Looking back 40, 30 and 20 years ago, the following are excerpts from the Artesia Daily Press from April 10-16.
40 years ago
April 10‐16, 1976
Bulldog quarter-miler Bill Trainor surprised everyone at Friday’s Roswell Invitational Track Meet by setting a fast pace at the start and keeping it up to win. Trainor took the only win for the ‘Dogs Friday with his time of 50.29 seconds.
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Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Amstutz were somewhat perplexed about receiving an envelope from Washington, D.C., in their mail Friday, but they were even more surprised when inside they found a personally signed birthday congratulations from President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford. The brief congratulatory greeting from the president recognizes Amstutz on his 80th birthday, which he observed Saturday. Amstutz has resided in Artesia since 1929.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Mr. and Mrs. Basil Holcomb were en route to Artesia, Wednesday of last week and in stopping by the road side, high-centered the spare tire carrier on the truck. Loyd Threet came by and offered to lend a helping hand. He had a jack that he loaned the Holcombs, so they could jack the truck up and build a rock footing for the wheels, so the truck could be driven of the high center.
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The Bulldog doubles team of Steve Messmer and John Funk took another customary victory Saturday over their foes from NMMI. Messmer and Funk have now won 49 games and only lost 13 in District 4-AAA competition this year, and Artesia tennis coach John Gunderson expects another good showing by the duo in the White Sands Tourney Friday in Alamogordo.
30 years ago
April 10‐16, 1986
Artesians will soon have the opportunity to shop at a delicatessen, buy hard ice cream, fill up with gasoline, and shop for groceries all in one location, once Little Giant No. 4 is completed. Located at 26th and Main streets, co-owners Everett and Bettye Hodges plan to close the current Little Giant No. 4 across the street from that location.
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As reported in the Pinon News: When returning from services in the Baptist church Tuesday evening, Bob Brown of the Mesa Verde ranch, saw a fire in Basil Holcomb’s pasture and reported it to Basil when he got home. Basil went to check and round it was a man from Carlsbad who had come to the mountains to relax and camp out. He was really enjoying himself sitting by the camp fire. The fire was safe and there was no wind, so Basil wished him well and returned home.
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Staci Scott, 11, will represent Artesia, the state of New Mexico, and the entire Southwest Region in the girls’ 10-11 division this weekend at the Elks Hoop Shoot National Finals in Indianapolis, Ind. A two-time state champion in this national free-throw shooting contest, Staci displayed some of the awards she has received over the years for her prowess at knocking them in from the foul line. A sixth-grader at Zia Intermediate School, she is the daughter of Dean and Carol Scott of Artesia.
20 years ago
April 10‐16, 1996
Kickoff sales for state lottery tickets begin Saturday, April 27. Initially, New Mexicans will be able to purchase $1 and $2 instant lottery tickets, also referred to as scratchers because players scratch off a ticket’s latex coating to find out instantly if they win. The reason for starting with scratchers is to familiarize residents with the lottery.
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As reported in the Pinon News: Mrs. Berniece Kniepkamp took her mother and father, Ruby and Farrell Van Cleve, to Artesia Tuesday of Last week. Mrs. Van Cleve reports her grandson, Warren Kneipkamp of Artesia is cleaning out a dirt tank for Mrs. Margaret Merritt on her ranch just north of Pinon.
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Artesia Garden Club members arrived at Dutch Ferriman’s for the monthly meeting sporting umbrellas, boots, and other assorted foul weather gear. It was not only damp, wet and gray out there, but white stuff was falling. Not enough to cause traffic problems or late arrivals but enough to keep conversation rolling along like a well-maintained lawn mower. Actually, subjects for conversation at Garden Club meetings are never lacking; they pop up as naturally as crocuses in spring. After refreshments served by hostess Ferriman and her co-hostess, Carolyn Williams, vice president Nita Knauf brought the meeting to order.
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Students on a Hermosa Odyssey of the Mind team – Deonna Neel, Suzanah Weatherford, Drew Haas, Eric Duncan, Robert Flores, Abbie Simms and Colby Stageberg – placed second in the state and received medals for winning the prestigious Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Looking Back is compiled each week by Daily Press Community Living Editor Teresa Lemon.)