On behalf of the Dalhart Texan, we would like to welcome all visitors of the XIT Rodeo and Reunion to Dalhart.  You are about to experience a city and a celebration like none other.  A community and celebration that are both long steeped in both history and long run heritage of the true western spirit. 

    A Muddy arena, beautiful weather, wild stick horses, and varied aged youth decked in full western regalia promised for a memorable day for all who attended the 2009 XIT Junior Rodeo. The true western spirit was alive and well at the XIT Arena Saturday morning as reigning XIT Queen Laramie Wing rode through the arena displaying the XIT Colors. Little Mr. XIT Dylan Moore and Little Miss XIT Stratton Potter joined in the pursuit and were transported through the arena waving to all attendees.

    Gleaming crystal chandeliers, historic accommodations, sumptuous cuisine, and most recently locked doors.  The Historic Eklund Hotel in Clayton, New Mexico has fallen prey to declining tourism.  The hotel, restaurant, and bar closed its’ doors at the end of April.  The hotel, a famed piece of the Old West including a saloon with bullet holes in the tin ceiling was constructed in 1892, and underwent an extensive 2.3 million dollar renovation just five years ago. 

    The Dalhart Wolves football and Lady Wolves volleyball teams began two a day practices on Monday. Both teams will be looking to repeat or better last years district record. The football team went 4-1 in district while the Lady Wolves were 10-0. Early Monday’s practice did not include freshmen who will meet with coach Young in the afternoon to pick up equipment. There were close to 60 players working out on the field during the morning practice gearing up for their first scrimmage against WT High in Stinnett on the 15th of August.

Tradition dictates that change comes slow for the XIT Rodeo and Reunion in Dalhart.  They have been serving up the street parade, rodeo, dances, and free feeds for years.  But, the XIT Directors who put on the event are always trying to make the experience the best it can be.  Under the leadership of President John Foley, there are several big and very positive changes for attendees during the 73rd Annual XIT Rodeo and Reunion on August 6, 7, 8.

    Executives from The Kroger Company (www.kroger.com; NYSE: KR) and Select Milk Producers, Inc. visited the Dalhart area Thursday to present Natural Prairie Dairy Farm and the dairy’s employees the prestigious Kroger’s Supplier of the Year award. 

    As everyone eagerly anticipates Dalhart’s XIT season, many cast members are perfecting lines for this year’s La Rita melodrama, “The Masked Canary.”

    The Texas Historical Commission in conjunction with the Dallam County Historical Commission, the City of Dalhart and Hartley County will dedicate an official Texas Historical marker commemorating the historical significance of Dalhart Army Air Field during World War II. 

On Monday, July 13th Dalhart’s Boy Scout Troop 101 headed for the mountains.  After last year’s very successful canoe trip to Arkansas, the guys decided to head to Colorado to bag some 14,000 foot peaks.  Rest days were open to fly fishing.  Leaving Dalhart at 5:30 a.m. the troop traveled the mountains west of Creed Colorado.  Eleven hours in the vehicles left the scouts with lots of pent up energy.  They needed that energy the next morning when Scoutmaster Christopher Joens led them to the top of Handies Peak.

    The Dalhart Senior Citizens Center held a Coffee Reception on Wednesday, July 29th recognizing the centers Volunteers.  The reception began at 10:00 a.m. in the Center’s gathering room with coffee, fresh fruit, pastry and certificates of appreciation were presented to all the volunteers.

In the late hours of Wednesday, July 30th, the Dalhart Police Department responded to a burglar alarm sounding in the 500 block of West 7th Street.  At the same time, the owners of B&B Liquor Store, Harold and Carla Meyers, received telephone calls on their cell phones notifying them that the alarm was going off at the store.   When the Meyers arrived at the store, just six blocks from their home, they discovered three police squad cars and four officers were already on the scene of what appeared to be an attempted break in.

     The first reading and a public hearing were held regarding Ordinance 2009-22, which would change the zoning on lots owned by David Lowe from R-1 Residential to Special Use for the purpose of building zero lot line patio or garden homes. The zoning change would increase the number of lots from four to six. Plans presented by Lowe show a 30’ wide paved street with curb and gutter that would be paid for by Lowe and deeded to the city as a public street. The plans also call for burying all utilities in that area.

    Late Tuesday evening, July 14th a fire broke out at the Beck Ranch, located about 30 miles southwest of Dalhart.  The fire began at approximately 7:00 p.m. and ultimately didn’t succumb to firemen until July 15th.  The Dalhart Fire Department responded to the fire, which quickly grew.  Assistance rolled in from the Sedan Fire Department in New Mexico and the Texline Fire Department.  The firemen worked through the night to battle the blaze that consumed 920 acres.

    Rain is defined as the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops heavy enough to fall, making it to the surface of the earth.  I felt that I needed to brush up on the definition. In recent times, we have not gotten to hear its soothing pitter-patter on the roof, smell its clean refreshing scent, or see the wonders it can do to our dry mother earth in our locale.  However, most recently our plagued abstinence of rain has been broken.

    Pastor Dave grew up in Forest Grove, Michigan.  He and his wife Shannon have two teenage children, Vicki, who will be going off to college this fall, and Craig who will be a 11th grader in high school.