Mitchel Bailey, and Kyndal; her son, Cary Reed and wife Lisa, of Justin and their children Autumn and Michelle; her daughter, Angie Reed of Canyon, and her fiance Joey Koontz, and children Yardii and Zac; her brother, Jimmie Shields and wife Carolyn of Pringle, TX; her brother, Leon Shields and wife Sylvia of Vinson, OK; her brother, Lonnie Shields and wife Le Ann or Spearman; and her sister, Bonnie Harland and husband Ernest of Oxford, MS.
Casket bearers were her grandsons and nephews.
The family suggests memorials be to High Plains Children’s Home, PO Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114-7448; or Groom EMS, PO Box 217, Groom, TX 79039.
Jo Nell “Mam-Maw” Pyeatt
Jo Nell “Mam-Maw” Pyeatt, 88, died Sunday, January 30, 2011, in Amarillo.
Services were held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, January 31, in the Bivins Memorial Nursing Home Sun Room with Rev. Jeff Messer, Chaplain, officiating. A private family burial was held in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Services were under the arrangement of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Mrs. Pyeatt was born August 27, 1922, to Henry and Virginia Lee Stogner in Monday, Texas. She had been a longtime resident of Clarendon and Amarillo.
She married Jack Pyeatt of Clarendon in 1946. She loved her grandkids where she enjoyed doing ceramics and various arts and crafts with them.
She also loved painting, crossword puzzles, and novels. She was a member of the South Georgia Baptist Church in Amarillo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers and a sister.
Survivors include; two daughters, Dona Goss and husband Cliff of Boys Ranch, formerly of Clarendon, and Jackie Marcum and husband Gene of Amarillo; three grandchildren, Amy Barnes and husband Kenny, Adam Marcum and wife Jennifer, and Amanda Durst and husband David, all of Amarillo; and two great grandchildren, Denton and Carson Marcum both of Amarillo.
The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the Southwest, 1301 Coulter Suite #40, Amarillo, Texas 79106.
Sign our online guest book at www.RobertsonFuneral.com.
Broncos slam opponents, 61-24
The Cyclones never gave the Broncos any competition as they used their defensive pressure to make easy baskets. Up by thirty points in the third quarter, the Broncos were able to coast to the win.
“We played well defensively,” coach Brandt Lockhart said. “They couldn’t handle our pressure; and in the third quarter, our defensive pressure caused several turnovers and were got the easy baskets.”
Scoring: Johnny Gaines 17, Brayden Phillips 10, Chris Crump 10, Justin Shillings 6, Adam Topper 6, Mike Crump 4, Daniel West 4, Cody Wood 2, and Cole Ward 2.
The Broncos held the Indians to only three fourth quarter points, which proved to be the game sealer for the Broncos in their romp over Quanah at home Friday night. The Broncos jumped on them early and stayed strong offensively to get the big win. Quanah tried to answer in the third quarter of play, but the Bronco defense was too tough to get anything going.
Gaines and Phillips connected on 20 and 18 points to lead the Broncos on the scoreboard, and C. Crump added nine for the win.
“We continue to play good defense, and I was proud of everyone’s effort,” Lockhart said.
Also scoring: Topper 4, West 3, Shillings 2, and Ward 2.
The Broncos will play Wellington at home Friday, February 4 and play Memphis at home February 11. They will play Quanah February 15 on the road.
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