Comanche County Living by RedFin

2015

Love of the Thin Blue Line

Jeff Lambert has served as Sheriff of Comanche County since 2005. As an elected official, he runs for office every four years with a campaign platform of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Meeting the ever-changing needs of our community.â&#x20AC;?

Outdoor Classroom Comanche Elementary School students get the chance to explore science through outdoor experiences.

Billy Albin Nationally Renowned Braider

Cowboy, horseman, Hall of Fame Rodeo Champion and renowned braider Billy Albin has gained the respect of braiders from all over the world.

Hometown Li v ing At Its Best

701 W. Central | Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-1766

www.primecountryre.com

Made In Texas By Texans

Comanche Electric Cooperative (CECA) has its roots in the tough-minded, independent spirit of the men and women who made their living off the land. By the mid-1930's, 98 percent of the farmers and ranchers of rural Texas were still pumping water by hand, lighting their houses with kerosene lamps, burning wood for warmth, and cooking and working by dint of muscle and grit, while people in the cities enjoyed the labor saving benefits of electricity. Although nearly 40 percent of Texans lived in rural areas, private utility companies saw no potential for profit in extending power lines across great expanses of countryside. Recognizing the far-reaching advantages of bringing electricity to rural America, Congress, in 1935, approved the Rural Electrification Administration. Government-backed loans opened the way for rural communities to form member-owned electric and telephone cooperatives. CECA was created in 1938 to serve the rural areas of North Central Texas in our service area. Today your cooperative serves seven counties with approximately 5,000 miles of line. The membership consists of more than 8,800 members being served at more than 16,000 meters. Electric service with CECA ranges from fence chargers to industrial sites, schools to hospitals. In Comanche County alone, CECA serves approximately 3,000 members with over 6,000 meters. CECA makes a dedicated effort to be involved in all Comanche County Communities through our donations of time and money to: Volunteer Fire Departments in Comanche, De Leon, Energy, Proctor, and Promontory Park; Project Graduation in Comanche, De Leon, Gustine, and Sidney; Community Rehab, Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Helpers, Relay for Life Comanche and De Leon Chapters, Park Enhancement Group; and many more. Thank you Comanche County for allowing us to be a part of your community.

Shackelford

Stephens

Callahan

Eastland

Comanche Brown

Mills

Dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities we serve through Cooperative Principal #7: Commitment to Community. CECA Comanche Electric Cooperative PO Box 729 201 W Wrights Avenue Comanche Texas 76442 800-915-2533 www.ceca.coop Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

ATIONA L BA N EN CH AN M ATIONA L BA NK N E H O COM A NC K C FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SANTO FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SANTO THE BANK OF JACKSBORO THE BANK OF JACKSBORO MEMBER FDIC MEMBER FDIC

Since 1889 • Banking for Generations Since 1889 • Banking for Generations

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100 E. Central | Comanche, TX 76442 | 325-356-2577

www.comanchenational.com

contents

Mud and Mascara

Haley Painter is proving that dirt bike racing isn’t just for boys.

Billy Albin – Nationally Renowned Braider

Cowboy, horseman, Hall of Fame Rodeo Champion and renowned braider Billy Albin has gained the respect of braiders from all over the world.

Wendi’s Cakes

For Wendi, making something out of nothing affords her a feeling of empowerment and a sense of pride in a job well done. And that’s really all any of us can ask for.

10 40

Love of the Thin Blue Line

Jeff Lambert has served as Sheriff of Comanche County since 2005. As an elected official, he runs for office every four years with a campaign platform of “Meeting the ever-changing needs of our community.”

Hot Rod Ranch

On a little highway just past the Sidney city limits is a place of whimsical fun few get to see, called the Hot Rod Ranch. And the proprietor, Mike Carey, is just as whimsical.

Living Life to Its Fullest

John Reid is a true Renaissance man, and his latest creative feat is a series of children’s books that feature quirky characters and moral lessons. 4

Comanche County Living

about t he cover The cover photo is of local cowboy and nationally renowned braider Billy Albin. To read more about Billy, turn to page 20.

THE PREMIER NEW AND USED CHEVROLET, GMC, AND BUICK DEALER

Serving all of Central Texas

BAYER MOTOR COMPANY Chevrolet • GMC • Buick

1101 W. Central Comanche, TX 76442 | 1-800-843-5230 Pre-owned Sales: 1-800-968-1877 | www.bayermotor.com HOURS Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM | Saturday: 7:30 AM - 3:00 PM | Sunday: Closed

Hometown Living At Its Best

contents

Heavy Lifting

Eddie Cox’s “heavy lifting” reaches far beyond the cemeteries and history he loves. It reaches into the future.

Where Milling and Family Meet

Golden Oak Milling isn’t just a business, it’s a family that strives to serve the community and ranchers far and wide.

Outdoor Classroom

Comanche Elementary School students are at the forefront of learning, outside the classroom.

inisesvueery

Hometown Happenings

A glimpse inside a few of the exciting events recently held in Comanche County.

Hometown Bundles of Joy

Welcoming Comanche County’s newest residents.

Hometown Happiness

Wishing much love and happiness to Comanche County’s newlyweds!

Hometown High

Congratulations to Comanche County’s seniors and graduates.

Scenes of Comanche County

Take a look at a few more of the reasons why we think Comanche County is a great place to live. 6

Comanche County Living

Fine Art Photography Wedding Senior Family Photography

805 North Page Street Comanche, Texas 76442 325-356-3199

rileystudio.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

From the Publisher

It’s holiday season and time for Comanche’s annual Comanche County Living magazine 2015 edition! This has been such a wonderful year filled with so many blessings. We hope you have had a great year and made some good memories! We’re excited to announce Comanche County Living magazine will be bringing its very own website live in 2016. After the holidays, please check www. ComancheCountyLiving.com for an online interactive digital edition of your favorite hometown living publication. Your new website will feature what the magazine offers, plus so much more. We would like to introduce to you a new member of our team – Kyle Clark and his wonderful family. We are beyond excited to bring them aboard and look forward to what the future holds. As we grow as a company, our only hope is to continue to make Comanche County Living even better with each edition. Within this issue, you’ll read about several individuals and organizations dedicated to bettering their community. From Sheriff Jeff Lambert who helps keep Comanche County safe, to local Hall of Fame Rodeo Champion and renowned braider Billy Albin, to the amazing students at Comanche Elementary and their outdoor classrooms, and many others, this edition is full of dedicated people who make a lasting impression and impact on those they meet.

Red Fin Publishing Justin & Hayley Six Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Brittny Sanchez

CREATIVE | DESIGN

enVision Creative Services

OFFICE MANAGER

OFFICE ASSISTANT

CONTENT DIRECTOR

CONTENT COORDINATOR

Kyle.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 304-1044 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Comanche County Living Magazine Red Fin Publishing Comanche County Living

Noel Betush

SOCIAL MEDIA Noel Betush

COORDINATOR

PROOF READER

Hayley Six

PHOTOGRAPHERS Christine Tandy Perkins Leah-k photography Plan-it ink

SALES

Justin.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 301-3828

Brittny Sanchez

Noel.RedFin@gmail.com

Be sure and like us on Facebook at: Comanche County Living Magazine for additional updates and keep an eye out for the www.ComancheCountyLiving. com website coming soon!

Justin and Hayley Six Kyle and Halsey Clark

Rusti Fisher

Brittny.RedFin@gmail.com

We give thanks to God for a memorable year and great things to come. Until the next edition, Wishing you many blessings,

Hayley Six

Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

Comanche County Living is an annual publication dedicated to the people, places, and things that make Comanche County such a wonderful place to live. Each issue is complimentary to the public, thanks to all of the local advertisers.

We want to thank our advertisers for their patience and contribution. Help us to express thanks to them by shopping local! Their involvement allows this publication to come free of charge to you. Go by any advertisers’ location to pick up your complimentary copy. Thank you and we look forward to many more issues of Comanche County Living!

PUBLISHER

COVER PHOTO

CONTRIBUTING

Riley Studio Photo by Riley Studio Brittny Sanchez Justin Six Kyle Clark Christine Tandy Perkins

WRITERS

Connie Lewis Leonard Jessa McClure

Kim Benestante Peggy Purser Freeman

Shirley Dukes

CONTRIBUTORS

Comanche Chamber of Commerce De Leon Chamber of Commerce Kyle Riley Shirley Dukes

Comanche County Living© is published annually by Red Fin Publishing. www.redfinpublishing.com P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 301-3828 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

STOCKMAN WESTERN WEAR 932 W. Navarro Ave. De Leon, TX 76444

254-893-5149

Hometown Living At Its Best

Just last March, the 15-year-old sophomore at De Leon High School revealed she wanted to start riding dirt bikes; today, she is a female competing—and winning—in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Painter’s revelation came when she was recovering from a tonsillectomy. “I got real sick and my dad asked, ‘What would make you happy right now?’” she recalled. “I said, ‘I want to race dirt bikes.’” Her family was astonished. Until then, Painter had expressed mediocre interest in conventional school sports. “I tried different things,” her dad, Bill Painter, said about introducing his daughter to various sports. “She’d do them for a little while and then she’d lose interest— nothing seemed to work.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Her mother, Cindy Painter, was equally baﬄed over her daughter’s wish. “Nothing when she was little indicated she would be this passionate about a sport,” she said, noting her daughter had never shared her love of athletics. “She wasn’t die-hard about other sports…I was just surprised.” Once his daughter healed, Bill took her to Brownwood ATV dealer House of Wheels. “We ran across a salesman; they got to talking, and before I knew it, we were looking to get a new bike,” he said. The salesman was longtime motorcycle racer Patrick Tharp—the store’s general manager and soon-to-be owner. Still competitive despite being hit with Multiple Sclerosis three years ago, Tharp leads two championship divisions currently, and has a shot at competing in a professional championship next year. His father, Jim, opened the store in 1962 and their family has been a staple on the racing circuit for decades. “When we first talked in the shop, the one thing I noticed—we were walking and talking at the same time— through all the commotion was she never quit listening 12

Comanche County Living

to what I was saying,” Tharp recalled. “I was giving her all the ‘uglies’ of racing. Most kids quit listening—she didn’t.” Painter selected a Yamaha YZ85. “It’s a special kind of bike,” she said, explaining how her dad and Tharp helped her adapt it—initially to ride Motocross, the off-road, allweather style of racing that includes hills and jumps. The men “taught me the basics of what I should and shouldn’t do,” she said. But instinctively being guided, Painter realized Motocross wasn’t her niche. Instead, she attempted Tharp’s specialty, Flat Track-style racing, and the group began to adapt the YZ85 accordingly. “You take off the brake and front fender, and put slick tires on,” she explained, then elaborated on the mechanics of the race: “You do like NASCAR does—you go in an oval circle and turn left,” she said matter-of-factly. Flat Track racing is known as “America’s premier dirt track racing series,” according to the American Motorcyclist Association’s Pro Racing website, “and is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world.”

Painter recalled that day she began practicing Flat Track riding at Brownwood’s car racing track, Expressions. “So I went out there and they saw me progress so much throughout the day; I went from an F to an A,” she said about her swift progress and sudden awareness that she’d found her proverbial calling. She is not a typical kid who gets everything she wants, when she wants it. “I really didn’t have that in my budget or my plans,” Bill said about buying his daughter the bike, or allowing her to participate in what’s widely known as a risky sport; “but I thought, if it keeps her out of trouble and focused—all right.” The sport isn’t cheap. On average, each race is $45, and sometimes Painter races up to four races a day with some events lasting two days. When she’s not practicing, she’s figuring out ways to earn money for travel and race entries, Cindy said. And Tharp, who also is now Painter’s coach, often tows his prodigy’s bikes with him in absence of the family owning a towing trailer, Cindy added. While many other competitors show up at race events in state-of-the-art RVs and trailers, “she just gets out there and races,” Cindy said about her daughter’s pure passion for the sport. Having to work hard to raise money for race entries and travel, coupled with consistently practicing to improve her skills has catapulted Painter’s progress. “What impresses me, is that me and her dad are divorced; her dad’s a farmer, and I work for a sand paper company in Stephenville,” Cindy said about the family’s normal, middle-class lifestyle. “She comes from everything not being handed to her,” Cindy said. “I tell her dad, ‘You’d be impressed at how much this girl is maturing and how much she’s improving.’” Painter constantly practices. “It’s kind of eat/sleep/breathe type of thing,” she said. “We basically ride until we feel happy and comfortable—it’s basically developing the comfortable feel of the bike.” The practice has paid off: she’s placed in the top three of all but a couple of races. “I’ve gotten lots of comments from people who say she’s a natural,” Cindy continued. “She looks like she’s been doing it a long time.” Arguably, Painter’s ability is innate—somewhat like a volcano lying dormant until it explodes—as she comes from a line of successful bike competitors. Her great-grandfather on her dad’s side, William Vernon Painter, was a Hill Climb racer in the early 1930s, Bill said about his grandfather’s love of the motorsport popularized in Europe in the late 1800s where drivers compete against the clock, driving uphill. “My

Haley with her dad Bill Painter

Hometown Living At Its Best

grandfather was also a pilot—he was a real character…he rode a Harley until he was in his 70s.” Bill’s grandmother also rode a motorcycle, and had a sidecar for her son, Lonnie Painter—Painter’s grandfather—in which he rode starting at about four years old, Bill said. And although Lonnie wasn’t into racing, he was a trick rider, climbing up and down seesaws on his motorcycle, Bill said. He recalled a story he’d heard about his father’s escapades: “They were riding home one night and the bridge was out,” he said; “so they built some kind of ‘jump,’ and jumped the creek with their motorcycles.” By the time Bill was in the first grade, he had his first motorcycle. Once his grandfather retired, he bought, sold and worked on motorcycles as a hobby. “I always had three motorcycles at a time,” Bill said about his entrée into racing. Soon he began racing 3-Wheelers around the region, including state championships in Texas and nationals in Oklahoma in the early 1980s, winning over 100 trophies. His career ended in 1984, he explained, after he pushed himself too far during a bout of mononucleosis that left him hospitalized for a week. “My mom and dad saw the writing on the wall,” he said, lecturing him to sell his cycles. Bill’s experiences and knowledge of the risks of bike racing keep him wary of his daughter pursuing the sport indefinitely—especially after Painter’s crash on a turn going 85-95 mph late last year at the speedway in Mesquite, Texas known as the Devil’s Bowl. “The name of it really does fit it,” she said, explaining her multiple injuries, including a fractured knee and a broken collarbone that still needs surgical treatment. “It cut nerves and I couldn’t feel anything in my arm…none of that’s really healed yet because I haven’t taken the time to have surgery.” It was also her first race on her new bike, a YZ250, purchased by her late, beloved grandmother, Nina— Bill’s mother—who helped raise Painter and her brother, Hayden, while their parents worked. Bill recalled the incident at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, noting his daughter was just about to take first place against a man in his early 50s, when she hit a slick spot on the track—likely the result of leftover fuel on the track from a previous wreck. 14

Comanche County Living

Haley with her trainer Patrick Tharp

“She got hurt pretty bad and had to go to Dallas Regional by ambulance,” he said; but on the way to the hospital, “all she could talk about was, ‘What place did I get?’” The dramatic event was captured on film by an 11-year-old Texas bike builder named Zeke who posted the three-minute footage to YouTube at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=symHGw2Erv8. Painter was undaunted and has continued to practice and compete—hoping to postpone the surgery until the end of the season, despite the loss of feeling and grip with her left arm and hand. “I try not to let it bother me; it does hurt sometimes but it’s something I love to do. I’m not going to let it stop me,” she said. Devil’s Bowl may be her worst accident, but it’s not her only. Cindy has seen almost all her races—and all of her crashes. “My mom supports me in everything I do,” Painter said. “She’s a nervous wreck whenever I wreck but she knows what I’m getting into, and she knows I know what I’m getting into.” Painter also loves the camaraderie of the sport as much as the competition. “It has its up and down moments, but overall it’s so exciting—plus being there with the whole family is special,” she explained about the racing community. “After the race, we have a big cookout and nobody puts each other down. We’re all one big family—I love it.” Painter has a special affinity for togetherness. While Cindy and Bill remain friends after their divorce, they each acknowledge family strife during the ordeal, which impacted their daughter. “She had to grow up pretty fast,” Bill said. Those experiences arguably have made Painter stronger—and more focused, helping her to realize another goal. “I want to be a family divorce lawyer, because I know what other kids are thinking,” she explained. “I’ll be able to make a connection to them. My lawyer didn’t understand that; so I kind of want to change that. I sat in a room bored and kind of scared of what was going to happen. I just want other kids to know they’re not alone.” She also has aspirations of going to school to learn how to work on her bike since many times at races, there’s no one available to help with repairs. “I have this whole philosophy that I like doing everything that guys do—

like law school: there’s not as many girls as guys; same as mechanics school—not as many girls. “If it’s something you dream, just don’t give up and don’t let boys push you around, because I know some boys that tried to talk me out of it—especially Motocrossing; that just makes me want to go further and aggravate them as much as I can,” she said about her internal drive. She also does it for Nina, Cindy said, known affectionately as Meme to her grandchildren. Painter placed a sticker on the YZ250 Nina bought her that reads “In Memory of Meme,” she said. “I miss her because I was with her every day. It’s hard not having her here—that’s where I’d get all my advice from, and everything I need to know about growing up.” And in honor of her dad and desire to ride like him, Painter has adopted Bill’s former racing number, 52. She has aspirations of going as far as she can with racing and hopes to inspire others to live their dreams as well, she said. “Handing knowledge down—that’s what all racers want to do,” Tharp said. In the meantime she’ll strive for her next big goal: Getting her driver’s license when she turns 16 in November.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

www.comanchefh.com

Comanche Funeral Home For over 100 years, Comanche County families have depended on our caring staďŹ&#x20AC;. We are local folks, here when you need us.

325-356-2531

411 West Grand | Comanche, TX 76442 Hometown Living At Its Best

254-965-9099

6688 S. US Hwy. 377 Stephenville, TX 76401 Firearms • Safes • Tactical Accessories Gun Smith • Archery • Yeti • Ammunition

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s g n i h T l u f r e d n o W

Housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Comanche Square, Wonderful Things is a gift/clothing boutique where shoppers can browse through a large selection of ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; accessories & clothing, shoes, gourmet foods, home dĂŠcor, kitchen treasures, baby items and, of course, seasonal delights.

325-356-9200

111 North Houston | Comanche, TX 76442 Hometown Living At Its Best

Billy Albin Nationally Renowned Braider By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by Riley Studio

Cowboy, horseman, Hall of Fame Rodeo Champion, and renowned braider Billy Albin has gained the respect of braiders from all over the world. 20

Comanche County Living

The Russell We Knew

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche born and raised, Albin is gaining respect from braiders all over the world.

Billy Albin stood at the gate of his home on the Albin Ranch south of Comanche -- the cowboy, Hall of Fame Rodeo Champion, horseman, and renown braider. Today, he didn’t have his hat or boots on - not even a western shirt. However, he possessed a strong handshake and quiet friendliness that resembled Jimmy Stewart in the movie, How the West Was Won. The Albin family settled in this area in the1860s. Billy was born and raised a couple of hundred yards from his present home. Billy and his wife, Glenda, have two children, their son Jody and daughter Lauri. As Lauri, Billy and Glenda sat down at the kitchen table, Glenda nudged him into conversation. “Billy is known and respected by cowboys all over the USA; a cowboy’s cowboy.” As a boy, Billy came home from school and quickly got on his horse. By high school, that time on horseback paid off as Billy started competing in the American Junior Rodeo Association, where he won championships in roping and steer wrestling. At Tarleton State, he and a few friends formed a college rodeo team and captured the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association title in 1967. Billy and other team members were inducted into the Tarleton State University Rodeo Hall of Fame. Billy is 22

Comanche County Living

also included on the Rodeo Walk of Fame in downtown Stephenville. “The old days of competing in rodeos was nothing like today. We didn’t win big prize money or have fancy trailers with living quarters. For our first collegiate rodeo in Edinburg, Texas, we needed a camper for our 1950-something truck with a narrow bed. One teammate’s dad who was in the funeral home business had some casket crates we could use. We took the crates back to the school shop and made a camper, and four of us slept in it during the rodeo.” Billy competed as an accomplished cowboy in calf roping and steer wrestling. That team went on in three years and won the NIRA Championships, competing against world champions. “Braiding is my job – it’s my passion. Most people in the area have no idea I work at all. But I work seven days a week, ten to twelve hours a day.” “My dad always had two or three vaqueros who would work as cowboys on the ranch. One fellow named Ramon was an accomplished rawhide braider. As a young boy, I watched Ramon at his craft. I didn’t learn the techniques, but that’s where my interest started. I didn’t braid until I was about 16-years-old. I’m totally self -taught.”

Billy braids bosals, quirts, hackamores, hobbles and more. Hometown Living At Its Best

“Billy is known and respected by cowboys all over the USA; a cowboy’s cowboy.”

Billy braids bosals, quirts, hackamores, hobbles and more. The hackamore controls the horse with pressure points on the horse’s nose, chin and face. The bosal is a simple hackamore, a braided rawhide device that goes around the nose. Actually, Billy makes over 75 different items, including knife handles and sheaths and a few jewelry pieces. Billy processes the hides, removes the hair, and strips the rawhide until he can work the braids. “A quirt might have 54 strands working in the braid,” Billy explained. “Math is involved in the planning. I make up my own patterns.” Glenda explained his work ethic. “Billy gets out to the shop at 7:30 in the morning, comes in for lunch and then back to work until late. When he gets tired of braiding, all he has to do is step out the door and his horses are right there. He rides every day. If he’s in the house, he has something in his hands to work on.” “He couldn’t create cowboy gear if he wasn’t a cowboy,” Lauri added. 24

Comanche County Living

Billy’s proud of his work. “I’ve worked at a lot of ranches, with a lot of good cowboys. They saw my tack and wanted some like it. Glenda told me to make them full-time, but I didn’t think it would work. Then I went to the Western Heritage Classics Trade Show. I sold everything I had and took orders. Now, I’ve got way too much to do.” Lauri works with her father, making curb straps (horses’ chinstraps). “Actually,” she said, “I’m mainly the picker-upper. I hang around and help pick up as needed. I do not have the gift my dad has.” Recently, Pablo Lozano, one of the best braiders in the world, stopped in at the Comanche museum to find out where Billy lived. “Have you ever had your hero stop by unannounced?” Billy laughed soft ly. “Pablo Lozano from Argentina, probably the world’s best, showed up a few weeks ago. He and his interpreter had been to Oklahoma City for the Traditional Cowboy Art Association show and stopped by. When I showed him my workshop, he saw a prototype of hobbles made from a cow’s tail. He had never seen them made that way and wanted to buy the hobbles, but I told him he couldn’t buy it. I would give it to him. Pablo told me he’ll make one for next year’s show and call it the Billy Albin hobbles.”

Another braider, Len Yule from Sasakwa, Oklahoma, commented on Billy’s work on a bosal. “I had a conversation with Luis Ortega many years ago. I said that in my opinion, a really good bosal is about the most sophisticated job in braiding. He replied, ‘To get this level of sophistication in something as simple as a bosal is really tough, and Billy Albin has nailed it.’” Jan Boogaerts, a rawhide braider from Europe, said: “Billy Albin, apart from only a handful of masters, I guess what you ‘ve accomplished here is light-years beyond anybody’s comfort zone.” Billy waves the praise away with a shy smile. “I recently visited the Tongue River Ranch in Dumont, Texas. They had ten or more cowboys working for them and half were carrying my quirts. Then, I stopped back by the Pitchfork Ranch in Guthrie and rode with them. There were about ten cowboys there and half of them were carrying a quirt I made. Ranching in west Texas is very different; everything is done on horseback, the old way. Billy Albin, a champion competitor and horse trainer, can take an untanned cowhide and create not just tools for the cowboy, but beautiful braided art. Comanche born and raised, he is gaining respect from braiders all over the world. Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings Veterans Day Parade

In honor of those who have served, Comanche County put on a Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Parade where fun was had by all! To all our heroes whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve served and continue to serve in our armed forces, we thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifices of your family. We hope you enjoyed the Veterans Day Parade! Photos courtesy of Riley Studio

Hometown Living At Its Best

‘ You can learn a lot from Facebook… such as where someone lives, who their family is, where they work, what their hobbies are, and where they attended high school and college. For instance, if you were to look at Wendi Conway’s Facebook page, you would see that she has been married since 1989, is the mother of two children whom she loves more than life itself, and she “Studied at: In My Momma’s Kitchen.” While Wendi had a very happy childhood growing up with her two sisters, she will tell you that life for her really began on April 19, 1989 when she married her sweetheart and the love of her life, Johnny Conway. The average median income at that time was $20,000 for a man and $9,500 for a woman. The cost of college tuition was approximately $1,700. But that is not why Wendi opted not to go the traditional college route. “I didn’t go to college,” said Wendi. “I didn’t want to go to college. I was 30

Comanche County Living

in a hurry to grow up and in a hurry to get married and start a family.” Fast forward 26 years to the year 2015, and you will find Wendi happily creating culinary masterpieces in the tiny kitchen of her small town home. She has led, and is still leading, what to her is a fairy tale life: living in a small town, with a loving husband, two kids, and a dog. Wendi’s current career -Wendi’s Cakes - began in 2003 when Clay, her second child, was born premature. Wendi needed a job that was flexible so she could be available to give Clay the specific attention necessary during that time in his life. It just so happened that it was during that time that her friend Teresa called and asked her to make a specific cake, just like one her mother had made. “I said ‘Oh Teresa, I don’t know if I can,’” said Wendi. “And she said ‘Oh yes you can! Just call your mom. You can do it. But I want that exact cake!’”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

The results of that particular call to her mom were what started Wendi’s current career. Not only was she able to obtain the recipe for the cake Teresa requested, but she also procured ALL of her mother’s baking recipes. She baked and decorated what would soon become her signature cake - a beautiful, mouth-watering chocolate cake with chocolate icing, covered in plump red chocolate covered strawberries with chocolate delicately drizzled over the top. The cake was delivered to Teresa’s place of business and was such an instant success with all who saw it that Wendi decided to see just how far she could go with it. “I thought, if everybody over there liked it, this was in April, I thought I would write an ad in the paper … just for Mother’s Day, and see what happens, and offer to deliver,” said Wendi. Needing a name for her new venture, Wendi and her family put their heads together in search of the perfect identity. It was her brother-in-law Mitchell who came up with My Mother’s Secret “because it’s all your mom’s baking secrets.” In 2008, after much deliberation and soul searching, Wendi and her sister Staci opened Wooden Spoons, a charming little shop on the west side of Comanche’s picturesque square. Adorned with a tea shop décor, Wendi and Staci thought it would be a little bit of food and a whole lot of bakery. Much to their surprise, their quaint little store soon became a favorite lunch spot, with customers waiting in line for a table. But in 2010, much to the sorrow of the establishment’s clientele, Staci received a job offer too good to pass up. Not wanting to continue the venture alone, Wendi decided to close the store, at which time she returned to her home to continue her baking business, changing the name to Wendi’s Cakes. But when an entire town knows they have an accomplished chef like Wendi in their midst, breaking from public cooking is not such an easy task. Today Wendi does it all - catering and baking and taking care of the community’s needs. On the catering side, she does anything from a meal for two to a full-sized event. “I’ve done weddings, reunions, proms, and anything from a bunco party to wedding showers. I’ve even done bachelor parties, diaper parties, birthdays, showers and weddings - just about any

kind of an event that someone can think of. I even catered a small Mary Kay party the other night,” said Wendi. Food of choice includes - among other things - Texas style barbeque, prime rib, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, and an assortment of chicken dishes. Johnny Conway is the master chef when it comes to cooking most of the meats, particularly anything outside. Wendi has prepared finger sandwiches for parties, trays for superbowls and kids’ parties, and even does catering for funerals. “I guess the strangest request I’ve had is I catered a kid’s party and the mother wanted peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches. So I did a platter. It was on the homemade bread but it was peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches. So that’s probably the oddest request I’ve had.” One of the more popular catering jobs these days is a pasta bar. “I don’t do anything out of a can or a jar,” said Wendi. “Everything is homemade.” For the pasta bars she typically does three kinds of pastas and three types of meat, usually a braised beef, grilled chicken, and some type of pork. For the sauces she will do a marinara sauce and a sautéed vegetable sauce. When accompanied by Hometown Living At Its Best

garlic bread and a Caesar salad, the pasta bar creates a beautiful arrangement of food fit for any occasion. During the holidays she even does a platter sought after by businesses to present to their favored clientele. The platter can be customized to suit the needs of the purchaser, but typically includes items such as a variety of sweets, cookies, candies, etc., placed on a decorative platter and wrapped for the holidays. Wendi’s favorite thing is bread. “I like the way that it smells,” said Wendi. “It makes me feel like it’s not really 2015. It makes me feel pioneer-ish in a way. You know, like you’re sitting there and you’re waiting for it to rise, and everything has to be perfect. And you’re sitting there and you think, that way back in the day they had to do that to be able to do something as simple as a sandwich.” Although Wendi’s repertoire is wide, her cakes are still her most popular item. Her homemade cakes and fillings are known for miles around for their moistness and rich flavor. And the designs … well, let’s just say that those baking shows don’t have anything on Wendi’s Cakes! Her fondants are also homemade. She has not kept a record of the how many cakes she has baked; however, her Facebook page has over 7,000 photos of cakes adorning its pages, just since she created the page in 2012! Because her mom is her inspiration and guiding force, Wendi still gets a little nervous when her mom looks at her creations. “All my recipes are hers or my grandmother’s. So I can’t mess it up. It’s a lot of pressure,” said Wendi. But pressure aside, it is still great fun when 34

Comanche County Living

she and her mother work together. Her favorite cake memory with her mother is when the two of them tag teamed to bake and decorate a college graduation cake for Wendi’s daughter LesLeigh. They also collaborated together on her niece Stormi’s wedding and groom’s cake. Of all the amazing cake talents Wendi has amassed, her children’s party cakes are by far her crowning glory and give her the most satisfaction. “I love, love, love for people to bring their kids with them to pick up their stuff. They’re either your worst critic, or your best. Because they’re honest,” said Wendi. “If I could have my way, and just do certain stuff and not do everything, I would just do little kids’ parties. That’s my absolute favorite.” Wendi and Johnny’s gentle spirits and kind hearts have been the catalyst that propelled them to social work within the community. They are the ones who smoke the briskets for the Comanche Youth Council fundraisers, donating their time as well as the sauces and rubs that adorn the meats. And they have made donations to other fundraisers as well. Wendi and Johnny’s children are grown now, so life has settled down for them somewhat. Soccer games and carpools have been replaced by grilling and hanging out with dear friends on the weekend. Some days they jump on Johnny’s motorcycle and putter on down to see LesLeigh in San Marcos. Or enjoy a short brewery tour around the area. “I’m totally at peace with the decision I made not to go to college,” said Wendi. “I know it sounds cliché, but I would honestly, honestly like for people to realize that college is not for everyone. That just because you do not go to college does not mean that you are going to live a simple life, or that you’re going to struggle. Not that we don’t struggle, everybody struggles.” For Wendi, making something out of nothing affords her a feeling of empowerment and a sense of pride in a job well done. And that’s really all any of us can ask for. Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings City Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Trees

The Comanche City Park added three new tree sculptures to their 56-acre people and animal playground this year. The new tree sculptures were created on September 28, 29 and 30, 2015 by returning tree carver Cam Dockery. One is representative of the importance of agriculture and features a stalk of corn, a holstein and a tractor. The second is the Comanche County PowWow and the third is playing raccoons and sponsored by the Park Enhancement Group. Photos courtesy of Riley Studios

Annual Tractor Pull And Spring Gathering Last Weekend In March

www.melodyoaksranch.com Dean and Ronda Cagle, Owners Gayle Jones, Manager & Event Coordinator Office: 325-356-5231 Cell: 325-330-0336

RV Park - Full Hookups - Daily, Weekly, Or Monthly Rentals Hometown Living At Its Best

HOMETOWN

BUNDLES OF JOY W e l c o m i n g C o m a n c h e C o u n t y ’ s N e w e s t Re s i d e n t s Photos courtesy of Plan-it ink and Riley Studio

Braylon James Jones Parents: Brandon & Becky Jones Photo by Plan-it ink

Kynlee Morris Parents: Holden & Kayla Morris Photo by Plan-it ink

Gabby Martinez Parents: Tonia Ibarra & Nevaeh Martinez Photo by Riley Studio

Makynlie Ryon Parents: Joshua Ryan and Meagan Tamporello Photo by Plan-it ink

Annabeth Love Abbe Parents: Kiley & Gynnalyn Abbe Photo by Plan-it ink

Mack Everett Lomax Parents: Jed and Paige Lomax Photo by Plan-it ink

Marlee Sage Duran Parents: Alicen and Mason Duran Photo by Plan-it ink

Braylyn Joanne Sparger Parents: Jaron Majors & Erin Sparger Photo by Plan-it ink Kaylan Sorrels Parents: Gayland & Tami Sorrells Photo by Riley Studio

Blake Aven Talley Parents: Tyler & Aven Talley Photo by Plan-it ink

Comanche County Living

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Riley Studio

Becoming a Peace Officer is something Jeff always wanted to do, but he wasn’t the first member of the family to follow this path. His wife, Lisa, has been a Probation Officer for nearly 20 years. When she finished college and began her career, Jeff decided it was time to follow his dream. While attending the Law Enforcement Academy at Tarleton State University, he worked at a feed mill from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. After a full day’s work, he went to the academy from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. during the week and all day Saturday. After graduating the academy in 1997, he was hired as a Patrol Deputy in the Comanche Sheriff ’s Office. Later he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and then to Chief Deputy. Jeff doesn’t regret the sacrifices he made to pursue his career. He said, “One of the greatest things about being Sheriff is all the people you get to meet and talk to. It gives you the opportunity to get to know your community and keep up with what is going on around the county.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Jeff stays active in the community as a member the Hope Masonic Lodge, past President and current board member of the Comanche County Law Enforcement Association, and past member of the Kiwanis. He also helped establish the Comanche Community Garden, offering a location for the garden, and helping build the beds. He has volunteered with the Corp of Engineers kids’ deer hunt, working with others from the community to cook for the kids. “The most rewarding thing I have been involved in is adopting families at Christmas time. One of my Deputies would know of families with small kids, and we would go and buy things for them and make sure they had a good Christmas.” Jeff went into law enforcement with the desire to work in the Sheriff ’s Office of Comanche County. That office is like family to him and his wife Lisa, and Comanche was home. Jeff said, “I started first grade in Comanche and 42

Comanche County Living

went through the fourth grade. My Dad transferred with the company he was working for, and we moved to Jasper, Alabama. At the end of my fift h grade year, we moved back to Comanche. We have lived here ever since.” Lisa said, “Jeff and I don’t have a really great ‘how we met’ story. Our families on our fathers’ sides have been connected for years and years, so we have just always known each other. We started dating at 16 when I lived in Brownwood. Jeff lived in Comanche. At that age, that is a long distance relationship, and we broke up. My dad went to work for my uncle here in Comanche in 1984, and we moved here. Jeff and I got back together and married in 1985. My parents then moved back to Brownwood. I think they were just trying to get rid of me!” With Jeff serving as Sheriff and Lisa as a probation officer, they often work with the same people and often get to work closely together. Lisa said, “Law enforcement arrests them for bad choices they make, and we, as

Lambert’s son, DPS Trooper Chris Lambert, Texas Highway Patrol.

Above: Jeff and Lisa Lambert with their son Chris, who is a State Trooper with Texas DPS stationed in Big Springs.

probation, try to help them get in touch with resources that will hopefully help them keep from making those same choices again in the future. Because Comanche and Comanche County are such close-knit communities, it makes these jobs much more personal, including the success stories and the disappointment of those that don’t realize their own potential.” Adding a little humor to serious jobs, Lisa said, “When Jeff became a deputy, he would sometimes have to arrest people because I had to file a Motion to Revoke their probation. They would tell him how mean I was for having them arrested. He would tell them he understood, and knew how I am. They would ask if he knew me, and he would tell them yes, he is married to me! He would get a lot of ‘oh no’ looks then, but he always thought it was funny.” They have been married for thirty years. Their son, Chris, followed the family trade in law enforcement. He began his career with the Comanche Hometown Living At Its Best

Police Department. Chris is a State Trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety stationed in Big Spring, Texas. He is currently in Amarillo with his K9 partner for training exercises with other K9 Troopers working in that area. Chris has great respect and praise for his father. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will never forget when my parents sat me down when I was young and asked me what I thought about my dad going to the police academy. I was so excited that he was going to be a police officer! He had always taken pride in his work and taught me to do the same. As a Deputy, and now the Sheriff, he has continued to take pride in his work and pride in making Comanche County a safer place for its citizens. He has been dedicated to that since the day he was sworn in as Deputy. This pride and dedication to protect the citizens of our communities and the State of Texas impacted me in my decision to follow in his footsteps to become a police officer. Despite the recent attitudes toward law enforcement, he and I continue to put on our badges and will continue to do so. I am very

Comanche County Living

proud of my dad and all of his accomplishments. I am also proud to be a part of a family in law enforcement.” When asked how she felt about both her husband and son serving as peace officers, Lisa said, “The nationwide changes in attitudes and attacks on law enforcement terrify me! That is the biggest fear I have with both Jeff and Chris in law enforcement. Neither of them would consider doing anything differently at this point, and I have to trust that God will keep them safe. I am very proud of them both.” The Thin Blue Line represents law enforcement,

the barrier between law-abiding citizens and violent criminals. In light of recent assaults and shootings of police officers, the Thin Blue Line has become a popular symbol of support. If you would like to show your support for Sheriff Lambert, when he’s not on the job or volunteering in the community, you might find him hunting, fishing, and camping along with his son Chris, who would rather hunt than eat. Jeff ’s favorite outdoor activity is fishing, both saltwater and freshwater. When he can’t get away, he enjoys building and repairing guns.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

701 W. Central | Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-1766

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Bobby Newman 254-842-7847 bobby@primecountryre.com

Cindy Newman 254-842-8521 cindy@primecountryre.com

Lynette Livingston 254-842-7403 lynette@primecountryre.com

Sharron Bundick 325-642-2414 sharron@primecountryre.com

Sheila Martin-Jansen 325-356-6331 sheila@primecountryre.com

Jerome Hall 325-330-0768 jerome@primecountryre.com

David Ripley 512-788-3070 david@primecountryre.com

Dwain Johnson 325-642-8609 dwain@primecountryre.com

Brenda Tunnell 325-642-3917 bfthiebaud@hotmail.com

Carter Damron 325-642-2784 carter@primecountryre.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happiness Wishing much love and happiness to Comanche Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newlyweds! photos courtesy of

Jason & Emily Megna Dorman Est. September 19, 2015

Plan-it ink and Riley Studio

Mariza & Felipe Martinez Est. June 20, 2015

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Riley Studio

Heath & Sasha Payne Est. August 8, 2015

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Riley Studio

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Kacey & Rodney Mann Est. October 3, 2015

Ben & Lyndsi Hussey Est. September 27, 2015

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this

Plan-it ink

JJ & Gayla Garner Est. May 30, 2015

boy,

and he kinda has my Photo by

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heart...

Mackenzie & Scott Jordan Est. September 12, 2015

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By Christine Tandy Perkins Photos by Christine Tandy Perkins

On a little highway just past the Sidney city limits is a place of whimsical fun few get to see, called the Hot Rod Ranch. And the proprietor, Mike Carey, is just as whimsical.

“I started at 10-years-old. I was working for my dad’s barber shop and bought a Cushman motor scooter in boxes. Six months and dead-cold winter, I got out in my dad’s workshop and finally got it running in the spring and drove it for a few years. When I was 13, I bought my first ‘55 Chevy, because at 14 you could get a driver’s license. When I restored it ... they changed license to 16. Drove for 2 years without a license, which saved me a lot of money, because I couldn’t afford tail pipes. I got stopped nearly every week from excessive noise, but they couldn’t give me a ticket because I didn’t have a driver’s license! 50

Comanche County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

“When I went and worked for Cosden Refinery Oil in Big Spring, I didn’t have time to work on cars, so I took 30 year hiatus from the automotive deal. When I retired, I got back into it. That’s my true love.” Mike retired and moved to Sidney in 2005. And you might ask, where did he get the name Hot Rod Ranch? “I came from Big Spring where a ranch was from 500-5,000 acres. And I got up here and went and got a haircut and they asked me if I lived here and I said ‘yeah.’ He said, ‘you live in Sidney?’ And I said, ‘yeah.’ He said, ‘I have a farm out there by where you live.’ The next guy I met had a ranch out here by him. There were about 4 people I met and I thought, ‘man there can’t be that much land out here.’ So I went back to my barber and I talked to him and he said, ‘oh that’s so and so and he’s got three acres.’ I said, ‘Hey, I got three acres so that makes mine a ranch too. I build hot rods so that makes it Hot Rod Ranch.’” The Hot Rod Ranch is not only about classic and antique cars. “I have a nature trail on the back acre. I wanted to build a totem pole because I always knew what I’ve seen about Indians. I’m a quarter Cherokee. I have a pretty good imagination. I have seen a lot in pictures so I just built a generic one and it looks pretty cool.” The Hot Rod Ranch also features a Race Car Pine Tree and an even more interesting Hub Cap Pine Tree.

Comanche County Living

Photo by Krista N. Munroe

“I had two afghan pines out front, and they were about 30-feet-tall. The drought after about 7 years got them. I trimmed it up and took metal sheet iron and built 8-foot long leaves. Built a big palm tree out of it. I love hub cabs, so I started looking through my collection. I had about 60. I invented the hub cab palm tree and that was the story on that one. The second one—the bottom third of the next one died so I cut it off and put a race car on top of it.” For a while Mike’s trademark was the flames on all of his vehicles- at least the ones he cruises around in Comanche. “Most of them (the cars) do, but not all of them. Some cars need flames and some don’t!” Should we dare ask him his favorite car? Is that like asking about a favorite child? “My 1965 corvette I’ve had for a number of years might be my favorite. It’s won the ISCA Sports Car

World 6 years in a row in Abilene and International Car Show Association two years with outstanding award. That was kind of my flagship until I got the ‘32 dodge. It’s a fun car. Won top 10 in the State of Texas last year at the Granbury State Rod Run out of 330 cars. That was a pretty big honor.” The Hot Rod Ranch is home of the Burger Burn held in conjunction with Comanche County Pow-Wow and the Comanche County Car Show in September. “Clarence (Evett) my neighbor is a Lone Star Street Race Director. He came down and I showed him my creek that runs most all year round. He walked down there with me one day. He said, ‘Mike, I was born right here in Sidney. I didn’t know this existed. This is the prettiest place in Comanche County.’” So in 2006, the Burger Burn was born and has grown from 130 to 200 folks enjoying the burgers, beans, nachos, desserts and cars. Hometown Living At Its Best

‘We had a record number of people this year and an alcohol dragster that fired up. It excited everyone, and Elvis was here. We encourage local people to come and rub elbows with them (the car show folks) and let them know how friendly we are in Comanche and Sidney. I try to promote Comanche all I can.” “I go to about 35 car shows a year. What’s cool is Clarence and I will go to Albany one morning and then we will load our stuff up and head to Stephenville and get awards at both shows. It’s fun to travel with these people. Garry and Jan (Davis) are a blast!” This year there was another addition to the Hot Rod Ranch. A much prettier addition. Mike married Kay on September 5. “We have matching wedding rings that have flames on them.” And after Kay, there was an even newer addition 54

Comanche County Living

T he Hot Rod Ranch is not only about classic and antique cars. T he Hot Rod Ranch also features a Race Car Pine Tree and an even more interesting Hub Cap Pine Tree.

to the Hot Rod Ranch: The Gravity Portal. “When I was about 8-10 years old, we lived in west Texas fifteen miles from New Mexico. My dad would go to Ruidoso and take us to the mystery spot. The water would flow up hill. I couldn’t figure out how. It is a fun place.” The camper that hosts the Gravity Portal is a tiny world of optical and physical illusions. And how was Comanche County so lucky to draw Mike Carey? “I had just had heart surgery and I went to a car show. A friend of mine took me and I was in a wheel chair, and Clarence Evett said something about the name Comanche. It intrigued me that they had Comanche on their car. He said he was from Sidney. I said, ‘Where is Sidney?’ He said, ‘10 miles from Comanche, and you need to move to Sidney because everybody in Sidney lives to be 100.’”

And when he is not on the ranch, Mike and Kay attend Sidney Baptist. He was an active member of the Sidney Lions, a Salvation Army volunteer, 2016-2017 Vice President of Comanche Kiwanis, and a member of Comanche Hope Lodge. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Molly and Missy, the resident dogs that really run Hot Rod Ranch. And Joe McIntire’s 100-year-old windmill. And the Cosden Gas Station Museum. And the ‘50s style showroom. And the three-four car garages covered in paintings of vehicles Mike did himself. And the 1977 Motorhome that looks like a Sante Fe railcar. “I’m a recovered alcoholic with 23 years of sobriety. Ten of them being right here on Hot Rod Ranch. They’ve been wonderful years. God calls me to work; enjoying His handiwork and the adventures He gives us.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown HIGH Hometown Happenings Please join us in congratulating Comanche County’s seniors and graduates with prayers and well wishes for their future endeavors. Photos courtesy of Plan-it ink and Riley Studio Photos courtesy of CTCS Hannah Lindsey - Classes of 2015 De Leon High School Photo by Plan-it ink

Dylan Riley – Class of 2015 Comanche High School Photo by Riley Studio Ally Estrada – Class of 2016 Comanche High School Photo by Riley Studio

Whitney Evridge - Class of 2015 Comanche High School Photo by Plan-it ink

Karla Arzate - Class of 2015 De Leon High School Photo by Plan-it ink

Bailey Breland - Class of 2015 De Leon High School Photo by Plan-it ink

Daniel Volleman – Class of 2015 Comanche High School Photo by Riley Studio

015 ool nk

No, it’s not a typo, it is the way the littlest one in the photo currently says the word ‘family’, and trust us, it is adorable when she says it. One of her favorite phrases is, “I love my flamily”, and while she won’t always say it that way, the message will always ring true, and resonates with all of us.

important to us and our financial future, and with proper planning, all can be replaced if need be.

Our homes, our businesses, even our chosen means of transportation, these things are

Many things are important, but we know that some things are very important to you.

That is why we are here; to help you make the decisions necessary to protect the things that are important to you and your family.

325-356-2589

132 W. Central | Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-2589 www.goodsoninsurance.com 132 W. Central | Comanche, TX 76442 www.facebook.com/goodsoninsurance

www.goodsoninsurance.com Hometown Living At Its Best www.facebook.com/goodsoninsurance

Hometown Happenings Comanche ISD Happenings The 2015-2016 Comanche ISD school year has started with a bang and it’s only going to get better! Take a look at some of the great things they’ve been up to!

Photos courtesy of Comanche ISD

The Junior High faculty team won the obstacle course race at the District-Wide Pep Rally. Their reward.....a good spraying with silly string!

The CHS ROBOTICS team finished 7th overall in their ROBOTICS competition with Jared being named MVP and the team winning 1st place for their amazing t-shirt design.

Congratulations to the Comanche Maiden volleyball team who made the play-offs this year!

Coach Marty Wyatt’s astronomy class often has their lab time late in the evenings when they can clearly see and enjoy the moon, stars and all the planets. This picture was taken by one of Coach Wyatt’s students, Weston Conine, at one of their lab nights. This is a picture of the moon as seen through a telescope and captured with a cell phone.

The CHS band performed at their UIL Marching Contest on Saturday, October 16th at Early High School Stadium.

Pink-out was the theme of the District-Wide pep rally along with the game that followed that evening as the Comanche Indians defeated the McGregor Bulldogs. This year for the annual PinkOut game, there were over 600 pink shirts sold. The proceeds from the sale of these shirts go to the Cancer Foundation. McGregor also joined in and sold an additional 100 shirts.

You Rock, Mrs. Rucker….thank you for all you do!

Comanche High School quarterback Payton Nance received Dale Hanson’s Scholar Athlete of the week award and appeared with Dale Hanson on Channel 8’s Sports Special.

The Comanche Indian football team had a great season including moving into the playoffs.

Mr. Eddy Parker and his SKILLS USA officers visited the state capital and represented the SKILLS USA district in Washington, DC during the fall.

Principal’s Appreciation Month comes around once a year; however, the Comanche Elementary principals are appreciated every day, all year long. Thank you, Mr. Stahnke for all you do!

The CHS Smoke Starters and they like to stir up the spirit at the CHS football games.

Comanche Pre-K students were entertained and enlightened by some amazing and generous State Troopers.

Mr. Parker and his SKILLS USA officers were able to see the Pope during their fall trip to Washington D.C.

LIVING LIFE

Fullest TO ITS

By Christine Tandy Perkins Photos by Riley Studio

John Reid is a true Renaissance man, and his latest creative feat is a series of children’s books that feature quirky characters and moral lessons. 60

Comanche County Living

“I have always liked to talk,” was the phrase that started the interview with Comanche’s latest published author, John Reid. It seems writing is his passion as well. Reid is a true Renaissance man, and his latest creative feat is a series of children’s books that feature quirky characters and moral lessons, all set in a rural atmosphere. John was born in Hasse, Texas on September 16, 1941. He is a character, himself, for sure, but the characters he creates are the focus of our story today. “I went to school in Hasse five years, and that gave me a great foundation for life. When I attended school in Hasse I could always make up stories. There were three grades in one room and when we were between subjects, the teacher would say, ‘John, we have a little time. Do you have a story for us?’ Yes, I sure did and Red Birdie Bird was one of the stories I made up. “I left Hasse when I was 16 years old. I walked to the highway and caught the bus. The bus took me to Ft. Worth to the train station, where I bought a ticket for St. Louis. I then boarded the B & O

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life is so wonderful and so precious. There is so much to do and life is a wonderful experience.â&#x20AC;? Hometown Living At Its Best

Kids and adults love these colorful, quirky characters. Railroad, which took me to Salem, Indiana. I graduated from Salem High School in 1961.” “Five years after I left, I returned to Comanche. I was looking for a date one night and I came across this girl named Stella.” John married Stella McDonald July 13, 1963. They lived in Houston until moving back to Comanche in 1991. They have two children, Sonja and Grant. Sonja and her husband Ross live in Stephenville, Texas. They provided John and Stella with two beautiful two grandkids, Seth and Sara. Seth will soon receive his pilot license and Sara is enrolled at Texas A & M studying to be a dietitian/nutritionist. Grant is an artist and a graduate of Comanche High School and Howard Payne University with a major in Art. He also enjoys playing the guitar and singing and has performed at several events in and around Comanche County. Back to the characters created by this character himself. Book one introduces Johnny and Gander. “I think you have to have something to keep people’s attention. Gander has a real long neck,” said Reid. “The family would go to town and buy groceries. Johnny taught Gander to pick pockets. While in town, Gander gets into a lady’s purse and the lady soon got after him with a walking cane. When Gander got back to Johnny, he told Johnny that they had to change their ways.” These two characters started out on a farm and were happy, but by making this mistake, they had to leave town when they realized their mistakes. Reid has sixteen prominent characters and Shucks, The Corn Stalk Man, is introduced in book 2 where Johnny and Gander enter Frown Town. Patty Sjolyn did the illustrations for the two 62

Comanche County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

books. The characters are bright and colorful. Kids and adults love these colorful, quirky characters. In the third book, Frown Town Smiles Again, is about how Johnny and Gander clean up the town and makes everyone and everything in town smile again. In the fourth book, they return home from their adventures. Were the other farm animals glad to see them return? Well, you will just have to wait until that book is published and it won’t be long, so be watching. John is planning to bring to life his characters in different ways, so stay tuned for what is to come. Maybe some characters’ costumes are in the future. John has a wealth of characters floating around in his head----all with great stories to boot. Hunky Dory and Okey Dokey are both donkeys. Okey Dokey is a little slower than Hunky Dory. Hunky is a thinker and a dreamer. Wonder what he will be dreaming up in this book? Reid is also in the process of writing signature music for all of his characters. These characters are cute and catchy. They are original and are all registered and copyrighted, and most of them

and their stories came to him in the night hours. John is also an actor. He was an extra in the movie The Newton Boys. “The movie that Stella and Seth and I worked in was called American Outlaws with Colin Ferrill.” Colin was a fun guy, said Reid. “Seth and Colin would practice their ‘draws,’ and Colin was always toting Seth around on his shoulder.” Grant and John worked in the made for TV Movie called Two for Texas. John is also a gifted songwriter and singer. If you ever meet John Reid, ask him to sing you a song! There will be four books in the Johnny and Gander series. John has 12 more books rolling around in his head. “Life is so wonderful and so precious. Strive to do something creative and stay away from the bad side of life. There is so much to do and life is a wonderful experience.” 64

Comanche County Living

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Fine Art Photography Wedding Senior Family Photography

805 North Page Street Comanche, Texas 76442 325-356-3199 Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings Comanche Chamber Happenings

Comanche County Chamber of Commerce is always working to help serve the community, and this year has been no different. Through the Student Chamber and fun events like the Rodeo and The Deer Hunter Chili Supper, they are able to bring the community together to promote tourism, economic development, education, and provide a sense of pride for Comanche County. Photos courtesy of Comanche Chamber of Commerce

2015-2016 Comanche Student Chamber. Back Row: Ian Stark, Grayland Jackson, Ryan Senger and Madisson Gore, Front Row: Rylie McGinnis, Carly Mazurek, Kaitlyn Hickman, Jennifer Duran, Rachel Lilley, Victoria Rutherford, Gabrielle Burns and Baylee Hopper.

Comanche knows how to raise our young ones. Pictured are Garner Harper and Ryker Seegmiller behind the chutes at the Rodeo.

Mutton Buster Colt Munroe raring to take off on the sheep a the 74th Annual Comanche Open Rodeo Parade.

Youngest Rider in the 74th Annual Comanche Open Rodeo Parade was Hank Artze. His great grandfather Bill Lane was the oldest rider.

Deer Hunter Chili Supper Head Chef Steve Clemons shows off the rifle that will be given away on November 6.

Comanche County Museum

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325-356-5115 402 Moorman Rd. Comanche, TX 76442 comanchecountytxmuseum.com

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On November 1, 1918, ten days before World War I ended, Corporal W. E. Guyger of the Thirty-Fourth Division, Company F (National Guard) fell in action near La Reine (Boucq) Sector (also known as the Toul Sector). Recently someone vandalized the headstone marking his life, along with the gravestones of Confederate soldiers buried in Proctor, Reid and Chapel Creek Cemeteries. These cemeteries are maintained by volunteers who work with an extremely limited budget. Repairing and placing upright heavy stones can be costly. In most small communities these stones would be left flat and eventually covered with debris, the names of those buried forgotten. However, days after the vandals rained destruction, Eddie Cox and four of his compatriots of Second Texas Frontier Camp 1904 Sons of Confederate Veterans, stepped up to do the heavy lifting. In the heat of summer, Eddie Cox and company toiled to repair and preserve the memory of those who fought for freedom. 68

Comanche County Living

“You keep our history. You pass it down. You don’t cover it up.” Hometown Living At Its Best

“That’s what you do,” Eddie said. “You keep our history. You pass it down. You don’t cover it up.” Born in Comanche County and a 1973 graduate of Comanche High School, Eddie also served in the United States Army for 3 years and the National Guard for 36 years. His dedication to the community took root and grew to maturity in this community. Even after a few years of living in other parts of the country, he came “home.” He and his wife, Sharla, definitely believe in preservation, service and love of community. They practice those values every day. While some knock down and destroy, they repair and revitalize. While others destroy historical artifacts and change the facts of history, Eddie strives to protect it. Many groups in Comanche benefit from the Cox’s love of community. One group that reaps the benefit is Revitalize Comanche. “This group was started two years ago,” Eddie explained. “Sharon Dutton McKinnon, now president of the non-profit organization along with Fredda Davis Jones, shared a dream on reviving several projects around town, like the metal sculptures placed on the major intersections coming into Comanche. The high school welding class made iron buffaloes and an Indian statue on horseback. Revitalize Comanche has placed those in a setting where people can see them when they come into town. The high school students are completing 70

Comanche County Living

another scene of cowboys on horseback, planned to be placed on the hill by the water-tower.” Sharla Cox shares Eddie’s love for history and brings her artistic talents to the preservation team. Recently she designed wooden Christmas ornaments, depicting “Old Cora,” the oldest log courthouse in Texas, a buffalo for the Indian hunters, and the old Comanche High School. “The high school ornament is closest to my heart, since my class was the last to graduate from that building. We will be selling the ornaments to help with Revitalize Comanche projects. I like working with this group because it’s trying to improve the town, create tourism, and share the history of Comanche.” “We have just finalized plans to renovate the 1880s Higginbotham building,” Eddie explained. “This building was used as lumber and hardware store for over a hundred years and was recently deeded over to the non-profit organization. Our group is excited about how to use this historic building.” Plans include expanding the museum, creating a research center, and recreating the look of the country store with cracker barrels and more. On the morning that Eddie, along with his compatriots Frank Bussey, Brent McDonald, Tommy Alford and Charlie Leatherwood, found out about the cemetery vandalism, they went straight to work. “To me, being part of the Sons of Confederate Veterans means I’m able to learn more about history and keep it alive by teaching it to others, especially to young people.” Eddie’s membership with the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) like other men is based on their heritage as descendants of those who served the Confederate States of America in the Confederate Army or Navy. Frank Bussey, Commander of the Second Texas Frontier SCV group, praised Eddie and the other men who worked to undo the vandals’ destruction. “Helping to right the stones is one of our missions in the SCV. Among activities of the SCV are maintenance of Confederate graves and historic sites. SCV is neither political nor sectional; membership is distributed across the entire country, plus Europe and Brazil. The SCV strives to honor and keep alive the memory of the Confederacy and the principles of states’ rights for which Confederates of all races fought. As many try to rewrite history for political gain, we try to give the world an understanding and

appreciation of the Southern people, many who were founders of our nation. We are Southerners who up hold the US Constitution.” Eddie Cox is a real Boy Scout—literally a Boy Scout. After three decades in scouting, he is now taking his scout leadership to a higher level. “I’ve been involved in scouting in the past and was as a leader here in Comanche back in the 1980s. Now I volunteer to help the troop attain higher levels. I’ve always loved the outdoor training, especially teaching survival skills and first aid. I’m especially proud to be working with one of my former scouts, Brent McDonald, one of my Eagle Scouts back in the 80s,” Eddie beamed as he spoke. “We are working to get our boys up to date on their badges. We have one scout who has reached Star status.” For Eddie, it’s not just about teaching, he is stretching

himself beyond what he’s done in the past, receiving advance training in new areas. “I have taken a wood badge course—the highest training for scout leaders, so I can help these young men be successful.” The Central Texas Treasure Club, a metal detector group out of Brownwood, also receives a share of Eddie Cox’s energy and caring spirit. In his spare time, Eddie serves as a Trustee of the First United Methodist Church. Eddie and Sharla are also members of the Comanche Genealogy Society and have both worked extensively on all sides of their families’ history. Eddie Cox is an example of the men in our community who love the outdoors, Southern heritage and Comanche County. His “heavy lifting” reaches far beyond the cemeteries and the history he loves. It reaches into the future. Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Hometown Happenings Happenings Jams in June

Every Thursday evening during the month of June, live music played and it was the perfect opportunity to gather a few friends and relax for a jamminâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; good time. Thank you to Comanche Chamber of Commerce for organizing such a fun series of musical events! Photos courtesy of Comanche Chamber of Commerce

Jon Young, performing

The Austin Street Opry Talent Competition winner Cheyenne Holt

Tate Munroe

Austin Street Opry Talent Competition Youth Winner McKenzie Jones

Chamber Director Sherry Whiteside with door prize winners Lenore Webb and Emma Little and Chamber president Sherry Reynolds

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings 2015 Comanche County Pow-Wow Photos courtesy of Comanche Chamber of Commerce

The Comanche County Pow-Wow always strives to bring new and interesting activities to our region and this year’s Pow-Wow was no different. Knockerballs made their Comanche public debut on September 26 and 27, 2015 at the Comanche City Park, along with new living historian groups. Oncor presented the crowd-favorite Sahawe Indian Dancers. The Sahawe Dancers are a unique performing group from Uvalde, Texas. For more than sixty years the Sahawe program has been an exciting combination of Scouting, lore, leadership development and performance. They are a major highlight of the Pow-Wow every year. Their performance is the product of hundreds of hours of planning, preparation, craftwork, and rehearsal, as the youth learn valuable life skills such as leadership, teamwork, dedication and cooperation. Goodson Insurance sponsored Comanche’s own David Woolam and his chuckwagon display. David was in his vintage cowboy clothes, showing off his unique pioneer heritage and taking pictures with the children. Alongside David was the Lone Star Lead and Lace Reenactors returning from last year. The Sons of Confederate Veterans were the folks that exploded the canons! They also had lovely ladies in pioneer dress and stories to share. Another favorite was Texas Camel Corp. The Texas Camel Corps was established to educate the public about the historic use of camels in America in the 19th century. At the heart of it all, though, is education. Whether it’s the perpetuation of the unique role camels played

in settling Western America, utilizing the camels as a classroom for environmental/social studies or trekking over the very ground explored during the US Army Camel Experiment of the 1850’s. The Fort Griffin Living Historians were a new addition this year to the Pow-Wow. The living historians from all over gathered to portray life at the fort and nearby Wild West town as it was in the 1800s. The Comanche County Pow-Wow also featured live music on the TexasBank Main Stage and the Volunteer Fire Department on the Clark Tractor Stage. The Logan’s Gap Wind Children’s Area featured knockerballs, Planet Agriculture, the Texas Park and Wildlife wagon, a carnival and a bounce house. On the TexasBank Main Stage was McKenzie Jones and Cheyenne Holt, last year’s Austin Street Talent Competition winners, Comanche Alumni Michael White performed his folk music and Bob Sawyer entertained the crowd with story and songs.. Another new activity was the Tribal Trot 5k in Historic Downtown Comanche. The Central Texas Farm Credit State Championship BBQ Cookoff heralded 30 cooking teams, 2015 again showed the largest Classic Car Shows in Central Texas and several tractors were roaring this year. For the art enthusiasts, the Art and Photography Show featured over 300 displays. The Comanche County Pow-Wow is Native American themed event and is held every fourth weekend in Comanche. The Pow-Wow will be celebrating its 35 birthday in 2016.

ONAR D BY CONN IE LEW IS LE AY FA MILY IDED BY THE CARAW OV PR D AN IO UD PHOTOS BY RILEY ST

Calvin Marshall Caraway and his sons Autry and C.M., Jr., started a small feed mill with $1,000 borrowed from the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;quite a feat in 1930 after the stock market crash that led to many bank closures across the country. In the beginning, the family business, including sonsin-law Boyd Hilley and Kenneth Spencer, consisted of the feed manufacturing plant (and feed store) and Golden Oaks Farms. The farms included cattle, hogs, and chickens. Different family members were responsible for the Mill, cattle, hogs, and chickens. 76

Comanche County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Kevin Caraway, who currently operates Golden Oaks Farms along with his father, C.M. Caraway III, said, “My grandmother told me stories of the early days of Golden Oak. Back in the 1930s, people came to town once a week, usually on Saturday evening. All shopping and trading was handled in that evening. One of the first stops would be at the Mill. Folks would stop at the Mill and sell their eggs. They would then use that money to purchase groceries and animal feed, which they would pick up on their way out of town. People would visit while they were in town. It was a ‘down-home, family’ atmosphere, and I think it would have been a fun time. That is type of service we have not forgotten and the type of service we continue to provide today.” Although the “down-home family” tradition remains, the company has changed in many ways. At one time the Golden Oak shorthorn herd was one of the largest herds in the U.S. They used to load the herd on rail cars and take them to livestock shows in Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, and San Francisco. They would leave in the fall and would return in the late winter or spring. Comanche County didn’t suffer as severely from the Dust Bowl as other areas of The Great Plains, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. However, the entire herd was sold as a result of the severe drought lasting from 1952-1957, which affected 244 of the 254 counties in Texas. Eventually the remainder of the livestock portion of the business was phased out due to the drought, the economy, and deaths in the family. Originally C.M. Caraway, Jr., created most of the original feed formulas, but the company continues to update them. Nutritionists assist in formulating rations, but Kevin said, “One of the best sources has been listening to the customer to find out exactly what results they are seeking in their feed.” Golden Oak manufactures rations specifically designed for the needs of animals at all stages of growth. They also carry Manna Pro, Morton Salt, Ragland, Stockade and Sweetlix products. Golden Oak has grown to a regional mill serving over 100 wholesale accounts within Texas, having the capacity of producing 10078

Comanche County Living

plus tons of feed per day, most of which is pelletized and bagged. They buy most of their ingredients from Texas suppliers; however, some ingredients come from out of state. “Offering the best of both worlds has always been our philosophy at Golden Oak Milling.” That means they provide the best nutritional quality feed at an excellent economic value because “We realize how important your animals are to you.” Golden Oak continues to be a family business. C.M. Caraway III and Kevin operate the company together. Kevin said, “I am very fortunate to work with him. My dad has been working here now for 54 years. He still puts in 60-70 hours a week. He is who I try to emulate. My son, Cody, and daughter, Courtney, work in the plant and

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche County Living

office respectively to offset college expenses. Ronnie Floyd, a cousin, is our warehouse foreman. Robert McCoy, Jr., another cousin, is our plant foreman. De Leon has always been home. The people of De Leon are the best anywhere, and we feel very blessed that we are able to live, work and raise our family here. All of our employees are like family.” Currently Golden Oak employs 33 people, including five delivery truck drivers, two salespersons, and Lana Barefoot, who handles customer service, accounting and billing. They offer insurance and a retirement plan to all employees who want it. The company delivers feed in a 175-mile radius from De Leon using their own trucks, striving to have a one-day turnaround from the time of order to delivery. Kevin said, “My dad has always said, ‘Some people think that we own the business. In fact, the business owns us.’ Dad and I do everything involved in the day to day operation, ranging from making coffee, to customer service and sales, loading trucks, driving delivery trucks, fighting fires (literally), cleaning out feed pits, and sitting with employees in the hospital.” The Caraways support their communities in many ways. “We are part of the De Leon Livestock Association

buying pool. We try to help the kids of De Leon. We also have approximately 100 dealers in a 175-mile radius. In addition to helping the kids of De Leon, we try to help promote kids in the communities where our feed is sold. In keeping with the ‘down-home, family’ service we strive to provide our customers, we are very involved in our church and various community organizations.” Kevin went on to say, “Living in a small town provides the opportunity for everyone to serve in a lot of different ways. One of the things that makes De Leon so great is the many people who serve and volunteer in all the organizations in town. My wife and I help lead contemporary worship with a whole bunch of talented people at the Methodist Church. I am very active in Armstrong Masonic Lodge in De Leon and currently serve on several other Masonic boards in Fort Worth. Dad spent 48 years announcing for De Leon Bearcat football games, either on the PA or for a radio station. He has served on about every board in church, and was a charter member of the board of PAR Country Club. He also has served on the board of the Texas Grain & Feed.” Visit your local Golden Oak dealer, or come see us in DeLeon at 400 West Reynosa.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Comanche Florist

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www.comancheflorist.net 309 W. Grand Ave. Comanche, TX 76442

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www.crosstimbersinc.org Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings Mystery Dinner Theater The Comanche Chamber of Commerce was proud to present “Now You See It. Now You Don’t” Mystery Dinner Theater on SATURDAY, July 18 at The Set. Community leaders and guest played out the roles perfectly and it was a night filled with fun and laughter as they solved the mystery of the missing diamond.

Photos courtesy of Comanche Chamber of Commerce

In the blue-green waters of the South Llano River, fift h grade students from Comanche Elementary School gather water samples, collect specimens, and test water temperature. With state-of-the-art equipment and homemade journals, students experience nature like theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never experienced it before. This earth science-themed field trip was the brainchild of Comanche Elementary School fourth grade science teacher, Dixie Mayer, and she has given Comanche fift h graders the chance to do some hands-on learning they could never do in the classroom.

Comanche County Living

Temperature with Mr. Alan Seale 5th Grade Science Teacher

Hometown Living At Its Best

Geology at Segovia, TX

“We discovered that the kids were having trouble with the earth science portion of the science STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) test,” Mayer said. “Part of the problem is that earth stuff is so big that it’s hard to get it in the classroom. You can look at pictures all day, but when you’re actually looking at those rocks and formations in person, it makes a huge difference.” After talking with fift h grade teachers and looking at STAAR test scores, Mayer decided to approach principal Curtis Stahnke and Comanche ISD Superintendent Rick Howard about taking a group of students into the wild to experience science firsthand. Before coming to Comanche Elementary School, Mayer was a teacher at the Texas Tech University Junction Outdoor School, where she taught children about science and nature through field trips to the South Llano River. She thought taking the Comanche students to the river she knew so well would give them a chance to explore and learn in an environment in which she was well versed. “I thought it was a great extension of the classroom, and a great opportunity to take advantage of [Mayer’s] background,” Superintendent Howard said. 88

Comanche County Living

Administrators decided that the fift h graders would be the best group to take on the trips because the science they would be exploring related closely to the essential skills students are required to know by the end of their fift h grade year.

The trip was broken up into two days—one day for girls and one day for boys—and was first executed April 9 and 10 of this year at the South Llano River State Park. Mayer had three main objectives going into the trips. “The first objective was for students to be good stewards of the land and to be good conservators of our natural resources, because that’s a lifelong lesson—we’re all going to run out of food and water at the same time if we’re not careful,” she said. “The second objective was to have academic success, not just on the STAAR test, but in science in general. When they’re out there with real world examples it helps them so much to understand the scientific process.” Mayer also hoped that the excitement of learning about science outdoors would help to spark interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. “Students might not be aware that they would want to be involved in a science career until they experience it firsthand,” she said. “And if they wait until high school to realize, oh, I’d love to become an aquatic biologist, well, they’ve already missed the boat.”

pH testing

Collecting macroinvertebrates Israel Medrano and father, Mr. Medrano

Hometown Living At Its Best

Mayer said she was amazed to see how much interest there was in these types of careers when students returned from the field trips. “They kept saying, ‘I can do this for a career? How cool would that be?’” she said. During the trip, students collected macroinvertebrates (insects, crustaceans, molluscs and arachnids) with aquatic nets, identified insects with bug viewers, and tested the water with pH kits. “We found out through our analysis that the South Llano River is the second cleanest river in Texas,” Mayer said. The students also got to take samples of their findings back to school with them. “Now they’ve actually looked around and identified real world examples of producers, consumers, and decomposers and identified macroinvertebrates under the microscope,” she said. Comanche Elementary School principal, Curtis Stahnke, who is also a former science teacher, said the experiences the children received on the trips were invaluable. Nature Hike

Comanche County Living

Observing with Mr. Curtis Stahnke, Principal

“We were able to expose the students to many science concepts,” he said. “If the teacher talked about rock layers in geology, they could easily visualize them. Teachers could then take that knowledge and expand on it. So, that knowledge won’t just be used one day. It will be expanded on for years to come.” Although Mayer made sure the students knew that going on these field trips was serious business, she also made sure they enjoyed this unique experience. “We brought along life jackets for all of the kids. So, as part of the trip, when they were finished identifying, they got to swim for about 30 minutes,” she said. Superintendent Howard said the students were so impressed with the field trip that they thought they were getting special treatment. “For many of the kids, they did not know such places existed,” Howard said. “We were told by one student that this was the best vacation he’d ever been on.” The trip was so successful that Mayer was asked to make a presentation about the experience at the annual conference for the Association of Texas School Boards and Superintendents. “I took two students from the previous year and we made a power point presentation,” she said. “When we got

to the slides that had pictures of [the students] studying geology and biology, the students stood up and explained some of the things they’d learned.” Now, other school districts, like the Nueces Canyon Consolidated Independent School District, are anxious to start their own outdoor learning experiences. Mayer is so eager to help districts like these that she even let them tag along on the second round of field trips that took place in September. But even though the science teacher is the brain behind the operation, she said she would not be able to execute such an undertaking if it wasn’t for her team. “From the support of our superintendent to our principal, to the teachers who helped me put this together to the volunteers to the lunchroom staff—they all made it happen,” she said. Mayer said the teamwork and collaboration in Comanche ISD is one of the things she’s most thankful for. “The teachers [and administrators] are passionate about children learning in the outdoors and are willing to give of their time to make it happen for the students,” she said “And when you see how the students love it, it just makes your heart happy.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Hometown Happenings Happenings Devil Dog Squadron Helps Celebrate The Devil Dog Squadron are a volunteer organization of the CAF that takes pride in the preserving of a WW2 B-25 bomber, the Devil Dog. These men and women truly enjoy maintaining the aircraft and taking it to airshows far and wide, and it was an honor to have them as a part of our Veterans Day celebrations.

Photos courtesy of Riley Studio

1927 Travel Air 4000. Supports Ranger Airfield: Jared Calvert.

Commemorative Air Force U.S. Marine Corp (R to L) Jim Crawford, Bobby Ripps, Brian Rodgers, Beth Jenkins, Wade Shoop, Mark Frederick and Walt Dudow.

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HOMETOWN SCENES

Photo by Riley Studio

“

winter

In the depth of

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I finally learned

Summer ” that there was in me

an invincible

-Albert Camus

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Comanche County Living

Photo by Riley Studio

What makes Comanche County a great place to live? Right now it’s the cooler temperatures, the anticipation of holiday celebrations and spending time with loved ones. Take a look at a few more reasons why we love Comanche County.

Photo courtesy of Curtis Stahnke

Photo courtesy of Plan-it ink

“ You are never too old to set

another goal or to dream

a new dream.” Photo by Riley Studio

-Aristotle

Hometown Living At Its Best

index of advert isers Bayer Motor Company....................................5

Dr. Raymond W. Stepp, Optometrist......93

Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA............... 82

Gayle’s Automotive, Inc...............................83

Clark Tractor & Supply............................ 2, 73

Golden Oaks Milling Co...............................83

Comanche Chamber of Commerce....................Inside Back Cover

Goodson Insurance........................................ 57

Comanche Chamber of Commerce & Ag................................. 16, 46

Hair Works...................................... Back Cover Melody Oaks Ranch...................................... 37

Comanche County Historical Museum... 67

Nowlin Anders Funeral Home................... 67

Comanche County Living........................... 82

Plan-it ink..........................................................29

Comanche Electric Cooperative Association.................................1

Prime Country Real Estate.................Inside Front Cover, 47

Comanche Florist........................................... 82

Riley Studio, Fine Art Photography......................................... 7, 49,93

Comanche Funeral Home............................ 17 Comanche Livestock Exchange............... 37 Comanche National Bank..............................3 Comanche Tire & Equipment..................... 73 Cross Timbers Health Clinics, Inc.............83 De Leon Chamber of Commerce............................................ 26-27

Star Arms........................................................... 18 Stockman’s Seed & Fertilizer, Inc............... 9 Stockman’s Western Wear........................... 9 SureGrow Ag Products................................93 Totelcom Communications, LLC..............93 Wonderful Things............................................19

De Leon Industrial Development Corp................................. 26-27

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible! 96

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