December 27, 2019 16 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION
STAMFORD
American THE NEW
Looking Back at One of the Nines BY KAY SPEARS Looking to the past as the year turns into 2020, the year 1929 was full of changes. Ninety years ago, the nation was flying high, until it wasn’t. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 was also known as the Great Crash, the Stock Market Crash or “Black Tuesday.” The downfall began on September 4th with stock market prices falling in the US and September 20th the London Stock Market Exchange crashing, culminating on October 29, 1929 when the New York Stock Exchange share prices collapsed. This began the Great Depression in the US, which spread worldwide and lasted until the beginning of World War II. In 1929 Stamford, Texas, was 29 years old and its citizens continued to grow the town. The major focus was for businesses to bring
in products to sell and the residents to buy local. The 45-mile drive between Stamford and Abilene in 1929 was a planned trip and usually included spending the night. Cars could be pushed to 40-45 miles per hour (mph) and would get about 13-21 miles per gallon from the 10-gallon gas tank, that is if you could afford a car in the first place. Travel was such an occasion that newspapers listed who checked into the local hotels in a special section and included traveling salesmen. Which residents had visitors or went on a trip was worthy of mention in the Personals column along with where the buyers for businesses were heading off to or coming from. SEE 1929. PG 6
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In 1929, Mattie, Jessie, Lillian, and Dora Short show off fashions of the day. americannewspapers.net facebook.com/ stamamerican @stamamerican
Santa visited Country Elegance Assisted Living at their Christmas Party Thursday, December 19, 2019. Country Elegance is located at 1700 Columbia St. (325) 773-5511
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MARK THE DATE... DONATE: Denise Dennis is still collecting aluminum cans for recycling to raise money to donate to West Texas Rehab Center. You can drop them off at her house on the corner of Reynolds & Vassar. You can also drop off cans or monetary donations for her here at the Stamford American
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THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST 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.
Friday 49 | 35
Saturday 61 | 47
Sunday 74 | 53
Monday 68 | 35
Tuesday 49 | 31
Wednesday 54 | 37
Thursday 57 | 37
The weather is provided for you by Country Drug Store. We’re here for you Rain or Shine.
BALES GINNED AT AREA GINS as of 12/23/19 Ericksdahl Coop Gin - 6149 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Stamford - 20,933 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Anson - 7,896 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Radium - 6,677
VIP MENU DEC 30-JAN 3 Monday Burritos with chili, cheese, salad
Tuesday Schnitzel, mash potato, gravy, green beans, pears& cottage , cheese Wednesday-Friday Menu not available
BIRTHDAYS DEC 29 - David Fernandez, John Ward 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
Scott Bearden, V.P. and the staff of First Bank Texas held a holiday open house on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 610 Columbia St. in Stamford, Texas.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES Within Haskell, Jones, and Stonewall Counties: $30 Within Texas: $32 Within the United States: $35 DEADLINE
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Any erroneous reflection upon the character, reputation or standing of any individual, firm or corporation will be gladly corrected upon being brought to the attention of the publisher. The New Stamford American (USPS 025-332) is published weekly at 102 South Swenson, Stamford, Jones County, Texas by Clear Fork Media Group LLC. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stamford, Texas 79553. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The New Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, Texas 79553 MEMBER 2019 TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
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Stamford Hospital Digging Out Slowly BY KAY SPEARS
“The Claw” taking a bite out of an uninhabitable house in the 300 block of E. Campbell of Stamford, Texas on Thursday, December 19, 2019. This house is one of many on Mayor Decker’s list to take down for a safer, more beautiful Stamford.
Angelo State University Releases Fall 2019 Dean’s List Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has announced the students achieving the Dean’s List designation for the 2019 fall semester. To be eligible for the ASU Dean’s List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain at least a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale. Local students making the Dean’s List were Tobi Crane of Lueders and Miya Sanchez of Stamford. Angelo State University, founded in 1928, is a thriving four-year public school in Texas. Our Ram Family envi-
ronment helps students feel at home, a place where they know faculty and staff care deeply about their success. Our excellent faculty makes it possible for students to conduct undergraduate research, rank above State acceptance averages for professional schools, and receive personal access to instructors and progressive facilities. We are part of the dynamic Texas Tech University System with campuses across the state. Angelo State has been ranked as one of The Princeton
Review’s “Best Colleges” in the nation since 2010, and we are also a College of Distinction. We were also recognized as a Top 10 Gold Award for ranking in the top 10 of the 76 institutions in the Large Public University category that were awarded the “Military Friendly School” designation for 2019-20. We have ranked as a Military Friendly by Victory Media (VIQTORY) School for 11 consecutive years. For more information, log on to angelo.edu.
The Stamford Hospital District Board met for the last time in 2019 on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in the Stamford Hospital Board Room, Stamford, Texas. Board Members present were Kevin Corzine, Gary Decker, Mark Lundgren, Kevin McCright, Chuck Muehlstein and Sutton Page. Wyatt Oakley was unable to attend. In addition, Haskell CEO Chris Strickland, Haskell Chief Operations Officer Michelle Stevens, Stamford Staff including Lab Director Bill Lee, Administrative Assistants Cheyenne Bereuter and Debbie Walters and Billing Manager Nancy Clark were in attendance. Board President Kevin McCright opened the meeting before Mark Lundgren gave the invocation and the minutes from the December 3, 2019 meeting were approved. The Board discussed the Financial Report while Nancy Clark went over the stats and data in the packet provided to those at the table. Strickland was able to add information from his experience at Haskell Memorial Hospital and working with Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. He stated that after the date of the service was given, there is a 30-45 day wait to receive payment from insurance companies. He also shared that about 25% of outstanding charges are being collected, but “sitting out there for three months.” He stated, regarding ac-
counts payable, that SHD is “pretty much treading water.” He added, “Now that the tax money is in, it’s going to slow up and you are going to see you are going to tread water until the tax money runs out.” Income from property taxes is also known as non-operating revenue. Decker observed that when the tax money goes away, there will be no other place to go. Strickland commended Stamford administrative staff for building positive relationships with vendors. He stated when the Clinic moves to the Clinic Building the cost of utilities will decline significantly compared to the $10 – 18,000 per month on electricity alone keeping the hospital building open. This amount also includes Country Elegance. During the Clinic Operations Report, Strickland went over the 855 application and its nuances. He recommends using the portable X-Ray machine and not move the large X-Ray machine from the hospital building since the move will cost $30,000. Logistics were discussed for Diagnostics in the hospital building. Strickland stated he and Stevens are going through the hospital making an inventory to see what they will use and what they will not need. Cheyenne Bereuter previously tendered her resignation to pursue another opportunity. SEE HOSPITAL. PG 4
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HOSPITAL: Continued From Page 3 The Board thanked her for the fine work she has done at and for SHD. Strickland stated the Clinic would be open half day on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. He addressed problems they were having with coding issues and stated proper coding procedures had not been taught. He explained external cause codes and diagnostic codes to the Board. Strickland told the Board the EMR (Electronic Medical Records) system was not set up well, not installed properly, and they are working to rectify this. Clinic volume is suffering being out of insurance networks. He feels partnering with Haskell Memorial Hospital will help Stamford with getting back in with insurance companies. Strickland indicated there is a master plan in place. Lee discussed keeping the diagnostics in the hospital building. Strickland stated there will be a “ramping down,” with blood draws being accomplished in the Clinic and then sent off site for the lab work to be processed. Lee stated, “Basically we’d be a draw station until we start coming on insurance plans where we can make ourselves profitable again.” It is important the public knows blood work is still a service at the Stamford Clinic and the results will get to their doctor. It was approved by the Board to drop the purchasing policy from $25,000 to $5,000. The Board went into Executive Session with no action taken and the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Stamford Hospital District Board of Directors will take place on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 7:45am.
Superintendent Will Brewer (Santa) and his three elves, HS Principal Chase Seelke, MS Principal Torrey Price, and Oliver Elementary Principal Kyle Chambers, greeted students on Friday from the Oliver Elementary school roof to honor the students for a successful canned food drive for Goodfellows.
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307 N. Ferguson: before and after demolition
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BRAZIL SAYS TRUMP CHANGED HIS MIND ON STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFFS Three weeks after he slammed Brazil and Argentina for actions “not good for our farmers,” President Trump reversed his decision to impose high tariffs on KASN AG REPORT steel and aluminum imported from the South American With Richard Kemp nations, said Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on social media over the weekend. “The relationship between the United States and Brazil has never been Stronger!” tweeted Trump on the same day. U.S. AQUACULTURE: SMALLER NUMBERS, BIGGER SALES There are 161 fewer U.S. aquaculture farms than earlier this decade but their sales are up more than 10 percent, to $1.5 billion, according to USDA’s Census of Agriculture. UNRELENTING OPPOSITION TO SNAP CUTS Before leaving Washington for the holidays, more than a dozen House Democrats stood in front of the USDA headquarters on the Mall to register their opposition to Trump administration regulations that would eliminate food stamps for 3.7 million people. Rules Committee chairman Jim McGovern raised the possibility of a congressional lawsuit against the cuts. HOUSE TO START ‘NEW NAFTA’ ON ITS WAY TO REALITY The Democratic-controlled House is set to approve one of President Trump’s top priorities today — an updated North American trade pact — a day after impeaching him. The Senate is not expected to give final congressional approval to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement until early next year.
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1929: Continued From Page 1 Rummaging around in the archives of the 1929 Stamford American was an eye-opener as to how many businesses there were at that time and how many businesses combined products or services. For instance, West Texas Utilities (WTU) and Stamford & Western Gas had storefronts in Stamford and sold lighting fixtures, stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, hot water heaters, etc. The Stamford American had an Office Equipment Department selling any needed item to run a business, plus greeting cards and stationery. The four tailors in town also offered clothes & hat cleaning at the same location. The four furniture stores were also undertakers and ran ambulance services. The most comprehensive business was Penick-Hughes Co. selling hardware, lumber, furniture and had a funeral home with an ambulance service. The largest dry goods establishment was BryantLink which didn’t handle lumber or undertaking/ambulance services but sold just about everything else. The Penick-Hughes building is still standing at the SE corner of E. McHarg and S. Swenson
and has a “ghost sign” on the west side. The fabulous Bryant-Link building continues to be in use at 120-124 S. Swenson by the Tri-County Education Co-op and the Stamford Insurance Agency. Businesses advertised in the Stamford American with two each in or near town in 1929 were florists, photographers, theaters, mattress factories, hatchery/poultry farms, banks, dedicated funeral parlors, tire companies and newspapers. There were at least two hotels, at least four filling or service stations, at least five restaurants/cafes and at least five beauty and/or barber shops. In business were three lumber companies and three drug stores, eight grocery stores, nine automobile dealerships and fifteen wearing apparel/dry goods stores. There was an optometrist/ jewelry store, a bakery and a creamery. What a bustling community! After U.S. stock market prices started falling one apparel store moved to a smaller location, a furniture store/funeral parlor closed, the wallpaper store and two apparel businesses closed their doors. At the same
time a variety store, a shoe store, another barber shop, another grocery store began advertising in the Stamford American. It was interesting that there was no mention of the Wall Street troubles in the newspaper. Not until the May 2, 1930 edition when Cleburne Huston, Editor and Owner, wrote, “No real wealth was destroyed by the Wall Street crash last fall. It merely changed hands.” Many businesses were named after the owner, Bryant-Link, Strauss, Hassen, Bunkley’s, etc. A few businesses were given made-up names like NuWay Grocery or Acorn Stores. Two unique names that stand out from 1929 in Stamford are grocery stores, Helpy-Selfy and Hocus-Pocus. Advertisements were interesting, too. There was a new car named the Whippet. Prewit Garage declared that Washing and Greasing were Two Important Items in the Life of a Car. Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic proclaimed, “The Old Standard Remedy for Chills and Malaria. It destroys the malarial germs in the blood, Stops the Chills and fortifies the system against Malaria
and Chills.” A second opinion might be in order. Other goings on in Stamford in 1929 were oil wells coming in for the Moody Oil Corp. 22 miles East of the City, lots being sold in the Hanna Addition, a new ice plant and the Reynolds Elementary School opened. The second floor of City Hall was converted into rental offices with a new stairway, after being an auditorium/ assembly hall before the City Auditorium was built. The firemen had a band and brick street paving was being done in the City. There was a proposal to have two “skyscrapers,” each six stories in height. One was to be a hotel and one an office building on the Southeast corner of the square, where the “Envision” building stands today. The hotel lobby would have entrances from both Hamilton and from the square. A roof garden would extend over both buildings. Apparently, this idea never got off the ground. Yes, in 1929 Stamford was a community with many businesses and ideas for the future, not to be deterred by a little economic crash in New York City.
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Lueders-Avoca Christmas Program PreK-4th Grade (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)
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The paw print
#1 D’Marcus Barber, Senior
#2 Austin Brewer, Senior
# 5 Toby White, Senior
#10 Ryheem Smith, Junior
#11 Lane Patton, Senior
#12 Keyven Mueller, Senior
#14 Charles Moore, Freshman
#20 Stephon Johnson, Junior
#21 Marcus Gonzales, Senior
#23 Trace Price, Senior
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#10 Bresha Applin, So
#11 Tylee Jo Bevel, So
#12 Macy Detamore, So
#23 Laramie Terrell, Jr
#24 Endia Pryor, Sr
#25 Laylonna Applin, Fr
#30 Citlaly Gutierrez, So
#31 Audrey Brewer, So
#32 Shandlee Mueller, So
#34 Kenadee Gann, Sr
#40 Tameka Johnson, Jr
Photos courtesy of Bearden Photography
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Thank You! It is truly a blessing to live in this wonderful community. We are so very thankful for all of the canned food that was donated by the students and teachers at all three Stamford ISD campuses. Between the three, they collected 9,951 cans of food; the elementary collected 3,815 cans, the middle school collected 3,931 cans and the high school collected 2,205 cans. The food will be distributed to local families in need during this holiday season. We would also like to thank Big Country Electric for holding their annual toy drive, which raised a very helpful amount of money that will be used to purchase toys for children in Stamford, and for helping to collect the canned food from the schools. Last, but not least, we would like to thank Atmos for also helping collect the canned food from the schools. We hope that the blessings of peace, good will, and happiness are with each of you during Christmas and always. Thank You, The Stamford Goodfellows
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O Holy Night “O holy night! The stars are brightly shining. It’s the night of our dear Savior’s birth.” I have complicated feelings about Christmas music. As I’ve written in past essays, Christmas can be a difficult time for many. Grief and loss, financial circumstances, feelings of inadequacy, and mental health struggles can all take their toll at Christmastime. Rather than celebrating and basking in the joy of the holidays, too many of our friends and neighbors simply hope to survive the season. For a variety of reasons, that always weighs heavy on my heart around Christmas. As a result, I choose my Christmas music carefully. Contrary to what my wife thinks, I DO enjoy Christmas music, but it takes the right mood and the right songs. But the
ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker right ones, boy do they ever touch me. I’m going to confess something to you today and I don’t care whether it conflicts with society’s definitions of what qualifies as “manly.” I cannot listen to “O Holy Night” without crying. I don’t mean that my eyes get a little misty around the edges. I mean that I devolve into full-on, uncontrollable weeping. “O Holy Night” is not an easy
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song to sing, but when it is done right, it is an incredible, incomparable testimony of Christ’s birth and our salvation. For whatever reason, this song strikes me in a very special way. Like any truly great song and any truly divinely inspired words, the lyrics of “O Holy Night” are filled with complexities and layers. At different times in life, different parts of the song can strike you in very different ways. On my most recent experience with the song, something new stood out to me. Some popular renditions of the song have been re-arranged and don’t include all of the verses, so not every version that you hear will contain this verse, but the original third verse contains something incredibly gripping to me: “…His law is love and His gospel is peace, Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name all oppression shall cease…”
These lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks and I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind. The background of the song makes the lyrics even more remarkable. The original lyrics and music were written in France in 1847. French society was in turmoil. Only two months later, the February Revolution would see King Louis Philippe deposed and the working class and middle class rise up against the oppression of the French aristocracy. The song came to America eight years later. In 1855, John Sullivan Dwight, an ex-minister and music critic in Massachusetts, would translate the lyrics into English. A French society smothered by oppression. A pre-war America only a few years from abolishing slavery. Now read those lyrics again: “the slave is our brother. In His Name, all oppression shall cease.” Those lyrics are not accidental or random. They’re made even
more powerful by the era in which they were revealed. Slave as brother is a Biblical truth. In Philemon 16, Paul writes that a certain slave was “more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” Paul wrote this to a church leader who owned the slave in question. Not only that, but the slave had recently run away. And yet, Paul makes clear that the slave and the owner are brothers. I praise the Lord that we no longer have physical slavery in America, but many of our brothers suffer under a different kind of slavery—sin, addiction, poverty, despair, hopelessness and more. It must have been jolting for Philemon to see his slave called his brother. In that same way, it’s jolting for us to recognize those who are our brothers today. Even the ones who aren’t popular. Even those who live in the
“icky” parts of society. And whether we like it or not, our society still struggles with oppression. As we move through the Christmas season, I encourage each of us to consider the lyrics of “O Holy Night.” Are we treating the slave as our brother? Are we working to see that all oppression shall cease, in Jesus’ holy name? Merry Christmas! Our savior is born.
First Baptist Church John Ward 214 N Swenson 325-773-2781 AM Worship: 11:00 House of God Pastor Bobby Acosta 802 Ferguson St Sundays 11:00 am
Nugent Church of Christ Nugent, Texas Wayne Kitchens, Preacher Sun. 10 Bible Classes 11 Morning Assembly
St Ann’s Catholic Church 1001 S Swenson 325-773-2659 AM Mass: 11:00
Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00
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.
LOCAL CHURCHES Avoca Baptist Church Rev. Les Mims 773-3531 AM Worship: 11:00 Avoca United Methodist Church Dennis Huffaker 773-3909 AM Worship: 9:45 Bethel Church of God in Christ Pastor Session 407 W Handlan 325-773-5730 Bethel (Christ) Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 1024 E. Vanderbilt 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 9:00 Bethel Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 10707 N. FM 600 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 11:00
Central Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Kelly Pigott 601 Rowland 325-773-3381 AM Worship: 11:00 Common Ground Youth Ministry Paul Wright 219 S Swenson 325-773-3604 Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30 Family Church of Christ 1505 E. Wells St 325-773-5250 Worship: 9:45 a.m. 1st Assembly 1214 Compton Pastor John Shepard Worship: Saturday @ 6:00PM (325)267-0955
Lueders First Baptist Church Roscoe McCoy 228-4622 AM Worship: 11:00 MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church AM worship 11:00 Heart of God Church 114 E Campbell Joanne Ochoa AM Worship 10:30 Nugent Baptist Church Craig Thames 228-4457 Worship: 11:00
Orient Street Church of Christ Wes Horn 510 S Orient 773-3419 Worship: 10:30 Paint Creek Baptist Church Pastor Tony Grand 940-864-3358 AM Worship: 11:00
WANT TO SPONSOR THE CHURCH PAGE? Call 325-773-5550
St. John’s United Methodist Church Pastor John Erwin 201 S Ferguson 325-773-2561 AM Worship: 10:50 Solomon Temple Baptist Church Rev. Donnie Massey 315 N. Haskell St. 325-773-2213 AM Worship 11:00
Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg
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Heroes Come from Anywhere Last week I talked about swallowing your pride and accepting help when needed as well as not being afraid to step up and help our fellow human beings when they need it. The things that I talked about in that column are something that we actually all possess and, for many of us, that natural feeling to step in and help others just happens, even if the situation is scary. What THOUGHTS FROM brings me back to these thoughts is the story that we all know and UNDER THE CAP have heard about and that was our three brave young men who faced Will McClure a dangerous situation in order to help another. No worries about what harm may come to them. No second thoughts about keeping back. They saw another person in serious danger and sprang into action. I don’t think I need to go into the story anymore as we all well know it and the fact that these young men, along with another brave individual, not only stepped up and let protective instincts take over to save another, but they have even said that they did not feel like heroes for doing what they did. Instead, they knew it was the right thing to do. Nothing expected in return. No big deal made out of it. It was just being at the right place at the right time to help another in a time of dire need. The word “hero” is thrown around, but is also not taken lightly. These individuals that stepped in at the risk of their own well-being to help another is indeed a selfless, heroic act. However, the humility that is shown from our young men makes their actions even more courageous and heroic. There is a common misconception that teenagers today are only focused on themselves and will laugh at pain instead of helping. I guess we have to thank the television media for that, but more often than not teens can surprise us and, at least many of the youths that I know both from Stamford and in Sweetwater where I teach show more character and resolve that many adults that can’t even take responsibility for a mistake made. I could go into a rant here about certain adults and current news, but I would be getting away from my focus here. Instead, we need to look at these actions and not only praise these young men for stepping up, but also learn from their example. I have talked many times in the past here about us looking to set an example for the future generation, but sometimes we can be assured that our youth will do the right thing when the situation comes up. There are teenagers around us today in any town that have to step up and run the household for their family for some reason or another and still have to come to school and deal with teenage drama. I think we take a lot of these kids for granted and a lot assume that they “don’t know anything” and that they are just “kids.” However, I have personally seen teenagers lend helping hands, offer comfort for others and even volunteer their valuable free time to be kids to better themselves for the future. When I think of the term “hero,” our youth that steps up and does many things that are not expected of them to better not only themselves but also their community should be praised and applauded as heroic acts. A hero thinks not about themselves, but those around them. They sacrifice their time and, many times, well-being to better the world around them. The fact that we have teenagers that do this every day is commendable, but is often overlooked. We have many heroes that we can never thank enough from our first responders to our military, but it is the heroes that we have at home that also need our support. The future is just a little bit brighter every day and we should be assured that a hero can come from anywhere. They may even be living right under our own roof. Until next time, dear reader, my cap’s off to you!
A Visit With The Panhandle Santa Claus Rodney Watson of Plainview is an artist who paints western landscapes. He has also had careers as a museum curator and banker. The bank where he worked always had a huge Christmas event. Santa Claus was there beside a huge lighted and decorated tree. There were refreshments and customers and non-customers went to the bank around Christmastime. It was a social event. “It was hard to conduct any bank business because of the crowd,” says Rodney. Rodney sported a full red beard when he went to work at the bank, but shaved it off because bank officials frowned on their employees having facial hair. Toward the end of Rodney’s ten-year tenure at the bank, the bank president approached him with two tickets to a rock concert Rodney had wanted to attend. The president said, “Take these with my compliments. When you come back from the concert, I have a favor to ask of you.” Rodney says he had
trouble enjoying the concert because he kept thinking about what the favor would entail. When he got back, he found out. For several years the bank had a Santa Claus that had done a super job. Rodney says he was fabulous, looked the part and drove a red Cadillac with personalized plates that had the word Santa on them. It seems that Santa was retiring and the bank wanted Rodney to assume the role of the bank’s Santa Claus. “I’m a big guy,” says Rodney. “well over six feet and around 250 pounds. When I found out I was to be Santa I started growing my beard, this time with the bank’s blessing. I discovered my red beard had turned white, so much the better. I wear it six months on, six months off. My mother made me
a custom Santa suit that I didn’t let anyone know about until I wore it out in public for the first time.” Rodney left the bank to pursue his art, but continued his Santa work. Because of his popularity as the bank’s Santa he was asked to act as Santa Claus at holiday events all over the South Plains and Panhandle. He is busy all during the month of December and has a treasure chest of memories he has made during his several years of playing Santa. “Once this little 4th grade girl was sitting on my lap and I asked her what she wanted
TUMBLEWEED SMITH
for Christmas. All she wanted was to talk to her brother. I knew immediately this was going to be one of those heartbreak deals. Her father had left and took her brother. She hadn’t seen him or talked to him in 8 months. Me being a big old teddy bear anyway, I listened to her story, gave her a big hug and told her I would say a prayer for her. Next year that same little girl was sitting in my lap and I asked her if she ever got to talk to her brother. She looked at me with the biggest surprise on her face that I would remember her and she said yes she did. We were both in tears and she gave me a dollar bill. I told her to put it in the collection plate at church.”
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Deadline To Hit For Disaster Aid Applications
Texans applying for federal funds for housing repairs and reimbursements relating to Hurricane Harvey damages face an important deadline. The Texas General Land Office on Dec. 16 encouraged applicants for the Homeowner Assistance Program and Homeowner Reimbursement Program to submit applications before Dec. 31. Some $1.3 billion has been set aside in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grants for disaster recovery funding. The money is to be used for rehabilitation and reconstruction of thousands of owneroccupied single-family homes in 48 counties that were damaged by Harvey in 2017. The General Land Office reported it has approved nearly 2,000 applications for construction, with more than 700 homes currently under construction and nearly 400 homes completed. The Homeowner Reimbursement Program has reimbursed nearly 1,000 applicants for more than $30 million. More than 4,000 applications are undergoing eligibility review and more than 4,100 applications remain in the draft stage under the Homeowner Assistance Program. The Homeowner Reimbursement program has more than 7,500 applications in draft status and an estimated 2,300 undergoing eligibility review. SURPRISE BILLING: WAIVER The Texas Department of Insurance last week adopted a rule outlining a narrow exception to the state’s new surprise billing protections relating to health care services provided on or after Jan. 1. Senate Bill 1264, passed during the 2019 regular session of the Texas Legislature, is intended to protect consumers with state-regulated health plans — about 16% of Texans — from surprise bills in emergencies and in cases where the consumer had no choice of providers.
CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
Ed Sterling
The legislation carves out a narrow exception when a consumer chooses an out-ofnetwork doctor or provider at an in-network facility. The Texas Department of Insurance, which has rule-making authority, said the rule was adopted on an emergency basis, and the next step is for the rule to go through the normal rulemaking process, allowing time to accept and consider public comments. AG ADDRESSES REPORT Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Dec. 18 released a statement in response to the United Kingdom’s assessment of tech giant Google’s market power. The assessment relates to the Online Platforms and Digital Advertising Market Study Interim Report conducted by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Paxton said, “The CMA, like many other competition authorities around the world, including the Texas-led, multi-state bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general, is examining the dominance and conduct of tech giant Google in online markets and I applaud those efforts.” Paxton said the report reflects “a growing concern over Google’s business practices, and we intend to closely follow the facts we discover in our own investigation and proceed as necessary if Google has harmed competition, undermined consumer choice, stifled innovation, or violated users’ privacy and trust.” In September, Paxton and
other state attorneys general launched a bipartisan investigation of Google’s business practices in accordance with state and federal antitrust laws. The coalition announced plans to investigate Google’s overarching control of online advertising markets and search traffic that may have led to anticompetitive behavior that harms consumers. The investigation is ongoing, Paxton said. In a Dec. 18 Reuters news story, spokespeople for Google and Facebook said after the release of the Digital Advertising Market Study Interim Report that moving forward, their companies would continue to consult and work with the UK’s CMA. LUNG INJURIES INCREASE In its weekly health update, the Texas Department of State Health Services on Dec. 17 reported 223 known cases of severe lung disease in Texas residents who report vaping before developing symptoms. One patient has died in the state. Patients range in age from 13 to 75 years old with a median age of 22 years. About one-quarter of the people affected in Texas are minors. Three-quarters are male, and nine in 10 report vaping THC or marijuana, possibly in conjunction with other substances. Almost all were hospitalized, with many requiring intensive care. Nationally, 2,409 cases have been reported. The Department of State Health Services is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other states to gather evidence about what the cases have in common and determine a cause. “Until we know more about the cause, people should consider not using e-cigarettes. If you do vape and experience symptoms like those reported, seek medical care promptly,” the Department of State Health Services said in its Dec. 17 news release.
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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN
NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE THE STATE OF TEXAS § - COUNTY OF JONES § By virtue of Tax Warrant issued out of the 259th District Court of Jones County, Texas in Cause # TX011496 on the 4th day of December, 2019, by the Clerk thereof, and to me as Sheriff, directed and delivered, I will proceed to sell at 11:00 a.m. on the 7th day of January, 2020 at the
Tract 6: Lot Five (5), in Block Nine (9), of the J.H. Edmonds Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R16506)
South Door of the Jones County Courthouse, in Anson, Texas, the properties described below: Cause No TX011496 City of Anson, et al vs. Owners of Various Properties Located Within the City Limits of Anson, Texas.
Tract 7: A 5.5’ x 75’ Tract of Land out of the Northwest Quarter (NW/4) of Lot Six (6), in Block One Hundred and Sixty-three (163), of the Duvall Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R16395)
Tract 1: A 1.00 acre tract of land out of Section 2, in Block One (1), of the T & N O Ry. Co. Land Survey, Jones County, Texas; being more particularly described by metes and bounds referred to in the Warranty Deed recorded in Volume 638, Page 284 of the Official Public Records of Jones County, Texas; such description being incorporated herein by reference (R23486) Tract 2: Lot Seven (7) and Lot Eight (8), in Block Seventeen (17), of the Original Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R28318)
Tract 8: Lot Eleven (11), in Block One Hundred and Fifty-nine (159), of the Kennedy-Bishop Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R28666)
Tract 3: Lot One (1), in Block Fifty-one (51), of the Original Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R26441)
Tract 11:
Tract 4: East Half (E/2) of Lots Seven (7) and Eight (8), in Block Two Hundred and Five (205), of the Johnson Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R18088) Tract 5: Lot Twenty (20) and Lot Twentytwo (22), in Block Three (3), of the Hoover Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R16837)
Tract 9: Lot Ten (10), in Block One Hundred and Fifty-nine (159), of the Kennedy-Bishop Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R16826) Tract 10: Lot Five (5), in Block Thirteen (13), of the Chapman Addition, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R54674) A tract of land 90’ x 140’, being a part of the Northeast Quarter (NE/4) of Section Two (2), in Block One (1), of the T & N O Ry. Co. Land Survey, to the Town of Anson, Jones County,
Texas (R19938)
Tract 12: A tract of land 50’ x 150’, being a part of Section Two (2), in Block One (1), of the T & N O Ry. Co. Land Survey, to the Town of Anson, Jones County, Texas (R19761) Tract 13: A 0.91 acre tract of land located in Section 4, Tract 279-8, MEP & P RR Company Survey, Jones
County, Texas; being more particularly described by metes and bounds referred to in the Warranty Deed w/Vendor’s Lien recorded in Volume 638, Page 542 of the Official Public Records of Jones County, Texas; such description being incorporated herein by reference (R16039) THE STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF JONES § By virtue of Tax Warrant issued out of the 259th District Court of Jones County, Texas in Cause # TX011497 on the 4th day of December, 2019, by the Clerk thereof, and to me as Sheriff, directed and delivered, I will proceed to sell at 11:00 a.m. on the 7th day of January, 2020 at the South Door of the Jones County Courthouse, in Anson, Texas, the properties described below: Cause No TX011497 City of Hamlin, et al vs. Owners of Various Properties Located Within the City Limits of Hamlin, Texas. Tract 1: Lot Four (4), in Block Nineteen (19), Nobles and Smith Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R18762)
Tract 2: Lot Seven (7), in Block Thirtyfive (35), of the Orient Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R12304)
(R16734) Tract 5: Lot Eight (8), in Block Thirtyeight (38), of the Orient Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R11000) Tract 6: Lot Twelve (12), in Block Twenty (20), of the Orient Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R16377) Tract 7: Lot Seven (7), in Block Sixty-one (61), of the Orient Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R14506) Tract 8: Lot Seven (7) and Eight (8), in Block Five (5), Nobels and Smith Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R27256) Tract 9: The North Half (N/2) of Lot Five (5) and Six (6), in Block Ninetyone (91), Hamlin Townsite Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R12359) Tract 10: Lot Twelve (12), in Block Fifteen (15), Moore’s West Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R23352) Tract 11: Lots Three (3) and Four (4), in Block Thirteen (13), of the Original Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R16233)
Tract 3: Lot Nine (9), in Block Seven (7), of the Orient Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R14053)
Tract 12: Lot Three (3), in Block One (1), and the North 4.2 Feet of Lot Four (4), Moore’s Lake Drive Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R23189)
Tract 4: Lot One (1), in Block Five (5), of the Orient Addition, to the town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas
Tract 13: Lot One (1), in Block Fifteen (15), of the Original Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R15192)
Tract 15: The North Twenty Feet (N/20’) of Lot Nine (9), and all of Lot Ten (10), in Block Thirteen (13), of the Moore’s West Addition, to the Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R25752) Tract 16: Lot Four (4), in Block Forty-nine (49), of the Original Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas (R17445) LEVIED ON the 10th day of December, 2019, as the property of those persons listed above to satisfy taxes, penalties, and interest and all costs of seizure and sale against those persons listed in said Warrant and any other unknown owners in favor of the Taxing Units listed in said Tax Warrants. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND THIS THE 10th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2019. Danny Jimenez Sheriff, Jones County, Texas
THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN
Classifieds
HELP WANTED
Sagebrush Living Center is accepting applications for Direct Support Staff. Contact Karen Wolsch or Doug Stanley. Contact Kathy Phillips at 325773-2791 at Sagebrush Living Center, 1101 Columbia St., Stamford, TX. Universal Worker needed at Country Elegance Assisted Living. This is a Pool (PRN, temporary, fill-in, as needed) position for both day and night shifts. The Universal Worker is responsible for providing residents with desired services in a caring, safe and efficient manner, dressing and maintaining proper clothing and hygiene, cleaning and food preparation while maintaining order, safety and cleanliness. Apply in person at 1700 Columbia, Stamford. Big Country Electric Cooperative currently has two positions open for hire: Accounting Assistant in our Roby office and Lineman in our Snyder office. Please apply on our website: www. bigcountry.coop/content/ careers-co-op the deadline to apply is December 31, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
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.
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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 1502 Compton Stamford 3/2/2 Ranch home 1.6± AC!......Reduced! $126,500 1105 New Hope Road 2/2 brick Great Location!.................................... SOLD 703 Columbia Nice 3 bedroom 2 bath on a corner lot w 2 car garage!......$72,000 New! 804 Wells 3/1 w CH/A, tiled walk-in Shower and covered porch!..$67,500 716 E Oliver 4 bedroom/ 2 baths quiet area..............................................$68,900 1207 HUDSON 3 bedroom, 1 bath in a good location!..............................$49,900 New 1315 Hudson Rd 3/1 w CHA Great location!................................$39,900 712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian home.........................SOLD 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
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 SOLD 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 227± AC N of Rule Good combo place Pasture and cultivation! Great Hunting! 160± AC – The Kittley Irrigated Farm Northwest of Rule! SOLD 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 247± Stock Farm SOLD 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 230± AC Ft. Phantom River Ranch, Excellent Hunting! 782± AC N of Neinda Mostly Cultivated farm 45± Acres Right outside of Town
KENT COUNTY
925± AC-Panther Canyon Ranch-Native pasture w/ food plots, springs on Panther Canyon and Croton Creek on the north Boundary!
SHACKELFORD COUNTY
440± AC North of Abilene Cultivation and pasture w/ Spring, Rural Water and 3 tanks! 140 Country Cove Nice Brick 3/2 home with Fireplace & huge back yard! List Price $164,900 Blacksmith Shop, Art Studio and 3 Bedroom Home in Albany List Price $82,500
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! 1,455± Acres Base of the Double Mountains! 165± Acres All pasture, Great Hunting!
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 SOLD 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
DICKENS COUNTY
1,450± AC Fantastic Hunting, Shinnery, Large Stock Tank
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN
(left) Oliver Elementary held their annual Pecos Bill plays the last week of school before the winter break. (right) Kylo Ren and a Storm Trooper (Michelle and Craig Gilbert) greeted guests at the Grand Theater Friday night during the first showing of “Star Wars: The Return of Skywalker..”
Stamford 71, Miles 34 Stamford outscored Miles 15-4 in the first quarter and never looked back. High scorer for Stamford was Austin Brewer with 23 points. Trace Price had 12, Stephon Johnson 10, Keyven Mueller and D’Marcus Barber 9 apiece, Ryheem Smith and Lane Patton 3 each, and Charles Moore 2. Stamford 15 23 13 20--71 Miles 4 7 16 7--34