March 15, 2019 - Stamford American

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

STAMFORD

American THE NEW

EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF 107 W. MCHARG.........PAGE 3

Bulldogs Named to All-State Academic Basketball Team

Zachary Duran, 1st Team

Nolan Baker, 2nd Team

Peyton Bevel, Honorable Mention

Photos by Bearden Photography TTHE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN VOL. 10, ISSUE 43 STAMFORD AMERICAN VOLUME 97, ISSUE 49 STAMFORD LEADER VOLUME 113, ISSUE 50

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SEE COMMISSIONERS COURT STORY ......... ...............................................................PAGE 2

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MARK THE DATE...

MAR 16TH

BOOK SALE: The Stamford Carnegie Library will be having a book sale Saturday, March 16 from 10:00am-2:00pm. A $5.00 per person entry fee will be charged and all books will be free. All genres of books will be available, fiction, nonfiction, paperbacks, and lots of nursing and medical books. First come, first served. Cash only.

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST MARCH 24TH

FCA PROGRAM: Fellowship of Christian Athletes invites the public to join us for Desserts & FCA Updates on March 24, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:15 at Stamford First Baptist Church, 214 N Swenson.

Area Director Paul Johnson and Multi-area Director Steve Keenum will present the program.

BIRTHDAYS Know someone who is having a birthday? Please remember to call us at 325-773-5550 and let us know!

NEWS BRIEFS CODE CLUB: Stamford Carnegie Library CODE CLUB every Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 pm. Grades 6-12 welcome to attend.

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 to Stamford American, P O BOX 870, Stamford, TX and note

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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. Please have your children take advantage of this help. For more information, contact Paul Wright at 7733604 or 370-6378.

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

Friday 54 | 34

Saturday 57 | 37

Sunday 62 | 39

Monday 64 | 42

Tuesday 65 | 43

Wednesday 66 | 44

Thursday 67 | 47

The weather is provided for you

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

Jones County Constable Named

BY KAY SPEARS The Jones County Commissioners Court met on Monday, March 11, 2019 at the Courthouse in Anson, for the first of two regular monthly meetings. In attendance were Judge Dale Spurgin, County Commissioners James Clawson, Ross Davis, Joel Spraberry, County Clerk LeeAnn Jennings, County Treasurer Amber Thompson, County Auditor Gwen Bailey and County Sheriff Danny Jimenez.

Judge Spurgin called the meeting to order before the minutes of the last regular meeting on February 25, 2019 and the called meeting on March 6, 2019 were approved.

The next agenda item concerned the Disaster Declaration and all items related regarding FEMA, TDA and TDEM Forms and Requirements. There were no new updates on previous disasters and repairs

are ongoing on DR-4255.

Next, Judge Spurgin stated there would be a Commissioners Court Called Meeting at The Jones County Law Enforcement Training Room on, Monday, March 11, 2019 at 1:00 pm.

It will be an Applicant Briefing for DR-4166, referring to damage caused by the heavy rainfall that occurred in the Fall of 2018. Representatives from the Texas Department of Emergency Management and FEMA will be there to go over the process for this latest round of disasters. “When we met on February 25th, that afternoon the President declared Jones County along with 30 other counties in the state for a Disaster Declaration.”

The next item did not require action to be taken on the County Clerk entering into an Agreement with Cott Systems to Scan/Image Deed Record Books 308 through 546. The County Clerk confirmed that the County Attorney was work-

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.

ing with Cott Systems to make the contract agreeable to both parties.

Next was to discuss and take action on Proposals for Repairs to the Low Water Crossing on CR 311 and Deadman Creek in Precinct 3. No action was taken on the three proposals received as they await needed information from FEMA. All three companies have been cleared through the Systems for Award Management (SAMS) list.

There was no new discussion or concerns on the subject of Equipment Purchase.

The next item was to discuss and take action on Material and Material Hauling. Salado, previously Lueders Limestone, was added to the approved list of vendors used by the County.

Next was the subject of Equipment Purchase and no action was taken at this time.

The next agenda item

was the Anson Solar Center Tax Abatement. Judge Spurgin stated there was no action to be taken at this time, however Attorney Alan Carmichael received correspondence from the project developers and a tax abatement proposal has been tentatively agreed to.

Their goal is to have the agreement presented at the March 25, 2019, Commissioners Court.

There was no update on the approved proposal on the Anson Solar Center Road Use and Maintenance and Crossing Agreement.

Next on the agenda was to discuss and take action on the Deputation of Michael Prado, Jones County Sheriff’s Office. The hiring of Michael Prado as a Jones County Sherriff’s Deputy was approved.

The Treasurer’s report was presented by Treasurer Amber Thompson and was approved.

SEE COURT, PAGE 4

NOTICE

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

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

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

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107 W. McHarg Not Always a Barber Shop

BY KAY SPEARS 107 W. McHarg in Stamford, Texas has been around for at least 90 years. It is currently home to JD’s Barber Shop, the one with the great “old fashioned” electric barber pole. The barber pole has been used to indicate where a barber has set up shop since medieval times.

The history of the barber pole is too gory to include here since back in the day barbers were also known as barber-surgeons. Luckily for us progress means that barbers cut hair, give shaves and no longer pull teeth!

J. D. Harris opened JD’s Barber Shop in July of 2016 after J. W. Golden retired. Golden barbered at the 107 W. McHarg location from 2009 to 2016.

Before that his barber shop was across the street at 108 W. McHarg. Golden named his business Service Barber Shop when he started in about 1971, where Smitty’s Barber Shop had been for many years.

107 W. McHarg didn’t always house a barber shop.

Between 1932 and 1950 the Upshaw & Upshaw In-

Judge Dale Spurgin, Commissioner James Clawson, Jayden Jordan and Flat Stanley after Commissioner’s Court on Monday, March 11, 2019.

107 W. McHarg has housed a barber shop since 2009. It changed hands in 2016 from Service Barber Shop to JD’s Barber Shop when JD Harris opened his business. surance Agency conducted business there. In 1950 they moved next door to 109 W. McHarg while the Tayman Insurance Agency moved from 105 and into 107. Elizabeth Martin, Optometrist had her practice at 105 W. McHarg at that time. In about 1960 McClellan’s Insurance Agency and Western Republic Life Insurance occupied 109. In 1984 Gina’s Hair Fashions

was in business at 107 W. McHarg.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s the block just west of the Swenson/McHarg intersection was very busy. On the south side were McClellan’s Insurance, Western Republic Life Insurance, Crown Barber, Harry Haynes, DDS, and Brazelton Lumber Yard with the Bus Terminal & Tom’s Restaurant to the west of

Library Book Sale Saturday, March 16 LIBRAY BOOK SALE this Saturday, March 16th 10am-2pm. Cash only. $5 entry fee, all books are free! First come, first served. No reserves.

It’s been a few years since we’ve had a book sale, so there are lots of used books to choose from! Mysteries, romance, western, and plenty of non-fiction, including a large supply of medical and nursing books.

We also have lots of vintage LP vinyl records that will go for $1 apiece.

We need to clear all these used books out asap, so we can begin some much needed renovations upstairs. It’s time to make the library shine again. All proceeds and donations will go to the Stamford Carnegie Library!

Tom’s. Across the street, on the north side, were the High Fashion Shop, Smitty’s Barber Shop, Tayman Insurance, the Beauty Bar, Buie Insurance and Buie’s TV Service.

107 W. McHarg is a great space for a barber shop, with a view of the comings and goings of Stamford.

JD’s is open Tues-Fri 8:005:00 and Sat 8:00-12:00.

Flat Stanley Gets Around

BY KAY SPEARS

You may have seen Flat Stanley around during Spring Break. Jayden Jordan introduced Flat Stanley to Jones County Commissioner’s Court on Monday, March 11, 2019. Jayden is the daughter of Shane and Jamie Jordan and is a second-grade student in Ms. Sanchez’ class at Anson Elementary School. Ms.

Sanchez sent Flat Stanley and his clones out with her students to have Spring Break adventures. They were to return Flat Stanley with a letter about their adventures and pictures with descriptions telling what they were doing. Members of the Commissioner’s Court were pleased to have Jayden and Flat Stanley visit them.

FCA Program on March 24 Fellowship of Christian Athletes invites the public to join us for Desserts & FCA Updates on March 24, 2019 from 3:00 – 4:15 at Stamford First Baptist Church, 214 N Swenson. Area Director Paul Johnson and Multi-area Director Steve Keenum will present the program.

County Clerk Lee Ann Jennings, Judge Dale Spurgin, Commissioners James Clawson, Ross Davis and Joel Spraberry met with Jayden Jordan and Flat Stanley after Court adjourned on Monday, March 11, 2019.

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Alyssa Webb, Lueders-Avoca FFA Chapter, Class Winning and Premium Sale, Crossbred Barrow (Pictured with sponsor Curt Muehlstein and other LA FFA members.)

Dylan Muehlstein, Class Winning and Premium Sale, Chester Barrow, Texas Bred Class Champion (Pictured with his parents; his brother and sister; and his grandmother, Sandra Muehlstein; and other LA FFA members.)

Wesley Muehlstein, 5th Place Premium Sale, Crossbred Barrow (Pictured with his parents; his brother and sister; and his grandmother, Sandra Muehlstein; and other LA FFA members.)

Emily Muehlstein, 3rd Place Premium Sale, Duroc Barrow (Pictured with her parents; her brothers; and her grandmother, Sandra Muehlstein; and other LA FFA members.)

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Lexi Williams, Lueders-Avoca FFA Chapter, 2nd Place Premium Sale, Duroc Barrow (Pictured with the Muehlsteins and her grandmother June Williams)

Country Elegance assisted living residents participated in National Wear Red Day® – (left to right, back row) Billie Kupatt, Ann Strand, Georgia Burkman, Bert Jones, Lee Roy Nauert, (front row) Margaret Richards, Lela Bevel, Patsy Richards, Kay Hugley, Marge Barnett, and Mary Lou Gilleland.

[Picture Wear Red Stamford Health Club]

LUEDERS-AVOCA 4TH SIX WEEKS HONOR ROLL A HONOR ROLL: Aydenn Cervantez, Summer Davis, Noah Nieves, Christina Quinn, Cami Clinkinbeard, Solee Dubowik, Hayden Falany, Savannah Mooney, Ethan Lieb, Destiny Laurents, Brittney Villanueva, Alyssa Herrera, Moritz Lutz, Tobi Crane, Logan Hearn A-B HONOR ROLL: Eli Lira, Ellen Tabor, Gage Tabor, Bailee Henderson, Daniel Jarvis, Gabriel Lira, Emma Acosta, Harlie Barnes, Zurrie Taylor, Hunter Wylie, Grace Miller, Nicholas Quinn, Michael Acosta, Cole Clinkinbeard, James Gaspar, Samuel Fron, Jacob Gaspar, Jaydon Mooney, Scott Eggleston, Max Oritx, Hope Ruiz, Alyssa Webb, Alyssa Wyatt, Gloria Moorefield, Clara Hammond, Jacob Hammond, Faith Ruiz,

Nathan Villanueva, Johnathan Williams, Mattie Barnes, Lexi Williams, Courtney Webb PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Ivan Frazier, Brantley Silvas, Emma Acosta, Michael Acosta, Harlie Barnes, Sevreth Barnes, Ariel Barton, Bowdy Caldwell, Cami Clinkinbeard, Cole Clinkinbeard, Summer Davis, Solee Dubowik, Hayden Falany, Arianna Flores, Jacob Gaspar, James Gaspar, Bailee Henderson, Shelby Huggins, Daniel Jarvis, Jaxson Jarvis, Josh Mooney, Savannah Mooney, Rody Neal, Levi Pratt, Montana Pratt, Christina Quinn, Nicholas Quinn, Matthew Willis, Tobi Crane, Scott Eggleston, Elijah Flores, Clara Hammond, Jacob Hammond, Moritz Lutz, Faith Ruiz, Hope Ruiz

MARCH 15, 2019 5

Stamford Health Club’s Silver Fitness class participated in National Wear Red Day® – (left to right, in back) Glenn West, Camille Combs, Geraldine Wedeking, Verlene Corzine, Phil Swenson, Darlene Simpson, Kara Cobb, and Fred Selby; (front) Gerry Baker, Monica Pruitt, Jo Nell Hall, Odene Dudensing, Beverly Bryan, Janice Allen, Sharon Shelby, and Dorothy Doan.

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MARCH 15, 2019

HELLO FROM COWBOY COUNTRY

By Luci Wedeking

It’s been another great week in the museum!

I love getting feedback on the stories we share here.

Your calls and emails mean a lot, especially when they help to add information to what we are already working on.

I had an enjoyable visit a few weeks back with a member of the Pumphrey family, residing in Ft. Worth, who called in response to the story we ran recently on the legend of Aaron Pumphrey and his mysterious grave out at the SMS Ranch. It was exciting to learn more about the man whose death has become a legend in these parts, the family he came from, and the legacy they forged in the early days of Texas history. The photograph he sent shows Aaron to be quite the character, mugging for the camera, pistol and knife in hand, showing off like young folks still do today.

So, the Pumphrey brothers, John and Aaron, were

most certainly not squatters on the SMS, as previously suggested in the February 15th article as a question to their presence on the ranch. The Pumphreys were neighboring land owners. In 1881 they had a ranch on the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, just 16 miles north of Phantom Hill. I am including a picture of their registered brand at that location from The 1881 Stock Manual, published by Geo. B. Loving in Ft. Worth, Texas. Shortly after that they acquired land in Stonewall County, north of where Old Glory is now, and founded the 10X Ranch. The brothers’ ranching empire at one time comprised over 73,000 acres in McCulloch and Stonewall Counties.

In the book A History of Stonewall County, William Henry Pumphrey Sr. recalls the story of how Aaron died on the SMS: “My Uncle Aaron Pumphrey is buried on Flat Top Mountain, He died

from smallpox. A Mexican man who had had smallpox stayed with him and later came to Williamson County to tell my father of Uncle Aaron’s death. The Cowboys of the Stamford Reunion, usually give some kind of notice of it. They were on their way back from a trail drive to Kansas when he took sick and died.”

As listed previously, Aaron had a brother, John.

They also had another brother named Reason Beal Pumphrey. Turns out John and Reason were trail drivers back in the 1870s, and their story is well documented in the book, The Trail Drivers of Texas, originally published in 1923. I will let John Pumphrey, tell about those days himself with his firsthand account from the book: “The Pumphrey Brother’s Experience on the Trail

By J. B. Pumphrey of Taylor, Texas I am glad that the Old Trail Drivers’ Association is making up a collection of letters and stories of the ‘Boys Who Rode the Trail,’ and it will be fine to read them and recall the old days. I am pleased to hand you a brief sketch of myself and some of my experiences.

My Mother was a Boyce, one of the old pioneer families of Texas, and my father came from Ohio as a surgeon with General Taylor during the war between the United States and Mexico, and afterwards settled in Texas. My oldest Uncle, Jim Boyce, was killed and scalped by Indians on the bank of Gilleland’s Creek, near Austin.

I was born at old Round Rock on the 10th of November, 1852, and had the usual schooling of that time, when the ‘Blue Back Speller and ‘Dog-wood Switch’ were considered the principal necessities for the boy’s education.

All my life I have been engaged in the cow busi-

ness, taking my first job in 1869 at $15.00 a month, for eighteen hours a day if necessary, with horses furnished.

In February 1872, I made my first trip on the long trail helping to gather a herd at the old Morrow Ranch, about two miles from Taylor, and from there we went through Kansas, and then rode back, making about a four months’ trip in all, and then I felt like I was a real graduated cowboy. I would like to see this ride in ’72 compared with the longest ride that was ever made. My wages on the trail were $60.00 per month.

I furnishing six head of cow ponies. This trip was made while working for Cul Juvanel, who was from Indiana and had a lot of Indiana boys with him, whom we called ‘Short Horns.’

Myself and two others, Beal Pumphrey, my brother, and Taylor Penick, were the only Texans in the bunch. When we reached the South Fork of the Arkansas River it was night, and about five o’clock in the morning, after waking the cook, I was on my way back to the hard when I saw our horses were being hustled, and was afraid they would stampede the herd, when just then the cook yelled ‘Indians,’ and sure enough they had rounded up our horses and were going away with them.

A heavy rain was falling and the boss said, ’You Texas boys follow the Indians and get those horses.’ The two others and myself rode one day and night, having to swim rivers and creeks with our clothing fastened on our shoulders to keep them dry, making the hardest ride of my life, but we did not overtake the Indians; and I am now glad that we did not. We were left with but one horse each, with this herd, but had another herd nearby and, throwing the two together, making about six thousand head, we took them through to Kansas.

I remember one trip later in the year with Dave Pryor and Ike Pryor, when we were working Bill Arnold

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of Llano County. We got back home on the night of December 24th, and rolling up our blankets, slept in the yard, where the folks found us in the morning.

In 1973 I made another trip to Kansas with Bill Murchison of Llano County, and in later years took two other herds through to Kansas.

I have handled cattle in Mexico, South and Central Texas, Oklahoma, and once had a herd in Wyoming. I was director and vice president of the Taylor National Bank for twenty-four years, president of the McCulloch County Land and Cattle Company about twentyfive years, and now have ranches in McCulloch and Stonewall Counties. I have never forgotten the feel of the saddle after a long day, the weight and pull of the old six-shooter, and what a blessing to cowmen was the old yellow slicker. Those were the days when men depended on themselves first, but could rely on their friends to help. If necessary. Days of hard work but good health; plain fare but strong appetites, when people expected to work for their living and short hours and big pay was unknown.

In conclusion, I wish to say any movement that will preserve the memories of the old trail days is valuable, for in a few years, most of those who ‘Rode the Trail’ will have crossed the great divide. All honor to the Old Timers who have gone before, and good luck to all of you who are left.”

Wow! I love reading these firsthand accounts from those who lived it, it really doesn’t get better than that.

I am so thankful to be visiting with the Pumphrey family and learning more about these amazing men. I’ve since done a brief search of my own online and have found there is much more to the story of this Texas founding family. Join us next time and we’ll talk about their role in Texas’ Independence, through to settling here in Cowboy Country. Looking forward to sharing more with you all next week!

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The Past, The Future, and the Green Book I’m not big on the Academy Awards, or awards shows in general. For the most part, whether for movies, television, music, or sports, I find these shows to be overly self-serving, wasteful mutual admiration societies. I usually have better things to do with my time than watch them.

Beyond that, my taste in movies rarely coincides with those who select the awards. Of all the Best Picture winners in the last 20 years, I can count on one hand the number that I’ve seen. I still think “Tombstone” was robbed in 1993.

However, this past week, we had the chance to screen “Green Book” at the Grand Theatre in Stamford.

As you may know, “Green Book” won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Picture and has been widely acclaimed. I figured it would at least be worth an evening at the movies with a box of Junior Mints (clearly the best movie candy, but that’s an essay for another day).

I left the Grand absolutely blown away by the movie.

The Academy Awards selectors did right on this one.

It’s an entertaining movie, but also one that merits further societal discussion.

“Green Book” is based on the true story of pianist Don Shirley’s 1962 concert tour through the Midwest

and unand Deep South. welcomShirley is accompaing to nied by Tony ValShirley. lelonga, a driver and I won’t bodyguard hired give any

by Shirley’s record spoilers, label. Shirley is an but ValAfrican-American, lelonga classically trained ESSAYS FROM opens pianist. He lives the film in a spectacularly WEST OF 98 with adorned apartment a dim above Carnegie James M. Decker view of Hall in New York African City and moves in Americans, despite the chip Manhattan’s sophisticated on his own shoulder from circles. Vallelonga is an his own experiences with Italian-American from the discrimination as a man of Bronx. He lives in a roughItalian heritage. As Shirand-tumble neighborhood ley and Vallelonga travel near all his family, and together, they connect previously spent time as personally, but also reveal a trash truck driver and themselves as imperfect hua bouncer at the famed mans. They deal with some Copacabana nightclub. It is awful, appalling instances a vast understatement to of racial discrimination. call these men an odd fit to Like imperfect humans, spend eight weeks driving they don’t always respond cross-country together. well.

The film’s title is a refer“Green Book” should ence to the Green Book, make us think uncoma travel guide created fortably about American and published by Victor society. After it ended, a Hugo Green from 1936 to friend walked over, an older 1966. The book provided gentlemen in Stamford. He information about hotels, shook his head a little and restaurants, filling stations, said, “Sometimes it’s hard and other travel establishto think that wasn’t very ments that would welcome many years ago.” It wasn’t.

African-American travelers 1962 seems like a lifetime at the peak of America’s ago in some respects, but Jim Crow era. Vallelonga many generations who uses the Green Book to experienced the discriminaguide their travels through territories unfamiliar to him tion of the 1960s, especially

as children, are alive and well.

As I’ve written on this topic in the past, our society has advanced far past where it was in 1962, but that doesn’t mean we’re perfect. Overt segregation and discrimination are harder to find, but ingrained, subconscious societal prejudices still exist. No matter our skin color, we’ve probably both experienced and propagated a few prejudices, even if subtle ones, and even if we didn’t intend to.

Sometimes, it’s good to be challenged to think about our society. It’s good to be uncomfortable as we think about the unsavory pieces of our past, so that we can ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of our forefathers. If you get the chance, go see “Green Box” or get it on DVD in the near future. Remember: we can’t change our society’s past, but we can do our part to make society’s future better for all.

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.

ROTARY CLUB NEWS Gary Baldowski, a graduate of the SHS class of 1967, has always had a passion for his high school and his home town. He lives in Atlanta, but returns often to see his mother and family. He and his son have been working over two years on a documentary of Stamford that will soon be completed. He has always been creative and has been involved in several types of businesses. Today, he talked to the Club about the things that should make Stamford proud with its assets, the support of the community for their youth, its leaders

with foresight, for its heritage and for the graduates and their accomplishments in many areas throughout the years. He encouraged the Club to continue to move forward with a positive outlook for the future.

--------------Scott Bearden is our newest Rotarian and he gave his classification talk today.

Scott was born and raised in Stamford. He graduated from Stamford High School in 2009 and entered Texas Tech University. He graduated in 2013 with a degree in

business. He began working with First Bank Texas in the Haskell branch and recently was promoted and became manager of First Bank Texas in Stamford. He talked about his youth, his hobbies and then told about the different services of the Bank. He feels fortunate because he can come back to his home town and contribute back to the community.

--------------The City of Stamford undertook a $20 million project to upgrade our water facilities about two years ago.

Alan Plumlee, Stamford City Manager, brought us a report to update the Club on the project. The first phase is to lay a new pipeline a distance of 15 miles from Lake Stamford to our treatment plant in town. The second and third phases will be to build a new water storage facility and upgrade our water treatment plant. After these projects are completed, the remaining money will be used to replace major existing water lines in the city. Overall this is about a five year project and will be a great move forward for Stamford.

MARCH 15, 2019

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Anson Chamber of Commerce Holds Banquet On March 4, 2019 the Anson Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet. Those awarded were Mr. AHS – Grant Jones, Miss AHS – Teryn White, Educator of the Year – David Hagler, Fireman of the Year – Brady Pope, Agriculturalist of the Year – Bryce Roda, Terry Cox Spirit Award – The Jack & Kandy Thompson Family, Woman of the Year – Jeannie Free, Man of the Year – Mitch Hall. This we were pleased to present a special Lifetime Service award to Nettie Lee for her years of dedicated service to the Anson chamber and our community.

Tutoring Available Tutoring is available every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 at Common Ground for Stamford Middle School students.

This is an opportunity for your child to get extra help on their school work. Please have your children take advantage of this help. For more information, contact Paul Wright at 773-3604 or 370-6378.

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2019 Bulldog Baseball Schedule

Bulldogs Compete in Windthorst Tournament

3/15/2019

Friday

Breckenridge

Stamford

12:00 PM

3/19/2019

Tuesday

Baird

Stamford

7:00 PM

3/22/2019

Friday

Albany

Stamford

7:00 PM

3/23/2019

Saturday Archer City DH Stamford

11:00 AM

3/25/2019

Monday

Knox City

Knox City

4:30 PM

3/26/2019

Tuesday

OPEN

3/29/2019

Friday

Haskell

Stamford

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

3/30/2019

Saturday OPEN

4/2/2019

Tuesday

Hamlin

Stamford

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/5/2019

Friday

Hawley

Hawley

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/6/2019

Saturday District Track Meet

4/8/2019

Monday

Eula

Clyde

4:30 PM

4/9/2019

Tuesday

Iowa Park (Fr)

Iowa Park

5:00 PM

4/12/2019

Friday

Haskell

Stamford

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/13/2018

Saturday

Varsity DH

OPEN

TBD

TBD

4/16/2019

Tuesday Albany

Albany

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/19/2019

Friday

Haskell

Haskell

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/23/2019

Tuesday

Hawley

Stamford

7:00 PM

4:30 PM

4/26/2019

Friday

Jim Ned Regional Track Meet

4/29/2019

Monday

De Leon

4/30/2019

Tuesday District Certification OPEN

De Leon

2:00 PM

4:30 PM

4:30 PM TBD

TBD

BY COACH KEVIN BARTLEY The Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity struggled to contain the high-powered offense of Muenster, giving up seven runs in the 7-0 loss. Muenster opened up scoring in the first inning. Trubenbach drove in one when he singled. A single by Reagan Detamore in the fourth inning was a positive for Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity.

Wheeler got the start for Muenster.

He surrendered zero runs on two hits over five innings, striking out two. Detamore and Ethan Medina each managed one hit to lead Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity.

Josh Mueller was on the mound for the Bulldogs. He surrendered two runs on five hits over three innings, striking out two. Lane Patton threw one inning in relief.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E SHS 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 2 3 MST 2 0 0 5 X X X 7 9 3 Stamford fell to Windthorst 6-5 on Saturday on the final play of the game. The game was tied at

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five with Windthorst batting in the bottom of the fifth when #10 singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run. The Bulldogs lost despite outhitting Windthorst six to five.

Stamford opened up scoring in the first inning. An error scored one run. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Windthorst tied things up at five. Windthorst scored three runs in the second inning. Windthorst scored its runs on a groundout by #21. #3 earned the win for Windthorst. He went three innings, allowing one run on three hits, striking out five and walking zero. Zach Duran took the loss for the Bulldogs. He lasted one and one-third innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out one and walking zero.

Bryson Holt started the game for Stamford. He allowed one hit and three runs over three innings, striking out four.

Holt went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead the Bulldogs in hits.

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2019-2020 SHS CHEERLEADERS

Laylonna Applin Cierra Stoner Gabby Lintini Trevana Dennis Storey Gomez Emily Patterson Kayla Cantu Serenity Escamilla Mascot: Brianna Villanueva

In Saturday’s contest, the Bulldogs fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 7-3 loss to Gunter.

Gunter took the lead on an error in the first inning. Stamford put up three runs in the fourth inning.

The offensive firepower by the Bulldogs was led by Nolan Baker and Cade Lefevre, driving in runs in the inning. Gunter scored five runs in the second inning. Gunter batters contributing to the big inning included #9, #25, #3, and #28, all knocking in runs in the inning.

Ethan Medina was on the mound for Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity. He went one inning, allowing six runs on five hits. Carson Carver threw four innings out of the bullpen.

Josh Mueller, Caleb Flick, Brett Patterson, and Lefevre all had one hit to lead the Bulldogs scoring.

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2019-2020 STAMFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS Lorah Andruch Shylie Flow Jay’Lynn Hatley Chambree Lefevre Lainee Lefevre Emily Muelhstein

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MARCH 15, 2019

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SHS One Act Play Advances to Next Round Stamford High School competed last week at the District UIL One Act Play Contest with their production of “Greater Tuna� and advanced to the next round of competition.

The cast includes: Arles Struvie-Luke Thane; Thurston Wheelis-Clayton Castro; Didi Snavely-Candice Frohn; Petey Fisk-Toby White; Bertha Bumiller-Kenadee Gann; Stanley Bumiller-Jared Cowen; Charlene Bumiller-Carli Lefevre; Jody Bumiller-Thalia Ponce; Chad Hartford-Madison Bryant; Leonard Childers-Gerardo DelaRosa; Pearl BurrasMallory Copeland; Vera Carp-Tameka Johnson; Reverend Spikes-Daydn Titus; Crew is Marissa Bryant-Stage Manager; Jaylen Bailey-Sound; Jaelynn Bryant-Lights; Lyric Johnson; Jonathan Ortiz.

Toby White was named Best Actor. Named to All-Star Cast were Tameka Johnson and Luke Thane. Marissa Bryant was chosen All District Honor Crew. Stamford will compete in the next round in Eldorado on March 27th. A public performance will be announced soon. (Photo courtesy of Darla Titus)

10 MARCH 15, 2019 FARM INCOME BELOW $70 BILLION — A NEW AVERAGE FOR U.S. AGRICULTURE? The USDA forecast net farm income of $69.4 billion this year. If accurate, the total would be the third year of net income below $70 billion since 2015. “We’re starting to see ... a new KASN AG REPORT average coming out here,” said USDA economist Carrie

By Richard Kemp Litkowski on Wednesday.

AFTER NEBRASKA GOVERNOR STEPS IN, COMMUNITY BOARD OKS A COSTCO-LINKED CAFO Last week, a Nebraska county board reversed its decision to block a poultry CAFO from coming to a small town. The reversal came soon after Gov. Pete Ricketts had expressed his support for such operations and challenged the county to better serve farmers. It also arrives as a new piece of right-to-farm legislation aims to restrict lawsuits against farming operations GAO URGES MORE GOVERNMENT ATTENTION TO FOOD SAFETY Congress may need to intervene to assure the highlevel coordination of food safety efforts, said the Government Accountability Office on Wednesday in a report listing three dozen “high-risk” areas throughout the government.

ETHANOL EXPORTS SET A RECORD OF 1.7 BILLION GALLONS Roughly 11 percent of U.S. corn ethanol was exported in 2018, a record 1.7 billion gallons worth $2.7 billion, said ethanol trade groups on Wednesday. Exports were nearly 25 percent higher than the previous record of 1.4 billion gallons, set in the preceding year, said the groups.

AS USDA AND FDA AGREE ON OVERSIGHT, AGGIES RAIL AGAINST ‘FAKE MEAT’ In a step that moves a new industry closer to commercial reality, the premier federal food-safety agencies agreed on Thursday on how to jointly regulate cell-based meat, a laboratory-grown protein that farm groups call “fake meat.” The FDA will oversee cell collection and growth, while the USDA will oversee harvesting and processing, and have final say over labeling.

WILDLIFE GROUP SAYS ETHANOL MANDATE SHOULD BE LOWERED The Renewable Fuel Standard, which guarantees biofuels such as corn ethanol a share of the gasoline market, has prompted farmers to plow under wildlife habitat and has contributed to agricultural runoff, said the National Wildlife Federation on Thursday.

GE SALMON CLEARED FOR U.S. DINNER PLATES More than three years after the FDA approved, for the first time, a genetically engineered animal as safe to eat.

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WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team Recently, I was re-reading a fictional book by one of my favorite authors, when I came across a line in it that spoke very clearly to me, but might not have meant nearly as much to the average Texan. The character that made the statement, had a degree in ecological science, and while the book I was reading had nothing to do with that, the character under discussion had made mention of an elm tree. Then, he supposed that if he were to say that correctly, it would be a “doomed elm”. As a person who pays attention to trees and diseases, and is somewhat familiar with some of the diseases where the story was set, I understood him to be referring to the fact that dutch elm disease was almost certain to kill the tree he had noted, it just hadn’t happened yet.

Of course someone from that area would almost automatically understand what the character meant, without having to have any specialized tree knowledge.

In fact, just the example of the author (who I happen to know does live where he had set the story), putting

such a statement, without support, in a book, probably shows that he just takes it for granted that everybody knows about dutch elm disease.

Unfortunately, it may well be that such familiarity with a stone-cold tree killing disease is in our future.

Granted, if we were to plant enough American elms in our region, we would eventually learn about dutch elm disease for ourselves, but that’s not the problem I’m referring to.

Recently, I attended a tree conference where half of the entire event was devoted to tree diseases, and the greater part of that was spent on the emerald ash borer (EAB). I’ve spent plenty of time on the EAB before, and beyond pointing out that when I started paying attention to this pest, less than ten years ago, it’s progress was supposed to be very slow across the U.S. and there was a lot of hope that at some point, it would just be stopped. Since it’s now knocking on our door in the Big Country, and still eradicating ash trees wherever it is found, I would say that’s not how things worked out.

One of the things that was pointed out by the speakers regarding EAB is that it makes the removals of trees that it kills more hazardous than normal.

Apparently, when the EAB kills a tree, it does something to them structurally that makes the wood much weaker, and more brittle, than a normal dead ash tree would be. This may not seem like an important point to the average homeowner, but I can tell you from years of experience,

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that people who work on trees have certain expectations of the strength and behavior of their timber when being pruned or removed. The proof of this is that professional tree workers, in areas of EAB infestation, have been, and are being, injured and killed when the ash trees they are removing prove to be disastrously weaker than anticipated. Ash wood is fairly brittle, even when in good health, and I can see where something that would make it more brittle than it usually is, would create safety issues. I had heard all of this before, but the speaker went over it in detail, supplied facts and figures, and was very emphatic about it.

Since he was putting it in a “listen up people, this isn’t a theoretical exercise, this is something dangerous, and you need to pay attention” way, he got my attention.

Another item that was pointed out, and this was put pretty emphatically also, was that scarcity of ash trees will not make a barrier to the spread of the EAB. Simply put, many of us who live in areas where ash trees are somewhat thin on the ground in the countryside, were hoping that the EAB just wouldn’t be able to “jump” across land where there were few or no ashes. For those of us in the Western half of Texas, where ash trees are pretty much confined to far flung communities, we had a lot of hope that the ash-less areas between our towns would perform the function of an uncrossable moat that would keep the EAB out. According to the Forest Service, that isn’t going to happen.

Is the EAB coming to our region? I don’t know for sure, and I personally hope not. However, just to give you an idea of how serious this is, when I first started paying attention to EAB, it was a problem for places like Detroit, and Windsor Ontario. Now, the recommended treatment zone for the latest known infection zone ends just the other side of Weatherford TX. Up to now, our best defense against the EAB, has been how far away from us it was. Since Weatherford isn’t very far off, clearly, the EAB is getting a lot closer than it used to be.

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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Lawmakers Start Rolling Out HighPriority Legislation With the filing of legislation that would give teachers an across-the-board pay increase, Texas lawmakers showed progress toward solving the complex issues of school finance and property tax reform.

Senate Bill 3, passed March 4 by the full Senate on a voice vote, would entitle each classroom teacher and full-time librarian to a state-financed $5,000 increase above their 2018-2019 school year salary. The bill would not stop school districts from providing merit-based raises to teachers in addition to the state’s $5,000 increase.

Authored by Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, SB 3, if approved by the House, would make the raise effective for the school year beginning in the fall. Nelson said it would cost $4 billion to give the state’s estimated 350,000 teachers the raise, and that funds to cover the pay hike will be in the state budget.

“The one thing we should do, first and foremost, is to recognize the need to uplift our entire teaching profession,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the west end of the Capitol building, House members have been working on their own school finance reform legislation. House Bill 3 is called “The Texas Plan” by its author, House Public Education Committee Chair Dan Huberty, R-Houston.

Huberty said his bill, which has gained bipartisan support and has more than 80 members signed on as coauthors, would invest $9 billion above enrollment growth while addressing student achievement, teacher quality and property tax reform.

HB 3, Huberty added, represents “the first major rewrite of the state’s public school finance system undertaken without threat of a court order.”

A few of the bill’s attributes include: - Lowering school property tax rates by four cents statewide; - Funding for full-day pre-

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

kindergarten for low-income students; and - Increasing the minimum teacher salary schedule.

DISASTER RELIEF IS GOAL Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on March 6 joined Senate members in announcing a package of bills dealing with disaster relief and recovery from Hurricane Harvey, which caused widespread devastation in the late summer of 2017.

“We said at the time we would dedicate ourselves to helping people rebuild their homes, their businesses, their communities,” said Patrick.

- SB 6 by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, makes use of the knowledge gained in dealing with Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. “Senate Bill 6 will serve as a road map to prepare our state for future hurricanes and natural disasters,” said Kolkhorst.

- SB 7 by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, would create a financial structure to pay for aid, planning and flood projects, considering that many federal aid programs require that local entities put money up front to qualify for fund matches.

Creighton’s bill would tap into the state’s Rainy Day Fund to help local governmental bodies satisfy buy-in requirements.

- SB 8 by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, would create a statewide flood mitigation plan that divides Texas into regions based on river basins, then allows regional officials and stakeholders to decide what projects they need to protect people and property from flooding. The state would ensure that those plans work with

each other and combine them into a statewide plan, according to the Senate News Service.

REVENUE TOTAL ANNOUNCED Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on March 4 announced state sales tax revenue totaled $2.796 billion in February, an amount 7 percent more than he announced in February 2018.

“Growth in sales tax revenue was led by remittances from the construction, manufacturing and services sectors. Receipts from information services and restaurants also grew significantly. Receipts from oil- and gas-mining firms remained about the same as a year ago,” Hegar said.

On March 6 Hegar announced the comptroller’s office would send cities, counties, transit systems and special-purpose taxing districts $711.7 million in local sales tax allocations for the month.

The amount is 6.1 percent more than the amount reported a year ago. These allocations are based on sales made in January by businesses that report tax monthly.

TEXAS LAWMAKER DIES Former U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall died March 7 in Rockwall. He was 95.

Hall served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 and received a law degree from Southern Methodist University in 1947.

He was elected to the Texas Senate in 1962 and served until 1972, when he was first elected to Congress as a Democrat.

He changed from a Democrat to a Republican in 2004 and continued to serve as a member of Congress until January 2015.

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MARCH 15, 2019

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Be the Better Future This past week I saw a post on social media that was simple, yet powerful, to anyone that heeds it. The post was simply saying that here was a challenge for teens: post a picture of yourself at a place that needed cleaning or a change and then post an after picture of the same place when you have done something about it. While I kind of giggled at it THOUGHTS FROM because it was attacking these internet “challenges” that are UNDER THE CAP all the rage (and I have talked about a few at length here), I Will McClure mostly nodded in agreement at the post. While there are many people out there that try to make a difference, I hear a lot of our youth, especially teenagers, constantly complain about how “bad things are” or that “nobody does anything.” I have both seen and heard this firsthand, and it always makes me shake my head where the ones that complain the most about things around them that can be fixed are the same ones who choose not to do anything about it but instead complain even more until someone else does it. Granted, while it is true that not everyone “pulls their weight” to help clean up a yard, pick up trash, paint, etc., because of different reasons that they have, to me it seems a bit hypocritical of individuals to sit and complain and not do anything themselves.

Yes, it is true that we can see someone throw trash on the ground and we choose to either not say anything or complain about it and walk away; however, when we constantly pass by something in desperate need of repair or cleaning and only complain about it to others, how is that helping anything?

How is that making a better future when all we do is nothing but talk about it? Thankfully, there have been many excellent examples in our town where not only did people talk about it, they were about it in helping make Stamford a better place.

Whether it was helping to clean up Washington Park or participating in the many Clean-Up Days hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, many people were tired of complaining and made the choice to insure the cleaner future. All it took was determination, patience and a bit of teamwork to get the job done and things are better for it. Just complaining about it is not enough, especially when there is so much that can be done by one set of hands.

I am not saying that everyone should immediately run out and find a field to clean, but we are living in a society where more people just sit and do nothing, letting things get worse instead of standing up and making things better. What does doing nothing ever really accomplish anyway? While it is true that we cannot all volunteer our time and effort, but one simple way of making things better is maintaining our homes. If not for the community at large, we need to make things better for ourselves before things get worse. The Reclaiming Stamford project has done just that with removing structures that people had just let go to waste. Things have changed for the better in recent years and can only continue if we choose to do something instead of complaining. After all, if the founders of our town and even on a larger scale our country, had just sat and complained about things that are going wrong, where would we be today? In order to strive for a better future, we need to all be the better future today and now.

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

A Major Cartoonist Lives In Carthage Donnie Pitchford of Carthage wrote 15 episodes of the Dick Tracy comic strip. They started last December.

“The series was called A Minute Mystery,” says Donnie. “I wrote the Dick Tracy cartoon that appeared on a Sunday in late December and then I did the next 14 days. It was a big deal for me.”

Donnie spent 30 years teaching broadcast journalism to high school students. Many of them won awards for their work.

After he retired from teaching, Donnie took up cartooning, something he had wanted to do all his life.

“I started drawing almost as soon as I can remember being able to hold a pencil. I decided at age 5 I wanted to be a cartoonist. I read the Sunday comics, every comic book I could get my hands on. I watched animation on television. That’s what I wanted to do. I drew a

lot of Popeye when I was a kid. I’m glad I did because I got to do some Popeye art in later years. That was fun. I was accepted into the National Cartoonist Society a few years ago which was a lifetime goal.”

Donnie listened to the Stephen F. Austin University campus radio station that played some old radio programs. Donnie had never heard them before but his parents talked about them. The Lum and Abner radio program intrigued him.

“It had a jot ‘em down store in a country town called Pine Ridge and had a cast of characters. The two actors played all the parts. It started in 1931 and was a national sensation for almost a quarter

of a century. Seven movies were made starring Lum and Abner.”

Donnie decided to start a comic strip of the old radio series.

“I contacted a guy in Arkansas who had a news agency online and I proposed my Lum and Abner comic strip. He liked the idea and now my Sunday Lum and Abner comic strip is in newspapers and magazines from Arkansas to Florida.”

Not content to just have his cartoons in print, Donnie started a 3 to 5 minute

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

audio version for blind people. He does most of the voices and sound effects. He demonstrated his ability to sound exactly like the characters on the old radio show and I was amazed. He has a broadcast studio where he does his recordings. Occasionally he’ll have friends come in to do some voices. He’s been doing his cartoon 8 years and produced more than 400 strips.

“They’re in Sunday comics style. I start with a radio script, which takes about 30 minutes to write, then I start drawing. The color is added digitally.

My cartoons and audio versions are at LumandAbnerSociety.org.”

BALES GINNED AT AREA GINS as of 3/12/2019 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Stamford - 11.999 Farmer’s Coop Gin-Radium - 4,646 (final) Ericksdahl Coop Gin - 8,537 (final)

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

This is a day to go back to bed and cover your head.

Cold, wet and miserable.

The crazy time change got me all mixed up. My body clock is not working. Oh well, tomorrow will be a better day. The good part is we do need the moisture.

Keep in mind that our musical will be coming up on next Saturday, March 23. Hope to see you there.

Then on the 28, 29, and 30, the famous Hee Haw will be at the Sagerton Community Center beginning at 5:30 P M. We are sorry that so many are ill with the flu and other illness. Prayers are for all to get well soon.

Talked with Mittie Dunham and she stated that she is trying to get over the flu. She wanted to say “Thank You” for all the love, prayers, food, flowers, and acts of kindness they received during the illness and the death of her husband, Pide Dunham. It was deeply appreciated by

OLD GLORY NEWS

By Anita Dozier the whole family.

A donation was made to the Old Glory Community Center Flag Fund by Peggy K. Richards of Tomball in memory of Maurine Ellison of Aspermont.

Aimee Bowman of Childress came for a visit with Carm Letz. On Friday they drove to Granbury for some sightseeing and shopping.

They returned home on Sunday afternoon following a fun filled weekend.

Danny and Phyllis Letz and their grandson, Cale Letz, from Stamford, drove to Irving on Thursday to attend the Texas Steel Guitar

Association Jamboree for the weekend. They returned home on Sunday following a few days of great music.

Norma Jean Talley and Larry and Kathy Lehrmann of Richland Hills were here for the weekend. On Friday evening Dorothy Clark of Sagerton, Kenny Spitzer and I were guests for dinner in their home here in the country. Good food and a great visit.

James and Marilyn Martin are proud to announce the arrival of a new great grandson. James Ivy Martin was born on Thursday weighing 6 pounds and 11 oz.

The proud grandparents are Wesley and Jackie Martin of Aspermont, the beaming parents are Eli and Shayle Martin of Aspermont. Congratulations to the happy family.

Thank you,Vickie Wilhite, for a nice visit on Friday.

Sure enjoyed it.

Kara Briggs and Crete of Haskell visited with her grandparents, Glen and

COURT: Continued From Page 1 The Line Item Transfer was then presented by County Auditor Gwen Bailey and was approved along with paying the bills.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the process of Appointment for Vacancy in the Office of County Commissioner Precinct 2. Five applications have been submitted and will be accepted until Friday, March 15, 2019, at 5:00pm. He will schedule interviews the week of March 18, 2019 and plans to announce the appointment on Monday, March 25, 2019.

Judge Spurgin stated interviews for the Constable position were held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at a Called Meeting. The

Court went into Executive Session to discuss the Applications on the Unexpired Term of Jones County Constable.

In Open Session Judge Spurgin stated the Court’s appreciation to all participants of the application process for the unexpired position of Jones County Constable. He stated the Court had interviewed three candidates. This appointment is for the unexpired term of two years for the position of Jones County Constable. This term runs until December 31, 2020. Anyone interested in running for the four-year term of this position will need to file in November 2019, to run in the political party primary in March 2020. A motion was

made and approved that Jay Pace will be the Jones County Constable until December 31, 2020.

Pace lives in the Fort Phantom area and is a retired police officer on the Abilene Police Department. His appointment will go into effect when he has taken the Oath of Office and is added to the Bond through the Auditor’s Office.

The meeting was then adjourned. The next regular meeting of the Jones County Commissioner’s Court is scheduled for Monday, March 25, 2019, 9:00 am, on the third floor of the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, TX.

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Helen Pierce, on Wednesday evening. Daughter, Kim Lowack, visited with the Pierces several times during the week.

Grandson Matthew Pierce of the Stamford Lake visited with Glen and Helen on Monday and brought them some of his delicious cooking.

Jimmy and Jana Grisham and I were among the many that enjoyed a great movie at the neat Grand Theater in Stamford on Saturday evening.

I was in Abilene on Friday and went to visit with daughter, Rita, at

MARCH 15, 2019

Melba’s Beauty Shop. Later I had lunch with Mike and Maxelle, Susan, Marcie, and Chris and Lindsey and little Duke.

Lot of folks enjoyed the delicious pot luck lunch at the Faith Lutheran Church in Sagerton following services on Sunday. Mighty delicious.

Thought for the week.

“One day you will look back and realize that you worried too much about things that don’t really matter.

Happy Birthday wishes go to Gayle Johnson, Judy Fincher, Laura Clark, Clayton Stegemoeller, Belinda

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Spitzer, Mike Vahlenkamp, Shawn Earthman, Tisha Blaylock, Emery Letz, Brandon Tabor, Emily Kruse, Deborah Oliver, Brian Killaugh, Billy Lamb, Wanda McCoy, Gary Richardson,, Louis Castro, Candice Rosenquist, Kathryn Schonerstedt, Jonathan Kittley, Michelle Toney, Reid Lehrmann, and Gatlin Rose Goodwin. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Brett and Kay Hight and Randy and Amy Lane. Have a wonderful day.

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The New Command ing, you cannot come.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

PASTOR’S PEN

By Wes Horn

John 13:31-35 31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer.

You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am go-

Ever notice how sometimes when you tell one of your children to do something they get that look in their eye that says, “What if I don’t want to?” They hear what you want them to do, The New Command but in their heart they just don’t want to do it. Maybe it’s taking out the trash or mowing the lawn. It could be you want them to share their toys or to be nice to their sibling. Whatever the case may be, there are times we want our children to do something and they just don’t want to do.

The same can be true for

us. Jesus, in talking with his closest followers, left them one last important set of instructions: Love one another. It wasn’t work harder or pray longer. It didn’t have anything to do with giving more money on Sundays or teaching a Bible class. This new, important command is as simple as it is difficult. We are to love one another. But if we are honest, sometimes we don’t want to. There are just some people too difficult to love.

It could be in the past they lied to you or lied about you. Maybe they said something hurtful to you.

Perhaps it wasn’t what they did, but what they didn’t do. You were hurting and they didn’t take the time to help. Maybe they believe differently than you, speak differently, look differently than you. Maybe they voted for a different candidate or live on the other side of the river. Sometimes loving

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

each other is hard.

In our Gospel reading from John, Jesus gives us two reasons why we need to be a people that love each other. The first reason we are to love others is because Jesus has loved us.

Just like Jesus has loved us, we are to love others. Talk about setting the standard high! We are reminded daily of the love Jesus showed us. Jesus went to the cross for you and me…and even for those we struggle to love. But he went to the cross for us, because he loves us. The author of the book of Hebrews writes that “for the joy set before Jesus, he endured the cross, scorning its shame.”

Because of his love for us, Jesus was able to bear the cross. Amazing love! So, Jesus now asks us to love each other. He set the example for us to follow.

The cross isn’t the only reason Jesus calls us to love each other in this passage.

He tells us the world will know we are his children when we love each other.

I have always found this interesting. It isn’t through quoting scripture, wearing WWJD bracelets, or having one of those fish stickers on the back of car that people will know we are followers of Jesus. It is through loving each other – especially our enemies.

We can wear all the Christian shirts we want, have crosses hanging around our neck while listening to all the newest praise and worship songs. But if we do not love each other, according to Jesus, the world just won’t believe it.

This new command of Jesus’ is a challenge. Sin and death have been defeated

by Jesus through a cross and an empty tomb. By this, Jesus has proved his love for us. Now it’s our turn.

Let’s follow the example of our Savior and love each other. God knows our com-

Craig Thames 228-4457 Worship: 11:00

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

munity needs it! And when we begin to practice it, the world will know. Because they are watching. It’s time for us to listen to the words of Jesus and follow his example. It’s time to start loving each other.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for sending your Son into this world to save us. Thank you for loving us.

We confess we don’t always do a good job of loving those around us. Help us to see others the way you do so we might love them the way you do. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

Amen.

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

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

Common Ground Youth Ministry Paul Wright 219 S Swenson 325-773-3604

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

Faith Chapel Gerald Spalding 501 W. McHarg 325-773-2866 AM Worship: 10:00

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

Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30

MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church AM worship 11:00

First Assembly of God Family Worship Center Pastor John Shepard 1214 Compton 325-773-2435 Worship: Saturday 6PM

Heart of God Church 114 E Campbell Joanne Ochoa AM Worship 10:30 Nugent Baptist Church

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

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HELP WANTED

Classifieds RESIDENTIAL

712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian family home.........$139,900 1018 Reynolds Historic 4bd home w/ basement and near school........$139,900 264 CR 169 O’Brien Nice Home & Barn on 10± AC!..............IN CONTRACT 1502 Compton Stamford Great 3/2/2 Ranch Home on 1.6± AC!....$128,900 1210 Landon Stamford 3/2 Limestone Family Home w/ Fireplace! $106,000 7725 US Hwy 277 Hawley, Nice A-frame on almost half an acre! ......$69,000 2514 CR 389 Anson. Country living - large 4/2 on 3 acres!.Reduced $220,000 5716 FM 605 Hawley. Restored farmhouse 3/2, 11 acres! List price $277,000 1328 Ave L Anson Brick 3/1.5 HomeNear school and move-in ready! $78,000

COMMERCIAL

1611 N Swenson Historic Cliff House Restaurant REDUCED...........$79,900 1631 17th St, Anson over 4,000 sq. ft, restaurant equip. ..........IN CONTRACT

FARM & RANCH

FISHER COUNTY

631± AC- Valley View Ranch- Tremendous wildlife, elevation changes, good water!

300± Ac South of Sylvester on FM 1085 GREAT Hunting!

130± Ac South of Sylvester on Fm 1085 Nice sm tract in good area!

COMANCHE COUNTY

735± AC - 4D Game Ranch - Turnkey.

HASKELL COUNTY 202± AC - Box Springs Ranch - Improved

Grass, Stock Tank w/ Good Water Well!

202± AC – Weaver- Irrigated Farm, Minerals, Priced to Sell!

174± AC – Carroll -CRP on Hwy 380 West of Rule.

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

130± AC – The Haskell Co. Retreat great Cult. & Mesquite mix w/ 2 tanks!

152± AC - Top Kevil Cotton Farm - Good black land farm w/ 1/2 the minerals!

80± AC - CRP Income, Good Hunting!

10± AC –3/2 Home, Barn, shop all on 10± Beautiful Acres! List Price $161,000 139± AC- Farrington Cotton Farm Prime Cultivation fenced w a tank!

JONES COUNTY

512± AC - on Top of Flat Top - CRP, 2 Water Wells and Beautiful Views!

202± AC – 202 Ranch- great hunting West of Stamford near Hawley 707 Ranch - 10-12 Acre tracts available! Call for information!

KENT COUNTY

522± AC – The Grove- Shinnery & Mesquite Combination, Great Hunting!

SCURRY COUNTY

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

SHACKELFORD COUNTY

200± AC - Quarry Income w/ Good Hunting! IN CONTRACT 160± AC – All pasture, Great Hunting! IN CONTRACT

STONEWALL COUNTY

4,743± AC - Patterson North Camp - 2 Live Creeks w/ Hunting Lodge... A Must See! SOLD 2,082± -AC- Double View RanchSpectacular views, River & Cabin!

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

925± AC - w/ Cabin, Fantastic Hunting and Spectacular Views!

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

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

387± AC - Great Hunting w/ Cabin Set Up and Ready to Hunt!

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

240± AC - Cooper 240 - Pasture w/ Great Hunting North of Hamlin. SOLD

160± AC- Spring Canyon Ranch Great Hunting w/ Lodge!

130± AC- Youngers 130 Good Cultivation and great Hunting!

108± AC - Shinnery Close to the River.

TAYLOR COUNTY

76± AC - Near Jim Ned School.

CR 499 35 -46 AC tracts - Call for information!

25 Ac Braune Road Home site with outstanding views! Reduced Price $139,900

Sagebrush Living Center has openings for Direct Care Staff for 2 to 10 evening shift and a weekend Janitor for 7 to 3 shift. Please pickup applications at Sagebrush Living Center, 1101 Columbia St., Stamford or call 325-773-2791 for more information.

MARCH 15, 2019

15

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Stamford American welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. Letters to the Editor will be published with the name of the writer, should be limited to 300 words, signed, and should include a telephone number for verification. The editor reserves the right to edit any letter for any reason and to reject letters for publication for any reason. Letters deemed libelous and/or not for the public good will be rejected. Letters to the editor reflect the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of The Stamford American.

16 MARCH 15, 2019

Adding Avocados to Your Diet Avocados, though widely consumed in Texas, are mostly grown in California, Florida, and Hawaii in the United States. Mexico actually leads world production of avocados with over 1 million metric tons annually produced.

Although they are not widely produced in Texas there are some climates in Texas that support avocado growth. Texas counties in the Lower Rio Grande Valley have climates that are suitable for commercial production of avocados.

A wide range of soil types are suitable for avocado tree growth, however, the most suitable soil is coarse and well drained. While the soil type is important, the most limiting variable is climate more specifically severe cold. West Indian types are the most susceptible to the cold, tolerating almost no sub-freezing temperatures. The most cold-hardy are Mexican types that will tolerate temperatures of 19 to 20 degrees as mature trees.

Avocados grow on tropical evergreen trees that can reach 40 to 80 feet in height. Defined by large, leathery, and deep green leaves avocado trees live for 2 to 3 years. During the flowering season each spring, the mature trees will shed aging leaves.

The unique flavor and popularity of Tex-Mex food contribute to the consumption of avocados in Texas along with the nutritional benefits of the fruit. Like bananas, avocados are high in potassium and are considered a good source of vitamins K, E, and B. Avocado flesh is about 15% oil or fat, which is mostly monounsaturated fat.

There are many ways to add avocados to your diet, sliced raw, guacamole, and mashed! For great, tasty, and healthy recipes, check out Dinner Tonight!

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

news@americannewspapers.net

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

First Time Offering of the Historic Flat Top Division of the Swenson Family Ranches About 6,300 acres are in cultivation, scattered over about a dozen fields throughout the ranch and its estimated that an additional 10,000 acres could be broken out and farmed if desired. The Flat Top Ranch includes several structures including the main headquarters, the Taylor Camp, the Farm Center, a grow yard, and approximately 17 sets of pens.

Historically, the Flat Top Division of the Swenson Ranch has been operated as a cow/calf operation. Depending on weather conditions, the ranch is typically stocked with 850 – 1,000 mother cows, plus bulls and replacements. The ranch maintains a quality cow herd and while the cattle are not included in the sale, they are available to be purchased at market price.

Current livestock inventory is approximately 855 bred cows, 90 bred heifers and 70 bulls.

The Flat Top Division offers great hunting opportunities, including white tail deer, quail, dove, feral hogs and seasonal water fowl. Fishing is available in the river and several of the larger ponds. In addition to the income derived from the cattle operation and farming income, other sources of income include hunting lease revenue, periodic surface damage income and income derived from

oil and gas leases and oil and gas royalty production. Wildlife is abundant at Flat Top and hunting leases have contributed substantial revenue in the past 10 years or so.

History The historic Swenson Ranches trace their origin to Svante Magnus Swenson, the first Swedish immigrant to arrive in Texas, landing near what is now Galveston in 1838. The famous SMS brand, with two backward S’s was one of the first registered in Texas and was derived from Swenson’s initials.

By 1860 Swenson had accumulated over 680,000 acres in Texas. It was from these lands that the Flat Top Ranch was organized and has been owned and operated by S.M. Swenson’s direct descendants to this day.

The family donated the initial 640 acres from the Flat Top Ranch to build the town of Stamford, Texas and helped lay it out.

The present administration headquarters for the Swenson Land & Cattle Co, was built in the town, on Swenson Street, in the 1920’s.

The Texas Cowboy Reunion Rodeo grounds, still the largest working cowboy rodeo in the US, was founded in Stamford by the Swenson heirs in 1930 on land that they also donated

from their Flat Top holdings.

In recent years Swenson Land & Cattle has continued as a strong cow/ calf operator and almost always gets the highest price for its class of cattle at Superior Livestock Auctions and other venues.

About Chas. S Middleton and Son We are a fourth-generation, familyowned, farm and ranch real estate and appraisal specialty firm, in business since 1920. Recent listings of note include the brokerage and sale of the $725 million historic W.T. Waggoner Ranch as well as the current listing of Boone Pickens’ $250 million Mesa Vista Ranch.

For more information about the Swenson Family Flat Top Ranch visit chassmiddleton.com or call 806.763.5331 Website Link: https://chassmiddleton.com/ranch/swenson-family-flattop-ranch/ Interactive Brochure: https://issuu. com/csmandson/docs/swenson_flat_ top_ranch?e=0 Photography: https://web.tresorit. com/l#mhiIaFy0iRWiiRlYLVF1jg Map Interactive: https://mapright. com/ranching/maps/c42db9de100c3e432bd6849aee439752/share Static PDF: https://web.tresorit. com/l#f1Z-v7tY--KM-kGpCwozVA