Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Articles written by helena rodriguez


Sorted by date  Results 226 - 250 of 944

Page Up

  • Progams designed to keep youth busy

    Helena Rodriguez

    A summer library program that stresses more than reading, a recreation program that stresses more than sports, and a kids college that does more than keep kids busy. These options may answer the question of “What do we do with the kids this summer?” Come Monday, three summer programs will open their doors to Portales area youth, offering a full-range of structured activities designed to be fun and educational. The Portales Public Library kicks off its “Be Creative” summer reading program for children in preschool up to high...

  • Graduation marks end of one chapter in life, beginning of new one for PHS graduates

    Helena Rodriguez

    FNM photo: Helena Rodriguez Pablo Urioste smiles after receiving his diploma from Portales High School during commencement Friday night at Greyhound Arena. Graduating on Friday night meant the end of one chapter in life for David Lucero and 138 other newly tasseled Portales High School graduates. But it also marked the beginning of a new chapter. “The thing I will miss most about high school is being able to see all of my friends, everyone who I have known since elementary school,” Lucero said shortly after walking acr...

  • 2009 PHS grad opts for mission

    Helena Rodriguez

    Many soon-to-be Portales High School graduates will dive straight into the workforce or head to college over the next few months. Steven Howard, however, may be living in a hut in Africa, learning Swahili. Howard, a PHS track standout and ballet dancer, has signed to serve two years in a mission overseas. The mission is being organized through his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Howard would like to go to Africa. While he is still uncertain of where he will be assigned and what exact conditions he wil...

  • PHS seniors carry on Maypole tradition

    Helena Rodriguez

    Over the past eight decades, the full-hooped vintage style Maypole dresses worn by graduating senior girls at Portales High School have gradually moved from light pastel colors to brighter rainbow hues with more bling. One thing that has not changed during the span of this long-time tradition which is now marking is 81st year, though, has been the elegance and formality surrounding this memorable affair. “We love being a part of Maypole so much, being together with our class on this night,” said Alycia Leal dressed in a bri...

  • Passage of dresses becoming tradition for annual Maypole

    Helena Rodriguez

    Portales High School 2009 Valedictorian Amanda Wood did not have to look far to find the perfect gown to wear for Maypole this year. The mint green dress was worn last year by another student. According to Maypole coordinator Marilyn Stratton, this is one of at least 22 dresses that will make encore appearances at Thursday’s 81st annual PHS Maypole, an elaborate tradition that has surpassed any other of its kind. The handing down of Maypole gowns has also become a tradition that not only saves Maypole winders a few hundred b...

  • Church musician releases album

    Helena Rodriguez

    After spending more than three decades recording CDs with his family group and singing for Mass at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Andrew Sisneros has just recorded his first solo CD. The Christian CD, titled “Perdoname Senor” or “Forgive Me O Lord,” was recorded at Sisneros’ home studio, Consuelo Records. The recording company was named after his late wife, Connie Sisneros, who died Jan. 9, 2008. The CD was recently released and is available through Consuelo Records at 1212 N. Main, at Hestand Floral Gifts and in Lubbock at...

  • Area students take FFA honors

    Helena Rodriguez

    FNM correspondent: Helena Rodriguez From left, Jake Tayler, Chase Varnell and Calvin Tayler examine soil outside Dora High School. The trio took first place in the homesite evaluation contest during the recent New Mexico State FFA Career Development Event in Las Cruces. FNM correspondent: Helena Rodriguez Dora High School students have uncovered a lot of dirt at their school, and that helped them take first place in the homesite evaluation competition at the New Mexico State FFA Career Development competition. The DHS...

  • Area students take FFA honors

    Helena Rodriguez

    Dora High School students have uncovered a lot of dirt at their school, and that helped them take first place in the homesite evaluation competition at the New Mexico State FFA Career Development competition. The DHS homesite evaluation team — consisting of Jake Tayler, Chase Varnell and Calvin Tayler — were among a slate of area high school students who won honors at the statewide event held in Las Cruces on April 1-3. Students from Texico and Tucumcari also took some top honors, qualifying them to compete in the...

  • Area taxpayers filing earlier this year

    Helena Rodriguez

    CNJ staff photo: Tony Bullocks 2008 Tax forms at the Clovis-Carver Public Library Tuesday, the day before tax day. To tax-filing procrastinators, Lloyd Harrison says “haste makes waste.” These are words of warning from Harrison, a Portales tax preparer with Anchor Accounting. He advises folks to begin early today to meet the midnight deadline for filing 2008 income tax returns. Everyone must meet the deadline – even if requesting extensions – to avoid late penalties. Following annual tradition, both the Clo...

  • Area taxpayers filing earlier this year

    Helena Rodriguez

    To tax-filing procrastinators, Lloyd Harrison says “haste makes waste.” These are words of warning from Harrison, a Portales tax preparer with Anchor Accounting. He advises folks to begin early today to meet the midnight deadline for filing 2008 income tax returns. Everyone must meet the deadline — even if requesting extensions — to avoid late penalties. Following annual tradition, both the Clovis and Portales post offices will be ready to postmark income tax returns for April 15 if placed in appropriate box...

  • Library adds summer reading program for teens

    Helena Rodriguez

    The Portales Public Library is launching a new summer reading program designed to get teenagers booked while giving them a chance to win an MP3 player. Librarians hope younger children also “catch the reading bug.” “Catch the Reading Bug” is the theme for the summer program for children in pre-K to sixth grade and “Metamorphosis” is the theme for the new teen summer reading program, both of which kick off on Saturday. “The purpose of the new summer reading program for teens is to encourage them to read. It is just as impor...

  • Kids’ College offers interesting summer activities

    Helena Rodriguez

    Slots are still open in all age groups for Eastern New Mexico University’s annual summer Kids’ College, which begins on Monday and runs each weekday through July 25. Kids’ College is held daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Technology Building at ENMU for children ages 6-12 years old. “Kids’ College gives children something to do. They don’t have to spend the summer at home watching TV and parents can know their kid are safe and are having a good time in a good, quality program,” said Kasey Cash, the lead teacher of Kids’ Coll...

  • Leahy speaks at Memorial Day observance

    Helena Rodriguez

    Cannon Connections: Karl Terry Col. Timothy Leahy, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, speaks during the 62nd annual Memorial Day observance in Portales. Freedom does not come without sacrifice and those who have sacrificed their lives shall never be forgotten. Those were the words of Col. Timothy Leahy, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, as he spoke during the Memorial Day program Monday at Portales Cemetery. The Memorial Day observation, sponsored by...

  • Leahy speaks at Memorial Day observance

    Helena Rodriguez

    Cannon Connections: Karl Terry Col. Timothy Leahy, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, speaks during the 62nd annual Memorial Day observance in Portales. Freedom does not come without sacrifice and those who have sacrificed their lives shall never be forgotten. Those were the words of Col. Timothy Leahy, commander of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, as he spoke during the Memorial Day program Monday at Portales Cemetery. The Memorial Day observation, sponsored by...

  • Coby Carter not just fiddlin' around

    Helena Rodriguez

    A local fiddler is starting to make his name known and will play with some big boys this summer. Even more impressive, though, is that Coby Carter is only 12 years old. Coby recently took first-place in the 12-and-under division at the Bob Wills fiddle contest in Turkey, Texas, out-fiddling a dozen other young musicians. Coby now has a busy summer planned, which will include more fiddling competitions and camps and a spot on stage with Jody Nix and The Texas Playboys. “It’s really exciting, knowing that I’m going to be playi...

  • School district seeks new Valencia principal

    Helena Rodriguez

    A search is under way for a new elementary school principal in Portales. Valencia Elementary School Principal Todd Morris resigned from his position, effective June 30, to become principal of James Bickley Elementary School in Clovis. Portales Schools Superintendent Randy Fowler said Morris gave him a written letter of resignation on May 16. Fowler noted that several “qualified” applicants have already applied for this administrative position and the district could have the position filled as early as next week. Val...

  • School lets out today

    Helena Rodriguez

    Almost as soon as school bells ring for the final time today — signaling the official beginning of summer vacation in Portales — gates to the city swimming pool open to the public. According to Shelly McConnell, head of the city Recreation Department, general admission prices at the swimming pool will go up from $1 last year to $2 this year. Adult admission for those 18 and over will remain at $3. The swimming pool opens at 1 p.m. today. On Tuesday, Steiner Elementary School students treated their “fire buddies” f...

  • Clarks found new home at Heartland

    Helena Rodriguez

    Retirement was the last thing on Cotton Clark’s mind until the 80-year-old suffered a stroke three years ago, thus bringing to an end a 53-year career in the grocery business. These days Cotton is keeping a lower profile after spending more than two decades as a Portales city councilman and mayor pro-tem. He and his wife, Ila Jean, have been residents of Heartland Continuing Care Center since 2004. Dawn Kryder, the activities director at Heartland, said the Clarks are among the most active of residents and bring a wealth o...

  • ENMU Chinese students arrive safely at home

    Helena Rodriguez

    A Chinese exchange student from Eastern New Mexico University wrote in a e-mail she was only home 15 minutes when a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck China on May 12. In her e-mail to Jason Paulk, director of choral activities, and to Kayla Paulk a vocal coach and accompanist at Eastern, Xinrui Li — known at Eastern by her adopted American name of Sherry Li — writes, “I had just taken a shower ... just got a towel in my hand ... I felt the building was shaking a lot ... my house in 12th floor ... so t...

  • Gardels completes cancer documentary

    Helena Rodriguez

    Kevin Gardels not only served as director and producer of a documentary on cancer, he also shared his own story as cancer survivor on the video. Gardels, graduate student in communication at Eastern New Mexico University, recently completed the video documentary, “Cancer: A Survivor’s Story,” as a special project for his Master of Arts degree. The DVD was shot mostly against the backdrop of the Relay for Life at the Greyhound Arena in Portales. During Relay for Life, people help raise money for the American Cancer Socie...

  • ENMU grads get tough advice

    Helena Rodriguez

    Eastern New Mexico University graduated 355 students on Saturday, and among these new college graduates are five Elida students who make up almost half of the Elida High School Class of 2004. Also on Saturday, an honorary posthumous degree was presented to Kent and Sherri Best, parents of Heidi Best, a 2003 graduate of Elida High School who died on June 15, 2007, following a car accident. At the time of her death, Best was nearly finished working on a bachelor of science degree in agriculture at ENMU. A dozen students...

  • Amanda Rutland to reign as Maypole queen

    Helena Rodriguez

    Amanda Rutland speaks few words. She has autism. But the senior class at Portales High School — which seems to have taken Amanda under its protective wing — know her by her smile, a winning smile that has gotten her elected Maypole queen. Rutland, who is the focus of a Maypole documentary being filmed by her close friend, Phillip Harrell, will reign over the 79th annual winding of the Maypole on Monday and Tuesday nights at Portales High School. Since she was in third grade, her mom, Karen, has dreamed of Amanda...

  • ENMU to award 355 diplomas Saturday

    Helena Rodriguez

    As Eastern New Mexico University hands out 355 college diplomas during its 110th annual commencement on Saturday, the largest number of degrees will be in business administration, elementary education and master’s in education. Approximately 31 graduates will have completed bachelors degrees in business administration, followed by 26 in elementary education, 25 masters in education and 23 degrees in university studies, according to the Registrar’s Office at ENMU. Jose Mike Jimenez of Roswell is amongst the 75 students who...

  • Chinese student ready for ENMU commencement

    Helena Rodriguez

    Danni Luo is one of four Eastern New Mexico University students who will stand out as they “go green” during Eastern’s spring commencement service on Saturday at Greyhound Arena. Chinese students who have been participating in Eastern’s 1-2-1 program — an educational exchange project under World American Cultural Exchange (WACE) — will be donned in bright green caps and gowns as they are honored on stage. Approximately 355 students will receive either associate’s, bachelor or master’s degrees from Eastern nex...

  • Trader Horn’s True Value marks half century in business

    Helena Rodriguez

    Charlie and Norma Horn opened a small bargain store in Portales in 1958. Over half a century, the business has evolved from a small bargain and surplus store to a hardware store, and today, a home center. Trader Horn’s True Value Hardware — now owned by Max and June Merrick — is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The icing on the cake to their golden anniversary celebration is that the Portales store is one of 13 True Value hardware stores nationwide which have been named “Best Hardware Store in Tow...

Page Down

Rendered 12/24/2024 19:12