Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1997

Artsy club enjoys dabblin in oils

You don't have to be a professional artist to join this group which has
been in existent for the past 16 years.

"None of us are professionals, but we do love to paint," said president
of the Pecos Palette Club Bea Owens.

Owens and about 19 other members gather monthly to "dabble" in their
favorite hobby.

"I love to paint, always have," said Owens.

The club started in 1981 and has been going strong since then, losing
some members and adding others.

"Some of the members come down here on Tuesdays and Thursdays and just
sit here and do their own thing," said Owens.

No requirements are made to belong to the friendly group.

"We have a little kitchen, an art supply room and plenty of room to set
up our easles," she said.

The group does all kinds of painting and has had several teachers at
their meetings showing them how to "hone" their skills.

"The paintings are all different and we do mostly oil painting on
canvas," said Owens. "We've had some really interesting teachers come to
our meetings," she said.

The walls are adorned with paintings donated by these painting teachers.

"The teachers are from different places, like Breckenridge, Seagraves
and we had one come all the way from California," said Owens.

The artist from California has been in Pecos twice demonstrating his
skills, showing the group techniques and has each time donated a
painting for their collection.

Local artists who teach include Linda Manry, Stella Tinkler and Viva
Walker.

"Trudy Teaney moved away, but she used to teach a lot at the senior
center," said Owens.

Every year the group gets about two or three new members to replace the
ones who move or just drop out.

"We pretty much keep the same number of individuals interested, but we
welcome others," said Owens.

The group not only enjoys painting during their gatherings, but also
enjoy visiting with each other, sharing tips and just plain, "getting
away from it all," according to Owens.

"When we have a teacher, depending on what he's interested in, that's
what we paint," said Owens.

For instance, Bill Blackmon of California, enjoyed Southwest scenes.

"We did Southwest scenes when he was here teaching," said Owens.
"Another teacher, Bill Zaner, does Big Bend Scenes, scenery which can be
found in Big Bend area," she said.

The group doesn't usually go to art shows or participate in them out of
town, but as individuals there have been several who have won awards in
these shows.

"Some of our members are good enough to participate in these shows, but
we don't usually do it as a group," Owens said.

Owens has sold numerous of her paintings from her home and does some
upon request.

"I usually just sell them to individuals who say they like them and
would like to purchase one," she said.

Some late-bloomers state that their love for painting came only when
more time was available.

"I didn't start painting until all kids were grown," said Frances
Hamilton.

Hamilton also has a sister, Nancy McAnally who paints with the group.

"We also have a man that joins us regularly, Ray Whitley, so it's not
just a women's club," said Owens.

"We have a real good library that the members can check out books on all
different subjects," said Owens.

These books help the members gather ideas and provide inspiration to the
crafty members.

"We do have some out of town members, they've moved away, but are still
members," said Owens.

The group always participates in the Annual Beta Sigma Phi Bazaar held
in November.

"Each member has to paint a picture and donate it," said Owens.

The paintings are sold for chances at the bazaar, according to Owens.

"This helps us bring in a little bit of money to fund our club," she
said.

The paintings donated are already framed and ready to hang, according to
Owens.

Painting is not only relaxing, offers a chance to visit, but can turn
out some really nice things.

"We welcome individuals who would like to join us," said Owens.

The group will start meeting every third Monday of the month at 120 W.
Second Street. Other avid members visit the location on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.

One of the members, recently participating in a cleanup project in
downtown Pecos.

"I really enjoyed doing that scenery on the buildings in downtown," said
Joyce Morton.

Morton along with members of another club, The Modern Study Club,
painted over a blank white wall on buildings in the downtown area in an
effort to beautify and make Pecos more attractive.

"Some of those club members had never painted a single thing, and were
afraid at first," said Morton. "After a couple of days, they were like
pros," she said.

Under Morton's guidance, the club painted several buildings in the area,
and are planning to further the effort."I really enjoyed doing that," she said.

Cross performs at nursing
home while visiting Pecos

Jacob Cross, of Dallas, was in Pecos recently, visited the nursing home
residents and provided them with a special treat by performing for them.

"He loves children and elderly people and spends a lot of time visiting
both," said his grandmother Anita Rivera.

Jacob did a performance on the story, "Boy and his Dog," for the
residents at the nursing home and also played the piano for the group.

"This was a special treat everyone enjoyed," said Rivera.

Jacob Cross if the 14-year-old son of Prissy and Darell Cross of Dallas
and formerly of Pecos.

He was born in Pecos, has a sister named Jackie Cross and attends Lake
View High Centennial School.

Jacob does acting for Theater Arts in Garland. He won best actor in UIL
and won first place in UIL on the story, "Boy and His Dog" by William
Shakespeare.

The teenager also won first place for Most Talented. He did touring in
acting on "Children on Stage on Cinderalla Dressed in Yella" in three
different categories, Native American, England and Italy.

In one of the features he was the narrator and in the other he was the
prince.

Jacob and his cast group performed over 20 locations all over Dallas in
different places such as hospitals, daycares and nursing homes. Also
over two weeks of touring performed for over 2,000 children. He also
performed in Theater Arts in Garland for the public at Performing Arts
Center.

He is A'Capella Choir and in the group Freedom Select Band (instrumental
band) which will be going to New York with the choir. In the band he
will be playing the keyboard.

"He also plays the piano beautifully and did so for the residents of the
nursing home," said Rivera.

Jacob enjoys playing Fur Leis and Beethoven and loves to read monologues.

In his spare time he enjoys playing the piano and eating pizza.

"My dream is to someday be an actor or a musician," said Cross.

He learned to play the piano by ear.

"Most of his talents are `God-gifted'," said Rivera.

His grandparents in Pecos are Tom and Anita Rivera; Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Perea maternal and paternal, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Garcia. His other
grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Cross of Dallas.

"Hopefully Jacob can be an example of what a young child can become if
given the chance," said Rivera. "Perhaps there are many out there and we just don't know it," she said.|

Vantage Point

Greetings!

Vacation time is just about over for students, teachers and others in
the education field are back in school. For some time now band and
athletic practices have been in progress. There have been "Back to
School" style shows and special sales have been advertised. In the
stores where I have shopped the interest was mainly in school supplies
and younger clothing.

All the newspaper and other media have featured advice on watching for
school children, obeying traffic signs. Some have suggested that people
practice courtesy with which I heartily concur. How much better the
world would be if everyone showed a thoughtfulness for others. And,
really, are not Texans supposed to "Drive Friendly?"

About vacations we have not had a trip of any length this summer, so
far just sort of bits and pieces, a day here or weekend there and have
enjoyed relatives and friends for brief visits. Pleasant moments for me
have been hearing what others are doing by way of notes. Some
interesting picture postcards have arrived from friends and relatives.
They are double joys, to know someone thought about me and then each
card is added to my collection.

Many, many years ago when on trips I started getting pictures of
motels, lodges, hotels where we stayed and then I collected state
capitols and from there it "just grew." As friends learned of my
collection they added so now I have albums with hundreds of cards, some
of which are quite unusual. This year they came from Chicago, Alabama,
Tennessee, Florida, Alaska and Texas too. So I have enjoyed bits of
travel by correspondence, thanks to each one who remembered me. Isn't
life wonderful?

Some new places enjoyed personally include two evening trips to Cisco
just up the highway north to dinner theater entertainment at the Hilton
Hotel Community Center. In July the play was "I'll Leave It To You" by
Noel Coward. Early this month was a musical "Snoopy" based on the
Charles M. Schulz comic strips.

The plays are produced by members of Cisco Junior College Drama
Department and are good efforts. The next play will be the middle of
October. The theater room has a nice size stage and seats a hundred
people comfortably at tables. The food was excellent both times.

The Conrad N. Hilton Memorial Park and Community Center is located on
the north side of town. It resulted from the ideas of Barron and Eric
Hilton to create a memorial for their father and leaders in Cisco to
preserve a historical landmark. The project was termed as a
"rehabilitation for adaptive reuse" with the outside walls remaining
intact while the interior was completely revised.

By efforts of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, the Houston University
Foundation, the Texas Historical Foundation, interested Cisco citizens,
the Albert Komatsu Architectural film and Bennett Construction
Corporation the contract for work was signed on August 5, 1985. Plans
had begun in 1979. The dedication and opening for the public was held in
October of 1986.

The story of the hotel began in September of 1916 when H.J. Mobley
bought City of Cisco Lot #29 from A.J. Olsen for the sum of $9,700. This
was situated within 150 yards away from the point where the east-west
rails of the Texas and Pacific Railroad crossed the north-south rails of
the Texas Central Railroad. Thinking that any form of service oriented
business there would be profitable he built a hotel and named it after
himself, the Mobley Hotel.

Conrad Hilton came to Cisco to buy a bank but changed his mind after the
absentee owner raised the promised sale price. Hilton liked the area
because it was near the rich Ranger oil fields. The stable economy and
promising business opportunities were within his planned financing. He
was frustrated at not being able to find a night's lodging after his
failed bank deal. He found out that the owner of the Mobley Hotel was
renting all available beds for eight hour shifts! Obviously, money
making was not limited to just banking or oil.

After talking, the two men struck a deal. Henry Mobley wanted more oil
interests and sold his hotel to Hilton. Thus began the career as
"Innkeeper to the World." He stayed in Cisco until he decided to
renovate the old Annabel Hotel in Fort Worth and sold the Mobley to his
mother, Mary Hilton, who was chairman of the board for the hotel
company. It remained in the family until 1931 when it was sold to J.M.
Radford of Cisco. As the depression era moved in so hotel business saw a
decline. Over the next years it became a boarding house, a nursing home
and at one time an Alaskan gold prospector bought it for spending the
winters in Texas. For many years it was vacant and deterioration caused
great concern.

Now serving as a community center, museum and park the facility houses
an "Innkeeper Gallery," a tribute to Hilton which includes photographs,
other memorabilia and a two-hour film exhibit about Hilton and his
various hotels. The Cisco Chamber of Commerce maintains its office there
with a very nice reception area. Today the old hotel building, though
architecturally unimpressive, retains a world of historical interest.
Called by Hilton "a cross between a flophouse and a gold mine", it has
been formally recognized and deserves its place on the National Register
of Historic Buildings.

Something else about Cisco - their downtown is like many other towns,
lots of empty buildings. Starting in October of 1994 a project of
paintings on these buildings was begun - now there are thirty different
murals. A give-away brochure lists the building, locations and type of
painting. Operating business firms have side walls done, one that is
particularly interesting has the early day school house and a school bus
on the rear side and half the wall is covered with handprints in all
paint colors of elementary school children.

It is really eye catching. I hope the painting started by Modern Study
Club members will be continued with others joining them in the efforts.
I mailed a brochure to club president Joyce Morton to give her design
ideas.

Note to Chamber of Commerce there is a historical tour outlined for
seven sites, starting and returning at the Hilton Community Center which
is a little over a mile in length. There are five other points of
interest listed for visitors viewing. Still remaining are three church
buildings dating from 1878, 1880 and 1881. The remains of what was once
advertised as the World's Largest Concrete Swimming Pool can still be
seen below Lake Cisco Dam.

I have a new friend who learned to swim there as a young girl when her
father was manager. There was a skating rink in the recreational complex
so she learned to skate and was the envy of all her friends.

Gradually, new friends are coming into my life. On this last trip to
Cisco were two ladies I had not met before, one who has lived a long
time in Brownwood and another who moved back after living most of her
life in other areas. Strangely enough, we discovered mutual
acquaintances. She is trying to get back to painting after having heart
surgery a year ago. She said she worked in oils, mostly landscapes with
some florals. For quite some time she did special paintings for people
who wanted the old family home created on canvas. These she did from
on-site study and some from photographs. I thought that was very
interesting.

Brown County had its Rodeo on July 24-26. From news reports and word
from some who attended the performances were good. It seemed the extreme
heat hurt the attendance the first two nights but the last night was a
sell-out. Entries in bareback riding were 19 with a $1,542.72 purse,
winner Gerald McCloud of Justin, 79 points, $618.08; for saddle broncs,
25 entries, winner Ross Linton of Novice, 79 points, $591.36; calf
roping, 107 entries with Janice Koonsman of Stephenville, 7.9 seconds,
$1,775.63; ladies breakaway roping, 78 entries with Schelli Walls of
Stephenville winning with 2.4 time, $1,339.66; steer wrestling, 59
entries with Darrell Petry of Houston at 3.6 claiming $1,054.02; ladies
barrel race, 82 entries, a Jeane Jankowski of Simonton, point 17.471
wining $1,158.45; team roping, 93 entries won by Joe Day Howe and
Twister Cain of Ivanhoe, 5.7 and $2,662.62; bull riding, 52 entries,
winner John Broxson of Thorndale, 79 points and $948.79. The total
purse was $35,047.68. Of the 42 winners listed all cowboys were from
Texas, mostly this central area. One girl roper was from Colbert,
Oklahoma.

The only two names I recognized were barrel racers, Tracy Hedeman of
Morgan Mill and Talina Bird of Post. Guess the PCRA will not be
scheduling any events in Brownwood but who knows some of these
competitors may be showing up in the big time one day. Everybody, even
cowboys, have to start somewhere. Rodeo, rodeo everywhere there are
rodeos! Last week at the Post Stampede the parade was high lighted by
the 1997-98 Texas Tech Mased Rider, currently Becky McDougal, daughter
of Larry and Carlene McDougal of Southland. Mrs. McDougal is a teacher
at Post High School. Probably through the Labor Day Weekend there will
be more riders, horses and excitement.

Back to the local event there was a parade on the last day, Saturday, at
4 p.m., the hottest day nearly of the year. There was no theme to it,
looked like just anyone could join in following the Brown County
Sheriff's Posse. There was the band and about a dozen decorated floats,
some from other towns, plus assorted vehicles. I wondered "why the last
day? why in the afternoon? But then West of the Pecos will always be the
best!

About three weeks ago young Jeremy Tinkler was named Athlete of the Week
by the Brownwood Bulletin rating a nice picture on the sports page. One
of twin sons of the Normal Tinklers of Brownwood. Jeremy is making quite
a name for himself in junior galifying records. Entering many
tournaments this summer, his most prestigious win was at the Future
Masters in Alabama.

After a sudden death play-off he lost to Beck Troutman for the
championship. Since this was his first Future Masters play it is
certainly an honor. I haven't talked to Stella or Harvey Tinkler lately
so do not know how many times they have gotten to see him play. His
brother plays basketball.

Another proud grandparent in Pecos surely is Ruby Faye Newton. Jeff and
Dewayne Bryant and their music group, Ricochet, are becoming heard more
and more now by radio play. In TV channel surfing I caught one of their
recordings. It is so great to see young people realize their dreams.
dewayne, now called "Junior", is the same age as my second grandson,
Brendan, so I knew him better. I think all he ever wanted to do was
"make music." I will always remember Jimmy Bryant and his wonderful
piano playing. Then he set an example for his sons now being recognized
for their artistry. In a recent issue of Country America magazine the
group Ricochet was mentioned as attending an important event in
Nashville. Ruby Faye, Jimmy, Della all the family many of us join in
pride for two more "Pecos boys."

We attended the wedding of Kevin Grove and Mary Ellyn Rutledge in Merkel
on Saturday, August 9. Kevin is the younger son of Gerald and Carolyn
Grove of Sweetwater who lived in Pecos where Gerald was assistant
superintendent of PBT-ISD. The ceremony was in the sanctuary of First
Baptist church in a setting of candlelight and flowers. Randall Grove, a
Pecos High School graduate, was his brothers best man. Two of the
groomsmen were Koh Box of Pecos, son of Hugh and Gail Box, and Dennis
Moseley of Sweetwater, formerly of Pecos. Dennis is the older son of
Dalton and Margaret Moseley, long-time residents of Pecos. Dalton was
superintendent for the PBT-ISD when he moved to Snyder to take the
superintendent position there. They now live in Brownwood.

In attendance from Pecos were Hugh and Gail Box, Ricky and Jodee Exum
and their daughter Lindsey and Jackie and Lynda Gentry. Others there who
formerly lived in Pecos were James and Norma Hill of Allen, Karen
Harrison and her children of Sweetwater, Jack and Mary Alice Ferguson of
Early, Mark Ferguson of Luling, Linda Patterson and her daughter
Elizabeth of Snyder and Marquita Cordray whose husband Mark was minister
of music some years ago at First Baptist Church. They now live in
Midwest city, Oklahoma. Following the reception in the church parlor,
the group enjoyed visiting in the Grove home.

Some extra excitement was enjoyed last week. A surprise at the store
(Brownwood Service Parts - the NAPA store) for Coy was to recognize his
thirty-five years as an employee of the Barron Company of Odessa. The
event was arranged by Mike Scown of Odessa, the NAPA sales rep. for West
Texas. Fred Barron, company president, spoke of Coy's time with them
beginning when he went to work at the Pecos Store for David Gough and
Russ Platt. David moved on to manage the Monahans store until his death.
Coy worked with Russ Platt who had been a partner in the original
company. After his death Coy became store manage until he transferred to
the Brownwood store two and a half years ago. Fred Barron became
president of the family owned business following the death of his
father, George Barron.

There are now twelve company stores mostly in West Texas. Concluding his
talk, Fred presented a gold engraved plaque to Coy. The local employees
also gave a gift. Marthana and I went to the store for the "cake
cutting" - a chocolate confection appropriately decorated in NAPA gold
and blue and symbols. Other company people were here from Dallas
warehouse. Brendan, a DANA rep., also was here briefly to surprise his
dad.

Whoever the smart person was who said "Tempus fugits"? here we are gain
nearly at sort of the official end of summer Labor Day. Be happy, be
careful, and remember LOVE ONE ANOTHER!|

Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail: news@pecos.net
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Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
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