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4 tri county living | hometownmedia.group Contents 14 SCULPTURES ACROSS THE STATE Joe Barrington’s larger-than-life sculptures prove that everything really is bigger in Texas! 26 BEATING THE DRUM: AN ALBANY TRADITION Any time the Albany high school football team makes the playoffs, the community rallies in support by beating a red 55-gallon barrel drum for nearly 24 hours straight. 36 SEEKING JOY, FINDING HOME James and Renee Gober are Big Country natives, both born and raised in Throckmorton, though they now call Haskell their home sweet home. 40 4-H SPOTLIGHT Shackelford County 44 ROB HARTMAN IS MARCHING TO THE BEAT Music lays the soundtrack for an Anson teacher’s life. 52 A LABOR OF LOVE At the core of our community is a special group of people ... they are called farmers. 62 4-H SPOTLIGHT Haskell County On the Cover 26 36 44 52
6 tri county living | hometownmedia.group Contents 64 PAYING IT FORWARD FOR A GREATER HASKELL Christina Isbell gives back through numerous volunteer activities, public service roles, and the nonprofit she began, Keep haskell beautiful. 74 BOUNTIFUL HARVEST At 105 years of age, Alma Terrell is still cultivating a rich legacy. 82 4-H SPOTLIGHT Jones County 85 IN THE SPOTLIGHT After 30-plus years in theater, for UIL One Act Play Contest Manager, Bobby Robinson of Rule, the play is still the thing. 100 BIG ART FOR SMALL TOWNS Muralist Calina Mishay is sparking energy throughout the Big Country with works of art that command attention. 108 ALBANY’S MAN OF MANY TALENTS Steve Waller is always downplaying his accomplishments, but his neighbors insist he has made a large impact in Albany & has no plans to slow down. 20, 68, 94 95, 96, 106 Enjoy a variety of HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS in every issue showcasing the people, places, and events occuring in the Tri County area.
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Best wishes to you & yours, Heather Lundgren Martin Tri County Living Magazine© is published annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA 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. PHOTOGRAPHERS Kim Bearden Photography Tifani Smith, Captured Photography Casi Davis Lumiere Tintype Photography Full Strut Media Matt & Heather Martin Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Taylor Grimm Marketing & Client Relations Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Johnna Page Sales Account Executive johnnapage@yahoo.com Dear Readers: It is hard to believe I am writing my LAST publisher’s letter….. Matt and I are excited to have begun a new adventure together in investment real estate after 14 years in publishing. While we have been able to tackle both marketing and real estate for years now, we have had an opportunity to sell our portion of the Hometown Media Group marketing firm to our longtime business partner who will continue to steer HMG into the future. Also saying goodbye... ...it has been no secret that my lifelong friend and the motivator behind Tri County Living, Johnna Oman Page, has been the heartbeat of TCL. She made it her personal goal to oversee every area of this work of love from sales, to article ideas and even proofing and delivery to the area. She too has also been called on a new path and this is also her last edition with HMG. However, we are confident in her continued success: “He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Psalms 2: 7-8 It is no surprise that my home county and the surrounding stomping grounds of my youth would be near and dear to my heart. I know first hand the people, places, and things that truly make this West Texas window “God’s country.” The theme of each magazine has always been Hometown Living at its Best and the amazing residents of Jones, Haskell, & Shackleford {plus the borders beyond} showcase this theme easily. I have enjoyed reading and even writing stories about this special place. What a gift it has been to do something you truly LOVE each day with a team you can call family. People always say you shouldn’t have favorites, but if I said I didn’t, I would be lying. Tri County has been my FAVORITE market/magazine Matt and I have ever printed in 14 years. Thank you for your support these past years; for advertising and for reading Tri County Living. Farwell to Tri County! ON THE COVER Photo provided by JJ Barrington WRITERS Susan Turner Rebecca Sanchez Sabrina Forse Hannah Turner James McAfee Don Thompson Thank You to all of our advertisers for making these publications possible. 8 tri county living | hometownmedia.group Publisher's Letter
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W Johnna Oman Page Johnna, Sutton and Quincy Page Welcome to our fifth annual Tri County Living magazine! We began working on our first issue in 2019 and it arrived early in 2020 just prior to the COVID pandemic… The timing was not ideal, but we made it! As I look back on the past five years, I am so thankful for how far we have come and where we are today. THANK YOU to all of you for your continued love, support and interest in this publication. It has been a great joy and privilege of my life to be involved and to help be a small part of bringing this annual tribute to my favorite part of the world! I feel so blessed to live in this area and to call you all neighbors and friends. One of the highlights of my job is helping to distribute the magazine throughout the towns and to see the excitement of everyone as they flip through it for the first time and see their friends and acquaintances on the pages. We are thrilled by the collection of stories and Hometown Happenings we are featuring this year, and I can’t wait to see your reaction to this issue! Many of the story ideas and photos have been submitted by our readers and we are so grateful. This truly is a community effort and we could not do it without your help. Finally, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to our very generous and faithful advertisers who make it possible for us to publish this beautiful magazine and distribute it FREE of charge to the entire Tri County area. Many of our advertisers have supported the magazine from the very beginning when it was just a dream. Don’t forget to support these local businesses and organizations whenever possible. Grace and peace to you all and may God bless and keep you always. With love and gratitude, Johnna's Page
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15 hometown living at its best WRITTEN BY JAMES MCAFEE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY J.J. BARINGTON, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY AND LUMIERE TINTYPE PHOTOGRAPHY Sculptures Across the State
16 tri county living | hometownmedia.group WWhen someone is looking for large-scale outdoor sculpture, many call Joe Barrington, a Throckmorton native who now lives in Albany. He is well known, especially in the southwest for his ability to cut, bend and weld steel to produce quintessential larger-than-life works of exemplary art drawn from a lifetime of living in rural Texas. Residents of Tri-County do not have far to travel to see some examples of his work, which are located on Highway 380 between Throckmorton and Haskell, at City Park on the west side of Stamford, and at the Oil Jail Art Center in Albany. Barrington was commissioned in 2010 to build the iconic Bridal Bit Bull for the McKnight Ranch. “It is an immense welded steel longhorn bull that stands 24-feet tall,” Barrington said. “You can see him from two miles away in either direction on Highway 380. I could stand up in the chest cavity when I was building it. This is one of the most photographed projects I’ve ever built.” To celebrate Stamford’s Centennial in 2000, Barrington was commissioned to build a largescale historical piece for the city. The sculpture depicts a 14-foot welded steel 1880’s cowboy and his horse in full regalia rearing up when seeing the railroad tracks for the first time. Among numerous pieces on public display in Albany, “Tex the Roustabout” is Barrington’s depiction of a larger-than-life roughneck, surrounded by numerous oilfield objects and was placed on the grounds of the art center in 2000. Joe Barrington’s larger-than-life sculptures prove that everything really is BIGGER IN TEXAS BIGGER IN TEXAS.
In 2013, Barrington and Tara Conley of Houston were awarded a percentage for the arts project for the new Rawls College of Business, located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. “We are in the Business of Changing the World” features engraved limestone phrases bordering the quadrants of the courtyard while stainless steel pipes create a lighted archway beckoning the viewer with both grace and power. The iconic bronze bear and stainless-steel bull stand alongside the trajectories created by the pipes, akin to their respective market trends. Six bronze regional commodity icons line the courtyard's inner circle. The artists constructed the archway from more than 200 pieces of stainless steel pipe with 240 bends that follow one another in perfect alignment, then diverge and extend into distinctive lit tendrils floating in the air. When asked what his favorite piece he ever built, Joe answered, “a 16-foot catfish in the bed of a 1956 Chevrolet pickup.” The fish hangs over the cab and looks like it has just been caught. “This image is drawn from seeing a photograph of an actual catfish laying on a Tonka truck I saw when I was 8 years old in a salvage yard office with my dad,” Barrington said. Barrington has always used and continues to use Texas flora and fauna and incorporates the Texas myth that everything is bigger in Texas. These images include, 10 to 12-foot deer skulls, roadrunners, horned toads, ravens and more. “I think the best stories always involve humor: therefore humor finds its way into my works,” he added. Barrington grew up in his dad Eddie’s welding shop. “He made me a welding hood when I was two and half years old so I could watch him weld,” Barrington recalled. He spent most of his childhood
18 tri county living | hometownmedia.group following in his dad’s footsteps. Barrington then took those skills and work ethic he had acquired and parleyed them into a Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture and a minor in printmaking, from Midwestern State University in 1980. He then returned to Throckmorton with the goal of acquiring a studio and building sculptures full time. In 50 years of sculpting, Barrington has participated in numerous juried, invitational, one-man and group shows. He also has pieces in numerous public and private collections. Barrington’s public art can be found in the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque, NM, Hall Office Park and Plum Creek Park both in Frisco, Bozeman Public Library in Bozeman, MT, National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, WY, The Museum of the Southwest in Midland and many more. When asked if he had advice for younger artists, he replied: “It would be first and foremost to develop good skills and to find a mentor. If you truly want to be an artist, live to make art and make art to live. It doesn’t take a studio full of equipment to make art, it takes passion and commitment. Art can be made with literally what you find around you.” Barrington said he has no plans to retire and still has the drive to work and create. “In my dream world, I would go into the studio every day and create what I want,” Barrington said, “I would then kick it out the door, the piece would go to someone else that would love it and live with it, and the money would go into the bank. But in reality, it is more complicated than that.” †
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20 tri county living | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN Happenings Anson
21 hometown living at its best Photos provided by ANSON CHAMBER CHAMBER 2023 was a busy year for The Anson Chamber! Cinco de Mayo sizzled in Anson with a vibrant celebration. Things got spooktacular during Halloween, with ghoulish costumes and hauntingly good times. The Christmas Extravaganza captured the joy and sparkle of the season! Anson
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26 tri county living | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE | PHOTOS BY TISHA WILKINS BEATING THE DRUM AN ALBANY TRADITION Any time the Albany high school football team makes the playoffs, the community rallies in support by beating a red 55-gallon barrel drum for nearly 24 hours straight.
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28 tri county living | hometownmedia.group IIt may not look like much, it’s a simple 55-gallon barrel that has been painted red with an A on it. However, when it’s rolled into town during football season, it becomes a symbol of victory. Each dent and scratch tells the story of cheer, hope, and tradition. The Albany Lions are the reigning 2A Division 2 state football champions and Albany is a community that champions their home team. “Albany loves its youth, and they support every sport, group activity, and academics. It makes me very proud to live in Albany,” Tisha Wilkins said. Wilkins had three children graduate from Albany and one of them played football. Any time the Albany high school football team makes the playoffs, the community rallies in support by beating that red 55-gallon barrel drum for nearly 24 hours straight. No one can seem to remember exactly when the tradition started but it’s been happening every playoff round since at least the 1960s. “Pat Jones got in the back of a truck and had someone drive her around town as she beat on a drum,” Wilkins said.
29 hometown living at its best Now the drum is stationary and when the playoffs begin, members of the community take turns beating the drum. John Tate, the voice of the Albany Lions said that the beating of the drum typically begins the day before a playoff game commencing right after the pep rally. It continues through the next day until the bus of players leaves for the game. “It’s typically an hour shift and a lot of us take the same shift year after year. I always take the 6 am-7 am shift,” Tate said. Tate has announced every Albany football game from junior high, junior varsity to varsity since the 90's …. “I personally have my own stick that I use to beat the drum. Most of the people will have a piece of rebar that they use. Some just pick up something off the ground and others bring their own stick,” Tate said. Next to the drum sits a sign that says, “Honk if you love the Lions.” As you drive through Albany during the beating of the drum, you’ll hear a symphony of car horns and drumbeats. “I don’t care if you like football or even go to one game during the regular season. This tradition pulls all factions of the community together,” Tate said.
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31 hometown living at its best When you are an Albany Lion, chances are you’ll hear the beating of the drum multiple times during the season. That’s because the Lions typically play deep into the playoffs. They’ve won four state titles, appeared in the state championship game eight times, and have made 49 playoff appearances. Wilkins said, “My son was fortunate to play as an offensive lineman for the Albany Lions and he got to experience that support. I know the players really enjoy the support and getting to be a part of the tradition.” Beating the drum is something that anyone can do at any age. Kids, students, families, fans and groups sign up for shifts year after year. “Some people have a little rhythm when beating the drum and you can hear it if you drive by with your windows down,” Tate said. “Our bunch does not. We like to analyze and talk about the game. There are a lot of other sports-minded communityoriented towns, but I don’t think anything compares to this tradition.” When the Lions roar onto the football field, they know their town is cheering them on whether in the stands, in the broadcast booth, on the sidelines, or beating the drum. “Irregardless of how you are involved whether it’s a player, a coach, in administration, work on the fields or beat the drum, it’s never just one person,” Tate said. “It’s always a community effort and that’s how it should be.” †
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36 tri county living | hometownmedia.group FINDING HOME WRITTEN BY HANNAH TURNER | PHOTOS BY RENEE AND JAMES GOBER SeekingJoy, James and Renee Gober are Big Country natives, both born and raised in Throckmorton, though they now call Haskell their home sweet home.
37 hometown living at its best W“We’ve known each other pretty much our whole lives,” James said when asked about growing up with his wife Renee. After graduating from Throckmorton High School, Renee headed west to Texas Tech University before attending pharmacy school at the University of Texas. Once James graduated, he attended Texas A&M University to pursue his undergraduate degree. He then proceeded to further his education at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine. In 2004, James graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After six years of dating, much of that longdistance, Renee and James were married in 2003. They moved to Alvarado, Texas where they lived for three and a half years; James worked at a large veterinary clinic and Renee in retail pharmacy. During that time the Gobers welcomed twin boys. In early 2008, James was contacted by the veterinarian in Haskell regarding his practice. Intrigued by the idea, James agreed to visit with him about the potential opportunity to take over the established Haskell Veterinary Clinic. “I left Alvarado on a Sunday afternoon on Renee’s 30th birthday and left her there with six month old twin boys. I went to Haskell and we bought the clinic less than a week later on March 3rd or 4th of 2008,” James said. “Our whole Haskell plan came together in about two weeks, from not even considering Haskell to owning our own practice there.” Quickly, the family knew they were where they were supposed to be. James said, “A lot of times in small towns it is hard for people to feel like they can fit in or be part of the community, but
38 tri county living | hometownmedia.group we were so well received by Haskell, it wasn’t long until we called it home.” As they settled into life in a new town, Renee began working for The Drug Store in Haskell one day a week. As word spread that she was a licensed pharmacist, she also began taking on some of the nearby rural hospitals as a consultant pharmacist. Over the years, Renee has worked for the hospitals in Haskell, Throckmorton, Anson and Stamford. Today, she still consults for local hospitals, works for The Drug Store in Haskell on occasion, keeps books for the vet clinic, and chases kids full time. In addition, Renee, along with her friend Jennifer Bridges, began “Joy Seekers” in 2020. Together they have authored several journals and devotional books. Renee has also written a solo devotional book for adults called “Beautiful Growth: 40 Days of Prayer” and a coloring and devotion book for children called “I Am Loved and So Much More.” Joy Seekers has a Facebook page to share encouraging content. Their motto is “seek JOY daily through growing our relationship with God & sharing his love with others!” Encouragement and service are key principles by which the Gober family seeks to live their lives, both personally and in business. When they bought the Haskell Veterinary Clinic in 2008 it was a single-doctor practice. Today, it is a fourveterinarian practice, serving the citizens of Haskell and surrounding communities. On average, 60-70% of clients on any day are actually from nearby communities. “As long as we’re taking care of the people it seems like the business comes,” James said. “Probably the most exciting thing about having a business in Haskell has been the growth that we’ve been able to achieve in a rural area.”
39 hometown living at its best The Gobers’ business mentality is simple: “You follow the golden rule, and take care of the people,” James said. “That kind of reflects a lot of the way me and Renee live our lives and how our family looks at life and the community. Our purpose there is to serve the people and take care of the community the best we can, and by doing that we have continued to see growth and developed more and more relationships.” Over the past 16 years, the Gober family has grown up and planted their roots deeply into the community they call home. The twin boys are now active teenagers with an 11 year old sister, Izzy . All three of the Gober children are involved in local sports and love to spend time stock showing. In their spare time the family enjoys time together at the lake or in the mountains. They are actively involved in their local church and enjoy being close to their extended family, many of whom still live in Throckmorton. “There is strong support among members of the community to help each other, shop local, keep things there and pretty much take care of each other. You see that reflected in Haskell’s growth and stability,” James said. The Gobers look forward to many more exciting years in the vibrant small town they’ve come to know and love. “We’ve been extremely blessed. Just ending up in Haskell has been a blessing that we never imagined,” Renee said. †
40 tri county living | hometownmedia.group 4-H photos by KELSEY BELL Shackelford County
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WRITTEN BY SABRINA FORSE | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE HARTMAN FAMILY ROB HARTMAN is Marching to the Beat Music lays the soundtrack for an Anson teacher’s life. 44 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
JJust like the bridge in a song, music has been the narrator in Rob Hartman’s life, connecting one memory to the next. “I started band in the fifth grade just like the kids that I teach. I didn’t really pick the trumpet. The trumpet picked me. I wanted to play the trombone but the school didn’t have any, so I ended up with the trumpet. I really enjoyed it,” said Rob Hartman. Music then brought this Southern California native to West Texas. “I was looking for a small Christian school and I ended up in the band at Howard Payne University.” It was there that Hartman met his future wife, Caryn. “She played the flute in band but had dated my roommate in the past, so she was off limits because I didn’t want to harm our friendship. Later, my roommate sat me down and said, ‘If you’re interested in Caryn, I want you to know it’s okay.’ So, I picked up the phone right away.” The couple will celebrate their 13th anniversary this year. Both are involved with the worship team at First Baptist Church in Anson—Caryn on vocals and Rob on piano. They share three daughters, Caralyn, Cathryn and Cristyn. All three share their parents’ love of music and have played or still play keyboard at church. The oldest two were drum majors and a leader. Caralyn was in the marching band at Angelo State University and Cristyn plays in the Anson ISD Band. It’s the same school district where Hartman has worked for the past 25 years. He graduated from Howard Payne and earned his master’s degree at Hardin Simmons University. He taught at both Early and Hamlin ISDs and even served in the U.S. Navy before calling Anson, (his wife’s hometown) home. “Anson ISD has made it to the state marching contest eight times and they did it two times before I got the job. It was already a good program. I’ve just tried to keep it going and we were fortunate to go to state six more times since I’ve been here. Even the years, we didn’t go to state, the students have done very 45 hometown living at its best
well and made almost all division 1 ratings which is the highest rating.” As band director, Hartman has the unique opportunity to teach students from their fifth-grade year to senior year. “I literally get to watch them grow. I enjoy watching the kids improve and grow not only as musicians but in all of their other activities and that’s fun for me. I have had a lot of former students who studied music or played in the band in college. Some are band directors or teachers, so it’s really come full circle.” One of those former students is Annabelle Rodriquez who is now an elementary music teacher and assistant band director at Cross Plains ISD. “I didn’t know anything about music when I started band in fifth grade but eventually grew to love band and clarinet,” said Rodriquez. “Mr. Hartman was always very encouraging to me. I remember that we would always have a group talk by the band trailer and he would lead a chant. ‘Who’s got the greatest band?’ We’d reply, ‘Anson does’ and we’d repeat that several times and get louder each time.” Rodriquez says it was Hartman who inspired her to become a band director, so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to later student teach with him at Anson ISD. “As a student I respected him, but getting to work with him, that respect grew. I was able to 46 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
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work with fifth graders through high schoolers during my student teaching semester and Mr. Hartman gave me a lot of hands-on-opportunities. He would always give me advice on building a rapport with students. He said make sure the students can trust you. I really remembered that when I started teaching. I’ve tried to build that rapport and create a good relationship with the students like he does.” Part of that rapport includes encouraging students to do their best. “I’m going to try to do my best every day, so I tell students to try and do that for me. Even if we did well at a contest but they didn’t give me their best effort, I could be disappointed. I really want them to give their best effort,” said Hartman. It’s not only the high notes that Hartman is encouraging. He’s literally teaching students to soar to new heights. This music man is also a licensed pilot. For the past four years, he has also been teaching a Careers and Technology Education class where students learn about aviation. “I think the aspects of practicing and trying to aim for perfection even when it’s tough and unattainable in music certainly apply to aviation as well. As a pilot, you have to keep training and try to reach perfection even if its unattainable.” 48 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
Whether flying high, writing music or directing the marching band, Hartman believes the real harmony in his story comes from the Anson community. “A lot of schools have great band directors but not all schools have community support and support from the administration. Here at Anson, we have both,” said Hartman. “It’s always incredible to me how many people travel to support the band. I remember a time when we had a music contest and there were a lot of other activities like baseball, softball, track and ag events. All the coaches and teachers were able to work it out so the students could participate. The administration, the teachers and the community really want what is best for the students and that’s why the band has been so successful.” † 49 hometown living at its best
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“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” - Thomas Jefferson At the core of our community is a special group of people, who—through diligent care and taxing toil—help to feed and clothe our world. They live and work alongside us, shaping our culture, while being shaped by their trade. Most aspects of their lives influenced by their career: their families’ schedules and roles; their days and habits; their fears and struggles. But also, their purpose, passion and their deepest connections. Our hats are off to those carved out by their pursuit of agriculture, and we are honored to introduce you to a few of these Tri-County families. A Labor of LOVE
WHAT GENERATION IS YOUR FAMILY? My family has been farming in Haskell and Stonewall counties since the early 1900s. I am the fifth generation continuing the family business of farming. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING? I grew up helping with farming operations and continued helping as able through college. After college I spent about 10 years coaching high school football. My family and I made the move back home three years ago to begin farming full time and take over the farm from my dad who has since retired but is still very involved in the farm. WHAT CROPS DO YOU FARM? We farm dryland cotton and wheat on a 50/50 rotation. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND IF THEY HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR OPERATIONS: My beautiful wife, Emily, and I have three rambunctious and FUN boys- Denton (9), Truett (7), and Emmett (5). You can usually find them outside with a football or basketball, or something of the sort, in their hands. Emily works as a registered dietitian. While they don’t have full-time jobs on the farm, they are second to none at playing around the barn, helping me with moving the equipment from field to field, bringing meals and enjoying any family time we get. Don’t worry… I have big plans for all of them as they get older - Emily too! My dad and mom, Lynn and Renee Dudensing, have been at this a lot longer than Emily and I have. They are still very active in the operations. I tease that my dad is the maintenance supervisor and chief consultant on pretty much anything. I have enjoyed working with him daily over the last three years and truly value his expertise as I make decisions for the farm. Emily & Emery Dudensing 53 hometown living at its best
54 tri county living | hometownmedia.group WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR CAREER? One of the most challenging parts of farming is summer weed control. The growing problem of herbicide resistant weeds, paired with the hot and dry temperatures we get, makes chemicals more finicky and the weeds harder to kill. WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER? As a dryland farmer, I am fully dependent on the Lord and his provisions. I am called to work diligently with preparing the fields, planting the crops and tending to them. However, after that, I rely on and trust the Lord for rain, proper weather conditions, etc - there really is very little that I can control and that is very humbling. It is rewarding to watch the result of the seeds planted and the crops that are harvested. The flexibility with family time is another hugely rewarding thing for me and a big reason why we decided—with the Lord’s urging - to come back and start farming.
55 hometown living at its best WHAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD OR INDUSTRY HAS IMPACTED YOU MOST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS? I haven’t been doing this full time for 10 years, but the obvious answer that I have seen in just the short time I’ve been farming is the rising costs of everything. Land prices have doubled since we bought our first farm three years ago. Input costs like seed, chemicals and fertilizer have seen a lot of volatility. New and used farm equipment has gotten out of control. Interest rates are high and the price we can sell our crops for is not keeping up with the rising levels of all of our input costs. I don’t know any other answer but to continue to trust in the Lord for guidance and wisdom in making decisions for my life, family, and the farm. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FARMING? I love being able to work diligently with my hands and tangibly see the fruits of my labor and the provisions God has provided. Preparing a good seed bed for our crops, planting the seed and then seeing it turn into a tangible product that I can harvest and sell - that process is exciting for me year after year. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION? We tell our boys often, and this is something I would say to anyone in a younger generation, find a career that meets a need and be the very best at it. Colossians 3:23 says ‘whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart.’ I think that’s basically it - choose a profession and work heartily, do your very best, with a great attitude and you will be successful. Farmers along with trade jobs like welders, plumbers, electricians, etc., are aging out of the workforce more quickly than they are being replaced by younger workers. College is fine—I have a master’s degree, but it is not for everyone.
56 tri county living | hometownmedia.group WHAT GENERATION ARE YOU IN YOUR FAMILY? I am a firstgeneration farmer, married into a fourth generation farm family. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING? We returned to the area in 2009 to begin farming. June of this year will be 15 years. WHAT CROPS DO YOU FARM? We farm cotton and winter wheat. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND IF THEY HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR OPERATIONS: We have two sons. Kagen is a Sophomore at Stamford High School. He has been helping for several years. He is especially helpful during the summer when it is the busiest on the farm, and least busy at school. He has helped with planting and early season activities for the last three years. Braden is in 7th grade at Stamford Middle School. He better get ready, because his time starts this year. WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR CAREER? Farming is full of uncertainty. It is hard to make informed decisions due to the nature of farming dry land crops. We never know when the next weather disaster will hit. It seems every year we have a drought, flood, giant hailstorm, or early freeze. Those uncertainties are expected. To make matters worse, we now have to deal with the constant changes as a result of the weaponization of the courts. I have no idea what tools that have been available for years will become illegal due to a single judge in some distant state. WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER? The years that I plant a seed, nurture and care for it, and maximize the yield potential for that seed, the weather cooperates, and I am able to take it to harvest and make a profit is the most rewarding. Kristi & Zach Logan
57 hometown living at its best WHAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD OR INDUSTRY HAS IMPACTED YOU MOST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS? A good change has been that technology has developed rapidly in the last 10 years to provide more tools. The digital tools we have for tracking, measuring, and analyzing have come a long way. Biological technology has provided multiple new tools that have helped. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FARMING? I love the variety of jobs that I get to do. Being a farmer means I get to be an equipment operator, mechanic, welder, entomologist, botanist, chemist, bookkeeper, businessman, HR manager and many more. It never gets boring. Most importantly, getting the opportunity to work in these fields allows me to expose and teach my sons about a variety of fields. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION? You don’t have to have all the answers, as long as you know the people that do. Build bridges.
58 tri county living | hometownmedia.group WHAT GENERATION ARE YOU IN YOUR FAMILY? I am a fourth generation farmer HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING? I started farming part time 10 years ago when I was 19, working with my Dad on our family farm. About five years in I was able to support myself and farm full time on my own. WHAT CROPS DO YOU FARM? Cotton TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND IF THEY HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR OPERATIONS: In 2022 I married my wife, Rebecca Buerger, and in 2023 we welcomed our twins girls into the family. Rebecca and I work together as a team especially in business management. And my daughters love to come help drive the tractors while I’m working. Rebecca & Cheyenne Buerger WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR CAREER? The most challenging part of farming for me is trying to follow the market, and maximizing profitability.
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER? The best part of owning my own business is having the flexibility and freedom to make my own schedule and work more closely with family. WHAT CHANGE IN THE WORLD OR INDUSTRY HAS IMPACTED YOU MOST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS? The biggest impact I have seen in the industry was during Covid-19. It changed how we conducted our business, as well as the effects it had on the market. It posed some new challenges for us, but also brought about some welcome changes. One of the first things I experienced during the pandemic was that we could not go into government offices to file paperwork. Everything was switched to online, and the time saved was substantial. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FARMING? My favorite thing about farming is being my own boss. That can be stressful at times, but I love the freedom it provides in my personal and professional life. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION? My advice to all generations trying to start farming is to prioritize working on your business, not in your business.
PROTECTING OUR TEXANS Shane LeFevre Agency Manager Justin Cox Agent Garrett Scitern Agent Jason Bryant Agency Manager Nancy Sparks Agent Anson, TX 325.823.3244 Rotan, TX 325.735.3675 Haskell, TX 940.864.2647 HAS1223
61 hometown living at its best
4-H photos by HASKELL COUNTY 4-H PARENTS Haskell County 62 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
63 hometown living at its best
WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHRISTINA ISBELL PAYING IT FORWARD for a Greater Haskell
CHRISTINA ISBELL GIVES BACK THROUGH NUMEROUS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, PUBLIC SERVICE ROLES, AND THE NONPROFIT SHE BEGAN, KEEP HASKELL BEAUTIFUL. CChristina Isbell believes in action and the ability to affect change, and where she isn’t already leading the charge, you can bet she’s behind the scenes helping. As the owner of a local business and a participant in numerous community organizations, she is rubbing elbows with most of Haskell and is sitting by their side during challenging times. In a certain sense, she’s giving back what Haskell gave to her. During high school, Christina caught her teacher’s and counselor’s attention. They saw her potential and took time to encourage her, advising her to not settle for the path before her and empowering her with options and ideas. She began taking college classes in high school and had a teacher who often pressed her and other students about their career plans. Christina had considered something medical, maybe nursing, and her teacher suggested mortuary school. In 2015, she moved back to Haskell. Every community has people who are called to serve according to their talents. Christina is in constant contact with people and says that when you live in a small town, everybody's family. WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ PHOTOS PROVIDED BY The ISBELLS 65 hometown living at its best
The community feels the comfort she shares. Christina has been nominated for West Texas Funeral Director of the Year twice, by her peers. Christina said, “To be nominated twice and win it, that’s a big deal. It makes me feel good that people recognize all the hard work that I put in and how serious I am about how important my job is to me.” Christina is indeed working hard. Volunteering throughout her personal and professional life, she keeps the ball rolling. Through the Haskell Chamber of Commerce alone, she has served on the board several times, acted as president, and assisted with banquets, parades, and cookoffs. Not surprisingly, the Haskell Chamber of Commerce named her Volunteer of the Year. In addition, she helped with fundraisers and Friday fish fries at one church and supported programs at another. Add Rotary, board work with both a utility co-op and Haskell Housing Authority, and teaching a fitness class; Christina is investing all across Haskell, even as mayor pro tem on the Haskell City Council. In a nurturing effort, one that brings Haskell together in a way unlike any other, Christina started Keep Haskell Beautiful in 2016. “When we first started Keep Haskell Beautiful, we would speak at roundtable events about starting nonprofits and how to get your community involved and get them on board because it's hard,” Christina said about her work alongside Jimi Coplen. “We’re asking people to go pick up trash, and they’re looking at us like we're crazy if we try to convince them that they should go,
67 hometown living at its best that having a trash grabber, a bag and an orange vest is cool. But it’s about trying to get people to invest back into their community.” Christina’s nonprofit helps people make that investment back in their community with scholarships and local projects. The Keep Haskell Beautiful Triple Threat cornhole, horseshoes, and volleyball event paved the way for its biggest project to date. She has promoted compost and recycling education and taken part in youth mentorship for the Texas Midwest Community Network helping high school students who did projects that gave back to the community. Reaching out to people who are struggling and encouraging them to see possibilities is important to Christina. She’s been on the receiving end, and it made a difference for her. “It's not just about the cleaning up,” Christina said. “I believe we can change the attitude about how people treat each other, how we respect one another, talk to each other and agree to disagree, but still all work together to make things what they need to be.” Christina is in a unique position in an interconnected web of people and multifaceted efforts to invest in Haskell and cultivate its potential. She can reach back into the past and look at how her town didn’t give up on her, look around at the positive vibe, and look forward at a vision for Haskell. †
HOMETOWN Athletes PHOTOS BY KIM BEARDEN
Anson, Hamlin, Haskell, Hawley, Lueders-Avoca, Stamford
HOMETOWN Athletes PHOTOS BY KIM BEARDEN
Anson, Hamlin, Haskell, Hawley, Lueders-Avoca, Stamford
PHOTOS BY KIM BEARDEN PHOTO BY PAULA ERNST PHOTO BY PAULA ERNST HOMETOWN Athletes
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BOUNTIFUL WRITTEN BY SUSAN TURNER | PHOTOS BY TERRELL FAMILY At 105 years of age, Alma Ardonia Josselet Terrell is still cultivating a rich legacy. Harvest AAlma Ardonia Josselet was born at her Haskell County home on May 12, 1918. For Alma, it was the first day of a remarkable journey--105 years and counting. She would later be joined in that journey by her husband, V.P. Terrell, two daughters, Mollie Lunetta Terrell Moeller and Paula Sue Terrell Everett, four grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Alma’s parents, Paul John Josselet and Carrie Lunetta Rogers Josselet, welcomed their little girl—the third of their five children—into a pioneer family who left footprints across Haskell County. Alma’s grandfather, Victor Joseph Josselet, emigrated from Belgium to America in 1873. In 1900 Victor brought his family to Stamford by train, then traveled on to Haskell by wagon where he purchased hundreds of acres just north of town. Today, every one of those acres purchased by Victor is owned or farmed by a member of his family. Alma inherited her portion of the Josselet land from her parents, eventually owning six different farms in Haskell County. Alma grew up on this land and knows what it represents. “I was a tomboy,” she said. “I picked cotton, and I helped my dad hitch the horses in the morning to go to the field. I can still remember the sounds and the smell of sweaty horses when the day was done. When I was old enough, I rode a cultivator; driving a team (Prince and Jim) and guiding the cultivator with foot pedals. It was not easy to do.” Alma has known countless blessings, but a life well-lived is also shaped by hardship. The end of World War I was still months away when Alma was born in the spring of 1918. The Spanish Flu pandemic was raging, and in January of 1919 Spanish Flu claimed the life of her brother Clyde Milton Josselet. “My mother had family in Clarendon,” Alma recalled. “She took Clyde and me to Clarendon by train to get away from crowds and avoid the flu. While we were there, mother’s four-year-old nephew died from the Spanish Flu. Clyde was also stricken and passed away. There was no money to bring Clyde back to Haskell, so he was buried at Clarendon.” Alma’s mother sold cream, butter and eggs to buy a marker for him there. Alma would live through a second global pandemic in her lifetime—the COVID-19 pandemic that began 100 years later. 74 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
Melvin (4), Clyde Milton (3), Alma (5 mos.)
Religious teaching was a cornerstone of Alma’s family. Sunday mornings found the Josselet family in their place of worship at the Weinert Methodist Church. They later became members of the First Methodist Church of Haskell. In the era that Alma grew up in work not only produced livelihood, but also produced character. Idle hands and idle hours were unknown commodities. There was little time for amusement, bringing added appreciation to entertainment that did come. The annual Haskell County Fair was something the Josselet family made a point to take in, riding carnival rides and entering the best of their farm bounty. “My mother raised all kinds of vegetables. We picked wild plums and made plum jam and plum butter—oh, that was good!” Alma exclaimed. Education was always a priority for the Josselet family. Alma entered first grade at Pleasant Valley School where her ride to school was either in a buggy or on the back of a horse. Alma has fond memories of a Pleasant Valley teacher that lived with her family and there is no doubt this teacher had an influence on Alma’s career path. Alma graduated from Weinert High School in 1936 and continued her education at McMurry College. “My mother was determined I was going to college,” Alma said. “McMurry College was reasonably close, so that is where I enrolled. I can still remember my father driving us to the McMurry campus, hitting the deep dips in Sayles Boulevard.” Alma admits she was nervous about leaving home, but she rose to the challenge. Once a semester started, there was not a lot of traveling back and forth to Haskell County, but for holidays, someone in the family would drive to Abilene and bring her home. Alma probably had a second reason for choosing McMurry. Her father, Victor Josselet Family Alma Grad WHS 1936 76 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
Weinert High School Grad Seniors Paul, enrolled in McMurry’s precursor, Stamford Collegiate Institute in Stamford, Texas, established in 1909. Drought, World War I and a major fire in 1918 caused the school to be moved to Abilene where it re-opened as McMurry College. Alma’s daughter, Paula, also graduated from McMurry. As a highlight of McMurry’s 2023 Centennial Celebration Alma was contacted as possibly being McMurry’s oldest living graduate. She received her degree in education in 1940 and was the first of her family to graduate from college. That same year Alma wed V.P. Terrell. V.P. was from the Paint Creek area but worked for families in the Josselet Switch section. His friendship with Alma grew into romance and then matrimony. As Alma recalled, “We double dated with T.C. and Flossie Walker. We had planned to marry on August 18, 1940, a Friday. T.C.’s mother was superstitious about starting something on Friday, so T.C. and Flossie decided they would wait until Saturday, but we went ahead.” In the Cheverie tradition of that era, V.P. and T.C. pushed their new brides around the courthouse in a wheelbarrow. Alma then began teaching at Douglas, a country school east of Haskell. She drove a Model T to work where she wore many hats. She was the Paul, Alma, and Carrie McMurry Graduation 1940
Paul and Alma 1942 Alma, Mollie, Grandmother Rogers, and Carrie Rogers Josselet Paula, Alma, Mollie, and Vernon Terrell Paul Josselet and Mollie Terrell Paul, Carrie, Herman, Alma, and Melvin "Alma’s legacy is her emphasis on good manners and good citizenship." - R.S. and Betty Sanders Alma stands on a remarkable family foundation. She determined that her life and the heritage placed in her hands would be a blessing to others. 78 tri county living | hometownmedia.group
teacher, nurse and janitor. “There were only ten students, but I taught all grades. They ranged in age from six to fourteen. We studied the three R’s and some history.” In their book, “Cowpokes and Sodbusters, a History of Rural Communities in Haskell County1885-1940”, R.S. and Betty Sanders record that part of Alma’s legacy is her emphasis on good manners and good citizenship. When Douglas School closed in 1941, Alma spent the next ten years teaching at Weinert before she was asked to teach at Haskell for a “couple of weeks.” She stayed for the next 30 years. Alma was blessed to spend her life with V.P. Terrell. V.P. drove Alma all over the United States in a Coachman RV. They visited every state, including Alaska, except one. They were even able to fly to Hawaii for an American Farm Bureau convention. Sadly, her years with V.P. were cut short when he passed away at the age of 66. Even in her advanced age, Alma’s eye is not dimmed, nor her natural force abated. “Mother is still very much in charge,” her daughter Paula said. “Mollie and I check in on her throughout the day. On any given morning we find her up early, dressed and making her bed—and this is on a walker. If the flowers in her yard need water, she is taking care of that, too. I think her determination is a big part of how she has lived not only the length of life she has, but that she has the quality of life she enjoys at 105.” Alma stands on a remarkable family foundation. She determined that her life and the heritage placed in her hands would be a blessing to others. Today the celebration is not the number of her years, but the bounty of her influence. †
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