Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
High Plains forecast for Thursday: Sunny, 80 degrees, and a 100 percent chance of smoked meats, accompanied by macrobursts of generosity and torrential warm fuzzies.
In other words, it’s the perfect day to head to Coach J’s BBQ Shack in Portales, make a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Roosevelt and Curry Counties (HFHRCC), and take that brisket and sausage plate to the park where we can enjoy a great meal for a good cause.
It’s a documented fact that fundraiser food tastes better than any other food.
Karen Inge — the new executive director for our local Habitat chapter — is ready to bring joy to the tastebuds of eastern New Mexico’s barbecue lovers with the first fundraiser she’s hosted since taking the helm of the local non-profit.
Here’s what you need to know for Thursday:
Glenn Johnson (aka Coach J) and his staff will be packing up Styrofoam clamshell containers with their trademark smoked brisket, sausage, beans, potato salad, pickles, onions, and sauce, at Coach J’s BBQ Shack, 802 W. Second St., Portales.
(Picky eaters, please note that all plates will be identical in the name of speed and efficiency…it’s on you to deal with that unwanted pickle.)
Serving is officially from 11 a.m. until sellout, but Johnson said he expects he’ll be ready to go by 10:30 a.m. The cost is $13 per plate, but of course we’re welcome to pitch in more. This is, after all, a fundraiser.
Inge said she will gratefully accept cash, credit or debit cards, or checks made out to HFHRCC. Plates may be picked up at the drive-up or walk-up windows.
Inge may be new to Habitat, but she’s no stranger to our part of the state.
In fact, even if you don’t recognize her name, there’s a good chance you’ll know her face. A lifetime resident of Roosevelt County, she worked 14 _ years at the old Thrifty Drug in Portales and 27 _ years at Valley Furniture on the Portales Square.
She came out of retirement in January to take over leadership of HFHRCC, diving into the new position in the midst of somewhat challenging times.
“It is hard for any non-profit right now,” Inge admits. “It’s a struggle for everyone and then to decide to build a house … it’s been interesting.”
Ground was broken for that house — Habitat’s 15th in Portales — a couple of weeks ago. Thursday’s fundraiser is a benefit for that house and the “partner family” who will soon be sawing boards and pounding nails: Joel Baltazar and Rudianna Ornelas and their three sons.
You may recall the traditional Oktoberfeast fundraiser that HFHRCC has hosted here for many years. Like other events of 2020, it was canceled. One of Inge’s first orders of business was to find a replacement event.
“It doesn’t bother me to go out and say, ‘this is what I need,’” Inge said.
When she called Johnson to ask if he’d be interested in partnering on the event, not only did he say yes, but Inge said he insisted on donating the services of the Coach J’s staff to do all of the food preparation, packaging, and serving.
“He is such a wonderful man,” Inge said. “He keeps saying, ‘I am here to serve.’”
Johnson is also using the event as a learning opportunity for a group of Portales High School culinary arts students, he told me. They’ll be on-hand getting a primer in the 12-hour smoking process tonight and Thursday from the pit master himself.
If Thursday’s line is long — as expected — no worries. Don Thomas and Franklin Smith, as well as the Kenny Allen Band, will be on hand to distract us with live music, Johnson said.
In addition, we will be idling past a quilt that is being raffled as part of the fundraiser. Homeowner-to-be Rudianna Ornelas will be stationed nearby to sell chances.
How late is “sellout?”
Johnson said on a regular day it usually varies from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., but his advice (and mine) is don’t dawdle, or you might miss out.
Pass the sauce, please. And maybe an extra napkin.
Betty Williamson won’t need to be called twice for this meal. Reach her at:
