You might be amazed by what you've been missing

I started helping assemble the events calendar for the Eastern New Mexico News this month and it has made me keenly aware of two things.

First, it’s crazy how many things there are to do on any given day here on the High Plains.

Second, I now never know what day it is. Between cobbling together the calendar a few days ahead of time for each issue of the News, and then promoting events that are up to two weeks down the road, I find myself perpetually confused.

But it’s a good kind of confusion, filled with endless material to share with the people who say there is nothing to do here.

Today, for example, there is an area-wide infusion of sugar, sugar, and more sugar in numerous Halloween bashes and fall festivals throughout Portales and Clovis.

An enterprising 6-year-old with access to a chauffeur should be able to gather enough sweets for a month-long coma, starting with community-wide trick-or-treat events around the square in Portales from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and at the North Plains Mall, 2809 N. Prince St., in Clovis from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Third and Kilgore Church of Christ, 1701 E. Third St., in Portales welcomes costumed munchkins from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today, and Emmanuel Baptist Church, 524 N. Globe, Portales, is hosting a “safe family fun” event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

In Clovis, at least two churches are reaching out to sugar-seekers. Parkland Baptist, 921 Parkland Drive, is holding a fall festival from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Faith Christian Family Church, 3401 N. Norris St., is hosting a slew of block parties all over Clovis from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can get a map by visiting the church website at: http://www.fcfonline.com

If you want to make yourself feel a little better about sugaring up your kiddos, gather some canned food or other non-perishable food items and take them with you to Times Remembered Photography, 222 W. Second St., Portales between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

The photography studio is collecting donations for the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico. In exchange for two donated food items, your little ghosts and goblins can pose for a professional photo and receive two free 4x6 prints to remember the evening.

Pace yourself on raiding the candy stash when you get home tonight, because the best meal of the year happens Thursday as First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Ave. C, Portales, celebrates turkey day.

Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and supper will be served from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Still have a hankering for sweets? Satisfy it with a slice of one of the 300 pumpkin pies that will be served — or visit the bazaar and grab a bag of Vern Witten’s legendary peanut brittle. Be quick. It never lasts long.

Tickets for this event — being held for its 65th consecutive year — are available at the door. Adults eat for $9, and children under 10 can get a plate for $5.

And then be sure to read (and contribute to) the ongoing events calendar each Wednesday and Sunday in the News. You may be amazed at what you’ve been missing.

Betty Williamson has a special fondness for fall in eastern New Mexico. Reach her at: [email protected]