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Energy takes center stage as New Mexico Gov. race widens

Michael Smith
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Energy takes center stage as New Mexico Gov. race widens

Adrian Hedden
Artesia Daily Press

A former state energy official announced his intention to enter a crowded field of Republicans seeking their party’s nomination in New Mexico’s 2026 gubernatorial election.

James Ellison, who served as a commissioner on the Public Regulation Commission in 2023 and 2024 said Tuesday he intended to run for governor, hoping GOP voters will select him as the nominee in the June primary.

The commission regulates New Mexico utility services, enacting and enforcing policy for sectors such as electricity, telecommunications and the motor carrier industry, according to the commission’s website.

If successful, Ellison would take on the Democratic Party’s nominee as both parties look to replace term-limited Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

A new governor will be chosen in the Nov. 3 general election.

Joining Ellison in seeking the GOP nomination, according to the New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State, are former state senator Steve Lanier; Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory Hull; Duke Rodriguez, chief executive officer of cannabis company Ultra Health; and Farmington resident Brian Cillessen.

On the Democrats’ side of the primary, former Interior Secretary and Congresswoman Deb Haaland is running for governor along with Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

Candidates for statewide offices have until Feb. 3 to officially declare their candidacy and submit the required signatures on their nominating petition. Candidates for governor must have enough signatures to equal 2% of their party’s total vote in the last gubernatorial election.

Haaland had raised the most money of any candidate, Republican or Democrat, with $6.9 million in contributions and about $4.1 million in expenditures as of the latest deadline – Oct. 14 – for filing campaign finance reports, according to the Office of the Secretary of State.

Bregman was second with $3.2 million raised and $1.6 million spent, read the report, followed by Hull with $337,295 raised and $129,05 spent, and Miyagishima with $323,696 in contributions and $58,284 spent.

Ellison and Cillessen had yet to report any fundraising or expenditures as of Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Democrats’ edge in fundraising was in line with the party’s control of New Mexico’s government, as it held legislative majorities both in the House and Senate.

In the 2024 presidential election 52% of New Mexicans voted for the Democratic candidate, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Republican Donald Trump trailed Harris with 46% of the vote in New Mexico but won his second term as president with a 312-226 majority in the Electoral College. He also outpolled Harris in the nationwide popular vote.

Ellison pointed to economic woes he said were plaguing New Mexico, which he said could lead to more voters going against the state’s Democrat leadership.

Specifically, he criticized the state government’s efforts to increase restrictions on fossil fuel production and prop up renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, despite being the nation’s second-biggest oil producer.

“Over the next ten years, electric rates will double or triple if our state continues down this path of becoming another California,” Ellison said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “At a time when affordability is on the ballot, the reality is that Democrat-led energy policies are making life less affordable for New Mexicans.”

Ellison also pointed to higher electrical costs he said were linked to the state’s construction of transmission lines that “export our wind power to Mexico with no benefit to New Mexico.”

Improving educational outcomes for the state’s children and attracting new businesses are also crucial to the state’s success, Ellison said.

“We need a leader with vision to reverse course before it is too late, and to help our state reach its potential,” he said.

Democratic front-runner Haaland, who announced her candidacy in February 2025, recently held an energy- and climate-oriented town hall meeting in Albuquerque where she said she planned to recruit more renewable energy projects to the state and curb air pollution emissions from fossil fuel production.

During the Dec. 4 event, Haaland pointed to catastrophic fires that struck Ruidoso in June 2024, followed by destructive flooding last spring, calling for policies that could prevent such “extreme” weather events.

“As Governor, I’ll work toward bold, decisive, and strategic policies that will address each community’s unique needs, protect New Mexicans from extreme heat, update our infrastructure, promote healthy communities, and lower energy costs in the face of the new climate reality,” Haaland said in a statement following the town hall.

Managing Editor Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.

Jesus was baptized

Michael Smith
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Jesus was baptized

David Grousnick

Down South they tell about one old Baptist minister who preached every Sunday on baptism by immersion. His folks agreed with his doctrine, but they were tired of hearing the same subject dealt with every week.

The deacons undertook to solve the problem through diplomatic means. They complimented him on his pulpit skills and suggested to him that he was such a natural preacher that they wanted to try an experiment. They wanted to hand him a piece of paper with a scripture lesson on it just before he stepped into the pulpit.

“We believe that you’re so good,” they said, “that you can preach a great sermon with no preparation at all” just that slip of paper.”

The preacher couldn’t resist an approach like that?

So, the deacons got busy searching the Scriptures for a text which was totally unrelated to baptism by immersion. They selected the opening verse of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” There was absolutely nothing in that text that had anything to do with baptism.

When they handed the text to him, the old preacher read it aloud three times. Finally, he turned to the congregation and said, “If I remember geography right, the earth is one-fourth land and three-fourths water. Water brings me to my subject for the day: Baptism by immersion.”

Broad hints don’t work with some people, do they?

Have you ever been involved in planning a wedding? Have you ever noticed that there are so many details involved in planning a wedding that brides and grooms tend to get really stressed out in the weeks leading up to the big event?

Bride-to-be Cassandra Warren was so hurried to get things done that she accidentally sent a wedding invitation to an incorrect address. The wedding was to have a Star Wars theme, and she was excited about it, but this one invitation went astray.

A week later, the invitation came back in return mail. The mistaken invitee had included a $50 bill in the envelope and had scribbled this message on the outside: “I wish I knew you – this is going to be a blast. Congratulations – go have dinner on me. I’ve been married for 40 years – it gets better with age.”

Warren sent back a gracious thank-you note, saying, “I am thankful for people like you still being in the world.”

In Matthew 3:13-17, John the Baptist is giving an invitation to the people of Jerusalem and Judea to repent, confess their sins and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven is at hand. He directed his most demanding preaching toward the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious elites.

He’s saying to them, “Don’t think you’re too good for this! You’d better get over here now and get baptized and begin living a life that shows you’ve repented and turned back to God!”

That’s not exactly what he said, but that was the gist of his message.

So, it’s strange that John suddenly puts the brakes on when Jesus comes to him to get baptized. Ever wonder why?

Some years ago, a Scottish minister told his congregation about dreaming he had died. When he came to the pearly gates, to his dismay, he would be denied entrance until he presented his credentials.

Proudly the Pastor articulated the number of sermons preached and the prominent pulpits occupied. But Saint Peter said no one had heard them in heaven.

The discouraged servant enumerated his community involvement. He was told they were not recorded. Sorrowfully, the pastor turned to leave, when Peter said, “Stay a moment, and tell me, are you the man who fed the sparrows?”

“Yes,” the Scotsman replied, “but what does that have to do with it?”

“Come in,” said Saint Peter, “the Master of the sparrows wants to thank you.”

Here is the pertinent, though often overlooked, point: great and prominent positions indicate skill and capacity, but small services suggest the depth of one’s consecration.

And so, it is with Jesus’ Baptism. He submits to John’s baptism of repentance even though he himself was perfect and had no need to repent. Jesus identified with our sins by being baptized. He joined in the popular movement of his day. It was a grass roots movement started by a desert monk named John the Baptist.

John was calling for the repentance of Israel. Jesus chose to be baptized because he wanted to participate with the people in their desires to be close to God.

We invite you to come and worship with us at Frist Christian Church. We will meet at 10:30 at 11th and Bullock and we are ready to warmly welcome you!

Jowers named 4A Coach of the Year

Michael Smith
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Jowers named 4A Coach of the Year

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomdia.com

The boys soccer season ended with a loss for the Artesia Bulldogs in the Class 4A state semifinals, but Bulldog coach Phillip Jowers has something to celebrate, as the United Soccer Coaches association named him 4A small school coach of the year.

Jowers, in his 11th year as head coach, had a banner year. The Bulldogs went 18-4, had a 13-game winning streak and an undefeated district season and hosted a quarterfinal home game against Los Alamos, which ended in a 2-1 overtime victory at Robert Chase Field. The Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history before losing to the state champs, St. Pius X.

“It is the first time I have ever won this award, and I am pretty excited about it,” Jowers said. “I found out about it when we were on our cruise. It is through the United Soccer Coaches association, and (Region VIII – National Chair) Larry Waters … let me know.”

Jowers said he has had time to reflect on the Bulldogs’ historic season, and there are some things that he wishes he could have done differently — not much, but a few things here and there. One challenge Jowers will face is not being able to see some players he has coached for five years, Moises Corza, Cutter Summers and Adan Rojas. Jowers said he was used to seeing them around, but now it will be different.

Though Jowers will miss the players, he has grown accustomed to coaching and recognizes that the next step for the soccer program is reaching the state championship game.

“I think that getting as far as we did and doing what we did, the program as a whole benefits, I believe,” Jowers said. “The younger boys thought it was possible, though it was intangible and unknown. Now that it has been done, the window is open for everybody to buy in and believe it can be done. I think they did before, but once it was done, it made it a lot easier.”

Jowers said he believes the Bulldogs soccer program is now a perennial contender for the state title. He said he thinks the 2026 team should reload and not be in rebuilding mode for the upcoming season.

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

Artesia coaches share new year’s resolutions

Michael Smith
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Artesia coaches share new year’s resolutions

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

People make resolutions every new year. But in the end, how often do they follow through? Let’s look at what Artesia’s superintendent and coaches are saying about their goals for 2026.

Artesia Superintendent Darian Jaramillo said she does not make any specific resolutions.

“I try to keep improving myself,” Jaramillo said. “I try to be positive and hope for the best.”

Artesia athletic director and football coach Jeremy Maupin said he has never made a resolution.

Artesia basketball coach Michael Mondragon said he is not big on resolutions either.

“I am a big-faith guy,” Mondragon said. “This is an opportunity for us in the new year to really value family. I am a big family guy, and I make sure I spend time with my kids and my wife. If you do this long enough, it will pull from you. God is first, then family and then the job.”

Mondragon explained that the administration and community support him and that he is grateful to teach and coach at Artesia because he is from here. He knows he has an opportunity to invest in his players and change their lives.

“We are blessed,” Mondragon said. “I say make sure in the new year you remember those blessings. Thank God that he put us in this position and make sure we are paying it forward.”

Artesia girls basketball coach Candace Pollard said her new year’s resolution is consistency. She said she wants to be consistent in coaching and in her overall life.

Artesia girls soccer coach Tim Trentham said that he believes in wanting to self-improve.

“My goals this year is to improve my health by eating better and getting more exercise, and stressing less.”

Artesia boys soccer coach Phillip Jowers said he made his last resolution 10 years ago: to stop drinking soda. Since he has stopped drinking soda, it is now a lifestyle choice.

“In the back of my head, I have things I want to accomplish,” Jowers said. “I would like to work out more. That is the only one I would like to do. Another one is that I would like to learn Spanish, but it is not as easy as it seems.”

Artesia assistant basketball coach Casey Crandall said he sets resolutions every month: fasting, reading the Bible, helping others and setting self-improvement goals.

Artesia cheer coach Sabrina Roybal said she wants to focus on her personal growth as a mom and coach. “I want to bring more joy to my life and focus on what makes me happy instead of what I dislike.”

Artesia assistant football coach Elvis Acosta said his goal is to be more consistent in his life and career. “I don’t want to be complacent in anything.”

“If you can do it in January, you should be doing it all the time,” Artesia volleyball coach Alan Williams said. “Consistency and discipline are the keys.”

Artesia bowling coach Ken Clayton said that he does not think about making resolutions but strives to make each day better for everyone around him.

Artesia assistant volleyball coach Mandi Lewallen said her goals are to finish a 52-week Bible study and to complete 12 new books, or one book a month.

Artesia track coach Adrian Olivas said his goal is to focus on his well-being and prioritize his physical and mental health.

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

Opinion: Escaping a world on fire through books

Michael Smith
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Opinion: Escaping a world on fire through books

Trip Jennings

There I was on holiday break ignoring the news and immersed in books after a year that was so loud and distracting that I couldn’t focus enough to read as much as I wanted.

I can’t remember a more relaxing break: Cocooned with books, withdrawing into myself, leaving behind a world on fire.

There was a time in my 20s and 30s when I gobbled up books like they were candy, spending as many evenings as possible inhaling as much information as I could to make sense of the world I was starting to understand while also losing myself in the imaginary worlds spun into existence by great novelists.

What I mostly remember from those years is the feeling I got from reading: the slowing of time, the laying aside of the cares of the day, the engaging with my imagination.

Books are my sweet spot. According to the Myers-Briggs test, I am on the line between introvert and extrovert. Reading means I can have the quiet and isolation of jumping into the imaginary world of a book while not living like a hermit.

It has been years since I’ve recaptured that feeling, but this holiday break came as close as any in memory. It helped that I had tackled books by three recent Nobel winners: Septology by Norwegian Jon Fosse; Drive your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by the Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk; and We Do Not Part by South Korean Han Kang. I highly recommend all three.

When I was younger, I was a much more ambitious reader, devouring not only the classics but hard-to-read texts that required multiple readings of sentences and paragraphs to understand what the author was conveying. What I felt over the holiday break was the afterglow of recovering my youthful ardor for “difficult” books.

And yet, now thinking back on it, what perhaps I treasured more than that was the quiet. Reading is a haven from the busyness of the world.

This became evident over the weekend when the world intruded on my literary reverie with the news that the U.S. had invaded Venezuela to capture Nicolas Maduro. I couldn’t ignore that story.

For an instant, it felt serendipitous that two novels I had read over the holidays — Distant Star and By Night in Chile — were by the late Chilean author, Roberto Bolaño.

The context for both is the 1970s U.S.-backed coup that overthrew the democratically elected president of Chile, Salvador Allende (author Isabel Allende’s cousin) and the imposition of a fascist government led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet. Distant Star is the story of one Chilean’s quest to track down a killer who pretended to be a poet to insinuate himself into a collective of young writers to spy on them. By Night in Chile is about a Catholic priest who is complicit in the Pinochet government’s targeting fellow Chileans.

Because of these two books, I was already focused on South America when this weekend’s news hit.

My thoughts then turned to my mom and my wife, who jumpstarted my interest in Latin America. My mom suggested in the late 1980s that I read Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Love in the Time of Cholera, the first novel by a South American author I ever read. Around the same time, she visited El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras as part of a seminary course and asked me if I wanted to read the books on Latin American history she was assigned.

I said yes and thank you.

In the 1990s, my wife introduced me to Garcia Marquez’s masterwork, One Hundred Years of Solitude, as well as many other South American and Latin American authors, including Mario Vargas Llosa, Isabel Allende and Carlos Fuentes.

This marked the beginning of my reading up on Latin America and South America, including the U.S.’s fraught relationship with its southern neighbors.

In the intervening decades, I’ve read many more novels, histories, and memoirs about the region. My long-standing interest gives me a foundation with which to consider the actions of the Trump administration, although I’m still making sense of it.

As I reflect on the freedom to slake my curiosity about the world, I am thankful to live in a western liberal democracy where it is encouraged to pursue knowledge through books, film, art, poetry and music without persecution or pressure from the powers that be.

May it always be.

Honestly, however, I wouldn’t mind if the world weren’t so chaotic. I miss the quiet of the pre-internet days when I could read for hours. In fact, this holiday break gave me an idea: in 2026, I’m going to try to spend more time reading books than on social media.

We’ll see how it goes. I have high hopes.

Since 2005, Trip has covered politics and state government for the Albuquerque Journal, The New Mexico Independent and the Santa Fe New Mexican. In 2012, he co-founded New Mexico In Depth, a nonpartisan, nonprofit media outlet that produces investigative, data-rich stories with an eye on solutions that can be a catalyst for change.

New year, new attitude for Lady ’Dogs basketball

Michael Smith
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New year, new attitude for Lady ’Dogs basketball

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

During Artesia’s game against Taos on Saturday, Brooklyn Fuentes made a mistake and threw the ball out of bounds right in front of Lady ’Dogs basketball coach Candace Pollard. Pollard looked at Fuentes and said, “Relax,” loud enough for fans at the Bulldog Pit to hear it. Artesia’s players on the bench looked at each other and smiled, going on to defeat the Taos Tigers 55-25.

The players were shocked because they know Pollard is an intense competitor; people believe she could fry an egg outside at the North Pole in January.

“This is a new year, a new me,” Pollard said. “I thought the girls did a good job and showed up with some fresh legs. Our kids played hard for four full quarters. We had a dry spell in the second quarter without a score, and in the past, we would let that dictate how we played.”

Pollard said it is always tricky because she gave the team a week off. After the Christmas break, she did not know what to expect from them. Artesia (6-5) has been battling the injury bug, losing Kailee Padilla for the season with an injury and just getting Jenna Whitmire back from a severe ankle sprain.

“Jenna had been out a month,” Pollard said. “She brings the fire that we need, and I think the girls feed off of that. I thought that was huge for us having her come back.”

The Lady ’Dogs fed the ball inside to Gracen Kuykendall, who scored 17 points and was a force on the offensive end of the floor. The team also received scoring and hustle from Zaleigh Greer and ball handling from Jordan Rone and Jade Hammond. Avery Frederick, Whitmire and Ashton Craft hit the offensive glass and rebounded well. Forward Peyton Barela continues to improve around the basket and allowed her teammates to get second shots over the shorter Tiger team.

Artesia will host Carlsbad at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Bulldog Pit. The Lady ’Dogs defeated Carlsbad 45-35 when the teams met on Dec. 19.

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

Opinion: Ever again

Adrian Hedden
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Opinion: Ever again

Cal Thomas

How many more Jews must die before the world wakes up and does something about it? Maybe that’s the problem: the world doesn’t want to wake up as too many people are fine with hating Jews.

The murder of at least 15 Jewish Hanukkah celebrants and the wounding of many more in Australia last week could have been prevented if the government had established a security presence at Bondi Beach. Instead, it was reported that police officers stood by during the shooting rampage conducted by a Muslim father and son, who were reportedly inspired by the Islamic State. For two years, Sydney has been shut down every weekend by pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrators. Did no one anticipate consequences from those who embraced and openly spouted extremist ideology?

After the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, there have been fire-bombings, arson, graffiti and hate speech directed at Jews, their organizations and buildings in Australia. The director-general of Australia’s Security Intelligence Organization, Mike Burgess, has stated that addressing antisemitism is a top priority when it comes to threats to life. In light of last weekend’s shootings that appears not to be true.

If the Australian government had been paying attention and intensifying security to meet the threat this terrible incident might have been avoided. While Australia has an estimated 117,000 Jews (among its population of 28 million), the Executive Council of Australian Jewry reports antisemitic incidents have reached historic highs and are at “almost five times the average number before October 7.” The organization documented 1,654 anti-Jewish incidents between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025.

Since biblical times many have tried and failed to understand and explain the hatred directed toward Jewish people.

“Allegations of well poisoning were a major theme in Jewish persecution in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern period. They were a central component in the development of modern antisemitism in the 19th century. Blood libel accusations often led to pogroms, violent riots launched against Jews and frequently encouraged by government authorities.” Read more at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum from which this quote was taken:

Many are praising the courageous man who was wounded while tackling one of the gunmen and preventing him from committing additional murders. His name is Ahmed al-Ahmed. He is a Muslim from Syria and a father of two. His parents told the media he came to Australia in 2006 because he has a “passion to defend people.” When he recovers from his wounds he should be invited to Israel and given an award for his selfless bravery.

Australia recently passed a law requiring certain popular social media platforms to block users under the age of 16. The stated reason by lawmakers is to protect children from harm that includes cyberbullying and predators. Why can’t the country ban websites that promote hate, including and especially antisemitism? If protection is to be granted for young people, why not do more to protect its Jewish population? Isn’t the principle the same?

Antisemitism must be fought with more than statements of horror, flowers, and “thoughts and prayers.” Because of its aggressive nature, it must also be characterized by an aggressive response. Otherwise, the slogan “never again,” which was invoked after the Holocaust, is likely to become “ever again.”

Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com. Look for Cal Thomas’ latest book “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America” (HumanixBooks).

Candidates file for Artesia offices

Michael Smith
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Candidates file for Artesia offices

Photo by Mike Smith, Artesia Daily Press

Update

As of 5:15 p.m. the following candidates have filed to run for office in the City of Artesia elections.

Terrance L. Todd and Jeffrey Youtsey for Mayor. City Council District 1 Raul Rodriguez. City Council District 2 Donovan Jacob Garcia, Nathan Norman Ryno, Joseph W. Wright. City Council District 3 Allen K. Bratcher. District 4 (four-year term) Terry L Hill and Charles Morgan Wagner II. District 4 (two-year term) Michael William Bunt.

All candidates must be certified before being placed on the ballot. Election Day is March 3.

As of 2:36 p.m.

Former City Councilor Terry Hill submitted paperwork for the District 4 City Council seat. Valverde said all candidates must go through a certification process before being placed on the ballot.

As of 1:17 p.m.

Terrance Todd had filed to run for Mayor. Joseph W. Wright had filed to run for City Council District 2. Allen Kent Bratcher had filed for District 3 and Michael Bunt filed for District 4.

Artesia residents wishing to run for Mayor and four contested City Council seats must file by late this afternoon at City Hall, said Artesia City Clerk Summer Valverde.

As of 9:30 a.m. no one had filed for any of the offices. Valverde said the office of Mayor was on the ballot along four council seats, representatives elected from those districts would serve for four years.

More information can be obtained by calling Artesia’s City Hall.

Culinary Confidential, toast to the New Year

Michael Smith
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Culinary Confidential, toast to the New Year

Bruce Lesman

Cherry Garcia ice cream baked Alaska with flambé cherries jubilee

Cherry Garcia Baked Alaska is a wonderful, memorable dessert to bring to the table and toast the New Year.

This dessert brings me back to my years with Holland America Line, when classic showpiece desserts were as much about hospitality and theater as they were about flavor. I created this interpretation of Baked Alaska for Holland America’s premier restaurant, Pinnacle Grill, featured across the fleet on all Holland America ships. Designed to be elegant yet dramatic, it was finished tableside and remembered long after the voyage ended.

This version features Cherry Garcia ice cream, a cloud of toasted Swiss meringue, and Cherries Jubilee flambéed with Grand Marnier. The contrast of hot and cold is what makes Baked Alaska legendary: a tender cake base and insulating meringue protect the frozen center, while the warm cherry flambé adds brightness, aroma, and dining-room drama.

Recipe
Ingredients

Cake Base

One 8–9 inch round sponge cake or pound cake, about 1 inch thick

Ice Cream

1½ quarts Cherry Garcia ice cream, very firm

Swiss Meringue

4 large egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cherries Jubilee Flambé

2 cups dark sweet cherries, pitted

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup water

Zest of ½ orange

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

¼ cup Grand Marnier

Preparation

Ice Cream Dome

Line a bowl with plastic wrap. Press slightly softened ice cream into the bowl and freeze until completely firm, at least four hours or overnight.

Assembly

Place the cake on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Unmold the frozen ice cream onto the cake and return to the freezer while preparing the meringue.

Swiss Meringue

Whisk egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar over gently simmering water until the mixture reaches 160°F and the sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a mixer and whip until stiff, glossy peaks form. Beat in vanilla.

Finish the Baked Alaska

Cover the ice cream and cake completely with meringue, sealing all edges. Create decorative swirls. Toast with a kitchen torch or briefly bake at 450°F until golden. Serve immediately.

Cherries Jubilee Flambé

Simmer cherries, sugar, water, zest, lemon juice, and cinnamon until syrupy. Warm Grand Marnier, add to the cherries, and carefully ignite. Let flames subside before serving.

A Toast to the Occasion

Serve this dessert with brut sparkling wine or Champagne. Raise a glass to new beginnings, good health, and memorable meals—few pairings feel more fitting than the sparkle of wine alongside the glow of a flambé.

Bruce Lesman holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel, food and travel management and an associate Degree in culinary arts. His career includes leadership roles with Holland America Line, Seabourn, and Cunard Cruise Lines, as well as vice president of Canyon Ranch Wellness Resorts. He now writes and consults from Nogal, New Mexico.

Kids at Artesia Rec Center give the greatest gift: Love

Michael Smith
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Kids at Artesia Rec Center give the greatest gift: Love

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Sophia Reza, Olivia Reza, Judah Garcia, Karter Luna, Promise Vela, Eribella Solano, Chantelli Lopez, Zoel Aguirre and Avianna Gomez did not play basketball in the after-school program at the Artesia Recreation Center the week before Christmas.

Instead, the children ate gingerbread houses, laughing and having fun. They made their Christmas wishes known to Santa Claus, but also wanted to brighten the days of nursing home residents by making 88 Christmas cards for them.

The children made cards featuring a Christmas tree, a reindeer, a snowman and a snowflake, and two of the kids showed their sense of humor by creating a Grinch card.

“It is fun,” the kids shouted in unison about coming to the recreation center.

Lisa Davis and Heather Silva, who monitor and work with students from first through fifth grades, oversee 21 kids, with 13 more on the waiting list, and work with them until 5 p.m. four days a week, Monday through Thursday. The program runs along with schools in Artesia. If there is no school, there is no program—and no homework.

On Mondays, the kids journal and learn life lessons; on Tuesdays, it’s crafts; on Wednesdays, board games; and on Thursdays, activities.

Davis and Silva are new to the after-school program. They ran the NFL Flag Football program and will now run the Junior NBA coed program. Boys can register for the program from now until the end of January, after the current registration period for coed first and second graders and third through sixth grade girls.

So far, there are 135 girls and 40 boys registered. Games will begin on Feb. 9, on Mondays and Tuesdays, in a six-game schedule. Coaches are still needed at the rec center. The players get NBA jerseys to keep.

“We are grateful for the public’s support,” Silva said. “Everything we do is for the kids, as we really enjoy them. Doing this for a living is something we feel blessed to do.”

JT Keith can be reached at 575-420-0061, or on X @JTKEITH1.

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