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Artesia thawing out from winter storm

Michael Smith
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Artesia thawing out from winter storm

Mike Smith

Artesia Daily Press

msmith@currentargus.com

The frigid temperatures and snow that blanketed the Artesia area last weekend resulted from two winter storm systems, according to the National Weather Service in Midland, Texas.

Cody Lindsey, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS), said arctic air from the north and a moist weather system from the west provided the perfect setup for snow and cold temperatures Jan. 23-25.

A winter storm warning was in effect until 11 a.m. Jan. 25 and an extreme cold warning was posted until late morning on Jan. 26.

“It produced a good winter scenario,” Lindsey said during a telephone interview Monday. “Artesia was the big winner as far as snowfall totals.”

Lindsey said snow amounts around Artesia varied from 5 to 8 inches. Carlsbad reported 4.5 inches of snow from the storm and the community of Queen, located in southwestern Eddy County in the Guadalupe Mountains, had 4 inches of snow.

Lindsey said the storm produced frigid overnight lows from Sunday into Monday in Artesia.

He said a low of 3 degrees below zero was noted early Monday morning at the New Mexico State University Agriculture Science Center south of Artesia.

“That broke the previous record of 7 degrees in 1937,” Lindsey said.

Artesia Public Schools canceled classes Monday and Tuesday due to the weather.

Despite the cold and snow, Brown Drug Store at the corner of Fourth Street and Washington Avenue in Artesia was open for business Saturday and Monday, manager Craig Riley said.

“It’s something we’ve always done,” Riley said, noting that the pharmacy makes a point of staying open in all kinds of weather.

“There’s not a storm we’ve ever closed for,” he said Monday afternoon as customers braved snow-packed and icy streets to patronize the business.

Riley lives north of Artesia and said U.S. 285 was fine on Saturday along with other streets leading to the pharmacy. He said the main highway remained in good shape Monday morning, although some streets in Artesia had remnants of snow and ice from the storm.

Riley said walk-in business was limited Monday by melting snow and a temperature of 18 degrees.

“We’ve had a lot of phone refills,” he said.

Artesia Police Department spokesperson Cmdr. Pete Quinones said there were no major incidents related to the weather but said officers did respond to some crashes and also assisted drivers whose vehicles got stuck in the snow.

The Weather Service was predicting a mid-week warming trend with the high temperature reaching 40 degrees on Wednesday and 51 on Thursday with sunshine both days. Cooler temperatures were expected heading into the weekend with a high of 47 on Friday and 41 on Saturday.

Follow Mike Smith on Instagram @mikesmithartesianm.

Lujan Grisham touts early wins in legislative session

Michael Smith
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Lujan Grisham touts early wins in legislative session

Alex Ross
El Rito Media
aross@elritomedia.com

Bills on crime, healthcare and roads pass Senate

Three of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s priority bills to up road funding, address healthcare shortages and expand mental health moved closer to becoming law.

Less than a week into the 30-day legislative session and with broad bipartisan support, three bills on those subjects passed the New Mexico Senate on Friday, Jan. 23, marking a victory for the governor’s last session in office.

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat whose second term expires on Dec. 31, 2026, is unable to seek reelection this year due to term limits.

In a press release issued Friday, the governor called passage of the bills “an early win” and urged the New Mexico House of Representatives to act on them “without delay.” If the bills pass the House, Lujan Grisham will have until March 11 to sign or veto them. Any legislation not acted upon by that date will be pocket vetoed and not become law.

Senate Bill 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

A bill aimed at providing out-of-state physicians with a more expedited pathway to practice in New Mexico passed the Senate 40 to 0, a day after it had cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee without opposition.

SB 1 authorizes New Mexico to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, a legal agreement between 42 states, the District of Columbia and the territory of Guam that provides an expedited path for qualified physicians in one state to get licensed in other states that are also members of the compact.

Neighboring states to New Mexico such as Arizona, Colorado and Texas were already members of the compact.

During the 2025 legislative session, legislation for New Mexico to join was introduced as House Bill 243. It, and a series of other compacts, cleared the House of Representatives unanimously but did not make it to the Senate floor.

Amid a groundswell of political support for the compacts, last year Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-27) of Santa Fe announced the formation of a bipartisan working group to deal with issues related to the compacts.

In all, 11 different compacts on professions ranging from dentists to EMT workers to social workers have been introduced this session in addition to SB 1 and were still under consideration by lawmakers.

Senate Bill 2: Transportation bonding

Efforts to upgrade New Mexico’s roads and highways could soon get a boost in funding, after senators voted 31 to 9 to pass Senate Bill 2.

The bill allows the State Transportation Commission to authorize an additional $1.5 billion in bonding for state road and bridge projects over multiple years, as long as no more than $1.124 billion in road projects are not already bonded out.

The bonding process allows the state to borrow funds against vehicle registration fees and taxes paid to the state for road projects

SB 2 also raises registration fees by 25%, and the weight-distance tax on commercial vehicles by 35%, which is charged based on the weight of a commercial vehicle and the distance it travels each year. The bill also imposes new vehicle surcharge fees on electric and hybrid plug-in vehicles.

The fee for electric vehicles proposed in SB 2 would start at $70 in the calendar year 2027, rise to $80 in 2028 and settle at $90 in 2029. For hybrid plug-in vehicles, the fee would start at $35 in 2027, increase to $40 in 2028 and settle at $45 in 2029.

An analysis of SB 2 estimates that the new taxes and fees would bring in revenue of $69.9 million in fiscal year 2027 and $76.4 million by fiscal year 2030.

Senate Bill 3: Involuntary commitment

Another bill pushed by the governor to reform requirements to determine a person incompetent to stand trial, and provide treatment for such defendants, also passed the Senate with bipartisan support, 37-3.

Sens. Linda Lopez (D-11) of Albuquerque, Harold Pope (D-23) of Albuquerque and Shannon Pinto (D-3) of Tohatchi opposed the bill.

SB 3 amends the state’s criminal competency statute’s definitions of harm to self or harm to others, so that more people with serious mental health issues and who are believed to be dangerous can receive court-mandated treatment.

Current New Mexico law defines “danger to self” as being when “it is more likely than not” that a person will take their life or inflict serious bodily harm to themselves “by violent or self-destructive means.”

SB 3 revises the definition so that a person a court finds is unable to make decisions about their own mental healthcare, potentially resulting in death or physical harm can also be held by a court.

Requirements for a “harm to others” finding was also revised so that recent past behavior can enter into the court’s assessment if it is determined the defendant “has inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily harm on another or has acted in such a way as to create a substantial risk of serious bodily harm to another,” read the bill.

In a press release, the governor’s office stated that the new definitions will allow people to receive assisted outpatient treatment earlier instead of after their conditions have deteriorated, or after multiple hospitalizations and incarcerations.

Legislative reporter Alex Ross can be followed on X at alexrosstweets.com

Man linked to fatal shooting arrested in Artesia

Michael Smith
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Man linked to fatal shooting arrested in Artesia

Adrian Hedden

Artesia Daily Press

achedden@currentargus.com

A man police believed was involved in a fatal shooting in Artesia was arrested at a residence in the city two days after the alleged incident.

A Roswell police officer shot at the man but did not hit him while he attempted to evade law enforcement, and the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was investigating the incident as an “officer-involved shooting,” according to a state police news release.

Aaron Cane Vasquez, 27, was arrested by the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at a residence in the 1200 block of West Yucca Avenue in Artesia on an active warrant, state police said.

The task force, operated by the Roswell Police Department and Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, occasionally responds to calls in Artesia, which is just south of the county’s southern border with Eddy County.

At the time of his arrest, Vasquez was wanted on a federal probation violation warrant providing for nationwide extradition, read the news release. The U.S. Marshals Service contacted the Chaves County task force to find and arrest Vasquez. The underlying crime and how he violated his probation was initially unclear.

Police said Vasquez was also a person of interest in the Monday, Jan. 20, shooting death of 32-year-old Ivan Ortiz at ABO Apartments in the 700 block of North 10th Street in Artesia.

The death was being investigated as a homicide by Artesia Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, according to Artesia police Commander Pete Quinones.

It was during the investigation into Vasquez’s whereabouts that the Chaves County task force in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service became aware he was at the residence in Artesia, read the state police release.

Police said Vasquez attempted to flee when he was confronted by officers, running back into the house and out a back door, going east on foot through an alley. He appeared to be grabbing at his waistband as he ran, read the release, although no firearm was found.

He was found minutes later hiding under a parked vehicle, read the release which said an officer fired a duty rifle at least once, missing Vasquez. Another officer struck him with a stun gun, and he was arrested.

Vasquez was transported to a nearby hospital and incarcerated at the Eddy County Detention Center.

Police said information gained during the investigation of the police shooting would be turned over to the New Mexico Office of the District Attorney.

“New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,” read the release.

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

Around Town

Michael Smith
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Around Town

Toddler Time

January 29 at 10:30am at Artesia Public Library.

For toddlers ages 1-3 and their families. Music, creative movement, group activities, play with age-appropriate toys, and social time.

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STEM/STEAM

After School January 29 at 4:00pm at Artesia Public Library.

For students in grades K-6th and their families. Each week we offer a different fun activity to put STEAM techniques and ideas to work, from LEGO building to paper circuits, slime lab, and more.

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Literary Lounge

January 29 at noon at Artesia Public Library.

The Literary Lounge book discussion group reads books on all topics pertaining to books, literature, libraries, bookshops, librarians, authors, and more. This month’s selection is Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald. Books are available at the library and on Libby. Age 18+

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Flourish: A Women’s Community

Coming in January we will gather twice a month for friendship, networking, personal development, more joy, and just plain fun! We gather at 5:30 pm the second and fourth Tuesday’s of each month starting Jan. 13 at Kith and Kin, in the back room. More info visit Facebook @flourishartesia.

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President Trump’s Prayer Initiative:

President Trump has asked that the American People come together and pray for our Nation weekly until July 4th, 2026.

Artesia will be holding its prayer gathering every Thursday at Lucky Duck Restaurant, 2209 W. Main St, Artesia NM at 10-11am.

Come and go during the hour. Everyone is welcome Come join and pray for our Nation.

We’ll begin again on January 8th, 2026.   

Come & go during the hour.  Everyone is welcome. 

Shared prayers or silent prayers- whatever you feel comfortable with

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PHLEBOTOMIST PROGRAM

Applications are now open for Artesia General Hospital’s certified phlebotomist program. To learn how to apply and for more information on this career opportunity, call 575-736-8178 or email foundation@artesiageneral.com.

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GRIEF SUPPORT

A Grief Group meets at 1:30 p.m. each Tuesday in the Saint Damien Center at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 1111 N. Roselawn Ave. Free support is offered in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact Nora at 575-308-3248.

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P.A.L.S.

People about losing safely meets at 9 a.m. Wednesdays at the Senior Center. For more information, call the Center at 575-746-4113.

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ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP

Every other Tuesday  from 6:30pm-7:30pm at Artesia Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center -1402 Gilchrist Ave. RSVP to Helen at 575-746-6006.

Artesia thaws out

Michael Smith
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Artesia thaws out

Artesia Public Schools announces all schools will be closed Tuesday.

Tournament honors Dan Harvey’s legacy

Michael Smith
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Tournament honors Dan Harvey’s legacy

JT Keith
Artesia Daily Press
jtkeith@elritomedia.com

Daniel Harvey is not only remembered in death, but also in how he lived his life. When 32 high school bowling teams showed up for the 15th annual Dan Harvey Memorial Bowling Tournament last weekend, his memory truly reflected his legacy.

What Harvey wanted most was for all the bowlers at the annual tournament to experience fellowship, get to know each other and enjoy bowling. The teams that come to the tournament do not pay to participate, with the top three places getting awards at the end on Friday night.

“To keep the tournament going is about his legacy and keeping the sport of bowling going,” said his son, Tim Harvey. “The way he loved bowling, it just keeps it (bowling) alive to us, anyway.”

Artesia bowling coach Ken Clayton chose not only to honor his mentor and friend, but also to hold a night in honor of his seniors on Friday.

“Everyone knows how I feel about Daniel Harvey,” Clayton said to the crowd. “He was my mentor, but more importantly, my friend. I don’t want to talk too much about him, or I will start to cry. I miss him every day.”

Harvey was 88 when he died on June 23, 2011.

God, family and bowling were essential to Harvey. His sons, Tim and Daniel, noted that a week before he died, their dad would have oxygen on his left side and a bowling ball in his right hand.

Dan Harvey came to Artesia from Turtle Creek, Pa., after being stationed at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell in the U.S. Air Force, having served during World War II.

After leaving the service, he married his wife, Winnie Phillips, in August 1955. He settled in Artesia while working as a maintenance foreman at AMAX Potash, retiring in 1984.

Harvey’s biggest passion in life was bowling. He bowled for 60 years and served as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs bowling team until his death.

His love for bowling began when he was on the Air Force traveling bowling team. Harvey would often bowl at night in Carlsbad before going to work in the mines.

Son Tim Harvey said his dad bowled and worked at the Pro Shop at the Artesia bowling alley. He would often bowl in the Pro Am with his favorite bowler, Earl Anthony. Harvey and his wife, Winnie, would go to the national bowling tournament together each year.

Harvey bowled multiple 300 games.

“His life was all about family and bowling,” said his son Daniel Harvey. “His family was No. 1, but bowling was his world. He loved it.”

Both brothers said their dad’s name was well-known for bowling in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell and other lanes across the state.

One of the things that Harvey would tell other bowlers is not to dwell on throwing a bad ball. He would ask them to figure out what they did wrong, correct it and move on to the next frame.

“Whatever you do, do your best,” Daniel Harvey said. “That is what my father would say to me. “He was meticulous in his painting and in anything he did. He was a perfectionist and fun to work around.”

Daniel Harvey said he wishes he could have a flash drive in him to download his father’s knowledge: to never do anything halfheartedly, never look at the scoreboard and do your best.

“Find something and stay with it, and see it to the end and finish it,” Tim Harvey said. “That is the advice his dad would give his children and young bowlers.”

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

Letter to the editor: PED report card

Michael Smith
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Letter to the editor: PED report card

Dear New Mexico Families and Community Members,

Each year, the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) shares district and state charter school report cards. While these are shared as part of our federal responsibility, we view them primarily as an invitation to our community. These report cards are designed to provide families, educators, and neighbors with a transparent look at how we are collectively serving our students and where we can join forces to make educational improvements and champion the overall success of schools.

These reports reflect a variety of measures, including academic achievement, graduation rates, and progress for English learners. We know that no single number tells the whole story of a school. Instead, this data provides a clearer view of our strengths and highlights where we can work together to provide additional support.

We encourage you to use this information not just as a report, but as a tool to affect positive change. When reviewing your school’s data, we invite you to engage in conversations with local school leaders about the proven programs that the PED is prioritizing to accelerate student outcomes, such as:

•      Structured Literacy: Ensuring every student has the foundational reading skills necessary for lifelong learning.

•       High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM): Advocating for the presence of top-tier, evidence-based tools in every classroom.

•      Supportive School Climates: Building environments where attendance improves because students feel safe, seen, and motivated.

Data can some times feel complex, but its true purpose is to guide improvement and target resources. Rather than labeling schools, these results help us identify where additional funding and community partnership will be most beneficial.

New Mexico’s path to excellence depends on families and communities as essential partners. We encourage you to review your school’s report card, ask questions, and join your district and school leaders on taking action to implement priority programs that make a difference for our children.

Thank you for your dedication to New Mexico’s students. Together, we will transform this data into action and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

– Artesia Public Schools

Estimadas familias y miembros de la comunidad de Nuevo Mexico:

Cada afio, el Departamento de Educacion Publica de Nuevo Mexico (PED, por sus siglas en ingles) comparte las boletas de calificaciones de los distritos y de las escuelas charter estatales. Si bien estas se comparten como parte de nuestra responsabilidad federal, las consideramos principalmente como una invitacion a nuestra comunidad. Estas boletas estan diseii.adas para brindar a las farnilias, educadores y vecinos una vision transparente de c6mo, de manera colectiva, estarnos sirviendo a nuestros estudiantes y de donde podemos unir esfuerzos para impulsar su exito.

Estos informes reflejan una variedad de medidas, entre ellas el rendimiento academico, las tasas de graduacion y el progreso de los estudiantes que aprenden ingles. Sabemos que ningun numero por si solo cuenta toda la historia de una escuela. Mas bien, estos datos ofrecen una vision mas clara de nuestras fortalezas y destacan en que areas podemos trabajar juntas para brindar apoyo adicional.

Los animamos a utilizar esta infonnacion no solo como un infonne, sino como una herramienta para generar un cambio positive. Al revisar los datos de su escuela, los invitamos a entablar conversaciones con los lideres escolares locales sabre los programas comprobados que el PED esta priorizando para acelerar los resultados estudiantiles, tales como:

•      Alfabetizacion estructurada: Garantizar que cada estudiante cuente con las habilidades fundamentales de lectura necesarias para el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida

•      Materiales de instrucci6n de alta calidad (HQIM): Promover la presencia de herramientas de primer nivel, basadas en evidencia, en cada salon de clases.

•      Climas escolares de apoyo: Construir entomos donde la asistencia mejore porque los estudiantes se sienten seguros, reconocidos y motivados.

A veces los datos pueden parecer complejos, pero su verdadero proposito es guiar la mejora y orientar los recursos. En lugar de etiquetar a las escuelas, estos resultados nos ayudan a identificar donde el financiamiento adicional y la colaboracion comunitaria seran mas beneficiosos.

El camino de Nuevo Mexico hacia la excelencia depende de las familias y las comunidades como socios esenciales. Los alentarnos a revisar la boleta de calificaciones de su escuela, hacer preguntas y unirse a los lideres de su distrito para dialogar sobre c6mo podemos implementar aun mas los programas prioritarios que generan un impacto real para nuestros niiios.

Gracias por su dedicacion a los estudiantes de Nuevo Mexico. Juntos, transformaremos estos datos en accion y garantizaremos que cada niiio tenga la oportunidad de prosperar.

Emergency Declared in New Mexico as Winter Storm Continues

JT Keith
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Emergency Declared in New Mexico as Winter Storm Continues

Artesia and Carlsbad schools closed Monday; Ruidoso Municipal Schools, ENMU–Ruidoso also closed

State of New Mexico — Emergency Declaration Effective Jan. 23, 2026

Staff reports Source: Office of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Filed Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued a statewide emergency declaration as a winter storm continues to move across New Mexico, bringing snow, ice and bitter cold through the weekend.

The declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Center as crews respond to slick roads, scattered outages and periods of low visibility, according to the Governor’s Office and the National Weather Service.

Several districts have already announced they will not hold classes on Monday because of the weather. Artesia Public Schools and Carlsbad Municipal Schools are closed. Ruidoso Municipal Schools and ENMU–Ruidoso are also closed.

As of Sunday evening, Alamogordo Public Schools has not announced any closures for Monday.

Stay tuned to the newspaper for updates on school closures and changing weather conditions.

Bowlers have record day at Artesia Invitational

Michael Smith
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Bowlers have record day at Artesia Invitational

Ken Clayton
Special to the Artesia Daily Press

A packed house was aware that the Artesia High School bowling team had a chance to break two of the school’s longest-standing records during the Artesia Invitational at Artesia Lanes on Jan 16.

Artesia’s top Advanced team of Jace Miles (203-212), Ayden Dean (184-183), Brenden Depew (188-203), Ayden Gomez (246-235) and Payton DeMerritt (222-236) had posted team games of 1,043 and 1,069 for a 2,112 qualifying total.

“The school record for Baker game total of 1,502 pins over seven games had stood for eight years and has been this team’s goal. I told them they would never have a better chance than right now,” said Artesia coach Ken Clayton.

Game one was a solid 218, and then came a tough-to-bowl 248. Everyone thought that the fourth game’s 256 points (10 strikes) would set a Baker game record and total score record, which was 3,608 and had been achieved three times over the years. A little too much adrenaline and a couple of splits brought the next couple of games to 170 and 193. With one game to go, the Bulldogs still had both records in sight.

“We tell them that the only frame you control in Baker games is your own. Good or bad, Baker games are truly about a next-man-up mentality.” Clayton said. “With a split in the first and a spare in the second, we all said it was time to go.”

Depew set the tone with a strike in the third frame, and the next three minutes saw strikes by Gomez, DeMerritt, Miles, Dean and Depew again, putting the finishing touches on a 236 game and a seven-game Baker total of 1,545, eclipsing not only the Baker record but the tournament total record with an Artesia Invite total of 3,657.

Artesia Advance No. 2 was rolling strong games of its own on the way to again finishing ahead of every team in the state all season except their Artesia No. 1 teammates. Damian Lopez (233-202), Chase Collins (230-190), Jurijah Gonzales (212-181), Ashlyn McIntire (204-172) and Brent McIntire (199-169) led Artesia No. 2, which also had Baker games of 215, 215 and 202.

The Intermediate Division saw Artesia No. 3 break the school record total tournament score with an advanced division looking 3080 to take the division title. Senior Talyn Pacheco led the team. Diego Molina (188-174), Garyn Usherwood (194), Adam Longoria (171) and Destiny Powell (171) joined a high 256-game and a 439 series.

Second place in the Intermediate Division went to Artesia No. 4, led by Zeke Sanchez with two strong games of 218 and 203, Jack Erbacher (191), Ale Bahena (171), Katherine Lewis (170) and Edwin Villarreal (160).

Artesia No. 5 continued the Bulldogs’ strong Novice Division season by capturing the first-place trophy by a strong 150-pin margin. Justin Rodriguez (160-157) led Artesia No. 5 along with Mia Duran (168), Exaviar Corza (162), Colton Sandmann (157) and Ethan Longoria (151).

Other leading scorers for the Bulldogs were Drake Thurman (197-186), Payton Troost (158), Sophie Kitchen (147), Daniel Alcocer (136), Dexter Crosby (140), JC Apodaca (130) and Kylie Mendoza (118).

“Coach (Laura) Weddige and I want to thank everyone who came out to support our bowlers,” Clayton said. “Having a home crowd, the excitement in the building made each of our bowlers feel like the work they put in is paying off, and their results sure showed.”

This weekend the seniors bowl in the Senior Scholarship Tournament at the Holiday Bowl in Albuquerque, where they will compete for scholarship funds.

Homer and Jethro

Adrian Hedden
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Homer and Jethro

David Grousnick

Some of you may remember Homer and Jethro. They were a comedy team who specialized in country music parodies and satire. They were sometimes referred to as “the thinking man’s hillbillies.”

One of their routines went like this:

HOMER: Jethro, if you was to win the Irish sweepstakes for two million dollars, would you give me half?

JETHRO: Why, Homer, you’re my best and closest friend. You know I would.

HOMER: I do know you would. That’s what friendship is all about.

HOMER: Jethro, if you had two big luxurious houses like those ones in the Beverly Hills and I was livin’ yonder under the bridge without no home, would you give me one of your big luxurious houses?

JETHRO: Homer, you’re my best and closest friend. You know I would.

HOMER: Yessir, we’re best friends. Didn’t I know you’d say that.

HOMER: Jethro, if you had two prize winnin’ Holstein cows and I had nary one, would you give me one of your cows?

JETHRO: Homer, you wouldn’t even have to ask. You’re my closest friend and you know I would.

HOMER: Jethro, if you had two really great huntin’ dogs…

JETHRO: Hold on a minute, Homer. You know I got two huntin’ dogs.

Homer and Jethro knew that charity is easy to idealize but hard to practice.

Thinking of something that is easy to idealize but hard to practice, I invite you to think about fishing, or in church think – witnessing.

Most of our witnessing is likely to happen in passing moments of conversation–those occasions when we show, in relatively minor ways, who we are and to whom we belong.

I think of a suburban woman who was playing pickle ball with her good but quite secular friends. In a conversation break between sets she began referring to something she had read that morning.

It would have been easy to say, “I read something this morning.” Instead, with no attempt at appearing to be pious, she simply introduced one word: “In my devotional reading this morning.”

It was not a major soul-winning engagement. It was, however, a true sowing of seed. By a word, she had opened the door for some further conversation.

Perhaps our greatest hesitancy in becoming Christ’s fisher people is that we are not sensitive enough to grasp the opportunities that come to us; or we are so possessed of the idea that we must say something dramatic and far-reaching that we fail to say the small, immediate and potentially significant thing.

To put it in the language of Matthew 4:18-23, most of us really don’t act as if we even have a call to “fish.” We’re out in the waters of human need every day, but we don’t seem to know it.

The issue is not that we should become more aggressive about sharing our faith. It is that we should be more sensitive to the needs of the world around us, and more sensitive to the subtle prodding of the Holy Spirit. The two sensitivities are wonderfully intertwined.

To be sensitive to the Holy Spirit must mean that we will be more sensitive to people and their pain. To be more sensitive to people ought to make us more open to God and his purposes.

G. Ray Jordon, who was a Methodist preacher from North Carolina and teacher of preachers at Emory University, wrote years ago, “The hope of civilization is that we shall be able to produce enough Christlike men (and women) to save it.” That is the world’s only hope. It was when Jesus first walked along the Sea of Galilee. It still is today.

Do you fish?

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