Well, we’ve finally made it to Christmas, but what a year it’s been! The coronavirus pandemic has messed with our lives since March, and it’s not done yet! Many families have altered their normal Christmas visiting plans this time around while everyone keeps their fingers crossed and hopes for the best as the holiday season begins.
But despite the pandemic, the Christmas spirit is alive and well. Numerous homes around town are decorated for the season, and in downtown Roscoe the sound of Christmas songs has been a constant reminder for the last couple of weeks. And this week, one way or the other, the annual exchange of gifts with family and loved ones will proceed, and, as always, Santa and his reindeer will make their appointed rounds.So, here’s hoping Santa brings you exactly what you want, and the gifts you chose for others are exactly what they want! And may we all have a happy and healthy holiday season! Merry Christmas!
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PLOWGIRL COMEBACK SINKS MILES 35-31
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| Jacey Rodriquez shoots a free throw. |
They trailed by as much as 10-2 in the first quarter, held their own in the second, and then exploded in the third to take the lead. However, in the fourth, the game’s outcome was in doubt until the very end as the lead kept changing hands.
In the last couple of minutes, the Plowgirls took the lead for good and kept it by holding on to the ball, playing good defense, and sinking free throws. In short, it was an exciting game with a successful conclusion. The Plowgirls are now 1-1 in district play.
Carson Greenwood led the Plowgirls in individual scoring with 19 points. Kaidy Ornelas had 9, Cameron Greenwood 3, Mia Lavalais 2, Shauna McCambridge 1, and Jacey Rodriquez 1. McCambridge had the most rebounds with 15, while Carson had 11, Rodriquez 6, Lavalais 4, and Kirsten Welch 1.
Scoring by quarters:
1 2 3 4 T
Plowgirls 5 5 15 10 35
Miles 10 2 7 12 31
The Plowgirls’ next game is with Hermleigh here next Tuesday, December 29, in the Special Events Center at 6:30 following the JV game.
PLOWBOY BASKETBALL GAMES CANCELED, POSTPONED
Carson Greenwood led the Plowgirls in individual scoring with 19 points. Kaidy Ornelas had 9, Cameron Greenwood 3, Mia Lavalais 2, Shauna McCambridge 1, and Jacey Rodriquez 1. McCambridge had the most rebounds with 15, while Carson had 11, Rodriquez 6, Lavalais 4, and Kirsten Welch 1.
Scoring by quarters:
1 2 3 4 T
Plowgirls 5 5 15 10 35
Miles 10 2 7 12 31
The Plowgirls’ next game is with Hermleigh here next Tuesday, December 29, in the Special Events Center at 6:30 following the JV game.
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PLOWBOY BASKETBALL GAMES CANCELED, POSTPONED
Four Plowboy basketball contests were canceled because of Covid-19. The games with Highland scheduled for last Tuesday and Robert Lee for last Friday were canceled along with the one with Cross Plains for yesterday. A make-up game with Rankin, originally scheduled for next Monday, December 28, in Rankin has now also been called off.
So, the Plowboys’ next game is with Hermleigh here in the Special Events Center on Tuesday, December 29, starting at around 8:00, following the varsity Plowgirls’ game.
So, the Plowboys’ next game is with Hermleigh here in the Special Events Center on Tuesday, December 29, starting at around 8:00, following the varsity Plowgirls’ game.
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COVID-19 PROBLEMS CONTINUE
A major item of pandemic news this week is the new mutant strain of Covid-19 spreading through Britain that is even more highly contagious than the already contagious coronavirus. Some countries are barring British travelers, and some US governors are calling the US to do the same or at least to require negative test results before allowing passengers from Britain to fly to the US.The pandemic continues to spread, and the US has more reported deaths from Covid-19 than any other country with over 320,000 who have died with the disease. It has also surpassed 18 million confirmed cases just five days after reaching 17 million. Two of the hardest hit states currently are Tennessee and California, and hospitals are at crisis levels in both. Tennessee’s governor refers to his state as “ground zero” for the virus as it averages about 9,000 new cases every day, almost double what it was just two weeks ago. While the Midwest and Mountain West states improve, in others such as Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and South Carolina Covid-19 numbers are spiking and setting records.
Although Texas is not as bad off as many of the other states, it is still seeing increases in numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. It has a daily average of 1,060 more new daily cases compared to a week ago (8,107 yesterday) and over 10,000 Covid-19 hospitalizations for the first time since July. The number of new deaths has also increased by 24 daily compared to a week ago. Counties with the highest infection rates are Lubbock, Tarrant, Denton, Dallas, Collin, Bexar, and El Paso.
In the Big Country, the situation, while still critical, has continued to lower its number of active cases. There are now 2,367 active cases of Covid-19 in Taylor County, down from the 2,481 of last week. Covid-19 hospitalizations are also down to 98 from the 102 of last week. However, the region’s ICU beds are still full, and Abilene hospitals have now had 179 total Covid-19 deaths, 62 of those so far in December.
Also, the Big Country trauma service area had two days below the 15% threshold before going back up over 15% yesterday. The executive order requires 7 consecutive days under 15% before bars can re-open and restaurants and some businesses to exceed 50% capacity, so bars in the area will remain closed for at least another week.
Locally, the numbers are mixed. Nolan County now has 271 active cases, which is 21 more than last week’s 250 and 69 more than the 202 of two weeks ago. And, once again, the little chart for Nolan County in the Hard Times’ right-hand column warns of a high infection rate. On the other hand, Mitchell County now has 56 active cases, a drop from the 74 last week but still more than the 31 two weeks ago. Fisher County has only 16 active cases compared to 31 last week. In Scurry County, however, the numbers are back up to 90 active cases, up from the 58 of last week.
Here are the Big Country’s county totals for the year as of yesterday (with last Tuesday in parentheses): Howard, 2,414 (2,260); Erath, 1,910 (1,754); Scurry, 1,812 (1,777); Jones, 1,790 (1,708); Brown, 1,206 (1,135); Nolan, 1,091 (987); Comanche, 736 (675); Runnels, 527 (478); Eastland, 524 (464); Mitchell, 450 (405); Stephens, 370 (364); Callahan 330 (293); Coleman, 230 (218); Coke, 213 (198); Fisher, 210 (199); Haskell, 136 (118); Knox, 132 (139); Shackelford, 74 (68); Stonewall, 37 (34); Kent, 29 (26); Throckmorton, 31 (26);
Selected west Texas counties yesterday (with last week in parentheses): Lubbock, 39,498 (36,933); Midland, 10,022 (8,564); Wichita (Wichita Falls), 9,551 (8,795); Ector (Odessa), 6,360 (6,343); Tom Green (San Angelo), 3,829 (3,690).
Texas now has had a total of 1,413,684 cases (1,352,489 last week), 275,658 of them active (259,293 last week), and 25,606 total deaths (24,142 last week).
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WEATHER REPORT: MILD DECEMBER DAYS
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| The southernmost sunrise of the year on Monday, the winter solstice. |
It’s official now. Winter has begun. On Monday, we reached the winter solstice, the day of the year in which the length of the night reaches its peak, and the days begin to get longer as the sun comes up just a bit earlier every morning and goes down just a bit later every evening.
And we got an extra treat this year in the Christmas Star, actually the conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, which were so close in the sky on Monday evening that they looked like a single star. They hadn’t appeared so close since 1226, so it was an unusual event.
The weather for the most part was mild for the entire week. Some days were warmer than others and the wind varied from dead calm to pretty brisk, but in general the weather was quite nice without anything drastic, such as ice storms or sleet and high winds, which are also West Texas winter staples—and which we’ll probably get soon enough.
Highs since last Wednesday ranged from 57° on Saturday to 70° on Monday while lows were as low as Thursday’s 31° to yesterday’s 46°. Skies were generally sunny, none were completely overcast, and winds were especially light on Saturday and Sunday, something that doesn’t happen around here too often.
The forecast is for more of the same with sunny skies and highs today and tomorrow of 58° and 59° with a strong northwest wind, changing to cloudy and a little warmer on the weekend with southerly winds and highs of 64°, 68°, and 69° on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then on Monday a series of cloudy days begins and brings a slight chance of rain, i.e., 20%-25%. Lows will generally be above freezing after tomorrow morning when the forecast low is 26°.
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ROSCOE IN CHRISTMASES PAST:
From the Galveston Daily News, December 30, 1894.
Roscoe, Nolan Co., Tex., Dec. 29—W. L. Latham, who had his left leg broken on the 25th instant while firing anvils, died yesterday morning. Doctors amputated his leg, but the shock was too severe for him. He leaves a wife and several children.
Editor’s Note: Anvil firing is the practice of firing an anvil into the air with gunpowder. It was once commonly performed in the southern United States as a substitute for fireworks during celebrations. To see a YouTube video of an anvil firing, click here.
From the Sweetwater Reporter, December 24, 1930.
Booze Taken From Overturned Truck Stolen From Home in Roscoe
ROSCOE, Dec. 24.—Twenty-five gallons of whiskey, salvaged here last Friday by W. A. Chapman, nightwatchman, from a 300-gallon stock which was destroyed when a bootlegger’s truck went into a ditch north of here, was stolen from Mr. Chapman’s home Monday night.
The liquor supply was the only thing disturbed by the thieves who entered Mr. Chapman’s home about 11 o’clock. Twenty-five more gallons of the same stock are being held in Sheriff Jess Lambert’s office.
Editor’s note: Twenty-five gallons? That’s 125 fifths! It sounds like someone had a verrry Merry Christmas and also a very Happy New Year with a haul like that.
Editor’s note: Some of you may have already read this last summer when my daughter Vanya posted it on her Facebook page. I post it here for those who didn’t as a reminder that 2020 isn’t the first difficult Christmas people have been through. Just a little over a century ago, the Spanish Flu raged across the land, killing more Americans than Covid-19 has so far, and my mother was a little girl growing up in Cisco at the time. I’m guessing the situation here in Roscoe that Christmas was similar.
Christmas had always been the most wonderful time of the year in our home. For weeks beforehand the delightful odors of fruit cake and cranberry jelly filled the house only to give way to pine burrs and cedar burning in the great open fireplace. The closer we came to the eventful day, the young folks approached a frenzy of preparation. Little ones strung popcorn and cranberries and made paper chains. Older ones made lovely arrangements of candles and cedar bows and hung mistletoe in the most obvious places. The house became noisier with the shouting of happy little boys, giggles of the little girls, and whispers of the adults and hurried hiding of gifts as the wrong persons always were appearing at the door.
Then the very day before Christmas our grandfather and the menfolk would drive up with a huge cedar tree, which we all were allowed to help to set up in the bay window of the parlor. Then the doors were locked, and the younger grown folks took charge. No one could go in while the tree was being dressed and the unwrapped gifts were placed on and around it. Even Mother had to knock politely and hand in boxes through the merest cracks.
While the tree was being decorated the kinfolk would begin to arrive. As each family arrived, those already there would rush out and everyone hugged and kissed everyone else, then helped to unload the boxes of gifts and the bowls and pans of foods that was to be added to the already groaning table.
As more little boys arrived, the air became dense with smoke from firecrackers. The little girls all retired to the roomy cellar to set up tiny doll Christmas trees and set little tables. The men folks always sat on the front porch, smoking or chewing tobacco as they visited, but even they were never allowed to be idle, for there was always need for more shelled pecans. Grandfather always whittled a new animal for our manger scene.
This was the usual Christmas at our house—so perhaps you can understand how doubly drab and sad was that Christmas of 1919. During that year 3 of our loved ones had been victims of the dread influenza epidemic—an old aunt, our favorite uncle, and my 20 year old brother—and if that were not enough that we lose these, our baby sister, 5 years old, hovered at death’s door as the Christmas season approached. Halfheartedly and with little cheer did the older ones sew on aprons or knit bright new mittens. The messages had arrived that kinfolks would spend the holidays at home this year. Adults had decided to let this Christmas celebration pass unheeded. We little ones did not quite understand the grief and anxiety of our elders and felt lost, neglected and alone. My brother and one cousin and I very quietly (so as not to disturb the little sister) hunted and began to arrange our manger scene on the table in the hall, but when we got it fixed, it looked as bare and forlorn as our hearts. To liven it up a bit we slipped out and found a branch of a dead peach tree. My brother made a base for it so it would stand up. Then we began making paper chains. When it was finished, it was no beauty, but to 3 kids it was a Christmas tree.
Christmas morning arrived cold and dreary, but in our hearts the sun was bright, for when the doctor came Eileen’s fever had broken and we knew that she would live. Later in the day, the little dead Christmas tree was moved into the sick room and gifts mysteriously appeared, and there was rejoicing in our home that Christmas day.
† J. CIRILO CHAVIRA-ACEVEDO
And we got an extra treat this year in the Christmas Star, actually the conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, which were so close in the sky on Monday evening that they looked like a single star. They hadn’t appeared so close since 1226, so it was an unusual event.
The weather for the most part was mild for the entire week. Some days were warmer than others and the wind varied from dead calm to pretty brisk, but in general the weather was quite nice without anything drastic, such as ice storms or sleet and high winds, which are also West Texas winter staples—and which we’ll probably get soon enough.
Highs since last Wednesday ranged from 57° on Saturday to 70° on Monday while lows were as low as Thursday’s 31° to yesterday’s 46°. Skies were generally sunny, none were completely overcast, and winds were especially light on Saturday and Sunday, something that doesn’t happen around here too often.
The forecast is for more of the same with sunny skies and highs today and tomorrow of 58° and 59° with a strong northwest wind, changing to cloudy and a little warmer on the weekend with southerly winds and highs of 64°, 68°, and 69° on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then on Monday a series of cloudy days begins and brings a slight chance of rain, i.e., 20%-25%. Lows will generally be above freezing after tomorrow morning when the forecast low is 26°.
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| The flags at the Early Childhood Center hung limp on Sunday. |
--o--
ROSCOE IN CHRISTMASES PAST:
From the Galveston Daily News, December 30, 1894.
FATAL CHRISTMAS ACCIDENT
Roscoe, Nolan Co., Tex., Dec. 29—W. L. Latham, who had his left leg broken on the 25th instant while firing anvils, died yesterday morning. Doctors amputated his leg, but the shock was too severe for him. He leaves a wife and several children.
Editor’s Note: Anvil firing is the practice of firing an anvil into the air with gunpowder. It was once commonly performed in the southern United States as a substitute for fireworks during celebrations. To see a YouTube video of an anvil firing, click here.
--o--
From the Sweetwater Reporter, December 24, 1930.
25 GALLONS OF LIQUOR STOLEN
ROSCOE, Dec. 24.—Twenty-five gallons of whiskey, salvaged here last Friday by W. A. Chapman, nightwatchman, from a 300-gallon stock which was destroyed when a bootlegger’s truck went into a ditch north of here, was stolen from Mr. Chapman’s home Monday night.
The liquor supply was the only thing disturbed by the thieves who entered Mr. Chapman’s home about 11 o’clock. Twenty-five more gallons of the same stock are being held in Sheriff Jess Lambert’s office.
Editor’s note: Twenty-five gallons? That’s 125 fifths! It sounds like someone had a verrry Merry Christmas and also a very Happy New Year with a haul like that.
--o--
CHRISTMAS 1919
by Laura Fay Wilson Duncan
by Laura Fay Wilson Duncan
Editor’s note: Some of you may have already read this last summer when my daughter Vanya posted it on her Facebook page. I post it here for those who didn’t as a reminder that 2020 isn’t the first difficult Christmas people have been through. Just a little over a century ago, the Spanish Flu raged across the land, killing more Americans than Covid-19 has so far, and my mother was a little girl growing up in Cisco at the time. I’m guessing the situation here in Roscoe that Christmas was similar.
Christmas had always been the most wonderful time of the year in our home. For weeks beforehand the delightful odors of fruit cake and cranberry jelly filled the house only to give way to pine burrs and cedar burning in the great open fireplace. The closer we came to the eventful day, the young folks approached a frenzy of preparation. Little ones strung popcorn and cranberries and made paper chains. Older ones made lovely arrangements of candles and cedar bows and hung mistletoe in the most obvious places. The house became noisier with the shouting of happy little boys, giggles of the little girls, and whispers of the adults and hurried hiding of gifts as the wrong persons always were appearing at the door.
Then the very day before Christmas our grandfather and the menfolk would drive up with a huge cedar tree, which we all were allowed to help to set up in the bay window of the parlor. Then the doors were locked, and the younger grown folks took charge. No one could go in while the tree was being dressed and the unwrapped gifts were placed on and around it. Even Mother had to knock politely and hand in boxes through the merest cracks.
While the tree was being decorated the kinfolk would begin to arrive. As each family arrived, those already there would rush out and everyone hugged and kissed everyone else, then helped to unload the boxes of gifts and the bowls and pans of foods that was to be added to the already groaning table.
As more little boys arrived, the air became dense with smoke from firecrackers. The little girls all retired to the roomy cellar to set up tiny doll Christmas trees and set little tables. The men folks always sat on the front porch, smoking or chewing tobacco as they visited, but even they were never allowed to be idle, for there was always need for more shelled pecans. Grandfather always whittled a new animal for our manger scene.
This was the usual Christmas at our house—so perhaps you can understand how doubly drab and sad was that Christmas of 1919. During that year 3 of our loved ones had been victims of the dread influenza epidemic—an old aunt, our favorite uncle, and my 20 year old brother—and if that were not enough that we lose these, our baby sister, 5 years old, hovered at death’s door as the Christmas season approached. Halfheartedly and with little cheer did the older ones sew on aprons or knit bright new mittens. The messages had arrived that kinfolks would spend the holidays at home this year. Adults had decided to let this Christmas celebration pass unheeded. We little ones did not quite understand the grief and anxiety of our elders and felt lost, neglected and alone. My brother and one cousin and I very quietly (so as not to disturb the little sister) hunted and began to arrange our manger scene on the table in the hall, but when we got it fixed, it looked as bare and forlorn as our hearts. To liven it up a bit we slipped out and found a branch of a dead peach tree. My brother made a base for it so it would stand up. Then we began making paper chains. When it was finished, it was no beauty, but to 3 kids it was a Christmas tree.
Christmas morning arrived cold and dreary, but in our hearts the sun was bright, for when the doctor came Eileen’s fever had broken and we knew that she would live. Later in the day, the little dead Christmas tree was moved into the sick room and gifts mysteriously appeared, and there was rejoicing in our home that Christmas day.
--o--
† J. CIRILO CHAVIRA-ACEVEDO
Holy Mass of Christian Burial for J. Cirilo Chavira-Acevedo, 80, long-time resident of Roscoe, was held at 10am Saturday, December 19, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church with Father Nilo Nalugon officiating. Interment followed at Roscoe Cemetery directed by McCoy Funeral Home. He passed away last Wednesday, December 16, at his residence.He was born February 9, 1940, in Mexico to Abraham and Viviana (Acevedo) Chavira. He married Tecla Hernandez July 9, 1959, in Mexico. He was a farmer and had lived in Roscoe since 1978. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Tecla Chavira-Acevedo of Roscoe; seven sons, Pedro Chavira & wife Josie of Abilene, Jacinto Chavira & wife Mary of Abilene, Tony Chavira of Abilene, Andrew Chavira of Houston, Jose Francisco Chavira and wife Eden of Denton, Martin Chavira of Lubbock, and Javier Chavira of Dallas; two daughters, Rosa Galvan of Roscoe and Lus Pantoja and husband David of Roscoe; two sisters, Lucia and Maria, both of Mexico; twenty-four grandchildren, and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Piedad Chavira, and a sister, Victorie Chavira.
Pallbearers were Jacob Arce, Adam Galvan, Joshua Chavira, Vincent Pantoja, Alex Pantoja, and Paul Pantoja.
Honorary pallbearers were Carlos Hernandez, Dionisio Rosas, and Scott Etheredge.
--o--
† DELORES ANN (LINCOLN) BROKER
A memorial service will be held at a later date for Delores Ann (Lincoln) Broker, 67, who passed away on Tuesday, December 22, at her residence. Per her wishes, her body will be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.
Delores was born on July 15, 1953, in Sweetwater, to Donald and Marian Elizabeth (Smith) Lincoln. She was a Methodist and a longtime member of A.B.W.A. She married Steven E. Broker in Sweetwater and worked as a bookkeeper for many years.
She is survived by her husband, Steven E. Broker of Roscoe; stepchildren, Steven George Broker, Lorinda Elizabeth Lane and husband Rick, and James Edward Colston and wife Lydia, all of Maryland; nine grandchildren; two brothers, Don Lincoln and wife Nancy of Ruidoso, NM, and David Lincoln of Sweetwater; aunts and uncles, Donna and Lewis Smith and Mohee Barnes.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Don & Marian Lincoln.
--o--
† RUBY LENORA ROBISON
Services for Ruby Lenora Robison, 98, are pending with McCoy Funeral Home. She passed away at her residence in Roscoe, Monday evening, December 21.
Survivors include a daughter, Jerry Bruns and husband Truett of Roscoe.
--o--
† CATHRENE “CATHY” (UNDERWOOD) McLAURY
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 27, for Cathrene "Cathy" (Underwood) McLaury, 75, of Roscoe, at her home. Per her wishes, her body will be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home. She passed away on Monday, December 21, at her home.
Cathy was born on June 8, 1945, in Houston to Kenneth and Catharine June (Felter) Underwood. She married Charles Eugene McLaury on December 21, 1963, in Houston. She had been a resident of Roscoe for over seventeen years prior to living in Pasadena/Houston. She was a faithful member of the Sweetwater Lions Club of Sweetwater. She was a homemaker, and her family was her pride and joy.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Eugene McLaury; son, John Edward McLaury; daughter, Stephanie Ann Goodman; son-in-law, Keith Goodman; grandchildren, Marissa Goodman, Jadyn Goodman, Luke Goodman, and Caroline McLaury; sisters, Sandy Fisher and Janet Trout; brother, Kevin Underwood; countless nieces, nephews, and other important family members; and many friends.
Please no flowers or plants. In lieu of these items, the family asks for donations be made to the Lions Camp (Kerrville, Texas) and St. Jude's Childrens' Hospital.
Cathy was born on June 8, 1945, in Houston to Kenneth and Catharine June (Felter) Underwood. She married Charles Eugene McLaury on December 21, 1963, in Houston. She had been a resident of Roscoe for over seventeen years prior to living in Pasadena/Houston. She was a faithful member of the Sweetwater Lions Club of Sweetwater. She was a homemaker, and her family was her pride and joy.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Eugene McLaury; son, John Edward McLaury; daughter, Stephanie Ann Goodman; son-in-law, Keith Goodman; grandchildren, Marissa Goodman, Jadyn Goodman, Luke Goodman, and Caroline McLaury; sisters, Sandy Fisher and Janet Trout; brother, Kevin Underwood; countless nieces, nephews, and other important family members; and many friends.
Please no flowers or plants. In lieu of these items, the family asks for donations be made to the Lions Camp (Kerrville, Texas) and St. Jude's Childrens' Hospital.
--o--
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