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Flower Power

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A pop of color can make all the difference in a neighborhood, but one group of women has taken that to a new level.

Joan Copelin, Teri Rummel, and Diana Ross stand beside some of their sunflowers Monday afternoon. The ladies have very prolific flower gardens adorning their apartments on the east side of Clarendon. Enterprise Photo / Elaina Estlack

Flowers planted and tended by Joan Copelin, Teri Rummel, and Diana Ross have made quite an impact around their cluster of apartments in Clarendon at the corner of Carhart and Montgomery streets.

The beautiful blooms have been a work in progress for about three years according to Ross.
Typically the grounds of the Clarendon Housing Authority are cared for by a paid employee, but these ladies take pride in caring for their yards and flowerbeds themselves as well as those of their immediate neighbors.

“Diana does the mowing,” Copelin said. “We like it mowed more often, and she catches the grass.”

Copelin said credit for the flowers at their complex really goes originally to Eva Turner, who developed a reputation for having beautiful lilies for more than 30 years. Taylor can no longer care for flowerbeds, but the ladies say she appreciates what they are doing.

Neighbors Glenda Day and Sybil Brown also enjoy and appreciate their efforts.

The beds are expanded or changed from time to time. A new bed of sunflowers was recently put in across the alley from the ladies’ apartments, spreading the beauty beyond the boundaries of their usual grounds.

There is no plan or guide to their annual flower gardens. The ladies just make it up on the fly and add rocks they pick up in different places for borders.

“If it grows, it grows; and if it doesn’t, we put something else out,” Ross said.

Clarendon welcomes visitors to 2021 Saints’ Roost Celebration

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Clarendon is ready to welcome visitors to the 144th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 1, 2, and 3, 2021.

Coinciding with “First Saturday Clarendon, Texas,” this year’s celebration will include most of the traditional activities along with the Whistle-Stop Trade Days which will be open Saturday, July 3, and Sunday, July 4.

The COEA Junior Rodeo will kick off the celebration Thursday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 3, at the same time. Dances will not be held following the rodeos this year.

Earlier in the day Friday, the Depression Luncheon will be held downtown at the Crossties Ministry Center, next to the library, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is just 25 cents for beans and Cornbread with tea or lemonade. Sausage/Tortilla wraps will be available for $1.50.

The big day will be Saturday, July 3, 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.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Old Settlers Reunion and the Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.

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 “Make a Splash in Clarendon,” in recognition of the opening of the city’s new aquatic center. Entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center and online at ClarendonTX.com.

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.

Pre-registration is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due in the Visitor Center by 5 p.m. on June 30.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club barbecue will follow the parade at about 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the Visitor Center and the Enterprise.

The barbecue will be served from its traditional location on the east side of the courthouse as opposed to the west side last year.

Parade winners will be at approximately at 1 p.m. The Henson’s Turtle Race will then 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.

Also happening during the celebration weekend, the Whistle-Stop will have its monthly trade days Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Whistle-Stop features more than 100 vendors as well as live music, food, and fun for the entire family.

For more information about the celebration, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

New dentist joining Clarendon practice

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Clarendon will soon have a new dentist in town who will be ready to see patients beginning in July.

Ed Vlosich, DDS, and Drew Vlosich, DDS

Dr. Drew Vlosich will join his father, Dr. Ed Vlosich, at Clarendon Dental Associates, the practice announced this week.

Drew is a 2021 graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, and joining the family practice and following his father’s footsteps has long been his goal.

“I’ve wanted to do this ever since I was a very little kid when I’d go hang out at his office,” Drew said.

Ed said Drew started working for him by cleaning the Amarillo office when he was 15. Since then, he’s received a biology degree from West Texas A&M University and got a medical certification from the University of Texas – Dallas before attending A&M’s dental school. He was most recently awarded a gold medal by the faculty of the dental school for its Clinical Award in Leadership.

Drew lives in Amarillo with his wife, Breanne, and the couple’s three-year-old son and 10-week-old daughter. He will see patients in Clarendon on Mondays and Tuesdays and then work at the family’s Amarillo office on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Ed is happy to have Drew joining the practice and will now begin stepping back from the firm.

“I’m just going to mentor Drew maybe through the end of the year,” Ed said. “I’m not going to do more dentistry.”

Clarendon Dental Associates assumed the practice of Dr. Richard Sheppard in Clarendon and will mark their two-year anniversary in Clarendon in November. They offer a wide range of services, including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, implants, periodontics, crowns, bridges, fillings, and root canals.

The Vlosichs are also working to bring other services to their Clarendon location and hope to soon be offering orthodontic work as well.

Ed says patients can feel safe coming to Clarendon Dental Associates as they follow all CDC and Texas Board of Dental Examiners safety protocols regarding air purification and infection control.

“COVID just reinforced how important it is to do all the things we were doing already,” Ed said.

The office at 5 Medical Drive is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays and from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 806-874-5628, and new patient specials are being offered in July.

CC wins three national rodeo titles

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2021 National Champion Clarendon College Men’s Rodeo Team. Courtesy Photos / JACKIE JENSEN

By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

CASPER, Wyo. – Cole Franks wasn’t quite sure what to get his dad for Father’s Day.

He and some of his teammates from the Clarendon (Texas) College rodeo team collaborated to provide the perfect present: three national championships in one fell swoop.

Franks is a sophomore at his hometown college, and his dad, Bret Franks, is the rodeo team’s coach. The Clarendon cowboys began competition last week with the goal of winning the men’s team title; they got a little more than that to go with it.

Cole Franks won three rounds and placed in a fourth to win the bareback riding crown. He also added points in saddle bronc riding, and that helped him to the coveted all-around championship. Of all the awards and accolades he received last week at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, one sticks out more than the rest.

“Of the three, the team title means the most because since the first day of school, that was the top goal of this team,” he said. “We’ve all been pushing each other for it. We’ve been doing everything we could to make it possible.

Clarendon College sophomore Cole Franks. Courtesy Photos / JACKIE JENSEN

“Winning that is a combination of doing something together as a team and for helping Dad win his first national title. It might even mean more for Dad. All of us on the team wanted to win the title, but I know Dad was really wanting to win that team championship.”

Cole Franks was joined at the college finals by bull rider Dawson Gleaves and bronc riders Keene Justesen, Brody Wells, Cash Wilson and Weston Patterson. Five of the six Bulldogs earned points, which also help toward the team standings. Clarendon finished the seven-day championship with 890 points, 100 points better than the runner-up, Panola (Texas) College, which was the defending men’s team titlist.

“We had a great week,” said Bret Franks, who just finished his sixth season leading the Clarendon rodeo team. “The boys came up here and were ready to compete, and they did. The good thing about my guys is that they’ve all been rodeoing, so there wasn’t a whole lot of practicing or worrying about whether or not they’d be ready.

“The thing I’m most proud about is that before I even took this job, I lived in Clarendon. With a facility like the college has, I feel like I could have a national championship within five years if the college got behind a coach. It’s just an awesome facility, and it’s a good place to be. The people are friendly, and the board of regents are awesome and have been very supportive. Yes, this is my sixth year, but we didn’t have a CNFR last year, so this was my fifth try.”

The Bulldogs earned the opportunity to battle for the team title by winning the men’s championship in the Southwest Region. That allowed Clarendon to have a full team of six cowboys in Casper. With more players, there are more chances for points, and Clarendon took advantage of that. Three of the cowboys earned their way into four spots in the championship round, with Cole Franks qualifying in both events.

Weston Patterson finished as the runner-up to the national champion in saddle bronc riding. Cash Wilson was seventh, and Franks finished 12th. But the coach’s son has excelled in bareback riding, even though his dad was a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in bronc riding.

“I’ve coached Cole all the way up in just about everything in rodeo,” Bret Franks said. “I have great friends. Between (bareback riding world champions) Jeff Collins and Mark Gomes, he’s been around winners, and we all have the same mindset. Cole knows how to listen and respond.

“What I coach is fundamentals. It’s pretty simple; there’s no science to it other than the mentality of it. There are four or five things you have to do in bareback riding fundamentally. If you do those things really good or better than everybody else, you’re going to be successful. That’s the way I’ve always taught Cole.”

Strong fundamentals work at all level of sport. Good athletes know well the drills that help them focus on the basics of the game. Great athletes are just the best at fundamentals all the way through and excel at the rest of their given ventures.

“Most of my coaching is not about what I did but more about what I wish I would have done,” he said. “I had marginal success doing what I did. I know what I should have done to be more successful.”

The proof is in the three national titles that will make their way to the tiny campus in the Texas Panhandle. They will join the saddle bronc national championships earned by Clarendon cowboys Wyatt Casper in 2016 and Riggin Smith in 2019.

“What we do is not a secret; we work harder than everybody else,” Bret Franks said. “That’s the way it’s going to be. If I find out somebody’s working harder than we are, then we’re going to find a way to outwork them in the end. That’s why I get kids to come to Clarendon. The kids I get want to be better. It’s really amazing when you see kids like that. They are in it to win it.”

That was his son’s mindset. Cole Franks also won the bareback and all-around championships in the region, then carried that momentum into the college finals. He’s also progressing well in ProRodeo, where he was in the top 20 in the world standings as of last week and was No. 1 in the bareback riding Rookie of the Year race.

“I wanted to win four rounds, but to win three rounds and place in the other is so cool,” said Cole Franks, who won the first, second and fourth rounds and placed fourth in the third go-round; he also accounted for 395.5 of the team’s point total. “I knew I needed to make the short round in the bronc riding for the all-around sake and the team’s sake. I hadn’t been on a bronc in two or three weeks before the college finals, so I just wanted to do the best I could on the horses I drew.”

He did that and a lot more. He’ll cherish the unity of his teammates and the direction he and others received from his dad, their coach.

“We were there to win the thing,” he said. “We had a meeting right when school was out, and the plan was to go up to Casper and have fun, but when it comes down to it, we were going up there to win, not just have fun.

“But we had a lot of fun winning.”

Aldermen okay $255k bid to chip seal streets

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The City of Clarendon took action to preserve currently paved streets when the city council met June 10 in regular session.

Aldermen approved a bid of $255,350 from Lipham Asphalt & Paving to seal coat 83,448 square yards of street surfaces, according to City Administrator David Dockery.

“City workers will begin to level up some of these areas prior to the single course chip seal,” Dockery said. “This work will be done this summer.”

The council’s action comes at the recommendation of city engineer Che Shadle of OJD Engineering who recommended last month that the city act quickly to preserve streets with good surfaces. He also said streets of this type of construction need to be sealed every three to four years to protect them.
“They are starting to get cracks in them, and that will start water getting in them,” Shadle told the Enterprise in May. “They need to be chip sealed this summer.”
The cost estimate for this work was $300,000 to $325,000, Dockery reported last month.
While this work gets underway, OJD continues to develop a more extensive plan to address streets in a comprehensive way.
In other city business, aldermen approved an agreement with Resound Networks for radio tower space. Dockery said the Pampa-based firm will offer Internet service in Clarendon and will begin installing their equipment in mid-August.
Dockery said the council also performed the annual evaluation of City Secretary Machiel Covey and noted her excellent work and contributions to the city.
In his administrator’s report, Dockery gave the council an update on the new aquatic center. He said attendance has increased following the bad weather during the facility’s opening.
“We’re pleased,” Dockery said. “The lifeguards are doing a good job, and the pool is operating as we had hoped.”

Farmer’s market set for July 17

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A new farmer’s market is being planned to connect Donley County producers and consumers starting next month, hosted by Cornell’s Country Store.

Donley County Farm 2 Table will begin on July 17 and is planned for the first and third Saturdays and will run through September, and applications are being accepted through June 25 for those who are interested in selling their goods, according to store owner Deanna Cornell.

“I have always had a heart for small business and especially for Texas grown,” Cornell said. “Our mission is simple – we want to offer our community and surrounding area a way to sell their home-grown goods and offer consumers fresh, local, goods. I think it has great potential.”

Donley County Farm 2 Table will be held the first and third Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon in the Garden Center at Cornell’s Country Store. To participate, all vendors must be “local” meaning Donley County or from the surrounding area within a 50-mile radius. All products must be approved by the market manager.

Applications are being required so that there are not too many people selling the same items, such as eggs. Submission of application is not a guarantee of a booth at the market. The cost of a booth is $12.50 per date.

The market is intended for home grown products and products made in home kitchens, including but not limited to fresh produce, fresh fruit, fresh flowers, butter, eggs, cream, cakes, cookies, breads, salsa, sauces, jams and jellies.

“We will provide tables, which will consist of wood / cinder block tables that I currently have in the garden center,” she said. “So far, we have people interested in selling eggs, produce, homemade breads/treats, cookies, pork, butter, cream. We will also be selling our Cornell’s Home Grown Beef.”

Applications are available at Cornell’s County Store or can be requested via email at Deanna@CornellsCountryStore.com. Questions can also be directed to Cornell at that email address, or check out the Facebook group – Donley County Farmer’s Market

City sets new sales tax high

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The City of Clarendon set a new record last week when Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar distributed June allocations of sales tax revenues to local governments.

Clarendon brought in $38,368.27 for the month setting a record for June revenues for the city. The month’s revenue came in at 23.02 percent above the same time in 2020 when the city received $31,187.08.

The city is now running 13.82 percent ahead for the calendar year-to-date total for sales tax revenues compared to 2020.

Revenues in two other local municipalities slipped for the month but are still ahead for the year.

Hedley dropped 39.44 percent for June at $535.79, but the year-to-date tally of $5,729.25 is 6.53 percent higher than this point one year ago.

Howardwick’s June revenue was down 6.15 percent at $1,469.35, but the lakeside city remains up for the year 14.46 percent at $8,464.83.

Statewide, Hegar sent $907.6 million in local sales tax allocations for June, 31.5 percent more than in June 2020.

June allocations are based on sales made in April by businesses that report tax monthly.

Enterprise receives state press awards

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The Clarendon Enterprise received nine awards, including one first place plaque, during the Texas Press Association’s 2021 Convention in Denton last Saturday.

The Enterprise competed among other weekly newspapers of similar circulation in Division 9 of the Texas Better Newspaper Contest. In the entire contest, 90 newspapers submitted 934 entries. Fifty weekly newspapers participated in the contest.

Roger Estlack received first place in Feature Writing for his article on a local woman who reunited with a lost sister through a genealogical service.

Enterprise Editorial Writing placed second in Division 9, and ClarendonLive.com was ranked second in the contest for Best Website among all weekly newspapers.

Tara Allred, Ashlee Estlack, and Roger Estlack were recognized for third place in Special Sections for the Clarendon Welcome Guide in Division 2 for weeklies. The Enterprise also received third place in Division 9 for News Writing and Page Design.

Elaina Estlack and Benjamin Estlack placed fourth in Sports Photography, and Roger Estlack and Anndria Newhouse placed fourth in Feature Photography. The Enterprise was fourth in General Excellence.

The Sweepstakes Award in Division 9 went to the Burnet Bulletin. The Enterprise was fourth in the Sweepstakes point count.

This year’s contest was judged by the Wisconsin Press Association.

New COVID-19 case confirmed in Donley

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COVID-19 was again confirmed in Donley County last week with one new positive case of the virus.

Clarendon Family Medical Center spokesperson Marsha Bruce said Tuesday the case tested positive last week and was still active this week.

The new case is the first positive case in Donley County since April 23, but it underscores that the first has not disappeared.

Bruce said the Moderna vaccine is readily available at the clinic for anyone ages 18 and over. Insurance will pay for patients who are insured. Those without insurance can get the vaccine for free, Bruce said.

Vaccinations are also available at the Amarillo Civic Center. At that location, the Pfizer vaccine is available for those ages 12 through 17.

The Texas Tribune reports that overall only 26.7 percent of Donley County residents – a total of 893 people – are fully vaccinated as of June 15. That’s up slightly from the 24 percent that the Tribune reported as vaccinated locally on May 30.

Clarendon plans 144th Saints’ Roost Celebration

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Mark your calendars to attend the 144th annual Saints’ Roost Celebration July 1, 2, and 3, 2021, in Clarendon.

Coinciding with “First Saturday Clarendon, Texas,” this year’s celebration will include most of the traditional activities along with the Whistle-Stop Trade Days will be open July 3 and 4.

The COEA Junior Rodeo will kick off the celebration Thursday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. followed by the first night of the Ranch Rodeo on Friday, July 3, at the same time. Dances will not be held following the rodeos this year.

The big day will be Saturday, July 3, 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.

The Chamber of Commerce’s Old Settlers Reunion and the Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up and register at 8:30 at Third and Sully. Ed Montana will provide music and serve as master of ceremonies on the square.

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 “Make a Splash in Clarendon,” in recognition of the opening of the city’s new aquatic center. Entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center and online at ClarendonTX.com.

The Herring Bank Parade features $850 in cash prizes with $200 available for the best float, $100 for the best car or truck entry, $100 for the best animal or riding unit, $100 for the best tractor or farm equipment entry, and $100 for the best “other” entry. From those first place winners, judges will select a Grand Prize winner who will receive an additional $250.

Pre-registration is required for entrants to be judged for the prize money, and entry forms are due by 5 p.m. on June 30.

The Al Morrah Shrine Club barbecue will follow the parade at about 11 a.m. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the Visitor Center.

Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m. The Henson’s Turtle Race will then 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.

Also that weekend, the Whistle-Stop will have its monthly trade days Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Whistle-Stop features more than 100 vendors as well as live music, food, and fun for the entire family.

Other events will be added to the schedule as they are announced. For more information about the celebration, contact the Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

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