Dateline: July 27, 2006

Clarendon makes good impression on WTPA

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Fun, laughter, and Texas hospitality were the hallmarks of the 76th annual West Texas Press Association’s summer convention in Clarendon last week.

The world’s largest regional press association gathered here Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with a registered attendance that surpassed last year’s convention in San Angelo and boasted more attendees than any other regional press convention held in Texas this year.

“The convention was a terrific success,” said local publisher and convention chairman Roger Estlack. “We had a big crowd. Everyone had a great time, and the community received an economic boost for the weekend.”

The convention had more than 90 people registered, and some events drew more than 100 people. More than 30 attendees had never been to a WTPA convention before, and the Texas Panhandle convention site helped draw new members to the association, boosting its membership from 86 newspapers last year to an even 100 this year.

WTPA members were impressed with Clarendon and all it had to offer and repeatedly praised the community during the convention.

“The hospitality extended to convention participants and the pride Clarendon residents exhibited in your community was extraordinary,” said WTPA Board Chairman Roy Robinson of Graham.

Activities began Thursday morning with the annual golf tournament at the Clarendon Country Club, which tournament sponsor Robert Burns of EMBARQ said had some of the nicest greens he has seen all year. Joe Thompson of the Hood County News won the tournament, and Doug Kidd, representing The Clarendon Enterprise, came in fourth out of 13 players.

Registration began Thursday afternoon at the Bairfield Activity Center and was followed by a reception at the Best Western Red River Inn. That evening Judge Jack Hall gave the press a tour of the 1890 Donley County Courthouse and praised newspapers for the roles they play in their communities.

The Saints’ Roost Band provided musical entertainment as attendees enjoyed the Chuckwagon cooking of Kevin Romines and the Honey-Do Spoiler wagon from Pampa. After the meal, James Doores donned the character of American legend Mark Twain in an address to those assembled. The evening was closed with a special WTPA Night at the Sandell Drive-In, where the feature presentation was “The Paper.”

The convention got down to business Friday at the Bairfield Activity Center with Tim Harrower, a newspaper page designer from Oregon, teaching WTPA papers how to liven up their pages. Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman addressed the press prior to Friday’s luncheon, and Jasper publisher Willis Webb helped member papers prepare for natural disasters during an early afternoon work session.

Convention attendees had the afternoon free to explore Clarendon, and many of them descended on local merchants to set cash registers ringing.

Every Nook & Cranny owner Markeeta Howard said sales in her business were way above what it would be for a typical Friday afternoon.

“I would say that they brought in about $800 extra for that day,” Howard said. “It was huge for us.”

The convention resumed at the Bairfield Activity Center Friday evening with a reception and banquet that featured photographer Wyman Meinzer of Benjamin, who discussed his work capturing the beauty of landscapes and skyscapes in the Panhandle and South Plains.

Graham publisher Roy Robinson was honored that evening with the Harold Hudson Award for his distinguished years of service to the industry and the WTPA. Sandi Baylis of American Profile was also recognized with the Dewane Kelly “Friend of the Newspaper” Award as someone who has worked to promote the well-being of the WTPA and its member newspapers.

Saturday morning began with a Publishers’ Roundtable, during which a variety of issues facing the newspaper industry were discussed, including Web advertising, obituary policies, photography sales, and creating non-traditional revenue sources.

The general membership meeting was also held Saturday morning, and a new slate of officers was elected for the WTPA. Eldorado’s Randy Mankin was elected chairman of the board, and Clarendon’s Roger Estlack was elected president of the association. Other officers include First Vice President Bob Brincefield of Brownwood, Second Vice President Cathy Collier of Fredericksburg, and Secretary/Treasurer Mary Dudley of Perryton.

New members of the board of directors include Robert Burns of EMBARQ, Mac McKinnon of Dublin, Melissa Perna of Ozona, and Don Richards of Hale Center. They join second year members Sandi Baylis of American Profile, Todd Griffith of Decatur, Kevin Hamilton of Iowa Park, and Brian Brisendine of Hereford.

Democratic candidate for US Senate Barbara Ann Radnofsky addressed the convention prior to the results of the Better Newspaper Contest being announced at Saturday’s brunch. The Kerrville Daily Times, the Wise County Messenger, the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post, and The Clarendon Enterprise were recognized as this year’s sweepstakes winners.

The identity of the James Roberts As-Good-As-His-Word handshake personality was revealed as Clarendon’s Ashlee Estlack, who presented a $50 bill to Kim Griffith of Decatur for being the 50th person to shake her hand.

Newly elected First Vice President Bob Brincefield extended the invitation to the 2007 convention, which will be held in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

As the traditional convention finale, Bob Dillard of Fort Davis drew the names of three grand prize winners. Sarah Mankin of Eldorado won the weekend in Fort Davis and Marfa—one night at the Hotel Limpia and one night at the Paisano Hotel, Scarlet Estlack of Clarendon won the weekend for four at Prude Ranch, and Nancy Kidd of Clarendon won the trip into the San Carlos Mountains in Mexico.