2014
OUR TOWNS A guide to the communities in the Clovis-Portales area
Area offers worldly cuisine
Our Towns 2014, Page 1
What’s inside
About Our Towns Our Towns is Clovis Media Inc.’s annual magazine designed to inform newcomers about the area. Reporters Lillian Bowe Christina Calloway Emily Crowe D’Nieka Hartsfield Eric Norwood Jr. Kevin Wilson Photographers Tony Bullocks Eric Norwood Kevin Wilson Content and design editor Rick White Editor David Stevens Publisher Ray Sullivan Advertising director Viola Gonzales
PAGE 6: New Mexico is the only state with an official question — “Red or green?” — referring to the choice of red or green chile. PAGE 12: Culinary options throughout the region have expanded in recent years, giving residents plenty of diverse choices when it comes to eating out.
Page 2, Our Towns 2014
PAGE 15: Johnny Mulhair added another chapter to Clovis’ storied music history nearly 20 years ago when he produced LeAnn Rimes’ debut album “Blue.” PAGE 20: The UFO Museum in Roswell is one of many area attractions that can be seen in a day or two.
Food
ERIC NORWOOD JR.: Clovis Media Inc.
Taco Box employee Blanca Selgado, a Portales native, is decked out in Taco Box gear, which is also popular with locals.The Taco Box website features a gallery of Taco Box fans wearing their gear in random places around the world, including Mexico, Canada, Washington D.C. and Maine.
Culinary treasures BY ERIC NORWOOD JR. Clovis Media Inc.
Foxy’s, Taco Box, Twin Cronnie honored by state
Three Clovis eateries were recognized by the New Mexico Department of Tourism as culinary treasures of New Mexico in 2013. Taco Box, Foxy’s Drive-In and Twin Cronnie Drive-In all made the list comprised of 75 New Mexican restaurants that have
been in business for 40 consecutive years and are familyowned.
zzz
FOXY’S DRIVE-IN was started in 1956 by A.C. Bryant on the corner of Seventh Street and Main. Foxy’s moved into its current site of Seventh and Thornton location in 1959, and in 1973, Bryant passed day-today operations to his son Chris. Chris’ son Freddie Bryant is now the manager, but that is about all of the changes Foxy Drive-In has faced. “I used to love coming to the restaurant with my dad as a kid. I remember doing prep work in the kitchen when I was 14 or 15,” said Freddie Bryant. They still have curb service, and music from the 1950s and
Our Towns 2014, Page 3
1960s can be heard from inside or outside the restaurant all day. The taquitas are a local favorite, and Foxy DriveIn truly embraces American dining, offering pizza, Mexican food, burgers, sandwiches and breakfast. The ice cream sundaes and banana splits bring back memories for locals who spent their high school days at the drivein. The inside of the restaurant feels like a trip to the 1950s, as the soda fountain, vintage layout and old black-and-white photos set the tone.
zzz
TACO BOX is another culinary staple in the Clovis-Portales area. The frijole burrito and green chile cheeseburger highlight a menu of Mexican and southwestern cuisine. Just down the road from Greene Acres Park near 21st Street and Main, Taco Box has long been a favorite Clovis eatery. Tom Martin bought the Clovis Taco
Box in 1969, while still a senior at Cornell University, and in 1987 expanded to Portales. Martin said on his first visit to the Southwest, he was hooked on the food. “I had never been west of the Mississippi, and me and a buddy took a trip to El Paso and fell in love with the food. I remember the first time I tried a mild green chile, I almost died,” said Martin with a reminiscent chuckle. The Taco Box location in Clovis features a display with much of the history of Taco Box, including the original menu, which listed only six food items. Local celebrity and former NFL player Hank Baskett claims that Taco Box was his favorite restaurant while in high school, validating that claim by visiting there while filming his wife’s show, ‘Kendra.’ Taco Box has developed somewhat of a cult following in Clovis, and worldwide. On the website, there is a gallery of photos featuring people sporting Taco ERIC NORWOOD JR.: Clovis Media Inc.
The car service at Foxy’s Drive-In will bring your food to your vehicle.
Page 4, Our Towns 2014
ERIC NORWOOD JR.: Clovis Media Inc.
The steak finger basket at Foxy’s complete with French fries, coleslaw, Texas toast and gravy. Box apparel in random locations, including Canada, Mexico, Italy, Washington D.C., and even Maine. Also on the menu an array of mouth-watering burritos await, as well as burgers, nachos, and a breakfast menu. Another quirky favorite includes the peanut butter bacon burger.
zzz
While Foxy’s has been around since the 1950s, TWIN CRONNIE owns the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in Clovis. It was founded in 1952 by T.A.
“Junior” Harden, and the business stayed in the Harden family until 2011, when it was bought by former New Mexico State Lt. Governor Walter Bradley, who once carhopped at Twin Cronnie as a teenager. “I wasn’t any good as a carhop, so I mixed drinks and shakes,” joked Bradley. But that hasn’t brought about any changes in the everyday operations of Twin Cronnie, which still serves the original Twin Cronnie, a sandwich with ground taco meat, onions, two mini hot dogs, and mustard. Napkins are necessary for
this treat, but it is worth it. Twin Cronnie boasts car-side service, and will even bring a tray and attach it to the car door so customers can sit in their vehicle and enjoy their meal. Twin Cronnie’s menu is full of delicious items, ranging from Mexican food and salads, to burgers, breakfast and hot dogs. Malts, shakes and ice cream, and even funnel cakes are also available. The shakes are known town-wide, and the pickle shake is a local favorite. “We have any kind of shake you want, even the weird ones,” said Bradley.
ERIC NORWOOD JR.: Clovis Media Inc.
ERIC NORWOOD JR.: Clovis Media Inc.
The green chile cheeseburger, a Taco Box and New Mexican favorite.
The original Twin Cronnie, with taco meat and two mini hot dogs plus onions and mustard. Our Towns 2014, Page 5
Food
The state
debate New Mexico is the only state with an official question — “Red or green?” —referring to the choice of red or green chile. Combining red and green chile is often referred to as “Christmas.” BY CHRISTINA CALLOWAY Clovis Media Inc. “Red or green,” it’s a difficult decision New Mexicans are often faced with at restaurants, parties and pretty much anytime they’re eating New Mexican cuisine. Most New Mexicans are divided by the color of chile they prefer to eat. The chile, birthed in the Hatch region of New Mexico, has a flavor that rivals any other red or green chile in the nation, according to chile lovers. Charles Broz, Eastern New Mexico University assistant professor of family and consumer sciences, said that chile peppers grown in Hatch Valley have a rare flavor. “It’s something about the sun and that soil,” Broz said.
Page 6, Our Towns 2014
While green chile is popular across New Mexico and neighboring states, red chile is typically favored in the northern region of the state. But what chile lovers often forget is the only difference between red and green chile is time. A green chile pepper, which is typically ripe for the plucking in September, will eventually turn red if left on the vine longer. “(Red chile) has more intensely developed flavors,” Broz said. “Flavor is directly related to carotenoids (the pigments found in plants), which develops as the pepper matures. Green chile won’t have the depth of flavor as a red pepper.”
TONY BULLOCKS.: Clovis Media Inc.
A green chile pepper will eventually turn red if kept on the vine longer. Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Director Karl Terry can count on his hands the number of foods he doesn’t eat with green chile. Known for his green chile chicken stew, Terry said he got hooked on green chile his high school years growing up in Roosevelt County. “The taste is so different,” said Terry about his beloved green chile. “It’s like a vegetable that has pizzazz to it.” Terry said the only way to eat a green chile is if it’s roasted, and no variety tastes better roasted than the Big Jim green chile. “It’s a cure-all,” Terry said. Culinary arts student Sky Cathey is a Roosevelt County native and renegade when it comes to chile. Though she was born and raised in Dora and on green chile,
Cathey said nothing beats the taste of red chile. “I just like the flavor of it more,” said the ENMU sophomore about red chile. “My family uses green in almost everything, but I like (red chile) because we never have very much.” Cathey said nothing is too spicy for her and red chile has the right amount of spice to satisfy her appetite. “I like the challenge; anything that challenges me, I go after,” Cathey said. Her favorite food to top red chile with is enchiladas, but she also likes to put it on her sandwiches. Now that you’ve heard their compelling arguments, if you still can’t decide what flavor chile to eat, you can always ask for “Christmas” and local restaurants usually know that means to give you a little of both.
“(Red chile) has more intensely developed flavors. Flavor is directly related to carotenoids (the pigments found in plants), which develops as the pepper matures. Green chile won’t have the depth of flavor as a red pepper.” — Carlos Broz Eastern New Mexico University assistant professor of family and consumer sciences Our Towns 2014, Page 7
Page 8, Our Towns 2014
Food
K ing of late night Allsup’s beef and bean burrito enters its 40th year of existence BY KEVIN WILSON Clovis Media Inc. Guess who’s turning the Big Four-Oh. It’s none other than eastern New Mexico’s No. 1 B&B. There are two things people know about the Allsup’s convenience store chain headquartered in Clovis: It’s “All-ways open,” and you can always get a beef and bean burrito. Well, you may have to wait a few minutes sometimes. Those two factors work hand-in-hand for the snack’s popularity, even though it’s a simple frozen burrito delivered by a supplier. In the early days of the store, that wasn’t the case. Mike Connolly, a former right-hand man for chain owner Lonnie Allsup, said an employee was making a burrito and accidentally dropped the finished product into some grease. Another burrito was made for the customer, but the fried version turned out to be a tasty snack as well. The burrito may taste a little different at each of the chain’s locations, with different cooking times required for different fryers across the company’s stores. But a ballpark figure is six minutes to fry an Allsup’s burrito. Once removed, they’re wrapped in the wax paper holders and marked for four hours from their cooked time, but they’re usually not in the heat lamp that long unless it’s the early morning hours. The item has grown with eastern New Mexico. Before some locations started serving food 24/7, or at the towns with one gas station and little else, the extra value meal was the classic combo. That’s the 32-ounce Tallsup fountain drink and a pair of beef and bean burritos, because we’ll pretend you didn’t know. That combo can be had for a few dollars, and longtime residents of the area remember
KEVIN WILSON: Clovis Media Inc.
Allsup’s beef and bean burrito is a High Plains staple. when you could bag the special for less than $2. While we were selecting the Allsup’s burrito as a staple to write a story about, the chain coincidentally started promoting the burrito’s 40th anniversary. The chain itself started as a small store in Roswell, and now boasts more than 3,000 employees. Representatives from Allsup’s did not respond to our requests for comment, but here’s what a few of you had to say: z David Burch of Clovis wrote, “When I went to college, Allsup’s burritos were late night, drunken fare. I haven’t eaten them often since then, but I’ll grab one every once in a while, for nostalgia’s sake.” z David Reedy, a former Eastern New Mexico University student, goes for the full enchilada with this tale: “ The Allsup’s Burrito is like so much of life that is taken for granted, until it’s long gone. It’s been almost a decade and half since I’ve had one and Lord only knows when I last thought about one. But, upon its mention, I remember that deep fried crispiness surrounding that mysterious bean and meat mass dipped in that taco sauce they were served with. We called them ‘gut bombs’ and ‘gut grenades,’ but after a night of partying, inebriation, and whatever shenanigans we could get into, a trip to one of the nearest Allsup’s was always necessary, and there are strangely enough, two locations adjacent to campus to get a hold of the ever-needed burrito, a 32ouncer, and the pack of smokes.”
Our Towns 2014, Page 9
5
Food
Foods you need to try before you leave the area
BY KEVIN WILSON Clovis Media Inc.
The question in New Mexico is green or red, as in what chile you prefer. Here’s a harder one: What must you eat before you leave the area? We asked readers, threw in a little of our own insight, and talked to the people behind the foods when possible. Mind you, these are not the best foods, necessarily, but the ones you have to try. Here’s what we came up with, in no particular order: z Espiga de Oro tortillas: Simplicity succeeds at the grocery store on Maple Street in Clovis, with a remodeled supermarket and deli largely financed by just five ingredients. A tortilla, made six days a week in the supermarket, includes flour, water, vegetable shortening, leavening and salt. Don’t ask how much of anything, though. Betty Lucero, assistant to the owner, said she once gave the head person a 2-liter container and was politely rebuffed and told, “I don’t measure things.” The formula works, as the tortillas move by the dozens, and signs in English and Spanish above the registers remind customers they spoil quickly due to lack of preservatives. “We make them fresh,” Lucero said,
Page 10, Our Towns 2014
KEVIN WILSON: Clovis Media Inc.
The taquitas at the Foxy Drive-In are basic — corn tortillas, ground beef and a secret mix of spices.The family recipe has been the same since the late 1950s.
“and they’re good because it’s authentic Mexican.” A palette is wheeled out with 12 stacked plastic panels. Each panel has two rows, with each row carrying seven bags, and each bag carrying 12 tortillas. Lucero said the cooks, who start at 4:30 a.m., will usually make enough tortillas to fill 12 of those palettes. That’s more than 24,000 tortillas a day, meaning the average Curry County resident had one or two this week. z The peanut butter shake from Pat’s: The corner burger stand that’s a few blocks
from Portales High School goes through a lot more hamburgers and fries, but its peanut butter shake is its claim to fame. On a personal note, I still remember welcoming a coworker in Portales, and seeing his joy the first time he had one. He expected flavoring, and sounded like a 5-year-old who exclaimed, “It’s really peanut butter.” z Taco Box’s peanut butter burger: We’re not going for a theme here, but this is one of the more unusual ideas ... at least for this area. “As with every great idea I’ve ever had,” Taco Box owner Tom Martin said, “I stole
it. When I was growing up in Cleveland, there was a restaurant in the area that had a peanut butter burger. After staring at it dozens of times, I finally ordered it and I loved it.” The sandwich includes a patty, peanut butter, mayo and lettuce — and the bacon/no bacon crowd is about 50/50, Martin said. The peanut butter was Sunland before the company’s bankruptcy, and Martin said he now uses a general supplier. “The two flavors have a unique blend,” Martin said, “and it’s hard to describe until you actually try it.” Martin knows it’s not for everybody ... not even his whole family. “I struggle with it,” said Thomas Martin, the son and special projects manager for the Clovis and Portales eateries. The younger Martin doesn’t think it’s worth the space it takes on the menu, and the older Martin pulls rank. z The El Rancho breakfast: Another personal story ... a friend was visiting for a few days and he covered dinner. I said I would cover El Rancho breakfast on
Saturday. I described everything that was included, and he guessed it was $15 a person. For less than $10, the Portales Mexican restaurant offers an omelette bar and a buffet with three types of potatoes, breakfast burritos, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and more. “We had purchased a restaurant in Ruidoso in the 90s,” El Rancho owner Joe Garcia said. “We’d taken over an established restaurant. They had a breakfast similar to the one we currently have. I just took it and added New Mexican flavor to it.” z Taquitas from Foxy’s: Good as a side item or a meal, the staple of the nostalgic drive-in is a family recipe that’s only a few years younger than the restaurant, which has been around since 1956. General manager Freddie Bryant said the taquitas are simply ground beef and a secret mix of spices wrapped in a corn tortilla and fried until golden brown. Standard dipping items include sour cream and salsa, but Bryant said nacho cheese, green sauce and guacamole have made their way into packs.
KEVIN WILSON: Clovis Media Inc.
The tortillas at the Espiga de Oro grocery store are made all six days each week the store is open, with employees starting at 4:30 a.m. The tortillas come with no preservatives and spoil quickly, if they last that long in your house.
Our Towns 2014, Page 11
Thai City offers dishes such as pineapple stir fry with chicken, seafood hor mok talay and a house combo with crab cheese wontons, chicken satay, egg rolls and fried wontons.
Doner Kebab’s Mediterranean Cuisine offers a Tour of the Mediterranean platter with Greek salad, pita bread, falafel, lamb gyro meat, chicken tava and yogurt sauce.
Nuttin’ but BBQ prepares fresh, dry-rubbed babyback ribs daily at its Clovis restaurant.
Food
FIESTA OF
flavors
BY EMILY CROWE Clovis Media Inc.
While eastern New Mexico is nearly 100 miles from the nearest big city, culinary options throughout the region have expanded in recent years, giving residents plenty of diverse choices when it comes to eating out. Immigrants from Laos and Turkey and native New Mexicans alike have added to the rich culinary culture in the region. From classic Mexican dishes to creative Thai food and diner fare, locally owned restaurants have turned Clovis and Portales into a melting pot for international and local cuisine. Some examples:
Thai Specializing in authentic Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisine, Seum Vongsa’s culinary reputation precedes him as the owner of three Thai City locations in Clovis,
Page 12, Our Towns 2014
TONY BULLOCKS: Clovis Media Inc.
Joy Kham prepares a classic Thai dish called described as “Thai fajitas”and includes seafood, hor mok talay at Thai City. The entree is bell peppers and jalapenos in a coconut sauce.
Portales and Friona, as well as CN Express in the North Plains Mall. A native of Laos, Vongsa came to the United States in the 1970s with just a couple hundred dollars in his pocket and eventually made his way to Clovis to pursue a career as a restaurateur. Thai City serves 365 different dishes ranging from Thai specialties such as seafood hor mok talay, which can be likened to Thai fajitas, to traditional pad Thai, green curry and pineapple stir fry. The sushi bar also offers more than 100 kinds of fresh sushi and nigiri. The restaurant brings traditional Asian cooking to eastern New Mexico and keeps an emphasis on fresh ingredients and fresh herbs and spices.
diets, including those who are diabetic, gluten free and vegetarian, with housemade pizzas, pastas and lasagnas. The restaurant also boasts the only brick oven in town.
Brewpub
TONY BULLOCKS: Clovis Media Inc.
Mediterranean
Doner Kebab’s Mediterranean Cuisine manager Andrea Gargano prepares a Tour of the Mediterranean platter, including chicken tava, gyro meat and Greek salad.
Originally from Turkey, Hakan Duzagadusmez brought his native cuisine to Clovis in late 2009. Duzagadusmez went to high school and college in New Mexico as an exchange student and later joined the Air Force. Upon arriving at Cannon Air Force Base, he and his family saw a need for healthy Mediterranean food in the area and opened Donër Kebab's Mediterranean Cuisine. From chickpea falafel to lamb gyro to chicken wraps and baklava, Duzagadusmez likes to give Cannon personnel an opportunity to enjoy the food they’re accustomed to eating when they’re overseas. DK’s Tour of the Mediterranean dish offers a little of everything with grape leaves, lamb, chicken tava, falafel, yogurt sauce, pita bread and Greek salad.
Italian An Italian-born chef who went to culinary school in Greece has been bringing unique flavors and sauces to Roma’s Italian Restaurant in Clovis since 2011. Owner Mario Ajrula said he moved to Clovis from Dallas to open the restaurant to enjoy a small-town atmosphere with his children and to cater to the military population in eastern New Mexico. Ajrula prides his restaurant on having many different sauce options on the menu, including marinara, alfredo, pesto and pink sauce, which is a mixture of alfredo, marinara and a touch of sherry wine. Roma’s also caters to special
Native eastern New Mexican Justin Cole opened the Roosevelt Brewing Company in Portales in late 2012 to introduce the region to his passion — handcrafted pizza and beer. The restaurant and brewery makes its pizzas, sandwiches, calzones and beerinfused cupcakes the oldfashioned way with everything from scratch, cooked in a wood-fired oven and using local ingredients whenever possible. Cole said Roosevelt Brewing’s most popular pizza is the Panama, which is topped with pepperoni, pancetta, spicy ale-braised sausage, pickled jalapenos and green chile.
Japanese With animated chefs and food flying across open flames, Shogun Japanese Steak House has been a Clovis mainstay since 1995 with freshly cooked hibachi-style meals, as well as sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. Owner Steve Yen, a native of Taiwan, said the restaurant prides itself on taking care of customers in a fun and family-friendly atmosphere. Diners can enjoy chicken, steak and seafood, as well as fried rice, garlic noodles and sauteed vegetables, all cooked table-side by chefs who do tricks with food and knives. Yen said the restaurant has been increasing its sushi menu to cater to the tastes of eastern New Mexicans.
Our Towns 2014, Page 13
TONY BULLOCKS: Clovis Media Inc.
Dry-rubbed, babyback ribs are prepared daily at Nuttin’ but BBQ restaurant in downtown Clovis.
Mexican Joe Garcia, owner of El Rancho Restaurant, calls the restaurant an extension of his grandmother Josie Garcia’s table. The Portales restaurant opened in 1989 and serves traditional Mexican and New Mexican food using recipes and a heart for serving others passed down from Josie Garcia. The Garcia family recipes originated in northern New Mexico and include earthy flavors that incorporate green and red chile, corn, posole and other simple but flavorful ingredients. Popular dishes include hand-breaded chile rellenos and stuffed sopaipilla tacos. El Rancho offers an all-you-caneat omelette buffet on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which Joe Garcia said has recently gained popularity throughout the region. The restaurant also offers a drivethru outpost in Portales for speedy
Page 14, Our Towns 2014
breakfast burrito pick-up during the week.
Barbecue While husband and wife team Kenneth and Kenni Nutt had no intentions of opening a restaurant in Clovis, their plans changed and they recently became the owners of Nuttin’ but BBQ in the city’s historic downtown area. The couple had never cooked professionally, but liked to play around with their meat smoker from time to time. Specializing in smoked meats ranging from jalapeno sausage to chopped brisket, Nuttin’ but BBQ also offers unique dishes such as Frito pie, Sam’s po boy sandwich with two kinds of meat, a loaded baked potato and traditional New Mexico green chile stew with cornbread. In addition, the restaurant does catering, custom meat smoking and holiday hams and turkeys.
American Leonard and Christy Bandenberg were looking for something a little different for dinner when they decided to open their Portales restaurant in 1999. With a desire to serve dishes not otherwise available in the region, the Bandenbergs created a menu at their restaurant, Something Different Grill, that included teriyaki chicken bowls, loaded baked potatoes, pasta dishes, sandwich wraps and salads. They later opened a Clovis location in 2001. The restaurant’s most popular dishes include the teriyaki chicken bowl, chicken alfredo and chef’s salad, as well as the jacked up spud, filled with Hatch green chile, butter, monterey jack cheese and grilled chicken. The Portales location now offers breakfast, and both locations also offer delivery.
The Clovis sound TONY BULLOCKS: Clovis Media Inc.
Clovis music producer Johnny Mulhair helped launch the career of country singer LeAnn Rimes when she recorded her first hit album “Blue” in eastern New Mexico nearly 20 years ago.
Mulhair adds another chapter to Clovis music history Longtime Clovis musician produced and played on LeAnn Rimes’ debut album
BY EMILY CROWE Clovis Media Inc. Nearly 20 years ago, a then unknown 13-year-old LeAnn Rimes made her way to Clovis to record her debut album. Clovis resident Johnny Mulhair, who produced the album “Blue,” as well as two other albums that came out of the recordings, remembers knowing that Rimes was destined to be a star. Mulhair owns a recording studio and still works with rising musicians in Clovis, and has himself toured with famous bands such as Chicago, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and America.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF YOUR STUDIO. I started recording in my garage, my own band, and that’s kind of the reason I got into it. I bought a tape recorder to tape our band. Then I found that people started coming over to my garage and recording, and that was back in the early 1980s. Then around the mid-80s somewhere, I set up a recording studio in the back of the Phillips music store and then I was there up until I believe it was 1992 that I started working for the Norman Petty Studio.
HOW WAS IT WORKING FOR THE FAMOUS NORMAN PETTY STUDIO? That was great. Of course Norman had already passed away, so I really didn’t get the opportunity to work with him. But it was a really nice facility to work in and everybody was real nice down there, so I enjoyed that experience. HOW DID IT COME TO BE THAT LEANN RIMES WAS SET TO RECORD HER FIRST ALBUM HERE IN CLOVIS? Lyle Walker, who owned Norman Petty Studio, he lives in Dallas and he
Our Towns 2014, Page 15
The Clovis sound
It’s no exaggeration to say Clovis is known to thousands around the world because of Norman Petty and the artists who recorded in his Seventh Street studio. Twenty songs produced by Norman Petty Studios reached Billboard magazine’s Top 40 from 1957 to 1967, including three No.1s. Other musicians who recorded at Norman Petty Studios: Buddy Holly and The Crickets After a lackluster recording stint in Nashville, Tenn., Holly hired Norman Petty to manage his band. Petty utilized Holly’s unique style in recording sessions and produced Crickets’hits including 1957’s No. 1 single “That’ll Be The Day,”“Maybe Baby,”“Peggy Sue,”“It’s So Easy”and “True Love Ways.” Roy Orbison The legendary rock ‘n’roll crooner recorded singles “Tryin’To Get To You”and “Ooby Dooby”with his band,The Teen Kings, at Norman Petty Recording Studios in 1955. Bobby Vee The chart-topping pop singer recorded a string of Buddy Holly tribute songs with Norman Petty in 1960 after Holly’s death in 1959. Now a fan favorite at the yearly Clovis Music Festival,Vee is known for hits such as “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes”and “Take Good Care Of My Baby.” Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs Originally a trio hailing from Raton,The Fireballs recorded multiple hit songs with Norman Petty in the 1960s, including 1963’s “Sugar Shack,”which featured studio musician Jimmy Gilmer and hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.The group is well known for their instrumental tracks like “Torquay.” Waylon Jennings The Littlefield,Texas, native and touring mate of Buddy Holly’s recorded singles “Jole Blon”and “When Sin Stops”with Holly on guitar at Petty’s studio in 1958. A collection of Jennings’early music, titled “From Clovis To Phoenix,”was released in 1995.
Page 16, Our Towns 2014
brought LeAnn out here to make some demo tapes originally. Then those turned into an album that they released on the NorVaJack label. HOW DID THE PRODUCTION PROCESS GO WITH LEANN BEING SUCH A YOUNG, NEW SINGER? It was all the local Clovis musicians, so they didn’t bring a band or anything from Dallas. It was all my friends and musicians that played in bands and everything. That was just like any other recording session we did back then. It was a lot of fun. Of course we realized she was very talented and her parents were real serious about making a real good album, so we really worked hard to do the best we could. HOW LONG WAS LEANN IN CLOVIS WHILE SHE WAS RECORDING? They made several trips out here. They would come out on the weekends. I think the first record we made, her dad was working so they couldn’t come during the week so they would come during the weekends. I would continue the recording, do the overdubs and whatever during the week. The first album took about a month. There were some pretty long hours, I know that. WHAT AWARDS WERE YOU NOMINATED FOR IN REGARD TO THE ALBUM “BLUE”? ACM (Academy of Country Music) and CMA (Country Music Awards). Of course, we didn’t win. George Strait, the dirty sucker, he had to win the award. It was sure nice to be nominated. WHAT OTHER STARS OR RISING STARS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH THROUGHOUT THE YEARS? For most of these years, my wife and I, Jill, have had the Home Cooking Band and we played for dances and parties and festivals for years and years. We were the backup band for most all of these people that come to record. The Home Cooking Band band is kind of the studio band. Jill and I are still playing with Will Banister right now. As far as other people, big names, LeAnn Rimes is the biggest thing I have ever done. But there’s been thousands of people that have come here to record. Jerrod Niemann, I was on the beginning of his career. CLOVIS HAS A RICH MUSIC HISTORY AND EQUALLY RICH PRESENT. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP KEEP THAT ALIVE? I’m still working real hard with Will Banister. He’s making a pretty good name for himself, especially over in Europe. We’ve been over there six times in the past two years. We played the Wembley Arena and we’ve played in Scotland, France and Ireland. We’re still working on him. He’s been on TV and his records are being played all over the world. We’re trying to keep it alive by continuing, we’re just keeping on, hammering away at it.
Our schools
Curry County Clovis Municipal Schools
w Website: www.clovis-schools.org w Schools in district: 20 w Address: 1009 Main St. w Phone: 769-4300 w Enrollment: 8,626
Clovis Christian School
w Website: www.cloviseagles.com w Schools in district: Preschool through 12th grade in one facility. w Address: 2000 Humphrey Road w Phone: 763-5311; 935-2279 (Bus. office) w Enrollment: 216
Grady Municipal School District
w Website: www.gradyschool.com w Schools in district: Elementary, middle school and high school in one facility.
w Address: 100 Franklin St. w Phone: 357-2192 w Enrollment: 99
Melrose Municipal School District
w Website: www.melroseschools.org w Schools in district: Elementary, junior high and high school in one facility. w Address: 100 Missouri Ave. w Phone: 253-4269 w Enrollment: 227
Texico Municipal School District
w Website: www.texicoschools.org w Schools in district: Elementary, junior high and high school in one campus. w Address: 520 N. Griffin St. w Phone: 484-3801
Our Towns 2014, Page 17
Roosevelt County Dora Consolidated Schools
w Website: www.doraschools.com w Schools in district: Elementary, junior high and high school in one facility. w Address: 100 School Street. w Phone: 477-2216 w Enrollment: 246
Elida Municipal Schools
w Website: www.elidaschools.net w Schools in district: Elementary, middle school and high school in one campus. w Address: 103 North Church Street w Phone: 274-6211
Floyd Municipal Schools
w Website: www.floydbroncos.com w Schools in district: Elementary, junior high and high school in one facility.
Page 18, Our Towns 2014
w Address: 1564 N.M. 267 w Phone: 478-2211 w Enrollment: 225
Faith Triumphant Christian Schools
w Website: www.ftc-online.org w Schools in district: Elementary, junior high and high school in one facility. w Address: 615 West Fourth Street w Phone: 359-1559 w Enrollment: 80
Portales Municipal Schools
w Website: www.portalesschools.com w Schools in district: Four elementary schools, junior high and high school w Address: 501 S. Abilene w Phone: 356-7000 w Enrollment: 2,824
Colleges Clovis Community College
w Website: www.clovis.edu w Address: 416 Schepps Blvd. w Phone: 769-2811 w Founded: 1961 by Eastern New Mexico University, Clovis Municipal Schools w Enrollment: 3,468
w Other campuses: Two-year campuses in Ruidoso and Roswell w Phone: 562-1011 w Founded: 1934 w Enrollment: 5,855
Wayland Baptist University-Clovis
w Website: www.wbu.edu/colleges-in-clovis w Address: 400 Pile St., Suite 100 w Phone: 763-0535 w Founded: 1997 w Enrollment: 125
Eastern New Mexico University
w Website: www.enmu.edu w Address: 1500 S. Ave K, Portales
File photo
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales was established in 1934.
Our Towns 2014, Page 19
Day trips Billy the Kid Museum Fort Sumner
International UFO Museum and Research Center Roswell
The Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner is just an hour away from Clovis for any Wild West connoisseurs. His alleged remains are there, plus multiple other neat outlaw and Wild West artifacts. Billy the Kid’s actual rifle, chaps, spurs and other personal items are on display. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: One hour w Hours of operation: Summer (May 15.-Oct.1) 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter (Oct. 1-May 15. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on Sundays. w Admission: Adults $5, Seniors over 62 $4, Children 7-15 $3. w Address: 1435 East Sumner Avenue, Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. w Information: 575-355-2380 or www. billythekidmuseumfortsumner.com
Page 20, Our Towns 2014
This Roswell museum is the Mecca of all things UFO, and it happens to be smack in the middle of UFO, USA, which is Roswell, New Mexico. The city of the nation’s most famous UFO incident houses the International UFO Museum and Research Center, which was founded by two participants from the famed Roswell Incident, Walter Haut and Glenn Dennis. The museum explores the Roswell incident and other UFO findings is sure to entertain and teach simultaneously. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: Under two hours w Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. w Admission: Adults $5, Ages 5-15 $2, Four and under free, military and seniors
$3. (Seniors 65+) w Address: 114 North Main Street, Roswell, New Mexico 88203 w Information: 575-625-9495 or www. roswellufomuseum.com
Courtesy photo: Mark Briscoe
The entrance to the UFO Museum in Roswell.
utes w Hours of operation: 24 hours daily w Address: 1891 Oasis Rd. Portales, New Mexico 88130 w Information: 575-356-5331 or www.enmrd.state.nm.us/SPD/oasisstatepark.html
White Sands National Monument Alamogordo The world’s largest gypsum dune field exists right here in New Mexico at White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo.There are 275 square miles of desert featuring unique plants and animals. Sledding, backpacking, and hiking are just some of the attractions offered at the historical park. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: About four hours w Hours of operation: Winter hours, Jan. 1-Mar. 8. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spring hours, Mar. 9-May 18. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Summer hours, May. 19-Sept. 28. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fall hours, Sept. 29-Dec. 21. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday hours, Dec. 22-Dec. 31. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. w Admission: $3 good for seven days with receipt. 15 and under are free. w Address: 19955 Highway 70 West Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310 w Information: 575-479-6124 or www.nps.gov/whsa
Carlsbad Caverns Carlsbad There are 119 known limestone caves deep in the Carlsbad Caverns. Tours are available into the cave, and the site also features a museum. If you take a visit during the summer, make sure to go to the Bat Cave, where thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats can be seen, and Rattlesnake Springs is home to more than 300 different species of birds.
Albuquerque Zoo and Tingley Beach Courtesy Photo: www.nps.gov
This nonvenomous Sonoran gopher snake is one of many reptiles that call White Sands National Monument their home.
Blackwater Draw Roosevelt County This day trip is less than 15 minutes from Clovis, and displays artifacts from the Blackwater Draw dig site. Also at Blackwater Draw Museum are displays about the history of the Clovis people, where man has inhabited for 13,000 years. The museum sits on U.S. 70, just adjacent to the Eastern New Mexico University football stadium. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: 15 minutes w Hours of operation: Summer months (Memorial Day-Labor Day) MondaySaturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, noon-5 p.m. w Admission: Adults (ages 16-59) $3, Senior Citizens (60+) $2, Children (6-15) $1 Children (5 and under) Free w Address: Located on U.S. 70 between Clovis and Portales w Information: 562-2202, Site 356-5235 or www.enmu.edu/services/museums/blackwater-draw
Albuquerque Snakes, elephants, crocodiles and even Tasmanian devils call the Albuquerque Zoo home.There is also a botanic garden and aquarium, or you can take a camel ride or ride the zoo train.Tingley Beach, located just minutes from downtown Albuquerque, is a relaxing area to fish, bike and hike. Central Pond is Tingley’s largest body of water and is stocked with rainbow trout and channel catfish. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: 3 and a half hours w Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day) w Admission: Single Admission (Zoo or Aquarium/Botanic Garden) Adults (13-64) $12.50, Senior (65+) $5.50, Child (3-12) $4, 3 and under are free. Combo Admission (Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden, and unlimited train rides) Adults $15, Senior $8, Child $6. w Address: 903 Tenth SW, Albuquerque w Information: www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark/zoo or 505-768-2000
Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Ruidoso
Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: Three and a half hours w Hours of operation: Jan. 1-May 22 Last cavern entry via natural entrance 2 p.m., via elevator 3:30 p.m. Visitor center 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 23-Sept. 1 Last cavern entry via natural entrance 3:30 p.m., via elevator 5 p.m. w Admission: $10 Adults 16+, 15 and under are free. Good for three days. w Address: 3225 National Parks Highway Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 w Information: 575-785-2232 or www.nps.gov/cave
Oasis State Park Roosevelt County Camping, fishing, picnicking, birding and hiking are all less than 30 minutes from Clovis at Oasis State Park.This state park nestled on N.M. 467 between Portales and Clovis is perfect for a weekend of outdoor activities.With 23 developed campsites, a playground and mountain bike trails, there is plenty of fun awaiting. Fast facts wDrive time from Clovis:About 25 min-
Try your luck at the Billy the Kid Casino, or head over to Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill where every Wednesday is seafood night. The All-American Turf Club has premier seating, a full buffet and bar, and second floor views to watch horse races. Or you can visit Billy’s Race Book, and bet on national races that are simulcast from the nation’s best race tracks. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: 3 hours w Address: 26225 U.S. HWY 70, Ruidoso Downs
Our Towns 2014, Page 21
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Amarillo The scenic Palo Duro Canyon, minutes away from Amarillo, Texas, is 120 miles long and more than 20 miles deep. The second largest canyon in the United States after Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the canyon features on-site horse rentals, mountain bike and hiking trails, and cabin rentals. You can even park your RV, as water and electricity are available as well. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: About two hours w Hours of operation: March thru May Sunday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. June thru August 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily September & October Sunday Thursday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday Saturday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. November thru February Sunday Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday -
Page 22, Our Towns 2014
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. w Admission: $5 per person, 12 and under free. w Address: 11450 State Highway Park Road 5 Canyon, Texas 79015 w Information: www.palodurocanyon.com or 806-488-2227 ext. 100
Adults (18-64), $77 Teen (13-17) $67, Child (7-12) $47, Senior (65-79) $67, Military $64. w Address: 116 Sutton Place Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico 87525 w Information: www.skitaos.org or 575-776-2291
Taos Ski Valley Taos For those snow sports enthusiasts, Taos, New Mexico is the place to be. The Taos area has four ski resorts with more than 100 trails for all levels of experience. The Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area has 33 kilometers of groomed trails to ski, and also walking trails. Ice skating, sledding and snowmobiling are just some of what Taos has to offer. Fast facts w Drive time from Clovis: About five hours w Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12- Apr. 6. w Admission: Lift tickets one-day pass
THATCHER DORN: Courtesy photo
Taos Ski Valley has many ski slopes to offer.
Our economy
AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ERICKA ENGBLOM: U.S. Air Force
An AC-130W Stinger II flies over Melrose Air Force Range. The AC-130W is one of the newest aircraft being flown at Cannon Air Force Base.
Cannon among economic drivers BY KEVIN WILSON Clovis Media Inc. What is the economy of eastern New Mexico? It could be a longwinded answer, but it mostly comes down to three components. Feeding America. Educating America. Protecting America. Clovis and Portales are buoyed by the special operations mission at Cannon Air Force Base. Established in 1942 as Army Air Base, Cannon has gone through many changes, including its most recent change from a fighter wing to a Special Operations Command wing following the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process. At the time of BRAC, Cannon was put on the list for closure, a fate that all military communities fear but only 15 percent ever escape once named. A large component of the mission to keep Cannon alive was its economic impact on both cities, with some estimates that it contributes one-third of the area economy. In August, the Albuquerque Journal reported on the state’s military installations, and estimated an
annual economic impact of $478.4 million, with 3,585 military personnel and another 1,250 as civilian or contract workers. To the south, Portales survives on a mix of Cannon, Eastern New Mexico University and agriculture. The university, established as Eastern New Mexico Normal School in 1934, has been in operation for more than 75 years and boasts a population of around 5,000 students — accounting for around one-third of Portales’ population during the school year. Though the dairy industry has had difficult times, Portales and Clovis are still home to dozens of dairies, many of which supply milk to Southwest Cheese on the Curry County side of the border. The plant, which employs more than 300, makes cheese in 40- and 640-pound blocks and also produces whey protein for protein bars and nutrition shakes. Portales City Manager Doug Redmond, former economic development director for the city, said the student dollars certainly help Portales. “The students at Eastern pro-
vide us some feedback from time to time on what they have in their hometowns they’d like to have here,” Redmond said. Most popular request: Taco Bell. One of the area’s largest employers was Sunland Inc., Redmond said. The peanut processing plant declared bankruptcy last year, but news surfaced in February of a potential buyer for the plants. The area is also home to other small businesses, including the original home of Carpet Tech, now a large company in Lubbock headed by Clovis native Chet Pharies. A newer business is Roosevelt Brewing Company, a restaurant that has helped increase traffic in Portales’ main town square. “It’s helped tremendously,” Redmond said of Roosevelt Brewing Company. “One of the great things is when I go in there, I don’t know everybody in the restaurant. You’ve got people coming from Clovis, Cannon, Muleshoe that otherwise wouldn’t be here.”
Our Towns 2014, Page 23
How to guide
New in town? Or just new to an aspect of general life, like getting a driver’s license or signing up your kid for that first day of school? Here are tips to help you get acclimated: How to sign up for school
Clovis
Portales
w The Portales Municipal w The Clovis Municipal Schools Office (769Schools Office (356-7000) is 4300) is located at 1009 Main St. located at 501 S. Abilene. w Schools in Clovis are organized by a neighborPortales Schools divides stuhood system for K-6. There are two pre-kinderdents by their respective grades garten schools, Lincoln Jackson Family Center and — Brown for Pre-K and kinderLos Ninos Early Intervention Center. garten, James for grades 1-2, w There are two middle schools — Marshall , Valencia for grades 3-4, LindseyYucca and Gattis for grades 6-8. Steiner for grades 5-6, Portales w Clovis High School has two campuses, the Junior High for grades 7-8 and main campus on Thornton Street between 21st Street and Purdue streets, and a freshman acade- Portales High School for grades 9-12. my located at 13th and Cameo streets. w If you’re looking for a private w For those private school wishes, Clovis option, Faith Triumphant offers a Christian Schools (763-5311) is located at 2000 private school for elementary Humphrey. The Clovis Nazarene School (1800 and high school students. Norris St., 762-3990) is a preschool run by Living Contact the school at 359-1559 Stones Community Church of the Nazarene. or visit them at 615 W. Fourth St.
Page 24, Our Towns 2014
College Clovis: Clovis Community College (769-2811 or www.clovis.edu) is located on Schepps Boulevard, near the Clovis Civic Center. You can get to Schepps via Seventh Street or Mabry Drive. w The Commons Area is located next to CCC’s “one-stop” center. There, you can pick up a schedule, register either via form or online, take care of financial aid and get your identification. Portales: To get to Eastern New Mexico University (562-1011), head south on U.S. 70, and turn left at Ave. K. It is one of six lighted traffic areas. w The administration building is the first right afterwards. You’ll go to that building for most paperwork (registrar’s office, financial aid). w Enrollment services are offered in the building the to right, the Student Academic Services Building (It’s simply called “SAS” on campus). Enrollment services can be reached at 562-2178.
File photo
The Portales Public Library is located at 218 S. Ave. B. How to get a library card
Clovis The Clovis-Carver Public Library (769-7840) is at 701 N. Main Street. It’s across the street from the County Courthouse. w You must bring identification and proof of residency, but it’s not a lot of paperwork. A driver’s license and a document with your current address (utility bill, letter or personal check) works. w Library cards are free, but there is a $1 charge for replacement.
How to get a driver’s license cards, or a $1 charge if you want a separate mini-card for your keychain.
Portales
w The Portales Public Library (356-3940) is at 218 S. Ave. B. You will be driving along Second Street, and the library is behind a self-serve fueling station. w You must bring New Mexico identification and contact information for a reference. w Library cards are free.
How to register to vote
Clovis
w Visit the Curry County Courthouse (7635591) at 700 N. Main St. w The clerk’s office is where you sign up to vote. Hang a left from the lobby.
Portales
w Visit the Roosevelt County Courthouse (356-8562) at 109 W. First St. w The clerk’s office is where you sign up to vote. Go left once you get up the stairs, and it’s the first door on the left.
w If you’re so inclined, you can also register to vote at the Motor Vehicle Department in either city.
Clovis
Portales
The office is located at 814 W. Sixth Street (762-3732). However, a more visible location is the intersection of Seventh and Thornton Streets.There is a convenience store to the north and a car wash to the east along the intersection. The Motor Vehicle Department is to the right of the state police building.
The Motor Vehicle Department office (356-8711) is located at 1410 S. Ave. O. It is in the south part of town, just a few blocks east of U.S. 70.
w Bring two forms of identification (i.e. Social Security card, driver’s license from other state) and two proofs of New Mexico residency (utility bills, rental/purchase agreements). w Licenses are $18 for four years and $34 for eight years. Accepted forms of payment are cash, credit cards (not Visa or debit cards), and check. w If you’re 75 or older, license renews. w If you haven’t had a license for more than a year, you’ll need to take a written test. If you haven’t had a license for more than five years, you’ll have to take a road test. w If your license is revoked or suspended elsewhere, you must resolve the issue before you can receive a New Mexico driver’s license. w You can also take care of some items online at mvd.newmexico.gov, and there are online payment discounts.
Our Towns 2014, Page 25
Our events MARCH
w 1 — The Hartley House annual fundraiser banquet 6 p.m. Tickets on sale at Hartley House or contact a Board member Clovis Civic Center Information: 762-0050 w 6 — Tap — The Show (CCC Cultural Arts Series) 7 p.m. Marshall Auditorium Tickets: $20 general / $15 senior/military/student Information: 769-7956 or 769-4950 w 8-9 — Clovis News Journal Arts and Crafts Fair Clovis Civic Center 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday Information: 763-3441. w 10 — The Only Name Tour featuring Big Daddy Weave 7 p.m. (VIPs 5:30 p.m.) Tickets: Available at Hair Haven and Super Save (Portales) and Java Loft (Clovis) or call 800-965-9324 Clovis Civic Center Information: 935-5000 w 27 — My Sinatra starring Cary Hoffman 7 p.m. Marshall Auditorium Tickets: $20 general / $15 senior/military/student Information: 769-7956
APRIL
w TBA — Great American Cleanup Day Information: 356-6662 w 5 — The Latin Comedy Jam Clovis Civic Center Tickets: Available at Clovis Civic Center Information: 935-5000 w 23-27 — Joe’s Boot Shop Calf Roping Curry County Events Center Information: 763-3764
MAY
w TBA — Mother’s Day Brunch 10 a.m. Clovis Civic Center Tickets: available at Civic Center Information: 935-5000
Page 26, Our Towns 2014
File photo
Clovis and Portales host annual July 4th fireworks events. w 4 — Perla Batalla 2 p.m. Marshall Auditorium Tickets: $20 general / $15 senior/military/student Information: 769-7956
w 24-25 —Cannon Air Force Base Open House & Air Show Free Admission Information: www.cannon.mil
JUNE
w 5-8 —Pioneer Days Rodeo Curry County Events Center Information: 935-7000 w 6 —Pioneer Women’s Breakfast 6 a.m. Information: 935-5000 w 21 — Heritage Days Celebration (Roosevelt County) (Bluegrass music, car show, motorcycle rally, arts, crafts, jewelry, food) Portales Information: 800-635-8036 or www.portales.com w 26 — Journey of Hope, Kids Stories at City Park Portales Information: 356-6662
JULY
w 4 — Smoke on The Water Greene Acres Park, Clovis Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w 4 — Roosevelt County Chamber fireworks Outside Greyhound Arena, ENMU campus Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w 16-20 — High Plains Junior Rodeo Final Curry County Events Center Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
AUGUST
w TBA — Clovis Ethnic Fair Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w TBA — National Night Out Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
w1— Cannon Appreciation Day 11 a.m. Cannon Air Force Base Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w 12-17 — Curry County Fair Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
SEPTEMBER
w 5-6 —Clovis Music Festival Concerts start at 7 p.m.
Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w 6 — Rock in the Bags Cornhole Tournament 10 a.m. Tickets: purchase at Clovis Civic Center Information: 935-5000
OCTOBER
w 1— Clovis Civic Center Party Expo Information: 935-5000 w 14-15 — Pure Energy Expo Register at Chamber of Commerce Information: 935-5000 w 23 — CNJ Taste of Home Clovis Civic Center Information: 935-5000 w 31— LJ Jenkins Invitational Bull Riding Curry County Events Center Information: 763-3764
NOVEMBER
w TBA — John Philip Sousa Concert Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
File photo
The Pioneers Day Rodeo in Clovis is one of dozens of rodeo events held in the area.
w TBA — Clovis Veterans Day Parade Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w TBA — Princess Party Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w 1— LJ Jenkins Invitational Curry County Events Center Information: 763-3764 w 15-16 — CNJ Holiday Bazaar Information: 935-5000
DECEMBER
w TBA — Christmas Concert Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
w TBA —Christmas Light Parade Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org w Christmas Nights at the Zoo Information: 763-3435 or www.clovisnm.org
Our Towns 2014, Page 27
Our churches
Clovis
w Advent Christian Church Sunday school — 10 a.m. Sunday worship — 11 a.m. Wednesday prayer meeting — 6 p.m. Address: 2101 East 21st St. Information: 762-0422 w Agape Love Ministries Sunday worship — 11 a.m. Tuesday prayer — 7 p.m. Wednesday Bible study — 7 p.m. Thursday hour of prayer — 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays. Address: 1921 West 21st St. Information: 749-4924 w Beacon of Light Church Recovery class — 7 p.m. Address: 1300 N.Thornton St. Information: 763-9510 w Bread of Life Ministries at Matt 25 Saturday food and clothing distribution — 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Address: 1200 N.Thornton St. Information: 762-2843 w Central Baptist Church Sunday worship — 8:30 a.m.and 11 a.m. Sunday school — 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible study — 6 p.m. Address: 2501 N.Norris St. Information: 762-4727 w Central Christian Church Sunday school 9:15 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible study — 6:30 p.m. Address: 300 W. 14th St.
Information: 763-3517 w Church of God of Prophecy Iglesia de Dios de la Profecia Sunday worship — 10 a.m. Wednesday and Friday Bible study — 7 p.m. Address: 1220 Calhoun St. Information: 762-2135 w Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints Sunday sacrament meeting — 10 a.m. Sunday school/primary — 11:15 a.m. Sunday Priesthood and Relief Society — 12:15 p.m. Address: 2800 Lore St. Information: 762-2021 w Clovis Church of God Sunday school — 9:45 a.m. Sunday worship — 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible study — 7 p.m. Address: 307 Lea St. Information: 763-3406 w Clovis Landmark Missionary Baptist Church Sunday school — 9:45 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday worship — 7 p.m. Address: 2300 Williams Ave. Information: 762-3467 w Clovis New Life Assembly of God Sunday worship — 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. (nursery available during both services)
Sunday “Relevant Youth” program — 6 p.m. Wednesday “Relevant Youth” service and adult Bible study — 7 p.m. Address: 517 W. 21st St. Information: 763-3221 w Deliverance Temple Community Church Sunday worship — Noon Sunday School — 11 a.m. noon Wednesday Bible Study — 7 p.m.-8 p.m. Address: 905 Rio St. Information: 791-0734 or 7910733 w First Baptist Church Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday school — 9:15 a.m. Monday men’s Bible study — 6:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible studies for all ages — 6:30 p.m. Address: 302 Gidding St. Information: 762-2926 w First Christian Church Sunday school — 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Sunday Bible study — 5 p.m. Address: 1700 N. Main St. Information: 763-7113 w Living Word Church of God (Anderson) Sunday school — 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship —10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible study — 6:45 p.m. Address: 3719 E. 21st St. Information: 763-6796 w First Presbyterian Church Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Address: 1101 Pile St. Information: 763-6821 w First United Methodist Church Sunday worship — 9:30 a.m. Sunday school — 10:40 a.m. Wednesday Community Bible study — 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Address: 1501 Sycamore St. Information: 763-3461
Page 28, Our Towns 2014
w Grace Bible Church Sunday Worship Service — 10 a.m. Bible Study — 11 a.m. Address: 13th and Oak streets, Clovis w High Plains Baptist Church Sunday School — 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning worship — 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening worship — 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening service— 7 p.m. FBI Club (Faithful Bible Investigators) — 7 p.m. Wednesdays (Ages 4 yrs. - 6th grade) Address: 2800 E. 21st St. Information: 769-1382 w Immanuel Lutheran Church Sunday school/adult Bible class — 9:15 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible study — 9:30 a.m. Address: 1021 N. Prince St. Information: 763-4526 w Kingswood United Methodist Church Sunday worship — 9:30 a.m. Sunday school — following worship service Address: 2600 N. Main St. Information: 762-1253 w Legacy Life Family Church Sunday school — 8:30 a.m. Sunday worship — 10 a.m. Tuesday prayer group — noon Tuesday Divorce Care seminar — 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday worship and youth ministry — 7 p.m. Address: 622 N. Main St. Information: 769-2461 w Lighthouse Mission Monday-Thursday clothing giveaway — 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. Address: 407 L. Casillas Boulevard. Information: 769-7775
w Living Stones Community Church of the Nazarene Sunday prayer service — 8 a.m. Sunday adult and children Bible study — 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Wednesday classes and ministries — 6:30 p.m. Address: 1800 N. Norris St. Information: 769-1971 w Master’s Center Tuesday preschool reading hour — 10 a.m. Wednesday Women’s Bible study — 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Address: 810 E. 21st St. Information: 762-1924 w Matt 25 Hope Center Thursday prayer meeting — Noon Address: 1200 N. Thornton St. Information: 763-4400 w Our Lady of Guadalupe Monday-Tuesday first holy communion classes — 6 p.m.7:30 p.m. Wednesday religion education classes (grades 7-12) — 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Address: 117 N. Davis St. Information: 762-7343 w Pure Heart Word Center Sunday worship — 10 a.m. Monday Bible study — 7 p.m. Wednesday worship — 7 p.m. Saturday clothing ministry — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Address: 701 N. Prince St. Information: 268-1565
w Sacred Heart Catholic Church Sunday service — 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday movie of faith — 4 p.m. Address: 911 Merriwether St. Information: 714-7778 w Sandia Baptist Church Sunday school — 9:15 a.m. Sunday worship — 10:30 a.m. Sunday evening small groups — Noon and 6 p.m. Wednesday adult and children’s Bible study — 6 p.m. Wednesday Jr. High and High School Bible study — 7 p.m. Address: 1100 W. Manana Blvd. Information: 763-3471 w Servant’s Heart Chapel Sunday worship service — 1 p.m. Address: 412 Mitchell St. Information: 575-737-8310 www.servantsheartchapel.com. org w St. James Episcopal Church Sunday worship — 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday adult and youth Christian education — 11 a.m. A Public Service of Healing on the 3rd Wednesday of every month Address: 1117 North Main Street Information: 763-4638 w The Furnace Live worship — 7 p.m. Fridays Address: Master’s Conference Room, 810 E. 21st St. Information: 693-6702
w Redeemed Christian Church of God Sunday school — 10 a.m. Sunday worship — 11 a.m. Wednesday Bible study —6 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Thursday Bible study — 6 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Address: 801 Schepps Blvd., Civic Center. Information: 799-7575
w Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA Sunday worship with communion — 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday school — 9:15 a.m. Tuesday — 10 a.m. Bible study Wednesday — 6 p.m. Faith Matters Address: 1705 W. 21st St. Information: 763-4816 Website: tlcelca.org
w Redeeming Love Christian Service Sunday worship — 11 a.m. Address: 3600 Sheridan St. Information: 218-3254
w Westminster Presbyterian Church Sunday worship — 9 a.m. Address: 3112 N. Thornton St. Information: 762-1217
Website: wpcclovis.webs.com w Wheatfield’s Senior Living Community Bible Study group — 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays Address: 4701 N. Prince St. Information: 762-8700 Website: www.wheatfieldsSL.com
Portales
w Apostolic Lighthouse Church Sunday service — 10 a.m. Address: 1500 North Abilene Place. Information: 359-1994 w Calvary Baptist Church Sunday service — 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Address: 1101 West 18th St. Information: 356-4273 Website: www.calvarybaptistchurch.com w Central Christian Church Sunday service — 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Address: 1528 S. Main Ave. Information: 356-6001 Website: www.centralwire.org w Emmanuel Baptist Church Sunday service — 10:45 a.m.; 6p.m. (Bible study) Address: 524 North Globe St. Information: 356-8275 w Faith in Christ Lutheran Church Sunday service — 9 a.m. Address: 1024 West 14th Lane. Information: 356-2510 w First Baptist Church Annex Sunday service — 11 a.m. Address: 117 South Avenue D. Information: 356-0815 w First United Methodist Church Sunday service — 9:30 a.m. Address: 200 South Avenue C. Information: 356-8597 w First Presbyterian Church Sunday service — 11 a.m. Address: 108 S. Avenue F. Information: 356-5533
w Portales Church Nazarene Sunday service — 11 a.m. Address: 823 West University Dr. Information: 356-6255 w Portales Valley Church of Life Sunday service — 10:40 a.m. Address: 1809 West Second Street. Information: 226-3333 Website: portalesvalleychurch.org w St. Helen Catholic Church Sunday Mass service — 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Address: 1604 West 17th Street. Information: 356-4241 w Third and Kilgore Church of Christ Sunday service — 10 a.m. Address: 1701 East Third Street. Information: 356-6150 Website: 3kchurch.org w Trinity Assembly of God Sunday service — 9:45 a.m. Address: 601 South Avenue B. Information: 356-5778 Website: www.tagJesus.org w Trinity Episcopal Church Sunday service — 10 a.m. Address: 1116 West Third Street. Information: 356-6860 w University Baptist Church Sunday service — 11 a.m. & 5 p.m. Address: 1012 West 15th Street. Information: 356-4501 w Victory Life Sunday service — 10 a.m. Address: 801 West 18th Street. Information: 356-4901 Website: www.victorylifeportales.com w Vineyard Church Sunday service — 10 a.m. Address: 611 North Avenue Q. Information: 356-3040
Our Towns 2014, Page 29
Our communities Floyd
w Population: 133 w Location: 16.5 miles west of Portales on N.M. 267 w Village clerk: 4782585 w Floyd Schools: 4782211 w Significant history: Floyd has held an annual jamboree for 63 years that features songs and poetry performances from local acts.
Portales
w Population: 12,280 w Location: 19 miles southwest of Clovis on U.S. 70 w City hall: 356-6662 w Portales schools: 356-7000 w Eastern New Mexico University: 5621011
w Highlight: Blackwater Draw Museum and Site and Oasis State Park w Significant history: Portales, which is the Spanish word for porches, was named after a nearby campsite discovered by cattle herders in the late 19th century where water gushed from a series of caves that resembled Spanish porches.
Elida
w Population: 197 w Location: 25 miles southwest of Portales on U.S. 70 w Town hall: 274-6465 w Elida schools: 274-6211 w Significant history: Elida has won four straight Class B state high volleyball titles and three straight Class B girls basketball titles.
New Mexico Department of Transportation
Dora
w Population: 133 w Location: 18 miles south of Portales on N.M. 206 w Village hall: 477-2411 w Dora schools: 477-2216 w Highlight: Annual Dora/Causey community reunion w Significant history: The school in Dora was built solely from donations from the townspeople and pie suppers.
Page 30, Our Towns 2014
Causey
w Population: 106 w Location: 34 miles southeast of Portales via N.M. 206 and N.M. 114 w City hall: 273-4249 w Schools: None w Significant history: Causey is as large as it has ever been. In 2012, Causey had its largest population ever at 106 residents.
Fort Sumner
w Population: 1,031 w Location: 60 miles west of Cloves on U.S. 60/84 w Village hall: 575-355-2401 w Fort Sumner schools: 3557734 w Highlight: Billy the Kid Museum and Fort Sumner Lake w Significant history: Fort Sumner was a military fort charged with the internment of Navajo and Mescalero Apache populations.
Grady
w Population: 107 w Location: 35 miles north of Clovis on N.M. 209 w City office: 357-2005 w Grady schools: 3572192 w Significant fact: Grady was established in 1907 and named after Pearl Grady who most of the property in the town and was also the town's first post master.
Texico
w Population: 1,130 w Location: 9 miles east of Clovis on U.S. 60/84 w City hall: 482-3314 w Texico schools: 482-3801 w Significant history: Texico was the first town in Curry county to establish a school and a post office in 1902.
Bovina
w Population: 1,168 w Location: 22.5 miles northeast of Clovis on U.S. 60/84 w City hall: 806-251-1116 w Bovina schools: 806-2511336 w Highlight: Bull Monument w Significant history: Actors Ben McCain and Butch McCain were born in Bovina and have appeared in comedy skits on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
New Mexico Department of Transportation
Melrose
w Population: 197 w Location: 25 miles west of Clovis on U.S. 60/84 w City office: 253-4274 w Melrose schools: 575253-4269 w Significant history: Melrose is the birthplace of William Hanna of Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. HannaBarbera Productions was a production company founded by Hanna and Joseph Barbera and produced such successful shows as The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, and The Smurfs.
Clovis
w Population: 39,197 w Location: 19 miles northeast of Portales on U.S. 70 w City hall: 769-7828 Clovis schools: 7694300 w Clovis Community College: 769-2811 w Highlights: Norman Petty Studio, Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and Model Train Museum w Significant history: American rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Buddy Holly recorded his single "Peggy Sue" at Norman Petty studios in 1957.
Farwell
w Population: 1,363 w Location: 10 miles east of Clovis on U.S. 60/84 w City hall: 806-4813620 w Farwell schools: 806-481-3371 w Highlight: Border Towns celebration w Significant history: Farwell is home to one of the few obelisks that mark the Ozark Trail at Farwell City Park.
Muleshoe
w Population: 5,158 w Location: 31.5 miles southeast of Clovis on U.S. 70/84 w City Hall: 806-272-4528 w Muleshoe schools: 806272-7400 w South Plains College Muleshoe Extension Center: 806-272-3346 w Highlight: The Muleshoe Heritage Center w Significant history: The Muleshoe name can be traced back to a man named Henry Black registered a brand in 1860 and in 1877 purchased three houses on 40,000 acres and named it Muleshoe Ranch.
Our Towns 2014, Page 31
Page 32, Our Towns 2014