City Swimming Pool Opens Friday

Summer is for swimming.

It’s going to be hot this weekend, but there’s one good way to beat the heat, especially if you’re a kid, and that’s taking a dip in the City Swimming Pool, where the water is sure to cool you off. Opening day is this Friday, June 1 at 1:00pm.

The pool will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00pm.  Price of admission is $2.00 per day with season passes available for $75.

The pool may be rented for private parties beginning and ending between 5:00 and 9:00pm. The fee is $60 for two hours, $70 for three, and $80 for four with a $15 deposit. The price includes an approved licensed lifeguard. The pool may also be rented all day on Mondays (1-7pm) for $125. Also, if enough people sign up, swimming lessons will be offered in the mornings (10-12am).

For reservations or additional details, contact Pool Manager Tammy San Agustin at 325-574-3101.

--o--

JESS & TERRY LAMBERT RECOVERING FROM BEE ATTACK

Jess Lambert and his son Terry are still recovering from a bee attack last Wednesday at their ranch just off CR 173 near Nolan. They were working on a trash pile when Mr. Lambert, who was driving a bulldozer, hit a swarm of bees and was attacked. His son, Terry, ran over to help and when he sprayed the bees with a spray can, they turned on him. Mr. Lambert was stung somewhere around 150 times and Terry over 1600 times.

Mr. Lambert then drove to Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital in Sweetwater, where he stayed, but Terry, whose condition was more serious, was taken to Abilene Regional Medical Center, where he was put in ICU and given a medically induced coma. The medical staff at Sweetwater and Abilene removed well over a thousand stingers from his body.

The good news is that both are doing much better now and are recuperating at Mr. Lambert’s home in Roscoe. Terry, who is a lieutenant in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the Middleton Unit in Abilene, will return home soon, if he hasn’t already, and get back to work.

Mr. Lambert says he and Terry received excellent medical treatment in both Sweetwater and Abilene, and he is thankful for it.

--o--

SWEETWATER SUSPECT RECEIVES 20-YEAR SENTENCE IN SHOOTING OF ROSCOE MAN

Brandon Abeita                                        Tanner Engel

Tanner Engel, 28, has been sentenced to twenty years in prison in a trial that ended on Monday, May 21. He was found guilty of murder after shooting Brandon Abeita, 39, in Sweetwater on April 3, 2016.

The shooting reportedly occurred in the 1100 block of Fowler Street as the two men struggled inside Engel’s pickup. Abeita tried to drive away in the pickup but hit a utility pole. He was taken by ambulance to Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Engel was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and placed in the Nolan County Jail, but the charges were later upgraded to murder. Abeita grew up in Roscoe and was a member of the RHS class of 1995.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: HEAT WAVE - WITH MORE TO COME

This past week, temperatures have risen to a level not seen so far this year. Friday’s high of 97°F was surpassed by Saturday’s and Sunday’s highs of 102°, our first triple-digit temperatures of the year, both of which broke Roscoe’s records for those days according to the Weather Channel. On Monday the high dropped to 99°, but yesterday it was back up to 101°. Since the lows for all those days were all at least 70°, air conditioners have been running practically non-stop.

However, according to the weather forecasters, “We ain’t seen nothing yet!” Today, the high is projected to rise to 106°. So, not only should today be the hottest day of the year so far, but tomorrow and Friday will not provide any relief as both are predicted to hit 105° with lows for all these days about 75°. Saturday’s high will be almost as bad at 103°, so Sunday should be a relief when the mercury reaches only 93°. But that’s for only a day, because Monday will be back up to 100° followed by days with highs of 105°, 107°, and 104°. Whew!

We haven’t seen this kind of a heat wave since 2011, and, of course, with temperatures like these, the chances for rain are slender. Unless something changes, the most we can hope for is to catch a scattered shower here or there. It's cotton planting time, so this is not good.

--o--

† JAY STANLEY ETHEREDGE

A Memorial Service will be held at 3pm today at Chapel of Memorial Oaks Funeral Home in Houston for Jay Stanley Etheredge, 76, who died on May 24 in Houston after a brief illness. Interment will be in the Roscoe Cemetery this Saturday, June 2, at 2:00pm with Bishop Erik Gronberg officiating.

Jay was born on September 1, 1941, in Rotan to Pete and Hilda Etheredge. He attended Roscoe schools and graduated from Roscoe High School in 1959. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Lutheran University in 1963 followed by an MBA from Texas Tech University in 1965. His devotion to Texas Lutheran continued throughout his life as a loyal, steadfast, and involved alumnus.

Jay’s professional career was highlighted by twenty-five years as Risk Manager for Conoco, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Throughout his life, his greatest joys were spending time with his family and watching sporting events. He took great pleasure in cheering on his hometown teams, the Astros and the Rockets, but his favorite events to watch were those in which his children and grandchildren were the athletes and performers. He always had a kind word, thoughtful suggestion, and encouraging hug afterwards. Jay was a member of Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, living out his faith and caring for his spiritual family in numerous positions throughout the years, including Sunday School teacher, Church Council leader, and usher.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Pete and Hilda Etheredge. He is survived by his son, Mark Etheredge and his wife, Kristen, of Southlake, and their children, Pete, Miriam, and Elise; by his daughter, Vicky Etheredge, of Houston, and her children, Dylan and Kelsey; and by his son, Steven Etheredge and his wife, Jacki, of Houston, and their children, Owen and Erin. He is also survived by his brother, Cliff Etheredge and his wife Ann, of San Antonio.

Memorials may be made to Texas Lutheran University, 1000 W. Court Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or MD Anderson Cancer Center–Mantle Cell Lymphoma Department, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, 77210.

--o--

27 Seniors Graduate at Friday Commencement

The Class of 2018

Family and friends gathered at the RCHS Special Events Center Friday evening to celebrate the graduation ceremonies of the Class of 2018, and 27 seniors moved on to a new phase of life as they received their high school diplomas. Twenty-three of them had already received their Associate’s Degrees from Western Texas College on May 8.

Valedictorian of this year’s class was Kayla Justiss, and Salutatorian was Camden Boren. Winners of this year’s Devon Reece Freeman Scholarship were Clemente Aguayo and Logan Wicker, and the William “Bill” Blakely Scholarship was awarded to Mariann Rainey and Nolan Reeves.

Here is a list of the RCHS graduates of 2018 along with their scholastic accomplishments:
 
Thea Shae Abeita *                               Ivy Nicole Jolley *
Allison Marie Acebedo *                      Kayla Jo Justiss * Φ
Clemente Aguayo *                               AbiGail Leigh Meadows *
Camden Dee Boren * Φ                        Laurin Rhaye Mitchell
Morgan Taylor Bowers *                      Ainsleigh Lynn Nelson *
William Tristan Brooks ⱳ                    Isaiah Elijah Olvera
Johnathan Alfonso Castillo * ⱳ          Paul David Pantoja * ⱳ
Jose Inocencio Chavira * ẟ                   Braxton Cole Parrott *
Tate McCoy Fullwood * ⱳ                    Parker Russell Payne *
Francisco Edward Garcia * ⱳ              Mariann Dawn Rainey *
Caden Joe Garrett *                               Zachary Rangel * ⱳ
Diego Adrian Garza * ⱳ                        Nolan Wayne Reeves *
Iris Elaine Gonzalez*                             Logan Nicole Wicker
Arizona Cecelia Guevara *

* = WTC Associate’s Degree
ⱳ = TSTC Welding Certificate
ẟ = TSTC Drafting & Design
Φ = Phi Theta Kappa (WTC Honor Society)
 
These are the Top Ten finishers gradewise in order:

1. Kayla Justiss                                    6. Francisco Garcia
2. Camden Boren                                7. Clemente Aguayo
3. Nolan Reeves                                   8. Mariann Rainey
4. Braxton Parrott                               9. Parker Payne
5. Iris Gonzalez                                  10. Ivy Jolley

Clemente Aguayo and Logan Wicker are the recipients of this year's Devon Reece Freeman Scholarship.

--o--

RHS CLASS OF 1968 TO HOLD 50TH-YEAR REUNION SATURDAY

 The Roscoe High School Class of 1968—plus anyone else who attended in surrounding years—will have a celebratory get-together at the Lumberyard on Saturday, May 26, from 6:00pm till close.

For more information contact Sharion McFaul Henley.

--o--

TWO TONS OF STEEL AT LUMBERYARD FRIDAY

Two Tons of Steel

Two Tons of Steel returns to the Lumberyard Friday night for an encore performance. Led by Kevin Geil, they have entertained crowds in Las Vegas, the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville, the National Theater in Havana, Cuba, and in various locations in Europe.

The band got its start in San Antonio in the mid-nineties and is still one of that city's favorite bands, winning “Band of the Year” twelve times and the San Antonio Current’s “Best Country Band” ten times. They have released eight albums and appeared on the cover of Billboard magazine. Top singles include “Sedated,” “Hold Over Me,” “Your Kiss,” “Vegas,” and “Crazy Heart.” Albums include Gone and Jumpin’ Tonight.

For reservations and more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

MEMORIES OF LIFE IN ROSCOE DURING WORLD WAR II

(as told by Mary Edna Worthy to Tacy L. Ellis)

Downtown Roscoe during World War II.

The following is an excerpt from an article, “It’s a Wonderful Life: Mary Edna Worthy of Roscoe, Texas,” which appeared in Small Town Texas (Vol. 1, Issue 12, August 1998). It begins in the summer of 1942, when Miss Worthy returned from Sierra Blanca to Roscoe, planning to apply for a Civil Service job in November.  

It was time for school to start in Roscoe, and they needed a chemistry teacher. Mary Edna was asked to teach for 6 weeks, long enough for them to find a teacher. She agreed and began teaching Chemistry and English. It was an entirely different atmosphere from her previous jobs. “I liked school and all the kids. So I just stayed at it for 17 years.”

Her love for the students was obvious as she smiled and said, “The kids were fun-loving, mischievous and cut up a lot. Still, deep down underneath, they were serious about their studies. Practically every family had somebody involved in the war somewhere. I know every Monday morning the first thing the students did was to set aside a little time and money to buy savings stamps. When they got $18.50, they could cash them in for a war bond. Some of them would only have a quarter, but I don't think there was a kid in school who didn't buy war stamps. They took it seriously. They were very knowledgeable about the war.”

“Of course, teachers got mail urging us to encourage boys in high school to enlist just as soon as they were old enough. I never will forget the first time I got a letter to 'please advise all the 17-year-old men in your classes...' A lot of the kids were anxious to get into the service. I know when I first started teaching here, about half of the senior boys turned 18 and left during school to go to the war. Strange thing, so many kids growing up here in dry west Texas went to the Navy. Most hadn't seen a body of water bigger than Sweetwater Lake."

They distributed ration books through the school. Before she returned from Sierra Blanca, tires and sugar were being rationed. A friend of Mary Edna who lived in Reeves County wrote that their allotment was 2 new tires a year. Coffee and sugar were separate ration books. Mary Edna described the situation, "You had separate books for gasoline, they called them cards. There were A, B, and C books. If you had a job that was necessary to the war effort then you got a little more gasoline. Doctors were given more gasoline, and so were farmers. It was for their farm machinery. They weren't supposed to use it in their family car or anything but their tractors. Some did and some didn't. The few who did were looked upon with great scorn by most people."

Mary Edna related that one man, Dutch Saunders, rode his horse to work from Roscoe to Avenger Field to drive a gas truck. He reported that the government regulations forced him to dump some fuel when they had a surplus. He hated it and it would have been a good time to get extra gas, but his patriotism kept him from stealing the unused gas. This despite the only reason he rode his horse to work was because he didn't have enough gas.

"There was a sense of community that we had never known before." Said Mary Edna, describing her actions, "Since gasoline was rationed, if you were going to Sweetwater, you called around to ask your friends or anybody if they needed to go, too. It was considered very unpatriotic to make a trip like that without asking if others needed to go. Many people in Roscoe went to the same eye doctor in Snyder. A lot of folks, who didn't know each other very well until the war, made acquaintances with each other through this doctor. If you had an appointment. he would tell you who else in Roscoe had an appointment and ask you to ride together."

On to food rations. "I remember when coffee first went on ration here in Roscoe. There was one fellow in town who was a preacher of some sort. Children under 12 couldn't get rations for coffee. This man and his wife came to the school for new ration books and he had changed the age of his little girl from 12 to 13 so they could get more coffee."

There were red and blue ration books. The blue ones were for canned goods and the red were for meat. Mary Edna said that gland meat wasn't rationed, you could buy all of that you wanted. You raised your own hogs and had your own chickens. There was a locker plant in Roscoe where the community center is now. Cheese and butter and pasteurized milk were all hard to get. "My family hoarded sugar," admitted Mary Edna. "We would save our coupons and get sugar when we could, then we'd hoard it until Christmas so we would have plenty."

Kleenex was rationed as well as cosmetics and nylon hose. Mary Edna shopped at Grissom's in Abilene for shoes. (Mary Edna admits shoes are her downfall.) Once when she was in there, one of the salesmen, a friend, hinted that leather goods might be rationed. He suggested she buy extra pairs of shoes. She followed his advice and it was only a few days before leather goods did go on ration. One man tried to buy shoes without a ticket but the clerk would not sell them to him. He offered the clerk $100, but the patriotic clerk said no.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: MORE RAIN

The area got another nice rain, this one early Sunday morning. It wasn’t a gully washer—the city’s official total was .81”, but it did fall in some areas, such as Pyron, that had missed the previous rain. It was heavier west of town with some farmers around Loraine reporting as much as three inches and more. More rain would certainly be welcome, but most places have received enough recently that the situation is not desperate as we move into the cotton planting season.

The hottest days of the past week were on Thursday and Friday when the highs were 95°F and 94° respectively. On Saturday the wind shifted to the north and the high dropped to 84°. Since then, temperatures have been milder with Sunday’s high of 78°, Monday’s 86°, and yesterday’s 87° with lows of around 60°. Today and tomorrow will continue the trend with partly cloudy skies and highs in the mid to upper eighties. On Friday, however, the weather will return to summerlike heat for the next couple of weeks. Skies will be clear with temperatures rising into the upper nineties with lows in the seventies and winds from the southeast.

During this time, there will be little chance for rain unless something happens that the forecasters can’t currently see.

--o--

A MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE TO S/SGT. WILLIE PIETZSCH

S/Sgt. Willie Pietzsch

S/Sgt. Willie H. Pietzsch, Jr., born May 17, 1919, was the son of William and Edith Pietzsch and older brother of R. D., Mary, and LeRoy Pietzsch. He attended Roscoe schools and was a graduate of Roscoe High.

He entered the Army in 1942 and trained in California and Washington state in the 185th Infantry Regiment, Eighth Army, before shipping out in October 1942 to help defend the Hawaiian Islands. The regiment stayed there for a year and received jungle training before moving to New Britain Island in 1944, taking part in the campaign there until January 1945. They then joined in the invasion of the Philippines, which the Japanese had controlled since 1942. The Battle of Luzon, the island where Manila is located, followed, and Sgt. Pietzsch was killed in action there on February 15, 1945. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and a medal for the Liberation of the Philippines. He was buried in the Roscoe Cemetery on November 3, 1948.

--o--

RCHS Valedictorian, Salutatorian Named

Kayla Justiss                                          Camden Boren

At Roscoe Collegiate High School, the final grades are in and have been averaged. The valedictorian for the Class of 2018 is Kayla Justiss, and the salutatorian is Camden Boren. 

Kayla's final four-year grade average is 99.79. She plans to attend Texas A&M University. Camden's final average is 99.0. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas. Both have already received their Associate's Degrees from Western Texas College, where both were members of the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa.

 --o--

LARGE CROWD ENJOYS FESTIVITIES AT BUSTER WELCH DAY

Mayor Pete Porter leads the singing of "Happy Birthday" to Buster Welch.

A large crowd of family, friends, and well-wishers was on hand Saturday to honor Buster Welch on Buster Welch Day. During the day, Roscoe’s restaurants did a thriving business, shoppers visited Roscoe’s retail outlets, and the Roscoe Historical Museum received many visitors.

In the evening, the crowd enjoyed and danced to the music of Jamie Richards and his Band, followed by country legend Johnny Bush and the Bandoleros. Between the acts, Roscoe mayor Pete Porter formally proclaimed May 12 as Buster Welch Day, naming some of his many achievements. Mr. Welch thanked him, told a joke, and spoke some good words about the City of Roscoe. Porter then led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday, since Mr. Welch will celebrate his 90th birthday on May 23. At the song’s conclusion, a surprise display of fireworks filled the sky. Johnny Bush then took the stage for his performance, capping off a day in which a good time was had by all.

--o--

RHS CLASS OF 1968 TO HOLD 50TH-YEAR REUNION

The Roscoe High School Class of 1968—plus anyone else who attended in surrounding years—will have a celebratory get-together at the Lumberyard on Saturday, May 26, from 6:00pm till close.

--o--

TIM HAYNES PLAY SET IN ROSCOE TO BE PERFORMED AT ASU

Angelo State University Theatre in San Angelo has announced that the premiere production of Timothy Haynes’ play Domino will be performed there in late June and early July. The play is set in Roscoe, so the characters should presumably strike local folks as familiar types. The play will be directed by Dr. Bill Doll.

Timothy Haynes is a ’69 graduate of Roscoe High School and a former protégé of Jack Meares, who taught one-act plays here for years.

Here is the ASU Theatre’s press release:

ASU Theatre will present: Domino
By Timothy Haynes
Premiere production
Comedy
June 29-July 1 and July 5-7, 2018

Set in Roscoe, TX (1979), on I-20 between Abilene and Big Spring stands the Domino Hall and local hangout. A play that has it all, intrigue, homecoming activities, childhood sweethearts (years later), jealousy, vanity, greed, power and fame right there on stage. Clydi Mae, mother of twins, runs the Domino Hall, drives a truck and helps out at her parents’ grocery store while trying to become exes Homecoming queen. She is pitted against her former friend and always rival Betty Jo for the coveted title. Along the way things are further complicated by a vandalized water tower, trickery involving land purchases, the sheriff chasing criminals and much more. Generally, a rollicking good old west Texas time.

More details will follow later.

--o--

CENTRAL ROLLING PLAINS CO-OP HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING

Members eat supper at the Co-op's annual meeting.

The Central Rolling Plains Co-op held its annual membership meeting last Tuesday, May 8, at the Roscoe School Cafetorium with a “fins and hens” supper and door prizes. Approximately 180 attended, including ten industry guests. 

Items of business included the manager’s report, regional reports, audit report, and election of two directors and two advisory board members. Dividend and equity checks were handed out at the end of the meeting.

There were two elections. Kenny Landfried and Roland Petty were elected to three-year terms on the Senior Board, and Roddy Alexander and Tanner Martin were elected to one-year terms on the Advisory Board.
 
Leslie Rannefeld was honored with a plaque for his forty years of service to the Co-op. The $100 prize of the annual bale guess in which members at the Co-op Gin’s Open House in October guess how many bales the gin will produce was won by Gary Pieper, whose guess of 111,500 was the closest without exceeding the actual amount of 111,599.

Checks have been mailed to shareholders who did not pick up their checks at the meeting.

--o--

KYLE PARK AT LUMBERYARD FRIDAY, NEAL McCOY SATURDAY

The Lumberyard will be busy this weekend with Kyle Park and band playing Friday night and Neal McCoy and band Saturday.

Kyle Park

Kyle Park writes and produces his own songs, which might loosely be termed a part of the current Texas Country genre. Born in Austin in 1985, he formed a band while a student at Texas State University in San Marcos. His first album, Big Time, was released in 2005, and since then he has produced five others, the most recent being Beggin’ for More, released in 2013. His single “The Night is Young” reached #1 on the Texas Country Charts in 2013. Three other singles, “Fit for the King,” “Long Distance Relationship,” and “Turn That Crown Upside Down,” were all Top Ten hits on the Texas Music Chart.

Neal McCoy.

Neal McCoy was born and raised in Jacksonville, Texas. His first song to reach the top 40 was “Where Forever Begins” in 1992, followed by “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” in 1993, both of which made number 1. He produced one gold and two platinum albums in the nineties and had several more top ten hits.

Since then he has produced other hit singles including “The Shake,” “Heaven,” “Hillbilly Rap,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” and “Take a Knee, My Ass.”

For reservations or more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: A SHOWER FOR SOME

Yesterday's storm clouds in the northwest went north of Roscoe.

After watching storm clouds go both north and south of town yesterday afternoon, I figured that we had once again missed our chance for rain. So, I was pleasantly surprised when a hard shower came seemingly out of nowhere about 1:30 last night and lasted for about twenty to thirty minutes. My rain gauge recorded .66” with the official total at Kenny Landfried's house .40". Some areas around Roscoe, particularly to the north, may also have gotten some rain yesterday afternoon, but in town we got only a light sprinkle.

However, it’s the middle of May, so we should get some more opportunities for rain in the coming week. According to the meteorologists, our next good chance is Thursday night when there’s a 40% possibility of showers.

Except for the lack of rain, the weather this past week was pretty typical for May. High temperatures were in the low nineties every day but Monday, which reached only 87°F, and lows were in the mid to upper sixties, except for Sunday’s 72°. Once again, there was plenty of wind, but, unlike other weeks, it came from the same direction every day—the south-southeast. Friday was the windiest day, averaging 23mph with gusts up to 39.

Today’s high should be around 89°, warming up to 94° on Thursday and 96° Friday before dropping back to 94° Saturday and 84° Sunday. Lows will be in the mid to high sixties. Both Friday and Saturday will be breezy with winds from the south.

Our next good chance for rain after Thursday night will be on Monday when the percentage is 40%.

--o--

Buster Welch Day This Saturday

Buster Welch in 1965. (Photo from Western Horseman magazine)

This Saturday, the City of Roscoe will honor Buster Welch, one of the greatest cowboys and horse trainers of the twentieth century, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on May 23. 

He is a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, and the NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association) Hall of Fame. He won the NCHA World Championship four times and the NCHA World Championship Futurity five times. He also trained several famous cutting horses, among them Chickasha Mike, Marion’s Girl, Money’s Glo, Rey Jay’s Pete, Dry Doc, Peppy San Badger, and Mr. San Peppy.

In 2012 he received the National Golden Spur Award for his “outstanding contributions to the ranching and livestock industry.” He has also been honored with several other national awards over the years, such as the Western Horseman Award, the American Cowboy Culture Working Cowboy Award, and others.

He was born in 1928 near Sterling City and grew up in Midland. He became a full-time cowboy when he was 13 and worked on many ranches including the 6666, Pitchfork, Long X, and King Ranch. His career as a horse trainer took off when he won cutting horse competitions with Chickasha Mike, a horse he bought for $125. Then in 1954 and 1956, he won the NCHA World Championships with Marion’s Girl. In 1962, he and others established the NCHA Futurity at the Nolan County Coliseum in Sweetwater, a competition he went on to win five times.

He also became a rancher and cattleman and at one time leased or owned over 60,000 acres of land in this area, including the 18 Ranch, north of Roscoe. His four children, Ken, Ruth Ann, Greg, and Georgia, all went to Roscoe schools and graduated from Roscoe High.

Roscoe retailers will be open for the celebration from noon to 7pm, and the Roscoe Express will carry patrons from location to location free of charge. The museum will be open, and the Lumberyard will host what should be another great day of country music with the Jamie Richards Band opening around 6:00pm.

The reading and awarding of the proclamation to Buster Welch will take place at the Lumberyard at about 8:30pm.

Johnny Bush

It will then be followed by a performance by country great Johnny Bush and his Bandoleros.

A member of the Texas Country Hall of Fame since 2003, Bush has been playing Texas venues for over half a century. Originally from Houston, he began his career in the fifties in San Antonio and in 1963 joined Ray Price’s band, the Cherokee Cowboys, along with Willie Nelson and Darrell McCall. His association with Price led him to Nashville, and with Willie Nelson’s financial backing he recorded his first album in 1967.

He continues to tour to this day and has often performed with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. In 2007, he released his autobiography, Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky-Tonk.

Over his long career, he has produced 23 albums. Songs he is best known for include “Undo the Right,” (Click title for YouTube video) “Whiskey River,” “Each Time,” “You Gave Me a Mountain,” “I’ll Be There,” “There Stands the Glass,” and “Green Snakes on the Ceiling.”

For reservations and more information, contact the Lumberyard at 325-766-2457.

--o--

TWENTY-THREE RCHS SENIORS GRADUATE FROM WTC WITH ASSOCIATE'S DEGREES

RCHS WTC graduates.

Graduation ceremonies at Western Texas College in Snyder were held yesterday, and twenty-three Roscoe seniors were among those who received their Associate's Degrees. 

These included the following: Thea Abeita, Allison Acebedo, Clemente Aguayo, Camden Boren, Morgan Bowers, John Castillo, Jose Chavira, Tait Fullwood, Francisco Garcia, Cade Garrett, Diego Garza, Iris Gonzalez, Arizona Guevara, Ivy Jolley, Kayla Justiss, AbiGail Meadows, Ainsleigh Nelson, Paul Pantoja, Braxton Parrott, Parker Payne, Mariann Rainey, Zach Rangel, and Nolan Reeves.

Congratulations to you all!

--o--

CITY COUNCIL APPROVES GRANT APPLICATION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING ON ROSCOE'S NORTH SIDE

At its monthly meeting in City Hall yesterday evening the City Council approved engaging the professional services of A & J Howco Services, Inc., in applying for a Texas Capital Fund grant to provide infrastructure for a possible travel center next to the intersection of US 84 and FM 608 on the City’s north side. It also approved the conducting of an environmental review of that location to assure its suitability as a site for such a project.

The Texas Capital Fund provides funds for infrastructure projects that promote local economic development, and the construction of a travel center would do just that. Kay Howard of A & J Howco Services explained to the Council that their contract with the City will be written so that they charge for their services only if the grant is awarded, so the City will not owe them anything if the grant application fails. The City’s only expense is the environmental review. If the grant is successful, the owners of the new business provide a 1:1 match of funds in the construction of the business.

The Council approved sending a resolution to the Texas Department of Transportation to increase the length of the entrance and exit ramps on I-20 from both the east and west service roads on the City’s south side. It also approved the results of the City election to reauthorize the local sales tax at the rate of ¼ of 1% for maintenance of repair by City streets.

City Manager Cody Thompson reported on recent City activity. He said fireworks have been ordered for the Independence Day Celebration on June 30. He then outlined the events taking place on Buster Welch Day on Saturday.

City workers will begin spraying and taking other precautionary measures against mosquitoes as soon as supplies arrive, and some streets will be patched and bladed in coming weeks.

The power pole at the northside lift station, taken out by a tractor/trailer rig a week ago, has been repaired.

--o--

SHAUNDRA PARKER GETS SUCCESSFUL DOUBLE-LUNG TRANSPLANT

Shaundra Parker

Shaundra Parker, who’s had Cystic Fibrosis most of her life, finally got a double-lung transplant in Houston this past week, and after some complications, the latest word is that her bronchoscopy showed beautiful pink lungs with no mucous and her chest has been closed. She will be on a ventilator a couple more days, but the operation has apparently been successful.

Congratulations to Shaundra and to the doctors who performed the operation! This is the outcome everyone was hoping for. Let’s now hope for her continued progress to a healthier life!  

--o--

BLACKLAND DRONE RACES ARE FRONT-PAGE NEWS IN ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS

Drones were flying at Plowboy field Friday.

The first-ever Blackland Drone Races were held Friday at Plowboy Field and the Edu-Drone building on Broadway with three schools participating: RCHS, Christoval, and Abilene’s ATEMS (Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science).

Abilene Reporter-News reporter Ronald Erdrich covered the event and wrote a nice article that appeared on the front page of Monday’s newspaper. The article is also available online and can be accessed by clicking here.

--o--

NICK PANTOJA WINS ABILENE DEMOLITION DERBY

Nick Pantoja, center, and friends celebrate his victory in Abilene.

Roscoe’s Nick Pantoja, manager of VP Tire & Service, was the winner of the seven-car demolition derby at the Abilene Speedway on Saturday, April 28. First Place Prize was $1000. Bo Oleson of Sweetwater finished second ($300), Caleb Dean of Roscoe third ($100), and Nathan Evans of Snyder fourth.

--o--

WEATHER REPORT: SUMMERLIKE HEAT ARRIVES

Eastern sky in late afternoon.

May has arrived and with it, days are getting longer and the temperatures are steadily rising. Although last weekend was mild with highs in the seventies and eighties, Sunday’s high was 90°F, and since then the afternoon temperatures have been in the low to mid-nineties, and the heat will continue through the weekend. Saturday’s high is predicted to hit 100°, and if it does, it will be our first triple-digit day this year. Nights have also been warmer with lows of around 60°. Last Wednesday between a quarter and a half-inch of rain fell with the official total in town .40", but it’s been dry since then.

Last Wednesday and Thursday were windy with gusts up to 46 and 54mph respectively, but breezes were calmer through the weekend, that is, up until yesterday when they picked up again. The south wind will continue to be strong until Sunday, when it should slow a little.

At this time, the meteorologists are giving us a 40% chance of rain on Sunday.

--o--

† WILLIAM EDWARD PERRY, JR

Mr. William Edward Perry, Jr., 84, of Leesburg, Georgia, passed away on his birthday, May 4, at his home in Leesburg.

Eddie was born on May 4, 1934. He grew up in Roscoe and graduated from RHS in 1952. He spent most of his adult life as a school administrator in LaBelle, Florida. His wife, Pat, preceded him in death, and he is survived by his daughter, Lisa, and son, Scott.

Arrangements for his memorial service will be announced later by Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home of Leesburg, Georgia. 229-814-1415. Tributes can be made by clicking here.

--o--

† DANIEL ANZALDUA

A Celebration of Life for Daniel Anzaldua, 63, will be held at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Roscoe on Saturday, May 12, at 11:00am. A gathering at the Roscoe Community Center will follow the service. He passed away peacefully in Bastrop on Saturday, April 28, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born on August 3, 1954, to Amado and Petra Anzaldua, Daniel attended Roscoe High School, where he graduated in 1973. Throughout his high school days, he was a successful competitive athlete. He played Plowboy football #85, wide receiver. He qualified for State in track several times and broke many records, including some of his own. His younger brothers looked up to him and followed right behind him. He was also voted class favorite.

For a time, he worked alongside his family in the cotton fields to help out his father and mother. Afterwards, he served in the United States Army before making San Angelo his home. He worked at the San Angelo State School for many years. After retiring, he moved to Bastrop to be near his son Bryan and his wife Lauri, but especially his grandbabies, Kailei and Ashlyn. Daniel remained in Bastrop until his passing. His generosity and kindness touched everyone who knew him. His final wish was to return to his beloved Roscoe.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amado and Petra Anzaldua; wife, Jane Anzaldua; brothers, Luis and Omar Anzaldua; sister, Maria Hernandez; and great-nephew, Christopher Vasquez.

He is survived by his son, Bryan Anzaldua and his wife, Lauri; granddaughters, Kailei and Ashlyn; stepdaughter, Rocky; grandchildren, Will, TJ, Jordan, and Ivry; brothers, Homer Anzaldua (Molly) of Fresno, California; David Anzaldua (Vickie) of Fort Worth; Joel Anzaldua (Gloria) of Fort Worth; Gilbert Anzaldua (Veronica) of Geronimo, Oklahoma; Adam Anzaldua (Paulina) of Fort Worth; sisters, Odilia Uriarte (Guillermo) of Selma, California; Linda Constantino (Pablo) of Fort Worth; and Gloria Anzaldua (Nickey) of Fort Worth; a very dear aunt, Eluteria Calderon (Raul) of Fort Worth; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephew, and numerous extended family, friends, and loved ones.
 

--o--