Glasscock County News

Volume 11, Number 5                                 Garden City, Texas                                  January 12, 2005

County May Divide Road Personnel

At their Jan. 10 meeting, Glasscock County commissioners discussed splitting the road crew into two five-man units, each of which would be shared by two precincts. There are currently eleven men on the county road crew, and they work as needed in all precincts. Newly elected Commissioner Marck Schafer suggested the change, saying he thinks it would be easier to manage fewer people in fewer precincts. The one dozer driver would continue to work in all precincts, and from time to time, all or some of the men would work on one project, as needed. Commissioner Michael Hoch said commissioners had used two-precinct sharing years ago. Hoch said any such plan would have to accommodate all the work done by the road crew, such as mowing at the courthouse and along Hwy. 158 one day a week as needed. No decision was made regarding the change, but it will apparently continue to be considered.

Schafer also said he wants to make changes at the north landfill so people can dump their trash there anytime they choose, and he plans to acquire right-of-way so that what he termed a “dangerous double curve” on Sherrod Road can be straightened.

County May Buy Haul Trailer

Commissioners discussed purchase of a  $23,000 used haul trailer to replace the existing one, which Hoch said has a welded axle and can’t haul some pieces of equipment. The trailer being considered is a 1998 50-ton, triple-axle type that can haul a maintainer, dump truck or a dozer. Commissioners decided to have it brought from Midland for them to look at and to test.

The court discussed storage for a fire truck, which was given to the county years ago by the U.S. Forest Service. After the addition of the county’s new rescue vehicle, the truck has been sitting outside. Commissioner Mark Halfmann said the truck can only be used when connected to a water hydrant, making it useful only for school or house fires in Garden City, and he said few people know how to operate it. Bednar said the county spent a lot of money on a new engine for the truck, but said storage space needs to be found and people trained to use it, or the Forest Service will want it to go elsewhere. No action was taken.

Historical Commission Members Selected

After asking for volunteers to serve on the county’s historical commission last month, County Judge Wilburn Bednar reported that Randy Sanders had volunteered. The court decided to ask Sanders, Alan Dierschke, Janie Branham, Helen Wilkerson and Laura Huitt to serve on the commission. Bednar was to contact each person regarding willingness to serve.

Bednar reported that someone had suggested that trash collection be provided in Garden City so that trash burning could be stopped; payment for collection would then be added to water system billing. But commissioners said not everyone in Garden City uses the water system, and a burn ban would be hard to enforce. They seemed to agree with Schafer, who said the plan would create headaches, and the matter was dropped.

Cemetery Entrance/Fence Progressing

Joe Calverley reported that work on the new entrance and fence for the Garden City Cemetery is progressing, with welding on the arch and gates nearing completion. After the arch and gates are installed, rock will be put columns and the fence installed. She said work done with volunteer labor is, by necessity, slower than that done by traditional contract.

A representative from the group that handles the county’s retirement system will hold meetings Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. and at

1:30 p.m. in the courthouse to familiarize county employees with the system.

The commissioners’ court will meet Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. in a workshop to discuss possible changes to the county employee handbook. They will also set holidays for the courthouse and for the county road crew. Holidays being considered for the courthouse are: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday (Friday and Monday), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday) and Christmas (Monday and Tuesday).

Engineer Dan Glass said he would provide an updated map showing when various county roads were paved and seal coated.

The commissioners’ court meets at 9 a.m. on the second Monday of each month upstairs in the courthouse. Meetings are open to the public.

Briefly

•  Glasscock County Senior Citizens will meet Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Senior Citizens Building. All seniors are invited.

•  There was no December meeting of the Glasscock Underground Water Conservation District due to lack of a quorum.

• The GCISD school board on Jan. 10 gave School Superintendent Steve Long a $1,500 raise, taking his salary to $75,000. They also extended his contract by a year, keeping it at three years. Enrollment in the elementary school is 158 (Pre-K – Six), down 5 since last month. Enrollment in grades seven – twelve is 145, down one.

•  The 2005 Texas Pecos Trails Grant application committee will meet at the Santa Fe Depot in McCamey Jan. 26 at

11 a.m. A meal will be served at noon for a cost of $7. This is the third meeting of the 22 counties designated by the Texas Historical Commission as part of the Texas Pecos Trails region in its Heritage Tourism program. Parties interested in attending, or interested in the program, should contact Debbie Vickers, Odessa Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau, 432/333-7890.

•  Glasscock County residents should be aware that apparently someone is attempting to sell hunting leases on lands for which he has no rights.  Hunters without a valid lease are considered trespassers and may be prosecuted.

•  The Odessa Jackalopes have designated Jan. 29 as Glasscock County Night. The Jackalopes will play the Wichita Thunder (kids jersey t-shirt night) at 7 p.m. in the Ector County Coliseum (“Jack Shack”). Businesses and organizations which buying tickets for employees and customers will receive advertisements over the PA system during the game as well as through local media. Advance tickets for individuals, businesses and groups are priced from $5 to $11, depending on location and number purchased. Contact Ray Fieldhouse at 432/552-7825 for more information.

In The Spotlight

•  Becca Saunders graduated from Texas Tech Dec. 18, with a Bachelors of Business Administration Degree in Marketing.  Becca will be employed with Linens-n-Things in their San Antonio store beginning Feb. 7.  She is the granddaughter of Ruth Cook and the daughter of Bud and Margaret Saunders of Midland.

•  Zane Eoff’s Wichita pecans recently won the Grand Champion Commercial category in the West Texas Regional Pecan Show in Abilene. The West Texas region is the largest of the state’s growing areas, with boundaries running roughly from El Paso to Andrews to Menard to Abilene. Eoff’s pecans will advance to the state pecan show in July.

•  Kayla Kohls Rathmann was recently named as the Director of Friends and Alumni Association of the Texas 4-H Foundation. Rathmann, a former resident of Garden City, earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture development and a master’s degree in agriculture education, both from Texas A&M.  The directorship, a newly created position, was designed to further promote and support Texas 4-H activities. For more information about the Texas 4-H Foundation’s Friends and Alumni Association or how to join, contact Rathmann at (979) 845-1213 or by e-mail at kkrathmann@ag.tamu.edu. Or visit the Web at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ and click on the links to the Texas 4-H Foundation or the 4-H Friends and Alumni Association.

Two Varmint-Calling Contests Slated

                A varmint-calling contest for Glasscock County residents only is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15 with participants registering at the Wyn- Lor garage between 3 and 5 p.m.  Contestants will check in at the same location by 9 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16.  Proceeds from the $25 entry fee will go the Glasscock County FFA.

                A second contest, which will be open to the public, will be held Friday, Feb. 4.  Contestants will register at Wyn-Lor between 3 and 5 p.m. and return by 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.  Entry fees are $100 per team with a 75 per cent payout. Additional jackpots are available with entry.  Participants must hunt in Glasscock County or bordering counties.

                For additional information, call Rusty Hollingsworth at 354-2244 or 354-2250.

Livestock Show Winners Announced

                Top winners in 68th Annual Glasscock County Junior Livestock Show were:

                Top Hand Award went to Colby Hirt and the Douglas Plagens Memorial Scholarship awards to Trey Hillger, $500; Colby Hirt, $250.        

                Britni Cook, Grand Champion rabbit; Marcus Cook, Reserve Grand Champion rabbit; showmanship for rabbits Rebecca Cmerek, senior, Laura Halfmann, intermediate, Kamie Halfmann, junior.  Cade Halfmann, Grand Champion goat; Lane Halfmann, Reserve Grand Champion goat; showmanship for goats Cade Halfmann, senior, Sydney Halfmann, Intermediate, Brody Halfmann, junior.  Samantha Kellermeier, Grand Champion steer; Garrett Kellermeier, Reserve Grand Champion steer; showmanship for steers Garrett Kellermeier, senior; Samantha Kellermeier, junior.  Colby Hirt, Grand Champion lamb; Colby Hirt Reserve Grand Champion lamb; showmanship for lambs Colby Hirt, senior, Amber Halfmann, intermediate, Reggie Halfmann, junior.  Marissa Schwartz, Grand Champion swine; Blaine Walker, Reserve Grand Champion; showmanship for swine Marissa Schwartz, senior, Lauren Schwartz, intermediate, Colton Belew, junior.

Sheriff’s Beat

Nov. 8 -- Cows out west of Garden City on Hwy. 158; Nov. 9 -- Arrest made for violation of probation; Nov. 17 -- medical call to TexStone quarry; Nov. 19 -- unlocked car at Halfmann’s Store and at TexStone; two cars hit deer east of G.C. on Hwy. 158; Nov. 20 -- unlocked car at Halfmann’s Store, car hit deer east of G.C. on Hwy. 158; Dec. 2 -- unlocked car at County Road 415; Dec. 3 -- gravel truck lost load of gravel on Hwy. 158, vandalism at the local high school, reckless driver in G.C, possible drunk driver west of G.C.; Dec. 4 -- cows out on CR 105, unlocked car at Halfmann’s Store, medical call to Pecan Street in G.C., beer taken from a house in G.C.; Dec. 10 -- runaway reported in north part of county; Dec. 13-- oilfield theft on CR 180.

Obituaries

Clara A. Dierschke, 88, died Dec. 25 in a Stanton care center and was buried at the St. Lawrence Cemetery.  She was born Jan. 31, 1916 to Joseph and Annie Fayte Malinak in Shiner and graduated from Shiner High School. She married Bernard “Ben” Dierschke in 1949 in Shiner. They lived and farmed in St. Lawrence, with Ben preceding her in death in 1996.

                Clara was a leather tooler for many years, working on saddles and other leather goods. She enjoyed baking, gardening and listening and dancing to polka music. She was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church and the St. Theresa Altar Society.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one brother, Ed.  Survivors are her son, Alan J. Dierschke of St. Lawrence; one sister, Adel Kruse of Victoria; one brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Floy Malinak of Marietta, GA.; two sisters-in-law, Cora Dierschke of San Angelo and Elizabeth Truman of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wanda Johnson Forbis, 74, died Jan. 1 in a Midland hospital and was buried at Gooch Cemetery in Mason. She was born April 7, 1930 in Arnett, TX. She moved to Garden City in 1981 and had worked as a deputy clerk in the Glasscock County Clerk’s Office. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Garden City and had served as church treasurer. She had been Glasscock County’s Election Judge for many years. She did volunteer work for several organizations, including Hi-Sky Emmanus Community, Alzheimer’s Fund Raising, the Cancer Walk, the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and others.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Berry and Shirley Johnson of Andrews and Billy and Bambi Johnson of Bedias, TX; one brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and May Wise of Gatesville, one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Gail Johnson of Llano; two sisters-in-law, Vera Johnson and Zula Johnson, both of Mason; eight grandchildren, and others.

Husbands Berry T. Johnson and Don Forbis, parents Esteen and Ruth Williams and sister Bess Ernst preceded her in death.

Charles T. Jackson, 95, of Anson died Jan. 9 at his home and was buried in Lubbock. He was born July 1, 1909 in Lubbock, the son of Charles and Ada Lou Ella (Coffman) Jackson. He was reared in Lubbock and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1944, and later from Perkins Theological Seminary at Southern Methodist University. He married Nita Farquhar in 1961; she preceded him in death in 1990.

Jackson had served as pastor of the Methodist Church in Garden City for several years and later was pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Anson from 1972 to 1976. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 575. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Diane Martin; a son, Ben Jackson; a daughter, Jan Scheider; a granddaughter, Rebecca Jackson; two brothers and five sisters. Survivors include a daughter, Beth Redwine of Hobbs, N.M.; three stepdaughters, Eileen Haney of Big Spring, Nan McAdams of Abilene and Nita Gibbs of Los Angeles; a stepson, John Farquhar of Abilene; five grandchildren, Bob Redwine, Tracy Clark, Paula Howe, Mark Scheider and Charles Jackson and 16 step-grandchildren.

Next Issue Date and Deadline

             The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be Feb.16. The deadline for that issue is Feb.14, but earlier material is helpful. Send information to: P.O. Box 98, Garden City, TX 79739; phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com.

                The Glasscock County News is published by Joe Melanie Calverley, P. O. Box 98, Garden City, TX, 79739.  Phone or fax: 432/354-2221; e-mail: gcnews201@aol.com; web site: glasscockcountynews.com