December 21, 1971

GIRLS JOIN the Socorro Youth Corps. The newly founded junior high group looks to see what they can do for the community. Although a new organization, the girls have worked very hard to provide Christmas dinner for a needy family in Socorro. Their sole purpose is to bring peace and love into the Socorro community. Mrs. Susan Caffree is the group’s sponsor.

RATES GOING UP as water, gas and sewage increases will be voted in by the City Council on January 3. The council present on December 20 appeared ready for this urgent matter. They unanimously expressed a feeling that a rise in rates is unavoidable in order to maintain and upgrade services. The first step will be replacing old and faulty gas meters. Agent Gilbert Baca has been authorized to start crews working in January to install new meters around the city.

SMALLPOX VACCINATION no longer required in Socorro schools. The State Board of Health and Social Services has amended its regulations on the immunization of children entering school. Immunization for measles as well as rubella will also not be required for children to be enrolled.

December 23, 1971

AAUW PREFORMS SILENT CHOIR on December 13. The 4th and 5th grade classes of Garfield School attended a performance by the “Silent Choir”. The traveling troupe comes out of Santa Fe and is a choir that brings Christmas carols to the hearing impaired. The group is composed of music enthusiasts who can neither hear nor speak. The group performs by using their hands and body movements as the song is played over loudspeakers.

INSULATE YOUR PIPES with Center Hardware. Prevent freezing with brief cold snaps. Use Wrap-On 40’ Fiber Glass Insulation. Visit Center Hardware at La Villa Shopping Center for all of your piping needs.

December 22, 1996

FREE PIE is being offered at Denny’s with a canned food donation during the holiday season. The donation is for dine-in customers only. In a statement, Denny’s said; “We believe that helping others is important. We’re collecting canned food to donate to needy families in the area. As a special offer, we will serve you a slice of Denny’s delicious pie. So come to Denny’s today because there is no better way to show how much you care.

CIVITAN CLUB hosts annual fundraiser for special projects. This year, the recipient is Kara Duke. She was given a new computer, which will help her in her college years. She was awarded the computer during a recent Civilian luncheon meeting.

December 25, 1996

SANTA VISITS EL PUENTE del Socorro, going through the door instead of the chimney. Socorro’s Board of Realtors presented a check to the tune of $1,200 to El Puente’s directors Dorothy Larkin and Maxine Thoele. El Puente is an organization that provides aide and shelter to members of the community suffering from domestic violence.

NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM is introduced at New Mexico Tech. The HP/CONVEX SPP 2000 will be arriving to the EMRTC facilities within the year. The program has the ability to simulate high-speed explosions while also carrying a high-level resistance to commercial hacking. This program will enable EMRTC to do some tests entirely by computer as opposed to in the field.. Other applications, such as in the oil industry, are also a part of this program.

ADDITIONAL DWI funding is being requested by the Socorro County Commission. During the December 10 meeting, the Socorro County DWI Council put forth a fiscal proposal for the organization. Lead by DWI Initiative president Rosemary Rutta, a court monitor has been suggested to help those defendants who “slip through the cracks” and do not complete court-mandated sentences.

December 28, 2011

NEW GAMERS open their doors in Socorro. With a giant blow-up Super Mario out front, Play<N> Trade welcomed shoppers as one of the town’s latest retail outlets. The store opens two days before Christmas and we be open seven days a week. Located along California street, the store offers new and used video games and services.

CHICHARRONES! What is more festive for the holiday season in New Mexico other than this holiday snack. The smell of pork simmering and crackling in its own fat on the sidewalk outside Joe Augustin’s Comidas de Nuevo Mexico store. The smell of fresh food wafted through the chilly winter air along California street.

Compiled by Greg Byrd