The Half-Century
Campaign for renewing 227 S. Avenue K to its original glory began on May 1. Under the managemet of Alumnus Advisor Jody Bailey, the project is moving at a strong pace and on track to be completed before the fall semester starts.
The backyard fence, which was the only remaining item from the original Kappa Sigma house, was demolished to make way for the Jason D. Bothwell Sand Volleyball Pit and a full court basketball set up. During this process new sewer lines will be installed and additional updates to mechanical systems and concrete work will be completed.
The interior flooring, trim, doors, cabinets and other finishes are in the demolishion stages, leaving the interior of the home a blank canvas for the beautiful new finishes to be installed later this summer. The start of the new grand entrance way is begining to take shape with large steel support posts and footings visible.
Please make plans to join us for the dedication of our new Kappa Sigma home at our 50th Anniversary Celebration this fall. Pricing and RSVP information will be posted shortly. Check out our Theta Zeta Half Century Campaign Facebook page for more photos and information.
ENMU Graduate Dustin Kuchan Working on Huge Ranch in Texas
Editor's Note: The following article is from the 1968 archives of The Liberty Vindicator in Texas. Although it is not primarily about the ENMU graduate, let's face it, it's summer, school is not in session, and there is not a lot happening on campus to cover. We normally would distribute a bare-bones "announcements-only" issue of the Monday Memo at this time of year, so we're simply presenting it for your reading pleasure as an unexpected bonus.
From Liberty Vindicator Archives
To Play for Daniel Party, Williams Jr., Son of Famed Father, Visits ‘Plantation’
by Robert L. Schaadt, Feature Writer and Vindicator Archivist
Hank Williams Jr., son of the late famous country music singer Hank Williams, will be the headliner at Governor Bill Daniel’s Crippled Children’s Party at the Plantation Ranch 30 miles north of Liberty on Saturday, June 4.
The lanky 17-year-old Williams, a visitor Friday on the Plantation Ranch, told the famous governor of Guam:
“I expect to get back from my Germany tour on June 3, but just coming back to country like this will be relaxing almost as if I were back home on the farm.”
Williams lives on the farm of his mother, Mrs. Audrey Williams, outside Nashville, Tenn.
Governor Daniel said he had known and admired the tall blonde singer’s father and young Williams’ mother.
“I am proud he has consented to come down and entertain the thousands of crippled and handicapped children who will be on hand at the ranch for an all-day gala celebration.”
Daniel said announcement of other entertainment, including area bands, comedy sets, clowns and starlets, will be made at a later date.
Williams’ visit on the ranch was a scheduled period of rest and relaxation for the M.G.M. recording artist of three years between bookings. Williams’ band remained in Houston after arriving from a one-night stand in Killeen on the $200,000 “Cheatin’ Heart Special” bus.
The native of Shreveport, La., took off for the country to accept Governor Daniel’s invitation to view his historic ranch.
Williams returned to Houston early Saturday for an appearance on the Larry Kane TV Show and a headliner booking that evening at Dancetown, U.S.A.
The youthful singer, who has already topped the half-million mark in several record release from M.G.M., “Cheatin’ Heart” and “Long Gone Lonesome Blues,” said he came to the ranch because of his interest in Texas heritage and life in the West.
Williams expects to make a western movie for M.G.M. this summer, the script to be announced at a later date upon his return from his Germany tour.
Governor Daniel said Williams’ name will be another of a long list of star performers who have entertained crippled children over the past eight years at similar parties.
Busloads of volunteers will converge upon the ranch from Galveston, Beaumont, Houston and other cities set for an all-day visit on Main Street at Plantation Ranch.
Featured horseback rides, buggy rides, visits to the Plantation Museum, the old saloon and the commissary where artifacts of the early west line the walls and hang from the rafters is only a surface scratching of entertainment planned.
Besides the 5,000 pounds of barbecued beef over an open fire served up chuck wagon style, youngsters will be entertained throughout the day by musical groups, circus clowns, singing artists and well known personalities.
Visiting the ranch over the years have been such well known personalities as Ed Sullivan, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Roy Acuff, Johnny Carson, Chill Wills, Johnny and Jack Anglin, Kitty Wells and others.
Dave Moore, son of Mrs. Alva Cain Moore, of Liberty accompanied Williams to the ranch. Moore, a field representative of M.G.M Recordings, is on tour with Williams. Moore and Williams were the house guests Friday evening at Mrs. Moore’s home in Liberty.
(end of 1968 article)
Plantation Ranch Today
(Source: the following information is from the Plantation Ranch Website. http://www.plantationranch.info/)
The Historic Plantation Ranch has been a family owned and operated cattle operation for over 64 years.
It is home to the “BD breed”, a variation of Red Brangus cattle created by Plantation Ranch’s first generation owner Governor Bill Daniel (1915-2006).
The location of Plantation Ranch is the site of one the oldest permanent Anglo Settlement in Texas founded by Aaron Cherry in 1819 when Spain still ruled the territory.
During the Republic of Texas Period the Ellis Family operated their plantation on some of the same land.
Sam Houston’s Grand Cain Homestead was adjacent to both the Cherry and Ellis Family.
The area was graced by numerous historical figures such as Sam Houston, Jim Bowie, and William Travis.
In the late 1940s, Gov. Bill and his beloved wife “Miss Vara” (1917-1987) purchased the property now known as Plantation Ranch.
Over many decades, Plantation Ranch was the center of educational and agricultural programs for youth and adult organizations.
In addition, the ranch was headquarters for Santa Claus gatherings, organized trail rides and special needs children’s parties.
In the mid-1980s, Plantation Ranch’s historic buildings were donated and relocated to the Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village at Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum in Waco, Texas.
The Village in Waco gives visitors a glimpse of life in Texas during the late 1800s to early 1900s.
Due to the relocation of the historic buildings, there is little public activity on the grounds at Plantation Ranch in Romayor.
Today, the Daniel family is proud to continue a lifetime of Gov. Bill’s work in the commercial beef cattle industry.
Plantation Ranch continues to be home to a Red Brangus-type cow-calf operation under the direction of Catherine Rogers Kuchan, the oldest granddaughter of Gov. Bill and Miss Vara, and her husband Dustin Kuchan.
Catherine studied animal science at Texas Tech University (B.S. ‘00) in Lubbock and New Mexico State University (M.S. ‘02) in Las Cruces.
After completing her Master’s work, Catherine served as the Extension 4-H Agent for Colfax County, New Mexico, working with youth in agriculture,
She then moved to Reno, Nevada, to work for Charles River Laboratories in the Animal Care Services department.
Dustin Kuchan, Catherine’s husband, grew up in northeastern New Mexico and has a background in cattle ranching as well as hay farming.
He studied biology and agriculture at Eastern New Mexico University (B.S. ‘03) in Portales.
Following graduation, Dustin worked for the New Mexico Environment Department serving northeastern New Mexico counties.
He later moved to Reno, Nevada, to work for Charles River Laboratories in the Pathology department.
In 2008, Dustin and Catherine moved about 30 miles from her hometown of Liberty, to work on her family’s cattle operation, Plantation Ranch.
The family tradition continues.
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