New Building Sees First Use at Roscoe High

The Roscoe Collegiate Special Events Center

The plan was always to have the new building completed by the time school started this fall.  And it almost was—but not quite.  Still, it was close enough that they’ve begun using it anyway.  

Classes are being held in the Roscoe Collegiate Special Events Center’s three new classrooms, the new gymnasium is complete except for seating that will soon be installed,  and the new concession stand was used for the first time at last week’s scrimmage with Haskell. 

The new entrance on the east side of the school is also almost done and should be complete in a couple of weeks, and the same goes for the paving of 7th Street on the north side of the school and administration building.  

The entrance circle and parking lot and the football field parking lot will get asphalt paving, while 7th Street, the south parking lot, and the administration building parking lot will get a sealcoat topping.  Part of the holdup has been the paving contractor’s prior commitments elsewhere.

--o--

NEW SCHOOL YEAR BRINGS INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT

On all levels, there are more students in Roscoe schools this year than last, as can be seen in the chart below.  The elementary grades, pre-K to 6th grade, have a total of 284 students compared to last year’s 234; junior high, grades 7 and 8, has 53 students this year compared to last year’s 31; and high school, grades 9 through 12, has 110 students this year compared to last year’s 98.

                               Grades          Last Year  This Year   Net Gain
Elementary         pre-K–6             234             284             50
Junior High           7-8                       31                 53             22
High School          9-12                     98              110             12

Totals                  pre-K–12            363             447             84

Most of the growth is a result of new transfers from nearby cities: Sweetwater, Loraine, Colorado City, and even Trent. 

Although school has already begun, school officials still anticipate the enrollment of a few more students in the next few days. 

--o--

CHIROPRACTOR SETS UP PRACTICE IN SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER

Nicholas T. Anthony, D. C., a former Plowboy (Class of ‘01) and son of Steve and Debbie Anthony, has established his chiropractic office in the Special Events Center, the new building at Roscoe Collegiate High School.  There he will perform chiropractic services, physical rehab, and nutritional counseling to both students and the public. 

He is leasing the office, and although it is located in the new building, he is not a school employee but independent.  He will however donate his services to students as team doctor and athletic trainer. 

A graduate of ACU and the College of Chiropractic at Parker University in Dallas, he has been with Action Chiropractic in Abilene for a year and a half and will continue to be there on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

He will be in Roscoe on Tuesdays and Fridays and will be open to the public from 8:00am-5:00pm.  His business here is known as the Collegiate Chiropractic and Wellness Center, and his phone number is 325-766-3423.

--o--

PLOWBOYS TO KICK OFF SAMMY BAUGH CLASSIC AGAINST DE LEON 

For the eighth consecutive year, the Roscoe Plowboys will open their football season at Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater.  Their game on Thursday night against the De Leon Bearcats will open this year’s Sammy Baugh Classic, which will also feature Sweetwater vs. Eastland on Friday night, Roby vs. Irion County at 11:00am on Saturday, and Everman vs. El Paso Del Valle on Saturday night.

Hopes are high that this year’s edition of the Plowboys will see a return to the old winning ways.  Kickoff is at 7:30pm.  

--o--

LUMBERYARD BOOKS RAY PRICE FOR OCTOBER 12 APPEARANCE

Ray Price

After successful shows this year by such noted performers as Mel Tillis, Johnny Rodriguez, Asleep at the Wheel, and the Bellamy Brothers, the Lumberyard has just scheduled its biggest name to date in country music legend Ray Price, who along with his Cherokee Cowboys will be coming to town on Friday, October 12.

Tickets and table reservations for the show will be available at the Lumberyard starting on Tuesday, September 4.

October will be quite a month for music in Roscoe as the Lumberyard hosts Johnny Bush on October 6 and Ray Price on October 12, while Gene Watson will be the highlight of the evening “on the bricks” at the Wind Festival on October 20. 

--o--

CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO KEEP SAME TAX RATE AT BUDGET WORKSHOP

The City Council unanimously voted to keep the coming year’s tax rate the same as this year at last night’s budget workshop in City Hall.  Even so, some increase in revenue is expected with the generally higher appraisals set by this year’s appraisal board. The City has also received extra funding from new building permits and other sources.

The Council also voted to grant a 3% cost of living increase to the salary of city employees with the exception of the City Manager, who declined the raise.  Employees received no increase last year, so the 3% was presented as a 1½%  cost of living allowance for the past two years.   

The Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department was also voted a $5000 increase over the $5000 annual allotment it currently receives from the city.  The extra money was needed to help make ends meet, especially because of the extra expenditures incurred last year because of the extensive fires in the area.

Police Chief Felix Pantoja requested that something be done about his office on the second floor above City Hall, citing a number of problems including a lack of insulation and problems with the leaky windows, the restroom, and the floor.  The Council agreed to provide him some immediate relief using money remaining in this year’s budget. 

--o--

GEORGE PARKS MEMORIAL

The George Parks Memorial Fund received nice gifts this past week from the following donors:

                                                    John Drake
                                                    Bill Henrich

The order for the memorial has now been finalized and placed with Sterling Monument of Eastland. 

Those of you who gave should know that your donations are tax deductible as the fund is a part of the Roscoe Improvement Fund, which as a 501(c)(3) is an approved non-profit by the IRS.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

Once again, the weather was cooler than is usual for August, and there were several opportunities for rain.  Almost every afternoon the clouds would build, and often they were accompanied by lightning, thunder, and falling showers here and there.  

However, the rains always seemed to move in the same direction—away from Roscoe.  If the showers were to the north, the clouds moved north; if they were to the south, the clouds moved south.  And so on. 

It sprinkled in Roscoe on both Saturday and Sunday, but on neither day was there enough precipitation to measure.

The next few days should see more typical August weather with highs in the nineties and lows in the lower seventies.  The possibility of rain is not mentioned in the forecast. 

--o--

† ORDRA FAY SMITH

Ordra Fay Jones Smith, 83, passed away last Wednesday, Aug. 22.  Funeral services were on Friday at McCoy Chapel of Memories, and interment followed at the Roscoe Cemetery. 

Ordra Fay Jones was born June 19, 1929, to Charlie Alford and Jettie Ordra Smith Jones.  The  youngest of six children, she grew up in Fisher County and attended school at Hobbs and Sweetwater. She married Walter Lloyd Smith, Sr., on May 11, 1946.

She worked alongside her husband in his body shop in Roscoe.  She was also a housewife who had worked as a switchboard operator and school cafeteria worker.  She was a member of Eastern Star, taught Sunday school, and sang in the choir.  She was instrumental in bringing the United Girls Softball Association to Sweetwater.  She also helped with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and for many years ran a snow cone business in Roscoe with her grandchildren. 

Ordra was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Walter Lloyd Smith, Sr.; brothers, Lee Willie, Edgar and Charlie Jones; and sisters, Juanita Little and Lucille Hammond.

She is survived by her three children, Walter, Jr. of Sweetwater and Carolyn Smith and Patricia Forgay of Roscoe; seven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

--o--

Mel Tillis a Big Hit at the Lumberyard

Mel Tillis gives a hug to Anna Mae McBride after the show.

Folks from all over the Big Country were on hand Friday night to see one of the best known country music stars of the past half century, and Mel Tillis, along with his band, the Statesiders, didn’t disappoint them.  A crowd of over a thousand filled the outdoor area of the Lumberyard and enjoyed the concert. 

Mel Tillis, who just turned eighty, put on an energetic performance that would do justice to someone half his age, and he and his band displayed the many talents for which they are famous. 

Video clips of the concert are available by clicking here (Part 1: 6:11) or here (Part 2: 6:39).  

After the show, everyone learned that Tillis is not only a consummate professional on the stage, but also one of the nicest and most down-to-earth performers around.  He signed autographs, posed for pictures, shook hands, and spoke to anyone who asked for at least an hour after the show ended. 

Even the weather contributed to the success of the evening.  Storm clouds threatened in the afternoon with thunder, lightning, and even some rain, but the weather cooled down considerably after the sun went down, making for pleasant outdoor conditions and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

--o--

BANKHEAD HIGHWAY PLAQUE PLACED IN MEMORIAL PARK

On hand to dedicate the Bankhead Highway sign were, left to right, Joe Specht, Librarian Emeritus at McMurry University; Helen Perry, Roscoe City Council; Robert McBride, Roscoe City Council; Mayor Pete Porter, Edwin Duncan, Curator, Roscoe Historical Museum; Terry Willman, County Commissioner; and Delma Boston, Roscoe merchant.

A metal plaque commemorating the Bankhead Highway was placed in Memorial Park on Friday and dedicated yesterday in a morning ceremony.  Several city officials were on hand to hear Mayor Pete Porter read a proclamation honoring the highway that later became US 80.

The dirt road that originally went through Roscoe officially became a highway in 1917 when it was officially designated Texas Highway No. 1, extending from Texarkana to El Paso.  Then, in 1920, it became part of the nation's first transcontinental auto route, the Bankhead Highway, which ran from Washington, DC, to San Diego, California.

It was known as the Bankhead Highway until the late 1920s, when national highways were given numbers, at which time it became US Highway 80.  After it became Highway 80, the route changed somewhat, but “the old road,” which runs alongside the railroad track to Sweetwater, is a still existing part of the old Bankhead Highway.

Because the highway came through town, it contributed significantly to the community’s prosperity until 1959, when Interstate 20 was built to bypass Roscoe. 

More details about the history of Roscoe and the Bankhead Highway may be found in the May 30 issue of the Roscoe Hard Times, available by clicking here.

--o--

PLOWBOY PREVIEW DRAWS NICE CROWD

Joe Ejem and Tim Tomlin grill burgers at the Plowboy Preview dinner.

The Plowboy Preview held at Plowboy Field last Thursday drew a sizable crowd.  Almost two hundred people ate at the hamburger dinner that preceded the event.  

After the dinner, the crowd moved to the stands and was introduced to the 2012 Plowboy band, the football team, and the cheerleaders.

--o--

COMMUNITY CENTER TO HOST GARAGE SALE

The Roscoe Community Center will host a community garage sale on Saturday, August 25, from 8:00am to 2:00pm.  The fee for selling your unwanted treasures is $10, which goes to the Community Center.

Call Helen Perry at 325-766-3149 for details.

--o--

STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY

The new school year begins on Monday, August 27.  Drivers, please watch out for kids crossing the streets or getting off buses--and remember that it is a ticketable offense to talk or text on your cell phones while on the school grounds.

--o--

CITY TO HOLD BUDGET WORKSHOP NEXT TUESDAY

The public is invited to attend and participate in a workshop to determine next year’s city budget.  The meeting will be held in City Hall on Tuesday, August 28, at 7:00pm. 

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

The weather of the past week has been a welcome break from the stretch of hot, dry weather that typified the first half of the month.  Temperatures cooled down to maximums of 90°F or less and minimums in the high sixties, and some rain fell.

A light shower that was enough to make the sidewalks wet fell on Friday.  Most people I talked to got around a tenth of an inch or so.  Then on Saturday there was another shower accompanied by much thunder and lightning.  Although it didn’t rain a lot in town—amounts varied from a quarter to a half inch, and Kenny Landfried recorded an official total of .33"—some places got a lot more.  The Champion area, for example, got something like two inches. 

Then on Monday night, a big cold front blew in, once again with thunder and lightning that promised more than the cloud actually delivered.  Rainfall in town was about a quarter of an inch or less.  Kenny Landfried recorded an official total of .11". Five miles south of town got about .8”, while Scott Etheredge northwest of town got an inch and a half, and as much as two inches fell a few miles northwest of there.

The forecast is for more cooler weather with highs in the upper eighties and lower nineties and lows in the upper sixties and lower seventies.  There is also a 20% chance of precipitation. 

--o--

Blackland Smokehouse to Open on Friday

A new restaurant opens in downtown Roscoe.

A new barbecue restaurant, the Blackland Smokehouse, will make its debut on Friday.  Located on the north side of Broadway in downtown Roscoe between The Wildflower Boutique and Memorial Park, it will be jointly owned and run by ex-Plowboys Randy Williams, Class of ’74, and wife Fonda, and their son Travis, Class of  ’03. 

Randy and Fonda Williams have a proven track record with barbecue.  From 2003 to 2009, they owned and ran Spyke’s BBQ in Kingsland on Lake LBJ and were quite successful with that venture, building up a large clientele before selling the establishment at a nice profit.

They then lived in Ecuador for a couple of years before returning to Roscoe last year.

The Blackland Smokehouse will have a barbecue buffet setup, serving beef brisket, pork ribs, sausage, and chicken along with the usual barbecue trimmings.  It will also feature a Plowboy Special, which is basically a pile-on, and there will also be a different special every day, such as pulled pork or a chicken special, which will be on the same day from one week to the next. 

Beverages served will include cokes, tea and coffee.  Beer and wine will not be available, but customers may bring their own to drink while dining.

Hours of operation may change later, but for now they are 11:00am-8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11:00am-3:00pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.  The restaurant will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

We wish the Williamses all the success with their new venture.

--o--

COUNTRY MUSIC GREAT MEL TILLIS TO PERFORM HERE FRIDAY NIGHT

Mel Tillis brings his act to the Lumberyard on Friday night.

Roscoe will once again host one of country music’s top stars Friday night when Mel Tillis sings on the outdoor stage of the Lumberyard. 

In February, President Obama bestowed upon Tillis the National Medal of the Arts for his contributions to country music, just one of the many awards he has received over the years.  He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Nashville Song Writers International Hall of Fame.  He has also been named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Comedian of the Year six times, and Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.

Over the years, he has recorded over sixty albums and had 36 Top Ten singles with nine going to Number One, including “I Ain’t Never,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Coca Cola Cowboy,” “Heart Over Mind,” “Send Me Down to Tucson,” “I Believe in You,” “Southern Rains,” and many others.

He has also written over a thousand songs, approximately 600 of which have been recorded by major artists.  These include “Detroit City,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Burning Memories,” “Thoughts of a Fool,” “Honey (Open That Door),” and “The Snakes Crawl at Night.”

West Texans will be treated to a rare, and perhaps final, opportunity to see the star, who doesn’t do that many shows and, when he does, performs all over the country.  He is doing only two shows this month, both in Texas, one of which is his appearance here at the Lumberyard.

Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door, and a huge crowd is expected.  Tables are sold out, but guests can bring a lawn chair.  The show will begin at 9:30pm.

--o--

GEORGE PARKS MEMORIAL FUND GOAL REACHED

This photo of George Parks will appear on the monument.

Thanks to the generosity of a large number of people, the $3100 needed to fund a permanent memorial to George Parks was reached yesterday.  The order has been placed with Sterling Monument in Eastland, and work on the marker will soon be underway. 

This past week saw nice contributions from the following donors:

        Jim Boston
        Josh & Delma Boston
        Jimmie Cantrell
        Larry Cornoyer
        Larry Holderman
        Larry London
        Larry McBurnett
        Johnny Pepper
        Gene Witherspoon

There is now a tentative plan in the works for Roscoe artist Larry Cornoyer to create a bronze bust of George Parks, possibly to be placed in Old Town Park where the Times Office used to be.  The Hard Times will keep readers informed on the progress of this second venture as more particulars develop.

Thanks to all who have contributed time and/or money to the project.
  

--o--

CITY SWIMMING POOL CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER

The Swimming Pool is history for 2012.

The City Swimming Pool has been closed since Thursday due to problems with the filtration system leaking sand into the pool.   Repairs may not be made quickly, and since the pool was due to close in a week anyway, it will now be closed for the rest of the summer.

Repairs will be addressed when pool companies are not as busy as now, and the pool should be as good as new when it re-opens next spring.  Scheduled pool parties have necessarily been canceled and will be given refunds.

--o--

RHS CLASS OF 1952 PLANS GATHERING FOR ALUMNI OF THAT ERA

This year will be the sixtieth anniversary of the class of 1952, and some of the graduates of that class are planning a gathering on the weekend of October 5-6 centered around the Plowboy game against Cross Plains and a dinner at one of the local restaurants.  

Jimmie and Mary Lynn Cantrell of Abilene, Bobby Haney of Imperial, CA, and Eddie Perry of LaBelle, FL, will attend.  They welcome all RHS graduates of 1952 and surrounding years to take part.  They are also looking for someone from Roscoe or Sweetwater to help coordinate the event.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

Once again, we had typical August weather with highs in the upper 90s and low 100s and lows in the mid to lower 70s.  The hottest day was on Sunday when the temperature climbed to 106°F before cooling off.  On Sunday evening there was plenty of thunder and lightning, and it actually rained enough to get the ground wet but little more.  Measurable amounts were between one and two tenths of an inch.

The forecast is for continued hot and dry weather with a 20% chance of rain over the next couple of days.  On Friday, the chance increases to 30% and on Saturday to 40%, along with temperatures cooling to highs of around 90°F over the weekend.  

The cotton crop is still looking okay in most places but would benefit greatly from a good rain in the next week or so. 

--o--

It’s That Time Again: Plowboys Begin Football Workouts

The Plowboys prepare for the 2012 season on the newly turfed Plowboy Field.

Since Monday morning, the 2012 version of the Roscoe Plowboys football team has been working out from 7:00-10:30am on the new Astroturf of Plowboy Field.  They will continue this schedule through next Thursday, August 16. 

Coaches for the 2012 Plowboys are Head Coach Jonathan Haseloff and Assistant Coaches Chuck Cathey, Alan Steele, Jonathan McClure, and Johnny Martin, along with help from new science teacher Jordan Morales and student teacher Ryan Dillon from ACU.

With seven returning starters on both offense and defense, the Plowboys expect to improve significantly on last year’s record.  Their first scrimmage is against Haskell at 5:00pm next Friday, August 17, at Plowboy Field.  Then on Thursday, August 23, they scrimmage Hawley at Hawley.

They will open the regular season on Thursday, August 30, against the De Leon Bearcats in the Sammy Baugh Classic at Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater. 

Unlike last year, when Roscoe was the southernmost team in their district, this year they will be the westernmost.  Other teams in their new eight-team district, 7-A Division II, are Albany, Baird, Cross Plains, Gorman, Hamlin, Ranger, and Roby.

Dave Campbell’s 2012 Texas Football magazine lists Albany as the clear favorite to win the district with the Plowboys projected at sixth.  Here is the magazine’s predicted district finish:

       1.    Albany Lions
       2.    Hamlin Pied Pipers
       3.    Gorman Panthers
       4.    Cross Plains Buffaloes
       5.    Roby Lions
       6.    Roscoe Plowboys
       7.    Baird Bears
       8.    Ranger Bulldogs

And here is the Plowboys’ 2012 schedule:

       Date           Opponent         Location
       Aug. 30      De Leon            Sweetwater
       Sept. 7        Irion County    Mertzon
       Sept. 14      Miles                 Roscoe
       Sept. 28      Baird*               Baird
       Oct. 5          Cross Plains*   Roscoe
       Oct. 12        Albany*            Albany
       Oct. 19        Ranger*            Roscoe
       Oct. 26        Gorman*          Gorman
       Nov. 2         Hamlin*            Hamlin
       Nov. 9         Roby*               Roscoe

Asterisks denote district games.  All games start at 7:30pm.  

--o--

GEORGE PARKS MEMORIAL FUND UPDATE

Swimming in the Nueces River at Boys Club Camp in 1957.

This past week the George Parks Memorial Fund has received nice gifts from the following donors:

           Jimmy Dyer
           Ronnie Fry
           Dr. Phil Grayson
           Pete Porter
           Edgar Nance
           John Strother

The good news is that the fund now has a total of $2025, which is about 2/3 of the $3100 needed.  The bad news is that we still need over $1000, and several significant names are missing from the donor list that ought to be there.  

If you are one of those missing donors, please take the time this week to write a check to the George Parks Memorial Fund.  Take it by the Roscoe State Bank, or send it to the George Parks Memorial Fund, Roscoe State Bank, P. O. Box 609, Roscoe, Texas 79545. 

--o--

PANTOJA REPLACES PORTER AS COMMUNITY CENTER PRESIDENT

At last night’s meeting at the Roscoe Community Center, Pete Porter stepped down as President, and Police Chief Felix Pantoja agreed to serve as Acting President until October, when a permanent President will be selected.

Christi Pepper Beal will serve as the Community Center’s Treasurer, and Helen Perry as its Events Coordinator.  For more information, contact Felix Pantoja at 325-514-8384.  To reserve the Community Center for an event, call Helen Perry at 325-766-3149.

The Community Center received a $100 donation to kick off its fundraiser, which will be supper at the center next Friday, August 17, 6:00-9:00pm.  The supper will include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and cokes, and will cost $6.00.  Please make plans to attend.

--o--

NEW PART-TIME POLICE OFFICER HIRED

Roscoe Police Chief Felix Pantoja has chosen a new Police Officer to work part-time for the City.  He is Fabian Jimenez, and he will join Officer Les Soles as a part-time officer.  Both he and Soles are veterans of the Sweetwater Police Department.

--o--

ROSCOE’S COTTON CROP BETTER THAN MOST

Bruce McGlothlin reports that feed company representative C. M. Caraway of De Leon, who travels this region, says that the Roscoe area’s cotton crops are among the best he’s seen.  Caraway says that both Fisher and Scurry Counties are hurting for rain, and the country between Snyder and Gail is desolate, although between Gail and Lamesa it looks a lot better. 

McGlothlin also makes a fearless prediction about this year’s first freeze in Roscoe and is emphatic about the accuracy of his method.  He says the first freeze will occur precisely on November 3, exactly three months after the first norther in August.  He says he’s known ever since he felt a breeze from the north last Friday, August 3.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

I was gone on a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, from last Wednesday until yesterday, so I didn’t experience Roscoe’s weather first hand, but I’ve been told that outside of a few scattered showers that didn’t amount to much, the weather around here was hot and dry with several days hitting highs in the triple digits. 

The forecast for the next few days is for more of the same with highs of around 100°F, lows in the seventies, and 20% or less chance of rain. 

--o--

New Wind Energy Documentary Features Roscoe Wind Farm

A plane flies over the Roscoe Wind Farm in the documentary "Switch."

The Roscoe Wind Farm is once again a featured subject in a documentary film on energy.  

This time the film is “Switch,” a production of Arcos Films and the American Geosciences Institute.  In it, Dr. Steve Tinker, the State Geologist of Texas and a Professor of Geosciences at the University of Texas, explores the world’s leading energy sources, from oil and coal to solar and biofuels, in an attempt to discover the most pragmatic approach for solving the energy needs of the future. 

In the documentary’s look at wind energy, Dr. Tinker comes to the Roscoe Wind Farm and interviews Cliff Etheredge in a video that lasts for a little over nine minutes.  You can view it by clicking here.

The complete documentary, winner of the Colorado Environmental Film Festival and recipient of several other awards, has been highly praised since its release.  You can learn more about it at the website of the Switch Energy Project.

--o--

GEORGE PARKS MEMORIAL UPDATE

George Parks checks out money to waiting boys on a 1962 trip to Yellowstone Park.

After last week’s call for donations for a permanent memorial to George Parks, we have received several nice contributions from the following donors:

      Ken Brawley
      Lois Brawley
      David Duncan
      Edwin Duncan
      Harold Duvall
      Danny Jay
      Billy Joe Jay
      John Jay
      The Lumberyard
      James Pietzsch
      John Wayne Raines
      Tony Tidwell
      Gay Young

We thank those who have given.  We now have exactly half of the $3100 needed to pay for the monument.

But we still need help from some of you "stupid little freaks" who don’t want to pass up this one-time opportunity to show your appreciation to a man who gave of himself to make your life a little better.  

Let’s keep those donations coming in.  We’ve still got a ways to go.

You can drop off your donation at the Roscoe State Bank, or you can mail it to the George Parks Memorial Fund, Roscoe State Bank, P. O. Box 609, Roscoe, Texas 79545.  Make checks payable to the George Parks Memorial Fund.

--o--

COMMUNITY CENTER MEETING AND FUNDRAISER PLANNED

The Community Center will be the site of a meeting on Tuesday, August 7, at 7:00pm to make plans for the fundraiser on August 17 along with future activities to be held in the Community Center.  Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate.

Then on Friday, August 17, from 6:00-9:00pm, there will be a supper held at the Community Center to raise funds for it and to show recent improvements, including new paint, a new ceiling and a newly buffed floor, as well as the results of other cleaning done by several adult volunteers and by Coilla Smith and several of her high school students.

The supper will be $6.00 and will consist of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks.  Everyone is invited.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT

Last week we got a much needed rain.  

On Wednesday evening we got a light shower in town, enough to get the ground wet but not much more than that.  I had a tenth of an inch in my rain gauge.  Then on Thursday afternoon and evening it rained considerably more.  The heaviest rains were to the south and west, but practically everyone got something.

Roscoe got about an inch.  I had an inch in my rain gauge, and the City Shop just west of the baseball field had the same.  Kenny Landfried on the east side of town got .78”, and Lyndall Underwood on the west side got 1.2”. 

West of town, David Duncan (3 miles west on the railroad track) got 1.33”, Arlon Orman got 1.5”, Champion got 2.0”, and so did Phil Wright.  Kenny Landfried had 1.9” on his place near Cottonwood Creek, and the Rolling Plains Coop Gin received the same.

Five miles north of town Tim Tomlin got .8” while Pyron got 1.0”, and Jimmy Hudgins, six miles northeast of Pyron, got 1.5”.

The heaviest area rain I heard of was 3.5 inches on the Compton Ranch south of Maryneal.  Lake Sweetwater got 2.4” and Lake Trammell had .95”

Since then, a high pressure system has moved in, the skies have cleared, and temperatures have heated up into the triple digits.  Yesterday it was 102°F, and today and tomorrow it is supposed to go up to 105°.  Highs predicted for the weekend are in the 103° range, cooling down to a mere 101° or so on Sunday and Monday.  Lows will be in the upper and mid seventies. 

There is no rain in the forecast.

--o--

ROSCOE VOTING FAIRLY EVEN IN REPUBLICAN RUNOFF ELECTIONS

Voting in the school cafetorium was almost evenly split in yesterday's Republican runoff elections, but not in the Democratic one. Here are the results for Roscoe.

Republican Runoffs:

      U. S. Senator
            Ted Cruz 32
            David Dewhurst 32

      Railroad Commissioner
            Christi Craddick 30
            Warren Chisum 29

      Railroad Commissioner (Unexpired Term)
            Barry Smitherman 26
            Greg Parker 27

      Supreme Court Justice, Place 4
            John Devine 28
            David Medina 27

Democratic Runoff:

      U. S. Senator
            Paul Sadler 6
            Grady Yarbrough 1