Page 38 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2023 - Online Magazine

Life After Retirement

Wendell and Dustee Sollis

as told to Jane Bromley

or 31 years, Wendell and Dustee Ricky, and Jessica, and are now
Sollis of Petersburg made their enjoying seven grandchildren.
Fmarks in public education. They
taught and coached in school districts But this is “the rest of the story.”
from Amarillo and Canyon to Denver
City, Snyder, and finally Odessa where Many seniors in the 2020s have
Dustee taught English, and Wendell discovered that retirement doesn’t
served as superintendent of schools for mean resting on your laurels or in
Ector County ISD. The Sollises retired your recliner. Senior Link loves to tell
in 2007 and settled down at The WD the stories of those among us who
Ranch in Petersburg where they enjoy have experienced a “re-birth” after
horses, cattle, cats, dogs, peacocks, and re-tirement. In the Sollises’ case, their
especially, grandkids. new career is more about fun than
work.
Wendell and Dustee graduated from Mike Bennett, trumpet player from
Oklahoma. Two Hall of Fame awards
Petersburg High School in 1970, were Wendell has performed with the
married that same year and attended Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, but This season, the Sollises are looking
Texas Tech. Wendell served in the Air these days, he is bandleader for the forward to the Country Christmas Ball
Force in the Vietnam era, from 1972- thirteen-piece Sidekicks All Star Band. in Floyd County. The event is scheduled
1976. (Interestingly, that was also when This talented group of musicians has for December 16, 2023, at 6:00, starting
he taught himself to play the banjo and performed all over Texas, Oklahoma, with a catered meal from River Smith’s,
guitar.) After the war he and Dustee and New Mexico. Notable events followed by three hours of music
completed their BS and master’s degrees Wendell has participated in include featuring classic country, western
in Education at West Texas A&M. The Cowboy Christmas balls at Quartz swing, Cajun, big band, and Christmas
couple raised three children, Lance, Mountain Resort, OK; events in Quanah
and Plainview, TX; the Snyder Western favorites. Wendell’s band is composed
Swing Festival; of hall-of-fame winners and talented
appearances for musicians from Oklahoma and Texas,
over 20 years and portions of the proceeds are going
at the Lincoln to benefit the volunteer fire departments
County Cowboy of Lockney and Floydada.
symposium
in Ruidoso, The Sollises want you to join them and
NM; summer experience some of the fun they have
performances at Six discovered post-retirement. We don’t all
Flags Over Texas; get to have a second career in country
and many rodeos, music, but it’s a good idea to get a taste
Kelly Hastey, local musician, dances, and galas. of it once in a while!
with Cadillac Jack band

For more information contact: Dustee Sollis at 806-983-6228 or
Facebook: Wendell Sollis and the Sidekicks All Star Band
Ginny Mac

38 Lubbock Senior Link