The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.
Clarendon CISD Superintendent Jarod Bellar released a letter today discussing plans for re-opening the public school next month.
The letter addresses options for remote learning, but Bellar tells the Enterprise he is encouraging traditional in-person learning and says the school will re-open its doors for students on August 13.
The Clarendon Family Medical Center reported three new cases of COVID-19 Friday morning, July 10, and the Texas National Guard updated information about its free testing here next week.
Judge John Howard, MD, says there are now five known active cases in Donley County. The local total positives since the pandemic began is now 32.
Two tests are pending, and 117 tests have been negative.
Also Friday, the Texas National Guard provided the county with updated information on its free COVID-19 testing scheduled for Tuesday, July 14. It was previously announced as a “drive-thru” testing, but it will now be a “walk-up” testing and will be held in the Bulldog Gym at Clarendon College.
The National Guard also updated the hours of the testing, which are now 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was previously announced that the testing would be open until 5 p.m.
An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Donley County Courthouse last Saturday, July 4, to enjoy the activities of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration.
Few masks were seen despite the governor’s order to wear one the day before, but people did largely respect social distancing.
Vendor booths were spread out all over the courthouse lawn to avoid crowding, and barbecue was served “to go” style as organizers did their best to celebrate safely in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hand-washing and sanitizing stations were also set up around the square thanks to County Agent Leonard Haynes.
The Kids’ Parade started the day with the youngsters peddling or driving from Third Street down Sully Street in front of the Courthouse. In the 0-4 age group, Shaylee, Daegan, and Dawson Hall were first; Delaney Chambless was second, and Luke Leeper was third. Leah Victory won the 5-8 age group with Lydia Balogh second and Matthew Newhouse third. The 9 and up age group was won by Haylin Bivens, Meredith Artho second and Nevaeh Jaramillo third.
The Herring Bank Parade was somewhat smaller than last year’s but with just as much or more enthusiasm as most participants followed the parade theme: Texas Strong – United We Stand. The Grand Prize was won by Cody Graham and the Bromley Ranch float. The Clarendon Junior High Cheerleaders with their theme specific cheer and routine were the named the Best Float. Dan Sawyer’s John Deere tractor driven by congressional candidate Ronny Jackson was the Best Farm Equipment, the Rolling Hills Riding Club was the Best Animal Entry, Wallace Monument Co. was the Best Other entry, and Steve Carthel won the Best Car/Truck trophy.
There was no organized Old Settlers Reunion this year.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club served as many as 450 plates of barbecue this year. That’s down from 660 plates last year, but it was still considered a great success given the current situation. A portion of the proceeds from the annual barbecue are used in conjunction with the Khiva Shrine Temple in Amarillo to help pay for the transportation of kids to the Shriners’ burns and crippled children’s hospitals.
A celebrity dunking booth was set up by the Bronco Cheerleaders. Eager kids and donors lined up to cool off Clarendon Junior High Principal Travis Victory, Clarendon High School Principal Larry Jeffers, Donley County Social Hour hosts Landon Lambert and Roger Estlack, fireman and Clarendon ISD board member Chuck Robertson, “Two for the Road” stars Dusty and Nikki Green, and Donley County Judge John Howard.
Henson’s annual Turtle Race was also held Saturday afternoon. There were altogether 98 youngsters with turtles registered to run, which doesn’t include the adults who raced terrapins as well. The winners were Liam Wright for the 0-4 division, Laityn Hanks for the 5-8 division, Madison Moore for the 9-14 division, and Ty Hanks for the adult division.
History repeated itself when the Latigo Ranch took top honors for the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s annual Ranch Rodeo last Friday and Saturday.
Winning for the second year in a row, Latigo’s scores beat out 19 other local and regional ranch rodeo teams as working cowboys put their skills to the test as part of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration. The team was made up of Jacob Gudgell, Wesley Gudgell, Treston Gudgell, Zane Peters, and Levi Molesworth.
The Heck & Detwiller team team finished second with Cody Heck, Chad Detwiler, Jodi Padilla, Kale Lane, and Ian McDonald; and the IC Cattle team was third with Randy Crump, Tanner Hart, Jared Stoker, Jayton McWright, and Wesley Gudgell.
The Top Hand for the rodeo was awarded to Randy Crump, and the Top Horse award was won by Casey Jo Lewis.
This year’s attendance for the two-day ranch rodeo in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was 771, which was down from last year’s attendance of 1,391.
The Junior Ranch Rodeo was won by Tongue River team comprised of Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Hadley Halsell, and Gus Smith. The second place team was Circle M8 with Rye Reynolds, Cooper McCleskey, Brazos Roberts, Blaine Roberts, Kail Burnson; and the Rockin’ JM team was third in the junior competition with Cooper McCleskey, Blaine Roberts, Brazos Roberts, Rye Reynolds, and Sterlin Mitchell.
Top Hand winner for the Junior Ranch Rodeo was Wyatt Mask, and Cooper McCleskey rode the Top Horse.
Junior Calf, Donkey, and Steer Riding and Mutton Bustin’ were held all three nights. Overall Mutton Bustin’ champion for the three nights was Harper Atwood.
Overall Calf Riding Champion was Jaxon Orr, the Overall Donkey Rider was Colton Britten, and Steer Riding champion was Hunter Atwood.
Nightly winners of the junior events were as follows:
July 2 – Calf Scramble – Cotton Halsey, Emmett Howell, and Aaron Dunnaway; Mutton Bustin’ – Jacob Howell; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew, Donley Riding – Chance Anderson and Eli Ritchie; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
July 3 – Calf Scramble – Chance Anderson, Colt Mason, and Reece Myers; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Caleb Askew; Donkey Riding – Colton Britten; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
July 4 – Calf Scramble – Reece Myers, Bodhi Schlegelmilch, and Brody Bennett; Mutton Bustin’ – Harper Atwood; Calf Riding – Jaxon Orr; Donkey Riding – Chance Anderson; and Steer Riding – Hunter Atwood.
The Texas National Guard will hold a drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Clarendon College on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.
“It’s free, quick, and painless,” Judge Howard said. “I would encourage everyone wanting to tested to come by the college next Tuesday.”
Unlike the nasal swab which can be uncomfortable, this will be an oral swab, and there will be no charge for the test. Results will be returned in three to four days.
No pre-registration is necessary for the test and no appointment is needed.
Those wishing to be tested for the coronavirus will need a valid ID (such as a driver’s license) to get tested.
Democrats and Republicans will go to the polls next Tuesday, July 14, to make their final selections for candidates for the fall general election.
Early voting in the primary runoff elections continues through this Friday, July 10, at the Donley County Courthouse Annex.
The Republican election focuses on the races between Josh Winegarner and Ronny Jackson for Congress and also between 7th Court of Appeals incumbent Larry Doss and Steven Denny.
The Democratic ballot has races for US Senate, US Representative, and Railroad Commissioner.
Republicans polling locations are: Precinct Boxes 101, 201, 301, and 401 will vote at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon; Box 102 at Howardwick City Hall; and Box 303 at the Hedley Baptist Church.
Democratic polling places are: Precinct Boxes 101, 102, 201, 301, and 401 at the Donley County Courthouse; and Box 303 at the Hedley Lions Den.
Curbside voting is an option at all polling sites. Election sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Donley County will not seek an exception to Gov. Greg Abbott’s new order requiring Texans to wear face coverings to control the spread of COVID-19, according to County Judge John Howard, MD.
Abbott issued the new order on Thursday, July 2, which requires people to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when inside a commercial building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space, wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing.
The order goes into effect at 12:01 p.m. on July 3 and applies to all Texas counties. Counties with 20 or fewer active COVID-19 cases can submit a form to opt out of the mask order, but Judge Howard said he will not do so at this time.
“We are participating in a public health effort, and this is one of the best things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Judge Howard said.
The judge also reported a new positive case in a patient of the Clarendon Family Medical Center, which is in addition to another local person who reportedly tested positive in an Amarillo hospital over the weekend. Those cases would bring the total number of positive cases in Donley County to 29, but at least 25 of those are classified as “recovered.”
Abbott’s order does allow some exceptions to the mask mandate, some of which include children under the age of ten, people with health issues that would prevent wearing a mask, people consuming food or drink or is seated at a restaurant to eat or drink, people who are voting or assisting with voting, and people who are swimming.
The order says those violating the mandate can receive a verbal or written warning for a first offense and that second and subsequent offenses shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $250 for each offense. Officials cannot detain, arrest, or jail anyone for violating the order.
The complete text of the governor’s order is available here.
Clarendon is set to welcome visitors to the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 2, 3, and 4.
The coronavirus pandemic has put most area July Fourth celebrations on hold this year, but the Panhandle’s oldest will still move forward this weekend.
Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Junior Rodeo scheduled for Thursday night, July 2, and the Ranch Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights, July 3 and 4, will be limited to 50 percent capacity with social distancing encouraged. All rodeo events will go on as usual, except for the dances afterward. COEA will also proceed with the usual kids’ events, including the calf scrambles.
The First Baptist Church confirms there will be no Depression Lunch downtown Friday this year.
The big day will be Saturday, July 4, 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 Kids’ Bicycle & Tricycle Parade, sponsored by Shelton & Shelton Attorneys and Mike’s Pharmacy, will also begin at 9 a.m. The Kids’ Parade will line up at 8:30 at Keith Floyd’s shop at Third and Sully.
Kids’ Parade Chair Kim Fowler is asking all parents to register their kids for the parade online by using the form at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.
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 “Texas Strong – United We Stand,” and entry forms are available in this week’s Enterprise as well as at the Visitor Center. Entry forms are also available at ClarendonTX.com/ChamberEvents.
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 and adherence to the theme 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 July 1. Parade winners will be announced at 1 p.m.
The Al Morrah Shrine Club barbecue will be set up on the west side of the Courthouse square this year instead of the traditional location on the east side as plans call for spreading booths and activities over the entire square. The Shriners are also making plans for curbside pick-up of barbecue plates on Jefferson Street for senior citizens and others who prefer to avoid the crowd on the Fourth.
Tickets will be $15 per plate, and food will be served to-go style starting about 11 a.m. or as soon as the parade is over. Advanced tickets are available at the Enterprise or may be purchased on the square July Fourth.
Henson’s Turtle Race will take place at 1:30 p.m. And the Ranch Rodeo will close out the day Saturday night at the COEA Arena beginning at 7:30.
By Donley County Judge John Howard, MD
Independence. As Americans we enjoy this blessing as our birthright. Yet, it was not given to us; we earned it. We have sacrificed much to preserve it for almost a quarter of a millennium. Independence is enshrined in our Constitution and embedded in our DNA. And none value independence more than Texans. We celebrate it every year with now familiar events here in Clarendon.
This year’s celebration comes in the midst of our battle against a deadly worldwide pandemic. The battle has seriously challenged our nation and affected every person in the land. Half a million worldwide have perished already. Over 127,000 of those were Americans – more than any other country. While only 2300 of those were Texans, the incidence of disease is on the rise in our state and the Governor on Friday imposed new restrictions on the re-opening of the state.
I am pleased, and proud, to report that our last case in Donley County was on June 3rd. And before that, the last case of community spread was on April 9th. The citizens of our community took seriously the threat which at one time characterized us as the “sickest county in Texas” and gained us some temporary notoriety. And we stopped it! But with cases on the rise around us, and the probability that some folks will come in from out of town, we must continue to exercise reasonable precautions to protect ourselves from further spread here.
Several communities have cancelled their traditional 4th of July celebrations this year. In Clarendon we will have our rodeo, parade, and gathering on the courthouse square. It will look different this year. We will not serve our own barbeque. The crafts will be spread out on the square to permit more distancing in the crowd. And there will be handwashing stations and sanitizer available.
Some of us will need to carefully consider whether we should be in a large gathering of people – where we know the virus spreads more easily. Those of us who are more vulnerable to serious problems from the virus (over 60 years old, heart, lung or kidney problems, diabetes, obesity, immune system disease – to name a few) will need to weigh the risk. All who attend should exercise well known prudent precautions to prevent contracting or spreading the virus. Wearing a mask reduces such risk when you will be closer than six feet from others. I know it is hard, but we really don’t need to shake hands and hug each other this year – and when we forget that, don’t forget the hand sanitizer.
Remember that the disease can be spread by those who have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. If you are serious about avoiding the virus then you also need to avoid close contact with those who have been in a crowd. The incubation period after exposure is around 4-5 days but can be up to 11 days. And those who contract the illness can continue to shed the virus for 3-4 weeks. While we may feel that we are at low risk from the virus ourselves, we must consider the impact of spreading to others. Ultimately it is the responsibility of each individual to protect themselves. Responsibility – the all-important corollary to Independence.
However you choose to celebrate our Independence I urge you all to have a great, and safe, weekend. And remember those who have provided it as our legacy. God Bless America.
The Texas National Guard will hold a local drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Clarendon College on Tuesday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to Donley County Judge John Howard, MD.
Those wishing to be tested for the coronavirus will need a valid ID (such as a driver’s license) and are urged to call ahead to get a testing time.
Howard said the guard will open a call center 48 hours prior to the testing, but details on that were not available at press time. Those who don’t call ahead will be able to register onsite for the test.
More information about this testing opportunity will be published as it becomes available.
Reader Comments