Dateline: February 24, 2005

Robinson wins top award during chamber banquet

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

2004 Saints' Roost Award Winner Ruth Robinson

Ruth Robinson was named the recipient of the 2004 Saints’ Roost Award for lifetime achievement last Saturday during the annual banquet of the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce.

Terry Askew and Roy Monroe also received top honors as Woman of the Year and Man of the Year.

Robinson was awarded the chamber’s highest honor for her devotion to numerous local organizations and boards and her long tenure as the counselor for Clarendon College, a position she held for 18 years.

She has never met a stranger and is known for her helpfulness when friends are in need; and her husband, Joe, says that if someone has a hangnail, Robinson would bake them her 7-Up cake.

Robinson wants most to be remembered as someone who loves the Lord and her family, but she has also made an invaluable impact on the local community, serving as a past president and current member of the Saints’ Roost Museum Board, a member of the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, the Clarendon College Board of Regents, and the Donley County Historical Commission.

She is active in the Pathfinders Club, the Art Club, the Walk to Emmaus, and the United Methodist District for Higher Education.

2004 Woman of the Year Terry Askew

The 2004 Woman of the Year was praised as a loving and caring individual, who is a leader among downtown merchants and a “super great mom.” Terry Askew grew up in Clarendon, attended local schools, and married in the First Christian Church. After the retirement of her father, Askew became the fourth generation of her family to manage one of Clarendon’s most productive shopping establishments, Saye’s.

Askew has served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for both of her sons and is currently the leader of her daughter’s Cadet Scout Troop. She will stay up as late as necessary to help her kids with their studies. She is a devoted Bronco Parent and FFA Booster and can be found working in concession stands and supporting her kids and their friends.

Askew works with the Donley County Horse Club and loves to watch children ride, rope, and run barrels and poles. During spring branding on the Flying A Ranch, she has her husband’s and other cowboys’ breakfast on the table by 5 a.m.

She is also known for serving the Les Beaux Arts Club, the Chamber of Commerce board, and the Clarendon Merchants Association.

2004 Man of the Year Roy Monroe

The 2004 Man of the Year was hailed as a devoted member of the community who gives selflessly of his time and money with no expectation of return. Roy Monroe is neither a business owner nor a parent, but his love for Donley County is undeniable by his actions.

Monroe sets up a massive display of lights at his Howardwick home and has been largely responsible for the friendly annual decorating competition that city has developed, and he has helped with personal projects from roofing and remodeling to babysitting kids and animals.

He has helped in every way from pouring concrete for a local church to building a float for the Clarendon High School cheerleaders, and he currently serves on the boards of the Saints’ Roost Museum and the Chamber of Commerce. He promotes Clarendon by helping with the parade each July, the annual Greenbelt Kid Fish, the Museum Christmas Party, and the Col. Goodnight Chuckwagon Cookoff, and many other events.

Other awards presented at Saturday’s banquet included the Pioneer Man and Woman of the Year and the Young Men and Women of the Year.

A.R. Henson was named the Pioneer Man of the Year for 2004.  Henson grew up in Donley County, attended local schools, and served in the Air Force during World War II. He established the A.R. Henson Tire Company in March 1946, a business known today as Henson’s, your bolts to diamonds store. He has served the community as a member of the school board, the Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Al Morrah Shrine Club, the Eastern Star, and the American Cancer Society. In addition to holding offices and receiving awards from these organizations, the Chamber of Commerce previously named Henson the 1987 Man of the Year and the 2000 Saints’ Roost Award Winner.

The Pioneer Woman of the Year was Frances Skelton, who has spent her life in Clarendon. She was employed by former County Agent Flip Breedlove as a secretary and later sold candy for the O.D. Skelton Candy Co. during World War II. After the war she began serving as an election clerk, which she still does. She and her husband organized the Fellowship Sunday School Class at the Methodist Church, and they have been active in many capacities in the church. She was a charter member of the Clarendon Country Club, is an active golfer, and is a three-time past president of the Ladies Golf Association. She is also an avid bridge and poker player. Skelton loves Clarendon and says she sometimes wonders why anybody wouldn’t like to spend the rest of their lives in Clarendon.

The Young Woman of the Year from Clarendon High School was Shanna Shelton.  She has received many honors and awards, including the BWXT Pantex  & Ascension Academy Award of Excellence in math, the President’s Education Award Program’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution American History Award. She has also been active in the CHS Student Council’s Adopt-A-Highway program and helps coach softball during the summer. She plans to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in math or science at West Texas A&M University.

Branson Carter was named to Young Man of the Year from Clarendon High School. He is an active member of Boy Scout Troop 433, where he has earned the rank of Eagle and is an assistant scoutmaster and a member of the Order of the Arrow, a camper’s honor fraternity. He has been the drum major for the Bronco Band for two years and has advanced to the state solo/ensemble competition for the last four years. He has been a member of the All Region Concert Band and the All Region Symphonic Band. In his spare time, Carter has donated hours as a camp counselor for learning disabled and cancer-stricken children. He plans to attend Oklahoma State University, where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in fire protection and safety engineering, specializing in advanced fire systems modeling, design, and safety analysis for nuclear and high explosives operations.

The Young Woman of the Year from Hedley High School is Allison Hill. She has been received numerous awards and honors during her high school career. She has been a regional qualifier in tennis for three years and was the District FFA Talent Show champion. As a member of the Hedley Lady Owls basketball team, she has assisted the team to four district championships, the regional tournament in 2002, the state tournament in 2003, and an area qualifier in 2004. Her community service includes participation in the Christmas Angels Project, the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, and decorating for the Hedley High School Ex-Students Celebration. She produced a video for the Community Veterans Celebration and has touched lives through singing and caroling for elders and residents of the nursing home. She plans to attend Clarendon College and West Texas A&M and major in computer design.

Stephen Howard was named the Young Man of the Year from Hedley High School. He has been a server at the Hedley Senior Citizens Banquet and has blessed many lives at the nursing home through singing with the Hedley High School Choir. He has been the three-time district Number Sense champion, two-time regional champion in Financial Math and Analysis, and two-time state qualifier in UIL academics. He has also been a two-time regional qualifier in cross country and a member of the All Region basketball and football teams. He plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in biochemistry.

The featured speaker for the evening was Sam Cartwright of the Dumas Chamber of Commerce, who spoke about cooperation within a community. Will Thompson with the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation also spoke about the benefits of shopping at home.

Katie Askew provided musical entertainment.

Tessie Robinson succeeds Greg Henry as chamber president. Incoming chamber directors are Gene Hommel, Tommy Hill, Hillary McAnear, Jewel Houston, Jim Shelton, and Rhonda Shaw. Outgoing members are Eddy Eads, Roy Monroe, Ruth Robinson, Cherie Floyd, and Mark C. White.