April 19, 2019 - Stamford American

April 19, 2019 16 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION

STAMFORD

American THE NEW

Gutierrez Pitches Shut Out

BY COACH JONES

With Citlaly Gutierrez on the mound, the Stamford Lady Bulldogs shut out Albany. Brittany Macias had 3 hits, and Laramie Terrell and Kenadee Gann had 2 each. Macy Detamore and Citalaly Gutierrez knocked in 2 runs apiece, and Brittany Macias had 1 RBI. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E ALBN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 SHS 2 2 1 2 0 0 X 7 12 3

Congratulations to Stamford Tire & Appliance, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce April Storefront of the Month!

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The Lady Dawgs’ bats were hot Tuesday as they tromped Baird 18-1. Gann and Shandlee Mueller each had 2 hits.

Gann knocked in 4 runs, Macias 3, and Detamore 2. Jacelyn Bell had 4 Quality At-Bats, Macias and Macy Fernandez 3 apiece.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E SHS 6 0 6 6 X X X 18 10 0 BRD 1 0 0 0 X X S 1 5 1

CITY COUNCIL STORY....SEE PAGE 3

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MARK THE DATE...

APRIL 19TH

THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST MAY 3RD

EGG HUNT: Stamford Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt for children 11 years old and younger on Friday, April 19, 2019, at Harmon Park, beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Guests are advised to arrive early and to bring their own baskets.

Walmart’s Easter Bunny will be in attendance and available for pictures. For more information, contact the Chamber at 325-7732411 or chamberdirector@ stamfordtx.org.

GARAGE SALE: We are hosting a Garage Sale on May 3rd at the Life Skills lab on Oliver Street. If you have any of the following items that you would like to donate, please bring to Mrs. Gann’s room at the High School. Home Decor, Small Appliances, Toys, Puzzles, Games, Baby Items, Clothing (Men, Women, Children), Shoes, Bedding, Linens, Curtains. all money raised will go to Special Education Department.

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BETHEL CEMETERY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING: Saturday, May 4, 2019, 10:30am, at the Brazos Bend Cowboy Church in Funston, Texas.

Annual Meeting/Workday of the Bethel Cemetery Association and a meal will follow the meeting.

PARTY: Everyone is invited to a surprise 98th Come & Go Birthday Party for Bland Harrison on Thursday, April 25 from 10-11am at Decker Capital Partners (Gary Decker’s office) at 104 S Swenson.

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Friday 72 | 47

Saturday 50 | 39

Sunday 72 | 53

Monday 84 | 60

Tuesday 85 | 61

Wednesday 77 | 51

Thursday 76 | 51

The weather is provided for you

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

MAY 4TH

DANCE: Senior Citizen’s Dance Tuesday, April 30, from 7-10 p.m. Live band at Old Glory Community Center. $5 per person. Pot Luck Snacks. No smoking.

For more information, contact 370-9514.

Courtney Webb and Logan Hearn placed 7th out of 21 in the mixed teams division! (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)

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

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

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

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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.

Tobi Crane took the championship out of 40 at the Abilene High - Eagle Invitational Tennis Meet this weekend. (Photo courtesy of Roger Niehaus)

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

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

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

Dennis Braden Resigns From Stamford City Council

BY KAY SPEARS

The Stamford City Council met on Monday, April 15, 2019, at Stamford City Hall for the second of two scheduled meetings of the month. Mayor James Decker opened the meeting. Paul Wright gave the invocation and Mayor Decker led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

In attendance were Mayor Decker, Council Members Melinda Smith, Ken Roberson, Jimmy Doan, Paul Wright, City Manager Alan Plumlee, City Attorney Raymond Hollabaugh, City Secretary Kim Bryant, CFO Karen Lou Graham, and Chief of Police Darwin Huston. Councilman Dennis Braden was not in attendance.

Under the Consent Agenda: The minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 1, 2019 were approved.

Under the Regular Agenda: Johnny Anders was signed up to make a Citizen’s Comment.

Anders brought up the Reclaiming Stamford Project stating, “About 10 years ago, a great program was put together to help clean up and remove many eyesores in our great town, but as many things go, it has fallen by the wayside drastically.” He stated that Washington Park was to be cleaned and improvements made at that time. He said that many of the clean ups accomplished around town are five and ten years old. Anders gave Council Members photos to illustrate the locations he was speaking of. He stated that next to his residence there are two lots, at 606 & 608 E. Gould, that are “totally

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unacceptable.” He was told the properties would be cleaned and he planned to maintain them since they were next to his property.

He stated it is impossible to work on them due to oppossums, snakes, and a great deal of fire ants. He asked the Council if they would allow “this mess” next to their homes. Anders concluded by asking the City to “pick up the ball and make the difference” if the Reclaiming Stamford Project cannot or will not.

Next on the agenda, the Mayor stated the Proclamation honoring William Bland Harrison, Jr. was not completed at this time.

He stated Harrison will be turning 98 on April 25, 2019 and they are honoring him by declaring it Bland Harrison Day in Stamford, Texas, for his “long history of community involvement, service and as a pioneering member and role model in our community.”

The next item was for Council to accept resignation of District 4 Councilmember Dennis Braden.

Braden’s resignation letter was received last week.

Plumlee explained that a Special Called Election is required by the City Charter to fill the vacancy.

The upcoming election will be taken care of before the called election to replace the District 4 Councilmember will take place. The Council approved the motion to accept the resignation of District 4 Councilmember Dennis Braden.

Next on the agenda, it was approved to take from the table a bid for entity property located at Lot 4, Block 87, Original Town of

Stamford, Jones County, Texas (R15630) from Cynthia R. Wells (408 W. Davenport). The bid was discussed and clarified before being approved.

Next it was approved to take from the table action on the Sagerton Water Supply contract. The City Manager stated he reviewed the contract and made the proper deletions and additions. The motion to accept the contract was approved.

The next item, the Mayor stated he will provide an inaugural State of the City Report on a variety of subjects of interest to Stamford residents and it will be released to the citizens of Stamford, Texas.

Next was an update on the library, pool and lake marina repairs and improvements. Roberson made a trip to the library and complimented the workers for the clean up.

Plumlee stated the plumbing in the library was replaced 2-3 years ago and the ceiling grid is in good shape. It was agreed to have a heating/AC person look at building and give an opinion. At the lake marina, materials are being waited on and a projected date is in the next two weeks. At the City Pool, needs that have been listed are being worked on and materials have been ordered. Also discussed was the floor covering in the changing rooms and bathrooms. It was mentioned that the inside of the pool needs to be painted and the paint has been ordered.

The City Manager, in his report, stated the diversion dam has been cleaned out, the 2 ft. gate has been

damaged and the 5 ft. gate is alright. He stated the tornado sirens were tested and are in good working order. He brought up the Zoning Board Meeting on April 29, 2019, 5:15pm at City Hall Council Chambers. A few of the decorative metal stars around the square have broken. Big County Electric replaced all of the clevises. He stated, “If you see anyone from Big Country Electric, thank them for spending time today to get that done.”

Early voting will be April 22-26, 29 & 30 at City Hall.

Extended hours of 7am7pm will be on April 23 & 30. The lake is 4” over the spillway. City Hall is closed Friday, April 19th in observance of Good Friday.

The bids for the elevated storage need to be at City Hall on April 23, 2019 by 2:30pm and the bids will be opened “immediately thereafter.”

The water outage on April 15, 2019 was described by the City Manager to be a contractor installing fiber “just past the cemetery, pulling fiber through and went right through one of our water lines. The problem with that is that water line is in a casing that goes under the highway.” “Basically the north side of town, down N. Swenson is without water.” They had to cut the casing off the line, after finding the line, and then repair it. The meeting was then adjourned.

Editor’s Note: A clevis is the u-shaped yoke at the end of the rod on the stars around the square.

2019-2020 Kindergarten and Prek/Head Start Registration WHO: For Kindergarten boys and girls who will turn 5

by Sept. 1st 2019 For PreK/Head Start boys and girls who will turn 3 or 4 by Sept. 1st 2019 WHERE: Oliver Elementary Cafeteria WHEN: THURS. APRIL 25th -3:30-5:30 p.m. (If you need another time please call-773-5713. We will set up a time to meet with you.)

We need to register every 2019-20 Kindergarten and PreK/Head Start student. Early registration helps us to plan for classes for the upcoming year. If you and your child would like to see the PreK/Head Start or Kindergarten classrooms please come between 3:30 and 4:00 and teachers will give you a tour.

If you know a child that will be 3, 4, or 5 years of age by Sept. 1st please tell them about our early registration. If you would like the school to contact them, please call us at 773-5713.

Your student must qualify to be enrolled in our Head Start/Prek program.

Qualifications: PreK 1.Students must be 3 or 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2019 2. Dominant home language other than English 3. Families must be within federal poverty guidelines Qualifications: Head Start Students must be 3 or 4 years old before Sept. 1, 2019.

Families must be within federal poverty guidelines.

In order to register for any of these programs/classes, please bring the child’s: 1. Birth certificate 2. Immunization records 3. Social security card For Headstart enrollees please bring you latest tax return for income verification.

First year HeadStart enrollees will need to have follow-up income verification in August to ensure HeadStart placement. This year’s Headstart students will have to re-register for next year.

PRE-K enrollees will also need to fill out an income verification in August to verify eligibility. *ATTENTION PARENTS If your child is currently enrolled in our Head start or Pre-K program and will be entering Kindergarten they will not have to register at this time. If you move during the summer or know of an Oliver student that moves, please call us so that are better able to prepare for next year.

Oliver Elementary-773-5713 Superintendent’s Office-773-2705 Availability will be limited for 3 year olds depending on State Budget Cuts. But please come register because it will be 1st come first serve for any 3 year olds we accept Depending on available space we may be able to offer a paid prek class to be determined by Aug. 7th 2019.

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OBITUARIES

Helen Elizabeth Lehrmann

Marie Jo Bennett

Quilla Marsh Moore

On Sunday, April 14, 2019, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Helen Elizabeth Lehrmann, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior with her family at her side.

Helen was born to Bernhard Letz and Amanda (Schroeder) Letz in Haskell County Texas, October 14, 1929. She was a graduate of Old Glory High School.

Clancy Ray Lehrmann and Helen Letz were married on June 2, 1949 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sagerton, Texas. Clancy and Helen were the proud parents of two children; Gail and Steven. Helen worked tireless hours as a housewife and mother, an occupation she loved, caring and nurturing her family.

She was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (now Faith Lutheran) in Sagerton where she taught children’s Sunday School for many years. She was an active member of the Sons of Hermann Lodge. She was an avid game player, enjoying dominoes, cards, and board games.

Her rich and full life was complete when she was just being “Granny” to her 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Helen leaves her sweet memories with her loving husband of almost 70 years, Clancy Lehrmann; her children, Gail Lehrmann of Parker, CO, and Steven Lehrmann and wife Karen of Sagerton, TX; grandchildren, Jennifer Page and husband Paul, Brian Lehrmann and wife Emily, M’Lynn Johnson and husband Justin, and Joanna Lehrmann; 7 great grandchildren, Hannah and Kendall Page; Reid and Madelyn Lehrmann; and Quinn, Kye, and Claire Johnson; her brother Bud Letz of Abilene, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends was held Tuesday, April 16, 2019 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 Columbia) in Stamford, TX. Funeral services were on Wednesday, April 17th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Sagerton, TX with Rev. Paul Cannon officiating. Burial followed at the Old Glory Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com.

Marie Jo Bennett, our sweet mother, entered her heavenly home on Monday, April 8, 2019 at the age of 98 years, 2 months and 3 days. Marie’s life will be honored at graveside services at 11:00 am., Thursday, April 11, 2019, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Anson with Rev. Joe Walton and nephew Rev. Jim Alling officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home in Stamford.

Marie Jo Elliott was born on February 5, 1921, in DeLeon, Texas, the daughter of the late Joseph and Zeta (Green) Elliott. Marie’s family moved to Stamford at the age of 4 years and she attended Stamford schools and was a 1940 Stamford High School graduate.

On December 20, 1945, Marie married Homer Bennett in Stamford, Texas and to this union were born a son, Blaine, and a daughter, JoAnn. Homer preceded Marie in death on July 6, 1983. Marie enjoyed her occupation of being a dedicated homemaker to her family and had many hobbies including playing cards, bird watching and gardening.

She was a longtime member of both the Pierian Club of Stamford and the Stamford Garden Club. Marie was always eager to share her talent of gardening and flower arranging by mentoring the other members of the Stamford Garden Club. You could always rely on Marie to be present and doing her part to make the annual local flower show a success. Marie was a member of First Baptist Church in Stamford for 60 years.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, CC (Buck) Elliott and his wife Doris Elliott.

Family left to cherish this precious lady are her son and daughter in law, Blaine and Paula Bennett of Stamford; her daughter, JoAnn Calk of Haskell and grandson, Joel Calk of Abilene; and nieces and nephews.

If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions made in Marie’s memory to the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, Texas 79605.

Online guestbook entries may be submitted at www.kinneyunderwoodfuneralhome.com

Quilla Marsh Moore, 63 of Abilene, formerly of Stamford passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Hendrick Medical Center. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Stamford with the Rev. Jeffrey Andrews officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Memorial Cemetery in Stamford under the direction of Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home in Stamford.

Quilla was born October 7, 1955 in Stamford, the son of the late Square Marsh and Jewel Moore. He married Deborah Gee in 1973 in Abilene. He lived in Stamford until moving to Abilene in 1973. Quilla worked as a mechanic and his passion was being with the family he loved dearly. He was known for his perfect smile that he shared with everyone.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Latwanda Moore and one brother Elton Moore Jr. Quilla leaves behind his wife Deborah Gee of Abilene; 3 sons, Myland Moore and wife Marsha, Andre Moore, Richard Moore, all of Abilene; 2 daughters Tonya Nicole Smith of Lewisville; Shamon Cooper of Odessa; 2 brothers, Richard Moore and wife Shirley of Stamford; Ernest Moore and wife Brenda of Sherman; 2 sisters, Barbara Andrews and husband Billy of Abilene; Louise Griggs of Stamford; Grandchildren, Mi’laun Moore, Myland Moore Jr., Marquarious Moore, Na’Dayeshia Norman, Camdyn Mayes, La’Trell Batiste, Anzeleigha Moore, Riccardo Moore, Shamaki Cooper, Shavaris Cooper; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Loving Memories may be shared at www.kinneyunderwoodfuneralhome.com

SHS 5TH SIX WEEKS HONOR ROLL

9TH GRADE

A HONOR ROLL: Jacelyn Bell, Tylee Bevel, Madison Bryant, Jesus Deleon, Macy Detamore, Citlaly Gutierrez, Gabrielle Lintini, Tate Mathis, Orlando Moreno, Shandlee Mueller, Thalia Ponce, Addison Reel, Jessica Sarmiento AB HONOR ROLL: Elijah Andruch, Bresha Applin, Jaylen Bailey, Jacoby Castro, Dylan Faulks, Hilaria Gomez-Hernandez, Isaiah Gonzales, Savana Gonzales, Chloe Hall, Benjamin Rhymes, Hailee Richardson, Garrett Sanchez

10TH GRADE

A HONOR ROLL: Jaelynn Bryant, Kristian Cantu, Taylor Jimenez, Catarino Macias, Paris Menchue, Nicholas Roden, Laramie Terrell, Luke Thane, Sean Thane AB HONOR ROLL: Imajen Andrade, Kelvinasjia Calicutt, Carson Carver, Seth

Castro, Brennon Day, Zhawn Holden, Bryson Holt, Stephon Johnson, Tameka Johnson, Houston Koenig, Angel Martinez, Katilyn McClintock, Mystikal Medina, Scott Moreno, Gracie Oliver, Natalie Roden, Cierra Stoner, Bobbie Villereal, Tyler Wheeler

11TH GRADE

A HONOR ROLL: Mallory Copeland, Carlee Dancer, Macie Fernandez, Kenadee Gann, Storey Gomez, Alexis Johnson, Cade Lefevre, Lane Patton, Endia Pryor, Keith Richards, Korey Villanueva AB HONOR ROLL: Shavaris Cooper, Sterling Cullen, Honesty Davis-Spotwood, Lesly Deleon, Reagan Detamore, Luis Hermasillo, Madysen Jimenez, Josh Mueller, Stephanie Pardo, Brett Patterson, Abree Ramos, Rylee Sconce

12TH GRADE

A HONOR ROLL: Garrett Arendall, Nikita Bhakta, Marissa Bryant, Zachary Duran, Kaleb Flick, Carson Holt, Carlie Lefevre, Brittany Macias, Nicole Parks, Cameron Poulton, Erica Rosas AB HONOR ROLL: Nolan Baker, Brandon Campbell, Clayton Castro, Hailie Crawford, Demarcus Downs, Trace Edwards, Julian Jimenez, TJ Kuenstler, Tre Mitchell, Melanie Ratheal, Justyce Samuels, Erik Silva, Warren Stremmel, Daydn Titus, Brooklyn Woodard, Angel Zarate

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Worthwhile for Families If you’ve read along the last couple of weeks, you know I’m ruminating on the concept of the “homecomers”—those who leave rural America but then return—and how we can increase our number of homecomers in our rural West Texas communities (or wherever you’re reading this).

Recently, I read an article in the High Country News, a news outlet covering the Western U.S., about how rural Montana is dealing with its own rural “brain drain” issues.

In a piece titled “Why some young professionals settle in small-town Montana,” author Eric Dietrich looked at Montana’s struggles and profiled some of the young professionals who are rural Montana’s homecomers. Dietrich notes that, between 2000 and 2010, rural counties in western Montana saw a net loss of over 8,600 people in the age 15-29 demographic.

In that same period, Missoula and Bozeman had a net gain of 20,400 in the same demographic.

Montana has the same problem that we have elsewhere—many in the age 15-29 demographic wants to move to the cities (even smaller ones like Missoula and Bozeman) that have a college, that have cultural amenities, that are perceived as more “hip.” In that same 2000-2010 period, rural western Montana had an influx of older adults and retirees that actually kept the population steady.

That influx has been good for retail spending and real estate markets in the area. Bringing in older adults is a positive to a rural community and all of us should strive to bring in older adults, especially the ones who have a connection to our community and might have been looking for a way “home” for years.

However, simply replac-

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker ing young faces with older ones is not the ultimate answer. When you do, school enrollment declines. Young professionals and business owners are lacking. There are fewer families, so fewer people to lead familyoriented activities in church, community, youth sports, and so on. Because there are fewer leaders of activities, there are fewer family activities. The town becomes less appealing to families, both prospective and current residents.

The next generation of the town shrinks.

Christiane von Reichert is a professor at the University of Montana who has studied the homecomers and spent a decade doing field research on why families did or did not return to rural Montana. In a 2015 paper published by the USDA entitled “Factors Affecting Former Residents’ Returning to Rural Communities,” von Reichert and her co-authors suggest communities invest in the things that help attract young families.

They point specifically to recreation and education, emphasizing school quality. They also point to investment in highspeed internet—if jobs aren’t available in town (yet), then better internet access supports remote work and self employment opportunities. Von Reichert also says “know your clientele”—identify the actual appeal of your small-town life and

promote that appeal, but understand that the life isn’t for everyone.

Homecomers aren’t likely to move “back home” to rural Montana or rural Texas in the family stage of life unless “home” is a good place for their kids. What are the schools like? How are the parks, libraries, and youth sports? What summer programs are offered in town when school is not in session? Can the kids do their homework and play games on the town’s internet?

Jobs are important. We can’t grow our communities without offering more jobs to attract people to town. But how do you offer more jobs, or attract the businesses who provide them, without a sufficient labor force?

And in a great “chicken or the egg” question, how do you grow the labor force without the jobs? Maybe this is the answer. Maybe our towns should invest in attracting remote/ self-employed workers and make it a worthwhile place for their families.

And when we do that, a better environment for families will bring more families. More families create a larger labor force, and the jobs will follow.

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.

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HELLO FROM COWBOY COUNTRY

By Luci Wedeking

Hope y’all are having a good week. I’m excited to continue on with our story (from The Swenson Saga and SMS Ranches by Mary Whatley Clarke) when A.J. Swenson arrives at the SMS ranch! Still just a teenager and before he’d earned a job of status, he already begins to forge his place in history, tasked to begin fencing in the open range Texas prairie.

“After arrival at the SMS spread, Andrew’s first job was building fence. The work was hard, as the holes were dug by hand, after which the post was set, and the wire stretched and hammered. Thirty eight yokes of oxen were used to haul the posts and wire from Abilene to Flat Top, site of the first fencing of SMS ranges. Two strands of smooth wire were used and two strands of barbed wire to enclose the property.

Andrew later worked as a line rider, and he often compared the vast open prairie of grass around him to the rolling brine of the North Atlantic over which he was tossed on his trip to America. Though he preferred crossing the sea of grass on the back of a good horse, he had to admit line riding was a lonely job. He and another companion would start off in opposite directions from the ranch headquarters close to the north line in the Ericksdahl

area. They would ride all day, by night reaching a little one room house which had been built especially for the riders. Another small house where Andrew camped more frequently was near the old E.D. Bar Ranch, the D standing for Alf Dyer, first manager of the ranches, and a cousin of Andrew.

One experience Andrew never forgot was his first encounter with a bucking horse. A smallpox epidemic had frightened most of the hands away, and Andrew, with one other cowpuncher and the foreman, were camped in a pasture near the present city of Stamford. One night, as a diversion, Andrew and the cowpuncher decided to catch some of the horses the departed cowboys had formerly ridden, and try them out. His companion was thrown but Andrew held on to his horse, although the animal “rode all over me.” One horse got away, bridle, saddle and all, and was never seen alive again.

Months later, the bones were found. The horse had become entangled in the bridle, could not get loose, and had starved to death.

“The boss ate us up,” Andrew admitted. “I never had such a raking over in my life, but I never forgot the lesson I learned.”

After a year and a half on the SMS Ranches, Andrew

went to Abilene where he was to spend the next five years managing a nearby section of land for the widow of his cousin, S.J. Swenson. That land is owned today by Abilene Christian College.

Andrew had now been away from Sweden some seven or eight years and was so homesick that he returned, convinced he would spend the rest of his life in his native land. As so often happens, he had not been back very many months before he became restless and wanted to come back to Texas. After Selma Anderson, the lovely Swedish girl with whom he had fallen in love, promised to join him later, he set sail once again for America and the windswept Texas ranch country.

In 1889, his uncle, S.M. Swenson, who was then visiting Sweden, wrote the family that he would not be coming back home alone.

He would have in his care a girl from Gothenburg who was coming to Texas to marry his nephew, Andrew John. S.M. wrote that he had not seen her, but all agreed that she was of good understanding and disposition.

Andrew John and Selma were married in New Sweden, Texas, near Austin in 1889 and traveled by train to Abilene, Texas, and from there by buggy and team to their small ranch home near Anson. Andrew had purchased the modest ranch and hoped to build his own herd. Though Selma had been in a comfortable house in Sweden, she did not complain about the rough-hewn simplicity of her first pioneer home in Texas.

One day Andrew John told Selma goodbye and started out on horseback for a distant ranch where he hoped to buy some cattle. When he reached the Clear Fork Crossing near Phantom Hill, the stream was out of banks

Eric P. Swenson (far left) and AJ Swenson (far right) and he and his horse went down. Abandoning the animal, Andrew swam for his life downstream. At times he saw the horse, then would lose sight of it in the roaring torrent. “There goes my horse and saddle, “ he worried, “and here am I in the swirling water and no one else within miles.” Then with relief he saw that the animal had safely reached the sand bank on the opposite side. Horse and rider were soon reunited, but no cattle were bought that day.”

After a few years, the Swenson brothers, Eric and Albin, persuaded Andrew to become bookkeeper for Ellerslie Ranch, an SMS holding with five sections of land where the purebred Herefords and Shorthorns would later be developed. In 1897 Andrew was made superintendent of the ranches and Ellerslie became headquarters.”

We’ll leave y’all right there for this week, but rest assured there’s more to come on the love story of A.J. and Selma Swenson, much of which is left out of the book. It’s one of the

more personal details that I find most endearing to this legendary old cowboy. It’s amazing to me how they met and fell in love upon his return to Sweden, only to leave again for America and pledge his hand that

AJ and SA Swenson

he would send back for her.

Most folks today just don’t have that sort of patience and trust, it’s one of those hard life romantic ideals that was left behind in the history of the west.

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APRIL 19, 2019 7

Operation Recovery Ministries: Breaking the Chains of Addiction

BY KAY SPEARS Operation Recovery Ministries in Haskell, Texas has been open since October, 2018, according to Michael Green, Founder & Director. The drug and alcohol rehab facility is located in a former nursing home at 1302 N. 1st and has been undergoing a slow but steady remodel.

Green stated the former nursing home had been empty since about 2006 and has needed a great deal of work.

The facility currently has three rooms where six men, 18 or older, can stay during the residential program. The program involves a four-phase plan covering at least six months duration and is free to the consumer. Each phase builds on the previous one and with it the client gains trust and responsibilities. A daily schedule is adhered to and includes Prayers/Devotions, 12 Step Group sessions, Bible Study sessions, work assignments, meals and free time.

Green stated Operation Recovery Ministries oper-

Michael Green has opened Operation Recovery Ministries in Haskell for Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation. ates by donations and does not take any money from the government. The program is not licensed in any way by the State of Texas and there are no licensed therapists or chemical dependency counselors involved. He uses a workbook he created based on the 12 Step Program and short videos in his program. Green states the program is faith based and the mission is to provide a free residential program to help addicts overcome their addictions and other life controlling behaviors and to build a

deeper relationship with Christ and be a responsible member of the church and society.

Green has plans for the future that include teaching work skills, social skills, G.E.D, online education, financial/budget classes and work ethics through community services. Green also wants to have a woodworking shop and a re-sale shop in the facility. Operation Recovery Ministries is a 501(c)3 as a Religious Organization and is located at 1302 N. 1st, Haskell, TX, (940) 257-3855.

PAINT CREEK ISD 5TH SIX WEEKS HONOR ROLL “A” HONOR ROLL 1st Grade - Brandy Wilkerson 2nd Grade - Kavan Adams, Kylee Delmasso, Rylee Gunter, Colston Myers 3rd Grade - Kamryn Delmasso 8th Grade - Cam Ponder, Levi Rhoads 9th Grade - Ana Hall 10th Grade - Haylee Garcia 11th Grade - Desiree Acosta, Maddy Davis, Bailee Thomas 12th Grade - Antonio Yanez “A/B” HONOR ROLL 1st Grade - Auden Graham, Kash Holder, Jaxson Wilkerson 2nd Grade - Halen Bauer, Ryan Gardner, Jazlynn O’Donnell, Zoey Townsend 3rd Grade - Abram Hernandez, Eli Hicks, Kaelem Nystrom,

Jenna Scheets, Jerry Scheets, Alexa Yanez 4th Grade - Colton Blair, Adrian Castorena, Zander Elias 6th Grade - Melanie Clary, Katie Perez, Audie Shaw 7th Grade - Joe Anguiano, Sirena Baiza, Mark Hall,

Phaiden Spikes 8th Grade - Gus Blair, MadisonHarp, Ben Metler 9th Grade - Mark Garcia, Dylan Souther, Kaylee Stewart 10th Grade - Ashton Grand, Dyna Knowles, Brianna Yanez 12th Grade - George Bogle, Debra Knowles

A former Haskell nursing home facility is being made over to house men in their recovery from drug and alcohol addictions.

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Hawley Captures Lead Early to Defeat Bulldogs

BY KEVIN BARTLEY Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 7-3 loss to Hawley on Friday. Hawley scored on a single by Kolter Willeford in the first inning and a groundout by Kody Ramesy in the second inning.

Hawley opened up scoring in the first inning, when Willeford singled on a 3-2 count, scoring one run.

Tate Thompson got the win for Hawley. He went three innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out six. Xavier Rodela threw four innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Josh Mueller took the loss for Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity. He lasted five innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out six.

Zach Duran led Stamford Bulldogs 2019 Varsity with two hits in four at bats.

Hawley tallied nine hits on the day. Robert Ybarra and Garrett Hewitt each had multiple hits for Hawley.

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Area Track Meet Results Numerous Stamford athletes participated in the Area 7 & 8-AA Championships held at Irion Co on April 10. The Bulldogs were Area Champions, and the Girls took 3rd Place.

The top four finishers in each event advance to the Regional Meet which will be held April 26th at Levelland, TX. GIRLS - 3RD PLACE TEAM 100 METER DASH: 4 Spotwood, Honesty 12.81; 7 Fletcher, Mariah 13.49 200 METER DASH: 2 Applin, Bresha 26.69; 7 Bell, Jacelyn 29.52 400 METER DASH: 3 Terrell, Laramie 1:02.44 800 METER RUN: 2 Terrell, Laramie 2:31.05

1600 METER RUN: 6 Hall, Chloe 6:34.27 3200 METER RUN: 4 Hall, Chloe 13:43.06 100 METER HURDLES: 2 Bevel, Tylee Jo 15.82 300 METER HURDLES: 5 Bevel, Tylee Jo 53.77 4X100 METER RELAY: 3 Stamford ‘A’ 1) Bell, Jacelyn 2) Spotwood, Honesty 3) Fletcher, Mariah 4) Applin, Bresha 50.61 4X200 METER RELAY: 5 Stamford ‘A’ 1) Bell, Jacelyn 2) Spotwood, Honesty 3) Johnson, Tameka 4) Applin, Bresha 1:53.21 HIGH JUMP: 2 Bevel, Tylee Jo 5-04.00 POLE VAULT: 3 Terrell, Laramie J9-00.00; 5 Lefevre, Carli 8-06.00

LONG JUMP: 2 Applin, Bresha 16-04.75; 3 Fletcher, Mariah 15-11.50 TRIPLE JUMP: 4 Bevel, Tylee Jo 34-05.25 BOYS - 1ST PLACE TEAM 100 METER DASH: 4 Cooper, Shavaris 11.20 200 METER DASH: 1 Barber, Demarcus 23.07; 8 Smith, RJ 24.64 400 METER DASH: 1 Edwards, Trace 52.58 110 METER HURDLES: 1 Holt, Carson 15.75; 5 Faulks, Dylan 17.62 300 METER HURDLES: 1 Holt, Carson 42.00; 3 Faulks, Dylan 43.49 4X100 METER RELAY: 1 Stamford ‘A’ 1) Smith, Ryheem 2) Mueller, Josh 3) Edwards, Trace 4) Barber, Demarcus

43.81 20 4X200 METER RELAY: 1 Stamford ‘A’ 1) Smith, Ryheem 2) Mueller, Josh 3) Barber, Demarcus 4) Smith, RJ 1:32.46 4X400 METER RELAY: 1 Stamford ‘A’ 1) Smith, RJ 2) Edwards, Trace 3) Holt, Carson 4) Smith, Ryheem 3:32.97 POLE VAULT: 3 Mueller, Josh 14-00.00 LONG JUMP: 3 Smith, Ryheem 20-06.25 4 BARBER, DEMARCUS 2000.50 TRIPLE JUMP: 5 Mueller, Josh 40-11.00 SHOT PUT: 4 Gomez, Riley 41-07.00 DISCUS THROW: 7 Gomez, Riley 120-09

Bulldogs Tie One, Win One, Lose One

BY KEVIN BARTLEY It was an extremely close contest between Iowa Park JV and Stamford Bulldogs which ended in a tie.

Tully Hughes and Peyton Bevel each had 1 RBI. Zach Duran had 3 Quality At-Bats, including 2 walks.

123 456 7 R HE SHS 101 110 3 7 62 I Park 2 0 2 1 0 1 1 7 11 3 The Bulldogs grabbed the lead in the fifth inning in a 10-8 victory over Haskell on Friday. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the fifth when Zach Duran singled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run.

Both pitching staffs had their hands full, frequently dealing with runners on base. The Bulldogs collected eight hits and Haskell had nine.

Haskell got things moving in the first inning, when Compton singled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs.

Haskell scored three runs in the seventh inning. Medford and Compton all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Duran was the winning pitcher for Stamford. He went two and two-thirds innings, allowing zero runs on one hit and striking out three. Peyton Bevel threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Bevel recorded the last three outs to earn the save.

Bryson Holt started the game for Stamford. He allowed six hits and five runs over three and a third innings, walking one.

Stamford tallied eight hits on the day. Tully Hughes and Duran each collected multiple hits for Stamford Bulldogs.

Haskell racked up nine hits. Roewe and Silvas each managed multiple hits for Haskell.

123 456 7 RHE HSKL 2 0 0 3 0 0 3 8 9 2 SHS 2 0 0 2 5 1 X 10 8 4 The Tuesday, April 16 contest against Albany was a pitchers’ duel with Albany coming out on top. Brett Patterson and Kaleb Flick each had a hit. Cade Lefevre and Zach Duran each had 2 Quality At-Bats.

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Stamford FFA Students Participate In CDE Events Poultry and Milk Quality are state bound finishing 1st and 2nd in the area. Livestock finished 12th, farm business was 7th and entomology was 12th in the area. Several students finished in the top 10 individually. Sean Thane High individual poultry; Carson Holt 2nd; Lane Patton 3rd; Carli Lefevre 5th; Paris Alvarado 4th Milk Quality; Mel Ratheal 7th; Tylee Jo Bevel 9th; and Houston Koenig 9th Livestock. (Photos courtesy of Stamford FFA)

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10 APRIL 19, 2019 ‘FLAT-LINING’ OF U.S. GASOLINE USE MAY HURT ETHANOL SALES AND CORN FARMERS For years, larger and larger sales of corn ethanol were almost a given. For one thing, the Renewable Fuel KASN AG REPORT Standard guaranteed biofuels a share of the With Richard Kemp gasoline market, and car-happy Americans used more gasoline every year. The joyride, however, may be ending, says a University of Illinois economist.

IN PUBLIC LANDS PROPOSAL, WARREN SEEKS MORATORIUM ON DRILLING LEASES Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren announced her public lands policy platform on Monday, which includes an end to new fossil fuel drilling leases and an expansion of renewable energy production. Meanwhile, candidate Bernie Sanders said he supports imposing a moratorium on agribusiness mergers.

EU WON’T DISCUSS AGRICULTURE IN TRADE TALKS WITH U.S. Leaders of EU countries agreed to open trade talks with the United States on Monday with the goal of eliminating tariffs on industrial goods but said that agricultural products would not be part of the negotiations.

ON AVERAGE, U.S. FARMERS ARE AGING, BUT A QUARTER OF THEM ARE NEWCOMERS One-third of America’s 3.4 million farmers are over the age of 65, and nearly a million more of them are within a decade of that milestone, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, released by the USDA on Thursday. For decades, the aging U.S. farmer has been a cause for concern, expressed in this question: Who will feed America in the future?

BEEF PACKING MERGER THREATENS LAST COMPETITIVE CASH CATTLE MARKET IN U.S. Last month, the nation’s fourth-largest beef packer, National Beef, announced plans to take over Sysco-owned Iowa Premium, a regional packer focused on processing Black Angus steers for the Upper Midwest. National Beef is majorityowned by the Brazilian firm Marfrig.

ROBERTS SEES ROUTE FOR REAUTHORIZING CHILD NUTRITION THIS YEAR After warning against saddling small schools with big-city regulations, Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts said on Wednesday that Congress could act swiftly on the overdue renewal of child nutrition programs. The programs, headlined by school lunch and WIC, cost $30 billion a year.

THE FARM INDUSTRY IS PUSHING FOR TIGHTER RIGHT-TO-FARM LAWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR FARM NEIGHBORS? Every state has a “right-to-farm” law on the books to protect farmers from being sued by their neighbors for the routine smells and sounds created by farming operations. But this year, the agriculture industry has been pushing in several states to amend those laws so that they will effectively prevent neighbors from suing farms at all — even massive industrial livestock operations.

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WEST TEXAS TREES AND LANDSCAPES

By Bruce Kreitler and the KWKC Green Team Last week, I wrote a column where I proposed the idea, and I have no way of knowing if I’m correct or not, that some tree diseases might be semi-localized problems, or at least not fully nationally occurring issues. As it happened, I used a bacterial disease, called crown gall, that I know as mostly a problem of post oaks, for an example. I do think there’s a good chance that a thorough investigation of where crown gall pops up, and where it doesn’t, would show that post oaks are actually a vector of this disease, bringing it to other trees. Of course that’s just an unproven theory rattling around inside my head. An interesting (to me) thought, but not something I’m ever going to be able to nail down.

Anyway, I was on a property the other day, where there were a lot of post oaks, and lo and behold, there were some examples of trees infected with crown gall. No surprise there, anytime there are lots of post oaks, especially in sandy soils (which is mostly where they hang out), I expect to see some trees with crown gall. However,

what was interesting, or at least unusual, about this particular tree, was the extent of the infestation.

Normally, when crown gall infects a tree, it shows up in one or two parts of the tree only. Three different infected spots in a tree isn’t what I would call “rare”, but most of the time, it will be one or two outbreaks only.

The tree that I’m discussing today, which I have provided a picture of, is what I would, if I were going to use a technical arboricultural term, refer to as “eaten up” with crown gall. As you can see, if you can make out the detail, that’s a doubletrunked tree, with multiple galls on both trunks, to the point where the trunks are probably more “gall” than they are healthy wood. If you are thinking something along the lines of “I bet those trunks aren’t particularly strong”, you would be correct. My personal opinion

is that if that tree had to withstand the full forces of our local winds, it would be snapped off in a season or two. So, having made that comment about not being able to stand up to local winds, and that tree clearly being a local inhabitant, why is it still standing?

The reason that tree has not been decapitated by winds is that it is surrounded by other trees, which are not nearly as disease ridden. This means that the other trees are able to grow faster, have become larger, taller, and have much more spreading canopies. All of that means that the other trees are breaking the wind for their diseased companion. Interestingly, this means that the relatively diseasefree trees are protecting the diseased tree, which, while keeping the tree alive, also allows the crown gall disease to continue its lifecycle too.

If you think about that long

enough, in a who’s helping who kind of way, as you get deeper into the concept, it gets more and more confusing.

Nature is nothing, if not incredibly complex.

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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Top Officeholders Join Together In Push For Funding Solution Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen on April 10 released a joint statement promoting a twofold method for the 86th Texas Legislature to curb property tax increases across the state.

“Texans are fed up with skyrocketing property taxes. At the beginning of the legislative session, the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker laid out an agenda for property tax relief through the passage of Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2 to limit property tax growth,” the state’s top officeholders said.

SB 2 and HB 2, the not-yetapproved property tax reform bills, would reduce the revenue growth increment used for determination of the rollback tax rate from 8.0 percent to 2.5 percent for taxing units other than small taxing units unless the voters in a small taxing unit election decide to opt-in to the proposed new voter-approved tax rate procedure. The goal of both pieces of legislation is to reduce tax revenues for local taxing units and increase costs to the state through revised formulas for education funding.

Abbott, Patrick and Bonnen also pushed lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow Texans to vote to offset local property tax revenue by increasing local sales taxes by a penny.

“We are introducing a sales tax proposal to buy down property tax rates for all Texas homeowners and businesses, once Senate Bill 2 or House Bill 2 is agreed to and passed by both chambers,” they said in the joint statement. “If the onecent increase in the sales tax passes, it will result in billions of dollars in revenue to help drive down property taxes in the short and long term.”

Senate and House mem-

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

bers of both political parties have expressed reluctance to cede local control in their districts to tax revenuegenerating proposals coming from Austin. Another dimension is that a club-like Senate tradition requires at least three-fifths, or 19, of the body’s 31 members to agree to bring a measure to the floor for debate.

Patrick, who presides over the Senate, reportedly last week was entertaining the possibility of breaking with precedent by allowing the tax reform proposal to come to the floor with only 16 votes. There could be enough agreement among the body’s Republican members to fall in line with Patrick’s wishes.

As the possibility of property tax caps and a sales tax tradeoff simmers in the Senate, passage is harder to predict in the majority-Republican but not-so-collegial House. Differences in the House and Senate versions of the tax reform bill would have to be reconciled in a conference committee before returning to the full bodies for final approval.

BUDGET BILL TO CONFERENCE Lawmakers’ constitutionally mandated job is to pass a state budget. As always, it’s a messy process to do that.

House Bill 1, the state budget bill for fiscal years 2020 and 2021, was referred to a House-Senate conference committee on April 11 after the House re-

fused to concur with Senate amendments to the bill.

Speaker Bonnen named as conferees House Appropriations Committee Chair John Zerwas, R-Richmond, and Reps. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood; Sarah Davis, R-West University Place; Oscar Longoria, D-Mission; and Armando Walle, D-Houston.

Senate conferees likely will be named by Lt. Gov. Patrick this week.

SALES TAX HOLIDAY IS SET Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on April 11 reminded Texans they may purchase certain items tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies. The sales tax holiday is scheduled for April 27-29.

“While we can’t know in advance when the next flood, tornado or hurricane may strike, we can make sure our families, homes and businesses have the supplies they need to face these and other emergencies,” Hegar said.

Items covered by the tax holiday include, for example: - Household batteries, fuel containers and flashlights priced at less than $75; - Hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced at less than $300; and - Portable generators priced at less than $3,000.

TAX REVENUE IS DISTRIBUTED Comptroller Hegar on April 10 announced his agency would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $705.3 million in local sales tax allocations for April.

The amount is 8.4 percent more than distributed for the month of April 2018.

The allocations are based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly.

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Remember Our Past, Live in the Present Recently I have been watching the original Twilight Zone series along with the new episodes (good work overall so far, in my opinion) and I have seen two episodes that both dealt with yearning for the past: “The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine” and “Walking DisTHOUGHTS FROM tance.” While the former episode had a good message (like UNDER THE CAP many Twilight Zone episodes), the latter episode “Walking Will McClure Distance” really drove the theme home. In the episode, a businessman named Martin Sloan has to stop to get his car serviced within walking distance of his former hometown which he had not visited in years. In true Twilight Zone fashion, Martin visits his hometown to find himself inexplicably transported back in time 15 years to when he was a boy. While those that have heard of The Twilight Zone think of it as a suspense-horror show, this episode (with the exception of the time-travel element) did not feature these elements and was actually a fantastic episode with its message of yearning for the past and having a disillusionment with adulthood. By the end of the episode, Martin’s father from the past, now having believed that he was speaking to his older son, tells him that everyone has his or her time and that instead of looking behind him, he should look ahead; because as delightful and rewarding as he may remember childhood to be, adulthood has its own delights and rewards.

This episode really spoke to me in a way as we all yearn in some shape or form for our past. While there may be times that we would rather forget, sometimes we do wish to be kids again with few to no worries. While it is a bit ironic that a nostalgic show as we see it now is giving a lesson on nostalgia, the message is still relevant today. All too often do we see and hear people trying to recapture their youth and not move forward in their lives. As such, many tend to “live in the past” and reject their lives now, seeing things as “boring” and “tedious,” much like the character of Martin Sloan. However, we do tend to forget that as we grow older we can find things that we enjoy in the present amongst our many responsibilities. While it is true that we feel like we “get in a rut” by going to work and then coming home every day while also paying the bills, we can become easily disillusioned with life, but only if we let it overcome us.

All I am saying here is that it is okay to reminisce about our past. There are many of us out there that would give anything for just one more day of childhood or even seeing a loved one just one more time, The thing is that if we were able to have our wish granted, we would just want more and forget the joys that we have now. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing and we can always look back, but we cannot forget about our present lives now and even the future that we set. If we all stop for a moment and just think about our lives in the present, we can come up with some great reasons why our life is good to us. I would give some examples, but in this case it does vary by the person. We may not always get the life that we want, but we should cherish what we have and enjoy the ride while we can.

Let us leave the past in the past and instead enjoy each and every day of our lives. Recapturing the past is difficult, but living in the present is simple and can be just as rewarding.

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

Running 200,000 Miles When Dave Dial was a six-year-old boy he would ask his father to stop the car so he could get out and run. “We might have gone to the store and were on our way home when I would tell my dad I wanted to run the rest of the way home.”

Dave has been running ever since. For the past eleven years he has run at least 15 miles a day.

His schedule is to take off on a 10 mile run in the morning after he finishes taking care of chores on his family ranch just outside of Groveton in Houston County. Then he’ll run another 5 miles in the afternoon.

His lifetime running total is193,000 miles. His goal is 200,000 miles, which he plans to reach in the spring of 2020.

“I’ve heard that fewer than 10 people on the planet have ever run more than 200,000 miles. I want to be one of them.

I’ll be 59 years old next spring. I think I’ll be one of the youngest people to hit 200,000.” He keeps records of his runs in notebooks.

Running is Dave’s life. “I

love the feeling of covering distance on my own two feet,” he says.

“It’s very satisfying.”

He coached track in San Diego while he was raising his son. He also wrote a column about being a dad. That column won two prestigious journalism awards. Dave has lived on both coasts and ran the Boston Marathon when he was 19. “I placed 42nd and ran one of the fastest times for people under 20 years old. My time was 2 hours, 24 minutes and 18 seconds, which breaks down to 5 minutes and 30 seconds per mile for 26.2 miles.

That’s moving on.”

When he’s working with livestock or driving a tractor he creates Haiku poetry. “I was a math major at Lamar University in Beaumont, so the Haiku format of 3 lines, with 5,7,5 syllables comes pretty easy. Sometimes

when I get one I like I write it down.

I might take a photo of a sunset or sunrise and write a Haiku verse about that.”

Dave has no phone, internet or television.

He reads Cowboys & Indians magazine and listens to radio. He had a coaching job in California when his dad asked him to come help run the ranch.

Skechers provides Dave with running shoes. Other sports equipment manufacturers give him other items to test. Skechers likes Dave because he runs on all sorts of surfaces. He’s quite a popular sight around the Crockett area. People wave when the see him and give him

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

the right of way. “They call me ‘that running guy.’”

His current 11-year streak is his longest without missing a single day of running at least 15 miles. “I usually take the same route because it’s well laid out and I know how long it is. That way I don’t really have to think about running. It has become sort of automatic.”

Running to Dave is like breathing for most people. He has run in all types of weather, from 117 degrees to 35 below.

“You don’t really have a lot to show for it other than notebooks filled with numbers and a lot of worn out shoes.”

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.

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Oh my, goodness, it got so cold. This Texas temperature is going to get the best of me. My body don’t know what to look for every morning!!! I hope this was our last cold spell.

Oh but the farmers are sure smiling following the big rain we got on Friday night and early Saturday morning. I got two and one half inches, but some folks got as much as four inches or more. I am so thankful that we did not get any storms or hail, but a nice slow rain. Thanks to God. I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. May your day be filled with many blessings with family, friends and food.

Keep in mind our musical on Saturday, April 27, 5 P.M. On Sunday, April 7, was an exciting day for Helen Pierce. Her family, Jami Wilde from Knox City, Kara Briggs and Crete of Haskell, and Kim Lowack and Kelly of OG and Helen drove to Nocona to attend the bridal shower honoring Helen’s granddaughter, Kelsie Pierce. The shower was held at the First Baptist Church in Nocona. The tables were decorated with beautiful white and pink roses and delicious finger foods and punch was served. The bride-to-be received many lovely useful gifts.

Helen and the girls visited in the home of Wes and Tracy Pierce for a time before going to the shower.

Matthew Pierce of Stamford Lake spent the Sunday with his granddad while the ladies were gone to Nocona and enjoyed a nice visit.

The Multi County Retired Teachers and School Personnel met at the First United Methodist Church in Aspermont for their luncheon and meeting with twenty members and five guests present. Tables were beautifully decorated in bright Easter colors. Pastor Schroeder of the church gave the invocation. The group enjoyed a delicious meal of fried catfish and all the trimmings along

OLD GLORY NEWS

By Anita Dozier with peach cobbler and ice cream. Following the meal Alex Long introduced County Attorney Riley Branch who gave the program of the day. He gave a very informative and interesting talk on Estate Planning. Everyone enjoyed his talk and the question and answer session. Following the meal, President Dorothy Watkins called the meeting to order. Anita Dozier read the minutes, Betty Wood gave the treasurer’s report and Ed Womack gave the update on the Legislative session. Dorothy informed the members that the next meeting will be at Avoca on Wednesday, May 8, at 11:30 A M and a decision will be made on electing officers or disband. She encouraged all members to attend. Alex Long won the door prize.

I was in Abilene on Thursday afternoon, visited with the girls and later Susan, Marcie and I attended the Abilene Teachers Federal Credit Unions annual meeting held at the Civic Center.

All reports of the Senior Citizens Dance at the Old Glory Community Center were attendance was a little lower, but the music was great and refreshments delicious. Thanks to the ladies for all the good food.

Mittie Dunham drove to Abilene on Tuesday and picked up friend, Rosemary Pierce, and went out to eat and had a nice visit. Rosemary and her family are former Old Glory citizens and the Dunham neighbors.

Mittie’s granddaughter, Sonja Dunham, joined them for the meal.

On Sunday, Mittie drove

to Hamlin to attend church with her son and his wife, Rodney and Tracey Dunham. Their church had their Easter program and Rodney participated in the program.

Congratulations to Tyge Flowers on winning the Regional Champion Saddle Bronc in Abilene. He is the son of Jay and Wendy Flowers of Old Glory.

Congratulations to Brody Letz on receiving his Black Belt in Austin on Saturday.

A ceremony will be held in June at San Marcos for the group that received their Black Belt. He is the son of Terry and Laramie Letz of Sagerton and the grandson of Dale and Carm Letz.

Please keep the Hinkles, (Jana Gail’s father-in-law is seriously ill), in prayer.

Thought for the week: “Sometimes we turn to God when our foundations are shaking, only to find that it is God who is shaking them”.

Happy Birthday wishes go to John Allison, Jacob Rhoads, Amber Teichelman, Johnny Manske, April Brendley, Justin Westbrook, Jimma Ruth Smith, Cindy Ford, Payten Howle, Thad Jennings, Sara Martin, Shanna Morrow, Tena Tankersley, John Diers, Mike Sawyers, Kevin Letz, Steve Hertel, Lillian Hicks, Dana Swink, Liz Mills, Charles Vahlenkamp, Sally Stafford, and Leah Nicholson. We wish you many more.

Anniversary greetings go to Terry and Laramie Letz.

Have a wonderful day.

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How Much Do We Treasure Our Gift?

Have you ever forgiven a loved one who wronged you and said they were sorry? It’s difficult, but to save the relationship, often we find it in our heart to forgive – especially if the other person is sincerely sorry. But how about the person who wronged you and is not sorry? Would they be dead to you? Should that relationship be pursued? Should they be shown forgiveness? Actually, it happened to each of us…about 2,000 years ago.

Please hear me today, all of us, at one time or another, chooses wrong over right.

We choose to lie, steal, curse, or to be resentful, bitter, or jealous of another. Because we are made in God’s image and created to be in relationship with Him, when we violate His character, we separate ourselves from Him and sever the relationship. But still, as a loving Father, God wants to restore this relationship and is willing to forgive even when we’re not sorry.

PASTOR’S PEN

By Paul Wright

Romans 5:8 says: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Please know that God did not wait for us to come to Him; for God knew that left to ourselves, it would have never happened.

Psalm 14: 2,3 says: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away, all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!”

Romans 3:11-18 says: No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless.

No one does good not a single one. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.

Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from

their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

They rush to commit murder.

Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace. They have No Fear Of God At All.” And so, before the beginning of time, God arranged a rescue mission to extend forgiveness to those who didn’t know to ask.

Easter is the celebration of this amazing gift. 2,000 years ago, the Son of God willingly left the glory of Heaven and came to earth, wrapped in human flesh, to become the complete sacrifice for sin. Yet, when we look at the Cross, we often forget that Jesus suffered something far greater than physical death: He also suffered spiritual separation from God the Father so we wouldn’t have to. Jesus laid bare His greatest agony when He cried out, in Matthew 27: 46 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The eternal God-head was torn apart just for us. The penalty for sin is not the Cross;

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

that’s the symbol. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God, and only the eternal God could pay that price.

We seem to have forgotten the greatest gift ever given is not God’s forgiveness that is now available to us, but rather God’s Son through whom forgiveness was made possible.

John 3: 16 says: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

The person who looks upon God’s Son who, as He was being nailed to the Cross said in Luke 23: 34, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And turns away, will not spend an eternity regretting his sin – that’s done and paid for. Rather, he will be left to agonize over all the ways God tried to reach out to him, reveal Himself to him, and demonstrate His love in an endless pursuit to have a relationship with him – that God even decided he was worth dying for – but he

turned away…however John 1: 12 says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

So, on that first glorious Easter morning, the dark tomb was empty. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, restoring Him to His rightful throne in Heaven, demonstrating God’s complete satisfaction that the penalty for all sin, for all people, for all time, has been paid in full.

Easter is Resurrection Day! The day Christians all over the world celebrate that their relationship to God the Father, once dead, has been restored to life. Please know that it’s not just life, Eternal Life!

Someone needs to know that God wants to restore a relationship with you and He is only a prayer away. If you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior – God’s greatest gift – pray this simple pray with me right now: “Father, thank you for loving me and sending your beloved

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

Son to pay the penalty for my sin. Jesus, thank you for dying on the Cross just for me. I am sorry for not putting you first in my life. Please forgive me for the way I talk, act and not seeking after You. Please help me to stop cursing and pouring bitterness upon others by the way I talk to others. I’m sorry for living my life apart from You, and I choose today to follow You. Please come into my heart and make me the person You created me to be.

Amen!!!

For all of those who belong to Christ, when you enter your heavenly Home, you will run to your Heavenly Father who will scoop you up into His arms and say “Welcome Home, My Child!”

My question for you this week is: “Are you ready to go to your heavenly home?”

John 15: 13 says: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

What a Love! What a gift!

What an amazing God we serve!!

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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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

HELP WANTED Sagebrush Living Center has openings for Direct Care Staff for 2pm to 10pm evening shift. Also need 10pm to 6am LVN. For information call Karen Wolsch or Doug Stanley at 325-773-2791 or come by Sagebrush Living Center, 1101 Columbia Stamford, TX. Full-Time General Maintenance Worker needed at Stamford Healthcare System, 1601 Columbia. Monday – Friday; 8a.m. – 5p.m. Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds and pushing or pulling up to 300 pounds when moving equipment or supplies.

Applications available through Human Resources at hr@ stamfordhosp.com or contact Debbie Walters at 325-7734884 for more information.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Notice is hereby given that original Letters of Administration for the Estate of Sharon Jean Elliott, Deceased, were issued on April 15, 2019, in Cause No. 19-7378, pending in the County Court of Jones County, Texas, to: Paul D. Elliott.

All persons having claims against this Estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

McMahon Surovik Suttle, PC P.O. Box 3679 Abilene, TX 79604 Telephone: (325) 676-9183 Facsimile: (325) 676-8836 email: ewallace@mss.law Dated the 16th day of April, 2019 /s/ Elizabeth Noblo Wallace State Bar No. 24077244

Big Country Electric Co-op is looking for a lineman to work out of the Snyder office. Applications can be completed online at www.bigcountry. coop under career tab. Deadline for applications is Monday, April 22, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.

APRIL 19, 2019

Classifieds FOR RENT

720 East McHarg St, Unit A, 2 BR, 1 Bath, $350 per month 720 East McHarg St, Unit B, 2 BR, 1 Bath, new paint, $400 per month Call 325-668-9175

House for Rent: 1319 Landon, 3br 2 bath, Large Kitchen, Recently Remodeled, $700 per month, First and Last month as Deposit, 6 months to year lease. Call 325-370-5079

15

RESIDENTIAL

712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian home.Reduced.....$135,900 1018 Reynolds Historic 4bd home w/ basement, near school.Reduced$137,000 1502 Compton Great 3/2/2 Ranch Home on 1.6± AC! Reduced!...... $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 1328 Ave L Anson Brick 3/1.5 Home......................................IN CONTRACT 2325 Ave Q Newer 4/3 Brick home w/ Shop 6± Acres Anson.............$330,000 1222 Ave L Anson Farmhouse style, 2/2, fenced bk yard.......................$75,000 715 Ave. J Anson UPDATED 3/2 Brick, Sprinkler System...............$169,900 726 22nd St Anson Spacious, 1922 Sq. Ft. 2/2 Brick .........................$129,000

COMMERCIAL

1611 N Swenson Historic Cliff House Restaurant REDUCED...........$79,900 1631 17th St, Anson over 4,000 sq. ft, restaurant equip. ..........IN CONTRACT 901 Commercial ANSON- 12,600 Sq. Ft. Large parking lot..............$225,000

FARM & RANCH

FISHER COUNTY

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

130± Ac South of Sylvester on FM 1085 Nice small tract in good area!

179± Ac Sweetwater Creek Ranch West of Trent Thick Brush w/ some cultivation! $1,250 an Acre!

COMANCHE COUNTY

735± AC - 4D Game Ranch – Turnkey High Fenced Hunting Ranch w/ Lodge!

HASKELL COUNTY

202± AC - Box Springs Ranch - Improved Grass, Stock Tank w/ Good Water Well!

174± AC – Carroll -CRP on Hwy 380 West of Rule. SOLD 160± AC – The Kittley Irrigated Farm Northwest of Rule!

130± AC – The Haskell Co. Retreat great Cult. & Mesquite mix w/ 2 tanks! SOLD 152± AC - Top Kevil Cotton Farm - Good black land farm w/ 1/2 the minerals! IN CONTRACT 80± AC - CRP Income, Good Hunting!

SOLD 139± AC- Farrington Cotton Farm Prime Cultivation fenced w a tank! IN CONTRACT

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 707 Ranch – 10-12 Acre tracts available! IN CONTRACT 247± AC Stock Farm, Cultivation and pasture!

160± AC Cultivation south of Avoca 157.8± AC Stock farm w some pasture off HWY 6 IN CONTRACT

KENT COUNTY

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

521± 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! SOLD 160± AC – All pasture, Great Hunting!

SOLD

STEPHENS COUNTY

155± AC Great Hunting, Cabin with 2 Earth Tanks!

STONEWALL COUNTY

4,743± AC - Patterson North Camp - 2 Live Creeks w/ Hunting Lodge... A Must See! SOLD 5,900± AC- Live Water… Coming Soon!

2,082± -AC- Double View RanchSpectacular views, River & Cabin!

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

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

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

320± AC – River Frontage w/ Beautiful 2 story home and additional acreage for lease!

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

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

249± AC River Bluff Ranch mile of SFB River, gorgeous bluffs, shinnery, elevations, very diverse!

160± AC- Spring Canyon Ranch Great Hunting w/ Lodge! IN CONTRACT 130± AC- Youngers 130 Good Cultivation and great Hunting!

108± AC - Shinnery Close to the River.

Reduced!

TAYLOR COUNTY

76± AC - Near Jim Ned School. Motivated Seller!

25 Ac Braune Road Home site with outstanding views! In Contract!

5± Acres Off of HWY 351No Restrictions In Contract!

Taylor Ridge Estates- 20-80 Acre rural tracts Call for info!

16 APRIL 19, 2019

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Lady Bulldogs Named to 2A All-Big Country Team Brooklyn Woodard was named the All-Big Country Class 2A girls basketball MVP. She averaged 16.7 points and 10 rebounds per game, adding an average of five steals.

The senior collected 14 double-doubles this season being named the District 8-2A Offensive MVP. She was also a member of the Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state team.

Named to the Second Team were Freshmen Bresha Applin and Tylee Bevel. Applin averaged 6 Brooklyn Woodard points, five rebounds and three steals per game. Bevel averaged eight points, six rebounds, and three steals per game.

Photos by Bearden Photography

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Bulldogs Named to Academic All-State Team

Bresha Applin

in

Texas Association of Basketball Coaches has released the 2019 Academic All-State Basketball team. The Bulldogs placed four student athletes on the list: Zachary Duran, Peyton Bevel, Nolan Baker, Quincy Johnson.

Congratulations to these Bulldogs!

Peyton Bevel

Zachary Duran

Trace Edwards

Tylee Jo Bevel

Nolan Baker

Quincy Johnson

D’Marcus Barber

Edwards Named 2A All-Big Country MVP

Trace Edwards was named All-Big Country Class 2A boys basketball MVP. He averaged 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals. He was an all-state selection from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and District 8-2A MVP. Named to the First Team were Peyton Bevel and Zachary Duran. Bevel averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 rebounds 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals. Duran averaged 12.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.6 steals.

Second Team Honoree was D’Marcus Barber posting 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Chosen Newcomer of the Year was D’Marcus Barber. Dean Edwards was named Coach of the Year.