By JIM STREET
Ed & Pub
Despite some confusion and conflict earlier this year, the 2008 running of the Big Bend Open Road Race is
in the books. And it was a success.
There were no new records and about a dozen cars had mechanical problems. But there were no accidents
and no injuries and it appeared everyone had a good time.
It was a real shock to learn in February that this
The race is too important for the communities of Sanderson and Fort Stockton to let misunderstandings and hot tempers stand
in the way of it continuing – at least as long as other factors will allow.
Some at the south end of the course complain that “everybody”
stays in Fort Stockton during the race and Sanderson doesn’t gain anything.
But a quick look around at the racecars at local restaurants
and the like during race week quickly dispels that notion.
Some do stay in the motel rooms and RV parks we do have in Sanderson and
we heard several race crews say they will stay in Sanderson next year.
Race crews say the event is one of the best in the world. They
certainly don’t want to see it go away.
But the oil and gas activity in the area may some day soon prevent the running of the BBORR,
just as it has the RRORR.
Until that happens, though, we should do everything we can to keep it going.
It’s too good for all involved not to.
Some of the racers said after this year’s BBORR that, if the Marathon
race cannot be run, there should be a second BBORR in October when the RRORR would have been scheduled.
“Not this year, anyway,” Furman
said.
There were still some raw feelings after the rift in February and race fans can thank their lucky stars – or whatever they believe
in – that the BBORR happened at all.
A few key people stepped up to the plate and some may not have gotten the recognition they deserved.
To be sure, Dale Lascano is at the top of the list, at least at this end.
She stepped into the job of Sanderson volunteer coordinator
with just two months to go and, with some coaching by Dorothy Marquart, made it all go as smoothly as possible. She also organized
a big party at the Courthouse Lawn at the Sanderson turnaround.
She was recognized at the awards banquet after the race. Some others
were somehow overlooked.
The Terrell County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and Fire Department helped greatly and John Dewey Stutes did his
usual great job of starter.
Road and Bridge workers Ruben Rosas, Corry Hafner, Dale Stratton and Johnny Garza helped park cars.
Kenn Norris stepped in to fill the third place on the board with the race just days away. And there were
But at a Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce meeting
later that month, all agreed to put past differences aside and to get the race back on track. Everyone – or nearly everyone – agreed
that the race was too important for all concerned to let a few hurt feelings stand in the way.
While it was really good news for BBORR
fans, the news for Marathon is not so good. There is “no way” the Road Runner Open Road Race between Fort Stockton and Marathon can
be repeated, Race Coordinator Kenda Furman said.
The oil and gas drilling activity along US 385 where
SANDERSON – Big brothers Anthony and Noah Rodriguez of Sanderson welcomed their baby sister Lylianna
Jasmine to the world last month.
The daughter of Michelle C. Rodriguez of Sanderson, she was born April 8, weighing in at eight points,
2.7 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches long.
Grandparents are Jaime and Dolores Rodriguez and great grandparents are Jose and Micaela Rodriguez
of Sanderson.
BRENHAM – A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at Memorial Oaks Chapel here for Frances Pauline Hanson, 91, who
died May 3, 2008 in Trinity Medical Center. Rev. Wally Westbrook will officiate and burial will be in Sanderson at a later date.
Known
as “Nurse Jane,” Hanson served as Sanderson school nurse for 27 years.
She was born October 26, 1916, to B.H. and Ollie Louise Williams
Smith in Pace, MS.
She attended Shannon School of Nursing in San Angelo and graduated as a Registered Nurse.
She met Jimmy Hanson in
San Angelo and they were married on Nov. 29, 1938.
While living in San Angelo, a son, Eddie James Hanson, Jr., was born on December
12, 1938.
The family then moved to Sanderson where they owned and operated an automobile dealership. A daughter, Paula Louise, was
born September 25, 1944.
KERRVILLE – Wyatt Ethan Blaylock, a nephew of Albert and Sheri Thorn of Sanderson, was born last month at Peterson Regional Medical
Center here.
The son of Rachel Blalock of Junction, Wyatt was born April 18, weighing in at six pounds, four ounces and 18 inches long.
He
is the grandson of Jeri Blaylock and the late Raymond Blaylock of Junction and the nephew of Colby Raymond Blaylock of Kingwood.
Wyatt
is the great grandson of Pearl Watkins of Prescott, AZ, and has many great aunts and uncles and a long line of cousins.
Frances was active in her children’s activities, including the PTA, as well as in the Presbyterian Church.
She was also a member of
several bridge clubs.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1974 and her son in 1995.
Survivors include her daughter, Paula and
Larry Harrell of Burton; sister-in-law Gail Hanson, two granddaughters and three great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have been
entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham.