Comanche 2016

Comanche County 2016

Comanche County’s

Wildlife Lone Ranger Imagine roaming around the great outdoors of Comanche County with the mission to protect some of God’s creatures and getting paid to do it. Game Warden Mike Alexander gets to do just that.

Shooting for Growth The On Target 4-H Shooting Club in Comanche County continues to grow and gain more sharp shooting students.

Rush Creek Band: Picking and Grinning for Your Pleasure

A few guys who knew each other at church started playing gospel music together and after a few performances decided to form what is now Rush Creek Band.

Hometown Li v ing At Its Best

P O O L CO NST RUC T ION • EX IST IN G POOL R EMODEL S • OUTDOOR L IVING S PACE S C U STOM P ERG OLAS • RE TAINING WAL L S • CUSTOM R OCK WOR K LA N DSC A P E D ESIGN AND INSTAL L ATION • S OD

817.304.1044

kyle.redfin@gmail.com

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WE WORK FOR YOU. COMANCHE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE PO Box 729 201 W Wrights Avenue Comanche, Texas 76442 1-800-915-2533 www.ceca.coop

It’s not something you expect to hear from an electric company.

But, we’re not your typical utility. We’re a local not-for-profit electric cooperative.

We want to help you save energy so you can save your hard earned money.

To learn more about us, visit our website at www.ceca.coop or call our Member Services Department at 1-800-915-2533

LET US BE YOUR SOURCE OF POWER AND INFORMATION. Hometown Living At Its Best

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Comanche County Living

100 E. Central | Comanche, TX 76442 | 325-356-2577

www.comanchenational.com

Contents 10

Preserving the Prestige of Downtown Comanche 4 North Event Center restores historic buildings beside the courthouse.

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Mayor Ronnie Clifton – A Life of Leadership Ronnie Clifton’s leadership qualities, teaching skills, and the ability to see potential in every area of life swept him into the office as friends and neighbors pushed him into the role of mayor of Comanche.

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College Success

Advice for new students.

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Play Ball! -With the Comanche Youth Council The Comanche Youth Council has given children in the community the opportunity to play in an organized sports league for over 30 years.

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Rush Creek Band: Picking and Grinning for Your Pleasure A few guys who knew each other at church started playing gospel music together. While performing at various functions, they met some other men who enjoyed gospel, bluegrass, and western swing, and they formed Rush Creek Band.

48

Linemen: The Heroes Who Light Up Our Lives Linemen, the first responders of electric distribution, work 24/7 to maintain 4,867 miles of high-voltage lines.

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Comanche County Living

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About the Cover

The cover photo is of the Comanche County Game Warden, Michael Alexander. To read more about him and what he does, turn to page 66.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Contents 56

Community Spotlight with Jennifer Shelton Meet the De Leon Elementary school nurse, Jennifer Shelton, and get to know more about who she is and why her job is so important.

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SF Ranch B & B: Home of Extreme Mustang Makeover Champions The SF Ranch is “pure Texas bliss, nestled in the beautiful Texas hill country,” and in 2016, the ranch sponsored the 2016 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth Champions.

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Creating a Functional and Fun Outdoor Living Space Outdoor living is a rapidly growing trend around Texas. Here are a few tips on how to create your own special retreat.

66

Comanche County’s Wildlife Lone Ranger

Imagine roaming around the great outdoors of Comanche County with the mission to protect some of God’s creatures and getting paid to do it. Game Warden Mike Alexander gets to do just that.

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Community Spotlight with Meagan Caffey Meet the new Comanche Chamber of Commerce Director, Meagan Caffey, and get to know more about her inside and outside the office.

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Shooting for Growth

Two years ago, five girls formed the first On Target 4-H Shooting Club in Comanche County. By the end of the year, six more students had joined and 10 more are expected to join this year. As the club continues to grow and gain more sharp shooting students, the club is hoping that their capabilities will as well.

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Good Horses to Ride From a very early age, all Jared Dukes ever wanted to be was a cowboy. His motto has always been that “if it can’t be done from the back of a horse, it doesn’t need to be done.”

In Every Issue Hometown Happenings

A glimpse inside a few of the exciting events recently held in Comanche County.

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Scenes of Comanche County

Take a look at a few more of the reasons why we think Comanche County is a great place to live.

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Comanche County Living

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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From the Publisher

Hello to the season that brings people together! We have been hard at work and are so excited to share with you the 2016 edition of Comanche County Living. Besides celebrating sweater weather, we are welcoming the time of year where communities, as well as families, come together for seasonal traditions of giving thanks and giving back. Here at RedFin Publishing, we want to take a moment to give thanks to our men and women in blue, as well as all first responders, who devote their lives to protect and serve all of us in Comanche County. We honor you.

With any new issue, we meet new faces and new businesses that are making Comanche County a better place to live. You will be transported to the great outdoors of Comanche County as we introduce you to Game Warden Mike Alexander, who serves to protect some of God’s greatest creatures. You will also meet the Rush Creek Band, a local group of guys who enjoy playing gospel, bluegrass, and western swing in their own backyard of De Leon. If you are interested in getting to know the woman who cares for around 350 students in De Leon, then don’t miss reading about Jennifer Shelton, a mother of two, and school nurse in one of our Community Spotlights.

We couldn’t do any of this without the steadfast support of our local businessmen and women. Help us to thank our advertisers for their contribution to your local magazine by shopping local! Their involvement allows this publication to come free of charge to you.

Go by any advertiser’s location to pick up your complimentary copy.

Besides picking up your free issue, be sure to keep up with us on the website and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for events and announcements!

We are excited about this season in your lives and are truly grateful that we are able to be a part of it by telling your story! We wish you and your family many blessings this holiday season and look forward to many more issues to come!

Until the next edition, Wishing you many blessings,

Ju stin and Hayley Six Kyle and Hal sey Clark Justin.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 301-3828

Kyle.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 304-1044

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Comanche County Living Magazine Red Fin Publishing

www.ComancheCountyLiving.com 10

Comanche County Living

Comanche County

PUBLISHER

Red Fin Publishing Justin & Hayley Six

Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Brittny Sanchez

CREATIVE | DESIGN

enVision Creative Services

OFFICE MANAGER Hayley Six

Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

CONTENT DIRECTOR

Brittny Sanchez

CONTENT COORDINATOR Noel Betush

Noel.RedFin@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Halsey Clark

PROOF READER Hayley Six

PHOTOGRAPHERS AKO Photography Cody Wright Photography

Janzen Jackson Photography

Riley Studio

COVER PHOTO

SALES

Photo by Riley Studio Brittny Sanchez Justin Six Kyle Clark

CONTRIBUTING Cassidy Horn

WRITERS Connie Lewis Leonard Martha Helton Peggy Purser Freeman

Shirley Dukes

T.C. McKeown

CONTRIBUTORS

Comanche Chamber of Commerce Comanche Independent School District

De Leon Chamber of Commerce

De Leon Independent School District Howard Payne University

Comanche County Living© is published Annually by Red Fin Publishing.

www.ComancheCountyLiving.com P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 301-3828 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

609 N Texas De Leon, Texas 254 893 2466

325-356-2589

132 W. Central | Comanche, TX 76442

www.goodsoninsurance.com www.facebook.com/goodsoninsurance Hometown Living At Its Best

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PRESERVING the

Prestige

of DOWNTOWN

Comanche

By T.C. McKeown

Photos by Jeremy Cox

or decades the buildings on North Austin Street, next to the Comanche Courthouse, sat vacant. With each passing year of neglect the structures fell further and further into disrepair, deteroriating to the point that—on at least one of the buildings—a good chunk of the roof had caved

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Comanche County Living

in. Windows were boarded up, bird droppings covered the exposed brick, and the last vestiges of barely-white paint had turned dingy and dark and gray. Even the sidwalk in front of the buildings was crumbling, and in fact, a huge piece of the of the curb was simply missing.

Front Facade after Hometown Living At Its Best

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No, the buildings on North Austin in between Grand and Central bore little resemblance to their prestigious past selves—and instead many saw them as eyesores on an otherwise charming downtown square. That is, until Sloane Northridge and her family came along.

Where most saw a long-overdue demolition project, they saw a beautiful piece of property chock full of spellbinding history.

“We love history, and when you love history, you’re kind of in trouble,” Sloane said. “You get blinded by your love. But it’s just an incredibly cool piece of property and the history spoke to us and we just wanted to save it.”

For a long time Sloane and her mother, Linda, and her sister, Lauren, had it in their mind that they wanted to open some sort of event center for weddings and parties.

“That’s something that Comanche really doesn’t have,” Sloane said. “It needs an event center for weddings and events, and that’s what we wanted to provide.”

“It’s just an incredibly cool piece of property and the history spoke to us and we just wanted to save it.”

– Sloane Northridge Front Facade before

Rathbone Hall staircase

Front Facade after

Jean-Marie Ballroom after

Sloane said that she and her husband, David, and their four children were ideally looking to find some land on the outskirts of town to begin their business venture.

However, the Northridges couldn’t quite find the right piece of land, and so the project was put on hold.

“One day my sister was visiting from Austin and she asked how our search was going,” Sloane said. “We told her we just weren’t finding anything, and she asked if we had considered the buildings on the square that were for sale.”

It was fitting that Sloane’s sister would propose the buildings downtown, because according to Sloane this dream of theirs had always been a bit of a girls thing.

“It was kind of us women that had the idea, my sister and my mom,” Sloane said. However, soon it became even more of a family affair involving Sloane and Linda’s two aunts: Mary Jo Creamer and Ginger Guimarin.

“My aunts said ‘don’t leave us out! We want in on the fun, too!’” Sloane recalled laughing.

Jean Marie Ballroom before Hometown Living At Its Best

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Adeline suite

Constructed sometime in the late 1800s, the buildings had been home to a variety of establishments like the Comanche Chief newspaper, a fashion store, a drug store and a hardware store. Even an opera house.

But if the buildings that Sloane’s sister suggested looked rough on the outside, what awaited the future property owners on the inside looked even worse.

“One section of the roof was falling in, there was no floor, and trees were growing inside the building. It looked like something you’d see in a ghost town,” Sloane said. “But then we went to look at the two-story building that was connected to [the other buildings] and when we went upstairs, we saw that it actually wasn’t in too bad of shape.”

The two-story building had been added onto in 16

Comanche County Living

1912 by the Knights of Pythias. In fact, at the top of the building one can still see a very faded ‘K’ and ‘P’, along with the organizations sometimes-used emblem: the skull and crossbones. Speaking of skeletons, roughly a decade before Sloane and her family stumbled upon the property, the previous owner reported to have found two adult human skeletons in coffins somewhere in the building.

“It turned out that they were just medical skeletons— probably older than heck—but they were donated to be used for medical purposes. I don’t know how they ended up in the building, but the Knights of Pythias is, of course, a pretty secretive society,” Sloane said. “From what I know they are very much into the mortality of man and how none of us live forever, and I think they used these skeletons in some of their ceremonies.”

But before the Knights of Pythias added the second story to the third building space, the property had technically been four different spaces. Constructed sometime in the late 1800s, the buildings had been home to a variety of establishments like the Comanche Chief newspaper, a fashion store, a drug store and a hardware

store. Even an opera house. That’s right, the first building on the corner of Grand and Austin had actully once been home to Comanche’s first (and only?) opera house.

“It was a really fancy, swanky place,” Sloane said, describing what she’s seen from pictures. “There were some people here in Comanche that were very wealthy.

You have to keep in mind that [Comanche] was a hub for agriculture and livestock, and there was a lot trading and selling going on here.”

Indeed, even today, much of the downtown infrastructure offers an insightful look back at some of Comanche’s colorful, rich and industrious history.

For example, at the north and south entrances of the courthouse sit two giant stone-carved eagles crafted by renowned Comanche County sculptor, Elmer Webb.

In the end, it’s the history that made it hard for Sloane and her family to say no to purchasing the buildings downtown. In fact, it’s the history that inspires them in their business ventures to this day. In the spring of 2017, they are scheduled to open a German-style biergarten called Stone Eagle Beer Garden—the name obviously

Adeline suite before

Wisteria Courtyard after

Rathbone Hall after 18

Comanche County Living

an homage to the eagles on the courthouse, but also a recognition of the many German immigrants who helped to settle much of Texas in the 1800s.

So, in the fall of 2015 Sloane and her family formed an LLC, purchased the buildings, and planned for the renovation and eventual grand opening of their new business: 4 North Event Center.

“We started renovations in Sept. 2015 and we really just got it done in phases,” Sloane said regarding the restoration process. “We had a really good contractor out of Abilene and he had worked on a lot of old, historic buildings before—so that was a plus, for sure. And we just kind of trucked along. When we ran into a problem, we would address it and move on. But we really didn’t have too many problems. There were a few little bumps but it wasn’t bad.”

On the last day of September in 2016—one year after renovations first began—4 North Event Center was finally ready for its grand opening.

“It was just such a dramatic change. When we were finally finished and the contractor was done and we were all walking out of the building, I just remember turning to my mom and saying ‘I love it. I just love it.’ I think I even kissed the door jamb,” Sloane said.

4 North Event Center is now open and offers four unique spaces to host events like weddings, reunions, anniversaries, birthday parties, and more. If you

would like to find out more information on booking your next event at 4 North Event Center, please visit: www.4northcomanche.com

It’s the history that made it hard for Sloane and her family to say no to purchasing the buildings downtown.

Adeline suite

Wisteria Courtyard before

Wisteria Courtyard after Hometown Living At Its Best

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Enjoy historical sights? Fine wine? Scenic views?

The perfect antique find? Good eats?

Hunting for the right spot?

On the hunt for some lodging too?

Best Western Comanche Inn 325-356-2300 America’s Best Value Inn 325-356-5267 Regency Inn 325-356-2508 SF Ranch Bed and Breakfast 254-842-8803 The Inn at Circle T 877-310-3209

Enjoy historical sights? Fine wine? Scenic views?

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On the hunt for 325-356-3233 some lodging too?

Best Western Comanche Inn 325-356-2300 www.ComancheChamber.org America’s Best Value Inn 325-356-5267 Regency Inn 325-356-2508 SF Ranch Bed and Breakfast 254-842-8803

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Comanche Funeral Home For over 100 years, Comanche County families have depended on our caring sta.

We are local folks, here when you need us.

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411 West Grand | Comanche, TX 76442 Hometown Living At Its Best

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MaYOr

RONNIE CLIfTON

BY PEGGY PURSER FREEMAN PHOTOS BY RILEY STUDIO

Mayor Ronnie Clifton Community service is a vehicle that can be used to show respect and gratitude.

W

hat do you do after 40 years as an educator, including 29 years as a Texas schools football coach, years as head basketball coach, and coach for both boys and girls track? With skills gained in14 years as an athletic director and seven years as a principal, what’s a guy to do after retirement?

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Comanche County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

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“Leaders at any level, no matter the organization, should have high expectations, be accountable, and provide an example that can make whoever they represent very proud.” Mayor Clifton said. “I have been blessed in my lifetime to be able to observe great leaders from within my family, within my profession, and across many civic organizations. I felt the need to try and carry on the legacy of those who had gone before me. I used their examples and tried to take the best from each one to become a leader that would meet all the criteria that I mentioned. As mayor, I have an entire community counting on me to be a positive, proactive, responsible, and cooperative leader.”

As a member of Comanche Lion’s Club and the United Methodist Men, Ronnie Clifton also teaches a Sunday School class. In his spare time, he loves blogging.

“I loved being involved in and playing sports as a kid, and I soaked up every ounce of available information about any sporting event. I also love to write. What better combo than writing a sports blog?” He also enjoys

As Ronnie Clifton considered the question, his friends, colleagues and neighbors had an answer—serve the 4500 citizens of the city of Comanche as Mayor.

Clifton’s leadership qualities, teaching skills, and the ability to see potential in every area of life swept him into the office as friends and neighbors pushed him into the role. Recently, Clifton shared his life as mayor of Comanche.

“I have lived in Comanche for 26 years. I moved my family here in August of 1990. In the spring of 2011, I was retiring from education after 40 years in that profession.

I had friends who encouraged me to run for mayor of Comanche. I paid little attention to that until I had teachers who worked under my supervision as principal at Comanche High School join in that encouragement. I continued to be hesitant until former students I coached, taught or served as their principal asked me to run for the office. I felt fortunate to have that kind of support.”

Leadership is extremely important in any position but as mayor of a community, leadership can impact a community for years to come.

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Comanche County Living

Photo provided by Comanche Chamber of Commerce Hometown Living At Its Best

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writing editorials/blogs about what’s on his mind. “That usually includes sports of some kind. I enjoy reading books about sports heroes and military heroes. I also enjoy working in my garden, which comes from being raised on a farm in west Texas.”

When most people hear the name Clifton, they think of descriptors like coach, principal, and friend. However, for many the words Veterans Day come to mind. When Ronnie Clifton was Principal at Comanche High School, he planned an event each year for veterans. The day leaves a lasting impression on everyone who attends the Veterans Day program. Mayor Clifton explained it this way: “We have students paired with the veterans to gather information for their introductions. During that interview, there are some great friendships made and lessons learned. Student groups and their sponsors provide a reception for the veterans. Following the reception, there is a program for all junior high and senior high students to honor the veterans. The students

Veteran’s Day Event

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Comanche County Living

introduce their guests and then the entertainment during the program is provided by students in the music program at Comanche Junior High and High School. Students also speak from time to time. The teachers are outstanding in their participation as well. At the end of the program, the veterans march out in single file to patriotic music while the entire crowd stands and cheers their heroes. This lasts for about ten minutes. It sends chills down my spine every year. It makes the veterans so proud and gives the students an opportunity to show their gratitude.”

First lady of Comanche, Mona Clifton, and Ronnie have been married for 42 years. Mona is a certified Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Texas. Having worked in various areas of the nursing field, she currently serves as school nurse in Comanche ISD. “Without question, the births of my daughters and grandsons were all times that meant the most. There is nothing like observing the birth of a child. With each birth came a renewed challenge to be the best father I

could be, which always made me a better person. I have always believed the true mark of a man is how good he is as a father and husband.”

It is no surprise that their three daughters are in the business of helping others. Jill, who is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), received her Masters of Education from Tarleton State University and is currently the principal at Boles High School in Quinlan. Their middle daughter, Kim, a graduate of McMurry University, obtained her Master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and is an Adapted Physical Education teacher and coach at Taylor ISD. The Clifton’s youngest daughter, Megan, is a graduate of Texas State University. She currently serves as a Paluxy River Children’s Advocacy Center in Granbury, Texas.

Mayor Clifton owns a true sense of service to his community and his country. “I was lucky enough to hear President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address in 1961 declare: ‘My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your

country.’ Hearing this made a very positive impression on me at a very young age. That, along with observing some great examples of leadership, as I mentioned before, made me want to give back for a very blessed life.” Mayor Clifton explained.

Of the many talents and expertise Mayor Clifton brings to his leadership role, maybe the one few people know about shows the true gifts of this man. On-line, it’s called Live Binders. This on-line site provides tools to keep an individual’s portfolio up-to-date and available, showcasing the potential for growth, achievement and economic development in its member’s life. What better life skill for a mayor than seeing the potential and being a tool for achievement and development? The fact that Ronnie Clifton is also the ultimate coach, teacher, and friend is icing on the city of Comanche’s cake. He offered these final words to our readers: “I was raised by a father and mother from the “Greatest Generation” and they made me learn to be respectful and grateful. Community service is a vehicle that can be used to show that respect and gratitude. I can only hope to inspire members of the next generation to do the same. Our country is great because of the continued willingness of its citizens to serve. I want to leave that with the next generation.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Busiest Town - Friend liest People

De Leon’s businesses provide a personal touch, which adds to its small, rural setting. Whether you visit for a day, a weekend, or decide to make De Leon your home, you’ll discover De Leon really does have the

“Busiest Town - Friend liest People.”

109 S. Texas | De Leon, TX 76444 254-893-2083 | www.deleontexas.com/chamber Industrial Development Corp. DIDC-EDC Board 125 S. Texas St | De Leon, TX 76444 254-893-2065 | www.cityofdeleon.org

College Success

By Dr. Wendy McNeeley Chair and Dean of Advising and General Education | Professor of Developmental Studies and English | Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas

ollege opens the door to possibilities. It pushes students to grow and to venture beyond their comfort zone. It’s an avenue that can lead to a future not otherwise possible. College is also a privilege, and we encourage you to make the most of the opportunity you have to attend a post-secondary institution of any kind. Below are a few suggestions that may make your college experience smoother and more successful.

C

Success Tips: • COMMUNICATE — Get to know your professors.

Visit them during office hours. They can become great advocates or mentors for you.

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Comanche County Living

• BE PRESENT — When in class, learn to truly listen and to be “in the moment.” This goes beyond class, though. Be present in all you do in college. Take advantage of the opportunities with which you are presented.

• PREPARE — Know the expectations for each class and prepare to go into class to learn something new.

Read your assignments, do your homework and focus.

• ORGANIZE — Manage your time, your responsibilities, your work, your life.

• ENGAGE — Don’t be a bystander in class. Engage in discussion. Engage in thinking.

faced with academic challenges that are different than those of a traditional-aged student. Be patient, but be prepared.

• HOMESICKNESS — You will not flourish as well in college if you go home the first chance you get.

Homesickness is real and powerful, but if you stick it out for several weeks, your adjustment to college and your overall success in college will be greatly improved.

• BE OPEN — Approach prep time, study time and class time with an open mind. This is important since most students will be confronted with ideas and views with which they may not always agree. Open-mindedness also allows for critical thinking.

• ASK FOR HELP — Seek help when needed. Ask for help from your professors or from campus tutors.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but of strength.

• GET INVOLVED — Classroom activities are vitally important, but your involvement beyond the classroom is also important. Learn to balance.

• STUDY — This may seem rather obvious, but many students don’t understand how to study. If you’re not sure, ask your academic advisor, campus tutors or successful upper-level students for help.

• MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH — Eat, sleep and exercise. This sounds simple, but these will affect your classroom ability and your college success far more than you may realize.

• BE PREPARED FOR LIFE CHANGES — If you are a traditional-aged student, know that college is going to be very different than high school. Be ready for the challenge. If you are a nontraditional-aged student, you will need to keep in mind that you may have the life experiences needed to be successful, but you will be

Howard Payne University is dedicated to the success of every student. Dr. Wendy McNeeley leads the Collegium, a program that offers a variety of services to equip HPU students for success during their university experiences and into the future, through learning activities both in and outside the classroom. Tutoring, academic testing, academic advising, learning assistance, career services and more are offered to help HPU students with personal, academic and professional growth.

For more information about HPU and its programs, visit www.hputx.edu or contact the Office of Admission at enroll@hputx.edu or 325-649-8020.

When in class, learn to truly listen and to be “in the moment.” This goes beyond class, though. Be present in all you do in college.

Take advantage of the opportunities with which you are presented.

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Comanche County Living

With the

COMANCHE YOUTH COUNCIL

By T.C. McKeown Photos by Riley Studio and provided by the Comanche Youth Council

R

enowned sportscaster Heywood Hale Broun once said that “sports do not build character...they reveal it.” He also had a lot of other really great sayings such as “sweat is the cologne of accomplishment.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Speaking of accomplishments: the Comanche Youth Council has given children in the community the opportunity to play in an organized sports league for over 30 years. Derived by members of the Comanche Jaycees, the nonprofit organization was started in the early 1980s.

They soon, with the help of the community, raised tens of thousands of dollars to build three baseball diamonds complete with stadium-style seating and lights.

Although initially only offering baseball, the Comanche Youth Council quickly grew to offer other sports like basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and flagfootball.

Since its inception, the Council has maintained a board of members that regularly contribute to the organization in a variety of ways.

Chanteal Whitehead has been on the board for over a year and her son, Billy, plays baseball in the league.

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Comanche County Living

“There’s a bunch of work that goes into this program.

And we’re just growing,” Whitehead remarked. “And that’s why I joined. I feel like if we don’t volunteer our time, our kids aren’t going to have anything to be a part of in our community. And we’re going to have these baseball and soccer fields and all these amenities that nobody uses.”

The target age for the Comanche Youth Council is 4 years old and up. However, kids usually start fading out of the program around high school.

“When these kids get to about 6th grade age you can see them gradually starting to fade out of [Comanche Youth Sports] because they start playing for our schools in junior high and on up through high school,” Whitehead said.

But according to Comanche Youth Council’s President of the Board, Lucus McAliley, he’s perfectly OK with kids

moving on to play sports in school. He believes that if the Comanche Youth Council can help children learn more about the sports they love at a young age, that it’s only beneficial for the kids and the school systems.

“Our number one main goal is to get the kids moving, get them outside and encourage them to be active. But secondly, we really want to try to help out our school systems,” McAliley said. “We want our schools to be more competitive and we want the students to educate themselves on the sport before they go out for try-outs in junior high and high school.”

McAliley also makes the point that the Comanche Youth Council not only benefits the kids and the school systems—but also the community.

“We try to make it to where everyone benefits from this organization. Kids come first, and they benefit firstand-foremost, but we also try to benefit the community,” McAliley said.

Comanche Youth Council offers tournaments for most of the sports in their league, where kids get to play other kids from sister leagues in the surrounding counties.

“We try every year to get more involved in tournaments. And when you have these tournaments you bring outside people into your city. For instance, we had a tournament a month ago where we had people from Sweetwater come in. We have a tournament coming up where some folks from Copperas Cove are coming in,” McAliley said. “We want to bring people in to promote the county, promote the city of Comanche and boost tourism and our local economy here.”

Since the Comanche Youth Council is a nonprofit, it raises funds for its organization through concession stand sales and registration fees. They even occasionally partner with other nonprofits like the Boy Scouts.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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“We had a tournament where we made a couple hundred bucks one night off the concession stand, and the Boy Scouts were running it, and so all the proceeds went to their organization,” McAliley said. With that money, the troop was able to afford merit badges and it helped to replenish funds in the troop’s spending budget.

This year, the Comanche Youth Council received a pretty big sponsor for their flag football team, by way of NFL Play 60 (an initiative started by the National Football League that encourages kids to be active for 60 minutes a day in order to combat child obesity statistics.)

The Comanche Youth Council is made up roughly 400 kids and teens, and they play all year long.

Baseball and softball start in the springtime.

“And as soon as you’re done with baseball and softball—here comes soccer,” McAliley said. “We just try to keep everything rolling.”

Then, flag football starts around the first week of October and runs for about six to eight weeks. “The majority of the time we try to schedule ‘time on the field’ so the kids can get that field time. That’s very important,” McAliley said.

The flag football fields are actually just the soccer fields that volunteers help to convert to a football field.

“As soon as soccer is over we’re out there remarking the fields and everything. It’s a madhouse sometimes when everything is turning around and we’re transitioning from soccer to football, but it’s fun,” McAliley said.

Next, there is basketball—also in the fall.

“In December we try to wrap everything up, give our parents and kids and us a break and start it all back up again in the spring with baseball and softball!” McAliley said. “It’s good for the kids, it keeps them moving, and it keeps them from just sitting on the couch.”

Since the Comanche Youth Council is a nonprofit organization, all of the coaches and persons who sit on the 36

Comanche County Living

board or help out in any way are volunteers.

“The community signs up, and we draft our teams, and then we play ball!” Chanteal Whitehead said.

If you are interested in registering your child for a sport through the Comanche Youth Council, or if you are interested in volunteering, or if you’re simply looking for schedules and scores please visit: www.quickscores.com/ cyc.

HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS

VB District Winners: Raising the bar! First District Championship Volleyball team in school history!

Newly remodeled Headstart and Early Headstart facilities where students enjoy the parade of costumes!

Comanche ISD Happenings Comanche ISD is a BIG DEAL! This past spring, summer, and fall Comanche ISD has focused on student safety and necessary facility upgrades all in the name of continuing to provide the best for their great students, staff, leadership, and community. Go Indians!

Comanche Elementary keeps on growing with the additions of new classrooms.

The playground is now complete and the lighting has been updated to be more energy efficient.

Photos courtesy of

Comanche ISD

Comanche ISD School Board President Jason Pate accepting the award for ECS Region 14 School Board of the Year on behalf of the Comanche ISD Board of Trustees

C.H.S. Committment, Honor, Service These words mean so much more.

New sound and lighting makes the games come to life!

Joining Forces! Maintenance and Transportation become one with the addition of our renovated building which houses both offices as well as our new bus yard.

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Comanche County Living

The Coach Hermesmeyer Radio Show at Comanche National Bank and sponsored by the KYOX radio station and Sorrells Farms. Comanche ISD loves its community partners!rs!

H. R Jeffries Junior High continues to put students first with the additions of new science lab, security improvement, and more ecofriendly lighting.

Growing a Brighter Future! Keyhold Garden Science Project at Elementary built by students and teachers!

Annual Tractor Pull And Spring Gathering Last Weekend In March

www.melodyoaksranch.com Dean and Ronda Cagle, Owners Gayle Jones, Manager & Event Coordinator Office: 325-356-5231 Cell: 325-330-0336

RV Park - Full Hookups - Daily, Weekly, Or Monthly Rentals

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Picking and Grinning for Your Pleasure

“Howdy, Doody.

This here’s Chester and Fester,” John Paul said as he introduced his band. “Hello, darling,” his Conway Twitty voice addressed a precious little girl in the audience.

“I’ve got two granddaughters of my own.”

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Comanche County Living

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Chester and Fester aren’t genuine members of the band, which formed about eight years ago. A few guys, who knew each other at church, started playing gospel music together. While performing at various functions, they met some other men who enjoyed gospel, bluegrass, and western swing and they formed Rush Creek Band.

John Paul Loyless, retired from the medical profession, serves as leader of the group and plays banjo.

Wayne Sorrells, a retired welder from Dublin, is lead singer and plays rhythm guitar. Jackie Boen, a retired truck driver, plays standing bass. Philip Lewis, a farmer living in Desdemona, is the fiddle player. Carl Dean Strube, retired military, plays mandolin. Lanny Butler, a retired banker, plays bass guitar and sings. His son, Neal Butler, plays lead guitar, lives in Comanche and works at the cheese factory in Stephenville.

The core group plays together every Tuesday at 2 or More Café in De Leon, where most of the members live.

They also play for the monthly fellowship functions at Fair Haven Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of De Leon. They regularly play at White Stone Assisted Living in Comanche and the nursing home in De Leon. I met them at Western Hills Nursing Home in Comanche.

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The band kicked off their play list with “In the Sweet By and By” (Sanford F. Bennett, 1868). A cute older couple, Hardy and Era Schwartz who are residents of Western Hills, got up and danced smoothly across the “dance floor” in the middle of the room. Listening to the words, “In the sweet by and by, We shall meet on that beautiful shore” made me wonder where this couple met, what sweet memories do they share, what storms of life have battered their lives, how many years has their love survived?

Next, the band played the Bluegrass song “Old Home Place” written by J. D. Crowe. The song tells the sad story of a man who followed a woman to the city, ultimately losing the woman, his home, and way of life.

The little couple sat out that lively tune, but danced to an instrumental, with him twirling into an under arm turn.

John Paul told them, “You won a new red pickup, but we can’t find the keys.”

it in 1941. It has been recorded by Cindy Walker, Cliffie Stone, Elvis Presley, Sammi Smith, the Statler Brothers, Hank Thompson, Emmylou Harris, Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, Bill Monroe, and Merle Haggard, among others.

The band played three traditional gospel hymns beginning with “Blessed Be the Name.” As they sang “Precious Memories,” I wondered what memories flooded the minds of the residents—memories of love and a life well lived, memories of loss and regret? “I’ve Got a Mansion Just Over the Hilltop” brings hope of a home where our aging bodies will be restored; whatever homes people had to leave behind to reside in Western Hills Nursing Home, they have a promise of a mansion in heaven where they will never be alone or lonely.

The beautiful “Tennessee Waltz” had most of the residents swaying in their wheel chairs, perhaps remembering their darlings, old friends, and lost loves.

Next the band played the Bob Wills western swing song “My Window Faces the South” about having a smile and a positive attitude not matter what life throws your way.

An original Buddy Holly hit, “It’s Raining in My Heart” filled the room with a sense of melancholy. John Paul lightened the mood with a little levity: “What do you get when you cross a rooster and a duck? … A chicken that gets up at the quack of dawn.” Pointing to one of the band members, he said, “He’s the boss because he runs things at his house—the lawn mower, the washing machine, the dishwasher. He always gets in the last words, ‘Yes, ma’am.’”

The cute couple got up and danced to “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again,” a song written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan in 1940, who first recorded

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The peppy, toe-tapping Bluegrass Flatt and Scruggs classic “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” had the house hopping. The blues turned bluegrass tune “Milk Cow Blues” rocked the room. As the instrumental “Faded Love” played, the lovebirds danced again. John Paul cut in, triggering giggles as he danced with the mister instead of the missus. I couldn’t help but wonder how many of the residents held on to old love letters, or how many heartbeats brought memories of faded love.

The band closed out their performance with “Swing Lo, Sweet Chariot” and an original gospel song “At the End of the Road” by band member Wayne Sorrels. John Paul said, “Let’s give it up for our dancers!” When the applause died down, he continued, “I’m sorry I didn’t get to dance with both of you.”

John Paul lightheartedly claims to be a ballroom dancer and comedian. He said, “Carl Dean is the best singer, but he wants $4.00 a song, so we don’t let him sing.” Carl Dean responded that he can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

Rush Creek does not charge for their performances, but John Paul said, “When people throw vegetables at us, we ask them to take ’em out of the can.” The guys have a good time sharing their talents. They do what they do as a ministry. Although their primary focus is gospel, bluegrass, and western swing, they enjoy all kinds of music except Rap. Well, actually, they said they do like plastic wrap!

If you are interested in having Rush Creek Band play for your group or organization, you may contact John Paul at 254-893-7132. Leave a message if he’s not home. After all, he does enjoy spending time with his grandchildren. He said, “When they named them ‘grand,’ they got it right.”

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Comanche County Living

s g n i h T l u f r e d n o W

Housed in one of the oldest buildings on the Comanche Square, Wonderful Things is a gift/clothing boutique where shoppers can browse through a large selection of ladies’ accessories & clothing, shoes, gourmet foods, home dÊcor, kitchen treasures, baby items and, of course, seasonal delights.

325-356-9200

111 North Houston | Comanche, TX 76442

HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS

TMRA with Rob and the Reckless

Pow-Wow Fiddle Contest

Comanche Chamber Happenings The Comanche Chamber of Commerce has had a pretty amazing and eventful year! From Jams in June to the annual Comanche Pow Wow, everyone had a great time enjoying the festivities with friends and family.

Photos courtesy of

Chamber Banquet Committee

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Comanche Chamber of Commerce

Jon and Kim Young at Jams in June

Jams in June

KTAB inviewing for the Dino

Shopko Grand Opening

Dino with the kids who helped make it happen

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Comanche County Living

Linemen:

The Heroes

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos Provided by Comanche Electric Co-Op

Linemen, the first responders of electric distribution, work 24/7 to maintain 4,867 miles of high-voltage lines.

L

arry Morgan has worked for Comanche Electric Cooperative Association (CECA) for 33 years.

He began working as a contractor, and loved the thrill of climbing. An element of danger accompanies the thrill. “Electricity is very dangerous, and we must respect it. Lightning is our worst enemy. We have to climb poles with ice on them. We go out in the middle of the night and climb in the sleet and snow, wind and rain, with lightning right beside us. We do our job and stay as safe as possible.� His most frightening experience came when he was up on a pole and got his elbow in the lines.

It knocked him out, and his coworkers got him down with a bucket truck.

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Linemen are a brotherhood with close bonds.

Working on a buddy system, they watch out for each other and have fun along the way. New guys may be pranked by having their safety belt nailed to a pole so they can’t move.

Newbies have spent days preparing for the “expected speech” at the awards banquet, only to discover it was a joke.

One of Larry’s most rewarding experiences came after Hurricane Katrina when he went to Louisiana to help restore power. After days without electricity, little kids, adults, and old people danced in the streets when the lights came on. He went to college for a while, but came back to being a lineman because he loves it. “It’s a great job, and I’ve made a heck of a living at it.”

Following shoulder surgery, Larry became a System Distributing Coordinator, working with technology, mapping and dispatch. He’s still on call every five weeks, alert and ready to go. His family understands when he has to leave them alone in bad weather. When not on the job, he enjoys umpiring softball, refereeing football, and in the past, he worked as a rodeo bullfighter.

Thomas Hesbrook has been working for CECA as a lineman for six years. He was working with a construction company that required traveling but wanted to be home more. When he found a posting for a lineman, he took a leap of faith and applied. “I love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else. I don’t see it as a job, but rather a career. I wake up every morning ready for what

Larry Morgan 52

Comanche County Living

Thomas Hesbrook

“Linemen are family.”

– Thomas Hesbrook the day holds and excited to see what kind of work will be in store for me that day.

“When I first started at CECA, I was a digger operator, then a groundman, 3rd class lineman, 2nd class lineman, service lineman, and finally a 1st class lineman. There are many steps required to move up the ladder. I have obtained certifications from Texas Electric Cooperatives and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services. I attend annual trainings to gain more knowledge on how to become better at what I do.”

Discussing the dangers of his job, Thomas said, “The most challenging thing about dealing with high voltage electricity is that there is no room for error. We learn from our fellow linemen who have been injured, or worse, so that we do not make the same tragic mistakes. As lineman we are not just coworkers—we are brothers and have each other’s backs. We depend on one another with our lives on a daily basis and we trust that we are making the best choices and decisions that will not jeopardize anyone’s safety.”

His most frightening experience was when he and another lineman were called to Sidney. Dispatchers sent out a mayday call that a tornado was heading their direction. “I got in the truck put on my hard hat and

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safety glasses because I feared the windshield would be shattered. I picked up the phone, called my wife, told her I loved her and not to worry. I sat in the driver’s seat of the pickup praying the tornado would pass, so I would be home to my girls soon. I kept in contact through the CB with my fellow lineman, who was riding out the tornado about a mile away, so we could keep each other calm. By the grace of God the tornado missed us. After it passed, we continued to run the outage until we had the power restored. Being a lineman requires knowledge and being

“We depend on one another with our lives on a daily basis and we trust that we are making the best choices and decisions that will not jeopardize anyone’s safety.”

– Thomas Hesbrook

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able to work under pressure, but Mother Nature sure can make that difficult.

“Linemen are family. We celebrate each other’s victories and our hearts ache when one of our own is hurting. I’m very fortunate to have a strong family at home as well. I don’t think we give our families enough credit for all they do for us. I’ve had to watch my wife and children hold back tears as they see me go out in dangerous weather in the middle of the night.”

Kendall Keith applied for a job at CECA in 1996 when he and many other people in Comanche lost their jobs with the peanut industry. During the interview, the line superintendent asked, “What more can you offer above the man you are replacing?” Knowing the man he was replacing was small, he replied, “About 100 pounds!”

Kendall said, “Each individual has strengths and weaknesses, so everyone advances at their own pace and figures out where his comfort zone is and his place in the pecking order.” His son Beau thought his dad was the toughest, fastest, and smartest man in the world.

He was proud when he could tell Beau he had advanced to lineman 1st class. His second-grade daughter made him a Father’s Day card of a lightbulb with a heart at the bottom. She wrote, “Daddy, you light up our life.” That

The next time the power goes off, remember the linemen are doing their best restore it so they can get back home to their families. They appreciate help offered while they are working, especially “peanut brittle, chocolate chip cookies, homemade tortillas and breakfast biscuits.”

Kendall Keith

card is still on the refrigerator, even now that she is a mother.

He went on to tell about a Super Bowl party he and his wife planned a couple years ago. After cooking and preparing all day Saturday and Sunday, he was called out about 30 minutes before kickoff, even though he wasn’t “on call.” He arrived back home as his guests were leaving.

He said, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Sometimes I feel like the Co-op is laughing at me.”

Kendall’s greatest rewards are “peanut brittle, chocolate chip cookies, homemade tortillas and breakfast biscuits.” He has a delightful story about how someone showed their appreciation with each of those items. “Being truly appreciated for what that entails is even better, when people are thankful that you have been out working for 24-36 hours straight, all night, no meals, no change of clothes, and soaking wet to get their power restored.”

Linemen face danger to get the job done. Kendall said, “In my career I’ve been attacked by a dog, a cow, and had lightning hit too close for comfort while walking out line and climbing poles.” Once after working all night in a storm, soaked and exhausted, an excited farmer told him how wonderful it was to get so much rain. Kendall said, “If every time it rained a big man named Bruno came to your house, drug you outside, roughed you up and left you out in the rain all night, you would get tired of hearing it thunder.”

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FIREARMS • SAFES TACTICAL ACCESSORIES GUN SMITH • ARCHERY YETI • AMMUNITION

254-965-9099 6688 S. US Hwy. 377 • Stephenville, TX 76401

Ask me why I chose Comanche

T

he mission of the Chamber is to promote trade, commercial and agriculture

The mission of the Chamber is to inpromote trade, interest, tourism and to advance economic development the Comanche area; to acquire, preserve and distribute civic, commercial, industrial statistics; commercial and agriculture interest, tourism and to to promote cooperation between Local, State, and Federal government; vance and economic development incommunity the Comanche are to provide leadership and a positive attitude through involvement for the benefit of the Chamber membership. o acquire, preserve and distribute civic, commercial ndustrial statistics; to promote cooperation between Local, State, and Federal government; and to IS WHYand I CHOSE COMANCHE! provide leadership a positive attitude through pr THAT community involvement for the benefit of the Historic Comanche Depot Chamber membership PO Box 65 | Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-3233

AT IS WHY I CHOSE COMANC www.ComancheChamber.org

Hometown Living At Its Best

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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T

Jennifer Shelt on

Jennifer Shelton is the mother of two boys, but takes care of over 350 students in De Leon as the school nurse.

S

By Cassidy Horn | Photos By Riley Studio

helton graduated from Early High School and later went to Ranger College in Early for her LVN vocational license. Before becoming the school nurse at De Leon, Shelton worked for hospitals in the area and then a rural health clinic. Shelton says her experiences at the rural health clinic first made her look at being a school nurse because kids would come in and she knew stuff was being missed at school.

“It takes someone to really pay attention to those kids and make sure everything is okay with them because there is so much that can be caught in schools that isn’t caught at home,” Shelton said. “That is why we do the screening things we do. I just noticed at the clinic a lot of their needs weren’t being met at school so it really made me want to be in the school setting.”

Starting her career as a school nurse in January of 2016, Shelton says the staff at the elementary have been welcoming, and the passion they have for the kids makes her job easier because she is surrounded by people who care as much about the kids as she does. “It’s hard to work somewhere where people aren’t as passionate about what you are doing as you are. And they are so passionate here,” said Shelton.

“[Jennifer] is a go-getter and does an outstanding job here at the elementary.”

One aspect that differs when treating kids Shelton says, is they might not necessarily feel comfortable talking to people to tell them exactly where they feel bad. “I do have to really sit them down and talk to them to figure out exactly what is going on. Sometimes it might not be that they are sick, it might be that they didn’t get enough sleep the night before and they might not feel well because of that.” Shelton also says the role of a school nurse is important to take the stress of determining if a kid is sick or not away from teachers.

Outside of work Shelton is busy with her two kids at stock shows and with boy scouts. Shelton serves as the scoutmaster for the troop in Zephyr.

“I would describe her as a person who gets things done,” said co-worker, Betty Lopez. “She is bubbly, confident, and brightens everyone’s day. She likes to make sure everything is perfect by making labels for everything.

She is a go-getter and does an outstanding job here at the elementary.”

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SF

R ANCH

B&B

HOME OF

Extreme Mustang Makeover Ch a mpions

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by AKO Photogr aphy

“Horse people are just nice people,” said Wilma Fleming.

“The Ranch and Bed and Breakfast have enabled us to meet and make many great friends.” Their brochure describes the SF Ranch as “Pure Texas bliss, nestled in the beautiful Texas hill country” where you can “step back from the hassles of life and escape to the rolling hills, mystic oaks and amazing sunsets that only nature can offer.”

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Wilma and her husband Steve Fleming founded SF Ranch in Cherryvale, Kansas, in 1963. The small horse farm grew to produce champion horses such as Hancock’s Dude AAA AQHA champion, Hollywood Buck, Spotted Easy and He Rocket AAA. In 1974, Steve’s job with Fleming Foods Wholesale Grocery Company moved the family to San Antonio. While looking for ranch property, a friend said he had the perfect place in Comanche. Steve and his wife hopped in their airplane and looked over the land. When Wilma saw what she calls “the pretty pond” surrounded by wild turkeys, she knew this was home. The land they purchased in February 1981 had a 100-yearold frame house and a brick 1970s ranch-style house. On two different occasions they purchased additional land, bringing the total to 800 acres including seven bodies of water and a rock quarry. The Flemings built their new home in 1994.

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The little old frame house served as a home for ranch hands, a rental, and the Comanche 4-H Club holds their monthly meetings there every Sunday afternoon. In September 2014, it became a Bed and Breakfast, but not the typical B & B with lace curtains and crocheted doilies.

One bedroom holds three twin beds. An antique dresser, chest, and standing coat rack furnish the bedroom with two twin beds.

Sturdy leather furniture creates a comfortable, relaxing living room. The dining room holds a spacious table with six chairs. Another round table with four chairs and a table with bench seats in the full kitchen provide a homey atmosphere with plenty of space for eating, playing games or sharing hunting tales. The knotty pine walls in the bathroom complete the rustic country charm.

Enhancement amenities include wine and champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, fresh flowers and an hour-

long massage can be arranged.

A huge tree once grew in the middle of the back patio.

The remaining gigantic three-foot high stump, converted into a leaning table made of native rock with a slatted wooden top, provides an interesting conversation piece while cooking on the wood or gas grill. Strings of lights add to the nostalgic aura. The secluded setting creates a perfect backdrop for weddings, reunions and family gatherings.

SF Ranch hosts dove hunts and cookouts, the 4-H OnTarget Rifle and Archery Shooting Club, and trail rides.

Equine Trail Sports competitions and private trail rides take place four to six times a year with all meals being provided Saturday and Sunday during these events. The SF Ranch sponsors the Lonesome Dove Retriever Club hunt test in the fall. The covered barn is the perfect place for a casual gathering with tables and chairs available.

Main lodging at SF Ranch B & B.

It contains a well-equipped tack room and 23 stalls for horses. Behind the barn sits a roping arena, a round pen and a cutting pen. Eleven RV hookups accommodate weary travelers or large groups.

Virginia Fleming began showing horses at age five.

She has trained horses and given riding lessons most of her life. She says, “My father was an excellent horse trainer and roper who competed in AQHA, PRCA, NRHA and NCHA.� Pictures, certificates and ribbons from their champion Quarter Horses plaster two walls of the 14 x 28 foot barn office. Trophy shelves cover the other two walls.

The SF Ranch no longer raises horses, although they still own a few descendants of some of their champions.

Now they raise registered Black Angus. The day I visited, Jim Walker and Dusty Kerby, two area horse trainers, were rounding up steers and a heifer for a private treaty sale. Virginia and Wilma also raise and sell registered Australian Shepherds and registered Labrador Retrievers.

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The ranch sponsored the 2016 Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth Champions. Kayden Frazier of Comanche with Raindrops on Roses won first place in the overall competition. Her cousin DiDi Tomlinson, also of Comanche, came in second in the overall with Whiskers on Kittens. Youth trainers compete in handling and conditioning, trail and freestyle.

The youth, under age 18, pay a $25 adoption fee and get to keep their horses, whereas horses trained by adults go on the auction block. This year Kayden and DiDi went to Decatur to pick up their mustangs, which were named and assigned by the BLM. Raindrops on Roses (Rosie) had a docile personality even though she had never been handled. Competitors take Mustangs from “Wild to Mild” in 100 days. The first

The ranch sponsored the 2016 the Fort Worth Extreme Mustang Makeover Youth Champions.

Kayden Frazier competing at Extreme Mustang Makeover 2016.

Didi Tomlinson competing at Extreme Mustang Makeover 2016.

touch might happen within a couple of hours or may take days. Remaining calm and bonding with their trainer is fundamental. Mustangs are smart and soon learn to walk, trot and lope on a lead rope. They learn side passes, backing, giving to pressure and going over obstacles. They cannot be ridden until after the competition, so all their training is accomplished on the ground.

The trainers choose a theme, music and perform a routine to show what their Mustangs have learned.

Kayden chose a Flintstones theme and DiDi went with a zombie theme. These cousins trained together all summer at the SF Ranch as well as traveling to different rodeo competitions. Traveling helps the horses gain important understanding of crowds, stalls, and other horses as they get ready for the Extreme Mustang Makeover. Kayden and DiDi thank Wilma and Virginia for all their support.

They helped give these girls an amazing character building experience of a lifetime.

This is DiDi’s first experience as a trainer. Kayden previously competed in the Mustang Million in 2013 and 64

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won first in the 2014 Youth Extreme Mustang Makeover with her gelding Lego. After training Lego under saddle, they have placed in competitive trail rides and in hunter jumper classes. They also enjoy pushing cattle and trick riding. Mustangs are beautiful, versatile horses.

The Mustang Heritage Foundation does a fabulous job highlighting these amazing, majestic horses. Kayden aged out of the youth mustang competition.

She plans to attend Tarleton State University next year, compete on their rodeo team and eventually have her own equine rehabilitation and conditioning business. DiDi, a junior, has chosen to compete for the prestigious Texas High School Rodeo Queen title. Both girls are members of the Texas High School Rodeo Association.

If you want to get away from the busyness of the city, check out www.SFRanch.net. If you want to meet some great horse people, contact Virginia or Wilma at sfbedandbreakfast@gmail.com.

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TIPS ON CREATING

A FUNCTIONAL & FUN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

By B e n Pa m p l i n

Outdoor living is a rapidly growing trend around Texas. It will be very beneficial spend time brainstorming your outdoor space prior to beginning your construction phase. Ask qualifying questions like: • How big will your space be?

• How many people do you typically entertain?

• What colors do I want to integrate?

• Is there a theme?

• Where in the yard is the best place?

• Do you want background noise? Water feature?

Music?

You definitely want to provide shade for those hot Texas months. A circular pattern for a patio is nice because it is more intimate. Plant good evergreen shrubs around the border of the patio to further enclose the area. Integrating pretty annual flowers can be very comforting and relaxing. They can be changed throughout the year or for special holidays. Landscaping 66

Comanche County Living

in a layered pattern around the space can help to reduce the heat around the area. In other words, plant shorter plants closer to the edge of the space and add height as you gradually move out. Nice planters are great for this, because you can move them to the garage for the colder months, therefore saving money.

A nice grill with a counter top and fridge is a definite bonus to reduce trips back and forth inside the house. Soft music playing or the sound of a simple water feature can really set a nice ambiance in your outdoor living space. Warmth in the wintertime is a must. A well-built fireplace or fire pit will solidify your enjoyment in the colder months. A custom propane or natural gas fire pit is preferred because there’s no pesky smoke, but you still benefit from the light and heat. We call these outdoor living areas “staycations.” You can typically build a very nice staycation for the same amount of money you would spend on family trip to Florida. The use of your staycation will be on going and will likely add value to your home.

WE

Visit our webpage at

Comanche County Historical Museum

www.comanchecountytxmuseum.com

is located at

402 Moorman Dr., Comanche, Texas, 76442.

For more information and upcoming events, be sure to like us on Facebook.

325-356-5115 E-mail at

onlymuseum1@ verizon.net

b

Open Wed-Sat, 10AM-4PM.

“Our Family Caring for Your Family�

Serving De Leon and the surrounding communities for 42 years.

We are family owned and operated and offer Preplanning, Funeral Services and Monuments.

340 S. Austin St. | De Leon, TX 76444

254-893-2021

www.nowlinandersfh.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Comanche County’s

Wildlife Lone Ranger

By Martha Helton Photos by Riley Studio

Imagine roaming around the great outdoors of Comanche County with the mission to protect some of God’s creatures and getting paid to do it. Game Warden Mike Alexander gets to do just that.

I

magine roaming around the great outdoors of Comanche County—be it either on Proctor Lake or on one of the county’s hunting ranches. You get to set your own hours with the mission to protect some of God’s creatures and to apprehend the occasional bad guy who breaks the law—and, incredibly, getting paid to do it.

I’m describing the life of Comanche’s one and only “Lone Ranger” game warden, Mike Alexander, who fits into his job like a snug fitting glove. “I think it’s the perfect job— at least for me,” Mike happily shared as we visited at the local Dairy Queen.

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When he was a little kid, his love of the outdoors ignited his desire to be a forest ranger. “That’s what I started off in in college and eventually switched over to wildlife,” Mike explained, matter of factly, clad in his khaki uniform - an imposing figure at well over six feet tall. “I tried to be a game warden. Back then it seemed it was a whole lot harder to be one than it is these days. It took a while. I got a job as a police officer for four years until I finally got hired as a game warden.”

A game warden is a peace officer just like his fellow officer wearing blue, except a game warden’s duties are chiefly law enforcement for fish, wildlife and the environment, though they also watch over and protect human visitors in wildlife areas and parks. I glanced at his big truck outside with “Texas Game Warden” written on the side. Curious, I asked what he does on a daily basis in

When he was a little kid, his love of the outdoors ignited his desire to be a forest ranger.

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Comanche County Living

that big truck while patrolling the Texas countryside.

He chuckled, “I had a guy one time at the gas station - he was kind of an old guy - he just kind of yells at me, ‘Is that all you do is ride around in that truck all day?’ I looked at him and I said, ‘No, sometimes I ride around in my boat all day.’”

Mike does get to ride in his boat while patrolling Lake Proctor in the summer. His days are all different, depending on the season. “Fishing season comes in the spring at Lake Proctor. There are limits on fish and size of fish and fishing licenses. You want fish to get big enough so they can breed. You transition into summer and you spend your time out at the lake checking fisherman and checking boaters for water safety — life jackets and after sunset, lights on the boat. We look for BWIs - like DWIs but on a boat.”

Mike continued: “And then in the fall you transition into dove hunting and then deer season opens in October and you usually start working later - you work more nights. Of course deer season, you’re checking licensing and tags, make sure that they are deer legal. More during

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deer season what I work on are illegal hunters - who are out hunting at night, shooting from the road, stuff like that.”

Tips are phoned in at Mike’s house or on his cell phone to report illegal activity. He heads out in his truck to investigate, pulling over vehicles just like a police officer with flashing lights. It’s just on occasion that the routine turns interesting. “I don’t really enjoy writing tickets, but I enjoy catching poachers and catching criminals. It’s rewarding. It makes you feel like you’re doing something…well, it makes you feel good!” laughed Mike. “It’s like scoring a touchdown at a football game.”

An indelible memory catching poachers happened when he was a game warden in Sabine County. Hunters were allowed to use a pack of dogs to run through the woods and flush the deer out on the road and then they’d shoot them. “The first year I was there they made that illegal. The honest people quit using the dogs but then you’ve got the poachers that would act illegally no matter what.” Every year Mike would dutifully write tickets for illegally using the dogs and it must’ve steadily built up resentment in some.

A game warden is a peace officer just like his fellow officer wearing blue, except a game warden’s duties are chiefly law enforcement for fish, wildlife and the environment, though they also watch over and protect human visitors in wildlife areas and parks.

After four years, Mike and his family were just finishing building a house - putting down roots - when he caught some of those disgruntled poachers. Mike described them as having a street gang mentality. “But instead of a drive-by or selling drugs, they would shoot deer illegally,” Mike explained. “I arrested the leader and a couple of other guys in the group. I guess they just decided to go out and burn down the house. I knew who it was when it happened. I wrote down the names on a piece of paper and gave it to my boss and said, ‘these are the guys you need to arrest.’ Three of the three guys who actually went out there and did it all went to jail - one got twelve years, one of them got ten years, and then the driver, who was seventeen, was sent to boot camp and probation. But the head guys - nothing ever happened to them.”

“Did that discourage you from staying on in your job?” I asked.

“I guess I didn’t even think about that,” Mike recalled.

“I guess in a way, if I’d have left they would’ve proved their point. By staying I showed them they weren’t going to run me out.”

In fact, he went on to rebuild the house and stayed another five years.

After ten years in Sabine County, Mike, wife, Susan, and their two kids moved to Comanche to be closer to elderly relatives. Mike described a defining case that happened during his 17 years in Comanche. “Used to, most our laws were just tickets. Then in ’99 they increased the penalties to felonies. So when I came to Comanche,

there was still a lot of stuff going on and I had a group of guys - one guy was the leader - who were going around at night, usually around 2:00 in the morning, shooting deer and cutting the antlers off, and just wasting the meat. So I worked on them for a long time and I caught them the first time at 4:00 in the morning, this leader and one other guy. I arrested them and put them in jail and put them in county court. Well that languished in county court for a year. They were bonded out and never went to trial.

“And so a year later, I catch the guy again and this time I was able to charge him with a felony. It went through district court and it went right on through. He had a prior drug conviction. They gave him two years in the pen for killing the deer and they revoked him on his drug conviction for ten years. So he went to the pen for ten years. The word got out that he went to the pen for ten years for killing that deer. I mean, the activity after that just died. There wasn’t anything going on for a long time.”

Mike chuckled. “I think that one case really changed things in this area - at least for me. It made people see we

were serious about these laws.”

Game wardens are also the first wave of help in hurricanes and search and rescues, using their trucks, boats and four wheelers. “We can get into areas that most police can’t get into. We help people out, take them supplies, whatever they need. Usually deployments are seven days,” said Mike. He was involved in the first wave of Hurricane Rita in East Texas and went to the West explosion. He also recovers dead bodies in rural area lakes and noted, yes, it’s “still weird.”

Mike hunts and fishes but on his days off, he usually wants off. When he does hunt, he butchers all his own meat and puts it up in the freezer. Then, his retired schoolteacher wife, Susan, takes it from there.

Even though he hunts, he’s got a soft spot for animals.

Right now he has four fawns in his backyard and although they don’t feed them, he and his wife have named them all. “When I go hunting I go someplace else. I’m not going to shoot Scruffy and Muffy.” Mike gave a slight smile.

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HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS 8th grade girls cross country district champions

Homecoming Dress up Day Do nut mess with the Cubcats, Pep Rally DeLeon vs. Santo

De Leon ISD Happenings De Leon ISD continues to provide excellence in education through creative learning, hands on experience, and dedicated and hardworking staff. Here are some of the wonderful things happening there. Go Bearcats!

Photos courtesy of

Cody Wright P hotography

Students disecting owl pellets in the hands on science lab

Creative learning! These students showed up and were tasked with solving a crime by using clues and inference skills Homecoming King and Queen Marly Sides and Aaron Riggs

Mrs. Woods’ 6th grade science class Senior Volleyball Recognition

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Comanche County Living

SUREGROW

AG PRODUCTS

SureGrow operates as a wholesale & retail fertilizer & agricultural chemical business. We’re a Pioneer seed dealer & also sell other varieties of seed. With over 225 years experience, the SureGrow team is knowledgeable about products, their use on crops, & the conditions in which they should be used.

SureGrow is dedicated to providing customers with the best products & services available in the farm industry today.

308 N. Austin Ave. Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-1908

250 CR 416, Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-1551 | www.suregrowag.com

A Little White House Guest House/B & B

•High Speed Broadband Internet Service •Residential & Business Telephone Services 254.979.4670 916 E Reynosa Ave. De Leon, Texas 76444

www.alittlewhitehouse.com

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CO M M U N I T Y S P OT L I G H T

Maegan Caffey • Five words that best describe me are: goofy, stubborn, loving, hardworking, and I guess I would say easy going.

• My greatest strength is probably my quick thinking under pressure.

There are so many things that go wrong when you don’t plan on it and that can’t stop an event. My ability to think clearly under pressure has saved me more times that I should admit to.

Photos By AKO Photography

M

y name is Maegan Caffey. I am a 23 year old from Comanche. I recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. While at Tech, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Limoges, France for a semester. I am probably one of the goofiest people once you get to know me and I’m sure you’ll get a small insight to that after reading the answers to a few of the questions.

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• I should never admit this, but my greatest weakness is definitely organization.

I have to work so hard to be organized. It’s one of those things I wish came naturally to me, but I was just not blessed with that gene.

• My greatest influence in life? It’s so hard to choose just one person! Actually

I think it’s impossible for me to choose just one. My mom (Dana Middleton) and my grandma (Becky Lancaster) are the two who made me who I am. I think it’s safe to say I keep them on their toes, but they are the ones who keep me grounded, so I’d say it evens out.

• The thing I love most about my job is the point in the events where I get to actually sit back and enjoy the crowd. It brings me so much joy to see everyone interacting with each other and just enjoying themselves. We live in such a wonderful community, so it’s fun for me to know that I get to play a small part in bringing people together, even if it’s for a short period of time.

• In my spare time I love to travel!

I love going somewhere beautiful, sitting at a coffee shop with a view, and reading a good book.

forever cherish. I marked so many things off my bucket list while I was there. Being in another country for that amount of time, not knowing the language, not knowing a person, and somehow managing to make it through. I learned to laugh at myself even when I wanted to give up and cry.

• My favorite meal will include anything with queso. Seriously, if you want to know the secret to getting on my good side, give me queso. With some tacos. Tacos are always a safe bet too.

• I’m not sure I would really have it, but my ideal job would be a travel blogger. I’m no writer by any means.

Just ask the person who will have to go through and edit this, but I like to think that that’s what gives my writing charm. I blogged about my time in France, and when my friends from around the world would read about their home from my point of view, they would come talk to me about it and tell me about things they never saw until I pointed it out.

I think that’s the beauty in being a tourist. Ronnie Clifton once said something along the lines of, “you should look at a place like it was the first time ever being there” and that’s exactly what I want to do through blogging.

• As cliché as this is going to sound, I am most grateful for this

opportunity. I never in a million years would have guessed I would have this position. Comanche is home for me and I am getting the chance to put my touch on a town that helped raise me, and that’s something that I am incredibly grateful for!

• My time abroad is probably my greatest accomplishment. It showed me so much about myself that I could only figure out there, in that position I was in. Not to mention all the amazing things I got to do while I was there. That is something I will

• Loyalty - I definitely value loyalty the most in friendship. It’s impossible not to feel like your world is crashing down at some point in life and it’s important to know that no matter what, your friends are going to be there to help you pick up the pieces.

I consider myself extremely blessed to have the wonderful people I have in my life. My friends are such an instrumental part of my life and I think a lot of it can be credited to all of us having this same value of loyalty.

• My favorite bible verse: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

My bucket list includes traveling to all 50 states, to the 7 wonders of the world, and taking a hot air balloon ride.

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Comanche County Living

By Cassidy Horn Photos By Cody Wright Photograpy

T

wo years ago, five girls formed the first On Target 4-H Shooting Club in Comanche County. By the end of the year, six more students had joined and 10 more are expected to join this year. As the club continues to grow and gain more sharp shooting students, the club is hoping that their capabilities will as well. On October 22nd, the On Target 4-H Shooting Club hosted their first archery shoot on the beautiful SF Ranch’s shooting range near Comanche.

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“We hosted our own archery tournament [The 1st Annual Halloween 3D shoot] this fall. We did a fun shoot, which just means we didn’t keep score, but we invited everyone out to come and shoot at some fun targets and enter our raffle,” said Brownwood CPA and co-manager of the Shooting Club, Jennifer Robison. “It was just to let kids who are interested in archery meet, mingle, and have some fun while raising money for our club.”

The tournament was open to kids and adults alike.

Participants could enter the day of the tournament or by calling the extension office ahead of time. Because 4-H Shooting Clubs are sparse, many competitions the kids compete in are open to everyone. Robison said that many parents of students in the club own bows now and shoot archery with their kids. Robison’s daughter, who is 12, and two nieces, 12 and 8, are a part of the On Target 4-H Shooting Club.

“As far as the parents’ involvement, they show up to the club meetings with the kids. With archery, several of us now go out and shoot tournaments with our kids, so it’s a family outing as far as tournaments go,” Robison said. “With rifle competitions, obviously the parents can’t shoot alongside their kids, but they are very much involved helping them. We are all very hands-on.”

The Shooting Club includes archery, .22 long rifle, shotgun, and pistol. The club received National Rifle Association grants in the form of .22 rifles and targets in 2015 and 2016. The SF Ranch, owned by the Fleming family, also plays a huge role in the existence of the Shooting Club.

“The SF Ranch enjoys promoting children in outdoor activities and anything to get the kids outdoors, enjoying nature, learning to love the land, hunting, and shooting.

Anything that will teach kids respect and responsibility,”

Back Row: Ayden Fishback, Emily Prater, Cordell Fishback, Maggie Robison, Marki Jones, Shannon Dowell, Michael Dowell. Front: Laney Prater and Evan Dowell

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Marki Jones

The kids also depend on sponsorships from the community to pay for various trainings and trips.

Virginia Fleming, owner of the SF ranch, said. “We have the range for shooting pistols, rifles, shotguns, and archery, and I attend the meetings on Sundays just to make sure that the ranch provides everything that the children need.”

Because there are no outside coaches, the parents coach the kids in the shooting events. The kids also depend on sponsorships from the community to pay for various trainings and trips. Earlier this year some of the archery kids from the Shooting Club were able to attend a competition in Alabama at an invitational 4-H competition in conjunction with the Buckmasters Expo through sponsorships. Robison said they were the only club from Texas at the event and competed against several other states. Four of the students shot 82, 78, 78, and 77 during the event, placing in the top 20%. Another 4-H Shooting Club student from another nearby chapter also went with the group and shot a perfect 100 and advanced to the professional stage.

“Buckmasters, American Deer Foundation, and The Heart of Texas Chapter of Brownwood sponsored our club. They’ve given us money that we use to help pay for our coaches’ trainings. That’s what the kids decided they wanted to spend the money on,” Robison said. The shooting sports coach training took place October 29th and 30th this year in Brownwood. The cost to train coaches is $120 and coaches can choose to train in pistol, shotgun, archery, and rifle.

The 4-H Shooting Club gives back to the community throughout the year. Once a year, 4-H Clubs across the country participate in a community service project on the same day. This year it was on October 8th and the Shooting Club went to The Whitestone Residence, an assisted living residence.

“We played some games and visited with the residents there. We do other community service things throughout the year. During Christmas we pick a family or two and give them gift cards to the local grocery store and goody baskets.”

Jennifer Robison helping Laney Prater

(nearest to farthest) Laurie Jones, Shannon Dowell, Maggie Robison, Cordell Fishback, Ayden Fishback

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Cordell Fishback

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Comanche County Living

The Shooting Club hopes to continue giving back to the community and other 4-H Clubs by someday being able to host more tournaments for archery, rifle, shotgun, and pistol; however, a new challenge presents itself for hosting gun competitions. Robison says it will take a while to reach that goal.

“We are using the ranch’s shooting range for that, and in order to host a [rifle, shotgun, pistol] competition we have to have a platform to shoot from and a lot of other stuff that we would need approval from the Flemings, and would require a lot of building and construction. Not to mention all the targets we would need to be able to host something like that,” Robison said.

The 4-H Shooting Club gives back to the community throughout the year.

Robison says an ultimate goal for the On Target 4-H Shooting Club would be to host a buckle or trophy series for archery tournaments. Since they have hosted their first archery tournament, Robison says it will be a great foundation to build off of. If the On Target 4-H Shooting Club were to host a buckle series, they would host one tournament a month for three months and the overall winner would receive a buckle or trophy.

“We have great kids - they are all involved in all kinds of different sports from baseball, basketball, to volleyball, soccer, football, and active in their youth groups,” Robison said. “We just have really good kids.”

For more information about the On Target 4-H Shooting Club call the Comanche County Extension office at 352-356-2539. You can also keep up with the On Target 4-H Shooting Club on their Facebook page.

A link to donate to the club can also be found on their Facebook page.

Marki Jones, Laney Prater, Emily Prater, Maggie Robison, Ayden Fishback, Shannon Dowell, Cordell Fishback, Evan Dowell, Michael Dowell

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STOCKMAN WESTERN WEAR

932 W. Navarro Ave. De Leon, TX 76444

254.893.5149

Comanche Florist

325.356.9377

www.comancheflorist.net 309 W. Grand Ave. Comanche, TX 76442

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893-2025 | 325 W. Reynosa St. | De Leon. TX 76444

Cody Wright Photography

Photographer specializing in family, senior & maternity pictures.

b

Find me on Facebook:

Set your sites on getting more done.

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De Leon, TX Hwy 6 West 254.893.2061

Comanche, TX 11150 Hwy 36 325.356.2593

CLARK TRACTOR & SUPPLY Hometown Living At Its Best

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HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS

De Leon Chamber Happenings De Leon’s Annual Peach & Melon Festival was once again a huge success! Everyone had a fantastic time riding carnival rides, enjoying the parade, and eating all sorts of delicious food.

Photos courtesy of

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De Leon Chamber of Commerce

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Good Horses to

Ride

By Shirley Kidd Dukes Photos by Janzen Jackson Photography and provided by the Dukes Family

F r o m a v e r y e a r ly a g e a l l J a r e d D u k e s e v e r wa n t e d t o b e wa s a c o w b o y.

C

owboys are unique. Anyone who knows one will agree with me. They are rough and tough and can stay outside in all kinds of weather.

They can get thrown from a horse and climb back on, rubbing their backsides and all the while muttering, “that didn’t hurt.” But they are also gentle and sweet and the politest creatures on earth. They say yes ma’am and no ma’am. They’ll open the door for you, tip their hat and smile, and melt your heart as they say “Ma’am.” And in a funeral procession you won’t see them simply pulled over on the shoulder of the road. They will be the ones in the trucks with the big goose neck trailers, pulled completely off the road into the bar ditch, standing outside the truck, hat in hand and head bowed. They drink too much and play too hard. They love with a passion and they fight with a vengeance to protect what they believe in.

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I know these things because I love a cowboy. He’s my son. I didn’t intend to raise a cowboy. I would not have chosen this life for him. It’s a hard life and you can’t make a living doing it. But it’s one of those things that, once it’s in your blood, there’s nothing you can do to shake loose from it. It’s a way of life that wraps itself around every nerve ending and every blood vessel in your body. It’s inoperable and incurable.

Growing up on a farm, a kid spends most of his time out of doors. . .in the mud. And Jared Dukes learned at a very early age that clothes just got in the way of the mud.

He very quickly learned to strip out of all his clothes, including his diaper. But that little straw hat never left his head, and those little toy six shooters never left his side. His Uncle Connie used to get the biggest kick from driving by our house. Jared would hear him coming and by the time he got to the house, Jared would have climbed up on the yard fence, dressed in nothing but his cowboy hat, guns and a smile, waving to beat the band. That should have been my first clue.

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He got his first horse when he was four, a sorrel named Sally, given to him by Joe Smith, a neighbor who just thought the boy needed a horse. Jared loved Sally with all his heart and spent many an hour out in the pasture, barefoot and in his cutoff blue jean shorts, just being with her, regardless of whether or not he was riding. After Sally came Honey, a buckskin that he truly loved. On a pretty spring day when Jared was about ten years old, Honey colicked. Though we did all we could to save her, we were not successful. Jared sat with her head in his lap, big tears streaming down his face, and when darkness fell, even though she had been dead for several hours, he had to be forced to leave her. There has been a whole stream of horses since that time but Sally and Honey will always hold a very dear spot in his heart.

By the time he was five, Jared could be found with his little guitar and cowboy hat, standing on the rock ledge of the porch at Duster singing his favorite Willie Nelson song: “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.” There’s a line in that song that says, “They’ll

never stay home, and they’re always alone, even with someone they love.” It’s true. Cowboys are loners and they roam. They go where the wind blows them and wherever the job leads them. They’ll hang their hat in just about any old bunkhouse that has a comfortable bed and a warm meal. Home is just a place they come to between jobs.

From a very early age, all Jared ever wanted to be was a cowboy. His motto has always been that “if it can’t be done from the back of a horse, it doesn’t need to be done.”

By the winter following his high school graduation, he decided it was time to follow his dream. He had decided it was time to go to work on a feedlot and spend all day with his horse and the livestock. He called several feedlots in the Panhandle and found a job at Cattlemen’s Feedlot in Olton, Texas. They needed workers and could take him on the very next day. My first concern was where would he stay? It’s cold in the Panhandle and he had no living arrangements. With a big old happy smile on his face he told me not to worry. He would work something out.

He did. He struck out that morning with a few clothes, a pillow and lots of blankets, a little food and a little money.

He spent the first week sleeping in his truck on the feedlot parking lot, ice on the windshield, snow on the ground, and a howling wind. But he was happy.

Following that job he moved to Henrietta, then to Hereford where he worked for Barrett & Crofoot Feedyards, finally ending up in Stamford, Texas at the Swenson Ranch. It was here that his life took a dramatic turn.

On Wednesday morning, September 12, 2007, Jared’s life was forever changed. He crawled out of bed at 5:00 am and headed to Swenson Ranch, just like he did every morning. But fate stepped in and he never made it.

Somewhere along the way, on a deserted farm to market road with the world still bathed in the early morning dew and the sun preparing to pop over the horizon, Jared fell asleep. His truck hit the bar ditch, rolled several times and ended up next to a fence. No one knows for sure how long he lay there, unconscious, until he finally came to and walked to a nearby farmhouse for help. He was covered in blood, had a nasty head wound, and was unable to speak. Using hand signals he was able to convince a homeowner to give him a ride to a coworker’s home, and from there was taken to the emergency room in Hamlin for treatment.

An x-ray revealed a severe skull fracture, an air ambulance was called for and he was quickly airlifted to University Medical Center in Lubbock. As his father and I raced to Lubbock to reach him, I tried gaining information but was unable to get anyone to tell me anything. That is, until they decided that the situation was indeed grave, at which time they were frantically calling me and asking me to give verbal permission to do emergency surgery. Jared had received a depressed skull fracture. The surgery was needed to release the pressure on his brain. Permission was given and we continued our

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race to the hospital. We arrived there only ten minutes before the surgery was completed. The prognosis was grim. The fracture was more serious than they had realized. Not only had a two-inch piece of his skull broken loose, but it had also sliced into his brain about an inch deep. His surgeon felt confident that he would live, but there was a good chance that he would have limited use of his right side, and could possibly have trouble swallowing, and may never talk again.

CT scans showed extensive swelling and bruising of his brain, and in an effort to give it time to heal and for some of the swelling to go down, the physicians forced Jared into a drug induced coma. Once again, we were informed the prognosis was not good. We were told that we should begin looking for long-term skilled nursing for him because of the extensive damage done. He would not be a candidate for rehab, would have no short-term memory, would have limited use of his right side, and would have trouble swallowing. Knowing this was well beyond anything that I, and possibly even his medical

team had control over, I called all my strongest prayer warriors and asked them to begin praying for a miracle.

The very next morning when I walked into Jared’s ICU unit he opened his eyes, looked at me and said “Mom.” That was only the beginning of a myriad of miracles that have brought him to be who he is today.

Contrary to the doctor’s predictions, his mind is as sharp as it ever was. Short-term memory is not an issue, and to look at him, except for the horseshoe-shaped scar on the left side of his head (a fitting shape for a cowboy) one would never know the accident had occurred.

Except for the horseshoeshaped scar on the left side of his head (a fitting s h a p e f o r a c o w b o y ), o n e would never know the accident had occurred.

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his grandmother. Jared continues to ride, train horses, and day work for local ranchers, and has his own wood cutting business. Pepper and Rowdy can be found most days (when not in school) either helping him load wood or right next to him on their horses helping to work the cattle.

Needless to say, this family believes in miracles and the power of prayer. Some time ago, long before the accident, his sister Sara called me into her room. She said “Mom you’ve got to listen to this song. This is the one we are going to play at Jared’s funeral.” No, she was not being morbid or anything along those lines, the song just touched her deeply and she knew it described her brother to a T. It was a new song by Trent Wilmon. The name of it is “Good Horses to Ride,” and the chorus goes like this: “I’ve heard it said that old cowboys don’t die/They get put out to pasture way up in the sky/So if God’s got a heaven for old cowboy legends/I hope the grass is greener on the other side/And he’s got good horses to ride.” I knew she was right. It was the song for Jared. I sat there with tears flowing down my face. Then I bent my head and prayed, “Lord, please protect my son. Keep him from harm. Please Lord, don’t ever let this song be played for him. At least not in my lifetime. Amen.”

T h i s fa m i ly b e l i e v e s i n miracles and the power o f p r ay e r .

Having broken wild horses and rodeoed most of his grown up life, it came as quite a blow when the doctors told Jared that he should never get on the back of a horse again. But as I mentioned earlier, cowboys are unique.

And part of that uniqueness is their stubborn refusal to ever give up. Two months after being released from the hospital, Jared won the Bronc Riding event at the Wichita Falls rodeo.

Today, Jared is the proud father of two children; seven-year-old Pepper Abigail Dukes, and six-year-old Rowdy Keith Dale Dukes. The trio resides in Duster, in the same farmhouse where Jared once stood on the rock ledge of the porch and sang his Willie Nelson tunes to Hometown Living At Its Best

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HOMETOWN SCENES

Comanche County “ Kindness is the

language - Mark Twain

which the

deaf can hear blind can see.” and the

Photo courtesy of Amanda K. Olson Photography

- Mark Twain

Photo courtesy of Kelly Murphy & James McCaleb Photo courtesy of Riley Studio

Photo courtesy of Cody Wright Photography

What makes Comanche County a great place to live?

Right now it’s the chill in the morning air, bringing with it the excitement of holiday traditions, yummy food, and time spent with loved ones!

Take a look at a few more reasons why we love

Comanche County !

Photo courtesy of Kelly Murphy & James McCaleb

Photo courtesy of Riley Studio

Photo courtesy of Cody Wright Photography

“In this life

we cannot always do

great things.

But we can do

small things with

great love.”

Photo courtesy of Cody Wright Photography

- Mother Theresa

Index of Advertisers A Little White House.................................... 73

De Leon Industrial Development Corp................................. 26-27

Bayer Motor Company....................................7 Golden Oaks Milling Co............................... 82 Clark Tractor & Supply............................ 2, 83 Goodson Insurance.......................................... 9 Comanche Chamber of Commerce....................Inside Back Cover Comanche Chamber of Commerce & Ag.......................................18, 55

HairWorks....................................... Back Cover Melody Oaks Ranch...................................... 37 Nowlin Anders Funeral Home...................65

Comanche County Historical Museum..............................................................65 Comanche Electric Cooperative Association...........................................................1

Our House of Hair.......................................... 73 Riley Studio, Fine Art Photography...5, 44 Star Arms..........................................................54

Comanche Florist........................................... 82 Stockman’s Seed & Fertilizer, Inc............. 82 Comanche Funeral Home............................19 Stockman’s Western Wear......................... 82 Comanche Livestock Exchange............... 37 SureGrow Ag Products................................ 73 Comanche National Bank..............................3 Totelcom Communications, LLC.............. 73 De Leon Chamber of Commerce...... 26-27 Wonderful Things...........................................45

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible!

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We’ll always point you in the right direction

January - May • • • • •

Comanche Wide Garage Sale Texas Motorcycle RoadRiders State Rally Pioneer Day Gustine Homecoming and Rodeo Comanche Gospel Music Jamboree

June - August • • • • • •

Comanche County Dairy Breakfast Jams in June Concert Series Shopper’s Day 76th Annual Comanche Open Rodeo Rodeo Parade Veterans Display

September • • • •

Comanche County Pow-Wow Tribal Trot 5K Comanche County Car Show Barnie McBee BBQ Cook Off Concert

October - December • • • • • • • •

Historic Downtown Trick or Treat Steve Clemons Deer Hunter Chili Supper Veterans Week Celebration Comanche Co. Christmas Lighting Reveal Cora’s Christmas Lighted Parade Shopper’s Day Christmas Homes Tour

Hunting Lease List Available at ComancheChamber.org

Historic Comanche Depot PO Box 65 | Comanche, TX 76442

325-356-3233

www.ComancheChamber.org

s k r o W r Hai

back: Armi Fuentes, Mary Hernandez, Linda Dittrich front: Alissa Westmoreland, Laurie Williams

George and Linda McMillan, owners

Full Service Family Salon Walk-Ins Welcome The Hair Works & My Sisters Boutique

325.356.3653

307 West Grand | Comanche, TX 76442