October 4, 2019 - Stamford American

October 4, 2019 16 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION

STAMFORD

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Superintendent Will Brewer of Stamford ISD visits with Senator Charles Perry before the Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Stamford High School Auditorium.

Charles Perry Holds Town Hall Meeting

BY KAY SPEARS

2019 Homecoming Nominees: (top) Storey Gomez, Lesly DeLeon, (front) Kenadee Gann, Mallory Copeland THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN VOL. 11, ISSUE 20 STAMFORD AMERICAN VOLUME 98, ISSUE 26 STAMFORD LEADER VOLUME 114, ISSUE 27

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Charles Perry served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives for District 83 before being elected to the Texas Senate in 2014. He represents District 28 and is a Republican.

SEE PERRY, PAGE 13

PRE-GAME MEAL The pre-game meal on October 4 will be hosted by Stamford Kiwanis Club at the SHS cafeteria beginning at 5:00. The menu will be Chopped Brisket Sandwich, Chips, & Drink for $6.

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MARK THE DATE...

DONATE: Denise Dennis is still collecting aluminum cans for recycling to raise money to donate to West Texas Rehab Center. You can drop them off at her house on the corner of Reynolds & Vassar.

OCT 4

PRE-GAME MEAL: The pregame meal on October 4 will be hosted by Stamford Kiwanis Club at the SHS cafeteria beginning at 5:00.

The menu will be Chopped Brisket Sandwich, Chips, & Drink for $6.

SHS BAND: The High School Band will be performing their show before the football game next week since it is homecoming.

OCT 5

GARAGE SALE: Anson Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Community Garage Sale on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8am-4pm.

OCT 10

COTTON FIELD DAY: The Texas A&M AgriLife

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THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST

Extension office in Jones County will be hosting this year’s Cotton Field Day on October 10th. Meeting registration will take place at the Jones County field trials, located at Highway 83, and FM 1661, across from the Hanna Church at 8:30 a.m. Participants are asked to RSVP by October 8th, for meal planning purposes. Registration cost will be $10, payable at the field. To RSVP call (325)8232432.

Friday 85 | 68

Saturday 93 | 63

Sunday 85 | 56

Monday 76 | 53

Tuesday 78 | 56

Wednesday 82 | 59

Thursday 82 | 56

The weather is provided for you

by Country Drug Store. We’re here for you Rain or Shine.

OCT 26

RETREAT: A women’s retreat will be held on Saturday, October 26 at the VIP Center, 508 E. Gould. It will begin with lunch being served at 12:30, followed by the retreat from 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm. Registrations need to be in by October 18th to RSVP for meal.

There is no charge for the “Better Together” retreat or meal. For more information contact Sharla Smith, 940256-0434 or Terri Plumlee, 325-669-2562.

BIRTHDAYS OCT 6 - Braden Logan, Kree McCright OCT 7 - Lonnie Pittman Know someone who is having a birthday? Please remember to call us at 325-773-5550 and let us know!

Callie Metler-Smith | Publisher callie@americannewspapers.net Kay Spears | Editor kay@americannewspapers.net Gayle Lovvorn | Office Manager office@americannewspapers.net

Hunter’s Ammo and Camo was named the Chamber of Commerce Store Front of the Month.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Within Haskell, Jones, and Stonewall Counties: $30 Within Texas: $32 Within the United States: $35 DEADLINE

The deadline to submit news and advertising is 5 p.m. on Fridays. Exceptions may be granted only by permission from the publisher.

SUBMISSIONS POLICY

The New Stamford American reserves the right to reject unsolicited submissions for any reason. Articles and news items submitted are subject to editing by staff.

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Any erroneous reflection upon the character, reputation or standing of any individual, firm or corporation will be gladly corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher.

The New Stamford American (USPS 025-332) is published weekly at 102 South Swenson, Stamford, Jones County, Texas by Clear Fork Media Group LLC. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stamford, Texas 79553. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The New Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, Texas 79553 MEMBER 2019 TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

102 S. Swenson, P.O. Box 870, Stamford TX 79553 * 325-773-5550 * FAX: 325-773-5551

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Kiwanis Club Memorial Golf Tournament Held This Weekend

The Stamford Kiwanis Club held their annual Donny Doster Memorial Golf Tournament September 21st and 22nd. Twentyeight teams consisting of three players each participated in the two day event which brought golfers to Stamford from all parts of the Big Country. Many Stamford citizens and Stamford Bulldog exes played in the tournament which resembled a reunion atmosphere. Following Saturday’s play and after the Kiwanis fed the golfers and guests; a Calcutta auction was held to end day one.

Sunday morning brought a beautiful day to complete the 37th annual tournament. Flights Two and Three began at 8:30 by shotgun start and the afternoon flights teed off at 1:30 to commence play of the Championship and First flights; also by shotgun start.

The Kiwanians paid all team entry fees collected to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in all flights, representing $8,400. Tournament Co-Chairmen Danny Duggan, Kevin Prichard and Joe McMeans commented, “Our tournament sponsors and their generous financial contributions allowed us to

pay 100% of collected entry fees in prize money.”

Tournament sponsors include: Edward Jones, Duggan’s Auto Supply, Decker Capital Partners, Ekdahl Nelson Real Estate, Hibbs & Todd, Lawrence Hall Chevrolet, Big Country Electric Cooperative, Haskell Feeds, First Bank Texas, Farmers Insurance, Kinney Underwood Funeral Home, Ag Crop, Quenchers, Bailey Toliver Chevrolet, Stamford Insurance and Kraig Kupatt.

Club President Cary McClintock thanked all Kiwanis Club members for their work and participation in completing another successful tournament and once again thanked all sponsors and players by saying “we appreciate all players and special thanks to our sponsors who partner with us to support the youth of Stamford.” This event is the club’s primary fundraiser each year which allows us to fund many local projects including scholarships to Stamford High School graduating seniors, BUGs(Bringing Up Grades), Tri Area Livestock Show, Stamford Backpack Program, Toothbrush/ Toothpaste Program, HOBY Youth Leadership Program, Sophomore of the Year,

Co-chairman for the Kiwanis Club Donny Doster Memorial Golf Tournament were Danny Duggan, Kevin Prichard and Joe McMeans (not pictured).

Stamford Goodfellows, Stamford Community Fund and a variety of other programs.

Championship Flight: 1st Place Rincon, Rincon, Spradlin; 2nd Place Villanueva, Villanueva, Hester; 3rd place Villanueva, Nauert, Stover First Flight: 1st Place Robertson, Robertson, Robertson; 2nd Place Gourley,

Faulks, Walter; 3rd Place Baynes, Hertel, Smith Second Flight: 1st Place Balliew, Balliew, Reddin; 2nd Place Soles, Soles, Pugh; 3rd Place Goetz, Williams, Fuentes Third Flight: 1st Place Benevedes, Lee, Miranda; 2nd Place Stanley, Stanley, Williams; 3rd Place Stewart, Gober, Leach

Local Tractor Supply Paper Clover Fundraising Campaign to Benefit 4-H Program

Each Spring and Fall, Tractor Supply helps to raise money for 4-H program through the Paper Clover Campaign, a national in-store fundraiser that benefits 4-H programming. In the most recent campaign, they raised more than $1 million nationwide. Ninety percent

of funds raised go back to state and local 4-H clubs. The $1 clovers will be available in stores beginning October 9th through October 20, 2019. Please visit your local Tractor Supply at 1600 North Swenson St. in Stamford to purchase your paper clover, money

donated will benefit the Jones and Haskell County 4-H programs.

If you have any questions, please contact the Jones County Extension Office at (325)823-2432.

OCTOBER 4, 2019 3

Scholarships Available Through Big Country Electric Cooperative As part of our commitment to education and training, concern for community and support of our youth, four scholarships are available through Big Country Electric Cooperative and affiliates: • Big Country EC Academic Scholarship – Two $4,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are members of Big Country EC. Deadline: March 5, 2020.

• Directors Memorial Scholarship, Golden Spread Electric Cooperative - $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to selected recipients who are 1) entering freshmen college or university students and; 2) child or spouse of a Big Country EC member. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

• Texas Rural Electric Women’s Association (TREWA) Scholarship - Twenty (20) TREWA scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to CURRENT TREWA members and their children. If you are not currently a TREWA member, you may submit the membership application, membership fee, and scholarship application at once. Applicant or applicant’s parent or guardian must also be a current member or an employee of a Texas electric cooperative such as Big Country EC. Scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors, full-time college students or adults who have been accepted as a full-time student to attend any accredited college, university, junior college, community college, trade/technical school or business school of their choice. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

• Western Texas College Lineman Training Program Scholarship – BCEC will award two $1,500 scholarships to students enrolled in the program. Deadline August 12, 2020. Anyone entering the lineman training program is eligible to apply for this – the applicant does not have to be a BCEC member.

Complete scholarship information is posted at bigcountry.coop. Click on Service Beyond Electricity, then Scholarships. Contact Sarah McLen for more information at (325) 776-3803 or smclen@bigcountry.coop.

Community Women’s Retreat A women’s retreat will be held on Saturday, October 26 at the VIP Center, 508 E. Gould. It will begin with lunch being served at 12:30, followed by the retreat from 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm. Registrations need to be in

by October 18th to RSVP for meal. There is no charge for the “Better Together” retreat or meal. For more information contact Sharla Smith, 940-256-0434 or Terri Plumlee, 325-669-2562.

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Lady Bulldogs Compete at Clyde FCA Cross Country Meet JV- Jameson Bell-2nd, Alissa Aguilar-22nd, Madison Profit- 25th, Trevana Dennis- 27th. There were 70 runners.

Varsity - Laramie Terrell-4th, Chloe Hall-14th, Shandlee Mueller- 18th, Kristian Cantu- 46th, Kayla Cantu- 51, Emily Patterson- 55th. There were 114 runners.

Team Totals of 14 Teams- 1. Haskell/93, 2. Cross Plains/96, 3. Clyde/98, 4. Stamford/100 8th Grade - Hannah Shipp-4th, Emily Muhlstein- 9th, Chambree Lefevre-10th, Jaylnn Hatley- 39th, Lorah Andruch-61st, Deavine Hoadley- 74th. There were 110 runners. 3rd Place Team of 12.

7th Grade- Madeline Sledge-52nd, Cassidi Macias-108th.

There were 128 runners.

news@americannewspapers.net The wind is really blowing and I guess this is what you might call a bad hair day. It will probably blow up a bad cloud and some folks might get some rain.

It sure is nice that the evenings are a little cooler, especially for the football players. That heat is not good for them.

We are going into October so we will take a look at the calendar and see what we need to make a note on so we won’t miss anything.

Sunday, Oct. 6, there will be a meeting at the Old Glory Lodge at 4 P M. If you would like to play dominos come around 2 P M. For the evening meal the meat will be furnished, bring a vegetable and dessert.

Wednesday, Oct. 9, The Multi County Retired Teachers will be meeting at the Church of Christ in Hawley at 11:30 A M for their luncheon and meeting. Please attend and support your officers.

Saturday, Oct. 12, this is the day for the famous Sausage Supper at the Old Glory Lodge Hall. The meal will be from 5 P M until 7 P M and the dance will be from 8 P m until 11 P M. Tickets are going fast, you better get your tickets now.

Monday, Oct 14, there

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wife Cherri, will be a and Clyde all Senior Citiof Sagerton zens Dance and Carl and at the Old wife Beth of Glory Lodge Hobbs, NM. from 7 P M Ten grandchiluntil 10 P M dren and ten with a live great grandband and snacks will OLD GLORY NEWS children. He was preceded be served.

By Anita Dozier in death by his Everyone is wife Mae, his welcome. parents, a son, You do not Clifford, a granddaughter have to be a Senior Citizen and his brother Marvin to attend, come and join in Stegemoeller. Leon will be the fun for only $5.00 missed by many.

Monday, Oct. 14 is CoCarm Letz was in lumbus Day. (holiday) Haskell on Saturday to Thursday, Oct. 17, the watch her granddaughters, Hobby Club will be meetDarbee and Laynee cheer ing at the Sagerton Comalong with others at the munity Center at 2 P M. Tag football game.

Saturday, Oct. 26, there Kim Lowack went to visit will be a musical at the Old with her parents, Glen and Glory Community Center.

Helen Pierce,on Tuesday This will be the last musiand took them to Stamford cal for 2019 so make plans for appointments. to attend.

Kara Briggs and Crete of I was among the many Haskell spent the day with that attended the funeral her grandparents, Glen and services for Leon StegeHelen, on Saturday. moeller at the Old Glory We had a great musiCemetery on Tuesday cal on Saturday evening afternoon. The morning service was held at the Our at the Community Center.

Approximately 60 folks Savior Lutheran Church enjoyed lots of great music in Abilene where he was a and some good food from member for many years. the concession stand.

Mr. Stegemoeller, 87, was We want to say that we a native of Sagerton and truly appreciate those that a farmer. He is survived supported our concession by four sons, Clayton and stand, the donations, and wife, Paula, Calvin and all the musicians that come to entertain everyone. Also thanks to Bernice Rhoads for the pie and to Judge Ward at Mo’s Place for the ice. Mr. Ward has been very

good to us and always gave us ice for the musicals and we sure do hate to see Mo’s Place close. Winning the door prizes were Mae Clark from Rotan and Ronald Snow from Sweetwater.

See you all on October 26 for the last musical of this year.

Danny and Phyllis Letz were in Lubbock on Monday and were in Abilene on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Saturday they drove to Blackwell and Danny and his band played at the Blue Agave for a benefit dance.

Thought for the week: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Happy Birthday wishes go to Braylen Meador, Micah Meador, Debbie Corzine, Trey Meador, Bobbie Connally, Bobby Smith, Jeffrey Epley, Shirlene Sikes, Donna Graham, Alex Long, Martha McDowell, Aaron Barbee, Mike Rhoads, Debbie Letz, Emmalee McEwen, Paul Page, Linda Messick, Terry Sellers, Kendall Page, Mark Jones, and Addison Wilhite. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Jay and Wendy Flowers, Lynn and Rene Dudensing, Trent and Blair Dozier, and Johnny and Pam Massey.

Have a wonderful day.

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Chief Election Officer Encourages Texans To Register Before Deadline Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs invited eligible Texans to celebrate and participate in National Voter Registration Day — the fourth Tuesday in September — by ensuring they are registered to vote before the Oct. 7 registration deadline.

Hughs, the state’s chief election officer, issued a final call to action to voters, community leaders and elected officials to encourage their fellow Texans to register and prepare to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

“An active and engaged citizenry plays an essential role in ensuring the continued well-being of our democracy,” Hughs said.

The number of registered voters in Texas stood at 15,823,406 in September.

For more information on voting in Texas, visit www. votetexas.gov E-CIG CASES ARE COUNTED The Texas Department of State Health Services on Sept. 24 announced the agency had identified 54 Texas cases of severe lung disease in people who report “vaping” before developing symptoms.

State health officials are gathering more information about 35 other possible cases to determine whether they are consistent with the symptoms and substance use seen in cases in Texas and 37 other states. About half of the Texas cases have been in teens, and more than half required hospitalization.

Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and coughing. Some people have also experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

DSHS said clinicians should ask patients with those symptoms about a history of vaping, gather as much information as possible about suspected cases, and report them to the agency.

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDS The Texas Workforce Commission on Sept. 20 reported that the state’s economy added 18,200 seasonally adjusted total non-farm positions in the month of August.

Notably, the Lone Star State’s unemployment rate held steady at 3.4 percent, matching the all-time record low set in June. The rate of 3.4 percent is the lowest since the agency launched this method of tracking in 1976.

The state’s lowest unemployment rate among metropolitan statistical areas in August was the Midland MSA with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.2 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 2.7 percent.

TXDOT ASKS FOR INPUT The Texas Department of Transportation on Sept. 23 started asking citizens what they think will be the most pressing transportation needs for the next 30 years.

TxDOT is hosting a second round of public meetings that the agency says will be essential to developing the state’s long-range transportation plan, which helps inform the direction for the future of Texas’ multimodal transportation system.

The Texas Transportation Plan 2050, or TTP 2050, will guide TxDOT’s planning and programming for the next 30 years and set longrange goals for all forms of transportation.

Texans who can’t get to

the meetings in person may participate online by visiting www.txdot.gov and searching for “TTP 2050”. TxDOT is providing an interactive survey to gather public input. The virtual open house also features a transportation usage survey.

Online surveys will close Nov. 15, 2019, and public comments will be accepted throughout the development of the TTP 2050 until early 2020, the agency said.

RRC TOPS CLEANUP GOAL In fiscal year 2019, which ended Aug. 31, the Texas Railroad Commission cleaned up more than 400 abandoned oil field sites.

On Sept. 27, the state’s energy-regulating agency said the number of cleanedup sites is more than double the goal set by the Texas Legislature.

While most operators clean up their own oilfield sites when the wells are no longer productive, the Railroad Commission uses industry fees to clean up abandoned sites through the State-Managed Cleanup Program. The fees include regulatory fees, permit fees, enforcement penalties and bond amounts assessed on oil and gas operators.

Since the State-Managed Cleanup Program was established in 1992, the RRC has assessed, investigated and — if cleanup was determined necessary — completed cleanup activities at 6,821 abandoned oilfield sites, restoring land used in energy production back to a safe condition.

GOVERNOR GOES TO JAPAN Gov. Greg Abbott toured Japan in an economic development mission last week, visiting with top government and industry officials in various cities.

Among the topics Abbott discussed with his hosts were trade, manufacturing, transportation, energy, infrastructure and tourism.

OCTOBER 4, 2019

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

By the Community, for the Community; October is National Coop Month When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month! This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including Big Country Electric Cooperative (BCEC), celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve.

Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses. When the market declines to offer a product or service, or does so at a very high price, co-ops intervene to fill the need.

Similar to how BCEC was built by members who came together to bring electricity to our community, cooperatives are conveners for the common good. Your electric co-op exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve.

As a co-op, we are wellsuited to meet the needs of the community because we are locally governed.

BCEC’s leadership team and employees live right here in the community. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, live locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you.

We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, in person, on the phone, in our offices or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you.

Our close connection to the community ensures we get a first-hand perspective on local priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on longterm investments in our electric system, the service we deliver to you, and any other products or services we may offer.

Another feature that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles, “Concern for Community.” We partner with local organizations like schools, 4-H and other

community service organizations and programs. We participate in the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action.

Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you and your neighbors.

You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation in and support of these programs.

We hope you will think of BCEC as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and prosperity for the people.

We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you – because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.

community. Annually, the Rotary Club sponsors the meal before the last home football game of the season. The date this year will be on Friday, October 25th before the Hawley game.

For our supper we prepare

pulled pork sandwiches with the trimmings because this is always a popular menu. The profits from this project are used to fund the annual $1000.00 scholarship we present to a graduating high school senior. Plans are for the City to do improvements on the downtown square, and the Club will be involved with a specific part of the project. Hopefully, with our exposure, we will be able to bring in new members into the Club.

ROTARY CLUB NEWS The Rotary Club had a monthly business meeting to discuss plans for the 2019-2020 Rotary year. The members of the Club think that we need to have some specific projects in order to have more exposure in the

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

OCTOBER 4, 2019 7

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Bulldogs Hold On To Skin Deleon Bearcats, 38-37

BY JENNIFER CRAIG The Stamford Bulldogs and DeLeon Bearcats took different routes to the end zone Friday night at Bearcat Stadium but the Bulldogs found the zone one time more than the home team to secure the 38-37 victory. Extra points made and unmade caused the slim margin as DeLeon kicked the PAT after their first three scores and used their kicker to run for two on the other scores. Stamford, on the other hand, failed on two point conversion attempts after five of six touchdowns.

The Bulldogs thrived with the passing game with senior quarterback Trace Price completing 24-32 passes for 453 yards and six touchdowns. The Bearcats stuck to the ground for a whopping 73 attempts for 507 yards and five touchdowns. D’Marcus Barber led the Dogs in receiving yards with 204 and three touchdowns on seven catches; he added 45 yards rushing on seven carries. Jorge Gonzalez was the leading rusher for the game with 180 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. Angel Perez and Dylan Driskill each had over 100 yards (168 and 109) for the Bearcat ground game. DeLeon completed just one pass out of eight attempts.

The game wound down to under a minute with DeLeon attempting an onside kick or kicks since it took multiple attempts to get a penalty free play. Gerardo DeLaRosa recovered one kick and survived an onslaught of Bearcats; but the Bulldogs were offsides. Dylan Faulks pounced on the next attempt to give the Bulldogs possession and the chance to go into victory formation.

Stamford opened the game with a nine play drive that foreshadowed the aerial show to come. Price started with a pass to Lane Patton good for eleven yards. Ryheem picked up seven yards on the next play. Runs by Barber and Price left the Dogs facing fourth and one at the DeLeon 49. Barber got the call and the first down. Price hit Patton, Barber and Josh Mueller to push the ball to the Bearcat 39. Barber then got the Bulldogs on the scoreboard as he raced down the DeLeon sideline after taking a Price pass. The PAT run attempt was stopped short.

The Bearcats ground out yardage from their own 25 to the Bulldog 37 before their drive stalled. DeLeon used a handful of running backs in the game with three players getting carries on this drive: Gonzalez, Perez and Mattson Locke. After one of just eight pass attempts fell incomplete, DeLeon punted to the Stamford 13.

The Bulldog flying corps went back to work. Barber took a third down pass 42 yards to the Bearcat 28. Patton added 28 yards and Mueller pushed the ball to the six yard line with a 14 yard reception. Price’s string of ten completions was broken when Ethan Dyson caught the rebound off a Stamford receiver in the end zone.

The Bearcat drive and the first quarter ended on a 27 yard gallop by Gonzalez into Stamford territory. Perez broke through the middle but fumbled at the end of a five yard gain. Patton recovered to give the ball back to the Dogs.

Barber appeared to be open well downfield for the first pass of the drive but he couldn’t adjust for the catch.

Shavaris Cooper got free of defenders on the next play and raced untouched for a 69 yard score. The conversion pass attempt fell incomplete leaving the Bulldogs ahead 12-0.

DeLeon used multiple ball carriers again and went 70 yards in nine plays. Perez covered the final three yards.

Colton Smith’s kick cut the score to 12-7.

The Bulldogs answered that score with a five play drive that started with an eight yard gain by Faulks followed by an eleven yard run by Barber. Patton got the score on a 36

yard reception from Price. No extra points again but the Bulldogs had an 18-7 lead with 4:49 to go in the half.

In what was a short drive for the Bearcats Perez raced 40 yards for a touchdown which cut the score to 18-14 following Smith’s kick.

DeLeon got one more chance before the end of the half when Gonzalez picked off a Price pass intended for Patton.

Dylan Driskill picked up 64 yards on two carries to help push the football to the Bulldog 22. With time running out, the Bearcats attempted a field goal which was short and wide right.

The Bearcats got the second half kickoff but the Bulldog defense forced a punt. Barber took the punt and outran would be tacklers for 95 yards into the end zone. Unfortunately, he celebrated the run by holding the ball up at the ten yard line. The touchdown was waived off, and the Bulldogs were assessed a penalty. Fortunately most of the yardage stood and the Dogs quickly converted a one play drive from the DeLeon 25. Mueller got his touchdown and Patton caught a two point conversion to push the Bulldog lead to 26-14.

The DeLeon ground game ate up 64 yards and 7:11 on the clock when the Bearcats got the ball back. The 13 play drive culminated when Perez forced in from a yard out.

Smith again added the PAT. The Dogs came right back and moved into DeLeon territory. The Bearcats stopped Barber short on a fourth down run as the third quarter was coming to an end with a 26-21 score.

DeLeon threatened again inside the Stamford ten yard line but Driskill fumbled at the end of a run and Zhawn Holden recovered for the Dogs at the five yard line.

Price found Barber and the fleet senior running back shifted into high gear and left defenders behind. The 89 yard touchdown capped a three play drive.

The Bearcats changed to the passing game without much luck. Slade Gooden dropped back to punt but the kick was a fake. Faulks sacked the Bearcat to turn the ball back to the Dogs at the DeLeon 28.

The Price to Barber passing connection worked to perfection with Barber taking a swing pass and covering the 28 yards for a score on the first and only play of the drive.

Once again the conversion attempt failed. The 38-21 score looked pretty comfortable with just 7:50 left in the game.

DeLeon went back to their running game and ground out a 10 play drive that covered 64 yards. Gonzalez got the touchdown and Smith ran for a two point conversion to cut the margin to 38-29 with 4:34 left.

Patton recovered an onside kick attempt to put the Dogs at the DeLeon 40 yard line. On first down Mueller gained nine yards and went out of bounds. A second down pass was knocked away. Price kept the ball on third down and earned a first down but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. After a pass to Barber gained just two yards, Price was sacked on fourth down.

The Bearcats took over at the Bulldog 49 and used ten plays, including the one pass completion of the night, to find the end zone. Gonzalez covered the final five yards and Smith again ran for the two point conversion with 58.8 left in the game.

Now came the next round of onside kick attempts.

Faulk’s recovery let the Dogs go into the victory formation and run off the final time on the clock and seal the 38-37 victory.

The victory moves the Bulldogs to a 4-1 mark going into Friday’s homecoming game against the Clyde Bulldogs.

Stamford 6 12 8 12--38 DeLeon 0 14 7 16--37 First Quarter S – D’Marcus Barber 39 pass from Trace Price (run failed) 8:39 Second Quarter S – Shavaris Cooper 69 pass from Price (pass failed) 11:30 D – Angel Perez 3 run (Colton Smith kick) 6:34 S – Lane Patton 36 pass from Price (pass failed) 4:49 D – Perez 40 run (Smith kick) 2:00 Third Quarter S – Josh Mueller 25 pass from Price (Patton pass from Price) 9:54 D – Perez 1 run (Smith kick) 2:43 Fourth Quarter S –Barber 89 pass from Trace Price (pass failed) 9:00 S – Barber 28 pass from Price (run failed) 7:50 D – Jorge Gonzalez 1 run (Smith run) 4:34 D – Gonzalez 5 run (Smith run) 0:58 Stamford DeLeon First Downs 14 28 Rushing Yds 11-21 73-507 Passing Yds 453 13 Total Offense 474 520 Comp-Att-Int 24-32-2 1-8-0 Punts 0-0 2-28 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-2 Penalties-yds 5-55 11-90 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing - Stamford: D’Marcus Barber 7-45; Trace Price 2-(-12); Team 2-(-13). DeLeon: Jorge Gonzalez 27-180, 2 TDs; Angel Perez 21-168, 3 TDs; Dylan Driskill 11-109; Mattson Locke 8-49; Toby Garrison 4-18; Trey Lopez 1-(-2); Slade Gooden 1-(-15).

Passing - Stamford: Trace Price 24-32-2, 453 yds, 6 TDs. DeLeon: Trey Lopez 1-8-0, 13 yds.

Receiving - Stamford: D’Marcus Barber 7-204, 3 TDs; Lane Patton 6-93, TD; Shavaris Cooper 2-70, TD; Josh Mueller 6-63, TD; Ryheem Smith 2-15; Dylan Faulks 1-8.

DeLeon: Victor Amaya 1-13.

Last Week’s Games District 3-2A, Division I: Stamford 38, DeLeon 37; Forsan 35, Reagan County 13; Hawley 73, Windthorst; Ozona 61, Junction 0; Christoval 34, Winters 24. Others: Merkel 41, TLCA 6; Anson 48, Bangs 27; Lubbock Christian 52, Haskell 13; Clyde 54, Colorado City 0; Stratford 39, Hamlin 6. Comanche 33, DeLeon 0. Six Man: Rotan 71, LuedersAvoca 24.

This Week’s Games District 3-2A, Division I: Clyde at Stamford; Forsan at Wink; Seymour at Hawley; Crane at Ozona; Iraan at Winters. Others: Merkel at Cisco; Christoval at Roscoe; Ballinger at Anson; Eldorado vs. Haskell at Winters; DeLeon and Hamlin open. Six-Man: Loraine at Lueders-Avoca.

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STAMFORD 7TH GRADE FOOTBALL WINS 34-0.

STAMFORD 8TH BULLDOGS WINS 20 -0 OVER DELEON.

Photos by Michael Marugg

STAMFORD BULLDOGS JV WINS 30-20 OVER DELEON.

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Gongs and Cymbals I’m going to level with you. This essay has been difficult for me to write. I’ve had it on my heart for several weeks, but every time I’ve tried to write it, I’ve been stymied. I don’t know if it was writer’s block or something in the world just didn’t want me to say this, but I’ve had to fight my way through it. Some essays come easy. This one did not. It is about love.

But we’re not going to be touchy feely. I hope I make you a little uncomfortable.

I’ve written about my Christian faith a number of times. I never want to preach, but I want you to understand that from which I get my values and my decision-making. I’m a believer in living out my faith and backing it up with my actions. I have no use for merely paying lip service to faith because it’s expedient to do so (whether

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker politically, culturally, or socially).

It’s for that reason that I want to discuss love. The Ten Commandments tell us to love our neighbor. We all know that. In Matthew 22, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord but the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. Even if you’re not a believing Christian, I expect your values system accounts for some sort of

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neighborly love. But let’s talk about what that really means. It is easy to nod your head at loving your neighbor. It is easy to support the concept. It is a lot harder to actually do it in the way that Jesus commands.

Some of you have great neighbors. You might even live next door to family or close friends. Loving your neighbor comes easy when you have neighbors like that. But what about THOSE neighbors, the nasty, bothersome ones? What about the ones who look different from us or act differently?

What about the neighbors who have different values?

What about neighbors who live a life that we don’t understand?

Well, Jesus didn’t put an asterisk next to “neighbor” to include only the people we like and who are like us. In Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan cared for a badly beaten Jew. The injured

man had been ignored by his own people—in fact, they had crossed to the other side of the road in order to ignore his plight.

The Samaritan stopped to help. Samaritans and Jews were about as different culturally from one another as anybody we could run across on a daily basis. Yet, because he showed mercy, the Samaritan was the true neighbor to the injured man, not the man’s own people. We are called to do the same, no matter the differences with our own neighbor.

In Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, he discusses spiritual gifts. We all have gifts that we are called to use in our personal witness. Each of those gifts is unique and diverse. Our collective gifts work together like the parts of the body, so that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. But as Paul finishes his discussion of spiritual gifts, he turns to love. He

opens Chapter 13 of that letter by admonishing that it is nothing to use your spiritual gifts without love.

In fact, he writes that using your gifts without love is like a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. Real appealing imagery, eh? Have you ever considered that you might’ve used your spiritual gifts like that? I imagine we all have, if we want to be honest.

I’m bothered that too many in society are willing to pay lip service to their Christian faith without the actions to accompany it.

I think it all comes back to this discussion of love.

What concerns me is what Paul speaks of—if we act as Christians but do so without love, then it sounds to the non-believer like the resounding gong or clanging cymbal. I know we all have different tastes in music, but I can’t see walking up and down the streets of Stamford banging a gong and clanging a cymbal and

First Baptist Church John Ward 214 N Swenson 325-773-2781 AM Worship: 11:00 House of God Pastor Bobby Acosta 802 Ferguson St Sundays 11:00 am

Nugent Church of Christ Nugent, Texas Wayne Kitchens, Preacher Sun. 10 Bible Classes 11 Morning Assembly

St Ann’s Catholic Church 1001 S Swenson 325-773-2659 AM Mass: 11:00

expecting it to drive people into our churches.

But when we act as Christians without love for our neighbor, that’s exactly what we’re doing. If we’re not living out our Christian faith with love—real, messy, hard, genuine love— for ALL of our neighbors, we’re not living our life as we’ve been commanded.

James Decker is a lawyer, farmer, and mayor in Stamford, and the creator of the forthcoming “West of 98” podcast and website. He may be contacted through Facebook at facebook.com/james.decker.

LOCAL CHURCHES Avoca Baptist Church Rev. Les Mims 773-3531 AM Worship: 11:00 Avoca United Methodist Church Dennis Huffaker 773-3909 AM Worship: 9:45 Bethel Church of God in Christ Pastor Session 407 W Handlan 325-773-5730 Bethel (Christ) Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 1024 E. Vanderbilt 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 9:00 Bethel Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 10707 N. FM 600 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 11:00

Central Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Kelly Pigott 601 Rowland 325-773-3381 AM Worship: 11:00 Common Ground Youth Ministry Paul Wright 219 S Swenson 325-773-3604 Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30 Family Church of Christ 1505 E. Wells St 325-773-5250 Worship: 9:45 a.m.

1st Assembly 1214 Compton Pastor John Shepard Worship: Saturday @ 6:00PM (325)267-0955

Lueders First Baptist Church Roscoe McCoy 228-4622 AM Worship: 11:00 MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church AM worship 11:00 Heart of God Church 114 E Campbell Joanne Ochoa AM Worship 10:30 Nugent Baptist Church Craig Thames 228-4457 Worship: 11:00

Orient Street Church of Christ Wes Horn 510 S Orient 773-3419 Worship: 10:30 Paint Creek Baptist Church Pastor Tony Grand 940-864-3358 AM Worship: 11:00

WANT TO SPONSOR THE CHURCH PAGE? Call 325-773-5550

St. John’s United Methodist Church Pastor John Erwin 201 S Ferguson 325-773-2561 AM Worship: 10:50 Solomon Temple Baptist Church Rev. Donnie Massey 315 N. Haskell St. 325-773-2213 AM Worship 11:00

Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00 Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg

Rather than write about any particular plants or landscaping techniques this week, I want to talk a little about landscaping itself and the perception that it’s really expensive.

We all know somebody that spent a fortune on having their property landscaped. Since I’m in the green business, I think it would be great if everybody spent money on very large, expensive, intricate landscapes that also need lots of continuing maintenance. That would be good for the green business, but maybe not so good for the customers. The reality is that landscaping or any other kind of work should always be done with the customer’s budget, firmly in mind. Any ethical person that you hire to do work for you should always remember whose money is actually being spent. Keep in mind that the green business is highly competitive and that helps keep your contractors reasonable.

When landscaping in general is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the large jobs that totally remake big pieces of real estate, or the total new landscape that goes with a brand new home.

The second thought is “that’s going to cost a lot of money”. But the term landscaping doesn’t just mean those big jobs that immediately come to mind, any more than going out to eat necessarily means driving to the most expensive restaurant in the region. If you plant a few new plants that you picked up at the garden store, or plant the living Christmas tree after Christmas is over, you are changing the yard and landscaping. A new set of walk stones from the drive to the house, a small flower bed around one of your established trees or another rose bush by the front door is also landscaping.

If a house has any open area around it at all, it has

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WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team some kind of landscaping.

Even if the area is completely concreted over, or covered entirely with rock or some kind of inorganic material that doesn’t allow any plant growth, that is a type of landscaping and it still cost something to install and maintain. Any piece of property can be planted or not planted in many different ways, the difference in the designs, and the cost of the plantings, is what the property owner wants and is willing to spend on it.

Some people focus on low maintenance and low cost, others want a lot of plants and designs. Years ago, when a new house was built, the new owners would usually put in some kind of grass for the yard, the builder would plant a few trees (mostly mulberries) and that was pretty much the landscape. Now, the original landscape including flower beds, trees, grass, walkways, and etc. is usually considered to be part of the purchase price and is often done before or soon after move in.

I personally think that doing a complete landscape soon after a house is built is the way to go.

The sooner your planting is done, the sooner it matures and the quicker your larger plants, including trees, get up to the size you desire. But what if money is tight and doing everything all at once really isn’t an option? Do

you have to do it that way? No, cost is a factor in everything we do, and if costs need to be kept down, they can be.

New construction can be minimally planted to start with and slowly added to over time to keep costs manageable. Existing landscapes can be slowly reworked as money is available. The only difference in the end will be how long it takes to get the look and maturity of plants that you desire.

So, yes doing or having landscaping done can cost a lot of money, or it can be done on a low budget. The nice thing about how much work around your house and yard will cost is that the customer should always be in control of the cost. The ultimate authority on how much is going to be spent is the customer. The job can always be changed to strike a balance between what you want and how much you are willing to spend. A reputable contractor can show you how to get what you want at a cost you can afford.

Isn’t that great?

If you have any landscaping, landscape maintenance, or tree questions you would like answered in this column, submit them care of cmetler@ stamfordamerican.net or info@ BrokenWillow.com.

IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY CASTS SHADOW ON ‘NEW NAFTA’ President Trump is creating instability in the farm sector with his periodic threats to withdraw from NAFTA, said the senior Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Also at an Agriculture hearing on Wednesday, farm groups called for speedy passage of the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement, which has been put in doubt by the opening of an impeachment inquiry in the House.

JAPAN AGREES TO LOWER TARIFFS ON U.S. FARM EXPORTS U.S. farmers will gain broader access to Japanese consumers under an agreement signed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Trump on Wednesday in New York. The White House called the deal “a major win for our farmers, ranchers, and growers.”

PETERSON INCREASINGLY ISOLATED AS DEMS TAKE AIM AT TRUMP Ninety percent of House Democrats are on record in support of an impeachment inquiry, making House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson an outlier in arguing against it. Sometimes called the most conservative

Democrat in the House, Peterson is nearly alone among members of his committee in questioning the investigation.

‘PATRIOT FARMERS’ URGE TRUMP TO ACT ON ETHANOL As recently as Wednesday, President Trump lauded farmers as “great patriots” for their forbearance in the face of ag exports lost due to the Sino-U.S. trade war. A handful of corn and soybean farmers active in biofuels policy said on Thursday that there is less patience in farm country for the administration’s handling of the ethanol mandate.

JUDGE WILL GIVE DOJ MORE TIME TO BUILD CASE IN POULTRY PRICE-FIXING SUIT The District Court judge overseeing a massive price-fixing lawsuit against chicken companies said on Wednesday that he would extend a stay of discovery in that case to make way for a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice.

USDA ANNOUNCES BONUS PAYMENTS FOR PREVENTED PLANTING Farmers are in line for a

KASN AG REPORT With Richard Kemp “top-up” payment of up to 15 percent if they received a prevented-planting indemnity from crop insurers this year due to flooding or excessive rainfall, said the USDA on Thursday.

CORN HARVEST LOOMS IN IMPORTANCE AS STOCKPILE SHRINKS The U.S. corn stockpile has fallen to the lowest level in three years and there’s little hope this year’s diminished and delayed harvest will make up the difference. In a pair of government reports, the data made clear that the rainiest spring in a quartercentury had taken a toll.

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Lueders-Avoca Raiders played Rotan Friday night in Rotan. Final score was Raiders 24-Rotan 71.

Raiders play at Home next Friday at 7:30 for Homecoming against Loraine. (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)

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Big Country Electric Cooperative Announces Annual Youth Tour Contest Students: Apply Now to Win Trip to DC and Scholarship

You’re a Texas high school student. You’re smart; you have big dreams.

Maybe you’ve never been out of the state, and maybe you’ve never flown on a plane, but you want to travel—experience a big city, visit historic landmarks and meet people, and not just fellow high schoolers but influential public figures, like U.S. representatives.

If that describes you, then you’re a candidate to compete for a slot on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, an all-expensepaid trip to Washington, D.C., sponsored by Big Country Electric Cooperative and organized by Texas Electric Cooperatives.

Apply by January 23, 2020 for your chance to win a ticket for this adventure, which has been called the trip of a lifetime. Three local contestants will be chosen by an independent panel of judges to represent BCEC on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 17-26, 2020. An alternate will also be chosen in the event a winner cannot make the trip. Each winner and the runner-up will also receive a $1,500 scholarship from Big Country Electric Cooperative.

Youth Tour is an actionpacked trip to the U.S. Capitol with about 150 of your peers and chaperones from

across Texas and more than 1,700 from across the United States. You’ll visit the Washington National Cathedral, Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Smithsonian Institution, memorials, and more.

Activities include learning about rural electrification, seeing a performance at the Kennedy Center, going on a boat cruise of the Potomac River with dinner and dancing, and meeting congressional leaders.

You could be part of this legacy shared by the more than 3,800 past Texas Youth Tour students – more than 50,000 nationwide - who have participated since 1965. To apply, submit your video on this year’s contest topic: You are a candidate for an open seat on Big Country’s board of directors. In two to three minutes, tell us why you should be elected.

Eligible entrants must: • Be a current 10th, 11th, or 12th grader at a school in Big Country EC’s service area (Borden, Fisher, Garza, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Mitchell, Nolan, Scurry, Shackelford, Stonewall and Throckmorton Counties).

• Students’ parents/ guardians DO NOT have to be members/customers of Big Country Electric Cooperative to compete in and win the Youth Tour contest.

• Application form may

be submitted via webform at bigcountry.coop, by clicking on Service Beyond Electricity → Youth Tour. If you prefer, you may download the printable version and submit to Sarah McLen at smclen@bigcountry.coop or fax to 325.776.2246. Applications are due by Thursday, January 23, 2020.

• Once your application is received, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to post your video. Videos will only be available to the group of Youth Tour applicants, not the public.

• Videos must be uploaded by 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2020. Please include your name with the video title. Example: Title of my Video by John Smith.

Videos must be two to three minutes long.

• Multiple applicants CANNOT submit the same video. The video MUST BE YOUR OWN ORIGINAL CREATION! Entrants will be notified of results by email or phone by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

Additionally, Big Country EC will donate a grant in the amount of $500 to the school that has the most students submit videos.

For more information about Youth Tour, contact Sarah McLen at (325) 7763803 or smclen@bigcountry.coop.

Jones County Cotton Field Day, October 10 The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office in Jones County will be hosting this year’s Cotton Field Day on October 10th. Meeting registration will take place at the Jones County field trials, located at Highway 83, and FM 1661, across from the Hanna Church at 8:30 a.m.

Participants will then tour field demonstrations in cotton varieties, harvest aids (defoliants), and weed management trials. Following

the field tours, participants will head to Best Burger Barn in Anson for presentations on cotton market outlook and farm program updates.

Participants are asked to RSVP by October 8th, for meal planning purposes. Registration cost will be $10, payable at the field. To RSVP call Jones County Extension Office (325)8232432.

PERRY: Continued From Page 1 He was born in Abilene, Texas, attended Sweetwater High School and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1984. District 28 encompasses 51 counties, the largest district in the state.

Due to Texas State Senators earning only $7,200 per year, Perry is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Lubbock, Texas.

Stamford ISD Superintendent Will Brewer introduced Perry at the Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at the Stamford High School Auditorium. High School students were let out of classes to attend the 2:00 pm Town Hall Meeting. He stated that Texas is a big state, a huge operation. “We are bigger than Russia’s economy, we are bigger than Canada’s economy.” He said 92 percent of the state’s budget has been allocated before the next legislative session even begins. The Texas Legislation is in session every two years.

He told the audience this last session was a “good session” in earmarking more money to give teachers and support staff for teachers “long overdue” raises, reform property taxes at the local level giving property owners more control, and school safety. He stated he is in charge of water and anything in the state dealing with water goes through him and his committee. He drew up a state-wide flood control plan which was not in place before the last session and is in place now.

Perry stated he is a “rural guy” and the populations of 38 of the 51 counties he represents in the Texas State Senate are under 10,000. He said his job is to always “advocate for the rural issues.”

In this session they were able to put $100 million into rural healthcare. He doesn’t want any more rural health clinics to close.

He spoke about the need for veterinarian schools.

Beginning in 2021 there will be opportunities for 60 students to attend a

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veterinarian school “in Amarillo under the Texas Tech umbrella.” Another area approved in the last legislative session concerned an interstate system from Mexico to Canada. Perry stated, “Our biggest trading partners in Texas is Mexico. We do a lot of business with Mexico.”

They have moved forward with I-27 interstate between Lubbock and Laredo. He encourages every household to fill out the Census forms when they come. This information is used in redistricting and federal funds coming into the district.

When Senator Perry opened up the meeting for questions, Mayor Ice from Hamlin stated they are not an affluent community; they need resources and funding for their largest issues of infrastructure with water and healthcare.

He asked what the Senator sees “coming in the future” to help with these issues.

Perry stated the “Texas Water Development Board has very specific programs to help rural communities move water where they need it. Some of it’s grants, some of it’s loans, some of it’s expected payback, some of it’s not.” He added small communities can leverage their credit. “They do not get free money, but they get very cheap money.”

Perry brought up the SWIFT Fund, which stands for State Water Implementation Fund for Texas, for replacing water pipes. “Most cities don’t realize they lose about twenty-five percent of their water supply from antiquated pipe systems that have been in the ground since the ‘fifties.” He stated that every January or February applications may be submitted and “they are scrambling to always make sure the rural communities are involved because the SWIFT Fund requires it.” (The SWIFT Fund can be found online: www.twdb. texas.gov/financial/programs/SWIFT/) A citizen from Rule, Texas, told Senator Perry

about the water problems in her town even though they are supposed to be on a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system. She stated she has to buy bottled water to drink and is not able to consume or use tap water other than washing with it. She stated she has contacted Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and has been “put off and put off.” Perry asked for the information she had and put her in contact with the head of his district office helping Haskell and Jones Counties, Jennifer Foster. Foster was present at the Town Hall Meeting.

A student asked where Perry stood on the death penalty. Perry stated he is a “faith guy” and from a “biblical view perspective, I think you can justify it.” He then went on to “give the practical application” of the 20-30 years someone spends on Death Row after they were convicted and given the death penalty, at the cost of millions of dollars. “I think we have to question at some point, does it make fiscal sense to condemn someone to the death penalty only to have it appealed for years at a huge cost to the state, when you could have just said life without parole and they would not have had the appeals process.” He brought up a quote, “I would rather err and let ten guilty people go at the expense of incarcerating or killing a single one that was innocent,” referring to English jurist William Blackstone in the 1760’s. (It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.) “Our judicial system, though, is the best in the world but I’ll tell you there is always room for improvements.”

Dee Haddock, Interim CEO of Stamford Hospital District, suggested to Senator Perry that hospitals could have one clearing house to be credentialed with all insurance companies at the same time, not duplicating the processes. Perry

responded with information the State Legislature has tried and is being tried.

A student brought up the subject of incarcerated people being separated from their children. Perry referenced John Whitmire District 15 Senator from Houston and the Chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. “He brought it to our attention that, and I agree with him, female prisoners with kids were pretty much separated and then we wonder about kids that grow up under that system don’t act right.” “He had a very deliberate approach to how you put that child in contact with mom and allow the nurturing.” “How do we not punish the kid in that.

There were laws that came about where mom could actually have access to her child.” “If we can do those things that continue to keep a family unit alive, once that person is out, if they are going to get out, then we need to do those things to encourage that.” During this session there was a women’s inmate to reform session.

As to the question of vaping, he told the audience that when cigarettes were being advertised on different media, the Camels brand had a cartoon character called Joe Camel. “They made it look innocent, they made it look like it was not a problem. You’re going to love this product, right? The same thing happened in vaping.” “As a policy maker I think it’s justified for us to come in and say no. We did raise the age to 21.” The responsibility starts with the child, with the parents. “You have a decision to make.

If you make the wrong decision you are going to get sick and die from it, plain and simple.” “Government can do some things… but I can’t make it (vaping) go away.” An adult stated flavored vaping is the only way she has stayed off cigarettes. Perry complimented her and said if the vaping companies want to use this to sell their product, then it should be prescription based.

Another student asked

if Texas was going to have more restrictive abortion laws. Perry answered, “I hope so.” He stated he supports programs that help pregnant women adopt out or follow through and raise the baby. He feels this question should be put into the hands of the individual states. “I have one person to answer to when I get done.

When it’s all over and I’m gone I will answer to my creator. The one thing I will be able to tell him is that I did everything I could to protect the innocent and the unborn and the elderly.” Senator Perry was given a hand of applause for his stand on this subject.

A man in the audience brought up safety and gun violence. Perry stated, “We live in a very angry and ‘ourselves’ society. We live in a society where people are very unpredictable.” He also stated that these issues are going to be vetted over the next five months. He stated that he was carrying a gun as he spoke. “In this job I have legitimate death threats.” He says he is very confident carrying.

Another audience member asked what the Senator thought of “the wall.”

He stated, “The only job the federal government is required to do constitutionally is to protect us from our foreign and domestic enemies. And it only makes sense you would want a physical barrier to help achieve that goal. The State of Texas, not the federal government, the State of

Texas spends $800 million a biennium to secure our borders. That is not the State’s responsibility, but we have assumed that or done that for the ten years I’ve been in.” He stated he welcomes federal or other sources to help with it and believes the wall is a “legitimate” part of securing the borders. He is also aware of the issues around property rights. He feels ninety-nine percent of the people coming from the south would rather be in their own countries. He thinks we should help those countries repair themselves internally, “clean up their own house” and the biggest part of that is getting rid of the drug cartels.

Perry concluded by reminding the audience to get back to basics and the Lord’s teachings. “If we see a person in trouble, in a bad place at home, if they are struggling and you engage those people, you will start changing hearts.” He stated hearts will be changed one person at a time and there will not be any more mass shootings, like the one at the El Paso, Texas, Walmart.

Charles Perry is responsible for 51 counties, separated into three district offices.

Jones County is taken care of by Jennifer Foster, 119 Avenue B NW, Childress, TX 79201, (940) 937-0909. Senator Perry’s Austin contact information: PO Box 12088, Capital Station, Austin, TX 78711, (512) 463-0128 or FAX (512) 463-2424.

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Teach the Dangers I distinctly remember having to attend several school assemblies when I was a student that tackled many topics, mostly related to the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and were presented in a way that would not only inform us kids but also were in a format that we would pay attention to and enjoy at the same time. (I actually became a fan of different musical artists because THOUGHTS FROM their songs would be used many UNDER THE CAP times over in these presentations.) While I am not 100% sure Will McClure about what all schools do now and while also not speaking about what my school that I am teaching at does, it seems like there are more dangers now to our kids than ever before when it comes to substance abuse.

There have even been confirmed reports of elementary-aged children in possession of the worst drugs such as cocaine and meth! Wasn’t it just the other day that the major worries of substance abuse was only cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol?

Now the biggest contention that teachers and parents need to watch out for are vape pens. While the common vapes are easy to spot, there are now official devices being made that would essentially disguise these items as different things such as watches and other smaller items. And even though the new legal age to purchase tobacco items, including vapes, has risen to 21, this will not stop the kids that want to try them; it just makes things a bit more difficult.

What makes these vapes so hard to combat as well is the “flavors” that the companies make such as bubblegum, cake, ice cream, etc., yet they are not trying to “market to kids.” Personally, it just burns me up to hear this excuse, yet still make the flavors with the added excuse that “some adults like them.”

It is the same way with some varieties of hard liquor, specifically vodka that bottles the alcohol with “fun” flavors like cake, whipped cream and cotton candy. To me, I believe these companies know exactly what they are doing, otherwise they would discontinue the flavors or not even put them out in the first place! However, it would more than likely not matter how many protests are made or petitions are signed, as long as the manufacturers are making the items legally they can keep shipping them out. The real way to help at least see a reduction in these dangers begins at home. I’ve mentioned in past articles about how impressionable kids are and that they look for role models starting under the family roof. However, if parents choose to not step in and “let the schools handle it,” the problem may become so big it may be impossible to stop.

This week, my urge to you is simple: teach the dangers of these substances to our youth. If you are a parent, take time with your kids to sit them down and educate them on the dangers that will try to tempt. The scary thing to remember is that vape pens use liquid and while the tobacco pods are the “official” items to use, any drug in liquid form can potentially be used. It is important to stress to our kids the concept of “gateway” drugs and the harm that can and will happen. Sure, there are the ongoing “truth” commercials on television, but those can be easily ignored by kids either skipping over them or on streaming services. Schools can try to crack down more on these items and offer many school assemblies on the dangers, but there is only so much that can be done. We have to remember that a child’s education begins at home and we need to make sure to teach the dangers to our children so that they can have a future.

Until next time dear reader, my cap’s off to you!

A Tough 9-Hole Golf Course The Birmingham Forest Golf Club is on 100 acres of land on the edge of Rusk. It has mostly been known as the Birmingham Golf Club, because it is located on what was once a community named New Birmingham that produced iron ore. “We’re thinking about changing the name back to its original, Birmingham Golf Club because that’s what everyone calls it,” says Angela Raiborn, who owns the course with her husband Mark.

They bought the course 25 years ago when Mark was working there. Angela had worked there previously. When they acquired it, Mark was 25 and Angela was 21. They had a one-year-old child. The previous owner wanted to sell and apparently he wanted the young couple to have the golf course.

He agreed to finance it himself if the couple could come up with a down payment of $20,000.

To Angela and Mark the amount was more like $200,000. They couldn’t find a bank that would

loan them the money.

Thoughtful golf club members wanted to help so they paid their dues 5 years in advance to cover the down payment. “We bought it in October,” says Mark. “That’s not exactly the height of the golf season and for the first 3 months we used our credit cards to pay expenses. By the 4th month we were able to pay bills with the income from golfers.” They should have the place paid for in 3 years.

This is a dedicated, hard working couple. They sold their house in town and added living quarters to the pro shop. “We’ve been able to live here and raise a family and provide a fun golf course,” says Angela.

“We have tournaments for dads and daughters, grandsons and grandfathers, just all sorts of things. We even have a

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fenced area with chickens, ducks and a goat.

We don’t charge for kids under 12 and we let the high school golf team use our course.”

The course itself is no picnic. One golfer who has played there 20 years or more told me it’s the most challenging 9-hole golf course in East Texas.

It has pine trees, hills and a lake. There is not much level ground and it always seems like you have to hit a golf ball on a slope. The longest hole is 450 yards with a par 5.

Golf Business Magazine did a cover article on Birmingham Forest in 1999 as part of a series on mom

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and pop golf courses. The publication did a followup story on Birmingham this year. As a result people from all over the country and beyond have made the course a destination. It is affordable with fees as low as $15 a day. It has 62 members who pay $70 a month.

Angela and Mark run the place themselves, although Angela has another job. She is a casework supervisor for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). Angela also happens to be the mayor of Rusk, a position she has held for 13 years. She is in her 7th term. When I met the couple I had no idea she was mayor of a city with a population of 6,000. It was sort of an afterthought when she said, “O, yes, I’m also the mayor of Rusk.”

Classifieds HELP WANTED Sagebrush Living Center is accepting applications for Direct Support Staff, laundry worker (4 on and 2 off ), and LVN 2pm to 10pm, 4 days on 2 days off rotation. Contact Karen Wolsch or Doug Stanley at Sagebrush Living Center 1101 Columbia St. Stamford, TX 79553 or call 325-773-2791.

Throckmorton County Memorial Hospital is now accepting applications for a full time night shift RN and PRN LVNs. Please call Kinsi Voss at 940-849-2151/940-256-0430 for more details. Resumes may also be emailed to vossk@ windstream.net

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS POLICY CHANGE Aspermont Small Business Development Center, Inc./ Double Mountain Coach will hold 3 public meetings. The first will be at 9:00 a.m., October 17, 2019 in Aspermont at the ASBDC, Inc. office building. The second will be at 2:30 p.m., October 17, 2019 in the Haskell County Courthouse in Haskell, Texas. The final meeting will be in the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, Texas on October 24 at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the agency’s plan to increase fares for Double Mountain Coach Transportation.

For more information contact: Cherry Pittcock Executive Director ASBDC, Inc. 9660 US Hwy 83 S. Aspermont, TX 79502 940-989-3538

OCTOBER 4, 2019 15

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REAL ESTATE House for Sale in Avoca. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, separate washroom, fenced yard, carport. Needs work. $9,500.

Call 325-773-2215

8603 FM707 TRUBY RANCH Fantastic Home w/ a pool 126± acres...$975,000 HWY 277 Hawley Faith over Fear home, barn w/horse stalls 51± Acres!.............$460,000 1105 New Hope Road 2/2 brick Great Location! REDUCED............ $97,000 716 E Oliver 4 bedroom/ 2 baths quiet area.............................................$69,900 712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian home........IN CONTRACT 1502 Compton Stamford 3/2/2 Ranch home 1.6± AC!......Reduced! $126,500 2325 Ave Q Anson 4/3 Brick w/ Metal Shop 6± Acres...........IN CONTRACT 1502 Ave K Anson 1885 sq. ft. separate apartment & metal shop.........$184,900 519 Commercial Ave, Anson- 3/1 Rock home w Metal shop...............$56,000 246 Ave G Hawley 3/2 New flooring.......................................................$88,000 COMMERCIAL 1631 17th St, Anson - over 4,000 sq. ft, restaurant equip....... IN CONTRACT 901 Commercial ANSON- 12,600 Sq. Ft. parking lot, HWY Frontage$175,000

FARM & RANCH

FISHER COUNTY

480± AC SE of Roby Tank, water well 170± Ac SE of Rotan Pasture w/ Shinnery Paved Rd frontage Well & Rural Water

CALLAHAN COUNTY

1,015± AC Great Sock Farm or Hay farm IN CONTRACT

HASKELL COUNTY

782± AC N of Neinda Mostly Cultivated farm 227± AC N of Rule Good combo place Pasture and cultivation! Great Hunting!

160± AC – The Kittley Irrigated Farm Northwest of Rule!

152± AC - Top Kevil Cotton Farm - Good black land farm w/ 1/2 the minerals! SOLD 627± AC Mule Creek Ranch Live water, cabin, great hunting! IN CONTRACT 271± AC SE of Weinert Dry land farm w/ pasture, tanks and creek!

619± AC N of Lake Stamford pasture and tanks!

JONES COUNTY

663± AC Great combo place w/ fence, pens, water well and tank 2 Tracts of 62± AC N of Trent Tanks, well, new fence. Great hunting or Home site 20± AC Near Ft. Phantom OAK TREES w/ Electric and rural water!

220± AC Cultivation on California Creek and US HWY 6 RD Frontage 202± AC – 202 Ranch- great hunting West of Stamford!

1,170± AC TATE RANCH pasture, pens on US HWY 180/FM 600 IN CONTRACT 247± Stock Farm, IN CONTRACT 389± AC Cultivation, Rural water and Electric N of Merkle 160± AC south of Avoca IN CONTRACT 139± AC- Farrington Cotton Farm Prime Cultivation 50± AC Cultivated farm and great hunting!

230± AC Ft. Phantom River Ranch, Excellent Hunting!

KENT COUNTY

925± AC-Panther Canyon Ranch-Native pasture w/ food plots, springs on Panther Canyon and Croton Creek on the north Boundary!

DICKENS COUNTY

1,450± AC Fantastic Hunting, Shinnery, Large Stock Tank

SCURRY COUNTY

1,421± AC - Impossible Canyon Ranch Deep Canyons & Fantastic Hunting!

SHACKELFORD COUNTY

440± AC North of Abilene Cultivation and pasture w/ Spring, Rural Water and 3 tanks!

STEPHENS COUNTY

85± AC Native pasture w/ house

STONEWALL COUNTY

330± ac cult. & pasture, good stock farm 5,900± AC- Seven Diamond L Canyon Ranch two creeks and salt fork river 2,082± -AC- Double View RanchSpectacular views, River, 4/3 Home and Barns, rural water!

1,322± AC - Maddie Ola Ranch - Big Water, Extremely Diverse, & Great Hunting!

800± AC - White Ghost River Ranch - Salt Fork of the Brazos! Views of the River Canyon!

668± AC - MZ East Pasture Ranch - Ready to Hunt, Spectacular Views!

320± AC – Hall River Ranch River Frontage w/ 2 story home and additional acres for lease!

387± AC – Bunkhouse Ranch Great Hunting w/ Cabin Set Up and Ready to Hunt!

330± AC- Great View of Double Mtns. w/ scenic deep canyons, large neighbors, hunting!

249± AC River Bluff Ranch mile long River, gorgeous bluffs, elevations, IN CONTRACT 130± AC- Youngers 130 Good Cultivation and great Hunting!

332± AC – Canyon West Ranch Great Views! Water, Electric & Secluded!

133± AC S of Swenson Brushy w/ HWY 380 Frontage Electricity on site!

TAYLOR COUNTY

5± Acres Off of HWY 351 No Restrictions Reduced $32,500 Taylor Ridge Estates- 20-80 Acre rural tracts Call for info.

707 Ranch 10-12± tracts IN CONTRACT 20± Acres White Mines Road Creek, Hunting, No Restrictions $140,000

THROCKMORTON COUNTY

460± AC Morning Star Game Ranch High fenced turnkey w/ Hunting Ranch 160± AC Cultivation and Pasture w/ 3BR Home west of Woodson

16 OCTOBER 4, 2019

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Oliver Book Fair