The Dalhart Volunteer Fire Department gave out new blankets to each resident of Coon Memorial Home in December.  The blankets were hand-delivered by Fire Chief Curtis Brown and several of the volunteer firefighters.

    Near our home in the Dallas area there is a huge hotel and conference center called the Gaylord Texan.  When we lived there, my husband drove a trolley at the Gaylord that took people shopping in the near-by Grapevine Mills mall and the quaint town of Grapevine, Texas. We enjoy staying there when we are in the area, especially during the Christmas season.

 

 

    The Dalhart High School Band opened their portion of the Dalhart schools holiday concert on Sunday, December 13th with “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”  The song, which was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and numerous artists since, reflects a spirit of Christmas and the longing for family and friends, even if occurring only in dreams.  The band performed the song splendidly, which created a reminiscent mood of days gone by.

    More than one hundred students from Dalhart Elementary and Intermediate Schools, Dalhart Christian Academy, St. Anthony’s School and home schools tried out for a spot on the 2009/10 Dalhart Jump & Jam team, an elite demonstration jump rope team comprised of 29 members.  Jumpers who made the team had to master 16 jump roping skills, all of which were taught during their regular P.E. classes.  During the season, the team will have practiced an estimated 300 hours.

    Question:  I have two boys, ages 12 and 8.  They are always getting into trouble, and when I try to explain the law to them, they actually tell me that they can’t go to jail if they get into trouble and that there’s nothing I can do to force them to attend school or stay at home at night.  My older boy has even taken my car out while I’ve been asleep.  I really don’t know how to argue with them.  Can my children go to jail for missing school or running away or doing other things that they shouldn’t do?

    Dale Rollins, an old time cowboy from Wisconsin, never thought he would ride a horse again, after a brain tumor and several strokes left him impaired.  But that all changed in June 2009 when Dale heard of Open Arms Therapy (OAT) and decided he’d like to give it a try.  OAT is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for the disabled. 

    The annual banquet and fundraiser for Quail Unlimited was held on Friday evening, December 4th at Rita Blanca Coliseum.  The organization known for its habitat conservation efforts also presented an award to an area ranch for the work it has done to protect the habitat for quail. 

 

 

    Hunting season is here, or fast approaching, for many species of birds and fur-bearing animals.  Cold weather and snow are often the first signals that it’s time to pack up the portable stove, move the deer stand to the hunting lease or set up the blind.  Another undeniable sign is the large flocks of geese dotting the skies in arrow formations. The bellowing squawks of the geese are a welcomed event every year for hunters and non-hunters alike.

    A Moore County jury took less than an hour to convict a habitual criminal of assaulting a woman from Cactus last November.  The ending to the bizarre circumstances surrounding the felon’s arrest may bring some relief for the victim.

    The Christmas Holiday is an unusual time of year because it brings with it many stresses that, on their own, are difficult to handle, but combined could spell disaster.  Managing the stresses that come with the holidays may be as easy as writing out a schedule or even saying “no.”  Each family’s needs are different, so the various suggestions to follow may work for some, all or none.  But one thing is for certain; everyone will be affected to some degree by the stresses that the holidays bring, so attempts to manage them should be worth their effort.

Christmas Is — A National Holiday

We just returned from a few days in the Dallas area and coming through Amarillo we heard it; clerks saying, “Happy Holidays,” or faintly whispering, “Merry Christmas,” when you say it first!

    The School Sisters of St. Francis, “Panhandle Franciscans,” hope to change the world, one soul at a time.  They seek to nurture the dignity of others through Catholic schools, faith formation programs, youth groups, and in caring for nursing home residents and retired priests.  The tradition has its beginnings 50 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when sisters began teaching young people. 

Tour of homes is nearing!

    Three men arrested and charged with the arson of a Dalhart Police vehicle pled guilty, according to Dallam County District Attorney David Green.  The plea agreements reached in each of the men’s criminal cases included restitution to the city of Dalhart for the damage to the squad car. 

 

 

    This year’s Christmas performance at the La Rita Theatre is scheduled for Friday, December 11th and Saturday, December 12th.  Both shows begin at 8:00 p.m.  Guests also have an opportunity to enjoy a turkey and dressing holiday feast prior to the Saturday evening performance.  The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening at the Loose Caboose Restaurant located next door to the La Rita Theatre.  Tickets for both shows may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce in advance, or at the door.   Tickets for the dinner should be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce prior to Saturday.

    Hearing about the swine flu has become somewhat commonplace; however, the threat is still quite high and people in “high risk” categories are encouraged to take whatever steps necessary and available to avoid contracting the potentially deadly virus, including getting vaccinated.

Question:  My wife and I have been married for three years and I just found out that she has been having an affair with someone she works with.  When I confronted her, she left to be with this guy from her work.  I feel like this guy has really taken advantage of my wife and has been working on her, talking bad about me and making her feel like I’m the problem.  My wife is young and impressionable, and I believe in my heart that he persuaded her to get involved with him, but that if he had just been the gentleman that she thought he was that our marriage would still be okay.  What I want to know is can I sue the boyfriend for screwing up my marriage?

    As the sun was setting across the Panhandle, the victory cry for 107 Jr. High academic challengers was, “We Won!”  One hundred and seven Jr. High students traveled anxiously to Frank Phillips College in Borger to represent Dalhart in the District 1-AAA UIL Jr. High Academic Contest on Friday, November 6, 2009.  Participants got off their buses with teeth gritted for they knew they were about to face approximately 300 junior high students from Borger and Perryton to defend their academic title.  Many hours were devoted to practice and competition by both students and teachers to ensure Dalhart was valiantly represented.  Congratulations to all!