Cooper Cemetery Recently Vandalized
        --by Rhonda Watson     © 2000, The Jal Record  05/25/00 edition

Sometime between Tuesday evening and Saturday morning, vandals went on a rampage inside Cooper Cemetery, nine miles north of Jal.

Over 60 headstones, vases and monuments were uprooted, broken or smashed.

The list of headstones damaged reads like a Who's Who of Jal's pioneer families--Goedeke, Beckham, Cooper, Smith, Humphreys, Brininstool and Bryant.

Lea County Sheriff's Office is the lead investigator for the crime, and Jal Police Department is providing assistance.

As of press time Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made.

Police Chief Luis Castillo told the Jal City Council Monday afternoon that Lea County Crimestoppers will probably be offering a reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

A private citizen's group is also preparing to offer a cash reward. More details will be available in next week's Jal Record.

Cooper Cemetery is Jal's oldest cemetery. The land, and many sections surrounding it, originally belonged to the James Monroe Cooper family. The first burial there probably occurred around 1912.

Four acres were donated by the Cooper family for the cemetery, and a Cooper Cemetery Association was formed to help maintain it. The cemetery was later deeded over to the City of Jal.

My research today included talking to Deputy Sheriff Gene Cessnun, who is heading up the investigation. He indicated that from 53-55 headstones had been turned over, at least two of which were busted in the process. Estimated cost of placing the headstones back in their proper places is approximately $1300. In addition, damage to urns is estimated at about $1400. The cost of these urns is approximately $90 each. No estimate of total damages was available.

Unfortunately, according to Cessnun, the damage totals probably can't be lumped together to make this a felony. Instead, there are currently 50 + counts at lesser values which will probably be misdemeanors. Gene said he hopes that the D.A. will find a way to put the damage totals together so that felony charges can be filed.

Hindering the investigation is the fact that the one rain that we have had recently occurred after the vandalism took place, destroying any physical evidence.

If anyone has relatives at Cooper and has not been contacted, they can get in touch with Gene Cessnun at the Lea County Sheriff's Office (Jal Office) at (505) 395-2121.

Although a reward has been discussed, Cessnun suggested waiting for a brief time in hopes that the vandals would be caught. As soon as a fund is started and there is a person to contact, I will let you know.

Now, let me offer my personal feelings. I went out to Cooper today to check things out for myself. Cooper Cemetery seems a sad and lonely place in the best of times. But the damage caused by these vandals really does make it extremely depressing. You can see the overturned headstones before you even get out of your vehicle.

And once inside the fence, you see plastic flowers lying 50 yards from any of the graves. You walk down the road leading to the graves and the destruction soon becomes almost overwhelming. In the shade of the trees are broken urns, benches that are overturned and headstones that look like toppled dominoes. Some of the headstones have already been put upright. But many more still await someone to put them back in place. Some are turned so that you can't read the names. And in some family plots, more than one stone is overturned

There are so many familiar names--people you have fond memories of and those you barely remember. Tim Presley, a classmate of mine whose death was tragic enough--he certainly didn't deserve this. Nearby is Jackie Leisure, a casualty of Vietnam and now vandals. Other names include Beckham, Burkett, Humphreys, Scott, Lindsey, Bryant, Stephens, Hair and Newman.

To further add to the surreal nature of this trip, a resident owl is stirred by my presence and flies away, just a few feet over my head. If only it could talk....

What makes this so frustrating is that there is no message here--no graffiti or obscene rants filled with hate to explain why this was done. Just stupid, mindless violence that proves nothing except that someone is capable of picking on people who can't fight back.

Jal "Movie-Star" Will Return to Silver Screen.
by Amanda Hobson   (from the March 2nd edition of the Jal Record)

Pearl Harbor is a day of infamy that will live on in the memories of millions, and thanks in part to Hollywood, will never be forgotten. Now, a new movie from Touchstone Pictures / Buena Vista, and produced by Disney, under the title of "Pearl Harbor", will be released on Memorial Day of 2001, and Jal citizen Gene Armstrong is going to be a part of it.

"Pearl Harbor" is a movie about two pilots, one American and one English, that both fall in love with the same nurse at Pearl Harbor. This film will be directed by Michael Bay, who has directed other films such as "The Rock" and "Armageddon". The movie already has a budget of $130-135 million, and is rumored to have a line-up of stars such as Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Gene will be flying with four other members of the Tora Tora group, of the Confederate Air Force (CAF). He owns a Japanese Val dive-bomer replica, which was rebuilt by Fox Studios in 1967 for the movie "Tora, Tora, Tora?. The plane has also been in "Pearl", "Midway", and in most of the "Baa Baa Black Sheep" series. Gene's plane was originally built in 1941, and was used as a World War II BT13 training aircraft. He has owned it since 1982, and has been flying since 1964. Gene began flying WWII airplanes with the CAF in 1978, and has been with the Tora group for 20 years. He feels that it is an honor to be asked to join.

The Tora group is a group of elete pilots that perform at airshows all over the nation, in Canade and Mexico. The are the third most asked for air group in the nation. The Tora group also does reenactments of the attack on Pear Harbor, and they fly with a minimum of eight aircraft. The most that Gene has flown with is 21, and included in the lineup was 18 Japanese aircraft, a P-40, a B-17, and a Wildcat.

Gene also flies with his son, Gooser Armstrong. The are the only father-son team in the whole group, and will be performing in an October airshow, along with over 125 WWII-type aircraft. Gooser flies the aircraft that his father owns, while Gene flies one that the CAF owns. Gooser will not be in "Pearl Harbor", as shooting will last from a month to six weeks, and will take place at Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

Gene was a radar operator in Korea, but was not a pilot. He was inspired to fly by his uncle, who flew in WWII. He flies about 12 to 15 shows a year, and has done up to 22 in one season.

Gene will fly from here to San Diego this Sunday or Monday, and his plane will be put onto an ocean-going barge, where it will be hauled across the Pacific to Honolulu on a 12-day trip. Gene will spend this time back at home, and then will again go back to help unload and handle the planes. Filming for the movie will begin in April to reenact the December 7, 1941 tragedy.

• Gene and Gooser Armstrong have also been instrumental
  in the construction of the Jal Cowboy Sculpture Project.
  Thanks, guys...all we Jalites appreciate you very much.

Excerpts from the May 6 Edition of The Jal Record:

from Economic Development Team seeks community improvement by Brian Norwood...

Jal's Economic Development Team is currently working on a number of projects designed to improve the community and promote civic pride. The group, made up of approximately twenty volunteers, held its monthly meeting Monday at D&N Restaurant.

The volunteers heard a report on ongoing projects, including brochures, flyers and a series of billboards promoting the town. The billboards will feature original designs by Jal artist Michele Gonzales, and will be placed along the highways leading into town.

The one-page flyers promote available business sites such as the old hospital and the Burke Junior High School building for the purpose of attracting new businesses. The back of the flyers provide more detailed information about tax rates, climate, available services and other information of interest to business owners.

The brochures are intended as handouts to be placed in various locations in order to provide more information about the city and quality of life in Jal.

All of these projects have been undertaken using funds from the New Mexico Economic Development Department administered by the Lea County Economic Development Corporation, and local donations.

An upcoming project is an attempt to spruce up Main Street. The effort is called "Paint the Town!", and will result in a new look for downtown. Coordinated color schemes will be applied to many of the Main Street buildings by teams of volunteers. Building owners have been contacted to provide paint for the project and to get permission to proceed. Vacant buildings will be repainted as well as those that are currently in use. When completed, this project should give a whole new look to an important part of Jal and enhance pride in the community. The project will be documented with before-and-after photos in order to preserve as much of the history of Main Street as possible.

If you or your organization would like to adopt a building, please contact project coordinator Carolyn Moore at City Hall. Also, any help in making photos or providing film, paint, brushes, rollers, or other supplies necessary to complete this project would be greatly appreciated. Everyone can contribute to this effort, whether you donate labor, money or materials. This is a great opportunity to get involved in your community and make a difference that everyone can see. It is hoped that support for this project will be strong an it can be expanded to include businesses in other parts of town. ###

from Through the years...

40 years ago Two Jal High School girls placed third in Histological Techniques Division at the State Science Fair in Socorro last Saturday. They are Jean Molder and Melba Webb. Jean is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Molder and Melba is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Webb.

35 years ago Jal Panther Band took a sweepstakes win at the annual district contest at Eastern New Mexico University, Saturday, April 11. The band received a first division both in concert performance and in sightreading, which is the highest award given. ###

from City clean-up is a success...

The weeklong community clean-up campaign met with great success. Four days of free disposal resulted in the collection of 30 plus cubic yards of scrap iron, 130 cubic yards of debris, and a ton of limbs and lumber.

Local residents delivered 77 loads of disposal Tuesday through Thursday to the Convenience Center. Saturday recorded a total of 110 loads of disposal.

The combined efforts of 23 volunteers, ranging in ages from from 8 to 79, worked from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, making house calls for residents who did not have a way to haul to the center.

The loan of a dump truck and backhoe, by local businessman Gregg Fulfer, made it possible to target larger areas. Allsup's and Lowe's Marketplace made contributions to the clean-up by donating soft drinks and bottled water.

Funding for the clean-up is made available through grant funds received from the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Program. Dumpster rental and youth emplyment wages are paid out of this fund. ###

Thats all for this week. Thanks for reading, and please support The Jal Record--subscribe and advertise!

Excerpts from the April 29, 1999 edition of The Jal Record:

from Area legislators speak out on special session by Rhonda J. Watson...

Senator Carroll Leavell and Representative Don Whitaker will leave South Lea County this weekend to attend a special session of the New Mexico Legislature. The special session, called by Governor Gary Johnson to deal with unresolved budget issues, will begin Tuesday, May 4.

Leavell...recently discussed the upcoming session with The Jal Record.

Do you have any comments on the governor's personal income tax proposal?

Leavell: I certainly support an income tax cut, but at this particular point, I've got to take a look at the budget again. There are several items--the prisons, Medicaid--that were underfunded. I feel like we should come up with at least $65 million in new monies for the schools. I'm not sure there's going to be that much funding for an income tax cut, but I'm certainly supportive of it. Our income tax in New Mexico is still one of the highest in the nation. I feel like it is very detrimental to us bringing in industry and attracting those high-paying jobs that we really need in New Mexico.

Have you seen the governor's new school voucher plan?

No, I haven't. I have written the governor a letter commending him for his dedication to a better education for young people in New Mexico. I also added that I do not agree that the voucher program is the way to that better education. I have serious questions about the constitutionality of the voucher plan. I believe the courts will probably rule against us on it. The only way I could support any type of pilot project would be to hold rural New Mexico harmless so that the funding for the pilot project does not come out of rural New Mexico. The only places a pilot project will work are Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe and Las Cruces. ###

from Senior News by Nell Addison...

Last week, I went to see the eye doctor in Odessa,had lunch with brother, Cecil and wife, Norma and the Peacocks. Then, I drove to Sweetwater to visit John and Betty Blocker. We drove to Abilene and visited the Hamptons and Betty Lou and J.B. Cutright.

The Blockers are on a ranch 15 miles south of Sweetwater, got to watch the wild turkeys and birds come for the "feed" that John puts out for them.

Visiting Dolly Null was son, Perry, his son, Jason and their friend, Natilie from Gallup.

Ava and Roger Van Bramer and Ruby Newton from Odessa visited Senior Center Tuesday and played cards and 42.

Need to remember these in our prayers: Russell Gillum, Doyle Webb, Jean Colbert, Frank Lima, Maybelle Brothers, Anita Terrell and Ruby Harris. Jewell Pittman had surgery in Midland Monday and doing good. Yvonne Frymire has gone to Houston for routine check-up. I'm sure there are others. ###

from News briefs...

EPNG Retirees to meet May 3

Retirees of El Paso Natural Gas Company will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday May 3 at the Western Sizzler in Hobbs.

Chamber of Commerce seeks July 4th participants

The Jal Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 4th of July clelebration for 1999 on Saturday, July 3. We are now seeking organizations or individuals interested in taking part in this celebration and have a booth at the Jal Lake.

There will be a $10 deposit in order to hold your booth space. First come, first serve basis.

The celebration will begin at 10 a.m. on July 3 and conclude with the fireworks display after dark. Contact Jack Hedgpeth at 395-2794. ###

That's all for now. Support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

Excerpts from the April 22 edition of The Jal Record:

from Jal school honors 14 employees by Rhonda J. Watson...

Jal Public Schools honored 14 employees at the 32nd annual Employee Awards Dinner Monday evening.

The following people were honored: Five years--Jeanna Hernandez, Suzanne Murray, Erma Navarrete and Laurie Thomas. Ten years--Meloy Hill, Jacque Orr and Javier Rodriguez. Fifteen years--Sylvia Lopez and Ron Verschueren. Twenty years--Rosa Ruiz. Twenty-five years--Geneva Anderson and Betty Little. Thirty years--Betty Fourqurean. Forty years--Durene Lawson. ###

from Reunion 2000 searches for classmates...

The Jal High School Reunion 2000 committee is searching for information on missing classmates. Anyone with information on the following people is encouraged to contact the people listed in parentheses.

Class of 1937. (Contact Bennie Jane Sapp Fleming, 7112-323 Pan Am Frwy, East NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-821-6987, BJFNM@aol.com) Hazel Dorothy Allison, Neysa Marceile Grumke, Vera Ann Hall, Elvin E. Jackson and Helen Frances Murray.

Class of 1942. (Contact Alice Hill Pyeatt, 238 41st Ave., Greeley Colorado, 80634, 970-352-0390) Geraldine Abbott, Gladys Anderson, Edwin Hall Baird, Ernest McCormick Bier (might be Earnestine), Christine Cowen Edwards, LaVerne Craft, Dan Clayton Daniel, Curtis Olin Howell, William Herschel James, Ruben Pearson and Mashia H. Williams.

Class of 1948. (Contact Roxie Swain, Box 287, Jal, NM, 88252, 505-395-3383, rswain@gte.net) Juanita Biddle, Charles D. Brown, Lola Cody,Wilbur Crenwelge, Herbert Durr, James Jones, Max Miller, M.E. Moore and Francis Pettigrew.

Class of ???. (Contact Roxie Swain at above address). Jay Johnson and Tom O'Donnell. ###

from News Briefs...

City announces Clean-up Week

The City of Jal will sponsor a city-wide Clean-up Week April 27-29 and May 11. The convenience center wil be open for free dumping from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, please call Carolyn Moore at City Hall. ###

That's all for this week. Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

Class of 1979 announces reunion plans

The Class of 1979 will be having its 20 year reunion July 10, 1999. Any classmate who has not received a reunion letter in the mail, please contact Judy Green at 395-2122 or 395-2280, or Joey Hunter at 395-2927 or 395-2669. ###

from Spring activities discussed at board meeting by Misty Wilcox...

The Jal School Board met for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. After the call to order, the agenda, minutes and bill list were approved.

At the beginning of the meeting, high school principal Rick Ferguson reported on spring sport participation. According to Ferguson, there are 18 boys in baseball, 10 girls in softball, four in golf, 16 in boys track and 15 in girls track. There are 34 boys and girls in junior high track.

Board members Rhonda Watson and Rick Kerby were selected as presenters for graduation in May. Jackie Ford will be the pronouncer.

After a brief closed session, the board rehired the following non-tenured teachers: Chrystal Myers, Lori Samaniego, Brian Snider, Jeanna Hernandez, Nancy Savoie, Sallie Young, Stephen Aldridge, Betsabe Dobbins, Carolyn Gunn, R.C. Griffin, Lavodis May, David Parker and Jimmy Samaniego.

The board regretfully accepted two resignations. They were Carolyn Gunn, high school English teacher, and Belen Madrid, cafeteria worker. ###

from Reunion 2000 searches for their classmates...

The Jal High School Reunion 2000 Committee is searching for information on missing classmates. Anyone with information on the following people is encouraged to contact the people listed in parentheses.

Class of 1941. (Contact Nell Addison at 505-395-2788 in Jal.) Dorothy Faye Anderson, Margaret Aileen Brooks, William Brooks, Jewel Frances Hayes, Dorothy Vinetta Phillips and Jewel Faye Lenning.

Class of 1945. (Contact John and Clarice Cunningham at 915-694-7317 in Midland, Texas.) Laverne Faye Bonner, Leona Beatrice Daugherty, Dora Delle Ellis, Hubert Wylie Johnson, Johnnie Murrell Lake and Mary Alice Mallow.

Class of 1968. (Contact Brenda McMahan Stephens at 8150 County Road 80, Rosharon, Texas 77583, 281-431-5191 or 713-853-3811, e-mail bstephen@swbell.net) Dana Armstrong, Kenneth Bryant, James Clement, Vickie Doss, Peggy Dunlap, Elaine Durr, Raymond Fierro, Charlotte Flowers, Frances Fulfer, Jack Gibbs, Gary Gray, Cynthia Land, Charles Madden, Stanley Mayfield, Randy Pearson, Jeff Robbins, Johnnie Snider and Dale Watson. ###

from Senior News by Nell Addison...

Edna Branin spent the Easter holidays with daughter, Linda Youngblood in Andrews. Visiting in Edna's home this past weekend from Roswell was daughter, Margaret Whited and family.

Another year has rolled around and four Jal Ex's met in Ruidoso for a few days of fun and relaxation. Dorothy Bailey came through Kermit, picked up Joyce Anderson, then on to Jal and picked me up on Tuesday and we met Ida Fellers at her condo at the High Sierra. I reminded them to mark their calendars for the reunion of Jal Ex's next year.

Happy birthday to Lillie Nunn and Minnie Hedgpeth.

If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you. ###

That's all for this week. Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

Excerpts: April 8 edition of The Jal Record: Brian Norwood

from Panther Pride Band brings home trophy...

Members of the extra-curricular Panther Pride Band traveled to Dallas last Thursday to participated in the Sandy Lake Music Festival.

The band members, 19 in all, were accompanied by seven chaperones on the trip.

The bus left early Thursday morning for their trip. They arrived at Sandy Lake Amusement Park, warmed up their instruments and performed "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid and "Super Hits Mega Mix" before a panel of three distinguished judges--Dr. Ken Van Winkle of New Mexico State University, Dr. Robert Foster of the University of Kansas, and Dr. David McGuire, retired from North Texas State University.

The band was awarded a Division 2 or Excellent rating and a large trophy for their efforts. ###

from State to Reconstruct Jal-Eunice Highway by Rhonda J. Watson...

The New Mexico State Highway Department plans to reconstruct Highway 18 from Jal to Eunice next year.

Aproximately 125 area residents attended a public information meeting, presented by the Highway Department, Monday night in the Jal High School cafeteria.

Jerry Trujillo, an engineer with the Highway Department presented a brief overview of the project. He stated that the highway improvements are necessary to improve safety and encourage economic development in the area.

The final design is expected to be complete and approved by February, 2000. The construction contract will be awarded in April 2000. The 22 mile project will cost approximately $14 million.

The project proposal will also consider the need for four lanes.

The panel members encouraged the audience to write the Federal Highway Administration because they have final approval of the project.

This phase of the public involvement period will end April 20. Comments on the Highway 18 project may be dropped off at City Hall. The city will forward the letters to the Highway Department. ###

from Through the years...

30 Years Ago

Lynda Bray was named Miss Jal of 1969 at the Beauty Contest and Talent Show held Thursday, March 27, at the High School Auditorium.

Miss Bray, a high school senior, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.G. Bray.

Semifinalists in the Beauty Contest included Marsha Ratliff, Dorinda Adkins, Janet Hedgpeth, Susan Myers and Miss Bray.

15 Years Ago

McKeown's has been in business for fifty years. Pearl McKeown, owner and operator, says her years of service in Jal have been a joy.

Pearl began her business in 1934 after she and her husband moved here a year earlier. It was a time of the New Deal with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Jal was a young, but growing community. So Pearl opened a variety store. ###

from Senior News by Nell Addison...

James and Mildred Fine met Keith and Ann Fine in Albuquerque and flew to Stockton, California to visit granddaughter and Tonya and Ryan Wright. They visited Monterey, San Francisco and Oakland. They saw all the beautiful flowers, almond trees and huge strawberry plants. They had a wonderful trip but were glad to get back to good ole Jal.

Visited in Lamesa and Lovington with Stoy and family and of course my great-grandson, Sean. Then I came back through Hobbs and had lunch with Reggie, Janie and Sara Reston.

Want to wish Jack and Minnie Hedgpeth a Happy Anniversary on the 7th, and a Happy Birthday to Juanita Newberry on the 9th.

We want to remember the Ray Culwell family; Stephen Aldridge had knee surgery; and Jackie Walls had surgery this Monday in Andrews. Evelyn Rose Dinwiddie went back to the doctor in Lubbock for a checkup on her knee. I'm sure there are others. ###

That's all for now. Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

from the April 8 edition of The Jal Record:

from Panther Pride Band brings home trophy...

Members of the extra-curricular Panther Pride Band traveled to Dallas last Thursday to participated in the Sandy Lake Music Festival.

The band members, 19 in all, were accompanied by seven chaperones on the trip.

The bus left early Thursday morning for their trip. They arrived at Sandy Lake Amusement Park, warmed up their instruments and performed "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid and "Super Hits Mega Mix" before a panel of three distinguished judges--Dr. Ken Van Winkle of New Mexico State University, Dr. Robert Foster of the University of Kansas, and Dr. David McGuire, retired from North Texas State University.

The band was awarded a Division 2 or Excellent rating and a large trophy for their efforts. ###

from State to Reconstruct Jal-Eunice Highway by Rhonda J. Watson...

The New Mexico State Highway Department plans to reconstruct Highway 18 from Jal to Eunice next year.

Aproximately 125 area residents attended a public information meeting, presented by the Highway Department, Monday night in the Jal High School cafeteria.

Jerry Trujillo, an engineer with the Highway Department presented a brief overview of the project. He stated that the highway improvements are necessary to improve safety and encourage economic development in the area.

The final design is expected to be complete and approved by February, 2000. The construction contract will be awarded in April 2000. The 22 mile project will cost approximately $14 million.

The project proposal will also consider the need for four lanes.

The panel members encouraged the audience to write the Federal Highway Administration because they have final approval of the project.

This phase of the public involvement period will end April 20. Comments on the Highway 18 project may be dropped off at City Hall. The city will forward the letters to the Highway Department. ###

from Through the years...

30 Years Ago

Lynda Bray was named Miss Jal of 1969 at the Beauty Contest and Talent Show held Thursday, March 27, at the High School Auditorium.

Miss Bray, a high school senior, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M.G. Bray.

Semifinalists in the Beauty Contest included Marsha Ratliff, Dorinda Adkins, Janet Hedgpeth, Susan Myers and Miss Bray.

15 Years Ago

McKeown's has been in business for fifty years. Pearl McKeown, owner and operator, says her years of service in Jal have been a joy.

Pearl began her business in 1934 after she and her husband moved here a year earlier. It was a time of the New Deal with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Jal was a young, but growing community. So Pearl opened a variety store. ###

from Senior News by Nell Addison...

James and Mildred Fine met Keith and Ann Fine in Albuquerque and flew to Stockton, California to visit granddaughter and Tonya and Ryan Wright. They visited Monterey, San Francisco and Oakland. They saw all the beautiful flowers, almond trees and huge strawberry plants. They had a wonderful trip but were glad to get back to good ole Jal.

Visited in Lamesa and Lovington with Stoy and family and of course my great-grandson, Sean. Then I came back through Hobbs and had lunch with Reggie, Janie and Sara Reston.

Want to wish Jack and Minnie Hedgpeth a Happy Anniversary on the 7th, and a Happy Birthday to Juanita Newberry on the 9th.

We want to remember the Ray Culwell family; Stephen Aldridge had knee surgery; and Jackie Walls had surgery this Monday in Andrews. Evelyn Rose Dinwiddie went back to the doctor in Lubbock for a checkup on her knee. I'm sure there are others. ###

That's all for now. Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!News from the April 1, 1999 edition of The Jal Record (no foolin'):

from Highway 18 work due airing here by Rhonda J. Watson...

Jal residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions about proposed improvements to Highway 18 at a public information meeting Monday night.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the Jal High School Cafeteria. Area residents are encouraged to attend. The informational meeting is being presented by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.

The proposed improvements would extend from the intersection of Highway 18 and Highway 128 to Highway 234, just east of Eunice.

The State Highway Department is proposing to reconstruct this portion of Highway 18 to comply with 75-mph design guidelines. The proposed improvement will also consider the need for four lanes based on traffic needs and route continuity. ###

from Panther Band to perform at Sandy Lake Fun-Fest...

The Jal High School Panther Pride Band will participate in the 29th annual Music Festival at Sandy Lake Amusement Park in Dallas, Texas, this weekend.

Sandy Lake will welcome over 1,350 bands, choirs and orchestras during the 35 days of competition in April and May. Over 52,000 students from a five state area will attend the event.

The Panther Pride Band will leave Jal at 4:30 a.m. Thursday (today). They are scheduled to perform around 4 p.m. this afternoon at Sandy Lake.

Two selections have been practiced for months in anticipation of this contest--'Super Hit Mega Mix' and 'Under the Sea'.

While in the area, Jal band members will visit the Galleria Mall in north Dallas, and spend all day Friday at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas. They will return home Saturday evening. ###

from Senior News by Nell Addison...

Dolly Null had visitors from Artesia during the Spring Break--her granddaughter, Christy Takacs, and son, Addison.

Helping Gerry Williams celebrate her 70th birthday was son, Gary and family from El Paso, Texas; daughters, Paula Karla and Sharla; and her nine grandchildren.

Don't forget the EPNG Retirees get-together in Hobbs on Monday, April 5 at 6 p.m. ###

That's all for this week. Don't forget to support your hometown newspaper...subscribe to and advertise in the Jal Record.

Excerpts from the March 25, 1999 edition of The Jal Record:

from Chamber banquet celebrates Jal's Community Pride by Rhonda J. Watson...

The community of Jal gathered Monday night to recognize some special residents and celebrate Jal's civic pride at the Chamber of Commerce banquet held at the high school cafeteria. The banquet decorations were centered around the theme, "Paths from the past...become the trails to tomorrow." Each table and the cafeteria walls were decorated with paper cutouts of the JAL Cowboy Sculpture Project.

Approximately 150 people attended the Chamber banquet, including several area legislators, county and city officials. Representative Don Whitaker and Senators Don Kidd, Carroll Leavell and Steven Pearce were in attendance.

Rick Kerby served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Mark Turnbough, a representative of Waste Control Specialists, was the guest speaker.

The following people were presented with awards at the banquet:

Amber Short, a senior at Jal High School, and Antoinette Trevino, an eighth grader at Jal Junior High, were named Students of the Year.

Jack Hedgpeth was named Senior Citizen of the Year.

Merryman Construction Company, represented by owner Jake Merryman, was named Business of the Year.

Jan Fouts, a second grade teacher at Jal Elementary, was named educator of the year.

Larry Granado was named Chamber Member of the Year, and Duane Edington was named Volunteer of the Year.

###

from News Briefs...

Former JHS class members are sought

The Jal High School Reunion 2000 Committee is searching for class members from the following classes: 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1966, 1973, 1980, 1994, 1995 and 1998. Anyone with information on any of these classes should contact Roxie Swain at 395-3383/395-2068 or Rhonda Watson at 395-2561. ###

from Senior news by Nell Addison...

Received a letter from Ann Brown and has she been traveling--she went to California and the state of Oregon with friends in Giddings.

Roger and Ava Van Bramer visited friends in Jal Wednesday and had lunch at the annex with some of their friends.

Loree Crawford has been in Jal visiting her kids. Loree will be moving to Arkansas soon with some of her children.

We wish Gerry Williams a Happy Birthday today.

We need to remember the following people in our prayers:

The family of Howard Kibby. Howard passed away Tuesday, March 16. He was the pilot for EPNG Company for many years. Lois, his wife, worked for the Jal Electric Co. They were living in El Paso.

Garland Ramsey is home after a night in Kermit Hospital; Vernice Tyler, home from hospital; Don Adams is home recovering from heart surgery; Dale Pruett is home; Melba McCravey in Lubbock Hospital; Alvin Hair; and Evelyn Rose Dinwiddie. I am sure there are others.... ###

from Through the years...

25 years ago

Mark May 25 on your calendar as something special. That will be the dedication of Jal Lake and Park. Tentative schedule for the day's activities calls for the big day to include a parade, barbecue at the lake, a fishing contest, square dance exhibition and a variety of booths and games to be operated by local organizations. ###

Support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

From: Brian Norwood <bgnorwood@leaco.net>

Excerpts from the March 18, 1999 edition of The Jal Record:

from "Jal schools receive E-rate funding for internet access" by Misty Wilcox...

In February, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici announced 34 schools in New Mexico that will receive more than $7.9 million in E-rate program funding to assist them in gaining Internet access.

E-rate money is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This program was established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and provides schools and libraries with discounts on telecommunication services, Internet access, and computer networking equipment.

Jal schools received $65,026.80 from this program. According to R.C. Griffin, the technology coordinator at the high school, the money has been used to network the school system and complete internet connections at the elementary, high school, and administration office. ###

from "Teacher salaries in Jal rank in top 15%" by Rhonda J. Watson...

The average returning teacher in Jal made $32,702 in 1997-98, according to the New Mexico Accountability Report. The report is published annually by the State Department of Education.

The national average for a returning teacher is $39,385. Not a single school district in New Mexico could match that--Texico School District is the closest at an average salary of $37,162.

"Our teacher salaries would be higher, but we've lost a lot of our experienced teachers with advanced degrees," said Guan Miller, superintendent of the Jal School District. "A lot of our teachers are just getting started on the salary schedule." ###

from "Senior News" by Nell Addison...

...visiting at the Annex was Bill Zahn from Lovington.

Visiting with Dollie Null were some of her children: John R., Netta and Torri Ann Null, and Kate Asbill. Kate was here to help plan the "big" school reunion for next year.

Alice Sappington is home for Spring Break visiting her mom and dad. ###

from an advertisement by the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department and the Federal Highway Administration...

The NMSHTD, in cooperation with the FHWA, invites you to a public information meeting to discuss proposed improvements to NM 18 from Jal to Eunice in Lea County, New Mexico. The proposed improvement includes the reconstruction of the existing 2-lane facility to comply with 75-mph design guidelines. The proposed improvement will also consider the need for 4 lanes based on projected traffic needs and route continuity. The public will have the opportunity to comment on the design elements proposed for the project. (The meeting will take place Monday, April 5, 1999 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Jal High School Cafeteria.) ###

Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

Here are some news tidbits from the March 11 edition of The Jal Record:

From coverage of the Monday, March 8 meeting of the Jal City Council, by Rhonda J. Watson:

The council approved a Cemetery Board recommendation for fencing and repairs at Cooper Cemetery in the amount of $6,822. The funding will come from a legislative grant. Jal Welding won the bid to completely remove the back fence, install 1,540 feet of four-foot high chain link fence, fill, paint and cut existing posts, install pipe footing on the south side and top-rail on entire fence. The pipe will be donated by Jimmy Doom.

News Briefs:

Reunion 2000 meeting scheduled for Sunday afternoon Jal's Reunion 2000 committee will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 14 at the Woolworth Community Library. All class representatives, or anyone interested in helping with the reunion, is encouraged to attend.

Chamber banquet tickets are now on sale Tickets for the annual Jal Chamber of Commerce Banquet are now on sale. The banquet will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, March 22 at the Jal High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $10 each, and they are available by contacting the following people: Mary Ruth Pruett, Hazeil Rheay, Jack Hedgpeth, Bud Dungan, Carolyn Moore and Glenna McCorcle.

From "Senior News" by Nell Addison:

Had a huge crowd of friends Wednesday, March 3 to help us celebrate the 13 years of the Senior Annex being open. Seven fifth-grade girls were celebrities in their own way in Santa Fe March 1. They were Chelsea Deck, Carly Deck, Ashley Thomas, Erica Ramos, Tressa Owen, Belinda Armstrong and Kayla Fulfer. They traveled to Santa Fe with Kim Fulfer, and they served as pages on the Senate floor. They were houseguests of Senator Carroll and Bobbie Leavell. Faye and Sam Capps visited son, Jimmie, and wife, Adela Capps in Houston recently. Jim and Fran Schooley spent a few days in Albuquerque enjoying the company of their daughter, Jan, and family, especially their granddaughters. Morris Whitworth enjoyed Kathy being home a few days. So did Clay Elkins, Lynda Walls, Jaqueta Crawford and I. We got in 18 holes of golf and (always) a few free golf tips.

That's all for now from Jal. Remember to support your hometown newspaper--subscribe to and advertise in The Jal Record!

Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 From: "B. G. Norwood"

Jerry, here are excerpts from the Feb. 4th, '99 Jal Record. All of these deal with Jal grads or Jal history.

This is it! (Editor's Note: The Jal Record is celebrating our 49th anniversary this month. For the next four weeks, we will publish articles from the Jal Record's past. The following article is taken from the very first issue of The Jal Record on Feb. 9, 1950. It was written by the editor and publisher, Miss Floy Ann Wynn.)

Here it is folks--the first issue of The Jal Record--the hometown paper you have been looking for, and have been asking about for the past three weeks. And we are not even modest enough to admit that we have the faintest idea that you won't like it. And we know that you appreciate it, too.

Presumptuous We are presumptuous in our convictions expressed in the paragraph above, because of you and you and you. Your reaction during the three-weeks we have been making preparations for this publication of this first issue of The Jal Record has been such as to create the courage in us to speak out our conviction.

Purpose We propose to make Jal, to make Lea county, and to make the state of New Mexcio our business. And we endeavor to do that through concentrated interest: through Honesty, Consideration and Courtesy.

Promises Having been here only a short time, and The Jal Record being very young, we are at the present very, very short on promises. Like many other people, however, we do know that we learn what we can accomplish by becoming a responsible citizen. And taking the role of becoming a responsible citizen here, we know that what ever amount of success we may attain in the future will be through the cooperation of the many other responsible citizens in Jal.

A Voice We have every reason to believe that we will have your cooperation, thus we expect The Jal Record to become a useful tool to be used in the building of the future of Jal. We want you to come to believe in the Jal Record as "the voice" of the town and community.... ###

Kerby, Owen and Pettit win school board seats, by Rhonda J. Watson

Two incumbents and a newcomer will take their places on the Jal Board of Education following Tuesday's election. Rick Kerby will return to the Position 1 seat on the school board. Kerby received 269 votes. His opponent, Martin "Nat" Willis, recieved 117 votes. Johnny Mack Owen II defeated Steve Thompson for position 2. Owen received 231 votes, and Thompson received 154 votes. Incumbent Toni Pettit was unnopposed in her bid for Position 3. She received 361 votes. Kerby, Owen and Pettit will be sworn in at the March 9 Board of Education meeting. Longtime member Jim Ellison will retire from Jal school board service after the Tuesday, Feb. 9 meeting. ###

Birth announcement

Former Jal residents Dutch and Barbara Mobbs are pleased to announce the birth of a grandson, Branson Skylar Wiens, on January 3. Branson Skylar weighed 11 lbs. 6-1/2 ozs. at birth. He made his debut at Desert Samaritan in Gilbert, Arizona. His parents are Chris and Belinda (Mobbs) Wiens of Gilbert. Grandparents are Dutch and Barbara Mobbs of El Paso, Texas and Ted and Stella Wiens of Phoenix, Arizona. ###

Senior news by Nell Addison

Reggie and Janie Reston and I took Jay Bird Green to have an eye check and then brought him by the Lincoln Tower to visit Jim Harrison and Jack Palmer. They are doing very well and seemed to be very happy. Said to tell all hello. Good to have Ann Brown and daughter, Cynthia Rust, visiting in Jal for two days. Pete Oldham from Carlsbad had lunch with us Friday, Jan. 29 Perry Null was home visiting his mom, Dolly, also Kate, Vernon, Christy and great granddaughter Addison. Got a note from Maudine Yarbrough and she is getting settled in her new home in Mason, Texas. We wish these lovely ladies a Happy Birthday: Audrey Vasquez, Stella Terrell and Sarah Smith.... ###

Sculpture to honor Jal history, by Brian Norwood

Imagine a group of riders on horseback, silhouetted against the sky as they herd a group of cattle toward a nearby watering hole. The cattle, part of the massive JAL Ranch herd from which the city of Jal will take its name, are marked with a large JAL brand from shoulder to hip. This is what travelers approaching Jal will se when a proposed sculpture project becomes a reality. Seen against the setting sun, or a clear azure sky, this picture will take the viewer back to the days of the open range before Jal was created. The overall sculpture would consist of four or five mounted cowboys and a dozen or more cattle, constructed from sheet metal. The largest of these figures would stand 20 feet tall and be approximately 24 feet long. The figures would be spread out over an area some 200 feet in length on a rise just north of the city, making it one of the largest sculpture projects ever in southeastern New Mexico. Motorists approaching Jal from the north on Highway 18 and from the east and west on Highway 128 should have clear views of the sculpture, which would be visible for up to five miles. Cost of the project has yet to be determined, pending the final design. It is hoped that some materials and labor will be donated to the project to help defray costs. An initial estimate of $10,000 has been projected, a fraction of the $150,000 it would cost to commission an artwork of this size. The construction techniques are similar to those used in a sculpture by artist Cha' Tullis of Hominy, Oklahoma. The Hominy sculpture, titled "New Territory", features a group of Native Americans on horseback. Tullis estimates the sculpture, along with a number of murals he has painted, draws some 150,000 visitors a year to the town. The sculpture was featured in the September 1998 issue of Southern Living magazine and can be seen at the artists's website on the internet. The potential benefits to the city of Jal include increased gross receipts from additional sales of gas, food, lodging, and items related to the sculpture, as well as some positive publicity and increased marketing opportunities. Funds for the sculpture will be handled by the Jal Chamber of Commerce. Tax-deductible donations can by made by sending payments to the Chamber at P.O. Box 1205, Jal, NM 88252. Please specify "Sculpture Project" when sending donations. If you have further questions about the project, contact Brian Norwood at (505) 395-3042, P.O. Box 106 or via e-mail at bgnorwood@leaco.net. ###

Item from The JAL RECORD, Oct.22, l998:
OLD CACTUS BAR LEVELED
There is a poignant photo on page eight, with a caption that reads.....

"James Snider carefully removes debris from the glass blocks which make up the front of the old Cactus Bar on Main Street. The building, originally constructed in the 1940s, was demolished last week."

How sad. Earlier the water tower, now the Cactus Bar. Suddenly, I feel 52.

JHS Class of '49 has Reunion in Branson, MO.
(Letter from Loyce Reid)

Jerry,

Thanks for the get back. . I was Alfred Reid in school and also known as Wart. We live in Lakewood, Colorado--a Denver suburb. I am retired and have some time so I started doing some research into my old classmates and since the last Jal reunion I have found most all of my classmates. I am retired from Coors, the beer maker.

Our class, the class of 1949, had a reunion in Branson, Missouri on October 5, 6, and 7. Attendees were--George Davis and his wife Sue; Jimmy Stewart and his wife Charlene (Hyman); Wanda Holland (Stewart); Sam Salvo and his wife Eleanor (Boyd) Salvo; Jualetta Richardson (Smith); and Loyce Reid and my wife Nancy. While we were there we visited with Nelda Faye Cox (Stewart) from the class of 1944 and her husband Joe.

The class of 1949 had a reunion last October in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are planning to have a 50 year reunion next year in Midland, Texas. I am the representative for this class so any communication to this class should be sent to me. My snail mail is ---Loyce Reid--1501 So. Welch Cr.--Lakewood, Colorado 80228.  Email: <loycer@idt.net>

Congratulations on a great job on the web site. I visited it yesterday.

Regards, Loyce

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