November 23, 2018 - Stamford American

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2018 THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN VOL. 10, ISSUE 27 STAMFORD AMERICAN VOLUME 97, ISSUE 33 STAMFORD LEADER VOLUME 113, ISSUE 34

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Judge Dale Spurgin swears in Jones County’s newest Tax Assessor, Gloria Little.

The Grand Theater hosted their Red Carpet Premier on Saturday, November 17th for all donors that gave over $1,000 to the restoration project. Pictured right is director Suzanne Haterius-Fusaro. The Grand Opening will be on Friday, November 23 at 7:00 pm for the first movie, “The Grinch.” Tickets can be bought starting at 5:30 pm on Friday before the movie. Ticket prices will be $7 for adults, $6 for kids and seniors.

The New Stamford American Affected

by Abilene Fire

BY KAY SPEARS A fire began and was contained on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the Abilene Reporter News in Abilene, TX. It was reported to be an electrical fire starting on the roof of their building. What connection could this event

at a daily newspaper have to a weekly paper independently published forty miles to the north? Printing the finished product.

The New Stamford American is a printing customer of the Wichita Falls Times Record News.

The morning the fire at the Abilene paper occurred,

the Stamford paper was being picked up in Wichita Falls, TX. While waiting, this reporter spoke with concerned employees about the ramifications of the fire on their newspaper.

The Abilene Reporter News and the Wichita Times Record News are

“sister papers” along with the Corpus Christi Caller Times, the El Paso Times and the San Angelo Standard-Times in Texas and many more across the country. They are all operated under the USA Today Network of the Gannett Company.

SEE PAPER, PG 11

Gloria Little

Jones County’s New Tax Assessor-Collector

BY KAY SPEARS On Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Gloria Little was sworn-in to the office of Jones County Tax AssessorCollector by Judge Dale Spurgin. Little is no stranger to working for Jones County. From 2008 to 2018 she was the PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) Supervisor and the TAC (Terminal Agency Coordinator) Officer. She was over the state and federal computers to run inquiries on individuals. Her responsibilities included the 9-1-1 systems, to make sure they were up, running, that everyone involved was trained on the equipment and how to answer calls.

Little supervised the four full-time and any part-time dispatchers that covered the 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a week 9-1-1 needs of Jones County, TX. SEE LITLE, PG 3

2 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST Callie Metler-Smith | Publisher callie@americannewspapers.net Kay Spears | Editor kay@americannewspapers.net Callie Metler-Smith | Ad Manager ads@americannewspapers.net Gayle Lovvorn | Office Manager office@americannewspapers.net P.O. Box 870 102 S. Swenson Stamford TX 79553 325-773-5550 FAX: 325-773-5551 office@americannewspapers.net 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 2018 TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

Friday 69 | 41

Saturday 64 | 37

Sunday 49 | 32

Monday 55 | 39

Tuesday 61 | 47

MARK THE DATE...

DONATE: A Winter Weather Wear Drive is being sponsored by the Stamford Rotary Club. Please donate your new or gently used coats, hoodies, gloves, scarves, and socks! Monetary donations can be mailed to: The Stamford Rotary Club, Attn: Winter Wear, 109 E McHarg St, Stamford, TX 79553. All donations are kept locally. A donation box is at the Stamford American and several locations throughout town.

FLU SHOTS: Shots are now available at Stamford Family Health Center, 1601 Columbia St., for only $25. Open Monday – Thursday 7am – 6pm & on Fridays 8am – 5pm.

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.

You can also drop off cans or monetary donations for her here at the Stamford American or mail checks made out to Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, TX and note on the check it is for Denise Dennis.

TUTORING: SMS Tutoring every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 at Common Ground. This is an opportunity for your child to get extra help on their school work. Retired teachers have chosen to give back by pouring their heart of love in your child. Please have your children take advantage of this help. For more information, contact Paul Wright at 773-3604 or 370-6378. We look forward to serving your children.

NOV 24TH

EXTENDED HOURS: The

Wednesday 63 | 49

Thursday 64 | 46

The weather is provided for you

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

OLIVER 2ND WEEKS HONOR ROLL Cowboy Country Museum will be open from 1-4pm on Saturday, November 24 so bring your Thanksgiving guests by and show off our town’s museum.

DEC 1ST

SANTA: Santa will be coming to the Cowboy Country Museum on Saturday, December 1st, from 4-6pm (Notice the time changed. The Grand will be showing a movie at 7pm). (If the Bulldogs are still in the football playoffs, the date will be moved to November 30th from 4:30-6:30.)

While you are waiting to see Santa, stop by our ornament workshop, where you can craft an ornament to go on our Museum Christmas tree.

As always it is free of charge.

(Please note, that all children must be accompanied by an adult.) If you have any questions, call us at 773-2500.

DEC 11TH

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: The Cowboy Country Museum would like to invite anyone who would like to join us for a Christmas Social, Tuesday, December 11th, from 3:004:30. Our theme will we Texas Cowboy Christmas. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, call us at 773-2500.

JAN 14TH

GENEALOGY MEETING: The Cowboy Country Museum will be hosting a Genealogy Society meeting on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 5pm. If you are interested in learning more about your family genealogy or you want to see the resources that are available at the Museum for research, please plan to attend. All ages are welcome and it is free of charge. If you have any questions, call us at 773-2500.

A HONOR ROLL

1ST GRADE: Kaeden Brown, Dariah Cooper, Addison Corzine, Stone Dickson, Kevin Flores, Esmelina Gomez, William Ivy, Za’Brein Kinney, Teagan Lillie, Emerson Moreno, Alexis Rhodes, Michael Segura, Emily Wilson, Pyper Wright 2ND GRADE: Norah Andruch, Cayden Atkinson, Lillian Cervantes, Steven Conway, Kiley Crowson, Braisyn Dillard, Isabella Edwards, Zamara Flores, CJ Gomez, Jaxon Harris, Easton Hernandez, Braden Logan, Bradley London, Krysalyn McClintock, Alexandria Mullins, Eduardo Perez, Brooklyn Reed, Morgan Woolf 3RD GRADE: Miles Follis, Karsten Hall, Ace Martinez, Quincy Page, Jace Patterson, Hailey Phebus, Elizabeth Rhymes, Caroline Shoemaker, Michael Vasquez, Christiana Weathersbee, Wade Wright 4TH GRADE: Krailyn Becker, Jordan Burns, Khloe Cantu, Jacy Corzine, Trey Dippel, Everett Ekdahl, Zayne Lefevre, Carlee Levens, Ramiro Mendez, Josh Rhymes, Levi Valenkamp 5TH GRADE: Kennalea Clifton, Carolina Flores, Emma Follis, Madison Hallford, Gideon Horn, Mindi Jeremy, Brayden Jimenez, Javan Kruckner, Kagen Logan, Panhabone Mao, Mason Mueller

A/B HONOR ROLL

1ST GRADE: Gary Bell, Z’Niya Brown, Koasjia Calicutt, Jazeera Cooper, Kae’Bren Fletcher, Ky’rhyanna Flye, Journee Green, Aubrie Holmstrom, Colton Huston, Ashlinn Mays, Michael Quinonez, Addyson Silguero, Jordan Silguero, Natali Venteno, Jocelyn Woodard, Michael Zapata 2ND GRADE: Carly Cardenas, Noah Garza, Ruben Lozano, Santos Montanez, Zyicheah Morgan, Michael Ortega, Jaiden Painschab , Leticia Rawls, Silas Rawls 3RD GRADE: Sarah Acosta, Aleena Aguilar, Brennan Armstrong, Ethan Bailey, Kashden Brattian, Noah Carter, Joseph Cernvantes, Selena Cruz, West Garza, Marivella Gonzales, Memphis Harris, Addison Neatherlin, Ian Perkins, Dallas Sanchez, Crystal Silguero, Julian Silguero, Jennifer Silva, Cooper Wilhelm, Bryson Wilson, Baelie Womble 4TH GRADE: Kylin Alvarado, Joshua Andruch, Cutter Caddell, Raymond Cervantes, Mattielynn Clifton, Tennie Daniel, Brooklyn Diaz, Scout Dickson, Caitlyn Ender, Lukus Gonzales, Trinity Green, Hadleigh Gurley, Brody Jones, M’Kinley Locke, Kree McCright, Amber Miramontes, Madalyn Mueller, Christopher Pardo, Crystal Pardo, ABCDE Reyes, Kenzlie Salazar, Erica Silguero 5TH GRADE: Emily Conner, Marco DeLeon, Nicolas DeLeon, Madison Garcia, John Halayay, Alek Hernandez, Dylan Muehlstein, Wesley Muehlstein, Taegen Pimpton, Ryan Shotts, Jessica Silguero, Hayden Strand, Bobeigh Suitor, Lillian Terry, Kadyance West-McGough, Hannah Wilson

BIRTHDAYS NOV 27 - Kay Gann NOV 28 - Marc Lovvorn Know someone who is having a birthday? Please remember to call us at 325-773-5550 and let us know!

Community

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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LITTLE: Continued From Page 1

Stamford Middle School took 2nd place at the District One Act Play Contest held in Albany on November 15 with their play “A Canterbury Tale from the Wife of Bath.” Named to the All-Star Cast were Emily Patterson, Cameron Shoemaker, and Emily Muehlstein. Receiving Honorable Mention All-Star Cast were Dominic Vega, Chambree Lefevre and Riley Paige Carver.

Madison Proffitt was named All Star Technical Crew. (Photo by Stephanie Carver)

Little began the “Jones County 9-1-1 Did You Know” Facebook page in 2010 or 2011. Little stated, “It wasn’t part of my job. It was a way to reach out to the citizens of Jones County and keep them informed.” She added that bad weather is the biggest area it’s used for. There are over 3,000 followers on the page at this time. Little stated the page would continue to operate and be monitored. “Katy Moncrief will be the new Supervisor out there and will keep the page going,” and they will both be administrators on it.

Little stated she is looking forward to the changes her new job as Jones County Tax Assessor-Collector will bring to her life. She stated she leads by example and does not ask anyone to do what she is not willing to do herself. She also stated it is her intention to keep the office open until 5pm, which is adding an extra hour to the current hours of 8am-4pm.

Jones County Not to See All of Disaster Money Needed

BY KAY SPEARS Jones County Commissioners Court held its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, TX. The change of day was due to Monday, November 12th being Veterans Day. Judge Dale Spurgin, County Commissioners James Clawson, Steve Lefevre, Ross Davis, Joe Whitehorn and County Clerk Lee Ann Jennings were in attendance.

The minutes of the last regular meeting held on Monday, October 22, 2018 were approved.

A bid was approved

by Cullen Sauer and Eric Ramos for the purchase of (R536004), being inclusive, Lots one through twelve (112) in Block 4A of the Damron Addition to the City of Anson, Jones County, Texas. The bid amount is

$2,422.00 with no court costs.

Next, Judge Spurgin gave an update and there was no action to be taken on the Disaster Declaration and all items related regarding FEMA, TDA and TDEM forms and requirements.

The state submitted a disaster date and the governor declared this event began on October 7, 2018.

Anything prior to October 7th will not be eligible for reimbursement, even though rainfall in Jones County began on September 4, 2018 and there was damage, particularly in Precinct 1.

The next item on the agenda was to add as an exhibit to the record the signed TDA contract No. 7217017 Draw 2 & 3 having been submitted. It was approved to admit this exhibit to the record.

Next was to discuss and

take action on the Texas Association of Counties CIRA (County Information Resource Agency) annual website service agreement.

It was approved to re-enter the contract.

It was discussed whether or not to have a Pathology Service Agreement with NAAG Pathology Labs PC. The back-up pathology lab Jones County used was the Lubbock County Medical Examiners Office. The Lubbock County judge sent a letter stating they were going to discontinue this service and begin using NAAG Pathology Labs PC. Judge Spurgin researched this company and brought his findings to the court. It was approved that Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will continue to be used first with the NAAG Pathology Labs PC to be used as back-up.

No action was taken on

Advertisement for Material and Hauling Proposals as this item is tied into the disaster declaration.

Next, it was approved on Deputation of Limited Service Deputy Clerk for Tax Assessor Collector for Amber Jennings.

Judge Spurgin explained that FEMA requires counties to have a Procurement Policy. It was approved for Jones County to have a procurement policy in place.

Acknowledgement on receipt of a Thank You from the Jones County Child Protective Board for the monies sent for Kash For Kids.

No action was taken on the Tire Disposal Grant.

The date has not been set and the City of Hamlin and the City of Anson will be participating.

Equipment Lease needed was discussed and approved.

Equipment Purchase needed was discussed and approved.

The next three items were discussed together and updates given on the Anson Solar Center Tax Abatement, the Anson Solar Center Road Use and Maintenance and Crossing Agreement, and a NonDisclosure Agreement for the Anson Solar Center. It was approved to sign the non-disclosure agreement.

It was agreed to have Allan Carmichael go over the financial information with the company and pass on recommendations, not give the Jones County Commissioner’s Court specific company financial information.

Next, Jones County Clerk Lee Ann Jennings reported on the November 6, 2018 election canvas. No ballots were received after the deadline of 5:00pm on

November 13, 2018. Eight ballots were sent overseas.

It was noticed that the voter turnout for the Presidential election was about 65% and was about 50% for this election.

The Line Item Transfers were approved and it was approved to Pay Bills.

Gloria Little is to be sworn in as the Tax Assessor for Jones County, TX. Billy Carman brought up the subject of the open Veterans Services Officer position. Judge Spurgin stated he would be meeting today with Gary Ivey, the Regional Veterans Services Office Liaison from Waco, TX. They are trying to evaluate what the demand is and what the needs are.

The meeting was then adjourned.

4 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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HELLO FROM COWBOY COUNTRY

By Jewellee Kuenstler

The Museum hosted a Veterans’ Day Social and Family Night to honor our Veterans and celebrate the 100th Anniversary of World War I. We had a great time at both events.

While preparing for Veterans’ Day, I was going through research that the Museum has on hand in our Research Room. Although, I have been through these binders and documents many times, I haven’t always had the time to read through the contents. One binder in particular drew my attention, The Shoe Leather Express by Joseph P. O’Donnell. This is a written account of the evacuation of a German Prison of War Camp during the winter months of 1945. Inside the binder, was a photograph of Harry Lee Haynes in his World War II uniform. I could not find a connection to Stamford and O’Donnell, but I did find out that Haynes was a Stamford boy.

With my curiosity piqued, I began to follow the trail

beginning with O’Donnell, and the story is quite extraordinary. First, I began by reading The Shoe Leather Express. This was a narrative account of German POWs, of which O’Donnell was one.

The prisoner of war camp was named Stalag Luft IV. It was opened to house prisoners in May 1944. Almost immediately, the military reported that the overall camp conditions were bad, and as the war continued, it only got worse. Medical supplies, food, clothing, and housing were inadequate, not to mention, it was severely overcrowded.

In January 1945, the camp held over 8,000 American prisoners, with an additional 820 British and 68 European prisoners.

At the end of January 1945, the Russian Army was making its way into Germany from the east, and the Germans knew it was only a matter of time before they would liberate the POWs. So, on February 6, 1945, the German officers sent

the sickest and the most severely wounded POWs to other camps. Then they forced approximately 8,000 men on a march, in the middle of a German winter, that would last for 86 days.

It was usually referred to as the, “Black March.”

Most of these prisoners had already lost weight while in camp, but during the march, all lost at least one-third of their body weight. Dysentery and diarrhea set in, further weakening the men. German soldiers treated them badly.

Little if any food was doled out at the end of the day and mostly consisted of

potatoes. If a soldier fell out of line, or was too sick to move on, the other troops were marched ahead, and a shot would be heard from behind. All the men became infested with lice, and many diseases ran rampant throughout the group.

Finally, on the morning of May 2, 1945, the POWs were sitting in a ditch, when the British Army moved in and liberated the men. Reports vary, but out of the original 8,000 men, about one-fourth died during the march.

Although, this was fascinating, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What did this have to do with anyone from Stamford?” After reading the account, I searched all the soldiers that were named and could not find anyone connected to Stamford. But, there was the photo of Harry Lee Haynes in the inside pocket. So….

I decided to trace Haynes’ World War II timeline and see what the connection could be. I began with the back copies of the Stamford American newspapers. The April 7, 1944 edition stated, “Cpl. Harry Lee Haynes, son of Mrs. G.H. Haynes, was graduated last week from the Army Air Forces Flexible Gunnery School, Laredo Army Air Field, Laredo. He is now qualified to take his place as a member of a bomber combat crew.” The next issue that mentions Haynes was the September 8, 1944 edition. The article was titled, “Harry L. Haynes Missing in Action.” Reading further it stated, “Cpl. Harry Lee Haynes…was missing in action over Austria on August 23…Haynes had been on frequent missions…

A letter which he wrote on August 21 in which he mentioned ‘a job to do the next day’ and ‘look out, Jerry’ was received by his mother on August 26…” My heart dropped as I empathized with this mother as she received this dreaded news. Then, more news was received which probably gave a mixture of relief and worry, “Mrs. Haynes received a telegram from the War Department which read: ‘Sgt. Harry L. Haynes is

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

suffering from wounds on right side of neck and above left eye caused from bullet.’”

Shortly, after this, Haynes was officially listed as a prisoner of war in Germany, and his health was recorded as satisfactory. This information came in October 1944.

Mrs. Haynes did not receive any word about her son, until the following March, 1945. She received a letter from the POW camp Stalag Luft IV, written by her son the preceding November. The letter read, “Dear Mother, Hello from the other side of the world. Still have my chin up and a smile on my face. We all know that you are thinking of us. Mom, thank the Red Cross for their work – (censored). Find out from the Red Cross what you can send in a package… write to Jessey’s folks, he is buried in Austria. Roy still in hospital rest all right. I was in hospital but after a few weeks I am good as new…I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.” According to an article about the POW camp that Haynes was stationed at, it was part of the German propaganda to have the POWs write home telling how well they were and how well they were being treated, when it was really far from the truth.

Then came the “WOW” moment. Finally, this was the connection to Haynes’ photo and O’Donnell’s written account. They were both held prisoner at Stalag Luft IV and they both were unwilling participants in the “Black March”. When Mrs. Haynes received this letter, her son Harry, was trudging through northern Germany in what has been called the worst winter for that part of the world during the 20th Century.

But perhaps the most important bond between Haynes and O’Donnell, was that they both survived. In the June 8, 1945 edition of the newspaper, the headline reads, “Harry L. Haynes Liberated, Due Home by June 15.”

If you are interested in this story or learning more about it, please stop by

the Museum and read this short account yourself. It brings home the hardships that veterans endured, yet we (the beneficiaries) rarely know about. Honor our Vets, because you probably do not know the sacrifices they made to protect our freedoms.

In other news, Santa is planning to visit the Museum on Saturday, December 1st from 4-6pm. (Please take note of the time change.

The Grand will be showing a movie at 7pm. If the Bulldogs are still in the football playoffs, Santa will come Friday, November 30th from 4:30-6:30.) So, mark your calendars for December 1st.

The Museum will also have ornament making activities to decorate our Museum Christmas tree. I believe there will also be events happening on the square as well. Come join in on the fun! (We’ll keep you updated if the date changes for any reason. GO BULLDOGS!) We are planning a Christmas Social at the Museum on Tuesday, December 11th, from 3-4:30pm. Please come and join us for hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee and refreshments. Everyone is invited. Our theme will be “Texas Cowboy Christmas”.

If you are interested in genealogy, or learning more about your family’s history, or you just want to know what resources the Museum has to offer, then plan to attend our Genealogy Society meeting on Monday, January 14, 2019, at 5pm. This will be a come and go event, so if you do not get off work until 5, stop by when you can.

As always, we love for you to stop by, either to volunteer, or just to visit. If you have visitors from out of town, bring them by! Our email is cowboycountrymuseum@yahoo.com or you can call us at 325/773-2500.

The Cowboy Country Museum will be open from 1-4pm on Saturday, November 24 so bring your Thanksgiving guests by and show off our town’s museum.

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker

Reasons for Thanksgiving We all heard the story of the “first Thanksgiving” as schoolchildren. In 1621, after a harrowing voyage to America on the Mayflower and the hardship of frontier life, the settlers at Plimoth Plantation celebrated a successful harvest. But how did our current national holiday come to be?

The Plimoth thanksgiving is an iconic part of history, even if it was not the “first” such celebration. Thanksgiving services were routine in the settlements of Virginia perhaps as far back as 1607. In 1619, a group of settlers arrived in Virginia with the London Company, whose charter provided that the day of their arrival be “perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.” The early American settlements kept the spirit of regular celebration, which passed on to the new nation calling itself the United States of America. The Continental Congress issued Thanksgiving proclamations throughout the Revolutionary War, often more than once a year. President George Washington famously issued a National Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789, asking the people to unite in “sincere and humble thanks” for the Almighty’s care for the new nation.

Thanksgiving was celebrated at various times in the coming decade, with each state often scheduling its own celebration. It wasn’t until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln received a letter from a magazine editor named Sarah Josepha Hale asking him to make Thanksgiving a “national and fixed Union Festival,” so the nation could celebrate the holiday on a single day.

Lincoln famously issued a Thanksgiving proclamation which, if you have never done so, I encourage you to read.

As our country was being torn about by a bitter, bloody, and seemingly never-ending civil war, Lincoln recognized the larger blessings that we all shared and asked, amidst the ugliness of war, that the people recognize “the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.” He invited the citizens to celebrate a holiday of Thanksgiving, writing that “it has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

As I read through the history of Thanksgiving, I can’t help but notice something: the holiday’s most prominent developments did not occur in times of peace and tranquility. Thanksgiving was created by settlers fighting off starvation, deprivation, and depredation in a new world. It was continued by leaders waging a treasonous war for independence and freedom and as a new nation stood on wobbly feet. It was formalized by a President presiding over a bloody civil war, at a time period in which the war’s outcome was very much in doubt.

Our forefathers found reasons to be thankful when their daily affairs were not pleasant and their survival was not guaranteed. As I’ve written on several occasions, there are plenty of storm clouds in the future of rural America. And yet, those storm clouds pale in comparison to the challenges of Plimoth Plantation in 1621 or America in 1863. If the colonists can stop to give thanks for a successful harvest, and if President Lincoln could see the big picture of America’s blessings amidst war, then we too can see our blessings. If we stop and look for them, we can find countless reasons to be thankful for our individual communities and for rural life in general.

This week, I encourage you to think about the history of Thanksgiving and all those people who found reasons to be thankful in their circumstances. So today, in your circumstances, why are YOU thankful?

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

news@americannewspapers.net It was sure nice to have a couple of beautiful days, and then someone opened the north gate again and boy it got cold. So far no rain, maybe it won’t be long before the farmers will be able to get in the fields and get their wheat seed in the ground. Since the freeze and all leaves have fallen, there is some mighty good-looking cotton around ready to be gathered. It is getting a little late for farmers.

I do hope the weather will be nice for Thanksgiving for all of the folks that will be traveling. It looks so sad when folks have to spend hours on hours in the airports, sleeping on the hard floors.

This had been a time for winners and a lot of proud and happy students. Football champions and One Act Play winners.

Congratulations to all the winners, I am so proud for all of them.

Mittie Dunham and Shelly drove to Lubbock on Tuesday for a doctor’s appointment. While there they got to meet grandson/son, Colton Hill, for lunch and a great visit. It was the week for Colton’s birthday and they all enjoyed a special time. On Sunday, Mittie met Theresa Anderson for lunch in Aspermont and had a great visit.

The Multi County Retired Teachers and School Personnel met in the beautiful decorated Fellowship Hall of the Church of Christ in Hawley on Wednesday for their luncheon and meeting with fifteen members and three visitors. President, Dorothy Watkins, wel-

thy reminded comed the everyone group and of the next introduced meeting to be the guest: in Anson in Sharon January and Daugherty wished everyDistrict one HapPresident py Holidays. of Abilene; Ruth StewOLD GLORY NEWS Sandra Reves won the door art -District prize.

2nd Vice

By Anita Dozier The Hobby President Club met in of Cisco; the Sagerton Community and Nell Sims - District Center on Thursday with Legislative RepresentaJoyce LeFevre, Vickie Wiltive from Abilene.She hite, Cheryl Hertel, Anita then led the group in the Dozier, Tomzie Steele, Pledge of Allegiance to Joan Doss, Nancy Griffin, both flags. Ed Womack Paula Stegemoeller and gave the prayer. FollowMittie Dunham present. ing the delicious meal The group welcomed a catered by Mom’s Diner new member, Nan Sublett. of Hawley, Dorothy called President, Tomzie called the meeting to order and the meeting to order, introduced Sharon as minutes were read and the first speaker. Sharon the treasurer’s report spoke on the importance given. The group disof Volunteer hours and cussed the results of the also being a member of Bazaar that was held in TRTA and especially local November and agreed units. Numbers make that it was a success. Then a difference in how the they discussed on ideas Senators and Represenwhat they can do to make tatives respond to the the Bazaar better next association. She urged all year. They talked about members to get on line the Club Christmas Party to keep up with the local in December and it was news. Mrs. Stewart then decided it would be on spoke to the group about Tuesday, December 11 at the book collection for the Sagerton Community students. She stated lot of Center and each member the local Units have been is to bring some kind of involved in the State projfinger food. All the ladies ect of book exchange. She received a copy of a list also stated that she is of the hostess for 2019. the District Historian and Following the meeting the they like to have a lot of ladies made personalized pictures, so she brought Christmas decorations her camera to take picwhich was fun. Anita tures. Following her talk, served delicious refreshDorothy continued with ments. Tomzie won the the meeting. Anita read door prize. the minutes and Betty Dale and Carm Letz left gave the treasurer’s reFriday to spend the weekport. Members welcomed end In Fredricksburg.On Donna Williams of Hawley Sunday evening, grandas a new member. Doro-

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

5

daughters Darbee, Laynee and Hazelee of Haskell arrived at Dale and Carm’s home to spend the night and all day Monday.

Roy and Mary Letz of Rule enjoyed a visit with Glen and Helen Pierce on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday evening Jami Wilde of Knox City came for a visit with her parents, Glen and Helen Pierce, and brought them a complete Thanksgiving dinner of turkey and all the trimmings which Glen and Helen truly enjoyed.

On Saturday, Matthew Pierce of Lubbock, Jami Wilde and her little grandson, Crete, of Haskell came for a visit with Glen and Helen.

Thought for the week: “Awareness is a major key to success. Keep your radar finely tuned. You never know where a good idea will come from or how far it will take you.”

Happy Birthday wishes go to James Martin, Doug Terrell, Debra Price, Billy Jenkins, Kris Kupatt, Helen Lammert, Rachel Ciomperlik, Dean Quade, Jeffrey Martin, Farris Letz, Mindy Meier, Tomzie Steele, Reva Kester, Skylar Steele, Cori Lehrmann, Roy Smith, Wendy Flowers, Felicitias Castro, Melissa Gardner, Emily Fouts,, Autumn Martin, Brenda Ettredge, Zachary Heidenheimer and Carla Lehrmann. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Jamie and Karen Wolsch, Larry and Darla Nehring, Fred and Tami Baitz, Pide and Mittie Dunham, and Keneth and Debbie Corzine. Have a pleasant day.

6 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team knows, maybe the oaks will eventually grow enough to “shade out” a bunch of cedars. Wouldn’t that be nice?

By the way, there is a third plant that takes over land that I didn’t mention along with the cedars and mesquites. That plant is prickly pear cactus, and I have nothing good to say about it. On the occasions where I find prickly pear in somebody’s landscape, I usually ask them if they would like us to get rid of it while we are there (I bet my workers, who actually have to remove the cactus, really appreciate that).

Prickly pear is such a nasty plant, that I don’t give it any love just because it’s in a landscape, versus out in somebody’s quarter section.

Anyway, just this last week we took out a couple of declining box elders for a customer, which made me realize that I’m not seeing a lot of box elders these days. When I first got in the tree business, oh so many years ago, I dealt with a lot of box elders, both for trimming and removal. These days, they are getting to be few and far between. Frankly, since

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most, or maybe all, box elders in the Big Country, are volunteers, I find that a little puzzling. It’s one thing to notice that mulberry trees are on the decline, because nobody is planting them, but since box elders mostly plant themselves, you would think their numbers wouldn’t decline.

Most of the time, when I find somebody with a box elder in their yard, they don’t know what it is.

Honestly, I don’t know the genesis of box elders here in West Texas, but because I never find them growing in the countryside, and they are not particularly drought tolerant, I don’t regard them as a native tree. I’m reasonably sure that there are plenty of sources that would label box elders as native to our area, but my personal opinion is that they are so dependent on urban settings, that I’m not sure that you could fairly call them “naturalized” regionally. I think their scarcity in the countryside has a lot to do with people not knowing what one is when they see it.

Box elders are fast growing, short to medium lived, deciduous trees, that are members of the maple family. If you think about it a minute, you don’t find any other maple trees growing in the countryside, and you also don’t find a lot of them growing in Big Country landscapes.

That notable lack of other maples is a bit of a change.

Twenty or thirty years ago, a lot of maples were being planted, and silver maple especially, was a common area landscape tree.

However, that’s back when water was a lot cheaper

TRADE WAR BATTERING FARM INCOME Across the Farm Belt, ag bankers forecast a continued decline in farm income as winter arrives, reported four regional Federal Reserve banks on Thursday. Low commodity prices worry farm lenders, and a Minnesota banker said KASN AG REPORT that the “trade war needs

By Richard Kemp to be resolved to provide stability for customers.”

MCCONNELL: FARM BILL ABSOLUTELY MUST BE COMPLETED IN LAME DUCK SESSION Congress is nearly a quarter of the way through its post-election session with no apparent compromise on SNAP work rules or other disputes in the farm bill.

Nonetheless, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday that the farm bill is one of two items that “absolutely have to be accomplished” by year’s end.

ATRAZINE SPIKES IN DRINKING WATER OFTEN GO UNSEEN, SAYS REPORT Nearly 30 million Americans in 28 states “have some level of atrazine in their tap water,” says the Environmental Working Group in a report on the secondmost widely used weedkiller in the country.

TRUMP ACOLYTE PRESSES AHEAD IN MISSISSIPPI SENATE RACE Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a member of President Trump’s agriculture advisory committee in 2016, is following the president’s no-apology campaign style in the Senate runoff election against former U.S. agriculture secretary Mike Espy, a Democrat. Hyde-Smith is the front-runner in strongly Republican Mississippi.

‘NOT EVERYONE WILL GET EVERYTHING THEY WANT’ IN FARM BILL Negotiators “are nearing agreement on many of the issues” in the farm bill, said Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts on Tuesday, although one committee member said he doubted there will be an agreement this year.

than it is now. The maple varieties, other than the box elders, that will grow here, don’t even pretend to be drought tolerant. They also don’t care for some other conditions we have here, such as alkaline soil, and low humidity. Being able to use a lot of water to irrigate with, helped those varieties do okay, but with the rising cost of water, and people’s reluctance to be indiscriminate in its use, maples are disappearing here.

Box elder trees have some drawbacks. They are weak-wooded, so they occasionally drop a large limb, and severe storms can work them over pretty hard. Additionally, they are the worst tree I know of for sprouting along the trunk, which just makes them look trashy. Worst of all, they attract an insect nuisance called, naturally enough, “box elder bugs”.

These things are real pests, and when they swarm a box elder, they do it large numbers.

Frankly, box elders are not that quality of a tree, so when I notice that they are declining in numbers, while I might not think that highly of individual specimens, I do worry that a whole tree species just seems to be going away.

Species diversity is important, and the fewer tree species we have, whether those trees, individually, are great specimens, or not, is a serious issue.

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.

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Something I’ve brought up a lot when opining about trees and the urban forest, is species of trees that are on the decline in our region. Unfortunately, two of those species are not mesquites and cedars, but I guess you can’t have everything. Before I go on, and especially because I just made a bad comment about mesquites and cedars, I need to put my usual disclaimer about those two trees. I agree that a mesquite, or cedar, can be a plus in a landscape. Some people really like them, and they are trees. The reality is, that if you are talking about a landscape plant, or individual specimen, that’s one thing. If, on the other hand, you are trying to utilize some range or farmland, and having to spend a lot of money, or take losses, because of mesquites and cedars, in that circumstance, they are a noxious weed. By the way, if you would like a little encouragement, visà-vis the hillside cedars, at this time of year you can look at the hills and see that most of them are not totally taken up by cedars.

There are other trees up there, among them a surprising number of oaks, and with the color change, you can see that the cedars don’t have total possession of the land. Who

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NOVEMBER 23, 2018

Bulldogs Overcome Slow Start To Defeat Lindsay Knights 68-34

BY JENNIFER CRAIG

The Stamford Bulldogs found themselves in an unaccustomed position at the end of the first quarter Saturday at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells. The Bulldogs had spotted the Lindsay Knights 13 points to open the game and trailed 27-6 at the end of the first quarter. Fortunately for the Dogs the next three quarters were more like Bulldog fans have come to expect; the Bulldogs outscored the Knights 62-7 to post a 6834 Bi-District win.

Stamford received the opening kickoff and had to work into a stiff wind. The Dogs were unable to move the ball and had to punt from their own six yard line. Lindsay took over at the Stamford 32 following the kick and used six plays to score. Aaron Fleitman got the touchdown on a nine yard run and Tyler Yancey added the PAT. When the Bulldogs got the football back, they only kept it for three plays before Kyle Popp picked off a pass intended for Trace Edwards. This time the Knights needed only three plays to score. Junior quarterback Seth Foster found Yancey with a 57 yard scoring strike. The kick failed but the Knights had a 13-0 lead with 6:22 left in the quarter.

The Bulldog offense started showing some life when Peyton Bevel and Zach Duran hooked up for a 50 yard gain on a third and seven play. Two plays later Bevel tried to hit Duran for a touchdown but the Knight defender was called for pass interference to give the Bulldogs the ball at the Lindsay nine. Bevel kept twice to move the ball to the four. D’Marcus Barber carried in from there.

The point after attempt failed but the Bulldogs were on the board.

The Knights started in Stamford territory courtesy of a 40 yard kickoff return

by Fleitman. Lindsay used

five running plays to find the end zone once more with Kyle Ott going the final 23 yards. Yancey added the extra point to push the lead back to 14 points.

Stamford moved into Lindsay territory with a 33 yard pass from Bevel to Tre Mitchell. Bevel was sacked on the next play and the drive stalled. Bevel got off a punt that died at the Lindsay nine yard line. Ott quickly wiped out the poor field position with a 91 yard break away to eat up the final seconds in the first quarter. The PAT pushed the Lindsay lead to 27-6.

The Bulldogs opened the second quarter at the Lindsay 37 thanks to a nice return by Josh Mueller. Bevel hit four straight passes – to Barber, Edwards and RJ Smith – to put the ball into the end zone. Smith got the touchdown on a 13 yard reception. The extra point attempt failed but the Dogs were on the way back.

Once again the Knights started at their own nine yard line. This time the result was much more what the Bulldogs wanted. On the first play Foster tried a pass into the flat but Ethan Medina stepped in front at the six and walked into the end zone. Shavaris Cooper added the two point conversion. In just ten seconds the Bulldogs had scored 14 points and cut the deficit from 21 to seven.

Blue’s defense forced a three-and-out with Carson Holt stopping Fleitman for a two yard loss on third down. Yancey’s punt into the wind left the Bulldogs at their own 46. It took the Bulldogs just three plays to find pay dirt once more.

Bevel found Edwards with a 51 yard strike. The Knights retained a 27-26 lead when the run for two was stopped short.

Josh Mueller intercepted Foster to set the Bulldog offense up at the Lindsay 33. Bevel scrambled on first down and finally spotted a receiver along the sideline.

Stamford was called for

intentional grounding even though the pass was almost completed to an eligible receiver, and Bevel was well outside the tackle box. Bevel was sacked on the next play to move the ball back to the 50. A pass intended for Zach Duran just fell incomplete to set up a fourth and 27. Smith and Bevel connected for a 36 yard completion and a new set of downs from the Lindsay 14. Cooper went wide left for a four yard gain before a second down pass sailed high. Cooper got wide open on third down and Bevel found the junior for the go ahead touchdown.

Stamford’s defense forced another Lindsay punt and the Bulldog offense headed down field.

Two runs by Barber moved the ball to a first down at the Lindsay 45. Two incompletions left the Dogs facing third and ten. Smith took a pass from Bevel and put it into high gear; the Lindsay defender just managed to stop Smith at the two yard line. Mitchell was caught for a loss on first down but Bevel kept from four yards out for the TD. Duran caught the two point conversion to push the Bulldog lead to 40-27 going into the half.

The Knights received the second half kickoff but the Bulldog defense prevailed and forced another punt.

The Dogs scored quickly on a two play drive with Edwards getting the touchdown on a 67 yard passand-run play. Cooper ran for the two point conversion for a 48-27 score.

The Knights weren’t ready to quit. Foster hit Jace Edington with a 53 yard pass to push the ball to the Stamford 29. Two penalties pushed Lindsay back to the 44 but Foster connected with Evan Anderle for a 29 yard touchdown on fourth down. Yancey’s kick cut the Stamford margin to 48-34 with 6:24 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs opened their next drive with a 65

yard pass play to Duran; Yancey saved a touchdown when he caught the Stamford receiver. The drive stalled at the ten yard line when passes fell incomplete on third and fourth downs.

Stamford took over following a Lindsay punt and needed just three plays to score again. This time Duran refused to be caught on a 62 yard pass play. Bevel then hit Cade Lefevre with a jump pass for the two point conversion.

Mitchell put the ball back in Stamford’s hands when he intercepted Foster at the Bulldog ten and returned back to the 23. Smith caught a 37 yard pass to move into Lindsay territory. Cooper made a tough run good for another eight yards. Duran had a nine yard reception to close out the third quarter and set up the Dogs with a first down at the Lindsay 23. Cooper ran for six yards and followed up with a run for eleven yards. Bevel found Duran open in the end zone for the touchdown.

Bevel would finish the game with six touchdown passes to four different receivers and 525 yards as well as one touchdown on the ground. Duran, Edwards and Smith all finished with over 100 yards receiving.

The Knights earned a first down with a twelve yard run by Foster but a running play for no gain and two incomplete passes left Lindsay with a fourth and ten from the Bulldog 36.

Bulldog defenders blanketed would-be receivers and Foster succumbed to a swarm of Bulldogs for an eight yard loss.

Mitchell took over at quarterback and quickly broke through the middle of his line for a 17 yard gain. Barber popped free on a nice run but most of the yardage was lost to a holding penalty. Mitchell kept again and the eight yard run was supplemented by a 15 yard penalty against the Knights that pushed the ball to the Lindsay 14.

Barber again broke free and found the end zone; but this play was also called back. The Lindsay defenders stopped Bulldog runners for consecutive losses and a third down pass was incomplete. Mitchell found Edwards for a touchdown on fourth down; this time there were no flags. With 7:09 left in the game the Bulldogs had a 68-34 lead.

Each team would drive into the other’s territory one more time but each drive would end with a lost fumble. Chris Dennis recovered a Lindsay fumble with just enough time left for one more play; fittingly Dennis got the call and a six yard gain.

The Bulldogs will travel to Snyder Friday to face the New Deal Lions at 1 p.m.

The 11-0 Lions were the champions of District 2-2A. New Deal’s offense is led by senior quarterback Jett Whitfield (6-0, 190) who is also the Lions’ leading rusher with over 1100 yards on the season. Senior Deandre Nelson (6-0, 230) doubles at running back and defensive tackle. D. Blaylock (6-5, 178) is the leading receiver; Dylan Jerden brings his 6-2, 220 pound frame to the tight end and middle linebacker positions.

Stamford 6 34 16 12--68 Lindsay 27 0 7 0-- 34 SCORING SUMMARY First Quarter L – Aaron Fleitman 9 run (Tyler Yancey kick) 8:30 L – Yancey 57 pass from Seth Foster (kick failed) 6:22 S – D’Marcus Barber 4 run (run failed) 2:21 L –Kyle Ott 23 run (Yancey kick) 2:21 L – Ott 91 run (Yancey kick) 0:00 Second Quarter S – RJ Smith 13 pass from Peyton Bevel (pass failed) 10:40 S – Ethan Medina 6 interception return (Shavaris Cooper run) 10:30 S – Trace Edwards 51 pass from Bevel (run failed) 7:41 S – Cooper 10 pass from Bevel (pass failed) 5:35 S – Bevel 4 run (Zach Duran pass from Bevel) 1:48 Third Quarter S – Edwards 67 pass from Bevel (Cooper run) 9:07

7

L – Evan Anderle 29 pass from Foster (Yancey kick) 6:24 S – Duran 62 pass from Bevel (Cade Lefevre pass from Bevel) 2:43 Fourth Quarter S – Duran 6 pass from Bevel (run failed) 11:01 S – Edwards 30 pass from Tre Mitchell (kick failed) 7:09 Stamford Lindsay First Downs 24 16 Rushing Yards 35-52 38-223 Passing Yards 555 190 Total Offense 607 413 Comp-Att-Int 19-34-1 11-23-3 Punts 2-32.5 5-36.8 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1 Penalties-yards 11-90 8-94 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS Rushing - Stamford: Shavaris Cooper 11-54; D’Marcus Barber 7-22, TD; Peyton Bevel 9-(-28); Tre Mitchell 4-19; Chris Dennis 1-6; RJ Smith 1-(-3); Brennan Day 1-(-5); Team 1-(-13). Lindsay: Kyle Ott 8-118, 2 TDs; Seth Foster 21-48; Aaron Fleitman 6-32; Jace Edington 3-25.

Passing - Stamford: Peyton Bevel 18-32-1, 525 yds., 6 TDs; Tre Mitchell 1-2-0, 30 yds. Lindsay: Seth Foster 11-23-3 190 yds., 2 TDs. Receiving - Stamford: Zach Duran 5-192, 2 TDs; Trace Edwards 5-172.

3 TDs; RJ Smith 5-139, TD; Shavaris Cooper 2-18, TD; Tre Mitchell 1-33; D’Marcus Barber 1-1. Lindsay: Jace Edington 3-67; Aaron Fleitman 3-19; Merrick Parkhill 2-21; Tyler Yancey 1-57, TD; Evan Anderle 1-29, TD; Kyle Ott 1-(-3).

Last Week’s Games District 3-2A, Division I: Stamford 68, Lindsay 34; Hawley 69, Chico 15; Winters 26, Alvord 6; Seymour 51, Ozona 13. Others: Canadian 70, Anson 13; Hamlin 52, Miles 0; Haskell 26, Eldorado 22; Albany 47, Rocksprings 7; Tulia 26, Merkel 24; Brock 34, Breckenridge 27; DeLeon 41, Axtell 21; New Deal 28, Sunray 0; Sundown 59, SanfordFritch 30; Panhandle 54, Post 16; Windthorst 41, Memphis 0; Wheeler 51, Archer City 26; Santo 63, Quanah 30; Wolfe City 51, Tom Bean 6. Six-Man: Lueders-Avoca 46, Woodson 0; Grandfalls-Royalty 84, Loraine 34.

8 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

The Dog Pound

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Bulldogs will play New Deal in Snyder on Friday at 1 pm.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL MARUGG

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NOVEMBER 23, 2018

9

10 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

Jones County News

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8929 Anson held a Veterans Day Program at Valley View Care Home on Monday Nov. 12th. Mr. Shaw, who is a resident and Marine Corps Veteran, was presented a Marine Corps Flag for his service. Cake and punch were enjoyed by all in attendance.

Lueders-Avoca Raiders are Bi-District Champs. They beat Woodson Cowboys by a score of 48-0. They will play Grand Falls-Royalty at Westbrook on Saturday, November 24 at 3pm. (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)

Contentment Our good word for today is CONTENTMENT. Personally, I like this word. It just has a pleasant sound to it. This is a word that comes to mind as we begin the holiday season with Thanksgiving. The Apostle Paul wrote about it in the Bible. 1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV) “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Contentment compliments Godliness. I suppose you could be a Godly person without being content, but good ole Paul said it was much better to be content along with your Godly living. The Apostle went

on to say in Philippians 4:11b (KJV) “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

I have jokingly remarked that Paul must have been from Texas, because he said “you all” and that the state he was most content in must have been Texas.

In today’s world there is so much emphasis on material gain that we find contentment a worthy goal yet it is hard to achieve.

Many men after living a life of “get all you can and can all you get” have expressed as their one true regret: “I wished I had spent more time with my

family.” What we need is a healthy balance. Work hard, play hard, and love those God has given you.

Above all, be thankful for all that God has blessed you with. Take inventory of those things. You reconcile your bank statements and stock portfolios, spreadsheets, and your herds and crops. With the same intensity, take an inventory of all that God has given you. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Say a prayer

A GOOD WORD FROM BROTHER BILL Bill Hillier of thanks, and find contentment, and have a blessed day. ~Bro. Bill

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

BEN’S WEST TEXAS SNOW: By Callie Metler-Smith Ben loved living in West Texas.

He enjoyed juicy watermelons from Grammy’s garden and fishing with his Pop. However, he wondered why they rarely had snowy weather like he would see on TV. When he asked his Grammy when it would snow, she commented, “When pigs fly.”

Ben asked his Pop why it doesn’t snow much in West Texas. Pop invited Ben to join him as he filled the tractor’s planters with seed. Ben rode beside Pop while they made row after row. Ben was ready to see snow, but Pop cautioned Ben to be patient.

Weeks went by. Ben moaned that it was never going to snow! Then, small green plants pushed through the ground. The plants had flowers, but no snow. As the cotton plants grew, Ben saw little balls form. His Pop called these cotton bolls. Still, no snow.

More weeks passed as the weather turned colder. The green plants turned brown. Ben saw rows of brown bushes, but no snow. Pop said the snow would be arriving soon. Ben and Pop went out to the fields. What do you think Ben saw? West Texas

expressive illustrations help to insure this book will be an instant favorite.

Actual photos of Ben and his Pop make the story come alive. Join Ben and his Pop as Ben searches for West Texas “Snow.”

READING REVIEW Martha Jarred

Children’s literature can be found at Henderson Book Store, located on the Square in Haskell, open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12:00 — 5:00.

Please call Martha Jarred, 940-8643072, for more information.

tion included if the San Angelo presses were still operational, time and money spent on personnel needed at another location and trucking the papers back to Abilene, the many holiday ads to be inserted, and if the smaller jobs would have to wait or be put aside altogether.

The Abilene Reporter News stated on November 16th that their paper

would be printed at the Wichita Falls location during the restoration.

This will at least double their production. The New Stamford American did not expect to receive its printing order on the usual Thursday, since Thanksgiving falls on Thursday every year. We were originally slated to be printed on Wednesday, however at press time the pick-

November 26-30 Monday German Sausage, Beans, Potato Salad, Cornbread, Melon Tuesday Steak Sandwich with Fixings, Chips, Pea Salad, Cake Wednesday

Egg Rolls, Oriental Rice, Broccoli & Cauliflower, Fortune Cookie, Brownies Thursday Salmon, Okra & Tomato, Coleslaw, Hushpuppies, Mixed Fruit Friday Beef Enchiladas Bake, Refried Beans, Salad, Apples

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS STAMFORD ISD’S Stamford ISD will hold a public meeting at 6:00 P.M., DECEMBER 13, 2018 in the MEDIA CENTER LOCATED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS 802 E. REYNOLDS STAMFORD, TX 79553.

up schedule is for noon on Tuesday. Owner and publisher, Callie MetlerSmith stated, “but that may change”. Flexibility is a must in the newspaper business, whether the paper is published on a large or small scale.

11

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snow!

BEN’S WEST TEXAS SNOW is a well written children’s story filled with interesting facts about cotton farming in West Texas. Details of farm life are cheerfully illustrated in this fun true story. This engaging book can be used in a variety of educational areas and settings. Facts about dry land cotton farming in our part of West Texas are included in the Author’s Note. The story is told by a young lady who grew up on a cotton farm in Jones County that has been in her family for over 100 years. The

PAPER: Continued From Page 1 The Texas sister papers have consolidated with each other since being bought by USA Today. The Abilene Reporter News presses print their paper and the San Angelo paper on a regular basis. The Wichita Falls employees were wondering what the plan would be as their upper management met behind closed doors at the time of the fire. Specula-

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss Stamford ISD’s rating on the state’s financial accountability system.

12 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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Meet the Seniors

TREVAUL MITCHELL

FAVORITE SUBJECT: History WHAT GOALS DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR SENIOR YEAR?: My goals are to mkae great grades all year.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?: i plan on attending Baylor University BEST PART OF BEING A STAMFORD BULLDOG? :The experience

ETHAN MEDINA

FAVORITE SUBJECT: History WHAT GOALS DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR SENIOR YEAR?: To graduate and to make many memories

PASTOR’S PEN

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?: Enlisting in the Army WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT STAMFORD? : The community, friends, family BEST PART OF BEING A STAMFORD BULLDOG? :The community

MATTHEW WHITTLE

FAVORITE SUBJECT: Art WHAT GOALS DO YOU PLAN TO ACCOMPLISH DURING YOUR SENIOR YEAR?: Don’t know, my life is in God’s hands WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?: Go to college or work for a living

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 Baptist Church Pastor Bud Akins 301 E Moran 773-2577 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 Chapel Gerald Spalding 501 W. McHarg 325-773-2866 AM Worship: 10:00 Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30

First Assembly of God Family Worship Center Pastor Randy Rawls 1214 Compton 325-773-2435 Am Worship: 10:45

Sun. 10 Bible Classes 11 Morning Assembly Orient Street Church of Christ Wes Horn 510 S Orient 773-3419 Worship: 10:30

First Baptist Church John Ward 214 N Swenson 325-773-2781 AM Worship: 11:00

Paint Creek Baptist Church Pastor Tony Grand 940-864-3358 AM Worship: 11:00

House of God Pastor Bobby Acosta 802 Ferguson St Sundays 11:00am

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

Lueders First Baptist Church Roscoe McCoy 228-4622 AM Worship: 11:00

St. John’s United Methodist Church Pastor John Erwin 201 S Ferguson 325-773-2561 AM Worship: 10:50

MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church Greg Taylor 325-513-2505 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 Nugent Church of Christ Nugent, Texas Ron Ballard, Preacher

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Solomon Temple Baptist Church Rev. Donnie Massey 315 N. Haskell St. 325-773-2213 AM Worship 9:30 Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00 Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg

By Dalton Mathis

Holy Adoration Most people in this world do not understand the concept of “Fearing God”, and many completely miss this foundational point of faith.

Fearing God is not the same as fearing the monster that was in the closet of your bedroom as a child. When we become fearful and afraid of God in that way, then we will not produce good results. An example of this from the Bible is when the unprofitable servant was corrected for being wicked and lazy after he made the excuse, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground” (Matt. 25:25). Instead of using what God gave him productively he was afraid of the punishment and did not receive an award.

Fearing God does not mean that we should run away from Him and not accept His amazing love.

In fact, the Word tells us, “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love” (1 John. 4:18).

When we experience God’s love and the assurance of our salvation, we will not fear punishment instead we will rejoice in our reward.

Sadly many people miss this point, and most skeptics use this when arguing the claims against God’s love. However, when a person does come to the true knowledge of this important concept, he or she will grow tremendously in their relationship with God. To truly Fear God is to reverence Him and respect His authority as the Creator of the Universe. When we fear God we stand in awe of His power and role as Sovereign Lord above all. If you study the Bible, there is no mistaking the repeated commands to “fear God”.

King Solomon the wisest ever to live other than Christ himself put it this

way: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom” (Pro. 1:7). We are only considered to be wise when we fully respect and fear the Great I Am. The fear of the Lord is an awareness that you are in the presence of a holy, just, and almighty God and that He will hold you accountable one day for the life that you choose to live (Ecc. 12:14). We must all come to the realization of who God is, and what He has done for each of us.

To strengthen my reverence of God and my understanding of His glory, I tend to flip to Isaiah chapter 6 and Revelation chapter 4 in my Bible. These two chapters hold eyewitness accounts of God’s glorious presence in the Kingdom of Heaven. Both chapters hold very similar descriptions and give a good picture of God’s Eternal Glory. What humbles me the most about these accounts is that both men were so in awe of God’s presence that they could barely look at him. Both writers, Isaiah and the Apostle John were both holy men of God and followed him out of reverential fear. Isaiah was considered one of the greatest prophets in Judah’s history and John who wrote Revelation was an apostle and close companion of Jesus the Messiah. What this tells me is that both of these holy men respected God and felt unworthy to be in His Holy presence (Isa. 6:5, Rev. 1:17). We too must realize that we are nothing and that He who created us is absolutely everything.

Even some of the godliest men ever to live are nothing when compared to the holiness of God the Father. The thought that one-day I too will stand before His throne motivates me in my walk with God. Our Creator is Holy and we should respect Him now, for one day we will all meet him face to face.

God’s offer of forgiveness to those who repent gives us a reason to fear and a reason to change. It also gives us a reason to be eternally grateful and to grow in love so that we can become more like our loving God! Jesus’ sacrifice creates a path for each of us as individuals to follow (Matt. 7:13-14). We can choose to pursue holiness by fearing God and respecting the sacrifice of His one and only Son. Or we can live in disobedience towards God and reject the sacrifice that was given to us. The writer of Hebrews warns us and encourages us to not reject but to respect the blood that was shed for the world. “Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.”

(Heb. 10:29).

We’ve been given the way to heaven, for Christ is the stairway that leads us to our Father (John 1:51). It’s our gain or loss for what we decide to do with Jesus’s sacrificial love. We can either reject the Blood of the Lamb or we can respect the Blood of the Lamb. God gives us the free will to choose between the two.

If we decide to respect the blood, then we must live in obedient reverence towards the One True King. We can do this by giving our lives to Christ daily and giving Him authority over every step. The amount of fear and respect that we have for God will determine the amount of love and obedience we give Him. The psalmist once wrote, “Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need” (Ps. 34:9). God bless you this coming week and remember God is awesome!

Respect the Blood, Dalton Mathis

Opinion

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Show Your Gratitude It is once again that time of year where families get together, share a meal and give thanks for everything that they have. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year, even with the craziness of the holiday shopping season and Christmas only a month away, but it is still a wonderful tradition to have when families are able to make the trip, no matter how far.

And while we tend to focus our thanks and gratitude to Will McClure our family, there are times we tend to forget about the many others that we call friends, co-workers and even those that help protect us in different ways. Earlier this week I presented an essay prompt to one of my classes asking them to define their definition of gratitude and the responses I saw were nothing short of amazing as the definitions ranged from being thankful to others to seeing it as a show of respect for what someone has done. We all have our own definition of gratitude and some may have the same idea, but we need to actually show our gratitude more than just defining it or leave it only for Thanksgiving.

I think so many of us have forgotten what an impact a simple “thank you” can have on a person, especially if that person has helped us time and time again. Going back to my students this past week, they were tasked with writing thank you notes to a teacher, a member of the school staff or administration, a friend and a family member. While I had some that groaned at first at having to do an assignment, once I told them that a simple gesture of gratitude can mean so much to someone, the groans quickly turned into understanding and I saw some wonderful notes that I am sure brightened a lot of people’s days. I was even fortunate enough to receive some of my own from a few of my students throughout the year so far and I will tell you that no matter how tough a day I had, it always made it better to know that my students were grateful for me and took the time to tell me. I’m sure you can think of someone right now that you are grateful for that if you took a few minutes to show them your gratitude, you would greatly improve their day.

All I am saying here is that we need to make more of an effort to express our gratitude more than just thinking about it. Even more important is that we do not isolate this gratitude only in the month of November, but instead make it year-round. There are many people in our lives that need to hear some measure of gratitude before we take them for granted. We all have that one teacher that went the extra mile for us to make sure that we could have a good education. We all have that one friend that we can call with a problem at any time of day or night and their first response would be what they can do to help. We all have that one co-worker that sees us struggling with a project and then steps in to help without ever having to be asked. We all even know that first responder that will go out of their way and even work extra time to make sure that we can be safe. Once again, we all have a different definition of gratitude, but when and how we show it is when can truly see our definition become a reality.

Until next time, dear reader, my cap’s off to you and have a happy Thanksgiving!

THOUGHTS FROM UNDER THE CAP

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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The Aggie War Hymn Is 100 Years Old James Vernon “Pinky” Wilson fought in the largest and deadliest battle of World War One. It occurred in France’s Argonne Forest in the fall of 1918 and was the battle that weakened the German forces to the point of surrender. It was a bloody, muddy battle.

In the midst of the flying bullets and mortar shells Pinky took out a letter from home and scribbled down a few words on the back of it. Those words became the Aggie War Hymn, perhaps the most famous fight song in the world. The sound of the artillery’s staccato rhythm made Pinky think of an old A & M yell that had the words Hullabaloo Caneck Caneck in it.

Pinky got his nickname while in school when someone threw a tennis ball at him. It hit him in the middle of his back. When he turned around to face the student who threw it, his face was red. The student said, “Well look at old Pinky.” The name stuck.

Pinky was a junior at A & M when he volunteered for the Marine Corps. He could have gone into officer training but chose the enlisted ranks and entered as a buck private. In the Marines he was a muleskinner and worked in supply until he was pressed into service on the front lines in the Argonne Forest. When the war ended, he stayed in Germany as a guard. His famous song was first played on an old piano in a caretaker’s cabin near the Rhine River. He finally got to hear the words and the tune of the melody he had been carrying in his head for months. He carefully unfolded the letter with the words on the back, got paper and ruler and drew some musical scales. He penned four copies for vocals and one copy for piano. Some of his Marine buddies sang it for the first time. They sang it up and down the Rhine River, making Germans the first audience to hear the Aggie War Hymn.

The original title was “Goodbye to Texas University.” According to Dr. Don Powell, who wrote a history of the Aggie Band, the first time the song was sung on the A & M campus was at a pep rally in 1920.

The song has been played all over the world and beyond. It woke up astronauts Cernan and Schmidt while they were asleep on the moon.

In 2010 Bill Wilcox of Burnet contacted me to do a documentary on Pinky. Bill was Pinky’s friend and in the mornings Pinky would stop by Bill’s funeral home and tell war stories. When Pinky died in 1980, Bill handled the funeral and burial. “I kept noticing that modest headstone for Pinky and thought he deserved more.” So Bill went about raising money for bronze statues of Pinky. One is on the A & M campus; another is near the depot in Bertram where Pinky had a farm.

I interviewed dozens of people for the documentary.

I had interviewed Pinky in 1980, just months before his death. I used portions of that interview in the documentary. While doing research I went to all the libraries and museums on the A & M campus and asked if they had any audio or video recordings of Pinky. They said no. A & M recently contacted me and said I had the only recording of his voice.

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

SMS Tutoring SMS Tutoring every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 at Common Ground. This is an opportunity for your child to get extra help on their school work.

Retired teachers have chosen to give back by pouring their heart of love in your child. Please have your children take advantage of this help. For more

information, contact Paul Wright at 773-3604 or 370-6378. We look forward to serving your children.

14 NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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Field of Candidates For House Speaker Narrows To One Eight members of the Texas Legislature filed papers with the Texas Ethics Commission to declare themselves candidates for speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and as of last week, only one remained.

The candidacy of state Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, gained momentum in October, and Bonnen on Nov. 13 announced he had the support of 109 members of the 150-member House. At minimum, it takes 76 votes to elect a speaker, which is 50 percent, plus one, of the 150 members of the House.

The other candidates for the speakership who withdrew from the race include: Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, vice chairman of the House Committee on Local and Consent Calendars; Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, chairman of the House Energy Resources Committee; Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, vice chair of the House Redistricting Committee; Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, chairman of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee; Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, chairman of the House Investments and Financial Services Committee; Rep. Walter “Four” Price, R-Amarillo, chairman of the House Public Health Committee; and Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Bonnen, 46, first was elected to represent House District 25 in 1997. The district includes Matagorda County and part of Brazoria County. Bonnen currently is chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee and serves as speaker pro tempore of the House.

The first order of business for the House when the 86th Texas Legislature convenes on Jan. 8 is the election of the speaker, who will succeed Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio. Straus chose not to seek re-election and is finishing a record fifth consecutive term as speaker.

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

McCall to lead transition Bonnen on Nov. 13 announced that he had named former longtime Texas House member Brian McCall, who has been chancellor of the Texas State University System since 2010, to serve as chairman of his transition team. Bonnen said McCall would assist him in recruiting senior staff, planning the swearing-in ceremony and working with outgoing Speaker Straus and his staff to facilitate a smooth transition.

“I’ve known Rep. Bonnen since his first day as a House member and quickly recognized his leadership ability,” McCall said. “He possesses all of the qualities to be a successful speaker; he is a straight shooter, compassionate, principled and determined to unify the House and work constructively with the Senate and governor.”

“Chancellor McCall knows the Capitol and the people who make it work. More importantly, he has a reputation as both a legislator and a higher education leader for his fairness, decency and ability to bring people together,” Bonnen said.

BONNEN GETS THUMBS UP Gov. Greg Abbott on Nov. 12 congratulated Bonnen, saying, “no one works harder or more passionately for Texas” than Bonnen. “There are a number of important and pressing issues facing Texas as we head into this next legislative session, including reforming school finance and elevating our education system and I look forward to working with the new speaker and the entire

House of Representatives to address these topics and much more,” Abbott added.

Also, in a joint statement released Nov. 14, Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the state Senate, said they had a phone conversation in which they agreed to work together “to move Texas forward” in the upcoming legislative session.

“The lieutenant governor and I share a strong commitment to do the people’s business,” Bonnen said.

DPS EXPANDS SOCIAL MEDIA The Texas Department of Public Safety on Nov. 12 announced the launch of seven regional social media accounts, covering every corner of the state and all seven DPS regions, including North Texas, Southeast Texas, South Texas, West Texas, Northwest Texas, Central Texas and the Capitol Region.

“Each DPS region is unique, and we look forward to using these regional social media accounts to highlight the work of the department in those areas and bolster our ties with communities throughout Texas,” DPS Director Steven McCraw said.

TEA RELEASES DISTRICT RATINGS The Texas Education Agency on Nov. 15 released final financial accountability ratings for the 1,200 school districts and charters across the state.

Each school district or openenrollment charter received one of four possible letter grades — A, B, C or F — and a financial management rating of Superior, Above Standard Achievement, Meets Standard or Substandard Achievement.

Ninety-nine percent of the districts and charters earned a successful final rating, as measured by the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, a system designed to encourage public schools to better manage financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes, the TEA said.

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Classifieds Deadline 10 a.m. Monday Call 325-773-5550

HELP WANTED Big Country Electric Cooperative currently has an opening for a lineman in our Stamford office. Please go to our website: www.bigcountry. coop/content/careers-co-op to apply online. Deadline to apply is Monday, November 26th at 5 pm.

REAL ESTATE For Sale: 217 acre farm with river frontage in Haskell County between Rule & Sagerton. 150 cultivated acres, brick farmhouse, city water. Also pastures with good hunting.

Asking $1,200/ac. Contact Susan Black @915-487-9367.

Full-Time LVN needed at Stamford Family Health Center, 1601 Columbia St., Monday Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Applications available through Human Resources by emailing: hr@ stamfordhosp.com. Contact Debbie Walters at 325-7734884 for more information.

Sagebrush Living Center has openings for Direct Care staff for all shifts. Pick up applications at Sagebrush Living Center, 1101 Columbia St, Stamford, 325-773-2791.

SERVICE Mowing, weed eating, tree trimming, and clean up.

Reasonable prices. 325-3705411

New Listing! 264 CR 169 O’Brien Nice Home and Barn on 10± Acres!......$162,000 1502 Compton 3/2/2 Ranch home w/room for horses! hardwoods, Fireplace!...$129,900 1501 Hudson Rd Over 2,800 Sq. Ft. 3/2/2 rock home w a 3/2 apt.IN CONTRACT 1611 N Swenson Previous Cliff House Restaurant in great location............... $79,000 1217 Compton Gorgeous Stone home w/ 2 bedrooms, 1 bath....... Reduced.$68,900 716 E. Oliver 4 BR, 2 bath with 2 car garage in quiet neighborhood.................$69,900 1310 Hudson 3 Bd, 2 bath w/carport close to country club......................................SOLD 1609 Swenson 1,200 sq ft metal building............................. Reduced $29,500 Jones County

FARM & RANCH

Stonewall County 800± ac on the Salt Fork of the Brazos!

108± ac Shinnery near River! REDUCED 4,743± Ac Patterson N Ranch 165± Ac livestock/hunting CONTRACT548 ± Ac Pasture, Cul. Great Hunting 155± Ac LIVE WATER! SOLD 483± Ac Half Cultivation SOLD 512± ac Top of Flat top CRP, 2 wells 65± Ac Pasture w hunting E of McCaulley 704± Ac Clear Fork, Cult. & Pasture SOLD

Haskell County 640± Ac Mule Creek Ranch Great Hunting w Nice Cabin!

512± ac Top of Flat top CRP, 2 wells 65± Ac Pasture, hunting E of McCaulley

Fisher County 631± Ac All Pasture! Rough Creek 370± Ac Canyons, Springs, Hunting 178 ± Ac Shinnery, Fantastic Hunting 1423± Ac Canyons

Shackelford County 200± ac Quarry income, Good Hunting!

Kent Co 789± Ac Improvements w Hunting!

SOLD

NOVEMBER 23, 2018

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