Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mayor, Trustees Take Village Oaths

By John Larson

MAGDALENA - Two trustees and the newly elected mayor took their oaths of office Monday night at the Village Board meeting.
Mayor Sandy Julian began her four year term by promising that her door is always open.

“I will listen to anybody with a comment or complaint, or if you just want to talk,” Julian said. “You can find me either at Village Hall and everybody knows where I live.
“I will listen, I guarantee it. We will work together. The whole board; we are a team.”
The two new trustees Tommy Torres and Diane Allen, took their places alongside Carmen Torres and Barbara Baca on the board.
Looking at the board, Julian said, “Tommy, you’d think you died and went to heaven. Look at all the women around you.”
Before Jim Wolfe turned his mayoral gavel over to Julian, he said he has been told the village is “on the shortlist” for the paving of Pine Street.
“There’s a good chance we’ll get the money to pave the southern part of Pine,” Wolfe said. “We also put in for stimulus money for the telemetry and new well. We were advised that a project proposal for a pump and the telemetry is also on the shortlist.”
He said the village can expect to get $75,000 for the project.
Wolfe also said the long awaited drainage project is finally underway.
During the public input period, Magdalena Schools Superintendent Mike Chambers asked the board to consider authorizing a youth board. “I’d like to make you aware of a bill that passed the legislature this year,” Chambers said.
“It asks that municipalities consider having a youth council that would talk about issues in communities. An ancillary to this that concern our young people.”
Chambers said he would like to come to a future board meeting to discuss it further. He also said he has appreciated the help and cooperation from Marshal Larry Cearley’s office.
“In order to do an effective job at the school, community support is needed,” Chambers said. “I just want you to know this support is appreciated from the school’s standpoint. [The Marshal and the deputies] are very concerned about the kids, and that is foremost in their mind. Frankly, it makes my job easier.”
The board voted Trustee Diane Allen to be Mayor pro tem.
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Family Dollar To Come To Magdalena

Mountain Mail reports

After three to four years of speculation, Family Dollar’s corporate office in Charlotte, N.C., has confirmed the opening of one of their stores in Magdalena.
The store will be located at 907 W. First St. (Highway 60), at the corner of First and Cedar.
According to Family Dollar Public Relations Manager Josh Braverman, the store is targeted to open in mid-summer.
“That’s our tentative date, but it should be in that time frame,” Braverman said. “We’re one of those companies growing right now. We’re opening 200 new stores this year.
“We put in new stores where people need us, and Magdalena has a need for what we have to offer,” he said. “We carry quality name brand products, everything from household paper and cleaning items, to great apparel, basic food necessities like milk and eggs, small appliances, and more. Being a national chain, we are able to maintain a wide variety of products, keep our costs down and give the best value possible to our customers.”
Braverman said the store will have a selling floor space of 7,000 square feet; “the size of our average store.”
Magdalena’s Family Dollar will be staffed with five to seven employees, he said.
“This includes management and part-time. We hire locally, and pride ourselves on being a community business. The people working there will be your neighbors.”
He said the store will begin hiring shortly before the grand opening.
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Fishing Derby Scheduled For March 20

Mountain Mail Reports

The annual Community Fishing Derby is coming up Saturday, March 20 at Escondida Lake.
Young anglers age three and over will fish for bragging rights and prizes from 8 a.m. to noon.
Prizes will be awarded to registered youth anglers that attended the derby. The Socorro Valley Bass Club will award nine prizes for most weight/limit and one big fish prize (trout) for each of the three categories/divisions. The age categories are 3 through 7, 8 through 11, and 12 and over. Anglers over 12 need a fishing license. In case of a tie, the tie will be broken with a “flip of a coin.” There are no appeals.
Each youth is required to be registered to participate in the derby and be eligible for the prizes. The Chamber of Commerce will be in charge of logistics and registration.
Anglers can pre-register at the Chamber of Commerce Office, or call the office at 835-0424 anytime before the derby. Kids can also register the morning of the event at the tent between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. The Derby ends at noon and fish will be weighed at the tent. All registered youth will get a free jar of power bait or salmon eggs on Saturday morning.
The primary sponsor of the Derby is the Socorro Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a great event for our community since it involves all generations of families and friends getting together to enjoy each other‘s company and the outdoors,” Chamber Director Terry Tadano said. “And if the children catch a few fish that is a delicious bonus!”
He said there are three primary goals for the fishing day:
To teach youth about sportsmanship, ethics and fishing techniques.
To provide a positive, fun and safe activity for our youth that they will continue to enjoy for years.
To provide a recreational activity for youth to spend with their families or other responsible adults.
From 11 a.m. to noon, Socorro’s Disabled American Veterans will provide a free lunch of hot dogs and soda for the youth.
Coffee will be available and the DAV will have a donation jar and will charge adults for the lunch. The funds generated will be ear marked for next year’s event.
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More Cows Killed In Veguita

By John Severance

VEGUITA – Gilbert Barela looked at the dead cow Friday, Mar. 5, and just shook his head.
After staring at it for a couple of minutes, Barela walked to his pickup truck, grabbed a lasso and put it around the cow’s front legs. Gilbert’s brother Earl grabbed the back legs and the two flipped the cow, which was owned by one of their grandsons. The two coughed and tried to breathe as the stench of the cow permeated the air.
A bullet hole was visible halfway down the cow’s neck which Gilbert Barela guessed came from a high-powered rifle. A trail of blood could be seen in the dirt.
Gilbert said the cow probably died Tuesday, Mar. 2 and had been discovered the next day by his brother Joseph.
Bite marks presumably by dogs could be found on the flank and the rear legs of the animal and also around the cow’s ears and nose.
Socorro County Sheriff Philip Montoya said Barela called Wednesday, Mar. 3, when the department was in firearms training.
“We asked the state police to respond and they went out there and they said they could not find Mr. (Gilbert) Barela,” Montoya said.
A Socorro County deputy went out to investigate on Friday, Montoya said.
The sheriff added that an investigator has been assigned to further check out the previous cases.
Socorro County is considered to be open range and cattle do not have to be fenced in.
On Wednesday, Mar. 10, Gilbert Barela called the Mountain Mail to say two more cows had been shot and killed in the past four days.
“It’s just gotten worse,” Barela said. “Everybody is doing it now.”
That makes six cows that have been fatally shot or killed by dogs in the past month, Barela said.
Gilbert Barela said full-grown cows are worth $700 or $800.
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Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter

The following items were taken from reports at the Socorro County Sheriff's Department.

Jan. 13
An officer was dispatched at 4:32 p.m. to a ditch bank road on Jaramillo Loop in Veguita where a suspicious vehicle was reported parked. A check showed the vehicle had been reported stolen . The owner was contacted and the car recovered.
Jan. 19
A man reported at 12:35 p.m. that unknown suspects removed a pump from a trailer parked on a low flow channel road in San Antonio. He stated that eight scarfire shanks from a John Deere 770C were also taken. Estimated value of stolen property is $1,800.
Feb. 8
A couple in Hop Canyon reported that a neighbor’s dogs displayed aggressive and threatening behavior toward them. A homemade video showed the dogs barking furiously and aggressively, and trying to push themselves through a fence between the properties. The officer spoke with a family member of the suspect who stated that the dogs stand guard while the suspect is away, and she saw no problem in their behavior.
Feb. 11
While parked on a traffic stop on Highway 380 at mile marker 40, an officer was approached by the suspect who said there was a warrant for his arrest and he wanted to turn himself in. A check showed he did, and he was taken to jail.
Feb. 12
A man in Veguita reported at noon that the suspect was walking her dogs along the roadway when her large white dog entered his property and attacked his German shepherd. He separated the dogs and then the white dog attacked his three month old puppy. It was learned that neither of the dogs were leashed, and were allowed to run free. A witness supplied the first name of the suspect, who could not be located.
Feb. 14
A man in Veguita reported at 4:30 p.m. that he had noticed a white pick-up truck bed with a silver colored truck box near his property. The bed had been cut from its cab by a torch. It was unknown who the owner of the truck bed was due to no numbers or marks.
Feb. 15
A Socorro man reported at 9:02 a.m. that his cat had been killed. He took the officer to the gravel pit on Newberry Road where it was noticed that the cat had been shot with paintballs, and was covered in orange paint. It was learned that this area is used as a course utilizing paint ball weapons. No suspects at time of report.
Feb. 20
A Lemitar man driving west on Highway 380 at 3 p.m. lost control of his vehicle when the right front tire lost its tread. The vehicle pulled towards the shoulder and struck a road sign, causing damage. The vehicle sustained moderate damage to the front and left side.
Feb. 21
An officer pulled over a vehicle at 8:35 p.m. on California St. because it was traveling south in the northbound lane. The driver had an odor of alcoholic beverage on her person, and agreed to a field sobriety test, which she failed. She was placed under arrest and taken to the Socorro Police Dept. for a breath test. Her final stop was the Socorro County Detention Center.
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EDITORIAL: Fans Should Have Better TV Access To Lobos

By John Severance
Editor

March Madness has always been one of my favorite times of the year. This year, New Mexico promises to be right in the thick of it.
The Lobos are having a season for the ages with a 27-3 record and a top ten ranking.
Last week while in the El Camino Restaurant, the Lobos’ home season finale against Texas Christian could be heard loud and clear on the radio.
I could tell patrons and the employees were into it because they were all excited after the Lobos won to clinch the regular season title in the Mountain West Conference.
And to be sure starting Thursday, they will be listening again on the radio when the Lobos take part in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.
But there is a problem.
Lobos’ fans should able to watch their favorite college basketball team without having to pay a hefty price or to listen to the radio. Throughout the season, most of the Lobos’ games are found on The Mountain, or Versus or CBS College Sports.
The only way those stations are accessed is if you are a subscriber to Dish Network or DirecTV or if you are a Comcast subscriber who has all the premium channels. A lot of those plans are costly.
What would it take for a local affiliate to carry the Lobos’ games so all their fans in the Land of Enchantment could follow their every move on television?
Here is a bit of good news.
Whatever happens in the conference tournament, the Lobos are assured of a bid to the Big Dance. And CBS owns the rights to all tournament games which means the Lobos will be live on KRQE, the Albuquerque affiliate, for as long as they keeping winning.
I know these cable stations have rights to the Mountain West Conference and its tournament but it sure would be nice if local affiliate stations could get access to these games.
I’m thinking their ratings might go through the roof in New Mexico.
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LETTER: Health Care Analysis

To the Editor:
It is ironic that there are as many conservative arguments for health care reform as there are liberal arguments; let's review them.
Liberal argument: It is the right thing to do. People in a rich country like the United States shouldn't be in constant fear of bankruptcy due to an unexpected medical problem.
Conservative argument 1: Health care distorts the job market, keeping people in dead-end jobs because their current employer provides health insurance. As a result, we are deprived of the economic benefit of enterprising folks who might otherwise become entrepreneurs, because they are unwilling to risk not having health coverage.
Conservative argument 2: Having to provide health care coverage to employees is an economic drag on both large and small businesses, especially if it is impossible to do this economically, as in the current system.
Any health care system worth its salt should have the following characteristics:
1. It should be universal and independent of employment.
2. It needs to be regulated tightly to prevent the shenanigans that are so familiar to us today, and to provide a widely agreed upon standard of care.
3. Costs must come down. (Why should a medical device functionally equivalent to a $100 Wii balance board cost $18,000?!)
4. People down on their luck should be provided for.
In the Democratic proposals before Congress, business will still be responsible for providing health coverage, but small businesses and lower-paid employees will get more of a break. The worst abuses of the insurance industry will be brought under control and the requirement that everybody have insurance will make it harder for freeloaders to impose their costs on everybody else, just as with automobile insurance. Health insurance exchanges will level the playing field between insurance companies and individuals. Families struggling to make it will get help with their health coverage.
Republican ideas aren't necessarily bad; they just seem small bore, like trying to stop a charging elephant with a BB gun. Limits on medical malpractice awards are OK, but states that already have them (like New Mexico!) don't seem to do any better in health care costs than other states. Being able to buy health insurance across state lines might help produce coverage worth buying if insurance were required to meet national standards; otherwise many employers would shop around for the cheapest deals (“cheap” in more ways than one) in poorly regulated states.
Health savings accounts are unattainable for lower-paid workers.
If the Republicans can't contribute more to the discussion than this, they need to get out of the way.
There are many different cost-effective health systems in countries around the world. However, they all share one characteristic; government sets the rules. To pretend we can do otherwise is howling at the moon.
The cost of the current proposal before Congress needs to be put in perspective; the whole thing could be paid for by 20 percent of the defense budget. Its cost also has to be weighed against the costs of doing nothing. Witness the huge increases that the insurance companies are currently imposing on New Mexico -- 25 percent for Blue Cross, 14 percent for my daughter's New Mexico Tech COBRA plan! We are getting clobbered when we can least afford it. It is time to tell Congress to get this job done.
Sincerely,
David J. Raymond
Socorro
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OPINION: ObamaCare Is Not The Solution

The Right Emphasis
By Doug May

The greatest problem facing the country today is the lack of jobs. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reports that unemployment payments jumped from 45,000 in May, 2008 to 172,000 in December 2009. Nationally the unemployment is far worse than here in New Mexico.
Apparently the unemployed can wait. The President is taking his campaign to the citizens to put pressure on the representatives in the House to pass the health care bill approved by the Senate last year. In Pennsylvania, Obama implored the people, “Let’s seize reform. It’s within our grasp.”
His passionate appeals demonize health insurance companies for denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. He wants Congress to ban insurance companies for such practices. Actually it is wise and fair for health insurance companies to deny people with existing conditions. It isn’t fair for those who have been paying for years to have to cover the cost of treatment for a new member who has not made any payments. If companies do not do this people will delay purchasing insurance until they need it and premiums will go higher.
Health insurance needs to reflect the risk factors due to age, lifestyle, etc. and to adjust the cost accordingly. The insurance policies need to vary depending on what the individual or family wants. A customer should not have to pay for features they do not want. Often times group policies offered by employers do not provide this option.
The Senate bill requires all but the smallest employers to provide health care for their workers. Actually, there is no need for employers to be involved in providing health insurance. If the government allowed all health care premiums to be fully deducted on the income tax then there would be no need to have employers to provide insurance. They could increase wages and each individual could purchase the kind of insurance that fit his situation best. This would allow businesses to be more productive and reduce the cost of their products and services.
If the employer has to provide insurance for all employees, the federal government could offer health coverage at a lower cost. This would encourage employers to shift all their employees over to the government plan in mass. It is clear from all the rhetoric that this administration wants to eliminate health insurance companies. Obama wants a single payer system and that payer is the federal government. It would not be good if the standards for all medical care was determined by the government.
People would be best served if this Senate bill were defeated in the House and people were given more choices. This could be done in a number of ways:
• By making it possible for people to purchase health insurance from any company in the United States,
• By limiting the amount of non-economic damages that can be paid to a victim of medical malpractice,
• By allowing lower premiums for healthier lifestyles, by providing tax advantages for health savings plans, allowing people to purchase cheaper plans with higher deductibles and pay cash for most medical services. This would make it possible to get lower prices for routine visits, tests and medications by paying cash.
Our cheapest and best option is for each of us to take responsibility for our own health care. We should save for medical emergencies, pay cash when we can, and develop healthy life-styles. We can do reduce costs better than the government can.
It is time to tell our representative that we do not want this 2,700-page health care bill and the single payer government option. Contact Representative Harry Teague at 1007 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515; or at www.teague.house.gov or at 1-888-983-2483.

Doug May is a retired Lutheran pastor and his views do not necessarily represent the Mountain Mail
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Lady Steers Make State Final Four

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

BERNALILLO – For the Magdalena girls basketball team, it was all about defense.
The Lady Steers went on an 18-0 run in the third and fourth quarter and defeated Grady 68-49 Tuesday night at Bernalillo High School in the quarterfinals of the New Mexico High School State Tournament.

The Lady Steers improved to 28-0 and they will face Floyd (21-7) Thursday in the state semifinals at 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Ana Center in Rio Rancho. Sixth seeded Floyd advanced by beating third seeded Des Moines 65-54 Tuesday night.
“Floyd is very similar to the team we just played,” Magdalena coach Wally Sanchez said. “They don’t quit. They are on fire and we are going to have our hands full on Thursday.”
Magdalena had its hands full for two and a half quarters against Grady.
With 3:10 left in the third quarter, the teams were tied at 36-36.
The Lady Steers cranked up the full-court pressure and they converted a number of turnovers into some easy points.
With a little more than six minutes left in the game, Magdalena led 54-36. The Lady Steers hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win. The Lady Steers converted 23 of 36 from the charity stripe.
Kameron Armstrong led the Lady Steers with 18 points and Nicole Hardy added 18 and Keanda Chavez 13. Mandy Rush led Grady with 23 points.
“Grady is a real good team and well coached,” Sanchez said. “They never quit. Grady tied the game but our girls took a deep breath and we just kept playing defense. Our defense took a lot out of them. In the state tournament, there are no more easy ones.
We were finally able to cash in on their turnovers and the kids came through on the free throw line.”
Magdalena advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Animas 59-39 at home on March 5.
“It was a real tough physical ballgame,” Sanchez said. “There were bodies flying all over. But our girls handled it well, because they play physical all the time.”
Nicole Hardy led the Lady Steers with 22 points and Keanda Chavez added 10.
“Nicole Hardy did a great defensive job on their big girl Merilee Richardson,” Sanchez said. “Camille Mansell and Jennifer Matai did a good job on the boards. Cameron Armstrong and Karly Chavez applied the defensive pressure, which caused many steals and walking calls.”
Sanchez was also asked about fan support in Albuquerque. He said, “Our fans have been fantastic this year. We're going to have all of I-25 plus all of Magdalena, plus anybody else that's just curious. It's going to be a great, great basketball situation. It will be jam-packed and believe me, that's an advantage.”

Photo: Magdalena’s Keanda Chavez plays defense against Grady in a state quarterfinal matchup Tuesday.
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Tough Ending For Socorro Boys

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

SOCORRO -- It was a heartbreaking end of the season for the Socorro boys basketball team as it lost at home to Bloomfield 68-66 in the first round of the 2010 New Mexico State Basketball Championship Tournament Saturday.
Socorro ended its season with a 13-14 record and a 7-0 district mark. Bloomfield (24-7, 9-3) advanced to play Hope Christian Tuesday.
“The boys showed a great effort out there,” said Socorro's Lawrence Baca, the district coach of the year. “ It was a great ballgame. Unfortunately, the ball didn't bounce our way a couple of times. They're a special bunch and great kids and I appreciate everything that they've done all year. It's hard to see a year end like this but it has to end with somebody on the losing end. Unfortunately, it was our turn tonight.”
Socorro's man-to-man defense helped to keep the game close in the final quarter. Socorro was without center Andrew Contreras, who fouled out at the 3:19 mark. Senior Kenneth Decosta scored help Socorro stay close, but still behind at 60-58.
Bloomfield extended their lead twice to five points, the last one coming on two free throws by Matthew Crockett with 1:13 remaining and a 65-60 lead.
Garcia nailed a three from the top of the key with :55 on the clock. Bloomfield added a free throw for a 66-63 lead. With :22 on the clock, Marquez then hit an off-balance three pointer from the left corner to tie the game. Coming down on the shot, Marquez's leg cramped up and he had to leave the game.
Bloomfield's Sabastian Russell put up a shot inside, which sophomore Rio Chadde blocked. Russell retrieved the ball and put it back in for a 68-66 lead.
Marquez returned for the final play of the game. With 10.3 seconds left, Socorro quickly brought the ball the full length of the court. Socorro got off two 3-point shots, but both fell short of the basket.
“I couldn't be more proud of the effort the kids put out there,” Baca said. “They played a heck of a ballgame. Hopefully, next year we can build on this one. And I enjoyed the heck out of myself this year and it's because of them. Hopefully, next year we'll move on and remember this feeling. It's been a great year.
Jared Marquez finished with a game high of 21 points. Erik Garcia had 13 points and Zach Esquivel had 11 points.
Bloomfield was led by Russell who had 19 points.
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Steers Fall To No. 1 Cliff

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

The Magdalena Steers basketball team finished its season by playing one of the top teams in the state as it lost at Cliff High School 76-50 Saturday tin a first round game in the 2010 New Mexico State Basketball State Championship Tournament.
Magdalena completed their season with a 20-7 record and 10-3 in district play. Cliff continues on as the No. 11 seed in their state playoff quest with a 24-1 record and 6-0 in district.
This was the final career game for five seniors---Reggie Peralto, Abie Pino, Gene Leseberg, Ryan Alguirre, and Bryce Milligan.
“We didn't leave anything on the table,” Magdalena coach Jory Mirabal said. “ The boys played hard. They improved and I think we got as much as we were going to get out of them this year..”
Cliff jumped out to a 25-10 first-quarter lead but Magdalena came back to trail 35-25 at halftime.
“We played the No. 1 team in the state at their house,” Mirabal said. “They came out on fire and played a really good game.”
Magdalena fell further behind at the end of the 3rd quarter, 49-32. They tried to come back in the 4th quarter, with the help of Alguirre scoring four of his six total 3-point shots. But they could not make up any ground.
“I thought it was a great season,” Mirabal said.
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Season For Socorro Girls End With Loss To St. Michael’s

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

SOCORRO -- The eighth seeded Socorro High School Lady Warriors' post-season came to an abrupt end on Friday night, March 5 losing at home to St. Michael's 58-38 in the first round of the 2010 New Mexico State Championship Tournament.
Socorro (20-9, 5-1), which was one of four 3A teams in the state with 20 or more wins, ended its season on a four-game losing streak.
“Obviously, coming off a tough loss last week, we had a hard time coming off of it than I thought we would,” Socorro coach Joseph Garcia said. “ We just had mental lapses.”
St. Michael's height advantage on offense and defense had a lot to say about the final outcome of the game. They started the game with a 6-0 run, before Socorro scored at the 5:35 mark of the 1st quarter. Senior Roxanne Silva and Jaden Jones combined on three short jumpers for Socorro's only points of the quarter. St. Michael's led 11-6 after this quarter.
Socorro closed the gap 11-8 with two minutes gone in the second quarter. This was the closest Socorro would get the rest of the way. St. Michael's took over the game, scoring on four 3-point shots to open the lead at halftime 28-14. Senior Tamara Quintana of St. Michael's hit three 3-point shots.
“Everyday in practice we worked on taking away the corner shot for the three,” Garcia said. “We were supposed to cheat over to the corner. The girl that was supposed to be in her vicinity was never in the vicinity in the first half.
“That was the main thing, because we were struggling to make twos. We actually outscored them from the field, 17 baskets to 15. But those six threes is where it was at.”
It was more of the same in the 4th quarter. Silva scored 12 of her total 30 points in the final quarter, but St. Michael's had more than enough to hold on.
“Lack of height all year just finally caught up to us,” Garcia said. “Any team bigger than us, we didn't beat all year. The last five games, we just had a hard time putting the ball in the
basket.”
Garcia also talked about the future.
“We have good young girls coming up,” Garcia said. “The JV won the district championship. The freshmen team ended up undefeated. The eighth grade team ended up undefeated. We're still not going to have any height though. They'll probably be a different kind of a team. ”
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Baseball Team Starts Off With Two Victories

By John Severance

SOCORRO -- Like most baseball coaches and players, Alan Edmonson is superstitious.
The Socorro baseball coach sat in the dugout last Friday in Pojoaque as Warrior pitcher Charlie Savedra was mowing down the Elks. In the fourth inning, two of the players on the bench said, “Hey, he’s got a no-hitter going.”
Sure enough, the next batter up got a hit.
And that was the only hit Savedra gave up as Socorro rolled to a 13-0 win in game one and a 19-5 victory in game two to open its season.
“We hit the ball well,” Edmonson said. “We only had six strikeouts in two games. If you put the ball in play, there is a good chance the other team will kick it around and good things will happen.”
Edmonson is hoping some good things will happen with this year’s Warrior baseball squad.
Socorro is coming off a 23-7 record last season in which it made it to the state semifinals before falling to Cobre 6-5.
The Warriors will have to replace starting catcher Chas Mora, top pitcher Jeren Heren, first baseman Jay Hooper, center fielder Andre Gonzalez and right fielders John Zuni and George Gallegos, who platooned at that position.
“We took quite a few hits at some important positions,” Edmonson said. But Edmonson says he always puts high expectations on his baseball teams and this year is no exception.
At catcher, the Warriors will depend on John Padilla or Daniel Gonzalez. Justus Jaramillo and Ibrahim Miaga will share time at shortstop, Michael Chavez will play third base, Kenneth DeCosta, who played left field last year, will play in center and Irving Gomez, Ronnie Baca and Freddie Martinez, will alternate between left and right field.
Tyler Zuni will man first base and when he is not pitching, Savedra will play second base. Another player who will see significant time in the infield will be eighth grader Josh Doyle.
In the season-opening doubleheader, Doyle reached base six times out of eight at-bats. “You can’t ask for much more than that,” Edmonson said.
Socorro will host its eight-team tournament beginning Thursday at 1 p.m. against Thoreau.
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Pygmies Rebound Vs. UNM

By Dave Wheelock
For the Mountain Mail

One week after a 64-7 loss in Denver to the Colorado School of Mines, a full strength U.S. Collegiate Division II New Mexico Tech outgunned Division I University of New Mexico 43-33 at home Saturday.
Tech’s eight forwards overcame first-half difficulties gaining ball possession to unleash a second-half attack the Lobos could not match.
Fly half Royce Beaudry touched down a try in each half while flanker and fellow captain Jerod Aragon signaled his return from injury with two five-pointers. UNM speedster fullback Udzi Nare notched three tries to help keep the visitors within range for most of the match.
At 25 minutes Beaudry converted his own try for a 12-5 lead after following up fullback Isaiah Sanchez’s well-weighted kick behind the UNM defense. Nare countered three minutes later with a blistering run to even the scores before outside center Marshal Spradley gave the home team a 19-12 halftime lead with a 50 meter intercept try.
Tech’s forwards, led by Aragon, Max Crowning, and Graham Payne, began to assert themselves with increased ball control and play increasingly gravitated toward the UNM end of the pitch. Tech number eight Graham Payne stole a botched lineout throw and drove ahead to begin an irresistible surge ahead by his fellow forwards. First-year flanker Jacob Smith nearly scored from a powerful run and Aragon was there again to finish the try. Beaudry’s long kick was true from a difficult angle and UNM was 38-19 adrift with 25 minutes to play.
But Udzi Nare revived Lobo spirits with a superlative kick and chase to bring matters to 38-26 and soon after scrumhalf Trevor Morris made a sensational pass between his legs to set Wisdom loose to score on the outside. Suddenly clinging to a precarious 38-33 lead, Dustin Webb, who made a pressure pass count for Beaudry to touch down. Webb's conversion attempt was unsuccessful but Tech had all they needed for the 43-33 win.
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Reserve Boys End Season At 18-6

Mountain Mail reports

The Reserve boys basketball team finished its season with an 18-6 record after falling at Gallup Catholic 57-53 Saturday March 6 in the first round of the New Mexico State High School Basketball Tournament.
Senior Nolen Snyder led the Mountaineers with 28 points.
“We did OK,” Reserve coach Stan Thompson said. “We wanted to get hot the first round in Albuquerque, but the kids did well and they overcame a lot of adversity this season.”
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Naturalist To Host Walk

Mountain Mail reports

A scenic arroyo east of the Quebradas Scenic Backcountry Byway will be the destination of a hike led by naturalist Bob Merkel this Saturday, Mar. 13. The arroyo leads to an area covered by gypsum rock, with a high sandstone cliff looming over, and with a wide variety of desert plants along the way. Merkel will talk about Rio Grande rift geology as well as the plants and animals of our Chihuahuan desert.
The round trip hike organized by Friends of the Bosque del Apache is about four miles; more to climb above the cliff. Bring sun protection, snacks, water, camera, binoculars. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Highway 380 San Antonio Firehouse parking area just east of the Interstate 25 exit 139. Participants will carpool to the arroyo.
High clearance is strongly recommended, 4WD would be preferable. Limit 15 participants; call 575-835-1828 for reservations.
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Purple Toilets Are For Good Cause

By John Larson

SOCORRO – There are 20 more days for two purple toilets to show up on front yards throughout Socorro.
At the last city council meeting, Socorro High School student Mariah Deters, representing the INTERACT club, told councilors that the toilet was part of a fundraising project for the annual Relay For Life.
“This is a different way to raise money for the American Cancer Society,” Deters said. “We will deposit a purple toilet in people’s front yards. The idea is to have people pay 10 dollars for us to move it off.”
She said people can have other options.
“For 15 dollars you can have it moved to a specific person’s lawn, and for an extra five dollars you can do it anonymously,” Deters said. “For every day the toilet is on someone’s lawn, they will be charged five dollars.
She said a $20 donation to the Relay For Life will buy immunity from the game.
“The INTERACT club has always done fund raisers Socorro’s Relay For Life, like car washes and bake sales, but this year we wanted something more fun, more interesting,” she said. “In years past we’re procrastinated until the last minute, so this time we started earlier to give more time to surpass our goal.”
The purple toilet fundraiser began last week, when a purple toilet appeared on the lawn of Jon Spargo.
A second toilet was being donated by Councilor Gordy Hicks.
“We’re starting with a goal of $1,000, but the more we reach the better,” Deters said.
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Quemado Crash Results In Rollover

Mountain Mail reports

QUEMADO -- A 24-year-old Quemado woman was seriously injured in a one-car rollover crash Thursday, March 4 and had to be airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, according to officer James Hammond of the New Mexico State Police.
The crash occurred around 6 p.m. last Thursday on Highway 32 at mile marker 31. Alaundra Strang was driving a 2005 Dodge four-door pickup. New Mexico State police, Catron County Sheriff’s Office and the ambulance companies in Quemado and Pie Town responded to the accident.
Hammond said the woman received 18 stitches to close a gash in her left arm and that she broke a piece off the vertebrae in her neck that was pressing against the artery. Hammond said Strang was released from the hospital a couple of days ago.
Two of the Strang’s children Miguel Sanchez, 5, and Zorian Strang, 2, were in the backseat in their car seats and not seriously hurt. Felix Vallegos, 19, was in the passenger seat and he was the one who got the kids out of the vehicle, according to the State Police.
Hammond said the woman was pinned and had to be cut out by the paramedics on the scene. All four were taken by ambulance to Springerville, Ariz., and Alaudra Strang was airlifted to Phoenix.
Hammond said there was a little curve in the road and the driver apparently slid on some dirt on the side of the road. On that side was a 20-foot embankment and Hammond believes Strang overcompensated. The officer said the skid marks were 130 feet and the car landed 73 feet from the road.
Hammond said Strang was charged with careless driving and Strang and Vallegos were charged with possession of drug paraphanelia.
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Filing Day Scheduled For March 16 For County, Judge Positions

Mountain Mail Reports

Just as one election is over, another one is looming on the horizon. Tuesday, Mar. 16, is filing day for declarations of candidacy for several local and state offices for the November election.
Those who would like to run for one of two county commissioner positions (Districts 1 and 3), county sheriff, county assessor, magistrate judge, or probate judge, must file their intentions Tuesday at the county clerk’s office.
Later this year voters in Socorro will also be voting for one governor, lieutenant governor, 49th District State Representative, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Lands, two Public Regulation Commissioners, and three Court of Appeal judges.
On the national level, Congressman Harry Teague will be running for re-election.
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Surviving A 180 On Highway 180

Luna News
By Kaye Mindar

Last week while in my normal super woman mode, I was trying to do too much in one morning and I did a 180 on Highway 180. Actually it was a flying leap. I hit a patch of ice from a side road clean-out pile and my little red Camry and I flew 60 feet into another roadside snow bank. It was terrifying, and I’m not usually such a wimp.
The crazy thing was I had driven over Luna Mountain on solid ice earlier; went over the mountain again to Springerville; and was heading home after a very busy morning on seemingly dry roads near the Catholic Church in Alpine, Ariz. The noises of a car accident are scary enough, but the aftershock was so much easier to handle when the workers from Navo-pache Electric stopped to help me out of the front seat and contact my family. Thankful to live in Luna, so close to the state line, I knew that whoever stopped would help me as though I was family.
I located my cell phone and called my son, who was the last person I had seen before going towards home. When Alpine Fire and Ambulance arrived on scene they knew my son - having worked with him in many EMS cases in the past - and watched for him. There were no gawkers; there were only genuinely concerned family, neighbors and friends.
I want to thank Harris Automotive and Daniel Harris for introducing himself to the Arizona DPS officers as “my friend,” and Sam Harris getting there and just checking in on me. Another small town coincidence I told the officer he probably got asked all the time about knowing a person’s relatives, but he did know my cousin out of Show Low and my son from working in Greer. It’s just too fun.
My son took personal responsibility for me and got me to the Emergency Room in Springerville to meet up with my husband. I have had a rough week in recuperating and have felt so much that goes with a small town in prayers, meals and caring phone calls and help from so many.

Night of Sacred Music

The second annual "Night of Sacred Music" is scheduled for March 28 at 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Luna. This is an all denominational musical program by choir, special numbers and congregational singing and the music will be focused on the Savior, Jesus Christ. Practices are being held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons at the Luna Ward Chapel. Everyone is invited to participate and encouraged to attend.

Reserve Reunion

The Reserve School Reunion will be held June 25-27, for more information you can contact the committee web site www.reservenmschoolreunion.com or call Alice Estrada (533-6477), Ed Romero (533-6552). Art Bustamante (533-6599), and Sue Hobbs Spurgeon (533-6295). This is for anyone who has ever attended Reserve High School; also students, faculty, employees or anyone associated with Reserve Schools is invited. Please help spread the word. Graduation is not a requirement.

Community Center

Kudos goes out to Richard Nicolds for the beautiful new women’s bathroom sink and cabinet in the Luna Community Center. We thank all so much who sacrifice their time and talents in constantly volunteering the upkeep on our building.

Quote of the week:

“Irish Blessing: May the Good Lord take a liking to you... but not too soon!”
~Author Unknown

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The Stuff That Sylvia’s Dreams Are Made Of

Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan

“I see your hole to China is getting deeper,” I said to Sylvia while she was between breakfast biscuits.
“Yes, it’s coming along nicely, isn’t it?” she replied. “A month or two and I should be there.”
“Don’t get your hopes up too soon,” I cautioned. “It’s a long long way to China.”
“That may be but the Great Hole is much cheaper than flying. And less stressful, too. No lines, no taking off shoes. No throwing away water you’ve just paid for. Why, when I finish this hole I could charge people to use it. Sort of like the tunnel from London to Paris.”
“I hope it’s better than that. People were stuck in the Eurostar for ages this winter whenever it snowed.”
“My hole will work better. There’s the gravity factor.”
“But how do you know that you won’t get halfway there and then bounce back?”
“That’s a thought,” she admitted. “But I’m sure my customers will be going so fast, they’ll crash right through the barrier. I think I’ll take a wee après breakfast nap now. Just shut my eyes for a few winks to recharge before I go back to work.”
Soon Sylvia was snoring and grunting away. And this is where she was:
Hurtling down. Down, down, her body bouncing along the sides of the long large hole going faster and faster, past the speed of sound.
Suddenly, like a champagne cork, Sylvia shot out of the hole. She landed on her back on something hard. Was it pavement? Where was she? She wasn’t sure how much time had elapsed since she’d stopped digging but there was a definite hollow feeling in her stomach.
The first thing she noticed was sound. Not sound like the wind in the ponderosa trees, this was noisy sound. The whizzing of a thousand bicycles and motorbikes, the honking of auto horns, the shrill cry of sirens from boats and everywhere the sound of people talking loudly. Very loudly.
But what were they saying?
Sylvia had no idea. She barked sharply but no one noticed her as she lay on the ground. All the people rushed by her and hurried down into their own hole. Their hole was paved with wide steps going down and all these people -- men carrying heavy baskets, women chattering on cellphones and children dressed alike in uniforms -- were rushing down it with great purpose.
Who were they? And where were they going?
Very slowly Sylvia staggered to her paws, counted her legs and was relieved to find that there were four.
That was good. She tried walking. That worked. She knew two things: she wasn’t in Datil anymore and she was definitely hungry. She longed for anything, even dull kibble. She barked again but still no one noticed.
Then she saw a dog -- a small dog on a leash trotting along, tail in air, beside its mistress.
Sylvia wandered over to this small dog and asked in her most polite voice, “Am I in
China?”
“Of course you are, silly. Where else would you be? Don’t you know anything?” the small dog replied.
“Oh,” said Sylvia. “I know quite a lot but I’m a stranger here.”
“I’m a stranger here myself but I still know I’m in China,” said the small dog with her nose in the air.
“This looks nothing like Swingle Canyon,” Sylvia said, trying to be friendly.
“Where is this Swingle Canyon?” the small dog deigned to ask.
“In Datil, of course,” Sylvia answered. And when the small dog appeared bewildered, she
added, “In Catron County. Everyone knows where that is.”
“I’m sure it’s nowhere I want to go,” the small dog said. “I’m quite satisfied here in Shanghai.”
Is that where I am, Sylvia thought as the small dog’s owner yanked it away and pulled it down the crowded street.
[To Be Continued]
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Quemado Senior CenterTo Hold Fundraiser Friday

By Debbie Leschner
For the Mountain Mail

The Quemado Senior Center will hold a fundraiser on Friday March 12, There will be an enchilada dinner for $7 at 4:30 p.m. with Bingo to follow at 6 p.m.
Crafts and exercise are scheduled for Tuesday, Quilting and Bingo on Thursday and exercises on Friday.
Lunch for the week will be Monday – Stroganoff, Tuesday – pork cutlets, Wednesday – Kraut dog with pork and beans, Thursday – Beef Enchiladas and Friday – Fish sandwich. Call the center at 773-4820 to make your reservations.
Blackwood Legacy, a Nashville based gospel group will be performing at the Cowboy Church at 7 p.m. Friday, Mar. 19 off Highway 32 near Quemado. Admission is free.
The concert will feature the well remembered old favorites as well as fresh new gospel music. The event is co- sponsored by the Christian Cowboy Church and the First Baptist Church of Quemado.
The Western New Mexico Veterans Group will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Mar. 18 in the Veterans' Hall, located at the corner of Baca and Church Street in Quemado.
Potluck begins at 6 p.m. with a Happy St. Patrick’s Day theme. WNMVG will provide a large pot of corned beef and cabbage. Bring your favorite side dish, dessert, breads, etc. A Meeting will follow. Commander Rick Sharp invites all veterans in Catron County and their families to come.
Participation in the talent show is open to the Quemado community.
The only requirement is that a school age child be in the act. All home schooled children are encouraged to get involved.
Talent Show tryouts are March 22, 23 and 24 from 4-5 p.m. each day. No signup is necessary - just show up.
The event is scheduled for Thursday,, Apr. 29 at 6 p.m. and will be a fundraiser for the elementary school field trips. In addition to the talent show, there will be a silent auction and concession stand. For more information, call the Quemado school at 773- 4645.
On Friday, March 19, the Quemado track and field teams will compete at the dome in Springerville, Ariz. Hunter Safety classes will be conducted at the school on Friday and Saturday, March 19-20. Congratulations to Dana Farr who won 1st place at the regional Science Fair. She will be going to State on April 4; to Nicole Martin and Lorenzo Mora for winning third place, and to Shyann Vance and Lorenzo Mora, Quemado's newest Honor Society members.
The Men's Fellowship Breakfast in the Cowboy Church off Hwy 32 near Quemado will be on Saturday, March 20.
Please call 773-4739 for more information.
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Get Ready For The Dutch Oven Cook-off

Mountain Mail reports

Come to cook, come see how Dutch Oven cooking is done, come to eat, listen to music, or just visit with the happy crowd at the Southwest New Mexico 8th Annual Dutch Oven Cook-Off on Saturday, Mar. 27, in Glenwood.
Organizers say each year the event “just gets bigger and better, and 2010 promises to be the most fun yet.”
The Cook-Off will be held again at the Glenwood Community Park on Cat Walk Road in Glenwood.
The Dutch Oven Cook-Off was first started in 2003 by Wendy Peralta, owner of the Glenwood Trading Post. This event is reminiscent of the old days when members of small communities would gather for shared food and “visiting.”
Both experienced and amateur Dutch Oven cooks are invited to participate. Cooking categories are single pot or three pots - Main Dish, Bread, Dessert. Cooks can enter on their own, or as a team. Entry fee is $15 for Single Pot, $ 30 for Three Pots.
Cooks set up their camp and start their fires at 7:30 am. Some entrants bring cowboy-camp setups, teepees and tents, and one entry even drives a mule-drawn chuck wagon to camp.
Dutch Oven food will be available in the park before the public tasting. Craft vendors are welcome at $25 per space.
Cooking time is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., during which time spectators always enjoy going from camp to camp, seeing “what’s cookin’,” and getting to know the cooks.
At about 2 p.m., Dutch Oven cooks bring their pots to the pavilion, where multitudes of folks show up to purchase Taster Plates ($5 for adults, $3 for children under 12), and the eating begins. Each Dutch Oven cook will put a spoonful of their dish on each plate, and there are usually about 30 to 40 different dishes on the buffet line.
Proceeds benefit the Glenwood Community Park.
Those interested in entering as a Dutch Oven Cook this year, please contact the Event organizers:
Leah Jones in Glenwood at 539-2800 or email gilaleahjones @gmail.com
Mickey Lemon in Silver City at 388-2840 or email mlemon @signalpeak.net
Linda Locklar in Silver City at 388-1503 or email lindamanyponies@hotmail.com.

Mountain Mail file photo by John Larson.
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Socorro County Looks To Pressure State For Tax Sale

By John Severance

SOCORRO – The County of Socorro has not had a tax sale in more than a decade and treasurer Genevie Baca said that 6.5 percent of all the parcels of real property are delinquent.
The County Commissioners Tuesday night passed a resolution that requested and demanded the Department of Taxation and Revenue to perform its statutory duty to collect delinquent taxes, and hold a tax foreclosure sale of Socorro County parcels within the calendar year.
“The county has not had a tax sale in 15 years,” said County attorney Adren Nance. “We don’t have the authority to hold one. It’s up to the state.”
Commissioner R.J. Griego added, “We need to put pressure on the state to hold a sale.”
In other business, the Commission appointed Betsy Francois of Socorro, Tony Jaramillo of Socorro and Maria Smith-Vega of Polvadera to the Senior Advisory Board.
County manager Delilah Walsh said the City of Socorro will make an appointment at the City Council meeting March
15.
Walsh also detailed in her manager’s report her fight for funding for the renovation of Veteran’s Park.
“We have been arguing with DFA since November that this MOU should have protected those funds ($90,000).
“However, DFA has determined that the intergovernmental agreement (with the City of Socorro) was not enough to protect the funds. I think the funds will be reverted back to the state. The County was able to protect $80,000 in other park funds.
“Since we don’t get the $90,000 back, we can use these funds to leverage our application for Scenic Byway funds. I am waiting on letters of support from the Mayor, the DAV and the Isidro Baca Park Committee so I can submit it.”
The Commission also passed a number of resolutions.
• Since the President of the United States has eliminated funding for the USDA’s Resources Conservation and Development Program for the upcoming year, the commission passed a resolution that would support the RC & D program.
• Approved the Road Department LGRF Project Proposals for the upcoming year.
• Considered the Bosquecito Road Project.
• Requested publishing of the tire import ordinance.
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‘Nature’s Forces’ Can Be Found At Macey


By John Larson

SOCORRO – One of the area’s most prolific artists has completed another year’s work.
A show of the paintings of Joel Smith, called “Nature’s Forces,” opened Tuesday, March 2 at Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus. It runs until April 5.
The new show is comprised of entirely desert landscapes.
“The desert presents many things to an artist,” Smith said. “Being alone in the desert has been, to many, a spiritual experience. Like prophets who go off for the solitude of the desert and come back spiritually awakened and enlightened.”
Smith feels that some of the desert areas of the Southwest imparts a connection to nature through light and clarity. This awareness is what Smith is able to transfer to canvas.
“When you find yourself connecting with it, you know you do exist. You are part of it,” he said.
Several of Smith’s 45 paintings at Macey Center were inspired by the sky, mountains, and rock formations around Socorro, as well as one of this favorite sites, Capital Reef National Park in Utah.
Smith prefers to work outside, as opposed to working from photographs and likes to have two or three paintings going at the same time.
“When the light or weather changes, I can go to one of the other paintings,” Smith said.
Smith has spent his life perfecting his art, both as a working artist and college-level art teacher. His paintings are exhibited in international museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate Museum in London, the contemporary Museum in Tokyo and many others. He has received a number of awards and enjoys doing one-man shows.
“This show [at Macey] should be of interest to the people of Socorro, those who love San Lorenzo Canyon and Box Canyon, and I hope to meet many of them at the reception,” he said.
The artist’s reception will be Monday, Mar. 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Macey Center, immediately before the Presidential Chamber Music concert.
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Longtime Aragon Postmaster Retires ‘after 36 Years To My Community’

By Richard Torres
For the Mountain Mail

Esther Gutierrez, the postmaster at Aragon, has retired after serving this tightly-knit Catron County community for over three decades. Her retirement was effective Tuesday, Feb. 2.

“I have given 36 years of service to my community. Now is the time to enjoy my family,” Esther said. “I will miss my customers.”
Esther’s’ father, Jose S. Vallejos, was the previous postmaster at the Aragon, serving from January, 1959 until his death in November, 1973. Following his footsteps, Esther was appointed officer in charge at that time, and was named postmaster on Feb. 2, 1974, at the age of 21.
Born and raised in Aragon, Esther graduated from Reserve High School. She and her husband Herman have been married for 36 years. They have daughters LeaAnn and Monica, and son Joaquin.
“I plan to spend a lot of my time with my little granddaughter Mia, and watching my son play sports,” Gutierrez said.
Her parents’ house is right on Main Street in Aragon.
“While my dad was postmaster, he had permission to move the post office to his house. A room of the house officially became the Post Office. My mother, Cecilia Vallejos, still lives in the house. She is 85 years old,” Esther said. “When I started working for the Post Office, the hours were minimal, just two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. At that time we had about 44 mail boxes. Today, we are open four hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. We have about 86 mail boxes.”
Behind the counter in the Aragon post office sits a unique piece of postal history - an old fashion postal acceptance window, complete with bars and slots for mail boxes.
“When I became Postmaster, I found this piece in the corner. I have been using it since,” she said.
On the outside edges of this 4 x4-foot section are old style mail boxes. These boxes could only be opened by a combination. The interior of this section had a glass enclosed mail box section. As the customer came into the Post Office, if they saw through the glass mail in their slot, they would ask for the mail. In the center of this section was a metal bar opening to pass mail and products through, and below this opening is a slot to drop mail off.
She could not recall at any time arriving late to work.
“Because of access issues to the post office, I take mail and packages and products out to my customers in their cars. Giving them this service, chatting for a minute, is what I will miss most,” Esther said.
“When we started our family many years ago, on occasions when a babysitter was not available, my girls were in a playpen behind the counter,” Esther said.
A door in the post office leads to her home.
“Once in awhile a new customer will try to exit, only to find themselves in a living room. This is something new to them,” she said.
She said other times she will hear knocking, knowing it’s a new customer trying to access the post office through the house front door.
Over the years Esther has seen kids, once picking up mail for their mom and dad, now picking up mail for their own family.

Photo by Richard Torres.
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Renaissance students at Sarracino Middle School displayed an oversized check for $1,010 that went toward helping the relief effort in Haiti in January. The money was a result of a competition between the sixth, seventh and eighth grades at Sarracino called “Pennies for Haiti.” Teachers Andrea Edmondson, Becky Chavez, and Margaret Stanley spent an hour and a half converting pennies into bills at Wal-Mart. Pictured are (from left): Back row, Julie Aster (7th), Chynna Pearson (7th), Julia Cory (8th), and Josh Doyle (8th). Kneeling: Matthew Lucero (7th), and Sean Moore (6th).

Photo by John Larson
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The Love Of Golf Drives Stanley


By Gary Jaramillo

Well, it’s as if what Margaret Stanley has done is just no big deal, a least to her.
She’s won three state titles as Socorro High Girls Golf Coach, but before those title wins were even a thought in the back of her mind, she was winning three Socorro High Girls Golf titles as a student and player on her dad’s team in the 80’s.
Her family has been THE golf family of Socorro for many years now.
She says her dad has four championships and often kids her about only having three so far. So far – are the key words here. She’s got a long way to go in her position as coach, and it’s obvious just standing there with her on the course that she loves golf, her girls and just being there.
It’s just too easy to see it in her eyes and smile. There’s no doubt there are more championships right around the corner. They’re just won there first tournament last weekend quite easily, and Margaret says she has some very talented young ladies coming up really soon. When I asked if she believes they’ll win state this year, she smiled at me and said “I’m not allowed to speak about that.”
But I’ve got a feeling that she’s got a feeling that might be the case.
That being said, it was no surprise to anyone in golfing circles when they heard that Margaret had been named Region Eight Coach of the Year for Golf.
Her competition includes men and women who coach in every city and school in the Region. To be picked among all of those talented men and women coaches is a true accomplishment and testament to constant hard work and knowledge on the course with her student players.
It’s very obvious the girls who play for Margaret love her and are willing to do whatever it takes to bring home individual and team championships at each tournament.
The 2010 National Convention where Margaret will be acknowledged will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from June 19th to June 23rd at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center.
Margaret says that she was asked to give a presentation at the event and will do her presentation on making golf fun when you’re out there playing. For those of you who don’t know Margaret, she’s a bit of a free spirit and her personality is one that immediately makes you her friend. She’s one of those bright spots in life that makes visiting with her a special occasion.
It’s hard to say when she’ll have more championships under her belt than “Doc” (her daddy), but when the time comes I’m sure they’ll celebrate together and enjoy every minute of it. How much better can something like that get? Not much.
Congratulations to you Margaret, make us proud in South Dakota as you have done here, and have some fun along the way. We’ll be following the team and covering your progress along the way.
We hope all of the Socorro Warrior Lady Golfers have a great year in the sun.
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