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.

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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!

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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.

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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!  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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† 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.

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† 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.
 

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City Election This Saturday

Voting for the City Election will be held this Saturday, May 5, in the Roscoe Community Center from 7am to 7pm with Sheila Santiago and Ann Teaff as judge and clerk.

The election is for approval of the reauthorization of the local sales tax at the rate of ¼ of 1% for maintenance of repair by City streets. The tax brings in about $15,000 a year and is used for buying street-patching materials. This reauthorization is required by state law every four years.

Saturday was also originally the date for the election of two expiring City Council seats, those of Robert McBride and Edwin Duncan. However, both Council members were unopposed for additional two-year terms, so that portion of the election has been canceled.

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ROSCOE COLLEGIATE'S TRACK SEASON ENDS AT REGIONAL

The 2018 Track & Field season for Roscoe Collegiate ended at Ratliff Field in Odessa Friday afternoon, and hopes for competing at the state meet in Austin will have to wait until next year. Bonnie Wilkinson’s hamstring injury in the Area Meet in Abilene two weeks ago meant that the only Plowgirls competing this year were Riley Sheridan in the 3200 Meter Run and Kinzie Buchanan in the Discus Throw and Shot Put.

Neither girl did as well as in other meets this spring. Kinzie’s finish at fourth in the Shot Put was the best either could muster, as Riley finished fifteenth in the 3200 and Kinzie finished tenth in the discus. Both are just sophomores, however, so with another year of maturity, who knows what they can accomplish next year or the year after?

Congratulations to both for making it to Regional! That in itself is quite an accomplishment.

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OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HONORED AT ACADEMIC BANQUET

Several high school students received honors and awards at the annual Academic Banquet held last Monday evening in the Roscoe School Cafetorium.
 
Twenty-one seniors were recognized for graduating this year with Associate’s Degrees from Western Texas College: Thea Abeita, Allison Acebedo, Clemente Aguayo, Camden Boren, Morgan Bowers, John Castillo, 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, Nolan Reeves.

One boy and one girl from each grade received awards for Best All-Around Student and for Outstanding Work Ethic:

Senior Best All-Around: Nolan Reeves and Kayla Justiss
Outstanding Work Ethic: Parker Payne and Mariann Rainey
   
Junior Best All-Around: Josh Benner and Jovana Peña
Outstanding Work Ethic: Caleb Boren and Bonnie Wilkinson

Sophomore Best All-Around: Tristan Baker and Becca Shaw
Outstanding Work Ethic: Martin Luna and Jaci Alexander

Freshman Best All-Around: Caleb Reed and Hannah Ward
Outstanding Work Ethic: Kaleb Bohall and Gabby Dyck

Members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society of Western Texas College:
     Seniors: Camden Boren, Kayla Justiss, Braxton Parrott
     Juniors: Caleb Boren, Caleb Gray, Alfonso Islas, Adrian Lomas, Amanda Sanchez
     Sophomores: Jaci Alexander, Tristan Baker, Karen Herrera, Martin Luna, Kaylee Palacios, Alex Pantoja, Esperanza Sanchez, Shayden Tinkler, Baylor Trevino, Landry Turnbow

Awards were also presented to the best students in each of the individual high school classes.

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PLOWBOYS, PLOWGIRLS RECEIVE AWARDS AT ATHLETIC BANQUET

Kinzie Buchanan, who broke the Plowgirl shot put record, was one of the athletes honored at the Athletic Banquet.

Students, parents, and coaches were on hand at the RCHS Athletic Banquet in the Cafetorium Friday evening to see the annual awards bestowed on Plowboys and Plowgirls for the various school sports.

Plowboys of the Year
Football – Clemente Aguayo
Powerlifting – Francisco Garcia
Cross Country – Alfonso Islas
Track – Caleb Gray

Plowgirls of the Year
Basketball – Kinzie Buchanan
Cross Country – Riley Sheridan, Victoria Martinez
Track – Riley Sheridan, Kinzie Buchanan

Plowboy Awards and Scholarships
Fighting Heart – Tait Fullwood
Clyde Jay Memorial Scholarship – Tristan Brooks, Tait Fullwood, Parker Payne, Paul Pantoja
Charles Ratliff Memorial Scholarship – Francisco Garcia, Camden Boren
Britt Paty Memorial Award – Diego Garza

Plowgirl Awards
Fighting Heart – Riley Sheridan
Miss Defense – Bonnie Wilkinson

Plowboys
Football 4-2A All-District
Defensive MVP – Jose Ortega
Defensive Newcomer – Jacob Rainey

1st Team All-District
Offense: Running Back – Francisco Garcia, Wide Receiver – Jose Ortega, Brandon Lavalais; Lineman – Paul Pantoja.
Defense: Utility Back – Clemente Aguayo, End – Paul Pantoja, Tackle – Tait Fullwood, Linebacker – Nick Limones, Back – Diego Garza; Punter – Jose Ortega

2nd Team All-District
Offense: Quarterback – Jayden Gonzales, Wide Receiver – Micheal Wright, Lineman – Parker Payne, Joel Guia.
Defense: End – Parker Payne, Linebacker – Clemente Aguayo, Back – Brandon Lavalais.

Powerlifting Regional Qualifiers: Francisco Garcia, Austin Lara, Andrew Deleon, Adrian Lomas
Cross Country Regional Qualifier: Alfonso Islas
Track Regional Qualifiers: Junior Martinez, Caleb Gray, Jaythan Coale, Micheal Wright

Plowgirls
Basketball 1st Team All-District: Kinzie Buchanan

Cross Country Regional Qualifiers: Riley Sheridan, Victoria Martinez
Track Regional Qualifiers: Riley Sheridan, Kinzie Buchanan
New School Record: Kinzie Buchanan – Shot Put – 39’ 8”

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ROSCOE FFA HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

by Shelley Gunter

Senior Veterinary Science Team: Caleb Boren, Hannah Ward, Morgan Bowers, and Kayla Justiss

Roscoe FFA had a great CDE (Career Development Event) season this year.  Floriculture, Horse, Livestock, and Veterinary Science teams competed.  The following are those teams and some of the highlights of the season:

Floriculture Team

• Placed 3rd in District and 10th in Area
• Nolan Reeves, Shayden Tinkler, Leandra DeLeon, Landry Turnbow, and Riley Payne

Horse Judging Teams

• Senior team placed 5th in District and 22nd in Area
• Senior Team - Isaiah Olvera, Becca Shaw, Lisa Tollison, and Georgia Bowers
• Placed
• Junior Team - Ashleigh McKinney, Cameron Greenwood, Garrett Payne, and Jose Leaños

Livestock Judging Teams

• Senior team placed 4th in District and 20th in Area
• Senior Team - Tait Fullwood, Abigail Meadows, Kaylee Palacios, Zeke Murphy, and Reese Kiser
• Junior Teams - Jesus Aguayo, Jaiden Alexander, Darbee Drake, Adrian Epperson, Carson Greenwood, Layla Herrera, Mia Lavalais, Jake Madden, Alicia Pantoja, Richard Villa, Richie Solis, Jacob Stegge, Kirsten Welch, and Diego Vela

Veterinary Science Teams

• Senior Team placed 1st in District and qualified for state, placing 4th in Area
• Senior Team - Kayla Justiss, Morgan Bowers, Caleb Boren, and Hannah Ward
• Junior Team - Arwen Elmore, Jenna Watson-West, Athena Newman, Marissa Solis, Marta Herrera, Kayla Fox, and Jaiden Amador

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 WEATHER REPORT: FINALLY, SOME RAIN

The rainbow over Roscoe last Tuesday evening.

Last Tuesday the area finally got a rain that extended into early Wednesday. It was the first substantial rain in almost a month and only the third of the year. As always, some got more than others with amounts ranging from a half-inch to over two inches. Roscoe weatherman Kenny Landfried recorded an official total of 2.23” for here in town.

Other than the rain, the most notable aspect of the weather has been the wind, which has been as high this year as any in recent history. Over the past two weeks, it has come from all directions, and there have been only a couple of days that wouldn’t be classed as windy.

Temperatures have not been that remarkable for this time of year. Last Tuesday had the high for the week at 92°F and since then highs have been in the seventies or eighties with lows in the forties and fifties up until Monday, when they climbed into the low sixties.

Today and tomorrow should be warm and windy. The predicted high for this afternoon is 93° and for tomorrow 87° with strong winds from the south and southwest. On Friday, a cool front will blow in, dropping temperatures and bringing another chance of rain. The high will be only about 70° and the chance of rain is currently given as 40%. The weekend should be sunny and dry with highs returning to the eighties and lows to the sixties and remaining that way into next week.

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† GERALD WAYNE WASH

Funeral services were held at 12pm, Saturday, March 24, in Porter, Texas, for Gerald Wayne Wash, 73, of Porter, who passed away on Wednesday, March 21. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Park North in Porter.  

Wayne was born on Sunday, April 30, 1944, in Roscoe to Robert and Allie Wash. A graduate of Roscoe High School, he was the 1962 class valedictorian and played on the Plowboy basketball team.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Nettie Bob Wash, Clark Wash, and Delan Wash. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Linda Wash; children, Robert Wash and wife Faye, Tammy Niles and husband Mike; grandchildren Laura, Melissa, Kevin, Jennifer, and Jessica; and many other family members and friends.

Condolences and tributes may be left at the Rosewood Funeral Home website.

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† MARIE COLLINS

Funeral services for Marie Collins, 93, who passed away Saturday, April 28, will be held at the Roscoe Church of Christ at 2:00pm Friday, May 4, 2018, with Dan Boren officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home.

Marie was born on December 21, 1924, in Canton, Texas, to J. W. and Velma (Chaney) Berry. In 1942, the family moved to Sweetwater, where she graduated from Newman High School. She married Jack Collins, Jr., on December 11, 1945. They were married 57 years when he preceded her in death on September 17, 2003. She was a member of the Roscoe Church of Christ and very active in teaching classes and Vacation Bible School. She loved children and working with them was her life. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and held a Certification for Special Education. She taught the Special Education classes at Roscoe Elementary for many years. She received her Master’s degree from Abilene Christian University. She retired from teaching in Roscoe in 1992. She was a longtime member of Delta Kappa Gamma and of Nolan County Retired Teachers. She served on the Nolan County Cancer Board and Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the Child Welfare Board and was secretary to Nita Hodges and Dee Dee Heath.

Survivors include her son, Craig and his wife Tonya of Roswell, NM; grandchildren, Christin Collins (husband Zach) and Jeffery Chas Collins (wife Brandie) of Georgia, Ashley Giovengo (husband Adam) of Loving, NM and Warren Scitern-Baker of Roswell, NM; two great-grandchildren, Samuel and Case Giovengo of Loving, NM; three nieces who resided with Jack and Marie while attending college, Donna Walker (husband Ricky of Lubbock, their children Brett and Ashley), Pat Finch of Lubbock and Debbie Finch of Padre Island; Jack’s niece, Janey Haynes (husband Bob) of Lubbock, who were such a help during Jack’s illness; one brother, Elgin Berry and wife Sandy of Burleson; one sister, Ann Jennings of Nolan; and many nieces and nephews, whom she was very fond of; one very special friend, Judy McGlothlin and her sons Jeff and Chas McGlothlin of Blackwell.

She enjoyed reading, bird watching and entertaining her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed camping and trips to Fun Valley, Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack Collins; grandson, Cameron Jack Collins; three brothers, James, Bill and Adolph Berry; sisters, Sylvia Finch and Cleta Watson.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Collins, Warren Scitern-Baker, Gary Jennings, Lance Jennings, Jeff McGlothlin and Chas McGlothlin.

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