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Glasscock County News
First Community-Wide Health Fair Mar. 6
You are invited to attend GCISD’s Open House, Book Fair, Lasagna Supper and the First Annual Community-Wide Health Fair Tuesday, March 6 from 4 – 6:30 p.m. at the school. The Health Fair will be in the school complex building, open to the public and all ages are welcome. There will be over 25 health-related exhibits and booths. Midland Memorial Hospital will provide FREE health screenings including cholesterol testing, blood glucose level and blood pressure. Free glaucoma testing, plus visual acuity and hearing screenings will also be available. There will also be a blood drive, safety demonstrations, and children's fingerprint I.D. The local Lion's Club will be collecting old prescription eyeglasses, and signing up new members. For more information or to sign up to DONATE BLOOD, call Christy Seidenberger, (432) 354-2243.
Water District Approves Report
The Glasscock Groundwater Conservation District’s Board of Directors approved the 2006 District Action Plan Annual Report at its meeting Jan. 16. According to the report, the average cost of a water analysis was $26, and 87 of them were performed during the year. Twenty-eight mineral and 59 coliform analyses were done. Eight water wells were permitted; two were registered and all complied with district spacing, drilling and construction standards. No producers used the district’s Topcon mapping equipment and the laser plane leveling equipment was used five times. One investigation of possible contamination from oil and gas production was conducted and no complaints or unplugged, abandoned oil/ gas wells were reported to the Texas Railroad Commission.
Seliger Files Bill to Change TAKS
State Senator Kel Seliger recently filed Senate Bill 379 to eliminate the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test at the high school level and replace it with end-of-course exams. According to a press release, Seliger recognizes that valuable classroom time is wasted reviewing previous grade levels and course material, and too much emphasis is placed on test-taking techniques. He considers this stressful for teachers and students and believes it takes away from time that could be spent focusing on course curriculum. The bill would require an end-of-course exam in each of the four core subjects: math, science, social studies and English. Each exam would count for a portion of the student's overall course grade, to be determined by the district, and a cumulative mastery of each subject qualifies students for graduation in place of an exit exam. For purposes of graduation, a passing grade would be required for each subject as determined by averaging exam scores from the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Exams given in the senior year would only count toward the student's course grades for that level.
Briefly
• Glasscock County Senior Citizens will resume their meetings March 6 at 6 p.m. with potluck. All seniors are encouraged to go to the health fair at the school before this meeting, where School Nurse Christy Seidenberger will have tests available for all. We will have snack night on March 20. Come join us for fellowship and games.
• Recent telephone solicitations and mailed flyers from the Texas Highway Patrol Association and Museum are bogus, according to Deputy Sheriff Keith Burnett. He says legitimate law enforcement organizations do not make telephone solicitations. Burnett said if county residents get these calls, and if they become in any way forceful, they should be reported to the local sheriff’s department.
• The county commissioners’ court on Feb. 12 appointed Alan Dierschke and Mary Jo Cope to the county’s historical association. Dierschke and Cope are to find several other members for the group.
• County commissioners approved on Feb. 12 a $25 connect fee plus a $25 refundable deposit for the Garden City Water Supply system, lowering the cost of beginning service with an existing meter. A $250 charge for a new meter and installation remains in effect.
• Applications for the Glasscock County Cooperative extension office secretary will be taken Feb. 14 through Feb. 28. Those interested may pick up applications and job descriptions at the office from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday. The job is part-time, requiring 20 hours per week, 8 to noon, Monday through Friday, with no county benefits and a salary of $12,000 per year. Interviews will be conducted March 1 or 2 with a starting date the second week in March. According to County Judge Wilburn Bednar, secretary Tracy Hollingsworth resigned to take a job with the McDowell Ranch. Call 354-2381 or 354-2608 for more information.
• Winners of the Glasscock County FFA Varmint-Calling contest were: first place team of Baylor Walker, Wesley Glass, Barney Sisco, Trey Sisco; second place team Casey Smith, Nathan Spencer, Jake Quine; third place team Josh Gaines, Bailey Gaines, James Gaines.
• Metal trash barrels are available from the local Lions Club for $10 each. You can pick them up, or a club member will deliver. Call John Kinnibrugh, 354-2512, Eric Seidenberger, 354-2314 or Warren Multer, 354-2466.
• GCISD is participating in Walk Across Texas, an 8 week 836 mile virtual trek across our great state. After four weeks of wearing a pedometer, the staff has nearly walked across the US by logging 2,620 miles as a team. The elementary students have walked 2,327 miles all together. Each class has averaged 60-80 miles a week. Walk Across Texas is a fun, flexible and free way to exercise offered by the Texas Cooperative Extension that promotes regular daily activity.
In The Spotlight
• Lauren Wheeler advances to state competition after receiving a Division 1 superior rating at the Region 6 UIL Solo and Ensemble contest in piano solo. Lauren, daughter of Karen and Andy Wheeler, is a sophomore at Garden City High School and a piano student of Leroy Moore.
• The GCISD senior high robotics team, whose members are Colton Schwartz, Taylor Niehues, and Wade Jansa, finished in the top 10 at the state robotics competition in Austin recently. The junior high team of Ian Schaefer, Brian Hirt, Brittany Schniers and Hayden Halfmann placed first in the inventions contest. This is an open competition that includes Class 1A – 5A schools.
ID Kits for Kids Available Locally
Identification kits for children are being distributed through the public school system and the local sheriff’s office, according to the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. Students in grades K – 6 will be given a kit at school, and each sheriff in Texas will receive additional kits to be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis to children who fall outside the K – 6 range or who do not attend public school. Each kit contains an inkless fingerprinting card, DNA swab and preservation envelope and a wallet card. All information can be completed by a parent or guardian and stored at home. In the event of an emergency, the ID kit can be handed over to authorities to help locate a missing child. The kits are provided through joint efforts of the Sheriffs’ Association, the American Football Coaches Association, the FBI’s National Child Identification Program, the Texas Association of School Administrators and the office of Governor Rick Perry. For more information, contact Tami Becton, (806) 729-4471 or tami@childidprogram.com, or call the local superintendent’s or sheriff’s offices.
From the Cook and Hillger Families
At this time in all of our lives it is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but with God's unending love, comfort and grace we will see His plan for all of us is infinitely perfect. Mere words are so inadequate when it comes to expressing the sorrow we are all feeling for our loss at this time. This community is holding our family and each other up right now with all your love, prayers, and arms and all we can say is thank you so, so much, which seems so, so little for what you have done to help. We know you will continue to be there for us in so many ways and we want to thank you in advance for that help. The world will always need people like you who give so generously, help so willingly, and care so deeply. It is going to be very hard for all of us in the next weeks, months and years, but with God's help and the love we give to one another, the way will be eased. -- Dana's Family
The family of Brian and Dana Cook are so grateful to the people of Garden City, St. Lawrence and Midkiff for their outpouring of love, comfort, and prayers during this time of tragedy, grief, and loss. Your support has been so phenomenal that we are all overwhelmed by your love. Words can never "thank you" enough. Thank you for the visits, phone calls, delicious food, paper goods, cards and the beautiful flowers. Special thanks to the parish church of St. Lawrence for the beautiful service and to the whole community for the family meal. May our Lord bless each and every one of you in this great community with His love and care. -- The family of Brian Cook: Omer and Jade Cook, Sheila and Tooter Draper, Ann and Cannon Beaver and Jackie Ward
A special thank you to the Glasscock County Sheriff’s Department, Keith Burnett, Kenneth Zunker and Marilee Jost for their professionalism, compassion and comfort during our time of tragedy.
From the Schoolhouse
FFA News The GCISD team placed second in Area and fourth overall at the Area II Tractor Tech Contest in January, qualifying them for the state contest in March. Colton Schwartz was high individual, Cade Halfmann 11th place, Jason Flores 15th and Levi Schaefer was high scoring alternate. FFA students are finishing this year’s ag mechanic projects to be exhibited in San Angelo Feb. 21 and in Houston Feb. 28. Thanks to all the support from the community in getting this year’s tractor and trailer finished, and for all the hours you allow me with your students. A special thanks goes to James Schwartz for the help he has given on the tractor and with the students. Without help like this from the community, these restoration projects of show tractors would not be possible. If you are interested in helping, or would like to see what the students are working on, just drop by the shop anytime. ---Rusty Hollingsworth
BPA News
GCISD Business Professionals of America students who placed in the top three at the regional competition advance to state competition. Those students finishing in the top six at regionals were: Advanced Accounting – Amy Multer 1st; Payroll Accounting – Cade Halfmann 1st, Erin Hirt 2nd; Spreadsheet Applications – Colton Schwartz 1st, Taylor Niehues 1st; Keyboarding Productions – Paige Niehues 2nd, Kelsey Jones 3rd, Kate Halfmann 5th; Fundamental Word – Lauren Schwartz 1st, Amber Halfmann 2nd; Advanced Word – Whitney Kellermeier 1st, Laura Halfmann 2nd, Melissa Hirt 4th; Integrated Office – Mikela Barton 1st, Brooke Halfmann 2nd, Julie Hirt 3rd; Desktop Publishing – Eric Hirt 2nd, Spencer Plagens 3rd; Basic Office – Lauren Wheeler 4th, K’Lann Niehues 6th; Advanced Office – Brittany Chudej 1st, Halie Schaefer 2nd, Macy Schwartz 6th; Medical Office – Marissa Schwartz 2nd, Kayla Schwartz 3d; PC Troubleshooting – Evan Jansa 4th, Jason Flores 5th; Administrative Support Team – Whitney Kellermeier, Mikela Barton, Erin Hirt, Marissa Schwartz 3rd, Lauren Wheeler, Colton Schwartz, Cade Halfmann, Evan Jansa 4th, Amy Multer, K’Lann Niehues, Brooke Halfmann, Taylor Niehues 5th.
TMSCA Meet Results:
At a recent Texas Math and Science Coaches Association meet, Garden City students were the sweepstakes winners. In the ninth grade division, teams placed first in Math, Calculator, Number Sense and Science. In the tenth through twelfth grade divisions, teams placed first in Math, Calculator, Number Sense, Science and Computer Science.
High School divisions: 9th grade: Kate Halfmann – 1st Number Sense; Adriana Ramirez – 2nd Number Sense. 1st Calculator, 8th Math; Noemi Gonzalez – 3rd Number Sense, 7th Science; Paige Niehues – 4th Number Sense, 2nd Calculator, 3rd Science; Laura Halfmann – 2nd Math, 8th Science. 10th grade - Brooke Halfmann – 2nd Number Sense, 4th Math, 4th Science; Levi Schaefer – 3rd Number Sense, 7th Math; Jake Schwartz – 4th Number Sense, 2nd Calculator, 3rd Math, 7th Science; Cayla Schwartz – 5th Number Sense, 10th Math; Michael Clarke – 6th Number Sense, 3rd Calculator, 2nd Math. 11th grade - Wade Jansa – 2nd in Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 1st Math, 3rd Science, 2nd Computer Science. 12th grade - Taylor Niehues – 3rd Number Sense, 1st Calculator, 1st Math, 1st Science, 1st Computer Science; Colton Schwartz – 7th Number Sense, 3rd Calculator, 2nd Math, 2nd Science, 3rd Computer Science. Junior High divisions: Kellan Kirkland – 8th Number Sense, 4th Calculator
Obituaries
• Dollie Ruth Neal Ballenger of Midland died Jan. 10, 2007. She was born June 8, 1919 on the Neal Ranch in Garden City to Ike Neal and Jewel Gollihar Neal. She was reared and educated in Garden City, San Angelo and Midland and attended Texas Christian University until she was a junior. Preceded in death by her parents, she is survived by her daughters, Francys Ann Ballenger, Angelika Lamar, Barba Sue Ballenger Keene and Lynda Glass; four grandchildren, Fred Squire, Scarlett Squire, Jeff Glass and Robert Glass, and ten great-grandchildren.
• Jerry Currie, 76, of Big Spring, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2007, and was buried at the Garden City Cemetery. He was born Jan. 12, 1931, in Big Spring. He married Delores Howard Bash on Feb. 19, 1983 in Big Spring. Jerry was the son of William James “Bill” and Maud Currie, a pioneer ranching family in Glasscock County, He graduated valedictorian from Garden City High School, was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended Texas Tech and the University of Texas and served in the United States Navy. He ranched all of his life in Glasscock and Oldham counties and enjoyed racehorses. He served on the Big Spring ISD Board of Trustees, was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. Survivors include his wife, Delores Currie of Big Spring; a son, Bill Currie of Big Spring; a step-daughter, Nicole Bash of Dallas; a granddaughter, Natalie Nichols Stroup and husband, Kayne of San Antonio; a grandson, Will Currie of Big Spring; a sister, Barbara Currie Ratliff of Garden City and several beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Marie Currie; a daughter, Diana Currie Nichols and a son, Jerry Jon Currie. The family requests memorials be made to the Diana Currie Nichols Scholarship Fund at Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, Texas 79720; Relay For Life, c/o Diane Wood, 3200 Greenbrier, Big Spring, Texas 79720, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15186, Austin, TX 78761.
• Dana Hillger Cook, 36, of Garden City, died Feb. 1, 2007 at her home and was buried in Garden City Cemetery. Born March 17, 1970 in Big Spring to Dale and Jo Ann Hillger, she was a sixth generation Hillger to live in Glasscock County. She was raised in the St. Lawrence community and graduated from Garden City High School. She attended Sul Ross State University and Angelo State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in special education. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Dana was also a teacher at Garden City Elementary School, where she was loved by her students and by fellow faculty members. She was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir and served recently as an officer of the St. Theresa Altar Society. She coached Garden City teams in the Big Spring YMCA Basketball League. Dana inherited her beautiful smile from her Daddy and always kept it on her face, just like her Daddy. She loved her brothers dearly and was so proud of her nephews with all their accomplishments – she was their cool aunt. Survivors include her children, Marcus Ryan Cook and Britni Ann Cook; her mother, Jo Ann Hillger; two brothers, Mike Hillger and wife Nancy, Scott Hillger and wife Andrea; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Omer and Jade Cook, all of Garden City; two sisters-in-law, Sheila Draper and husband Tooter and Ann Beaver and husband Cannon; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, one niece and very special friends, Kenny, Vicki and Leslie Batla and Candy Jones. She was preceded in death by her father, Dale Roy Hillger and her grandparents. The family suggests memorials be sent to Garden City Lions Club – Cook Children, in care of Glasscock County Bank, P.O. Box 90, Garden City, TX 79739.
• Brian Christopher Cook, 37, of Garden City, died Feb. 1, 2007 at his residence and was buried in Garden City Cemetery. He was born Dec. 18, 1969 in Midland and married Dana Erin Hillger in 1991 in St. Lawrence. He graduated from Rankin High School and attended Sul Ross State University. He worked as a field supervisor for Mariner Energies and was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Survivors include a son, Marcus Ryan Cook; a daughter, Britni Ann Cook; his parents, Omer and Jade Cook, all of Garden City; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sheila and tooter Draper of Ranger and Ann and Cannon Beaver of Odessa; his maternal grandmother, Jackie Ward of Stanton; his mother-in-law, Jo Ann Hillger of Garden City; two brothers-in-law, Mike Hillger and wife Nancy and Scott Hillger and wife Andrea, all of Garden City, and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. The family suggests memorials be sent to Garden City Lions Club – Cook Children, in care of Glasscock County Bank, P.O. Box 90, Garden City, TX 79739.
• Edward ‘Eddy Lee’ Avery of Midland died Feb. 7, 2007 at Midland Memorial Hospital and was buried at Resthaven Memorial Park. He was born Dec. 3, 1940 to Lottie Blackerby and Ogal B. Avery. He graduated from Stanton High School and for most of his career, worked in the oilfields of Texas and Louisiana as a production superintendent, and for the past eight years, worked with his son Brad at Hotlline Utility Construction and Lawson Equipment. He was a member of Christian Church of Midland, where he served as a deacon for many years. He was known for his quick wit and wonderful culinary creations. He is survived by his wife, Judith Allison Avery; six children, Lauri Avery Barber and husband Kelly of Covington, LA, Bradley Robert Avery and wife Linda of Garden City, Michael David Pelletier and wife Sheri of Lafayette, LA, Jeffrey Lewis Pelletier and Ginger of Lewisville, Melissa Avery Thompson and husband Mark of Palmer, AK, and Charles Bennett Pelletier and wife Andrea of Lafayette, LA, 14 grandchildren, his mother-in- law, Gladys Allison, sisters Yvonne Hrbacek of Odessa, Lonita Crocker of Weatherford, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters. The family suggests memorials to St. Mary’s Training School, P.O. Drawer 7768, Alexandria, LA, 71306.
Next Issue Date and Deadline
The next issue of the Glasscock County News will be March 14. The deadline for that issue is March 12, 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 .
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