Clarendon Enterprise - 03.09.2023

$200 Single Copy

THIS WEEK

2 The Enterprise salutes

The Canadian Record’s long service to journalism.

4 The Bronco Band places well at the UIL concert contest.

5 The JV Lady Broncos win a softball tournament.

8 And Clarendon UIL kids compete in a practice meet.

All this and much more as The Enterprise reports in this week’s yuletide edition!

Hedley blood drive to be held Tuesday

Coffee Memorial Blood Center will have a community blood drive next Tuesday, March 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hedley High School.

The Bloodmobile will be there, and appointments can be scheduled by calling 877-3408777 or by visiting obi.org.

Fund established to help Cooper family

A fund has been established at the Donley County State Bank to receive donations to help the family of Coy Cooper as he battles cancer. Plans are also in place for a Bake Sale to be held March 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Burton Memorial Library with the proceeds going to help the Cooper family.

Motor vehicle office adopts new hours

The Donley County Tax Assessor-Collector’s motor vehicle office has new temporary office hours. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1:00 to 4:45 and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

The new hours help accommodate an employee’s recovery from surgery, and regular office hours will be resumed in the near future.

Tree sales underway

The Donley County Soil & Water Conservation District is taking orders for is spring tree sales now through March 25.

A variety of shrubs, trees, and ornamental grasses are being offered. Order forms are available at the USDA offices at Fourth and Sully. Those interested may stop by or call Mona at 806-874-3561 or 817-648-8351.

Federal disaster aid now available here

Agriculture producers in Donley County may be eligible for federal disaster emergency loans following a designation announced last week.

Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of certain debts.

Ninety-two counties are eligible due to excessive heat that occurred from May 1 through September 30, 2022, including Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Gray, and Childress. Donley and Hall counties are eligible as designated contiguous counties.

The application deadline is September 13, 2023. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact the local USDA Service Center.

Two more running for Hedley city positions

Additional candidates for the Hedley City Council were announced last week after the Enterprise went to press.

Mayor Carrie Butler said two candidates had left their applications in a city drop box and the paperwork was not discovered until after the filing deadline. With the addition of those two new candidates, there are now six people running for three full terms on the council.

Aldermen Trisha Chambless, Alicia Hanes, and Jennifer Floyd are seeking re-election. Christine Coyle was previously announced as a challenger, and now Calvin Holland and Tanya White Gibson will also appear on the ballot.

Vandals hit Prospect Park

Sections of rock wall terraces in Clarendon’s Prospect Park were in ruins last week after vandals left their park on the landmark. City Administrator David Dockery said the city is still looking for information about who might have done the damage to the structures, which were built of native stone in the 1930s as a Civilian Conservation Corps project. City Photo

City seeks lifeguards, administrator

The City of Clarendon is looking for a few good people to fill several positions. The Clarendon Aquatic Center is just a few weeks away from opening for the 2023 season, but City Administrator David Dockery says more employees are needed before the Memorial Day weekend opening.. Applications are being accepted at City Hall for the posi-

tion of pool manager and for several lifeguard jobs.

“We need at least four or five more lifeguards,” Dockery said Tuesday.

Anyone ages 16 and older can apply for a lifeguard position, and they must take training to become certified.

City Hall also was informed Monday that its final candidate for the city administrator’s position had

withdrawn his name from consideration.

Fred Ventresco, Town Administrator at Pine Tops, North Carolina, had told the city council he was applying in other locations during a virtual interview held on February 2. After the council released the other two final candidates from the search two weeks ago, Ventresco was scheduled to travel to Clarendon this week to tour the town and meet

Butler also said a special election will be held alongside May’s regular election to fill two unexpired terms – those are seats belonging to Sandy Wilkinson, who resigned several months ago, and Danny Russell, whose resignation is scheduled to be voted on at the next regular Hedley city council meeting March 9.

Butler said the council last month appointed Clayton Beagle to Wilkinson’s seat and that he will be a candidate in the special election.

with officials in person.

Dockery said the city assumes Ventresco accepted a position elsewhere.

The council will meet this Thursday evening for its regular meeting and discuss the next steps in finding a successor for Dockery, who announced a year ago his intention to retire this April. Dockery will now stay on the job for a while longer.

CEDC members attend Retail Academy

Three members of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation board attended two days of workshops in San Antonio last week to learn more about recruiting new retail businesses to the community.

The Texas Rural Retail Academy was held at the downtown campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) on March 1 and 2. Hosted by the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and Retail Strategies, leaders from six Texas communities were selected to attend the program.

Participating communities include Breckenridge, Clarendon, Eastland, Haskell, Poteet, and Vernon. Representing the CEDC were Roger Estlack, Chuck Robertson, and Taylor Shelton.

“Texas communities need additional support and resources now more than ever coming out of the pandemic,” said Matthew Jackson, Director of the Texas Rural Retail Academy program at the UTSA Institute for Economic Development.

“Retail Academy will be instrumental in providing the critical tools to our communities to help boost retail and bolster small businesses.”

Last week’s program was UTSA’s second Texas Rural Retail Academy and participating communities received invaluable data on consumers in their community and

Clarendon College will host its second annual community service day on Wednesday March 22, 2023, following last year’s event.

CC students, faculty, and staff in Clarendon, Childress, Pampa, and Amarillo will participate in the annual community service day. This

education on retail and real estate. Each community came away with a strategic retail economic development plan and the skills needed to execute that plan, Jackson said.

Developed by Retail Strategies, Retail Academy educates communities nationwide on best practices to attract new retail and restaurants while providing resources to support and grow existing local businesses. The

effort began in 2022 with the desire for the college to show its appreciation for the communities it serves.

Multiple volunteer endeavors will be underway in all four cities.

CC President Tex Buckhaults noted that it is important for students to learn the responsibility of

UTSA Texas Rural Retail Academy program is funded in part through a Rural Business Development grant awarded to UTSA from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“We are proud to bring the Retail Academy program to Texas communities again, with help from the UTSA Institute for Economic Development and the USDA,” said Madeline Farr, Director of Retail

being part of a community by giving back to the communities that support them, and also for them to see the support modeled by faculty and staff.

The college is grateful for the support of community members in Clarendon, Pampa, Childress, and

CC chosen to participate in state grant

Clarendon College has been selected to participate in a new statewide economic mobility grant due to CC’s outstanding accomplishments and dedication to student success.

The Talent Strong Texas Pathways is a $16 million five-year statewide economic mobility grant administered by the Texas Success Center is designed to increase the number of credentialed Texans prepared for high-demand careers that offer a living wage.

CC President Tex Buckhaults said Clarendon College is excited and honored to be a part of the Texas Pathways Grant.

The state’s higher education strategic plan, “Building a Talent Strong Texas,” targets expanding the attainment of valuable postsecondary credentials. The intent is to increase employment opportunities and income for individuals while creating a deeper talent pool for employers.

Academy.

“The business-friendly climate in Texas is extremely helpful for the communities that attend our program. The growth in the state is reaching these rural markets and with retailers evolving expansion plans, a lot of those brands look at secondary and tertiary markets. We are giving community leaders the tools they need to capitalize on that growth, Farr said.

Amarillo, and CC officials say hosting an annual community service day is but one small way to give back and show that appreciation.

For more information about Clarendon College or the day of service, call (806) 874-3571 or toll free at (800) 687-9737.

“Texas higher education has unique responsibilities and roles to play in what comes next, to expand opportunities for all Texans and ensure our economic competitiveness on a global scale,” said Harrison Keller, Commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. “Now is the time to seize the vast, Texas-sized opportunities before us to achieve impact at scale and to dedicate ourselves to building a talent strong Texas.”

The Texas Success Center, working with the state’s community colleges, is supporting the scaling of inclusive talent pathways directing students through collaboratively designed programs beginning with short-term credentials and early workplace learning.

“Texas is very fortunate to have a set of funding partners willing to invest in the important work of the community colleges,” said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Vice President of the Texas Success Center. “We are very impressed by the college’s commitment to design and implement talent pathways. We are excited to work with Clarendon College as they continue to partner with local business and education leaders to provide valuable workforce and education opportunities.”

Clarendon EDC members Taylor Shelton, Roger Estlack, and Chuck Robertson attended a Rural Retail Academy last week at the University of Texas at San Antonio to learn more about recruiting retail businesses to our community.

The Record of the best area paper

Thursday, March 2, 2023 – the day the light went out in Canadian.

There wasn’t a power failure or an eclipse or anything of the sort. No, it was a different kind of darkness that fell over the city. The light of truth and fairness and justice went out.

Nicholas Basila Haley, a son of Lebanese parents, was a student at the University of Texas in Austin. He did not know a word of Arabic. Kawssar Marie Chammaa, a dark-haired Damascus girl, did not know a word of English.

But in 1971 when Kawssar made a visit to San Antonio, Nicholas was there, and they not only became acquainted, they fell instantly in love with each other.

“We did not speak, but we communicated,” Nicholas later explained.

After visiting with Nicholas on several occasions, Kawssar returned home to Damascus, and the couple corresponded by mail. Writing in English,

Nicholas had friends translate his letters into Arabic.

So Kawssar’s letters spoke only of dayto-day things.

by

“Of course,” Nicholas acknowledged, “I didn’t have any idea of what they said after my friends translated them.”

Kawssar had a similar problem. Her letters, written in Arabic, had to be translated into English. But Syrian girls could not speak openly of love. She could not share her feelings even with her best friend who did the translating.

The two lovers must have said the right things, however, for Kawssar returned to San Antonio the following year, and the two were married in the St. George Maronite Catholic Church. About 400 guests attended the ceremony which was performed both in English and in Arabic. The songs were sung in Aramaic. During the reception, the newly-weds simply looked at each other and smiled.

“In Damascus, we say love knows no language,” Kawssar explained. George U. Hubbard is an author and a former resident of Clarendon.

editor’s commentary by roger

estlack

After 132 years, The Canadian Record published its last issue. Well, “suspended publication” is the phrase that was used – holding out hope that the paper might yet have a rebirth. Still, the fact remains, Canadian is without a newspaper. The Canadian Record – for 75 years under the guidance of the Ezzell family – was the best weekly newspaper in the Panhandle. Period. Some might even say it was the best in Texas, and I wouldn’t argue with them. It was the gold standard of community journalism doing all the things that a weekly newspaper does best – be a cheerleader for its town, holding elected officials accountable, and zealously reporting the local news from City Hall to the elementary school.

Laurie Ezzell Brown, who has published and edited the paper since her father passed away some 30 years ago, was and is a close friend of mine. We are two sides of the same coin. She is an unapologetic liberal Democrat and I’m a libertarian Reagan Republican. But we have always been united on the things that mattered – open government, transparency, and the public’s right to know. I know a lot of small-town journalists, but Laurie Brown is the best. When I’ve had tough stories to cover, it was her who I would turn to for advice and counsel. And I could count on her to tell me what I needed to know, whether I was going to like it or not.

It was Laurie and her advertising manager Mary Smithee who I always looked forward to seeing at press conventions. Over the years, they became like extended family members. The newspaper family is like none other, bonding over getting the big scoop or swapping tales of crazy public meetings.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Cub Reporter was in Canadian for a tennis match and the team went for a coffee. Brown Bag Roasters is run by Laurie’s son and is right next door to the newspaper in Canadian. The Record staff saw Ben walk by, snatched him from the coffee shop, and pulled him into the newspaper to say hello and catch up with him. I think he was both startled and happy to see them.

Through good times and bad, Laurie Brown, like her father before her, bravely recorded the happenings in Canadian fairly and accurately. It was right there in black and white; and you didn’t have to like it, but it was the truth. Some people can’t handle the truth, and that can bring unwanted repercussions. Any good newspaper has had to deal with that, and the Record is certainly no different.

When Laurie wanted to share her personal thoughts, you could find those clearly labeled on page two of the Record in her “Field Notes” column. She wasn’t afraid to let you know what she thought on the opinion page; but when you turned past page two, it was unbiased reporting, and the readers were given as much information as possible to make up their own minds.

Laurie has been trying to sell her paper for several years, but she did not want to sell to just anyone or to some group that would strip the Record of its soul for profit. The job of a community editor can wear on you, and it’s worn on her to the point she can no longer do it. With no buyer, she reluctantly closed the doors.

The Record lives on for now as a social media and web presence, but it’s not the same. It’s not the same as having the paper – in either a physical or digital format – to record kids’ latest school project, to celebrate the state championships, to uncover what’s happening at City Hall, to hold commissioners’ feet to the fire, or to rally the community around a worthwhile project.

Businesses in Canadian that have depended on the Record to help get their message to their customers will feel the newspaper’s absence, and taxpayers, too, will be losers without a paper help them keep tabs on local governments.

What will become of the public notices that once were published in the Record? I suppose the city and the county and the school there will put those up on their websites when it’s time to raise taxes or call for a bond election. The people of Canadian will just have to trust that their officials are telling them the truth, because there won’t be a third party to verify anything. It will be the fox guarding the henhouse. What could go wrong?

To describe the workouts he directed as “grueling” might be an extreme understatement if the athletes who ran for late track coach J. H. (Cap) Shelton are consulted.

Known as the “dean of Texas track coaches,” he served at Howard Payne University – his alma mater – for 49 years. He worked long hours daily in numerous faculty and administrative posts, but was always best known for coaching.

Pushing himself in a “can-‘tilcan’t” approach to life perhaps explains his preference for distance runners. Not all track stars run fast, but he quickly identified the ones determined to run the longer races. His teams won 14 championships in the old Texas Conference, three in Lone Star and one national cross country championship….

*****

One who “soaked up” his mentoring was Glenn Petty, former Athletic Director at Abilene Public Schools who died February 2 at the age of 82.

Like “Cap,” he taught life first and sports second.

He, too, was a lifelong educator, as have been dozens of others who were track and field athletes at HPU….

*****

Petty, a track star at Odessa High School, spent 42 years in education, including 26 in Abilene ISD, where he was Athletic Director for the last five years of his career.

Deeply admired at his points of service along the way – El Paso, Odessa, Big Spring, Odessa and Abilene ISDs – he was head track coach at Abilene Cooper, then HPU, before returning to Abilene as principal of Mann Middle School. He was twice named Texas

Regional Middle School Principal of the Year and was a member of the HPU Sports Hall of Fame.

the essence: “Snow Flies, Shoe Flies, He flies.”…. *****

He ran when races were measured by yards rather than meters, a U.S. change in the 1970s to conform with the rest of the world.

and a two-column announcement picture is $10. Pictures submitted for publication should be picked up within ten days after publication. Death notices are printed at no charge. Obituaries are published for $45 or $50 with a photo.

DEADLINES

News articles and photos are due by Monday at noon. Advertising and Classifieds are due by five o’clock Monday afternoon. Deadlines may be altered for holidays or special issues.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual subscriptions are available for $40 for zip codes inside Donley County, $50 elsewhere in Texas, and $55 out of state. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: The Clarendon Enterprise, PO Box 1110, Clarendon, TX 79226-1110. Digital Subscriptions are $25 per year.

LETTERS

Letters to the editor are welcome. Views expressed in letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of The Clarendon Enterprise. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication. Letters may be edited for grammar, style, or length. All letters must be signed and must include an address and telephone number for verification. To improve your chances of publication, type and double space your letter, stick to one main topic, and keep it brief. No letters will be accepted from candidates for local political offices. Letters submitted to this newspaper become the property of The Enterprise and cannot be returned.

the idle american by don newbury

Cheering him on were Sandie, his wife of 60 years, and children Glenda, Glenn Jr. and Christi, as well as four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren…. *****

Probably the determination for which Glenn is remembered was noted during his freshman year.

Running on the HPU cross country team at the national championship race in Omaha, he and more than 130 other runners faced sub-freezing temperature and falling snow.

“We were about a mile into the four-mile race, and a runner next to Glenn somehow grazed Glenn’s shoe, and it went flying,” said Willie Myers, a senior teammate running slightly ahead.…

*****

He asked , “What do I do now?” Myers remembers. “I told him to stop, find the shoe and put it back on, but he would have none of it.”

Sure enough, Glenn kept running, miraculously completing the hilly course, despite pain inflicted by acorns and other objects in the snow on his shoeless foot.

“I never saw a limb more swollen the next day, doubled in size,” Myers recalls. The backstory headline captured

In 1960, Glenn ran the 880-yard event in 1:54.5, winning at the LSC track meet and becoming the first HPU athlete to win a conference running event as a freshman.

David Noble, himself an HPU alumnus and former track coach at HPU and Angelo State University, still considers the “change to meters” as a mistake which has set the sport back here…. *****

Glenn loved students. He also had interests all over the board. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, reading and spending time with family and friends.

A conversationalist who knew about much, he’d look up (okay, Google) what he didn’t know, then continue conversations. (One friend said he talked at 300 words a minute, with gusts to 350!)

He looked forward to overnight outings with college track buddies and spouses. They met annually – lately in Fredericksburg – for about the past 30 years…. *****

His heart weakening, he remained an encourager to the end. I received his email a few days before his death. It urged me to “keep on keeping on.”

Glenn contributed much and finished well.

This friend will be greatly missed…..

Panhandle Press Association Texas Press Association National Newspaper Association West Texas Press Association

2021

The Clarendon Lions Club held its regular Tuesday noon meeting March 7, 2023, with Boss Lion Landon “El Jefe” Lambert in command.

We had 11 members present and five Lions attending virtually this week.

Lion Scarlet Estlack reported on the college where spring break is next week, the basketball teams have advanced to the regional tournament, and community service day is set for March 22.

Lion Jacob Fangman reported on the city and said the last candidate for city administrator has pulled out and that Lion David Dockery will stay in that position for a while longer. A fundraising bake sale will be held at the library on March 17 for Coy Cooper, whose wife works at City Hall. Lion Machiel Covey also reported that all city incumbents were signed up to run unopposed for reelection.

The Boss Lion reported the county is well, and DG Roger Estlack reported on the district queen contest. The club recognized Sweetheart Laney Gates for doing so well in the Horse Judging at Houston.

The club discussed removing dead and dying trees in front of the Lions Hall, and plans were discussed for the college day of service on March 22; the community egg hunt, 5K, and fire department fundraiser on the April 1; and the district convention on April 22.

With no further business, we were adjourned to spread Lionism and good cheer throughout our fair county.

Shop At Home.

Elementary recognitions

Clarendon

Support the merchants who support your local schools.

¿Qué Pasa?

Community Calendar

March 10 & 11 Cocaine Bear • 7:30 p.m. • Mulkey Theater

March 9

Lady Broncos v Amarillo High JV • 11:00 a.m. • AHS

March 9

Lady Broncos v Tulia • 3:00 a.m. • AHS

March 9 Broncos v Sayre • 1:15 p.m. @ Hollis Tournament

March 9 Broncos v Childress • 3:00 p.m. @ Hollis Tournament

March 10

Broncos & Lady Bronco Track • Grrom Invitational

March 12 Cocaine Bear • 2:00 p.m. • Mulkey Theater

March 17 & 18

Jesus Revolution • 7:30 p.m. • Mulkey Theater

March 19

Jesus Revolution • 2:00 p.m. • Mulkey Theater

March 30

Family Game Night • 6:00 p.m. • Mulkey Theater

Menus

March 13 - 17

Donley County Senior Citizens

Mon: Spaghetti/meatballs, garden salad, garlic toast, sliced peaches w/ whipped topping, iced tea/2% milk.

Tues: Salisbury steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole wheat roll, apple cobbler, iced tea/2% milk.

Wed: Meatloaf, cheesy potatoes, side salad, cornbread, cherry cobbler iced, iced tea/2% milk.

Thurs: Baked chicken, bow tie pasta w/cream sauce, green beans, whole wheat roll, peach cobbler, iced tea/2% milk.

Fri: Chili cheese dog on a bun, French fries, marinated, cucumbers/onions, oatmeal raisin cooke, iced tea/2% milk.

Hedley Senior Citizens

Mon: Baked beef stew w/biscuit topping, Carolina caviar, apricots, wheat roll, iced tea/2% milk.

Tue: Chicken & dumplings, buttered corn, banana, no bake cookies, wheat roll, iced tea/2% milk.

Wed: Beef pot roast, brown gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, buttered peas & carrots, angel food cake w/strawberries, wheat roll, iced tea/2% milk.

Thurs: Baked ham, sweet potato casserole, seasoned green beans, pumpkin cake, iced tea/2% milk.

Fri: Beef, bean, cheese burritos, Mexican rice, broccoli & cauliflower blend, parfait, iced tea/2% milk.

Amarillo Community Market seeks vendor applications

Amarillo Community Market is seeking food, produce, art and craft vendors for the seventh season of the Center City market.

Interested vendors may apply online at www.amarillocommunitymarket.com. The web site also includes the Vendors’ Handbook with the market rules and procedures.

For 2023, the market will be open every Saturday from June 10 to Sept. 9. Shopping hours will be 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Amarillo Community Market is a project of Center City of Amarillo and located in the Amarillo Cultural District in downtown Amarillo.

“Amarillo Community Market has become a Center City tradition. Everything in our market must be homegrown, homemade, handcrafted or hand-created. People love to come to our historic downtown and stroll through the market booths where they can meet the growers, bakers and artists,” said Beth Duke, executive director of Center City.

Melea Baker is the new market manager.

The Amarillo Community Market provides an economic opportunity for local farmers, gardeners, craft food producers, artisans, food trucks, artists and other creatives. The market strives to incubate micro businesses, showcase local talent, and provide fun, healthy activities ranging from fitness and nutrition to arts and crafts.

Connect with Amarillo Community Market on Facebook at Amarillo Community Market, or call 806-335-6360. E-mail the Amarillo Community Market at amarillocommunitymarket@gmail.com

Bronco Band wins plaque at contest

This last Tuesday, I went to contest for Concert and Sightreading with the band.

For the last couple of months, we have been working on perfecting our concert music and strengthening our sightreading abilities.

I really enjoy sightreading and for those of you who don’t know, sightreading is when they give you a piece of music and you have to learn the entire piece in seven minutes, then play it for judges.

Wildcat Bluff hosting new programs

Wildcat Bluff Nature Center (WBNC)’s monthly program Toddler Tracks is March 10, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This month’s theme is Light and Shadow.

Toddler Tacks is included with a Wildcat Bluff Membership, Wildcat Bluff add-on through The Discovery Center, or regular admission.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children over 3 and adults over 60.

WBNC will also host Hiking 101 on March 11 at 9:00 a.m., covering what to expect on the trails, what to bring on hikes, and what to stay away from in a short orientation followed by a short hike.

Hiking 101 happens every other month and is included with a Wildcat Bluff Membership, Wildcat Bluff add on through The Discovery Center, or regular admission. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children over 3 and adults over 60.

Participants should be prepared to wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle.

For more information visit DHDC.org or Wildcat Bluff’s Facebook page.

The judges score you on a scale of five to one with five being the worst and one being the best, that is also how they judge our concert music.

the cub reporter by benjamin estlack

This is our first concert competition with our new band director, and we were very

hopeful that we would do good.

We started out with concert band and scored a 1, 1, and a 2 which average out to a one. Then we went and did sightreading which we scored a 2, 2, and a 1 which averaged out to a 2.

We didn’t make sweepstakes this year, but we did get a plaque for our 1 in sight reading, and hopefully we can dominate next year in both marching and concert band.

NHS induction

The Clarendon High School chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 12 new members during a ceremony Monday afternoon in the CHS Auditorium.

The Clarendon High School Bronco Band

Obituaries

Brown Charles

Paul Brown, 86, of Dumas died Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Dumas. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m.

Brown

Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Robertson Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.

Viewing will be Wednesday at the funeral home with family receiving friends for visitation from 4:006:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Charles was born January 20, 1937, in Wellington to Ross and Ellen Gossett Brown. He married Barbara Gail Hewett on June 27, 1958, in Clarendon. Charles served our country in the US Navy. He had been a longtime resident of Amarillo before moving to Dumas four years ago. He had worked for City Machine and Welding as Vice President for 18 years prior to his retirement. He enjoyed working in the yard and outside, wood work-

ing, and remodeling his daughter’s house. He also loved his pets and hunting. Charles was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara in 2009; three brothers, Leroy Brown, Ray Brown, and Troy Brown; and a sister, Margaret Leffew.

He is survived by his daughter, Angela Blackshear and husband Brandon of Dumas; his brothers, Tommy Brown and wife Elma of Fort Worth and Mack Brown of Borger; his sister, Jo Ward and husband Dal of Flower Mound; two grandsons, Tyler Borron and Chad Borron both of Dumas; a step grandson, Ryan Blackshear and wife Brittney of Dumas; his step great grandchildren, Chloe and Braun; and several nieces and nephews.

The family request memorials be sent to Dumas Memorial Hospice.

Shelley

Sam Shelley, 72, of Clarendon died Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Clarendon.

Rosary was said on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Robertson Funeral Directors

Shelley

Saints’ Roost Chapel in Clarendon. Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clarendon with Rev. Arokia Raj Samala, as the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Clarendon.

Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.

Sam was born November 22, 1950, in Amarillo to Francis and Samuel Shelley. He married Leitha Martin on August 20, 1977, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. He worked as an airplane mechanic for many years prior to his retirement. Sam loved cooking, fishing, swimming, taking trips with his family, and the outdoors. He also loved helping people. He had been a resident of Clarendon since 1992 and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2016; and a sister, Cindy Malone.

He is survived by his sons, Sam Shelley, III and wife Roxy of Lubbock and Jeremy Shelley and wife Jamie of Clarendon; his daughters, Luichi Shelley of Amarillo, Samara Shelley and Nicky Shelley both of Clarendon; a sister, Cathy Penn of Amarillo; 13 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com

NRCS offering conservation grants

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas today announced grant opportunities for partners to receive funding through its Texas Partners for Conservation Program.

The application period opened February 24 and closes on April 24, 2023.

NRCS will host an online webinar on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 10-11:00 a.m. (Central) to provide information to the public on applying for the grant. The public can join the meeting via phone at: Phone: 469-294-4461, Conference ID: 474-726-593.

Priority will be placed on project topics addressing: Outreach & Education to Historically Underserved Producers/Clients and Farm Bill Operations. Access the complete grant information package online at: www. grants.gov and performing a search using the keywords “Texas Partners for Conservation.” There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.

The funding floor is $25,000, and the ceiling is $200,000. These numbers refer to the total agreement amount, not any specific budget period.

Applications must be submitted through grants.gov.

For assistance with the registration process, contact grants.gov applicant support at 1-800-518-4726 or via email at support@grants.gov.

Successful applicants are required to have an administrative and technical contact participate in the Texas NRCS training for Administration of Federal Agreements. This training is usually held within six months of the award start date.

For more information visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/texas.

Commodity safety net deadline is next week

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.

“The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs provide critical financial protections to many American farmers. As producers across the country deal with unexpected market volatility and natural disasters, these programs offer much-needed support and stability,” said Kelly Adkins, State Executive Director for FSA in Texas. “I am encouraging producers to reach out to their county offices to learn about program eligibility and election options today, so that they can begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.”

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which are both commodityby-commodity, or ARC-Individual, which covers the entire farm. Although election changes for 2023 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Additionally, if a producer has a multi-year contract on their farm and makes an election change for 2023, they will need to sign a new contract.

If producers do not submit an election by the March 15,

2023, deadline, the election remains the same as the 2022 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the commodity.

In Texas, producers have completed 44,543 contracts to date, representing 50% of the more than 88,000 expected contracts.

Producers who do not complete enrollment by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2023 year and will not receive a payment if triggered.

Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities: barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

In partnership with USDA, two web-based decision tools are available to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations: Gardnerfarmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC. ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&M University that allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2023.

ARC and PLC are part of a

broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.

Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.

Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider. However, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.

Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election. Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.

Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to make certain that the election and enrollment made at FSA follows their intention to participate in STAX or SCO coverage. Producers have until March 15, 2023, to make the appropriate changes or cancel their ARC or PLC contract.

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center.

Broncos’ Frausto throws no-hitter

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos played a great game against the Fritch Eagles in the Childress Tournament last week behind the pitching of Easton Frausto, who was strong on the mound allowing Fritch no hits and posted nine strike-outs in the Broncos’ 11-1 win.

The Broncos struck early adding three runs in the opening inning and after a quiet second inning, they were able to turn up the heat scoring three in the third and five in the fourth to get the win without their last at bat.

Overall, the Broncos had eight hits that included triples from Jared Musick, Britton Cottrell, Levi Gates, and Harrison Howard who had four hits. Musick, Tyler Harper (3), Cottrell, Gates, and Howard also logged seven stolen bases for the team.

On Saturday of the tournament, the Broncos shut out Childress 9-0 with Howard on the mound for five innings. Wilson Ward took over for one inning. During his time on the mound, Howard allowed no runs, one hit, no errors, two walks, and five strike outs.

The Broncos had their bats going and collectively slammed 19 triples in the game from Frausto, Lyric Smith, and Wilson with three each. Big hits also came from Howard (5), Gates (2), Musick, Mason Sims, and B. Cottrell.

The Broncos will compete in the Hollis Tournament March 9-10 and take on Sayre, Shattuck, and Granite.

CHS athletes compete in Rocket Relays

By Sandy Anderberg

Three Clarendon track teams traveled to Wellington last week to compete in the Wellington Rocket Relays.

Kaleb Mays, Kaleb Bolin, and Kimbrasia Ballard all walked away with first place finishes in their events. Mays took first in the junior varsity 100m race with a time of 11.52 and first in the 400m finishing in a time of 1:00.54. Bolin topped the field in the 400m race with a time of 57.22, and Ballard was the best in the 100m dash with a time of 12.70. Bolin and Ballard both ran on the varsity teams.

Also running for the junior varsity was Michael Randall who was 5th in the 100m at 12.95, and Shane Hagood who was second in the 200m race with a time of 25.03 and was fourth in the 400m at 1:06.19.

Madi Benson ran for the Lady Bronco varsity team and finished 2nd in the 200m with a time of 27.61, and Elliot Frausto was had the third fastest time in the 1600m at 6:29.38.

Berkley Moore was 7th in the 100m at 13.79, and Gracie Ellis ran the race in a time of 14.85 for 12th place.

Presley Smith was 5th and Trystan Brown was 6th in the 400m with times of 2:55.66 and 2:57.96. Brown was also 7th in the 400m with a time of 1:13.99. Ballard placed 6th in the long jump, and the Lady Broncos’ sprint relay finished 4th at 4:50.

Bryce Williams was third in the 1600m and 3200m run with times of 5:21.58 and 11:32.68, and Jaxon McAnear finished in 3rd place in the 800m race with a 2:17.10.

Riley Wade was 10th in the 100m at 12.43, Bolin was 4th in the 200m at 24.39, and Anthony Brown was 8th in that event with a time of 25.54.

The next track meet will be March 10 in Groom.

Lady Broncos JV win Pampa Tournament

The Lady Bronco junior varsity team went 5-0 in the Pampa Tournament to claim the championship according to head coach Brad Elam. The ladies defeated Booker JV, Borger JV, Canadian JV, and Palo Duro JV. Their fifth win was a forfeit from Amarillo High JV. The varsity team took second place in the tournament by tying Caprock JV, defeating Borger JV, Amarillo High JV, Claude and Bushland JV.

The ladies blasted Claude by the score of 14-1. No other stats for the games were available at press

time. On February 25, the Lady Bronco varsity team played Lubbock Christian in the Tulia Tournament and earned a big win at 7-3. The ladies had eight hits on the day, had three strike outs, and only committed one error. Tandie Cummins was on the mound and got the win. Hayden Elam and Kennadie Cummins went to the plate three times with each of the players recording two runs. Baylee Gabel, T. Cummins, and Gracie Wilkins were responsible for the other three runs for the Lady Broncos. K. Cummins,

Gabel, T. Cummins, Aleyah Weatherton, and Chelsea Wright. Wilkins was responsible for two RBI’s. The Lady Broncos posted triples by Elam, T. Cummins, and Wilkins and Elam had four stolen bases and K. Cummins had two. They also defeated New Deal 10-0 and Booker 12-1 but lost to Lubbock Cooper JV 6-10. The Lady Broncos will be participating in the Randall High School Tournament March 9-10. They will play Amarillo High JV, Tulia, Randall JV, and Bushland.

Baylee Gabel catches for the Lady Broncos last week.

Gracie Wilkins bats for the Lady Broncos in Pampa.

Hayden Elam catches for the Lady Broncos last week in Pampa.

the city council for the purpose of making a determination of whether the building is a substandard building or structure under the provisions of Ordinance O-5-18 Substandard Structures. The hearing will take place at Howardwick City Hall, 247 Rick Husband Blvd,

79226 on the 14th

day of

6

Applications and a full job description are available at City Hall, 313 S. Sully, Clarendon Texas 79226. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 noon on March 20, 2023. The City of Clarendon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

TexSCAN Week of Mar. 5-11, 2023

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AFFORDABLE LAND. We have some of the best in Texas. Hill Country – Edwards, McCulloch, Schleicher, Coke, Val Verde counties, free ranging exotics. South Texas – Kinney, Duval, Live Oak counties – whitetail, hogs. Trans Pecos, Terrell, Val Verde – whitetail, javelina, quail. 30 year fixed rate financing, 5% down. www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720. East Texas Land Tracts. 47 acres for $259,900. 80 acres for $379,900. 145 acres for $779,900. 152 acres for $809,900. 290 acres for $1,449,900. Timber AG

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Can

Northern Ireland Ireland

Ireland is a large island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is west of England, separated from it by the Irish Sea. Ireland is often called the Emerald Isle because people find it so fair and green.

leprechaun

March lucky

Kennedy Dublin unity

tales movie island

1. Attend a ________ festival: singers, fiddlers, bodhran drummers, harpists.

2. Watch or march in a ________.

3. Help to make a festive Irish ________for your family to enjoy.

4. Learn a few steps of Irish ________.

5. Borrow a book of Irish ________ from your favorite library.

The Irish are proud of their homeland and heritage. People of Irish descent in our country show their pride through pageants, parades, prayer and ceremonies. They invite everyone to be “Irish” during their celebration on St. Patrick’s Day.

1. talk with a strong accent

1 2 4 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 4 3 5

2. reason many Irish came to America: Great ________ Famine

music parade dinner dance brogue Patrick

3. nickname for the island so fair and green: ________ Isle

4. bishop who brought Christianity to Ireland: Saint ______

5. piece of land surrounded by water

6. first American of Irish-Catholic descent to become President of the United States: John F. ________

7. month in which we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

8. capital and largest city of Ireland

9. flag of Ireland is green, white, and orange; the white stands for ________

here from an area of Scotland. We are h t a d S e l n Fill in the blanks to name the ponies. ponies! Hmm...four-leaf clovers seem to be falling from the sky today...I’m one lucky leprechaun! I can spot every shamrock with 4 leaves! Even if you are not Irish, celebrating on St. Patrick’s Day can be fun. I’ve always liked stories about Irish Fairies, especially the leprechauns. It is said that leprechauns, little knee-high fairies, try to stay away from A Delicious Surprise! 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 Don’t try to trick a leprechaun! Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com Annimills LLC © 2023 V9 Kids: color stuff in! We think we saw a leprechaun... ...but he disappeared in a wink! HELP WANTED GET IN ON THE ACTION Keep up with all your local sports teams. Subscribe today. Call 874-2259. Shop at Home Support the merchants who support your community. THE HEDLEY EDC is seeking a manager for the Housing Development in Hedley. To apply call 806-854-9737 or 806-677-4242. SERVICES FACILITIES AVAILABLE - Family Reunions, Receptions, Business Meetings, Club Functions, and more. Clarendon Lions Hall, 111 W. Fourth. Call 874-2259 for rental information. Saints' Roost Museum 610 East Harrington Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Open for appointments. Call 874-2746. ANNOUNCEMENTS LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The following property located at 141 Billy, Howardwick, Texas 79226 was found to be in violation of the city’s substandard structure ordinance outlined in the Local Government Code, Title 7, Subtitle A, Chapter 214, for dangerous structures and has been set for a hearing. OWNERS: Young Family Trust TRUSTEE: Eugene Carl Young & Delois Nell Young (Both Deceased)POSSIBLE HEIRS: Dee A Clark, Jana D Young, Pam Lynn Snyder, Brenda Holmes, Michael L Jennings, Denise Davenport LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot One Hundred Twenty-nine (129), of the Huron Addition, to the Town of Howardwick, Donley County, Texas PARCEL ID: R8088 A hearing has been set

10. “The Luck of the Irish” means someone is very ________