Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press.

40 years ago August 11-17, 1984

Olympic torch gleams. The Olympic torch, to be doused today, gleams brightly as thousands fill the Los Angeles Coliseum for the Summer Games in this photo taken by Zia coach Cheri Widmayer of Artesia. A total of 41 gold medals are to be awarded today with dozens of hopefuls, including track star Carl Lewis and diver Greg Louganis, awaiting the outcome. The U.S. entered Saturday’s competition with 143 medals- 63 of them gold.

———-Mrs. Billy Jean Woods has recently been working on the Lower Penasco River at the Runyan orchards with the apples. She has been working the past several years in the late summer.

———-A number of persons of the area re wondering what kind of hunting season is on now. A number of hunters in camouflage suits with rifles have been seen in the high mountains.

———-Water rages across road in Four Mile Draw across County Road 34 late Saturday while sightseers survey the damage. Eddy county district road Forman Monty Privetts of Artesia said today floodwater may have caused some undercutting on this portion of the road and that the full extent of the damage will not be known until “things dry out.” County road crews began repairing roads this morning “as we get to them… but some that have to be repaired we haven’t gotten to because it’s impassable. We’ll repair them as we go along.”Privetts said.

Water was running two and one-half feet deep across the road to Lakewood this morning.

———-Sinkhole appears up to

five feet in depth caused

by four days of rain and weekend flooding dot many of the roads in Artesia. These crevices on County Road 34 are marked with a clothe bag tied to a stick to warn drivers. Eddy County district road foreman Monty of Artesia said this morning the cracks are being repaired as fast as crews can reach them.

———-Reacting at the reactor.

Linebackers and downmen took their turns going through the reactor Tuesday, a tackling drill designed to prepare the athlete to take a shot. He hits one pad on the revolving wheel, then spins around to hit the other pad, as seen here. A total of 54 varsity and 32 sophomores started three a days.

———-Shawn Jeter of Stitchn- Stock 4-H Club shows off his Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine following judging at the 1984 Eddy county Fair.

Judging of livestock is continuing today for market lamb and dairy goat divisions. Steers will be judged Friday and the horse show will be conducted Saturday.

———-Artesia High School junior varsity cheerleaders from left, Kim Tasker, Stephanie Lain, Patty Crenshaw, Kambra Lewis, Cara Dudley, and D’Nan Price, took a break from practice Tuesday to clown for the camera. This week the girls have been working hard on the big A.

30 years ago August 11-17, 1994

The Lovington Express, with 16 burros and three horses, pulls up to Bullock’s Feed & Seed in the 1917 photograph. The express hauled four wagons across the plains to Lovington and back to Artesia, a trip that took two weeks. Bullock’s started out on the northwest corner of First and Main, moving to its present location in 1933.

———-High Court allows greens on ballot. Voters will see a three-way race for governor under a ruling by the state Supreme Court, and Gov.

Bruce King says that means his re-election campaign will have to work a little harder.

———— Bulldog volleyball player Jenifer Hawkins sets the ball for a teammate during a hitting drill Thursday at the high school main gym.

Preseason volleyball workouts continue as the Bulldogs prepare for a scrimmage.

———-Artesia Quarterback Club member Kelly Rollins right, Bulldog

varsity football player J.D. Champion and J.D.’s brother Ryder display a new bright orange delivery wagon and some hamburger buns to promote the clubs upcoming Hamburger Fry. Rollins donated the wagon and Ryder the teams’ water boy, will make good use of it during timeouts.

————

Second Lt. Brain K.

Haller recently earned his silver wings after graduating from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He will be stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington where he will continue his service to the U. W. Air Force with aerial refueling in a KC135. He is a 1987 graduate of Artesia High School and graduated from New Mexico State University in 1992, at which time he was commissioned into the Aire Force. Brian is the son of Tony Haller and Kilian and Illa Nettesheim, all of Artesia.

———-Robby Miller wins bull riding. Miller’s ability to ride big dangerous things recently earned him $1,600 and a $700belt buckle. His winning score of 79 was a good seven points better than the two riders who tied for second place with a score of 72.

20 years ago August 11-17, 2004

Brad Vierra of the Artesia FFA, stands with his dairy cattle showmanship belt buckle surrounded by the Eddy County Youth Supporters at the Eddy County Fair Awards. The ECYS encourage the 4-H and FFA kids that have worked hard all summer raising their animals and getting them ready for the fair.

The members volunteer their time at the fair and raise funds throughout the year to buy awards, such as belt buckle shown in the picture, and bid on animals at the Eddy County and Eastern New Mexico fairs.

———- Art program is a learning experience. A group of local youngsters spent the last week of their summer vacation learning about creativity. Young artist proudly display their completed mural are, from left young artist Anna Dornan, Brianna Delgado, Marcella Araujo, Sandra Saenz and Dulce Saenz. At right is local artist Noel Marquez.

———- Michael Phelps grabbed his head in disbelief, then thrust his left fist in the air. He’s an Olympic champion. Phelps began his quest to overtake Spitz’s 1972 record haul of seven gold medals with a dominating performance in the 400-meter individual medley, breaking his own world record and claiming the first U.S. gold medal of the Athens Games.

———- Dog days of Summer Willing to Work ———— Life’s been interesting, positive for octogenarian pharmacist.

“I’ve been a working pharmacist for 53 years,” said Ray Sierkes, 82. “When I think of all I’ve done in my life and the prospects I had as a kid, it’s been an interesting life.” Sierkes earned his pharmacist’s degree from Idaho State University in Pocatello.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking Back was compiled By Daily Press Staff)