September 14, 1971

Thousands of dollars went up in smoke early Monday morning at the Texaco Bulk Plant, but valiant firemen of the Socorro Hose Company prevented the fire from spreading to the 30,00 gallons of gasoline in two storage tanks within feet of the raging fire. Sitting on top of the tanks to shoot water on the building, firemen were under considerable risk. If the tanks had overheated and exploded the whole Southwest Central area would have been destroyed. There are also six bulk plants in the vicinity.

The fire was the third one reported as earlier a blaze broke out at the Club 85 which was reported almost immediately and put out by an employee.

Hot Prices at Safeway at 101 Park Street in Socorro: Fresh Ground Beef – 58 cents per pound; Country Style Ribs, lean and meaty – 78 cents per pound; Grade A Fryers – 38 cents per pound; Long Green Chili, new crop – 10 cents per pound.

Playing at the Loma Theatre “Doctor’s Wives” and “King of Grizzlies”. A special attraction was “Olympic Elk”.

September 16, 1971

Fiesta Queen Miss Evelyn Chavez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heraclio Montoya of San Antonio, was crowned 1971 Fiesta Queen Saturday evening at the K.C. Hall. The crowning took place at the Fiesta Ball at 11 p.m. which was one of the highlights of the San Miguel Catholic Church Fiesta. Fiesta Prince winner was young Paul Sadosuk, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Sadosuk, was named 1971 Fiesta Prince for the San Miguel Fiesta.

The Socorro School Board received strong objections to certain environmental factors in three of the schools from the State Environmental Improvement Agency. A letter from the agency was read at the Board’s monthly meeting Tuesday evening, September 7. The high school building and Midway were particularly the targets for needed improvements.

Hot Prices at the Supermart Stop and Shop in the La Villa shopping center: Coffee – 1 pound can 79 cents; Sliced Bacon – 65 cents per pound; Shortening – 3 pound can 79 cents

Official Grand Opening of Valley Frozen Foods was announced. Operated by Ed and Ruth Curry. On opening day there was a drawing for free cakes.

Jubilantly surprised was Mrs. Ada Ferguson whom judges selected “Mrs. America, Socorro County” at the Oldtimers Tea Saturday morning in the Socorro Public Library.

Socorro High School football schedule was announced. Games were played at Clarke Field. The first game was on September 17 at home against Academy. Kickoff was at 8 p.m. General admission was $1.50. Season tickets were $5.00.

September 15, 1996

The Alamo Navajo School Board Inc. has been awarded a grant of $7,525 from the Department of Commerce to improve the facilities in New Mexico. The grant was through the National Telecommunications Facilities Program.

Lucky Lambs. Carl Garcia, of Datil, wins the Catron County grand champion lamb at the State Fair. Julia Maestas of San Antonio also won second and fifth place ribbons.

The Comedy “Your Murder of Murders” began final rehearsals before taking to the stage on September 21. Audience participation was part of the show. Tickets were $35 with all proceeds going towards the purchase of a special computer and printer for Kara Duke, a Socorro High School student.

The Sports Page located at 105 Francisco De Avondo is hosting music and dancing. Sunday is 50’s, 60’s and 70’s Oldies from 8-12 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday is Karaoke and country dance lessons with Barbara from 6 to 7:30 pm with lessons costing $2. Saturday, September 14 is a performance by Second Hand Rose.

The Energetic, upbeat Russian quartet “Limpopo” is coming to the Macey center on September 20. Their show is a blend of rich, energetic folk music, rageous dancing, and magnificent costuming, all adding up to an evening of Russian entertainment extraordinaire. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $6 for seniors, and $4 for youth 17 and under. The concert is part of the New Mexico Tech Student Association.

September 18, 1996

County Voters will have seven polling places established for a special election on Tuesday, September 24. Voters living outside incorporated areas of Socorro County will decide whether to allow beer and wine in business in those areas. Residents from the City of Socorro and Magdalena are excluded from the ballot. The ballot question reads “Shall the County adopt the local option provisions of the Liquor Control Act for restaurant beer and wine licenses.” Polling places will be located at Monette Ford in Escondida, San Antonio Elementary, Abeyta Fire Station, Midway School, Magdalena Fire Station, Alamo Chapter House and Socorro County Clerk’s Office

The Public Library was awarded a construction grant as voted on by the city counselors on Monday. Blackstone Construction will make $610,878, minus tax, in improvements with a three-story addition. The entire project including architect payment and other contingencies will total $695,210. When it opens next year, the Socorro Public Library will include a children’s room, a handicapped-accessible restroom, kitchen, library director’s office and circulation desk.

Gov. Gary Johnson had little to do except rest briefly, eat a sack lunch and sign autographs during a stop in Socorro Monday. Like a good host, the City of Socorro, with help from civic organizations, spruced things up before his scheduled arrival. A tanned Johnson, accompanied by 15 cyclists and a media entourage including a television crew with CBS, rode into the City Plaza as part of the New Mexico Trek for Trash.

Hot Prices Sichler Farms Produce: Green Chile – $13.50 raw/$17.00 roasted; Vine Ripe Tomatoes – 60 cents per pound, 30 cents for 25 pounds or more; Sweet Corn – 3/$1.00; Ristras – $3.99/ft.; Fresh Red Chili – $14.00/sack.

It Was Payback Time as Socorro traveled W.D. Horton Stadium in Ruidoso, a place they had lost the previous season. The Warriors came out with a 21-15 win. The team rushed for 116 yards, 79 of which came from Rogahn. Quarterback Damien Ocampo threw for 180 yards on 7-15 passing with one touchdown. They will next face the Espanola Sun Devils whom they shut out last season 35-0.

September 14, 2011

San Antonio baker Janet Anderson took home the blue ribbon in the Fruit Pie division at the 31 annual Pie Festival held in Pie Town, NM. The pie was a tantalizing trio of pear, cranberry, and fresh ginger inside a golden crust adorned with a lacey filigree of pastry swirls that won Anderson first place. This was a recipe she learned from a restaurant in Dallas, TX. The Grand Champion was a pecan pie made by Glen Cox from Ramah, NM.

Two Puppies were saved this past week by Rick Barkley. Barkley found the two brothers in an irrigation ditch on September 8 and he took them to emergency care. Although both brothers are doing well, the smaller of the two still needs a home. He has been wormed and given his puppy shots.

A Late Game Goal lifts the Lady Warriors to victory in a high octane match against Santa Fe Prep to win 1-0. In the final minutes forward Dezirae Armijo lured Santa Fe Prep’s Emily Hickmont into fouling her inside the box. Armijo nailed the penalty kick, improving the Lady Warriors record to 8-2. The team’s next scheduled game on Monday against Bernalillo has been canceled and will be played on October 7.

In September Socorro native Catherine Stewart-Roache and her husband Patrick Rouche, both 72, will tour Europe’s scenic Rhine Valley, a trek well over 500 miles. Bicycling is an activity the couple has been doing for several years. Earlier this summer the two biked over 500 miles to Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois to attend Catherine’s 50th college reunion.

The Socorro Lions Club is hosting a Craft and Gun Show Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, September 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Garcia Opera House. Tickets are $5. Children under 12 are free with parent. Dealers Tables are $35.

September 17, 2011

Twenty-Six Runners hit the pavement Wednesday for the annual Red Ribbon Run to help bring awareness to being drug-free. The runners started north of the Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation and made their way to Socorro. Socorro County Chief Deputy Shorty Vaiza has made the run for 19 of the past 20 years it has been conducted.

La Catrina Quartet will have a string quartet performing at Macey Center. Latin American composers Ginastera and Revueltas will perform Monday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. It will be the first performance of the 2011-12 Presidential Chamber Music Series. The quartet is currently in residence at New Mexico State University.

Officer Daniel Chavez was named District 11 New Mexico State Police Officer of the Year. Chavez is a veteran two years removed from the Academy before joining the force in Socorro. Chavez is a father of two and was surprised to receive the award so early on in his career. Chavez currently lives in Los Lunas, NM, making the commute easy.

Socorro High School goalkeeper Nathan Fenby has won his appeal with the NMAA athletic commission and will be eligible to play this season. Fenby was accompanied by his soon-to-be stepfather Alex Matcham and Athletic Director Damien Ocampo. The issue was that because Matcham and Fenby’s mother, Deborah, were not yet married and she still lives in Virginia as a teacher, violating the strict NMAA residency eligibility rules. In the end, the situation was resolved with Ocampo saying “It’s solved and that’s all that matters.

State Police Mechanic Clint Ramsey has been with the Socorro district of the New Mexico State Police office for the past three years. He was awarded a Challenge Coin from the New Mexico State Police. Though he usually works out of Albuquerque, Ramsey travels to Socorro every Wednesday to work on our vehicles. Ramsay said that he was honored by the Challenge Coin award, but that his real reward is working with the officers.

Greg Byrd