Larry Cornoyer to Exhibit Artwork at Western Heritage Classic

Larry Cornoyer and his wonder dog, Gypsy.

Prestigious because only invited artists may exhibit work there, the Western Heritage Art Show and Sale in Abilene this weekend will include work by some of the best cowboy artists in the southwest, among them Roscoe’s Larry Cornoyer.

 
Cornoyer, who’s been creating western art for the past thirty-five years, will show over thirty of his works at the event, including drawings done in pencil, pen and ink, and charcoal. 

The Art Show and Sale kicks off with a preview Thursday evening 6:30-9:00 and runs all day Friday and Saturday from 9am to 8pm in Big Country Hall.

It will be just one part of the Western Heritage Classic, which includes matched horse races, a ranch rodeo, a chuck wagon cookoff, a fiddler’s contest, and other events, all in celebration of the Texas ranching tradition.  For details and more information, click here.

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WILDFIRE THREATENS CLAYTONVILLE GAS PLANT AND 25 HOMES BEFORE BEING CONTAINED

Looking east on FM 1606 west of Claytonville (Photo courtesy of Leslie Schmidt).

Firefighters from Roscoe and several other area cities had their hands full on Sunday and Monday with a wildfire that burned in the Claytonville area north of Roscoe.  The fire, known as the 611 Gas Plant fire, charred over 8000 acres, including parts of the 18 Ranch, and threatened the Claytonville Gas Plant as well as over 25 homes before being contained.  Flames came right up to within twenty yards of the plant but luckily caused it no damage.  

Firemen controlled the blaze on Monday morning and were released, but flare ups that afternoon forced them back to the area.  At last report the fire was under control.  Its reported cause was lightning.   

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CINDY RAUGHTON NAMED TO BIG COUNTRY HALL OF FAME

Cindy Shelton Raughton was one of ten area athletes inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame on Monday evening in the Abilene Civic Center.  A standout basketball player for Avoca High School, she went on to star for the Wayland Baptist College Flying Queens, who won the national women’s basketball championship in 1960.  She was also a member of the American all-star team that visited Russia and played several games there. 

She then married Rudy Raughton, raised a family, and taught for 31 years in Roscoe before retiring in 2000. 

Last night at the City Council meeting, she was honored with a proclamation from the City of Roscoe for her accomplishments. An article (with photos) relating her exploits and experiences appeared in the Abilene Reporter-News on Thursday.  It may be accessed by clicking here.

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LAURA FAY DUNCAN TURNS 104

Roscoe’s oldest citizen, Laura Fay Duncan, celebrated her 104th birthday with a party and cake on Saturday at the Sweetwater Healthcare Center.  She was born May 7, 1907, in Cisco and moved to Nolan County in 1928 to teach at Divide.  She then taught at Roscoe High from 1930-39 before getting married and raising a family. 

Attending the birthday party was Laura Fay’s friend, Pauline Heine, also from Roscoe, who’s only 103 and won’t be 104 until September. 

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LEWIS SNYDER HONORED AT ROLL CALL OF HONOR

Former Nightwatchman Lewis Snyder of Roscoe was honored at a ceremony last Wednesday at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.  The Roll Call of Honor, conducted by the Abilene Police Department, recognizes area law officers killed in the line of duty.  

Lewis Snyder was shot and killed on August 4, 1966, as he attempted to arrest a suspect who was breaking into a downtown Roscoe business at about 4:00am.  The suspect fled to Fort Worth but was apprehended the next day. 

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CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVITIES HELD ON SATURDAY

A morning Cinco de Mayo parade in downtown Roscoe was followed by vendors and capped off by an evening street dance “on the bricks” to the music of the band Fantasia.   

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ROSCOE CLEANUP WEEK STARTS ON SATURDAY

The City of Roscoe will hold its annual cleanup week from this Saturday, May 14, to next Saturday, May 21.  During that time, residents may drop off brush, tires, and other unwanted materials from 9:00am to 7:00pm at the big roll-off bins just north of the railroad tracks downtown.   For more information, call the City Hall at 325-766-3871.