Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press from Sept. 18-24.
40 years ago
Sept. 18‐24, 1976
As one Bulldog fan aptly put it, “We were playing against a team of 13 players, two of them wearing striped shirts.” While that description of the Bulldogs’ 28-21 rout of the Seminole Indians Friday night may be a bit exaggerated, it somehow strikes home. Armed with their yellow flags and shrill whistles, a pair of whistle-happy West Texas officials stole the show Friday night in Seminole, stepping off a grand total of 181 yards against Artesia, setting up two Seminole touchdowns, and foiling a couple of would-be Bulldog scores. Seminole was penalized nine times for 95 yards. “I understand they were trying to make a game of it, the penalties were there and I guess we committed them,” a relieved Bulldog head coach Mike Phipps remarked after the game. “But I just don’t believe it could have been that one-sided. That’s just a little bit ridiculous.”
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A total of 40 Artesia boys, ages 8-13, were competing at Morris Field Saturday during the local Punt, Pass and Kick contest, sponsored by Artesia Ford Sales. The first-place winners were Monte Jim Carlo, Rodney Smith, Shawn Smith, Dera Clark, Keef Kimble and Israel Carrera. Second place went to Neal Flaming, David Ruckman, Bill Brown, Kevin Graham, John Boyce and Gary Nelson. Third place went to Stephen Carrera, Robert Ballew, Darin Cook, Greg Creswell, Joel Bach and Toddy Guy.
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Bulldog coaches had a tough time choosing the best offensive player in last week’s game against the Seminole Indians, so they singled out three, but the player they picked as making the difference in the ballgame was Corey Tolle, who caught three touchdown passes and intercepted one pass to halt a late Seminole scoring drive. Offensive winners were Jerry Brown, James Baker and Steve Gray. Mark Williams received the Mad Dog award for a good job in the kicking game, and middle linebacker Jimmy Hamilton was named outstanding defensive player of the week.
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The Artesia Country Club Ladies’ Golf Championship ended Wednesday with Myrtle Westall of Loco Hills emerging as the 1976 champ after she fired a 36-hole total of 205 to edge Clemmy Marshall, who fell into second place with a 211.
30 years ago
Sept. 18‐24, 1986
Artesia resident Lola Salsberry has been named one of five Outstanding New Mexico Senior Volunteers for working virtually full-time for free at the Eddy County Community Action Artesia Senior Citizens Nutritional Program. Salsberry, who helps prepare and serve food for the nutritional programs, says she loves her job.
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Artesia FFA member Winnie Joy is the first in the history of Eddy County to win the Grand Champion Steer at the New Mexico State Fair. Her steer “Fuzzy” competed against 300 steers at the fair, FFA sponsor Mark Runyan said. The 1,181-pound steer made the 17-year-old girl $15,353 richer Friday at the New Mexico State Fair’s Junior Livestock Sale.
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Ever watched a good wishbone team try to throw the football? It’s funny. Ever watch a good wishbone team try to run the football? It’s frightening. The Kermit Yellow Jackets did both Friday night, using their running game to squeeze a late touchdown through Artesia’s defense en route to an 8-7 victory over the Artesia Bulldogs at Bulldog Bowl.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Two brothers, John and Harold Bryant of Carlsbad, now have the Sacramento Park Station. Harold is a mechanic and plans to repair cars for those that desire this help. Also they plan to have a larger building so they can have a larger variety of groceries.
20 years ago
Sept. 18‐24, 1996
Somewhere along the line, Goddard got very, very good. The Rockets probably even convinced a doubter or two among the Artesia faithful by outlasting the Bulldogs 38-33 Friday at the Wool Bowl. Both teams are 3-1 on the season, but the way Goddard went about it impressed Bulldog Coach Cooper Henderson. “Goddard’s a good team,” said Henderson. “They are much quicker and I think their quarterback and defense are quicker than Roswell High’s. And they were very aggressive the whole game.”
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Representatives of the Artesia Fire and Police Departments accepted a donation of teddy bears from State Farm Insurance agent Don Moore. Moore donated 30 bears to the police department and 24 bears to the fire department. The bears are given to children who are involved in accidents, fires or other emergency situations. “That sure calms a child real quick,” said Police Chief Ernest Chavez.
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Winners of the Russell Floore Memorial Art Show were announced recently at the Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center. First place went to “High Country Meadow,” an oil painting by Howard Brown of Carlsbad. “Betty’s Flower Pots,” an oil by Betty Zumwalt, received second place. “Mi Casa,” an oil by Kay Peterson, earned third place.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Mrs. Odessa Gurley and her daughter, Wanda, of Boles Acres, came to their cabin in the mountains Saturday and spent the night. They came early Monday morning to Weed and visited with Mrs. Deppie. They had coffee and cookies and had such a nice visit with Mrs. Deppie while there. The Gurleys have lived all over these mountains, so many know them well and she knows most of the people well.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking Back is compiled each week by Daily Press Community Living Editor Teresa Lemon.)
