Dateline: December 6, 2001

Crowd turns out for old-fashioned fun   

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

In the air there was the Spirit of Christmas last Saturday in downtown Clarendon as people and cars lined Kearney Street for the Donley County Old Fashioned Christmas celebration.

The Clarendon-Donley County Chamber of Commerce and the Donley County Tourism Council hosted an Open House at the Chamber office. There were 132 people representing Clarendon and eight other towns including Canyon, Amarillo, Panhandle, Dallas, Wellington, Hedley, Memphis, and Childress that attended the open house.

Marilee Self won the gift certificate to Mike’s Pharmacy.  Joanne McAfee won the certificate to Country Bloomers Flowers and Gifts.  Cennet Rhode won the certificate from Downtown Diner. Tex Selvidge was the winner of the certificate from “Sam Hill” Pit BBQ, and Billie Melton won the certificate from Bailey Autos and Collectibles.  The Hedley businesses winning prizes were City Hall and Hedley Homemakers Club.

The winners of the Christmas Lighting Contest were Howardwick – Roy Monroe, Clarendon – B.J. and Jennie Owens; Hedley – Pick and Laquetta Cox; and the Clarendon business winner was Cornell’s Country Store.  Special recognition was given to W.R. Christal.

Local Girl Scouts lit their nativity scene and decorations at the Lions Club Friday night and served cider, hot chocolate, and cookies.

A Quilt Show at Eads Furniture & Appliance began the activities Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with a wide variety of quilts on display. And down the street at Community Fellowship Church, the Breakfast with an Angel was held at 9:00 in the Panhandle Community Services Building. Adults and children enjoyed breakfast, songs, and the Christmas Story told by the angel. Children also made celebrated Jesus’ birthday.

The fourth annual Country Christmas Extravaganza craft show was held at both the Lions Club and the Rebecca Lodge, and the Burton Memorial Library held a Book Sale and served hot chocolate. Local author Gail Shelton signed copies of her latest book. Santa Claus also stopped by the library for pictures with the kids.

The Downtown Ministry Center was the site of many activities throughout the day. The Art Club held a Cake Walk, and kids made Christmas crafts. Christmas Tree Silent Auction was also held in the center. Winners were Joan McAfee – Friends of the Library tree, Audrey Hall – Rasberry’s Designs tree, Carolina Selvidge – Donley County Horse Club tree, Joburta Helms – Channel 11 tree, Onita Thomas – Ministry Center tree, Myles Shelton – Boy Scout Troop 433 tree, and Jeanie Lauderdale – Ace No. 8 Bed & Breakfast tree. Those needing to pick up their trees should call Eddie Helms at 874-2528.

An exhibit of local artists was held in the Texas Loft in the old Goldston Building, and the Clarendon PTA served lunch and refreshments in the Downtown Ministry Center

Select churches and homes were open for tours in the afternoon, and KEFH-FM hosted a live remote broadcast throughout the day from Eads Furniture.

Saturday night closed out the day’s events with a special bingo at the VFW Hall and dancing the night away at the annual Saints’ Museum Benefit Party at the Clarendon Community Center.