AROUND TOWN

by Charlotte Kovalchuk · charlotte@myjarrell.com

City Seeks to Honor Jarrell Icons

When Jarrell City Council considered whom to rename a portion of FM 487 after, they ran into a problem—too many great community icons to choose from.

The city had recently taken over maintenance from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the portion of FM 487 from I-35 to C. Bud Stockton Loop after annexing the area into the city limits. One of the city’s newfound privileges was getting to rename the road portion, and leaders wanted to make sure the honor would go to a local citizen who helped shape Jarrell into the thriving community it is today.

“This council thinks it’s very important to honor some of the citizens that created this city or made a significant impact on the city,” City Manager Vanessa Shrauner says. “We’ve come from a very small town to a rapidly growing place. As we absorb County Roads, Ranch Roads and Farm to Market Roads into the City, it affords us an opportunity to rename them and in some cases honor those individuals who have made historically significant contributions to the growth of Jarrell.”

Citizens were able to nominate their choice for the new road name, and out of six nominations, two names kept showing up: Al Clawson and Priscilla King.

Renaming Jarrell roads is not unprecedented. Last year, the county renamed CR312 in honor of Felix "Pete" Schwertner (19272014). If you live in Sonterra, you may already know a little about him.

Pete lived in Jarrell all his life; growing up on 134 acres passed down from his father. He loved being in a small farming community that allowed him to enjoy cattle ranching and share a robust lifestyle with his neighbors. His daughter Susan says he raised his nine children, strict but gently, and has 19 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. "He was always helpful, easy-going, friendly, and a hard worker who enjoyed life."

Many in the community knew him from his 43 years of service to the volunteer fire department; 34 of those as Chief. He was always ready to drop what he was doing when the alarm went off; for a resident or a traveler on IH-35, and he led the search and rescue efforts after the 1997 tornado.

In 2004, Pete and his brother sold the land to a developer who told them he believed the land would eventually have 500 or more homes on it. They laughed and couldn’t imagine such a thing in the place where their cows once grazed. But, a good portion of that land is now what we call Sonterra.

His granddaughter, Rebecca Piatt, says, "The renaming of County Road 312 does not just mean the world to his family, but to the entire community of Jarrell. His memory lives on in the fields he farmed, and eventually sold, which are now the homes in Sonterra. As well as the streets of "Old" Jarrell, where he held numerous fundraisers to build the now-retired fire station on Main Street, and upgrade the VFD fire trucks and equipment to better serve the citizens."

Susan adds, "My father would want his legacy to be that he was a caring person who would help anyone who needed it. He always put others before himself because that was just the type of man he was. He was devoted to his community."

Felix Bernard Schwertner

TWO GREAT LEGACIES

courtesy Tammy Clawson Good Samaritan. Passionate contributor. Jarrell promoter. Al Clawson was all these and more, as residents noted in their nominations. Al set roots in Jarrell with his family in 1982, and his business, Al Clawson Disposal, Inc., became the largest private sector employer in town. Al immersed himself in his community by hosting cleanups, donating time and funds to various organizations, proudly attending local functions, hosting fundraisers for friends and neighbors with health problems, and loaning his music and cooking talents at events (he was best known for his brisket).

AROUND TOWN

courtesy Priscilla King

When crisis struck, Al was there to help. During an ice storm in 2004 that shut down the highway, he helped stranded vehicles out of ditches and drove families to makeshift shelters. When tornadoes hit in 1989 and ’97, he assisted with cleanup in the aftermath. “Dad wasn’t just a contributor, he would always do the right thing no matter what. People of Jarrell knew they could count on him,” says Al’s daughter, Tammy Clawson. Priscilla King, too, made a significant impact on Jarrell by caring for its people and children as a foster mom and owner of Windy Hill Day Care, volunteering for charitable events through Jarrell United Methodist Church, establishing several historical landmarks and preserving history through her co-authored book, Images of America: Jarrell.

In her nomination, Robin Burns said Priscilla and her husband must have fostered hundreds of children. “She is the most caring and selfless person I know,” Robin shares. “She is so encouraging and always has a smile on her face. She always makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room. I always tell her that I want to be like her when I grow up. She is such a Godly role model with such a kind spirit.”

TOUGH DECISION

Instead of choosing between the two influential community members, Councilwoman Rusty Bryson suggested the council wait until another opportunity comes up to rename an additional road so they could recognize both Al and Priscilla. Staff plan to work with the honorees’ families on a future road renaming ceremony.

EDUCATION

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@myjarrell.com photo courtesy Frank Connelly

Welcome, Frank Connelly, A Major Addition

You may agree, drummers are the cool guys in the band. Although Frank Connelly denies his coolness, Jarrell High School is lucky to have this hip, new Percussion Director and Assistant Band Director.

Frank and his family moved to Sonterra a few months ago because they liked the community. Then, when he got a call about a job opportunity in Jarrell, he jumped; "It's like that song, 'I don't wanna work, I just want to play on these drums all day.' Not only do I get to play the drums all day—something I really enjoy—I get to work with Scott Lanham, one of my former teachers, and I'll be in the district where my daughter will go to school."

Frank has been teaching for ten years and, although he's been teaching in Jarrell just a few weeks, he hit the ground running and is soundly navigating the world of virtual and in-person teaching. "It is challenging to teach music virtually, but there are many people doing everything they can to make sure the system works for all the kids to participate."

INSPIRED AND EMPOWERED

Before, and during, his teaching career, Frank cultivated a diverse background in the marching arts, percussion ensemble, orchestra, wind ensemble, and solo playing. He has also been a bass drum performer and teacher in multiple Drum and Bugle Corps, a collection of worldclass corps who travel and perform across the country. "These corps are a step above the college level, and I consider it an honor to teach and work with the likes of those whose names are emblazoned on the drumsticks I use. Think of it as a 'drumline on steroids.'"

INSPIRING OTHERS

Frank is looking forward to great things in Jarrell. "This program was already successful, but they did not have a dedicated percussion director. My goal is to bring to light the ability of these percussionists. However selfish that goal may be, I am excited to build something and change the perception not only of what a drumline is, but that we are the best in the area."

He is also eager to be a mentor to his students. "It wasn't so long ago that I was a high school senior; I know it's hard to be a kid, so I am working hard to relate to them," he says. "I want my students to know I am there for them, and they can trust me. It's a simple idea, and it's a hard thing to accomplish, but the rewards are completely worth it. I enjoy sharing my experiences and knowledge, and helping the kids is what gets me going every day."

Frank and his students focus on marching band from August to October, then wind down for 'sit-down' concert band for a Christmas concert and Spring series. They spend summer days at band camp, then begin preparing for football again in August. In addition to the high school schedule, he and the other band directors also travel between schools to reach all grade levels with music education. "It is ever-changing, and I love it," he says. "I have jam-packed days and I love the amount of tired I am at the end of every day. I think that's the kind of success every teacher hopes to have."