November 15, 2019 - Stamford American

November 15, 2019 16 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION

STAMFORD

American THE NEW

Stamford EMS Continues to Serve

BY KAY SPEARS In 1992 the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in Stamford began as a nonprofit private corporation ambulance service. In 1997 they moved into the former Gulf filling station owned

by Ross Gentry and Dwain Nauert at 301 E. Hamilton, where they continue to be housed. It was felt that this location in the central part of town would give them faster response times.

The Economic Development Board met in January 1998, according to Stamford American archives, to discuss “the EMS contract and the board’s financial arrangement for the sale of the old Nauert service station building to the Stamford Emergency Medical Service.

SEE EMS. PG 11

Stamford Goodfellows

Helping Stamford Families Have a Better Christmas

EMTs Christopher McDonald and Bryce Green on duty at Stamford EMS headquarters, a repurposed filling station since 1997, at 301 E. Hamilton, Stamford, Texas.

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For many years, Stamford residents have tried to make Christmas brighter for those less fortunate by contributing to Goodfellows. In 2018, Stamford Goodfellows assisted 150 families.

The Stamford Goodfellows serve needy families, and all eligible applicants who are Stamford residents may apply.

The families will receive food, and toys will be provided for children ages 10 and under.

Stamford Goodfellows will have applications at both Hop In locations, The Stamford Star and The New Stamford American in hopes that all eligible families have the opportunity to receive food and toys for the Christmas Season. The cut-off date to return applications is Saturday, November 30th, 2019. You can mail in your application to Stamford Goodfellows, or bring it to The Stamford Star or The New Stamford American office before the deadline.

Monetary donations are needed to meet the needs of those less fortunate right here in Stamford. Big Country Electric will hold a toy drive on the square on Tuesday, December 10th. The schools and churches also hold canned food and toy drives to help bring Christmas joy to local families.

Stamford Goodfellows are asking that all donations of money, non-perishable food items, and toys be made to Stamford Goodfellows as soon as possible. Donation boxes will be in place at local churches and other areas around town. Any other churches or service organizations wishing to assist, please contact Mike Sanders (325) 668-9146, Dusty Mathis (325) 665-4816, or any Stamford Kiwanis Club member.

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MARK THE DATE...

NOV 16

FUNDRAISER: Pulled Pork Sandwich Meal Deal and Bake Sale Fundraiser benefitting Blake Davis: Prague, Czech Republic Study Abroad 2020.

Sandwich, chips, drink, dessert $8. Prices vary on baked goods. Walmart parking lot November 16 10:30 am until sold out.

TRADE DAYS: Stamford Trade Days will be November 16th from 10:004:00 at 1106 W McHarg St (across from the Rodeo Grounds). Come out and do some early Christmas shopping with more than 20 local vendors. Contact Patricia Grimsley Oakley on Facebook for more information.

NOV 22

RETIREMENT PARTY: There will be a retirement party for Henry Lopez at the Police Department on November 22, 2019 at 10am.

DEC 3

FARM BILL WORKSHOP: The Texas A&M Agrilife

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST

Extension office in Jones County will be hosting a Farm Bill Sign-up Workshop December 3rd, at the Jones County Law Enforcement Center Training Room, located at 402 2nd Street in Anson. This workshop will assist producers in understanding changes to the 2018 Farm Bill, along with providing information that will help them make decisions on which programs are best for their operations. The program is free to attend, however, those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP by clicking the button below or calling the Extension office at 325-823-2432.

Friday 63 | 36

Saturday 65 | 41

Sunday 55 | 40

Monday 69 | 46

Tuesday 71 | 52

Wednesday 72 | 52

Thursday 63 | 39

The weather is provided for you

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

FEB 8

SMORGASBORD: Swedish Smorgasbord will be Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Avoca, (Ericksdahl Community) Texas.

Tickets are $25.00 (sold in advance only). Available Seating Times are 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. For tickets contact Annette Wilson (325)773-2104 or Tena Tankersley (325)668-2796.

BIRTHDAYS NOV 15 - Tonya Munoz NOV 17 - Eddie Jones, Kay Spraberry NOV 21 - Carli Lefevre 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

The Stamford 4-H Club recently helped with the Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply. The campaign is a national in-store fundraiser sponsored by Tractor Supply to benefit 4-H programming. Pictured left to right are Wade Wright, Elizabeth Rhymes, Quincy Page and Pyper Wright.

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.

NOTICE

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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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

JONES COUNTY ARRESTS 11/4-11/9

Band Director Michael Copeland leads the SHS band playing the National Anthem at the Veterans Day program in the SHS gym, November 11, 2019.

Veterans were asked to stand when they heard the anthem of their branch of the military from the medley the SHS band played on Veterans Day, November 11, 2019.

JONES COUNTY CALLS FOR SERVICE

Good News!

Stamford Diagnostic Services Recognized For Quality Laboratory Services Stamford Diagnostic Services has met all criteria for Laboratory Accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. Stamford Diagnostic Services has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality service to its patients.

COLA is a nonprofit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement,

and accreditation. In 1993, COLA was granted deemed status by CMS to provide laboratory accreditation. As a leading laboratory accreditor in the United States, COLA is the only laboratory accreditation provider that operates its accreditation program in accordance with a quality management system certified to ISO 9001:2015. This means we offer our customers a unique, standardized program and staff dedicated to satisfaction and laboratory quality. Our surveyors and technical advisors are guided by a coaching approach and uncomplicated quality engineered processes. Laboratories of all types and sizes are evaluated and mentored to produce accurate test results and meet CLIA regulations.

COLA is sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Society of Internal Medicine and the American College of Physicians.

Stamford Diagnostic Services Laboratory is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and accepts referrals from any provider, even from outside of Stamford.

Stamford Healthcare

11/4/2019 3:00 PM - Raul Molina Rodriguez, Warrant - Poss of Drug Paraphernalia MC, Poss CS Pg 1 <1g FS 11/4/2019 6:34 PM - Jason William Waits, Warrant - Aggravated Sexaul Assault of Child F1 11/4/2019 8:01 PM - Jose Luis Rodriguez, Warrant - Purchase Furnish Alcohol to a Minor MA, Warrant - Criminal Mischief < $100 Mc, Warrant - Reckless Driving MB 11/5/2019 9:24 PM - Jared Lee Leek, Warrant - Driving While License Invalid MC 11/7/2019 11:21 AM - Anthony Bruce Charles, Warrant - Mtr , Warrant - Fail To Stop-Designated Point-Yield Sign MC 11/7/2019 12:31PM - Donald Mason Davis, Court Commit 11/7/2019 4:42PM - Jamiska Latoya Marion, Warrant - Poss Marij <2oz MB 11/8/2019 11:07PM - Bren Dallas Rister, Driving While Intoxicated MB 11/9/2019 2:12 AM - Jacob Riley, False Report To Police Off/Sp Inv/Law Enf Empl MB, Public Intoxication MC 11/9/2019 3:32 AM - Drake Karl Koefoed, Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence MA 11/9/2019 3:58 PM - Christina Robins Bolden, Theft Prop >=$100<$750 MB 11/9/2019 9:53 PM - Kallie Leeann Gebicki, Driving W/Lic Inv W/Prev Conv/Susp/W/O Fin Res MB

System is committed to “CREATE-ing Outstanding Healthcare” in Stamford and the surrounding area.

The network of services includes Stamford Family Health Center, Stamford Diagnostic Services, and Country Elegance Assisted Living. For more information, please call 325-7732725 or visit stamfordhosp. com.

COTTON BALES GINNED AT AREA GINS as of 11/11/19 Ericksdahl Coop Gin - 2,699 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Stamford - 7,841 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Anson - 1,428 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Radium - 1,166

Animal Control 2 Assault 1 Case Follow Up 4 Criminal History 10 Disturbance 2 Domestic Disturbance 2 Fire 1 Vehicle Fire 1 Illegal Dumping 1 Information Only 5 Livestock Out 7 Medical/EMS 4 Missing Child 1 Motorist Assist 3 MVA 2 Prisoner Transfer 3

Public Service 11 Reckless Driver 4 Request Officer 16 Road Hazard 1 Suspicious Person 2 Suspicious Vehicle 3 Theft 5 Traffic Stop 22 Warrant Service 1 Welfare Check 5

VIP MENU November 18-22 Monday Ham & Beans, Salad, Cornbread, Apple Tuesday Meatballs, Gravy, Noodles, Capri Veggies, Dump Cake Wednesday Catfish, Hushpuppies,

Coleslaw, Beans, Banana Pudding Thursday Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn, Rosie Pears Friday Cheese Burgers with all the Fixings, French Fries, Baked Beans, Ice Cream

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN11

Burn Ban Still On, with NO Ag Exemption

BY KAY SPEARS

Walmart hosted their annual Veterans Breakfast on Veterans Day, November 11, 2019.

Paint Creek ISD offers a Gifted and Talented (G/T) Program in addition to regular education programming for grades K – 12. The G/ T Program is designed to meet the needs of students demonstrating exceptional skills in academic and intellectual areas.

Anyone wishing to refer a child believed to be an intellectually or academically gifted learner is encouraged to come by the office at Paint Creek School pick up the necessary forms. The office is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Those students referred will go through a screening process that requires special testing. At the time of referral, parents will be requested to grant permission for this test.

Nomination period for Paint Creek ISD is November 1222, 2019. All completed referral forms are due back in the Paint Creek School office by 12:00 p.m. Friday, November 22, 2019. For further assistance, contact Valiene Bullinger during school hours at 940-864-2868.

Jones County Commissioners Court was held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 9:00, at the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, Texas. The change from the usual first Monday of the month was due to the Veterans Day government holiday. In attendance were Judge Dale Spurgin, County Commissioners James Clawson (Pct. 1), Lonnie Vivian (Pct. 2), Ross Davis (Pct. 3), Joel Spraberry (Pct. 4), County Clerk LeeAnn Jennings, County Treasurer Amber Thompson, County Auditor Gwen Bailey, County Tax Assessor Collector Gloria Little, County Sheriff Danny Jimenez and County Chief Deputy Sara Alfaro.

Jones County Judge Spurgin called the Commissioners Court to order and went over the agenda before the Court approved the minutes of the last regular meeting on October 28, 2019. The following three trust property bids were approved as one action item: A bid submitted by Linda Laurie for the purchase of (R26776), Lot 12, in Block 82 of the Hamlin Townsite Addition to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $100.00. Court cost has been waived.

A bid submitted by Weldon Davis for the purchase of (R15374), Lots 4, 5, and 6 in Block 65, Hamlin Townsite Addition to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $1,002.00. Court cost has been waived.

A bid submitted by Zelma Mason for the purchase of (R27219), Lots 2 and 3 in Block 59 of the Hamlin Townsite Addition to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $250.00. Court cost has been waived.

Judge Spurgin went over Disaster Declarations and all items related regarding FEMA, TDA and TDEM forms and requirements

with the Commissioners.

Disaster numbers 4416 and 4269 were discussed.

He stated he met with representatives of TDEM in Austin concerning duplication of benefits of 4269 and they “will not budge” on this point. Duplication of benefits between disasters is $23,000 in Precinct 1, $69,000 in Precinct 2 & $21,000 in Precinct 3. This refers to damages to one location from more than one disaster and FEMA’s 2016 payment rollback from five to three or four-inch road material. Judge Spurgin stated, “I think I’ve pushed them about as far as they are willing to go.” Jones County received about $1.5 million from both programs and they will be asking for about $110,000 back. There was no action to be taken.

There are fourteen people nominated to be on the ballot for Jones County Appraisal District Board of Directors, with the top six to be elected. Jones County has 1,912 votes out of 6,000 votes. The hospital districts are not allowed to nominate anyone. It was approved to cast the County votes for Judge Dale Spurgin.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Transfer and Donation of Equipment from the Texas Midwest PFC. A list from MTC has not arrived and will be back on the agenda at the next meeting. Judge Spurgin explained the County’s involvement in a class suit on the Opioid Litigation. It was approved to stay in the class action suit and not opt out to stand alone to sue the opioid manufacturers.

Next on the agenda was to Discuss and Take Action on Sale of Block 5 Original Town of Anson, Jones County. This location is the city block West of the old jail and Sheriff’s Office at 110 11th St. in Anson, Texas. It was noted that a grain elevator was taken down from this location and the City of Anson uses it during

Jill Christie, TXDot Traffic Safety Specialist, explains the Impaired Driving Mobilization Grant to Jones County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, November 12, 2019. This grant will pay for more deputies to be on the roadways during holiday periods. city-wide cleanups. The City of Anson keeps it mowed.

Judge Spurgin stated that there is a developer interested in the property and it has been owned by the County since 2004.

Commissioner Spraberry asked what the intention of the developer is. Judge Spurgin stated, “The way it was described to me, is the developer wants to come in and build an apartment type complex on it.” Awaiting further information, it was agreed to revisit this item at a future meeting.

County Clerk Jennings presented the Canvass of the November 5, 2019 Election. She gave the Commissioners a breakdown of the polling places and stated there were no problems during the voting process.

She stated 1,525 people voted. The Canvass was approved.

It was next approved to have the Navigator Program through a Memorandum of Understanding Between Betty Hardwick Center & Jones County Jail. Judge Spurgin stated this puts Jones County in compliance with the new State requirement that mental health services be available to inmates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Jones County has budgeted for its contribution to this

program.

The Burn Ban expires on November 14, 2019. Judge Spurgin stated people are claiming the Ag Exemption that are not qualified to claim it and this has caused problems, especially for dispatch. There was some reluctance to take the Ag Exemption off of the Burn Ban. It was noted that a fire danger still exists. It was approved to extend the Burn Ban for 90 days with no Ag Exemption attached.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by County Treasurer Thompson and approved. The Commissioners approved Amend Budget and Line Item Transfers presented by County Auditor Bailey. It was approved to Pay Bills.

Judge Spurgin brought up Discussion Items. He stated he has been approached by two solar energy projects and has referred them to Attorney Alan Carmichael.

“One of them is a 75 megawatt project that is adjacent to the project up here South of Radium. The other is the same company, a 425 mega-watt project out here East of Anson.” Another item is for two Court Members to meet with a TXDoT representative for a winter weather program.

SEE COURT. PG 11

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OBITUARIES

Belinda Beth Green

The Stamford 4-H Club held their monthly meeting on Sunday, November 3rd at the Bunkhouse. Mayor James Decker presented a program on parliamentary procedure and the club elected officers. New officers are President Lawton Terry, 1st Vice President Scout Dickson, 2nd Vice President Braden Logan, Secretary Quincy Page, Treasurer Lance Terry, Reporter Lilly Terry and Parliamentarian Kagen Logan.

Oh my, yesterday and today (Sunday) were such nice days, the weather was just right. But I hear it will be dropping 30 + degree again. Why can it not be pretty for a month??? I think everyone got a good rain. It will be a long time before the farmers will be able to get in the fields again, but we really needed the moisture.

I hope everyone had a great Veterans Day celebration and got to hug and thank veterans. Thank you Veterans and God Bless each of you.

Don’t forget Hobby Club will be meeting on Thursday Nov. 21 at 2 P M in the Sagerton Community Center.

I suppose everyone is making big plans for a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope and pray the weather will be good so no one needs to worry about travel.

A donation was made to the Old Glory Community Center by Poncho and Leisa Morrow of Knox City in memory of Jack Jones.

Rachel Ciomperlik of Hearne spent last weekend with her grandmother, Bernice Rhoads. Rachel had been to Amarillo to visit her mother and step-dad Sherry and David Breeding

were Doroand was on thy Clark, Jill her way back Brown, Linda home and Thaxton and stopped by Judy New. All Granny’s for good cooks. a nice visit.

Phyllis We need Letz took her to keep some daughter, Jana of our Old Glory folks OLD GLORY NEWS Hinkle, out to lunch on on our prayer

By Anita Dozier Thursday. list: Kenney Visiting Spitzer has Glen and Helbeen in the en Pierce on Saturday were hospital for several days, granddaughter Kara Briggs Debbie Vahlenkamp has and great grandson, Crete been ill and will be having Briggs of Haskell. Also surgery, and Phyllis Letz is friends David Sams and also having surgery soon.

Lily and Steve Hudson from Please keep them in your the Dallas Area. Overnight prayers. guests with the Pierces on Carm Letz went to Friday were Nathan Letz Haskell on Friday to have lunch with her granddaugh- and friend Belle from Big Spring. ters, Darbee and Laynee Jacob Manske and his New at the Haskell Elemenfriend Layrissa Hise from tary school for GrandparNorth Richland Hills visent’s Day. ited with Jana and Jimmy On Saturday, Carm Letz Grisham on Sunday. and daughter, Lacey New, A large crowd enjoyed went to Abilene to go to the a wonderful Veteran’s Day Christmas in November at Program at the Faith Luthe Civic Center. theran Church on Sunday I enjoyed going to the evening. It was presented Community Supper at the by the Sagerton Handbell Sagerton Community Center last Monday evening. Ev- Choir. Members of the choir were Michael Steele, eryone enjoyed a delicious Tristan Steele, Skylar Steele, meal of turkey and dressNancy Griffith, Cherrie ing and lot of other good Stegemoeller, Kathy Teifood and yummy desserts. chelman, Linda Thaxton, Hostesses for the evening

Tomzie Steele, and Clyde Stegemoeller, with Karen Lehrmann as Director. Others taking part in the program were Pastor Cannon, Molly Cannon, Ray Clark, Kennedy Fritzler, Lenzi Manske, J B Toney, Michelle Toney, Leslie Kupatt, Jack Tabor, Jill Brown and Brody Letz. Refreshments were served for everyone to enjoy. It was a very pleasant evening with a beautiful program.

Thought for the week: “Good things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” (Abraham Lincoln) Happy Birthday wishes go to Carol Smith, Tammy Gentry, Karolyn Oman, Doris Pittcock, Jackie Dozier, Carla Young, Robbyn Reid, Isaac Vahlenkamp, Colton Hill, Melissa Robertson, Jimmy Kittley, Michael Hertel, Stephanie Vahlenkamp, Aidan Vahlenkamp, Jim Collins, Cale Letz, Jason Hertel, Ricky Boles, Wes Pierce, Stephanie Dudensing, Jimmy Sims, Kalie Harris, Joe Bly, Helen Pierce, and Danny Lammert. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Rode and Shanna Morrow. Have a wonderful day.

Belinda Beth Green was born December 26, 1958, in Stamford, to Billy and Jonnie Collier Lawson. She passed peacefully into the arms of her heavenly father and reunited with her beloved husband on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. She was 60 years old.

Beth was a lifetime resident of Stamford where she attended Stamford High School. She married Jimmy Green on June 26, 1981 in Stamford, TX. She worked at Walmart and was a selfemployed pet groomer. Beth was a beloved mother and grandmother with a quiet and gentle spirit, showing kindness to family, friends and pets. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and served with the Fire Bells for many years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2012 and a brother Joey Lawson.

Survivors include son Bryce and fiancée Victoria Arriola of Stamford, TX; stepson, Jamie Green of San Angelo, TX; stepson Joseph Green of Olive Branch MS; sister Gloria Denise Henderson of Abilene, TX; 6 grandchildren and a great grandchild due to arrive in late November; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family eceived family and friends at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 Columbia) on Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services were held Friday, November 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with Pastor John Ward officiating. Burial followed in Highland Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made and viewed at www. tankersleyfuneralhome.com

December 7th Stamford Downtown Square

10:00 am 12:00 pm 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 4:00 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm

Mayor’s Santa Chase 5K Car Show Santa Meet & Greet, Shopping & More Christmas Decoration Contest & Open House Christmas Cash Drawing Grand Theatre Classic Christmas Movie Car Show Awards Classic Car Cruise Music by Finis Smith & Holt Jones

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the children and families of the Noah Project Presented by For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at chamberdirector@stamfordtx.org

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

NOVEMBER 15, 2019

7

Kicking Game Provides Winning Margin As Dogs Win 21-20

BY JENNIFER CRAIG The Stamford Bulldogs punched their ticket to the playoffs with a victory over the Forsan Buffaloes Friday night in Forsan. The Buffs controlled the clock with 84 plays, most of them rushing.

Jamin Belisle provided the margin of victory in the 21-20 game as he went 3-3 on his PAT kicks while the Forsan kick to tie the game was no good with just under five minutes left.

The Bulldogs had a chance to put some insurance points on the board but a holding penalty on a third down play from the Forsan 26 effectively killed the drive and turned the ball back to the Buffaloes. The Bulldog defense appeared to have stopped the drive with a defended pass on fourth down; however, a penalty gave Forsan a new set of downs at the Stamford 45 with 1:25 left.

Once again Blue’s defense forced a fourth down attempt. This time when the pass fell incomplete there were no flags and the ball went over to the Bulldogs with just enough clock left for two kneel downs to seal the victory.

Stamford had a nice drive to start the game but came up empty when the Buffaloes stiffened inside their five yard line. Shavaris Cooper was stopped short of the goal line and Forsan took over for a 98 yard drive.

Jonathan Gabehart, a 187 pound senior running back, had the brunt of carries in the drive as well as in the game. Gabehart finished the night with 212 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. Nolan Park added the PAT after Gabehart’s 25 yard touchdown run to give the Buffaloes a 7-0 lead.

The two teams exchanged punts twice before Stamford took advantage of good beginning field position at the Forsan 44. Cooper gained four from the wildcat and D’Marcus Barber burst for 32 yards to the Forsan eight. Zhawn Holden carried into the end zone from five yards out. Belisle made the PAT to tie the game at seven all with 7:30 left in the half.

Forsan again kept on the ground with Gabehart and Chris Mendez sharing the ball. Adrian Rivera put the Buffaloes ahead again with a two yard carry. The extra point pushed the score to

14-7 with 3:10 left in the half.

The Bulldogs struck quickly as Trace Price found Josh Mueller for a 65 yard pass and run. Belisle tied the game back up just eleven seconds after Forsan had taken the lead.

Stamford’s defense forced a three-and-out. A sky high punt gave the Bulldogs the ball at midfield with about a minute and a half to try to add to their score. Barber pushed the ball to the 17 when he took the ball away from a Forsan defender on a Price pass. A penalty against the Dogs pushed the ball back ten yards.

A pass into the end zone was caught just out of bounds and another one was thrown away to stop the clock and save yardage.

Price tried to hit a receiver in the end zone on fourth down but Michael Zubiate intercepted to turn the ball over to the Buffaloes.

The teams went into halftime tied 14-14 with the second half set to decide which two teams (out of Stamford, Winters and Forsan) would qualify for the playoffs and which team would stay home.

Forsan took the second half kickoff and moved from their own 30 to the Stamford eight with ten rushes and one pass. Mendez got the call on first down and appeared to be ready for a nice gain. However, Holden picked the Buffalo’s pocket and secured the ball for the Bulldogs.

Three incomplete passes later Holden punted the ball across midfield. Gabehart broke free for an apparent 47 yard touchdown on third down but there was a penalty flag on the play that negated the run and the score.

The Bulldog defense held and got the ball back on the punt.

Consecutive penalties pushed Stamford back to the 22. Forsan was called for pass interference on a pass intended for Mueller.

The penalty gave the Bulldogs a first down but nothing was to come of it. Cooper was hit for a loss; Barber was stopped for no gain; and a third down pass was incomplete.

Forsan could only muster six yards after the Stamford punt.

Park got a high snap and had to chase it down and fall on it. This time the Bulldogs were able to use their field position. Barber escaped tacklers and carried in for

the go-ahead touchdown. Belisle came on and kicked what turned out to be the all-important extra point.

Belisle’s kickoff was deep and mishandled to put the Buffaloes in a hole at their own one yard line. Gabehart used his brawn to move the ball out to the 19 on a handful of carries that closed out the third quarter and pushed into the fourth. Forsan elected not to go for it on fourth down from the 26 and Park got off a booming punt to reverse the field.

A middle screen to Mueller moved the football to the Stamford 45. The next three plays netted zero yards so Holden was called on to punt. The Buffaloes were penalized five yards. Holden got the call to pass instead of punting but Zubiate was there to intercept his second pass of the night.

Forsan took over at the Stamford 43 with eight minutes left in the game. Gabehart converted a fourth and one to the 30. Cayden Morgan had the snap bounce off his leg but the sophomore QB recovered. Morgan sent a pass downfield on third down that fell incomplete but Stamford was called for pass interference to keep the drive alive. Gabehart capitalized and scored from three yards out with 4:42 showing on the clock. Park lined up for the tying PAT but the kick was no good leaving the Bulldogs ahead 21-20.

Stephon Johnson covered the onside kick and the Bulldogs took over at their own 42. Cooper gained nine yards on first down; Barber converted the first down with a three yard carry and stayed in bounds to keep the clock running. Cooper took the ball down the sideline for 14 yards and avoided Forsan’s strip attempt.

Cooper next danced for six yards but was pushed out of bounds at the 26. A busted play forced Price to keep up the middle; the play went for no gain. After a Forsan time out stopped the clock with 2:18 left, a Barber gain was wiped out by a penalty. Price tried to find Mueller in the end zone; the ball fell incomplete. Price was sacked for a six yard loss on fourth down to give Forsan one last chance.

Despite one first down on a penalty, the Buffaloes were unable to convert one last fourth down.

The Bulldogs went into victory formation and ran out the clock to seal their 21-20 victory.

The win gives the Bulldogs third place in District 3-2A Division I. The Dogs will face the Seymour Panthers who finished second in District 4-2A for a Bi-District crown. The game will be played Friday night in Archer City at 7:00pm.

Stamford 0 14 7 0--21 Forsan 7 7 0 6--20 First Quarter F – Jonathon Gabehart 25 run (Nolan Park kick) Second Quarter S – Zhawn Holden 5 run (Jamin Belisle kick) 7:30 F – Adrian Rivera 2 run (Park kick) 3:10 S – Josh Mueller 65 pass from Trace Price (Belisle kick) 2:59 Third Quarter S – D’Marcus Barber 5 run (Belisle kick) 1:11 Fourth Quarter F – Gabehart 2 run (kick failed) 4:42 Writer’s Note: Statistics are not complete. My play-by-play pages were drowned by a spilled soft drink. Some lines on each page were readable but others were not. I have used my stats as well as stats gleaned from other sources to come up with a reasonable compilation if not wholly accurate.

Stamford Forsan First Downs 16 24 Rushing Yds 24-36 60-274 Passing Yds 165 36 Total Offense 201 310 Comp-Att-Int 5-21-2 6-20-0 Punts 4-38.25 5-33.4 Fumbles-Lost 0-0 3-1 Penalties-yds 10-100 5-55 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing - Stamford: D’Marcus Barber 9-42, TD; Shavaris Cooper 6-23; Zhawn Holden 2-2, TD; Trace Price 5-(-21); Team 2-(-10).

Forsan: Jonathan Gabehart 37212, 2 TDs; Chris Mendez 18-67; Adrian Rivera 1-2, TD; Cayden Morgan 4-(-7).

Passing - Stamford: Trace Price 5-19-1, 165 yds, TD; Zhawn Holden 0-2-1. Forsan: Cayden Morgan 3-15-0, 16 yds; Jonathan Gabehart 3-5-0, 20 yds.

Receiving - Stamford: Josh

Mueller 3-123, TD; D’Marcus Barber 1-33; Lane Patton 1-9.

Forsan: Ernesto Rivera 2-14; Paul Evans 1-8; Ryan Buske 1-4; Jonathan Gabehart 2-0.

Last Week’s Games District 3-2A, Division I: Stamford 21, Forsan 20; Hawley 62, Ozona 37; Winters open. Others: Coleman 31, Merkel 14; Cross Plains 45, Roscoe 20; Anson 60, Grape Creek 0; San Saba 54, DeLeon 7; Clyde 55, Breckenridge 25; Hamlin 66, Albany 20; Haskell open. Six Man: Lueders-Avoca 67, Rule 46.

This Week’s Games District 3-2A, Division I: Seymour (5-5) vs. Stamford (6-4), 7 p.m. Friday, Archer City; Hawley (10-0) vs. Chico (3-7), 7 p.m.

Thursday, Mineral Wells; Ozona (7-3) vs. Alvord (5-5), 7:30 Friday, Abilene Wylie; Lindsay (8-2) vs.

Winters (5-5). Others: Albany (7-3) vs. Miles (7-3), 7 p.m. Thursday, Brownwood; Anson (7-3) vs.

Friona (8-2), 7 p.m. Friday, Post; Hamlin (7-2) vs. Menard (3-7), 7 p.m. Friday, Bangs; Eldorado (9-1) vs. Haskell (3-7), 7 p.m. Friday, San Angelo Stadium. Six-Man: Throckmorton (5-5) vs. LuedersAvoca (4-6), 7 p.m. Friday, Baird.

DISTRICT 3-AA, DIV I STANDINGS Overall Hawley 10 0 487 Ozona 7 3 414 Stamford 6 4 269 Winters 5 5 274 Forsan 3 7 168

193 203 325 243 283

DISTRICT 3-AA, DIV I STANDINGS District Hawley 4 0 231 86 Ozona 3 1 132 120 Stamford 2 2 108 148 Winters 1 3 68 127 Forsan 0 4 64 122

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

The paw print

Photos by Michael Marugg

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

NOVEMBER 15, 2019 9

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STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Games scheduled Nov 5-Nov 19 are girls games only.

DATE OPPONENT SITE 9th Girls JV-Girls Varsity Girls 9th-Boys JV-Boys Varsity Boys Nov. 5 Wylie Abilene 5:00 5:00 6:00 Nov. 9 Early Stamford TBA TBA TBA Nov. 12 Comanche Comanche 4:00 5:15 6:30 Nov. 15 Jim Ned Stamford 4:00 5:15 6:30 Nov. 19 Jayton Stamford 5:00 6:15 Nov 21-23 Seymour TnT Seymour TBA Nov 21-23 Jim Ned TnT Jim Ned TBA Nov. 25 Coleman Coleman TBA Nov. 26 Clyde Stamford 4:00 5:15 6:30 4:00 5:15 7:45 Dec. 3 Archer City Stamford 4:00 6:30 4:00 5:15 7:45 Dec 5-7 Winters TnT Winter TBD Dec. 10 Burkburnett Burkburnett 4:00 5:15 6:30 (girls only) Dec. 10 Eastland Eastland (JV & Varsity boys only) TBD 7:45 Dec 12-14 Breck TnT Breckenridge TBA Dec. 12-14 Coleman TnT Coleman TBD Dec. 17. Eula Eula 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Dec. 20. Miles Stamford 1:00 2:00 (Varsity B&G only) DEC. 21-26 GYM CLOSED DUE TO UIL RULES Dec 27-28 Eula TnT Eula TBA (Varsity B&G only) Dec 27-28 Munday TnT Munday (Varsity Girls only) TBA Jan. 2 Holliday Holliday (boys only) TBD Jan. 7 De Leon De Leon (JV & V girls only) 4:00 5:15 Jan. 10 Hermleigh Stamford (JV & V boys only) 5:15 7:45 Jan. 10 Roscoe* Stamford 5:00 6:30 (9th grade-Aspermont 4:00) (girls only) Jan. 14 Winters Winters (JV&V boys only) 5:15 7:45 Jan. 14 Albany* Albany (JV&V girls only) 4:00 6:30 Jan. 17 Haskell* Stamford 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Jan. 21 Cross Plains* Cross Plains 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Jan. 24 Hawley* Stamford 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Jan. 28 Roscoe* Roscoe 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Jan. 31 Albany* Stamford 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Feb. 4 Haskell* Haskell 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Feb. 7 Cross Plains* Stamford 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Feb. 11 Hawley* Hawley 4:00 6:30 5:15 7:45 Feb. 14 Roscoe* Roscoe (JV&V boys only) 5:00 6:30 Feb. 18 Albany* Albany (JV&V boys only) 5:00 6:30

Lady Dawgs Defeat the Maidens

The Lady Bulldogs Freshman team defeated the Comanche Maidens 40-26 on Tuesday night. The JV also won 40-27. The Varsity finished the night with a 67-23.

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Voters Approve 9 Of 10 Proposed Constitutional Amendments Voters rejected only one of 10 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution in the statewide election held Nov. 5.

The House and Senate, in the 86th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that ended in May, approved the propositions for voters to decide. Results are as follows: Prop. 1, permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at a time, failed with 681,139 “yes” votes — or 34.56 percent of votes cast — to 1,970,765 “no” votes or 65.44 percent.

Prop. 2, providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas, passed with 1,285,397 votes or 65.62 percent of votes cast, to 673,306 votes or 34.38 percent.

Prop. 3, authorizing the Legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by disaster, passed with 1,667,110 votes or 85.09 percent of votes cast to 292,031 votes or 14.91 percent.

Prop. 4, making it more difficult for the state to impose an individual income tax by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of the House and Senate before putting the matter on a ballot for voters to approve or disapprove, passed with 1,467,994 votes or 74.41 percent of votes cast to 504,848 votes or 25.59 percent.

Prop. 5, dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas natural areas, water quality and

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

history by acquiring, managing and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes, passed with 1,732,331 votes or 88 percent of votes cast to 236,251 votes or 12 percent.

Prop. 6, authorizing the Legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, passed with 1,250,089 votes or 64 percent of votes cast to 703,157 votes or 36 percent.

Prop. 7, allowing increased distributions to the Available School Fund, passed with 1,449,333 votes or 74.12 percent of votes cast to 506,142 votes or 25.88 percent.

Prop. 8, providing for the creation of the Flood Infrastructure Fund to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation and flood control projects, passed with 1,527,394 votes or 77.83 percent of votes cast to 435,184 votes or 22.17 percent.

Prop. 9, authorizing the Legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in this state, passed with 977,272 votes or 51.6 percent of votes cast to 916,513 votes or 48.4 percent.

Prop. 10, to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances, passed with 1,845,766 votes or 93.75 percent of votes cast to 123,032 votes or 6.25 percent.

CASH REPORT IS RELEASED The State of Texas finished the 2019 fiscal year with unspent revenue, according to a new report.

Texas Comptroller Glen Hegar on Nov. 4 announced the publication of the State of Texas Annual Cash Report, a 458-page document, for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31.

The report, summarized in a cover letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, presents the state’s financial condition and details revenues and expenditures on a cash basis as required by state law.

The Consolidated General Revenue Fund ended the year with a cash balance in the state treasury of $8.4 billion, an increase of $3.9 billion, or 88.1 percent, from fiscal 2018. The change in the balance, Hegar said, is largely due to an increase in tax collections.

HEGAR ESTIMATES REVENUE Comptroller Hegar on Nov. 4 reported state sales tax revenue totaled $2.82 billion in October, 7 percent more than in October 2018.

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in October 2019 was up 4.1 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 57 percent of all tax collections.

REVENUE IS DISTRIBUTED Comptroller Hegar on Nov. 6 announced he would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $849.6 million in local sales tax allocations for the month of November.

The amount is 4 percent more than the amount distributed in November 2018.

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

EMS: Continued From Page 1 nies, however, make it difficult to receive the billed amount.

Bryce Green, EMT, stated Medicare and Medicaid are their “bread and butter.” “Insurances have paid the same amount for years with the price of supplies, equipment and fuel getting more and more expensive.”

Christopher McDonald, EMT, stated, “It makes things more difficult with our local hospital shutting down. That forces us to transport patients further, which is more miles, more wear and tear, more upkeep on the vehicles. Also, longer transports mean we use more medications during that transport time, which drives up costs for us.” Green added, “Another down-side is about going farther, as long as that truck is in service with that patient, the less time it is available to take other calls.”

The Stamford EMS has eight full time employees and another eight part-timers. Needed 24/7 are four people, two in Stamford and two in Anson. They have a high turnover of part time help due to facilities in larger towns paying more.

Members of the EMS Board of Directors include Alan Plumlee, Robert Wingrove, Jimmy Stinnett, Gary Decker and the new CEO of the Stamford Hospital District. This falls in line with the long-held member requirements of two Hospital Board Members, two City Council Members and one at-large member.

A huge concern for ambulance drivers is not having a house marked with the address number. Stamford EMS commends the high school project that helped houses be identified with house numbers in Anson, Texas. This is needed in Stamford and all of Jones County for first responders to get to an address in a timely manner to help save lives. “The faster we can help them, the better their outcome is,” stated McDonald. Stamford EMS is appreciated for all of the help they are to Jones County.

Stamford EMS participated in the First Responders Trunk or Treat, and they are having a toy drive this Christmas season. It would be greatly appreciated if you would bring an unwrapped toy to the Stamford EMS, 301 E. Hamilton in Stamford, Texas or the Anson General Hospital in Anson, Texas before December 22nd. Tractor Supply, 1600 N. Swenson, and Noteworthy/Stamford American, 102 S. Swenson, (325) 773-5550, in Stamford, Texas, have joined in this worthy endeavor. Join others in being silent Santas by bringing toys to help those children have a nice Christmas this year!

COURT: Continued From Page 4

Commissioners Davis and Vivian will meet with him about a formal agreement and report back to the Court.

Jill Christie, Traffic Safety Specialist, from TXDoT presented the STEP grant program to the Court. STEP stands for Selective Traffic Enforcement Program.

She stated, “It has been a little over 19 years since there has been a deathless day on our roadways, November 7th of 2000.

And every day we lose about 10 people on our roadways.” This is an Impaired Driving Mobilization Grant with high visibility of law enforcement to help with road safety.

The holiday periods are Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, Independence Day and Labor Day. There will be two weeks around these periods which will

need extra deputies to work and the grant pays for this extra manpower. The two zones focused on: Zone 1: Highway 277 from FM 2746 to Private Road 342, which is just South of Anson. Zone 2: FM 1226 from County Road 347 to FM 3368. Chief Deputy Sara Alfaro explained the problem of people traveling on FM 1226 from Abilene to Stamford. “That is where a lot of our DWI’s are coming from.” The first enforcement period begins December 12, 2019. This will be on the agenda at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned before the Texas Midwest Public Facility Corporation Board of Directors meeting was opened.

Those in attendance were Judge Dale Spurgin, Bill Carman, Commissioner Joel Spraberry, County Auditor Gwen Bailey

and Sheriff Danny Jimenez. Attorney Herb Bristow was present via telephone.

Financial matters to pay the Operator/ contractors on Renovation – Phase I were read into the record. The Board Members approved billing for Bluebonnet Detention Center under ICE IGSA; approve 10/31/2019 requisitions of funds from Capital Reserve and Replacement Fund for reimbursement of Operator; and, authorize payment by Trustee of Requisitions upon receipt of funds.

Judge Spurgin stated the interior work is going well and the facility should open the first part of December 2019. He was authorized to execute resolutions and submit payment requisitions for regularly recurring bills. The meeting was then adjourned.

Lueders-Avoca Raiders Football Beau Jeremiah Jarvis and Football Sweetheart Brittney Villanueva. (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)

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O Sh rde ip r N La ow te , r!

The EMS applied for a grant in the amount of $30,000” from the USDA for the purchase of their building from the EDC. In a March 12, 1998 article, it was reported the USDA gave $30,000 to “renovate an existing building to be used as the EMS office/headquarters and garage for housing the ambulance.”

In 2002 the operation was running smoothly with about 60 runs a month. By 2004 the runs were cut to 25 to 30 per month. Several reasons came together for the decline including the use of a helicopter by Stamford Memorial Hospital to transfer patients to other facilities. In the November 4, 2004 edition of the Stamford American, EMS Director Clu Burnham stated the helicopter was being used on cases “that we could take.”

In 2004 the idea of having $2.00 voluntarily included on each water bill was taken to the Stamford City Council and on April 8th this idea was approved. However, on closer scrutiny, this would have been illegal. Even thought the name is Stamford EMS, it remained as it began in 1992 to be a nonprofit private corporation ambulance service. It would be illegal for the City to take money on behalf of a thirdparty entity.

According to the Jones County Appraisal District the former gas station changed hands from Dwain Nauert to the Development Corporation of Stamford on December 15, 1997 and then on to Stamford EMS on March 1, 2002.

During the Stamford City Council meeting referenced above, City Manager Jack Harper stated, “The long-term objective for EMS is to make it a county wide service which could come to fruition a few years from now.” It was also reported in 2004 that Stamford EMS was, financially, in dire straits.

With the 2018 closure of Stamford Memorial Hospital, the Stamford EMS has had to change tacks. They are subcontracted to staff, operate, provide supplies for the Anson EMS and cover both Stamford and Anson Hospital Districts. The current ambulances are aging and due to new State regulations, require heart monitors and other expensive equipment. What is needed now for Stamford EMS is to be used, to transport patients in need.

As far as financial help, the City of Stamford, the Stamford Hospital District and the Anson Hospital District give the Stamford EMS minimal subsidies. The primary source of income are the insurances companies. The insurance compa-

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Perspective and Empathy Like I told you last week, I’ve recently been inundated with essay topics in the form of different life experiences. We can’t always control our life experiences, but we can and should learn from them and use them to make us better people.

One such experience was a sick child. For those of you who don’t know, my wife and I have an 18 month old daughter. She’s been very healthy, but about two weeks ago, she came down with a cold.

We took her to the doctor, we got medicine, and she didn’t get any better. At the end of that week, we took her back to the doctor and they finally diagnosed her with pneumonia and admitted her to the hospital.

First things first: she’s all better now. After five days in the hospital and more antibiotics and breathing

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker treatments at home, she’s back to her happy, playful self with her overflowing personality.

But in those five days, I had plenty of time to think.

Nothing about it was fun.

Staying at the hospital almost all day and night.

Watching your child feel miserable and be unable to verbalize her frustrations without crying desperately.

Trying to awkwardly sleep in an uncomfortable chair,

then being awakened for checks of your child’s IVs, pulse, and oxygen levels. It becomes easy to take for granted the “normal” days of life at home when they’re replaced by days in the hospital. It’s important to never take a day for granted. I’ve heard older folks say that it’s easy to take your health for granted until you lose it and then you learn just how valuable it is. It’s the same way with a child’s health.

But at the same time, it’s also important to keep perspective. As I’ve matured as an adult, I’ve learned the importance of empathy, understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. It’s something I think about a lot, particularly in community leadership roles. Decisions are not made in a vacuum and they affect real people with real lives. What seems like a “no brainer” decision with

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

limited impact on my personal life might have great impact, positive or negative, on the life of someone else. It is impossible to truly serve, and truly lead, without having empathy for the people who are affected by your decisions.

So as I sat in that hospital room, I thought about empathy and I thought about perspective. At one point, a NICU nurse came in to assist with Miriam’s IV. She was an older lady, kind and skilled. I just imagined what pediatric health problems she had seen in her NICU experience. As we were nearing the end of our stay, and as Miriam’s health and spirits improved, our kind nurse brought in a toy for Miriam to play with and keep. Apparently, folks donate toys to the pediatric ward for children to take home with them. Our nurse said how important that was, especially around the holidays, as children and their families are stuck in

the hospital on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

That was some perspective that hit me like a bolt of lightning. Five days in the hospital with a pneumonia-ridden toddler is unpleasant. But ultimately, we just had to get her treated with antibiotics and oxygen and she would be fine. After five days, we went home and got back into a normal routine. Other children spend weeks or months in the hospital. Some spend years. Sometimes, the outcomes in those hospital rooms are much more dire than what we dealt with.

And yet, everyone’s story is valid. My dad told me years ago that there would always be someone smarter or more talented than me.

So far, he’s been right. On the flip side, there is always someone who has it worse than you. That doesn’t diminish our own personal story and challenges. There are children in hospitals who are much sicker than

our child, but our child was still sick. It was still a misery, especially for my wife as Miriam constantly clung to her and cried.

I think our world would be much better off if we all practiced more empathy and we put all of our life experiences into perspective. Sometimes we have it worse than others. Sometimes we have it better. We may not even know what others are dealing with. But above all, we need to practice true empathy for each other. By doing so, by trying to understand what others deal with, we become better leaders. We become better neighbors. We come better family and friends. And we get a better perspective on navigating our own life challenges.

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.

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

Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00

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

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 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

Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg

Well, one thing I can say, getting a true hard freeze about a month earlier than usual has had some interesting results. For one thing, leaf drop is going a little differently than normal, and in ways I wouldn’t have anticipated, if I’d ever spent a lot of time thinking about what would happen if it got down to twenty two degrees in mid-October.

One thing that I didn’t expect, was that pecan trees are dropping leaves, as true leaves, and I don’t think I’ve see that happen before. Of course, I need to explain what I mean by “true leaves” when I’m talking about pecan leaves.

Generally, when someone looks at a tree, and sees the (usually) green foliage that the tree grows in its canopy, we consider each one of those independent green growth to be a leaf.

However, there are a lot of species of trees that are considered to have leaves that are made up of a number of “leaflets”. Pecan is one of these species.

An actual pecan leaf may contain a dozen leaflets, or more, and be more than a foot long. What I’m seeing this year is that the early, hard, freeze, is causing the pecan trees to drop whole leaves, with the leaflets still attached, instead of dropping mostly single leaflets with the veins and stems of the main leaf mixed in the general debris. Since I don’t recall every seeing that before, and I’ve spent a lot of years paying attention to what trees are doing, I’m going to assume that it’s an unusual event, connected to another unusual event, which of course, is going to be the early, hard, freeze.

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WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team What I don’t know, is if this out of character behavior has any meaning for the pecan crop. I can say that I’m a little concerned that pecan trees are dropping leaves pretty rapidly, and not doing the same thing with the pecans. I would be a shame if that big pecan crop we have been anticipating, turns out to be a bunch of “stick-tights” that don’t fall out of the trees.

Another thing that has developed post-early freeze is that mulberry trees leaves turned pretty much instantly brown, right on the trees, and are now in the process of falling off.

The unusual thing isn’t the mulberry leaves turning brown, but rather the fact that they are doing it on the tree. The normal process for a mulberry is for the leaves to fade from green, to a very light green, or yellow, and then fall off, turning brown on the ground after they have been dropped. The concerning thing here is that it’s quite possible that some, or part of, those trees were killed by the freeze. Personally, I don’t think that happened,

but I won’t be able to rule it out for sure until we see what those trees do this coming spring.

Oddly enough, the one variety of trees that I would have expected to defoliate immediately after an early freeze like we had last month, hasn’t done so. Or at least if they are, it’s not been drastic enough for me to notice it. Of course I’m talking about the ash trees. Ash trees, as we’ve seen repeatedly here, have a lot of trouble with early freezes, so I’m a little surprised to see them, more or less, shake off a fairly severe early freeze, and just continue on.

What I haven’t seen happening is any kind of real shake-up in the progression of fall color. Ornamental pears, red oaks, chinese pistache, and other fall color types seem to be holding their own and proceeding more or less as normal.

Since I really enjoy fall tree color, I’m happy to see that part of the process remain relatively unchanged by such an early freeze.

Hopefully, all that is going on right now is a normal, evolved response, to a somewhat abnormal event, and the pecan crop will fall properly, and next spring the affected trees will just continue on with no signs of damage.

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.

USDA STUMBLES ON RELEASE OF MARKETMOVING CROP REPORT The USDA was unable to deliver its marketmoving crop report, often described as its premiere product, for 10 minutes due to a computer outage in Kansas City, prompting suspicions of profiteering in the grain market during the delay on Friday.

WHEN U.S. LAUNCHED TRADE WAR, AG COMPETITION WAS ALREADY RISING For years, the United States was the indisputable global leader for agricultural exports, partly because it had a comparative advantage in farm production. But the U.S. advantage in pork, beef, corn and soybeans is waning, say two university economists, who conclude “this may have been the worst time to enter into a trade war.”

PERDUE SAYS SECOND TRANCHE OF TRUMP TARIFF PAYMENTS IS ON ITS WAY Farmers can expect a cash injection of billions of dollars in Trump tariff payments later this month or in December, said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Thursday. “We

hope that trade will supplant the need for aid in 2020,” he said, pointing to progress in negotiations to resolve the Sino-U.S. trade war.

MORE ANTITRUST LAWSUITS HIT THE MEAT INDUSTRY. THIS TIME, IT’S PORK. A class-action lawsuit filed this week on behalf of pork consumers alleges that hog companies have colluded to artificially hike the price of pork — and their profits. The complaint also provides new insight into Agri Stats, a data-sharing company that sits at the center of the wave of antitrust allegations sweeping the meat sector.

HOG EPIDEMIC IN ASIA MEANS LESS MEAT WORLDWIDE, SAYS UN FOOD GROUP World meat production will decline for the first time in two decades because of the devastating epidemic of African swine fever in China, the world’s largest pork producer, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on Thursday.

SENATE DEMOCRATS SLAM INEQUITIES IN TRUMP TARIFF PAYMENTS The Trump administra-

KASN AG REPORT With Richard Kemp tion should immediately reform its multibilliondollar trade-war bailout for farmers and ranchers so money flows to the producers who are hurt the most and aid is focused on family-sized farms, said Senate Democrats on Tuesday.

DEAN FOODS FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY, CONSIDERS SALE TO DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA The company has reported losses for eight of its last ten quarters, including five consecutive quarters. Dean attributes its weak financial position to declining consumption of fluid milk and consumer preferences for alternative non-dairy milks, like almond and oat.

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Because of the Brave There is a shirt that I own that I ended up taking a picture of and posting to my Facebook page several years ago that has a simple saying “Land of the free because of the brave.” It was a statement that always gives me pride when I think about all of the freedoms that we can enjoy in our daily lives because of individuals that I have never known nor have ever THOUGHTS FROM met chose to make the sacrifice to defend those freedoms for me.

UNDER THE CAP I can honestly say that I personally never truly considered the Will McClure military as a career because of the sacrifices that do need to be made, but I have had friends that answered the call out of high school and I have had two members of my family serve, my grandfather John McClure of the United States Air Force and my uncle Vernon Akins of the United States Army. My respect for our armed forces knows no bounds and I will continue to support and thank our active duty members and veterans each and every day. With that said, what I want to talk about this week is this feeling of pride and support for our military that seems to only be noticed by the wider country during both Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Sure, there are many people that do the same level of respect that I have stated here every day, but there are some out in our country that either only acknowledge our military during those two days or not at all. There are even some in our country that openly hate the military and say that it is only “policing” other countries. While I can continue with my opinions on this, I choose to continue on here because that is their freedom of speech and that is not my focus.

What I want to focus on this week is our support and respect for our military both past and present. We have many charities and services that are designed to help our veterans return to a sense of normalcy after serving our country, but there are still many individuals out there that do understand the physical and mental demands that not only go into serving, but also when the service is done. I am personally in no position to analyze these demands nor is it even my place, but I have done my best to at least educate myself so I can understand more. A lot of people do the same, especially when they work with a veteran that has just returned home from serving or even those that have been out for many years. The strain that our men and women in our military are vast, especially those that have had to experience combat in some shape or form. The experiences never really leave an individual, never truly go away and when we as a country fail to help or even acknowledge this strain it can be amplified even more. As a result, we end up failing many more of our veterans than are helped.

You may have heard many stories of veterans that have returned home, gotten the help they wanted and needed, and been able to turn and help their fellow veterans receive the same treatment. However, as many veterans we have been able to help and honor, there are many more that “fall through the cracks” and never receive that help. Whether it be from pride or a nation ignoring them, we lose many of these veterans every day because while they have made sacrifices for our country there is no greater amount we can do to repay that debt. What we can do is try to step in and do more, but it will never really be enough. I can write many suggestions about what we can do, but ultimately it is up to each and every one of us to help in our own way. Even if we just stop to thank our veterans for their service, it can go a long way to making a mental impact. At the end of the day we should always remember that it is because of these brave men and women that we can live in the land of the free.

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

The Rocker Man “Last time I checked I think we have furniture in almost every state in the US and 14 foreign countries. We’ve even shipped rocking chairs to Poland.”

Larry Dennis has TEXAS HILL COINTRY FURNITURE AND MERCANTILE just south of the intersection of Interstate 20 and Highway 281. That’s near Stephenville. The place is easy to recognize because it has a giant rocking chair out front that’s 26 feet tall and is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s biggest cedar rocking chair.

After graduating from high school in Roby 52 years ago, he worked in a cabinet shop and has been doing woodwork ever since. He became quite a craftsman and wanted to start something on his own. He decided on rocking chairs. He made them at his shop in Weatherford, loaded them on his truck and peddled them along the highway. “One day I sold 36 rockers,” says Larry. “That’s when I decided we could build our stuff and offer it for

sale in one place. We bought this place here in 2001 and it’s been real good for us.”

He makes furniture from mesquite, pecan and mountain cedar trees that grow in his area.

“Customers give us an idea of what they want and we’ll sit down and start making a sketch.

We’ll work it until they see what they want then we’ll start making it. The wood dictates what we’re going to make and how it’s supposed to look. All our stuff is our design and made by hand. We make our own dowels and everything. When we get an order for aromatic red cedar for a cedar chest or chest of drawers, we’ll bring in a truckload of red cedar logs from east Texas.”

He calls his look hill country. “It’s not rustic but more finished work.

We have more requests for things made from pecan wood because it has so many different neutral tones.

It’ll go with anything in the house. We make beds, desks, bars, doors, split log staircases, all kinds of things and we probably have the largest supply of mantles in the country.”

When I visited Larry, he showed me a load of merchandise all wrapped up on pallets. It was bound for Las Vegas and a satisfied customer there who had ordered big items from Larry before and wanted more. Jay Leno, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top and Ruth Buzzy are among his customers.

His place is not just a sawmill, warehouse and

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

an old time general store.

It’s a complete environment. People from the metroplex drop in on weekends with their families and spend the day there. Larry’s family members have a barbeque place, blacksmith shop and bakery just a few doors down from the store. It’s not unusual to hear several languages in the store. “People fly in to DFW from Europe and head this way. I guess they just want something from Texas. They love the general store. I have to confess that most of the stuff on the walls came from my garage. When I see something old and rusty I pick it up.”

Classifieds

HELP WANTED

Sagebrush Living Center is accepting applications for Direct Support Staff. Contact Karen Wolsch or Doug Stanley. Also needed is a Kitchen Helper the shift is 2 days at 5:15 am to 1:15 pm and 2 days at 1:00 pm to 6:30pm. It is a 4 on 2 off schedule. Contact Kathy Phillips at 325-773-2791 at Sagebrush Living Center, 1101 Columbia St., Stamford, TX. 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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Stamford American welcomes letters to the editor on any subject.

Letters to the Editor will be published with the name of the writer, should be limited to 300 words, signed, and should include a telephone number for verification.

The editor reserves the right to edit any letter for any reason and to reject letters for publication for any reason. Letters deemed libelous and/or not for the public good will be rejected.

Letters to the editor reflect the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of The Stamford American.

Have an item for our community Calendar? Call 325-773-5550 and tell us about it or email it to office@ americannewspapers.net

NOVEMBER 15, 2019 15

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Hanson Paint & Body Shop in Haskell, Texas is taking applications for the position of auto body paint and repairman. Please apply at 207 S. 1st Street, Haskell, Texas.

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!................... IN CONTRACT 703 Columbia Nice 3 bedroom 2 bath on a corner lot w 2 car garage!......$72,000 716 E Oliver 4 bedroom/ 2 baths quiet area..............................................$68,900 New 1315 Hudson Rd 3/1 w CHA Great location!................................$39,900 712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian home...... IN CONTRACT 1502 Compton Stamford 3/2/2 Ranch home 1.6± AC!......Reduced! $126,500 519 Commercial Ave, Anson- 3/1 Rock home w Metal shop...............$49,000 Sagerton 3 bd 1 bath with fireplace and out buildings on corner lot!........$35,000 1215 Wesleyan Nice 3/2 home with Fireplace!....................... IN CONTRACT COMMERCIAL 1303 Swenson - 25,000 sq ft building 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 The Hamlin Elevator, 423 E Lake Drive, Hamlin

FARM & RANCH

FISHER COUNTY

480± AC SE of Roby Tank, water well 170± Ac SE of Rotan Pasture w/ Shinnery Paved Rd frontage IN CONTRACT

CALLAHAN COUNTY

1,015± AC Great Sock Farm or Hay farm SOLD 10 ac Old Peanut Co-op Property

HASKELL COUNTY

126 ac cult. N.380 Rule 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!

271± AC SE of Weinert Dry land farm w/ pasture, tanks and creek!

619± AC N of Lake Stamford pasture and tanks!

JONES COUNTY

NEW 377 ac on Hwy 277 Pasture/Cult.

Coop water 1,764± Ac Near Lueders Great Hunting!

323 Ac Creek, Cultivation and Hunting!

663± AC Great combo place w/ fence, pens, water well and tank 20± AC Near Ft. Phantom OAK TREES w/ Electric and rural water!

220± AC Cultivation on California Creek and US HWY 6 RD Frontage 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! IN CONTRACT

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!

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

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

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

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 NOVEMBER 15, 2019

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Special Clearance Sale!

Friday and Saturday Only Novelty and Household Items!

Great Christmas Gifts!

In back room at Noteworthy 102 S. Swenson

Everleigh Stover came to The New Stamford American in the Noteworthy Bookstore & Gifts to receive her prize as a winner in the 2019 Halloween Coloring Contest.