FALL

200

8

Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6Letters, Tourism, Retirement, Grand Openings

Community events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7aCCording to val . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Raising Baby Jack

FoCus on health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9overComing Fear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Edith Moore Goes Back to School

sChool sChedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Carlsbad Varsity Football & School Schedules

the great PumPkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 History & Facts about the Great Orange Fruit

on the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13A Trip to McKittrick Canyon

ComFort Foods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14PumPkin PatCh rollers . . . . . . . . . . 15St. Peter Lutheran Church’s Pumpkin Patch

Pet Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Heartworm, Feline Diseases & Getting Skunked

avoid a stolen identity . . . . . . . . . . 17What you should do...

new business ProFile . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Tangled Taters Concessions

Carlsbad CharaCter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Danforth Travel

dePression & suiCide . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Knowing the Signs & Symptoms

Carrying the u .s . mail . . . . . . . . . . . 21The Pinery Butterfield Stage Station

table of contents

Focus on Carlsbad is published quarterly byAd Venture Marketing for the

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.To view online visit www.carlsbadchamber.com.

Ad Venture Marketing, Ltd. Co. toll free: 866.207.0821

www.ad-venturemarketing.comAll rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information provided.The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.

750 Slot MachinesZia Park & Black Gold Casino has 750 of your favorite slots including

Wheel of Fortune, Texas Hold ‘Em and Video Blackjack! Dine at one of our three fabulous restaurants including �e Black Gold Steakhouse,

�e Black Gold Buffet and �e Homestretch Bar & Grill. �ere’s also weekend entertainment, live horse racing every fall with coast to

coast simulcast racing year round.

A Thrill at Every Turn!Located at 3901 West Millen Drive,just west of the Lea County Event Center off Lovington Highway, Hobbs, New Mexico.1-888-ZIA-PARK • www.blackgoldcasino.netCasino opens daily at 9 am (MT). Must be 21 to enter the casino.Zia Park & Black Gold Casino supports responsible gaming.Call the New Mexico Gambling Crisis Hotline at 1-800-572-1142.

Editorial Content by Valerie CranstonPhotography by Craig and Valerie Cranston

Cover & Pumpkin Patch Photos by St. Peter Lutheran Church

3

tourism corner

Chamber and WTS sponsorthe Christmas on the PecosHome Owner Appreciation DinnerAs a small gesture of our appreciation for the homeowners along the river, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce joins forces with Washington TRU Solutions and honors our homeowners with the annual appreciation dinner at the Riverside Country Club. For the past two years WTS has teamed up with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce to throw an appreciation dinner for the coming season. Christmas on the Pecos will be celebrating our 17th season this year and have already received phone calls for reservations. The event continues to grow each year and has received several awards the past 6 years. Last year Christmas on the Pecos was recognized at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism by receiving the Outstanding Event of the Year for the State of New Mexico in 2007 by the Tourism Association of New Mexico. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce would like to say thank you again to the homeowners along the river as well as the countless number of volunteers who volunteer their time months before the event even starts. Special recognition also goes out to our Chairs Mike Calvani and Jack Knittle for the many years of service and time they have donated to help make this project a success.

Carlsbad Chamber Receives $20,000in Grant Funding for Advertising and Marketing…Lisa Boeke, Tourism and Marketing Director for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce received notice from the Tourism Department on the Chamber’s recent grant funding request for the 2009 fiscal year. Each year Boeke submits an application for 50/50 match funding to use towards marketing and advertising Carlsbad. This was the 5th grant application submitted on behalf of the Chamber. The first year, the Chamber received $17,500 out of a possible $20,000. The last three years the Chamber has received $18,500. This year the tradition was broken and the Chamber was able to obtain the full $20,000 which will be combined with the Chamber’s current funding to help promote Carlsbad as a tourist destination. This year the Tourism Department received over 160 requests for funding which was more than has been submitted in previous years. It’s always a feeling of accomplishment when the funding awards are announced and Carlsbad is funded for the coming fiscal year.

on the chamber

4 on carlsbad

Dear Chamber Partners,The fountain of youth does exist and it’s in Carlsbad, New Mexico! Whether you are young in age or young at heart, you will be excited to learn that the Chamber is kicking off it’s new Young Professional’s Group this fall. With networking, mentoring and professional development in its plans, the Young Professional’s Group will be encouraging professionals, employees and other interested community members to stop by and get involved. Look for more information to come!

During the month of July, we celebrated our annual Chamber Banquet and honored a couple of businesses who really make a difference to the community of Carlsbad and it’s residents: The Chamber Business of the Year….Lakeview Christian Home, and the Chamber New Business of the Year….Sousorrone Viento B&B. Hat’s off to those two fine establishments!!

Now the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is ready to bid adieu to our beautiful Southeastern New Mexico summer, and greet the colors of the desert in Fall and one of our most fun events, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Fair. The Business Fair is always a popular and well‐attended display of many of our local businesses. The Pecos River Village Conference Center will be buzzing with business on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Be sure to mark your calendars and set your alarm clocks. You won’t want to miss this one!

This fall, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Executive Association Fall Conference. This group is comprised of Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors from virtually all cities in New Mexico, including Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Hobbs, Roswell, Alamogordo, Taos, Belen, Bernalillo and Artesia. What a great opportunity for Carlsbad to show these tourism professionals how it’s done!

With school in session and the sports seasons upon us, let’s show those Cavemen how we support them and start wearing our royal blue shirts on Fridays. Wouldn’t it be great if, on Fridays, our kids looked around and saw a sea of blue in the community? Go Cavemen!

And, before we know it, it will once again be time for everyone’s favorite National Award‐Winning event: Christmas on the Pecos. This will be the 17th consecutive season that we have had the privilege of spotlighting our beautiful city to visitors from around the world, thanks to those marvelous homeowners along the Pecos River, and all the many volunteers who help make it all possible!

Enjoy this issue of Focus on Carlsbad and, as always,Adelante!

Roxanne R. LaraPresident, 2008/09

Letter from the president

5

Grand Openings & Chamber Events

Grand Opening of Blue Cactus Loungelocated inside the Stevens Inn

Mornings are brisk, leaves are turning…changes are coming!Many retirees are looking for changes that include moving to a new location. A study by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System states that 36% of retirees move to a new residence or community following retirement and 48% of these moves are to another state. That move could be to Carlsbad! We have the favorable climate, good medical care, quality housing at reasonable prices, safe and quiet neighborhoods, lower cost of living, and quality recreational activities that retirees are looking for.

Over 8,600 information packets were sent to potential retirees from July 2007‐June 2008 and we expect even more requests this next year. We’re busy spreading the word that Carlsbad truly is a great place to call home!

Brenda Whiteaker, Director of Retirement, can be reachedat the Chamber of Commerce – 575‐887‐6516.

Autumn by Charlotte L. RiserWhen the trees their summer splendorChange to raiment red and gold,When the summer moon turns mellow,And the nights are getting cold;When the squirrels hide their acorns,And the woodchucks disappear;Then we know that it is autumn,Loveliest season of the year.

Ribbon Cutting forJefferson Montessori Academy

Abby & Tom SaulinoOwners of Sousorrone Viento Bed & Breakfast

Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year

The Woodmen of the World hosted a Flag Celebration Saturday, August 16th, 10:00a.m. at the Permian Basin Training Facility on the National Parks HWY. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors (better known throughout the state as the Bat Brigade) took the opportunity to join in the flag celebration!

Dave Rogers, Rob Bauman & Jane Shuler‐Graycelebrate the 1st Anniversary of Friday Focus

Susan Dade & Felicia Frazierenjoy a walk at Lake Carlsbad.

6 on carlsbad

September

19th, 26thPreschool Story Time9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Story time takes place Friday mornings at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Visitor’s Center. Songs, story, short walk in the park and crafts are offered for preschool children and accompanying adults. Admission is free. For more information, call(575) 887‐5516.

20thBusiness Fair9 a.m. – 3 p.m.The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Fair at the Pecos River Village Conference Center. For more information, call the Chamber at(575) 887‐6516.

27th, 28thButterfield Stage Line10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.The 150th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Stage Line and Mail Route will be celebrated at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park Pine Springs Visitor Center. The first stagecoach arrived at the Pinery Stage Station on Sept. 28, 1858. There will be stagecoach rides on the historic Butterfield route near the Frijole Ranch turnoff and Highway 62/180 continuously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for a one‐hour break to rest the mules. For more information call GMNP at (915) 828‐3251 or watch the Current‐Argus for a detailed two‐day event schedule.

October

3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st Preschool Story Time9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Story time takes place Friday mornings at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Visitor’s Center. Songs, story, short walk in the park and crafts are offered for preschool children and accompanying adults. Admission is free. For more information, call(575) 887‐5516.

4th, 5thHorticulture Society Plant Sale9 a.m. – 4 p.m.The Carlsbad Horticulture Society will host its fall sale of ornamental houseplants and native and xeric plants for landscaping at the Living Desert State Park.Call (575) 887‐5516 for more information.

Mid October - Mid NovemberMcKittrick Canyon Fall Color Tour8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.An explosion of color awaits visitors in Guadalupe Mountains National Park McKittrick Canyon and Dog Canyon. Call the park at (915) 828‐3251 for more information on peak color viewing days.

11thFull Moon Walk6:30 – 7 p.m.The last Full Moon Walk of 2008 will be at the Living Desert State Park. Regular admission fees apply. Call (575) 887‐5516 for more information.

October Cont...

11th – 31stPumpkin Patch OpenVaried hoursSt. Peter’s Lutheran Church on the corner of W. Pierce and George Streets is hosting its 4th annual Pumpkin Patch. Various size pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn are available. The patch offers photo opportunities galore, storytelling, pumpkin bowling and a hospitality table with free pumpkin goodie refreshments. Hours are 1 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

18thWolf Awareness Day10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Special programs and activities about the endangered Mexican Gray Wolf will be held at the Living Desert Visitor Center. No fee to attend program but regular admission fees apply to enter the park zoo.Call (575) 887‐5516 for more information.

25thCarlsbad Caverns Anniversary9 a.m. – 1 p.m.The 85th anniversary of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park as a National Park Service unit will be celebrated with new exhibits, special tours and the Cavern Art Project that is a display of park‐owned artwork including those of Ansel Adams who photographed the park in the 20s and 30s. Ansel’s son Michael Adams will be a guest speaker. For more information, call the Caverns at (575) 785‐2232 or watch for event schedule in the Current‐Argus.

November

7th, 14th, 21st, 28thPreschool Story Time9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Story time takes place Friday mornings at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Visitor’s Center. Songs, story, short walk in the park and crafts are offered for preschool children and accompanying adults. Admission is free. For more information call(575) 887‐5516.

27th – Dec. 31stChristmas on the PecosEvening hoursCarlsbad Chamber of Commerce sponsored Christmas on the Pecos is celebrating its 17th season of holiday boat light tours on pontoon boats each evening along the banks of the Pecos River to view over 100 homes decorated with holiday lights and theme decorations. Boat rides last around 45 to 50 minutes. For reservations call (575) 628‐0952 or the Chamber at (575) 887‐6516 or visit www.christmasonthepecos.com.

28th, 29thCalico Christmas9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Arts and crafts galore made by local area artisans will be for sale at the Pecos River Village Conference Center. For more information, call the Chamber at(575) 887‐6516.

November Cont...

29thElectric Light ParadeEveningThe Downtown Holiday Stroll and Electric Light Parade will again be held along Canyon Street. For more information, call Carlsbad MainStreet at (575) 628‐3768from 7 – 7:30 p.m. Regular admission fees apply.

December

5th, 12th, 19th, 26thPreschool Story Time9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Story time takes place Friday mornings at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Visitor’s Center. Songs, story, short walk in the park and crafts are offered for preschool children and accompanying adults. Admission is free. For more information, call(575) 887‐5516.

7thHoliday Bells Concert2 – 3 p.m.The Touch of Joy Ringers from the First Presbyterian Church will perform hand bell holiday music at the Living Desert State Park. No fee to attend the event.Call (575) 887‐5516 for more information.

13thHolidays with the Animals1 – 3 p.m.Children can enjoy activities and make holiday cards for their favorite animal residents at the Living Desert State Park Visitor Center. No fee to attend the event. To enter the zoo, each visitor may bring a non‐perishable food item, new book or toy in lieu of admission fees. Collected donations go to local charities.Call (575) 887‐5516 for more information.

Other Special Events

Every Friday - Friday Focus7:30 – 9:30 a.m. The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce’s Friday Focus is a great opportunity to market your business and network with other chamber members at the Stevens Inn every Friday morning. Place business card in basket, and when called on, introduce yourself and your business in 45 seconds. Distribute business and promotional material on tables (collect before leaving). Networking opportunities are endless. Call the Chamber for more information at(575) 887‐6516.

Star Parties and Solar ViewingFree programs take place at the Living Desert State Park Visitor Center that feature large telescopes. Call the park at(575) 887‐5516 to learn about the next scheduled event.

Docent Continuing EducationIf you want to learn about the Chihuahuan Desert and become a volunteer teacher and tour guide, contact Susan, Linda or Kathryn at the Living Desert State Park at(575) 887‐5516 for dates, times and topics.

community events

We need your help! Please keep us informed about local events and activities by emailing vcranston@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact number.

7

While out in the boonies with his dad, my grandson Clayton found a tiny rabbit, maybe a week old, having difficulty running. He called me and I told him to bring the little one home and I’d care for it. That’s the day Baby Jack came to live with me.

Baby Jack is probably three‐months old now, and I’m very fond of him. His right back leg is definitely deformed. He drags it and that causes him difficulty in using his other good back leg. I knew when I saw him that he wouldn’t have lasted very long before he was dinner for some predator up the food chain.

Right away he tried to nurse one of the dogs when I set him down on the dog couch. I was able to concoct a type of formula for a day until I could get to the vet’s office to purchase some milk replacement. I bought a bottle that came with several styles of nipples, all of which he rejected. I resorted to a small eyedropper that he accepted and is still using.

I did some research and found out that jackrabbits nurse 9+ weeks. He loves his formula and you can almost hear the words yum, yum, yum while he licks his lips. For the first few weeks I added a little Karo syrup but have since weaned him from that. I went to the health food store and purchased some acidophilus to sprinkle in his formula to add some healthy gut flora.

I learned jackrabbits are hares, not rabbits. While rabbits prefer soft stems, grass or vegetables, hares eat more hard food such as bark and rind, buds, small twigs and shoots. Not my Baby Jack, he’s a gourmet hare eating a well‐balanced diet of variety.

At about 6 weeks of age I began to offer a buffet of garden treats such as red leaf lettuce, fresh alfalfa I sort of borrowed from a farmer’s field, grated baby carrot, chopped cucumber and small pieces of apple and alfalfa pellets. He nibbled a bit but lacked interest. Today, he loves all of the above plus different grasses from outside, dandelion greens, purple leaf radicchio and cantaloupe.

Right away I made him a cardboard tent covered with small fleece blankets I borrowed from the dogs so he could hide and feel less stressed. At first he stayed in a dog carrier and slept in a towel‐lined bathtub with his tent at night. He has since graduated to a padded cat cube with a round opening and small fleece blanket hanging from the inside so he can hide. He’s so happy with his new house he runs in and out and up some pillows and then down both morning and night.

He also has a rigged up tent on the back of the dog couch in the den where he can hide. He stretches out

and relaxes and then runs along the back of the couch for exercise, dragging his leg and getting tangled up in its useless existence. He loves to box with me before going to bed and vocalizes his involvement by a deep raspy growl.

His first trip to the vet was when he was about 8‐9 weeks. When Dr. Mark Heinrich said, “You know you have him for life,” I answered, “Yes, I do.” Baby Jack’s leg deformity

is congenital. As long as he doesn’t drag and scrape it and develop an infection

we’re okay. If it poses a problem later, Dr. Mark said he could remove it. Other than that, he got a clean bill of health. Last thing Dr. Mark said was, “Mom (that’s me), you’ve done a great job.”

I’m committed to raising Baby Jack and doing whatever it takes to make his life with us—his human family—the best it can be.

Raising Baby Jack

according to val

A young hare is called a leveret. Hares have long and strong hind legs. They are generally larger and faster than rabbits. Hares live most of their time by themselves. They come together in pairs for mating only. There is almost no fighting among hares – they just pair off.Information from: www.diffen.com/difference/Hare_vs._Rabbit

The Hare Essentials

8 on carlsbad

Researchers visited 35 U.S. homes swabbing for bacteria in 32 locations in each home. The study and survey came from the Hygiene Council, which is funded by Reckitt Benckiser, the company that makes Lysol.

Here’s how those spots ranked in terms of the average number of bacteria per square inch:

1. Toilet bowl: 3.2 million bacteria2. Kitchen drain: 567,845 bacteria3. Sponge or counter‐wiping cloth: 134,630 bacteria4. Bathtub near drain: 119,468 bacteria5. Kitchen sink near drain: 17,964 bacteria6. Kitchen faucet handle: 13,227 bacteria7. Bathroom faucet handle: 6,267 bacteria8. Bathroom sink near drain: 2,733 bacteria9. Pet food dish inside rim: 2,110 bacteria10. Kitchen floor in front of sink: 830 bacteria11. Toilet floor in front of toilet: 764 bacteria12. Kitchen countertop: 488 bacteria13. Bathroom countertop: 452 bacteria14. Garbage bin: 411 bacteria15. Dish towel: 408 bacteria16. Toy: 345 bacteria17. Kitchen tabletop: 344 bacteria18. Home office phone or refrigerator door: 319 bacteria19. Toilet seat: 295 bacteria20. Bathroom light switch: 217 bacteria21. Microwave buttons: 214 bacteria22. Kitchen chopping board: 194 bacteria23. Child training potty: 191 bacteria24. Infant changing mat and high chair: 190 bacteria25. Kitchen phone: 133 bacteria26. Bathroom door’s inside handle: 121 bacteria27. Toilet’s flush handle: 83 bacteria28. TV remote control: 70 bacteria29. Home office computer keyboard: 64 bacteria30. Home office computer mouse: 50 bacteria

The Center for Disease Control recommends washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or using an alcohol‐based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends mixing 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach into a quart of water for a homemade sanitizing solution or using a commercial sanitizer to help keep kitchen surfaces clean.

Information from: www.webmd.com

Prevent mold in the homeMold is a tiny fungus that can grow inside the home and cause allergies and other health problems. Here are some suggestions to help keep mold out of your home.• Keep humidity at low levels—between 40 and 60 percent and use an air conditioner or dehumidifier when it’s humid outside.• Use exhaust fans to keep areas such as kitchens and bathrooms well ventilated.• Keep carpet out of areas where moisture may collect, such as bathrooms or basements.• Promptly and thoroughly dry any furnishings that get wet, especially carpets or upholstered furniture.• Fix any leaky plumbing, roofs or walls.• Use cleaners that kill mold.• If you’re painting, add a mold inhibitor to the paint.

Courtesy of the University of Virginia Health System

rid your home of dust mitesCreating a clean environment will help rid your home of dust mites, making breathing easier in people with allergies and asthma. Here are some suggestions for getting rid of the microscopic insects from your home.• Ensure that the humidity level of your home is below 50 percent. During the summer months, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier• Wash all linens every week in hot water, in a temperature of a least 130 degrees Fahrenheit• Use protective airtight coverings over mattresses, and apply tape over the zippers• Avoid carpeting and use washable rugs instead• Damp mop and dust your home often• Use washable curtains and window coverings and clean them regularly.

Courtesy of the American Lung Association

on health

toP sPots For baCteria at homeStudy shows more bacteria in the bathtub than in the garbage bin.

9

Carlsbad high schoolCavemen varsity Football schedule 2008All games are played at 7 p.m. Friday nightsDistrict 4‐AAAAA ‐ Head Coach: Ron Arrington

DAte OppOnent SiteSept. 19 Alamogordo CarlsbadSept. 26 Artesia ArtesiaOct. 3 Highland Carlsbad (Homecoming)Oct. 10 Goddard RoswellOct. 17 Rio Rancho Rio RanchoOct. 24 Clovis CarlsbadOct. 31 Hobbs Hobbs

Carlsbad municipal school2007-08 school CalendarSept. 24 ...........Oct. 3 ..............Oct. 6 ..............

Oct. 7‐9 ...........Oct. 8 ..............Oct. 16 ............Oct. 17 ............Oct. 24 ............Nov. 5 .............Nov. 6 .............Nov. 11 ...........Nov. 17 ...........Nov. 26‐28 ......Dec. 17 ............Dec. 22‐23 ......Dec. 23 ............

Dec. 24‐Jan.5 ..

*Parents should note there are four early dismissaldays each semester this school year.

overComingFearWhen Edith Moore, 57, became a widow in 2004, she stepped up and faced her fear of being an older student pursuing her GED.

After the death of her husband, who was pastor for Carls‐bad Bible Church, she contacted the Adult Basic Education program and began studying to get her GED. “The people at Adult Basic Education are wonderful and encouraged me,” Moore said.

“I had wanted to do this for a while, so I just did it,” she added. “I was both very nervous and scared. Being older, I kept wondering if I would be able to even think.”

Moore, a school bus driver for the past 15 years, wasn’t plan‐ning to go to college when she enrolled in ABE. When she found out she was eligible for New Mexico’s Lottery Scholar‐ship, she decided to go for it and became one of many older students at New Mexico State University‐Carlsbad.

“I was scared and the computer made me cry. I never had even touched them,” she said. “Everybody at the college is so helpful and help is available step‐by‐step.”

She began college courses in January 2006 and takes at least 12 hours each semester to stay eligible for her funding. Since going to college, she has tutored a woman her own age in English for about a year.

“I’m pretty disciplined and I want to make good grades,” she said. “The professors are approachable and they make it interesting.”

“Every teacher up there has been just great. If anyone is inter‐ested, I would highly recommend it. I think we are so blessed in this community to have such a high caliber of professors,” she added.

Moore has four grown children, a son living in Loving, two sons in Carlsbad and a daughter who recently graduated from NMSU with a master’s degree and will be working at Carlsbad Mental Health Center. Her grandchildren range in age from 20 months to 10 years.

“I think my kids think it’s pretty cool,” Moore said, noting she misses seeing her grandchildren as much as she’d like because she has to study.

“I love driving my bus, but my goal is to be a classroom aide,” she added.

Although math is certainly at the bottom of her favorites list, she has to tackle intermediate algebra this semester along with Spanish II, history, biology, English and sociology.

“Right now I’m going for an associate’s degree in general education. If the associate’s degree is not enough, I’ll probably go for a bachelor’s degree,” she said with confidence.

“The Lord could change that, but I just want to be able to take care of myself,” she added.

End of first six weeksHomecomingIn‐service/no school for studentsParent‐teacher conferences: K‐5Report cards go home: K‐8New Mexico High School Competency ExamEarly dismissal – in‐service*End of first nine weeksFall holidayReport cards go home: 9‐12Early dismissal – in‐service*End of second six weeksVeterans Day holidayReport cards go home: K‐8Thanksgiving holidayEarly dismissal – in‐service*Early outEnd of third six weeksEnd of second nine weeksWinter break

sChool sChedules

10 on carlsbad

origin and history oFthe JaCk-o-lanternPeople have been making Jack‐O‐Lanterns at Hallow‐een for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed “Stingy Jack.” Accord‐ing to the story, Stingy Jack invited the devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn’t want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.

Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. When the year was up, Jack tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree’s bark so that the Devil could not come down until he promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets were used. Immigrants from these countries brought the Jack O’Lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect Jack O’Lanterns.

the great PumPkin• Pumpkins are fruits. A pumpkin is a type of squash and is a member of the gourd family, which also includes other squash, cucumbers, gherkins and melons.• The largest pumpkin pie ever baked was in 2005 and weighed 2,020 pounds.• Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thou sand years. They are indigenous to the western hemisphere.• In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern pumpkin.• Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potas sium, protein and iron.• The largest pumpkin ever grown was 1,689 pounds. Joe Jutras of North Scituate, Rhode Island, grew it.• Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October.

Information gathered from: www.historychannel.com (the origin of Jack O’Lantern) and http://paranormal.suite101.com

halloweenPartyreCiPesWitchesBrewCider4 cups apple cider2 cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed2 cups water8 cinnamon sticks8 lemon slices

1. Into a large saucepan, pour cider, add and stir in lemonade concentrate and water2. Bring cider to a simmer over medium heat3. Pour into cups4. Place a cinnamon stick and lemon slice in each cup

Halloween Mad Mix10 cups popped popcorn1 bag of plain M & Ms or Smarties1 jar peanuts1 cup raisins

Mix everything up in a bowl,serve and enjoyRecipes gathered from:www.jackolanterns.net

11

An explosion of color deep in McKittrick Canyon can be enjoyed by a day‐trip hike during the last half of October and first part of November. The brilliant orange, yellow and red hues are compliments of the bigtooth maple and chinquapin oak trees.

The canyon gate entrance to McKittrick Canyon is 45 miles from Carlsbad south down the El Paso Highway, with another 4 miles west to the ranger station. There are restrooms and water fountains at the ranger station. There are no restrooms and no water source in the canyon. Be sure to transport plenty of drinking water to last the trip in and out. The gates are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The hike to the Pratt Stone Cabin is a 4.6 mile round trip, taking an average of 2 to 4 hours. The hike to the grotto, where the most intense color awaits, is a 6.8 mile round trip taking an average of 3 to 6 hours depending on the individual hiker’s stamina. Both hikes could take longer for the camera buff.

The well‐marked trail is moderately strenuous, making it enjoyable for all ages. There is an elevation gain of 200 feet to the stone cabin and an additional 200‐foot gain to the grotto, another mile down the trail.

The first half‐mile of the trail, which begins at the mouth of the canyon, takes the hiker over pebbles, stones and small rocks to the narrowing of the canyon where the trail then remains mostly packed dirt.

A couple of resting spots can be found along the first two miles. Numerous picnic tables under a grove of maple trees at the cabin path junction and at the grotto offer a delightful place for lunch, a snack or a break to take in the magnificent color of nature.

McKittrick Canyon, especially in the fall, is a photographer’s Mecca with incredible photo opportunities along the trail in every direction. Be sure to allow enough time to appreciate the beautiful fall colors while savoring the canyon experience.

Nature in its colorful coat of glory is bold—yet fragile; so, remember to leave no trace. As it states on an interpretive marker on the trail to the grotto: “Man is a visitor who does not remain.”

For more information on the best fall color‐viewing days, call Guadalupe Mountains National Park at 1‐915‐828‐3251 or watch the local newspaper for peak color season.

“Going to the woods and thewild places has little to dowith recreation and muchto do with creation.” - Words from The Land by Wendell Berry

hiking hints and tiPsguadaluPe mountains national Park trails• Sudden weather changes are common.• High winds are prevalent in the spring.• Thunderstorms and lightning are frequent in the summer.• Avoid exposed open areas during storms.• Hikers should carry one gallon of water per person per day.• Stay on trails.• Watch for cacti, rattlesnakes, scorpions and desert centipedes.• All park features are protected. Do not deface or remove any natural or historical objects.• Do not pick wildflowers or other plants or feed or molest wildlife.• Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Camp stoves are allowed.• Pets must be leashed at all time in the park area. Pets are not allowed on trails.• Carry a first aid kit with basic essentials and consider extras like tweezers for spines, moleskin for blisters and a triangular bandage which can be put to many uses.• Please, check in and out at trailhead registers and let park personnel know when you return.• Share your interesting experiences or difficulties encountered along the way.• Protect your food from wildlife, Guadalupe Mountains National Park does have black bears, mule deer, skunks and others that may be interested in your goodies.

For more information,visit the website:www.guadalupe.mountains.national‐park.com

on the road

McKittrick Canyon’s Colorful Coat of Glory

12 on carlsbad

McKittrick Canyon attracts thousands of visitors each year. The canyon is open to the public due to the generosity of Wallace Pratt and his family, who donated the land in McKittrick to the National Park Service around 1960.

In 1921, Pratt accompanied two West Texas oil‐lease brokers to Pecos, Texas, to purchase leases for his employer Humble Oil and Refining Company. He was the first geologist hired by Humble. While awaiting a meeting with landowners, Pratt was offered a chance to visit what Pecos attorney Judge Drane assured him was “the most beautiful spot in Texas.”

Pratt agreed to go, but during the trip through the desert scrub of West Texas, he became skeptical about Drane’s enthusiastic description. Pratt had nearly concluded that Drane’s “beautiful spot” referred merely to the high desert mountains. Then he entered the canyon and the beauty of the hidden woodlands of McKittrick Canyon was revealed to him.

On the return trip to Pecos, Drane told Pratt that the McCombs Ranch containing part of McKittrick Canyon was for sale. Pratt acquired a quarter interest for a summer vacation getaway. His partners were interested in a place to entertain clients on deer hunts, but Pratt recognized the uniqueness of the canyon. When the stock market crashed in 1929, he bought out his partners and by 1930 he owned a major portion of the canyon.

During the winter of 1931‐32, he began construction of the home Houston Joseph Staub had designed. During the Depression, good help could be hired inexpensively. From Staub’s office, Pratt hired Vance Phenix, a young architect displaced by the lack of projects. Phenix brought along his brother Dean, a carpenter, and Adolph May, a stonemason. Local ranchers Green McCombs and Alfred Lehman helped haul rock to the site and position materials.

The cabin is made of only stone and wood. Heart‐of‐pine rafters, collar beams and sheathing to support the stone roof were shipped in from East Texas. The stone used in building the house was quarried outside the canyon at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains.

Once complete, the Pratts furnished the cabin with rough plank reclining chairs, four beds, assorted hammocks and a special table to seat 12. Outdoors was a picnic table made of stone. Although the cabin is often called the Pratt Lodge, Wallace Pratt told an interviewer that he had

grown up in Kansas and never quite learned what a “lodge” was used for.

He always referred to the house as “The Stone Cabin.”

During summers, the Pratts and their three children spent time in the Guadalupes, sharing the cabin with friends. This was the principal use of the cabin for more than a decade. The Pratts retired in 1945 and the cabin became their home for a brief time. Years earlier, a flood had trapped them in McKittrick Canyon for days. That experience convinced them that any permanent residence would have to be outside the canyon. During construction of their new house, “The Ship on the Desert,” located beyond the mouth of the canyon, the Pratts lived in the stone cabin for a year.

In the late 1950s, the Pratts planned to move to Tucson for health reasons. By 1960, they had bought property there and were beginning to donate the family holding in McKittrick Canyon to the National Park Service.

Information from a pamphlet published byCarlsbad Caverns Guadalupe Mountains Association.

Canyon and stone Cabin gift

13

on food

taCo souP2 pounds ground beef2 cups diced onions2 (15‐ounce) cans pinto beans1 (15‐ounce) can pink kidney beans1 (15‐ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained1 (14‐ounce) can Mexican‐style stewed tomatoes1 (14‐ounce) can diced tomatoes1 (14‐ounce) can tomatoes with chiles2 (4‐ounce) cans diced green chiles1 (4.6‐ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced (optional)1/2 cup green olives, sliced (optional)1 (11/4‐ounce) package taco seasoning mix1 (1‐ounce) package ranch salad dressing mixCorn chips for servingSour cream for garnishChopped green onion for garnishPickled jalapenos for garnish

1. Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet, drain the excess fat and then transfer the browned meat and on‐ions to a large slow cook or stock pot.2. Add the beans, corn tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix.3. Cook in a slow cook on low for 6‐8 hours or simmer over low heat in a pot on the stove for 1 hour4. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them.5. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.Recipe from: Food Network, Episode #PA1C11

sweet Potato Pie2 medium‐large sweet potatoes (or 2 12‐14‐ounce cans)2 egg whites1/2 cup sugar1 cup brown sugar1/2 cup orange juice (fresh squeezed if possible)1 tsp. vanilla (or orange extract)1 tsp. nutmeg (cinnamon)1/2 orange rind for zest9‐10‐inch pie shell

1. Boil sweet potatoes until soft, peel and mash with hand mixer on low to medium speed2. Mix egg whites and sugar and beat by hand until peaks are high3. Add beaten eggs, brown sugar, orange juice, nutmeg and orange zest to potatoes4. Mix until very smooth with hand mixer5. Pour into pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour

Yield: Serves 6‐8Recipe from: Apache Canyon Ranch, To’hajiilee

Chili - For the gluten-intolerantThose with gluten intolerance need comforting too.

This recipe will make you forget any mix you’ve used before. Using red bell pepper and black beans makes for a more re‐fined flavor than the usual kidney beans and green bell pep‐per. This recipe is spicy so if you prefer your foods milder, cut back the ground red pepper and black pepper by half.

1 medium onion chopped1 red bell pepper chopped3 pounds ground chuck2 cups water2 16‐ounce cans black beans2 6‐ounce cans tomato paste3 tsp. salt1 tsp. black pepper1 tsp. ground red pepper1 tsp. cumin1 tsp. oregano1 garlic clove minced

1. In a large pot combine onion, bell pepper and ground chuck. Cook over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink.2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.3. Simmer over low heat at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Comfort Food Recipes for FallEveryone loves the thought of comfort foods. These are recipes that give a sense of well being while curled up on the sofa watching movies or in front of a fire on a cool rainy night. They also satisfy the appetite of the couch potato watching football or other sports on the television.

14 on carlsbad

St. Peter Lutheran Church, often referred to as the Pumpkin Patch church, is getting ready for its fourth annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser Oct. 11 – 31.

Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, specialty gourds and Indian corn will be for sale. Pumpkin prices range from $1.50 to $40. Graduating sizes of priced pumpkins will be displayed so patrons can match pumpkin sizes and know the price. There are no discounts for multiple pumpkin sales because of a set price agreement.

The Pumpkin Patch concept began over 30 years ago. A farmer with some pumpkins met a minister with a need for funds. The farmer agreed to let the minister’s church sell the pumpkins and they would share the proceeds. There was no contract, no legal proceedings, just a handshake and trust in each other. Their success and loyalty allowed Pumpkin Patch to be able to offer the project to more churches of all denominations.

On Saturdays during the fundraiser, there will be pumpkin bowling, storytelling and a hospitality table with free pumpkin goodie refreshments made by members of the St. Peter congregation. Teachers are encouraged to call and make arrangements to have a class field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. Storytellers will be available.

St. Peter also has a cookbook for sale. Proceeds from the cookbook go to support administrative costs at the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter and Stephen Ministry, a not‐for‐profit Christian educational ministry. “The cookbook sort of came out of the pumpkin patch,” Pastor Ken Thompson said, complimenting those in the congregation who worked to put the cookbook together.

Proceeds from the pumpkin fundraiser are given away each year. St. Peter doesn’t keep any of the money raised. One‐third of the money is given to St. Peter’s Hispanic Mission Congregation, Luterana Iglesia Cristo Rey, in El Paso each year. The remaining two‐thirds are divided equally between selected local non‐profit service organizations. Past recipients have been organizations such as Community Kitchen, Jonah’s House and Operation Comfort. This year’s recipients will be the Community Kitchen and Christmas Anonymous.

“We do not keep the money. It’s an activity to put another face on St. Peter,” Pastor Thompson said, adding it is outreach to non‐profit groups and youth ministries.

Thompson learned of the fundraiser from his daughter who attends Fellowship Lutheran Church in Dublin, Pennsylvania. Her church had been holding the Pumpkin Patch USA fundraiser for years and had become known as “the place” to get pumpkins, he explained.

St. Peter enters into a faith and trust agreement with Pumpkin Patch Fundraisers, Inc. each year to sell pumpkins and share the proceeds. The St. Peter pumpkins are grown in Farmington.

“They lease land in Farmington on the Navajo Nation to grow the pumpkins,” Thompson said. “You don’t pay up front. They ship them in by truck and you sell them. It’s all based on volume and based on percentage.”

The church receives from 25 – 40 percent, according to volume sales, and the farmer gets the remainder. If vandalism happens or rotting occurs, the church is not held responsible. The church does not have to pay for unsold pumpkins but are responsible for proper pumpkin disposal following the fundraising deadline.

“We usually get a second shipment,” Thompson said, adding they try to be realistic with available manpower and have appreciated the Carlsbad Fire Department and others who have helped unload. “Our main goal on the public part is help unloading the tractor trailer full of pumpkins and then rolling the pumpkins every other day.”

“We welcome anyone who wants to help unload or roll pumpkins,” he added, noting recipients of earmarked proceeds are also asked to volunteer.

“The week after Halloween the pumpkins go on sale for near giveaway prices for baking and cooking,” Thompson said.

Those in the community who are interested in volunteering to help unload or roll pumpkins can call the church at 887‐3033. Any help is greatly appreciated.

PuMPKin PatCh hours • oCt. 11–31Monday to Friday 1pm‐7pmSaturday 10am‐7pmSunday 1pm‐7pm

needed:Pumpkin Patch rollers

15

heartworm diseaseHeartworm is an insidious disease that has spread to virtually all part of the U.S. and many parts of Canada since the early 1970s. Only mosquitoes spread it. Areas heavily populated by these insects tend to have a greater incidence of heartworm disease.

Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, although it is much more commonly seen in dogs. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a dog or cat’s heart and adjacent blood vessels. The adult heartworms living in the heart produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the infected animal’s blood.

When a mosquito bites an infected pet, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infective larvae are transmitted.

A small amount of blood is all that’s necessary for a preliminary heartworm‐screening test that is very accurate in detecting the presence of heartworm. In many regions, this may be the only test needed before starting a preventive program. If the dog shows heartworm symptoms or has visited a known heartworm problem area, additional tests are recommended before a preventive or treatment program is started.

Indications of possibleheartworm disease are:

• Difficulty breathing• Coughing• Tires easily• Listlessness• Weight loss• Rough hair coat

In many cases, there are advanced symptoms. Some dogs do not appear to have symptoms in the early stages while others do. If not detected and controlled with proper treatment, heartworm can lead to congestive heart failure and death.

Today, the majority of dogs with heartworm disease survive. Most are

cured by medications. Some require surgery. Prompt detection prevents needless suffering.

Although heartworm is seen less frequently in cats, the disease poses a much greater danger. The outcome is often fatal.

Feline diseasesFeline Leukemia Virus (FeLV):This virus, for which there is a very effective vaccine, is transmitted by cat‐to‐cat contact. It severely limits the cat’s immune system’s ability to ward off all sorts of infections. Cats affected with FELV may be carriers of the virus for long periods without displaying any ill effects. Occasionally, if stressed by surgery or being lost outside or injury, a cat that is harboring the virus but seems to be healthy will develop clinical signs. Sick cats may have periods of time when they will seem healthy only to have relapses of illness. It is commonly fatal over a period of time.

Feline Immune Deficiency Virus (FIV): This disease in cats is similar to the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) seen in humans. FIV virus is found only in felines. The evidence seems to indicate that this disease is spread mainly through the bite of an infected cat. Like FeLV, this disease suppresses the immune system’s strength, and affected cats are likely to develop all sorts of infections in the urinary tract, respiratory tract, intestine and kidneys. There is an intranasal inoculation that some veterinarians have been using for several years to help protect cats against Feline Immune Deficiency virus. Although it is licensed and tested, some veterinarians aren’t convinced it is as protective as many of the other feline vaccines. Some veterinarians highly recommend inoculating cats in areas where FIV cases are common and where any specific cat may be at high risk of being exposed to others that potentially could be harboring the virus.

skunkedThe outside world is a playground to dogs and cats and coming face to face with a skunk is just one more adventure. The adventure turns sour when the skunk sprays your pet.

The most important thing to do if your pet has been sprayed is check his eyes, nose and mouth. The skunk tends toaim at the face and the chemicals in the spray could cause irritation and inflammation. The chemical can even inflame the lining of your pet’s throat and lungs if inhaled. If your pet’s eyes stay red and he continues to run his face, you should take him to the veterinarian who can prescribe an ointment to soothe the irritation.

The traditional remedy of soaking in tomato juice can reduce the odor somewhat. It will be more effective if you give your pet a bath with dog or cat shampoo first. Another home remedy that can cut down on odor is a mixture made of one teaspoon of dish washing liquid and one cup of baking soda dissolved in one quart of hydrogen peroxide (three percent strength). After thoroughly soaking your pet in the mixture, rinse completely with clean tap water.

Commercial products that are formulated to neutralize the foul‐smelling chemicals in skunk spray are available from your veterinarian and at most pet stores. If your pet’s hair is long, tangled and matted, you may have to cut some hair to get rid of the lingering odor.

Once your pet is welcome in the house with open arms, you can think about how to prevent this smelly situation from happening again. Skunks can be more than a nuisance because they have sharp claws and teeth that could injure your pet in a fight. Some may even carry diseases that could infect your pet. Consider fencing your yard to keep your pet in and unfriendly wildlife out.

pet corner

16 on carlsbad

1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “Photo ID Required.”

2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number of the “For” line in the bottom left corner. Instead put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all check processing channels won’t have access to it.

3. Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a P.O. Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a P.O. Box, use your work address.

4. Never have your social security number printed on your checks. If you have it printed anyone can get it and use it.

5. Duplicate the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc., and then you will know exactly what you had. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel.

6. Cancel credit cards immediately if purse or wallet is stolen. The key is having the toll free numbers and account numbers handy so you know how to call. Keep those numbers handy where you can find them.

7. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc. were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent and this is the first step toward an investigation.

8. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name. Also call the Social Security Fraud line number. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

Here are the numbers you always need to contactabout your purse or wallet having been stolen:• Equifax: 800‐525‐6285• Experian (formerly TRW): 999‐397‐3742• Trans Union: 800‐680‐7289• Social Security Administration (fraud line): 800‐269‐0271

what you should do beFore your Purse, wallet or even your identity is stolen!

on carlsbad

This information was gathered in an email from an attorney who had his wallet stolen.

17

tangled taters Concessions“Fabulous Fun Foodz Made to Order”

Gary Webb didn’t give a change in career a second thought after he turned his back on corporate Americato embark on a unique journey as a traveling concessionaire. He named his food vending business “Tangled Taters,” a name that just came to him he said.“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I love meeting people and I’ve made a lot of friends. When Excel Energy did away with my job classification, it’s the best thing they ever did for me.”

Webb vends at three events locally, the Chili Cook‐off/Car Show, September 16th Celebration and Calico Christmas. He’s a regular in Roswell at the Chili Fest, Cinco de Mayo, Gus Macker, Hike it—Spike it, Piñata Fest and the UFO Festival and has gone to Artesia for their annual New Year’s Eve Celebration. His permanent vending‐route schedule keeps him busy and takes him throughout parts of New Mexico and West Texas.“I do 30 events a year probably. I’ve got my route now and I’m pretty busy as it is,” he said, noting he started out part‐time for three years but has been full‐time the last six years. “I don’t do catering though.”Webb explained food vendors are like family, although they can be kind of secretive. One has to be careful not to divulge too much information. “If you tell someone where you’re going, they’ll be there next year,” he said with a serious smile.“Larry and Linda Tipton are food vendors and friends, and they have been a great help to me,” he added, explaining it’s always nice to have a mentor when starting into a business.Webb started his business in 1999 serving only fries, hot dogs and drinks. Today, his menu has increased and he serves ribbon fries, funnel cakes, fresh‐squeezed lemonade, hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos, sausage on a stick, brats, fresh‐cut onion rings, Frito pie, breakfast sandwiches, coffee, tea, bottled water, smoothies and Coca Cola products. He also serves Cajun‐battered chicken tenderloins on a stick and alligator on a stick.“My ribbon fries and funnel cakes are my money makers,” he said. “I have a killer limeade another food vendor gave me the recipe for. I usually only serve alligator on a stick when I’m at a motorcycle rally.”“I’m having the time of my life. I wish I had done this 20 years ago,” Webb said, adding he couldn’t have undertaken such a venture without the support and help of his wife Helen, sons Kevin and Keith and daughter‐in‐law Ida.For more information call Gary Webb at (575) 885‐5225or visit his website: www.tangled‐taters.com

new business profile Experience the heart of our community~ visit beautiful downtown Carlsbad!

CARLSBAD MAINSTREETPreserving A Sense Of Place

•Antiques• Art Galleries• Carlsbad Museum & Art Center• Clothing

Upcoming Events:Friday, October 31, 2008Downtown Trick or Treat

Saturday, Nov 29, 2008Holiday Stroll, Electric Light Parade andLittle Miss Merry Christmas Pagent

November 1-30, 2008TIME Art Project - Co-sponsored by Carlsbad MainStreetand New Mexico Arts. Many fine art and sculptureprojects. All displays are in the MainStreet Districtwithin easy walking distance of each other.

CARLSBAD MAINSTREET 505.628.3768

• Friendly Merchants• Gift Shops• Home Decor• Jewelry• Specialty Stores

18 on carlsbad

Howard Danforth fought his way back after an automobile accident nearly took his life. Those who know Danforth can attest to the fact there are no pretenses with him and what you see is what you get—a true Carlsbad character. He believes a sense of humor is important and laughter is the best medicine. He loves talking about travel and enjoys restoring sports cars. Following the accident, he wrote his thoughts and feelings about his recovery struggle in a yet‐to‐be‐published book titled “Girls, Donuts, and the Red, White, and Blue.”

“While I may be a character, there are some deep seeded values,” Danforth said, adding he gives his mother credit for who he is today. “My depth comes from my personal walk. The most important things to me are my personal relationship to God and the opportunity I had to raise my daughter Melissa.”

His once thriving travel business dwindled as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York City, and he was forced to close three of his offices by January 2002. “Everything closed down but me sitting in my office in Carlsbad,” he said.

Today, he runs Danforth Travel out of his home and arranges Casino trips to Ruidoso, Albuquerque, Las Vegas and Santa Fe. “They were the only thing that kept me alive then,” he said, adding he also arranges vacation vignettes. Pick your destination and let him do what he does best.

Rob Bauman initialized the “dot com” humor everyone enjoys when Danforth introduces himself to promote his business at the Chamber‐sponsored, business‐networking breakfast called Friday Focus.

“The one event that has influenced my recovery has been Friday Focus,” he said, noting Mark Losey of Adventure Signs and Lighting helped him out a lot after his accident and often put his business card in front of him at the table so he wouldn’t forget.

“It’s hard to remember the ordinary but easy to remember the unordinary,” Danforth said, adding he sometimes wonders how others observe him. Not that it really matters—he’s just curious.

His accident was three years ago Aug. 12. He and his daughter went for a drive to Queen to have a hamburger.The café was closed so they turned around to come back

to Carlsbad. It was the first time Melissa had driven the convertible sports car he had just restored for her.

“My daughter held me for an hour in the road waiting for the ambulance. Basically, the EMT’s addressed me as dead, but my daughter forced them to exam me a second time,” he said, thankful for her love, faith and persistence.

On the third day following his accident, his mother had to respond to what Lubbock doctors said about his prognosis. They unplugged him from life support while he was still in a coma. Miraculously, he stabilized and awoke permanently a week later.

“When I got home everything was starting over,” he said. “I was trying to remember who I was and where I was. When someone offered to vacuum, I told them no because the crumbs are the only way I find my way to the refrigerator.”

“It is an event that changed me—from the trauma to recovery. I have a deep appreciation for those who haven’t recovered to the degree I have,” he added, noting his injuries left him with a periodic stutter and, at times, with difficulty saying what he’s thinking.

Danforth hopes to self‐publish his book in the near future. “The book is about feelings and values in the

form of a story. My one personal goal is to get it published.”

For travel needs, call Danforth Travel at 234‐9978 or email Howard at h.danforth@hotmail.com or visit his website: www.danforthtravel.com.

Danforth Travel dot com … carlsbad character

FordLincolnMercuryFordtown

Growing and changing to meet the needs of Carlsbad!

2802 W. Pierce • Carlsbad, NM • 575.885.3101

19

Know the Signs ofDepression and SuicideDepression, a medical condition that affects thoughts and feelings and can significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to function in daily life, can occur at any age. The myth that anyone seeking help for depression is crazy, hysterical or needs to be put in a straight jacket is just that—a myth based on stigma and misunderstanding.

“The number one problem why people don’t seek help is that they are embarrassed of being labeled,” said Kirstin Carlson, marketing and community liaison for Carlsbad Mental Health Center. “I think a lot of people are afraid to come forward. Most of the time depression is caused by a chemical imbalance and that’s why professional help is so important.”

Levels of depression can be mild, moderate and severe. A forerunner to depression is stress, which can cause physiological symptoms such as fatigue or tiredness throughout the day, change in sleeping patterns, feeling of restlessness, lack of concentration and thoughts of injuring yourself or suicide.

“Usually a person who commits suicide is in severe emotional distress,” Carlson added.

Although some who are depressed choose the suicide route, not all depressed individuals are suicidal. “It’s not that they want to die. Thoughts occur over time and the motive is they want the pain to stop,” Carlson explained, noting thoughts fluctuate back and forth and it’s difficult to know whether they are really committed to committing the act.

“Don’t take chances,” she said, adding that even if someone casually or jokingly says, “I don’t know what I’m going to do” or “You’ll be sorry,” it may sound casual, but those can be indications of suicidal thoughts.

Those who survive suicide feel guilty and often question everything. “It affects everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re poor or rich or where you come from,” Carlson said, noting there were no connections between the recent local rash of suicides that involved kids and adults in different age groups in different situations. “It just goes to show you anyone can be affected by suicide.”

Help is available at CMHC. If private insurance doesn’t cover treatment, there’s help through other programs, funding from the state and a copay based sliding fee scale set according to income.

“We don’t turn anyone away if they can’t pay. There’s help available. No situation has to be helpless and there’s no situation that can’t be helped as far as money,” Carlson said, adding many employers offer confidential Employee Assistance Programs

This past spring CMHC began participating in a national initiative pilot program through the National Council for Quality Behavioral Health. CMHC was one of four centers chosen out of 60. The initiative required transforming traditional office setting treatment rooms into more personal homelike “comfort rooms.”

“When clients come in for an appointment, the counselor and client go to a comfort room,” Carlson said. “When someone comes in a crisis situation, we don’t leave them in the waiting room. We take them immediately to one of the comfort rooms.”

“I think it has provided a much more comfortable setting for the client to be in,” she added.

Get Help Right Away confidential 24‐hour Crisis Line: (575) 885‐8838

For more information or to make an appointment, call Carlsbad Mental Health Center at (575) 885‐4836.

Know the SignsThe signs and symptoms of clinical depression are:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood• Changes in sleep patterns• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain• Loss of pleasure and interest in once‐enjoyable activities, including sex• Restlessness, irritability• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders• Difficulty concentrating at work or at school or difficulty remembering things or making decisions• Fatigue or loss of energy• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless• Thoughts of suicide or death

If you experience five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or longer, you could have clinical depression. See a doctor or qualified mental health professional for help, right away.

20 on carlsbad

John Butterfield spoke those words time and time again to stagecoach drivers traveling west over the 2,800‐mile Buttlerfield Overland Stage Line and Mail Route in the late 1850s and early 1860s. One of the remote stops along the route was the Pinery Butterfield Stage Station, just about an hour drive from Carlsbad in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The Pinery was the highest elevation stop located near Guadalupe Pass at the mouth of Pine Springs Canyon. The Pinery was one of the more attractive stops because of the mountain setting known for its dependable sources of water and good forage for grazing stock. Rockwork that Butterfield’s engineers laid to build the road is still visible north of the highway and west of the old roadside park above the highway.

The first stage arrived at the Pinery on the afternoon of Sept. 28, 1858. It was here that the pioneer westbound and eastbound Butterfield stagecoaches, both several hours ahead of schedule passed each other at 7 p.m. that day.

The Overland route, a grueling wilderness journey, was the longest stagecoach line in the world and existed for only three years (1858‐1861). The route originated in St. Louis and passed through only three cities—El Paso, Tucson and Los Angeles—before reaching its destination in San Francisco.

Between these cities, remote stage stops or way stations were located every 20 miles or so. Each stagecoach made regular stops for water, food, rest and fresh mule teams, as well as protection from outlaws and hostile Indians. At these stops, drivers and passengers found themselves in the company of station keepers, cooks, herders, blacksmiths, express riders, freighters, packers, traders, gold‐seekers and adventurous settlers.

What remains of the Pinery Stage Station today can easily be accessed by paved walking trails, which are wheelchair accessible, from the Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Pine Springs Visitor Center as well as from the parking area on U.S. Highway 62/180.

This once fort‐like structure reminds those standing before it that it played a significant role in linking east and west through transportation and communication.

The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Butterfield Overland Stage arriving at the Pinery near the Pine Springs Visitor Center on Sept. 28, 1858. Stagecoach rides will be offered between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 27 and Sunday Sept. 28 on the historic Butterfield Route near the Frijole Ranch turnoff and Highway 62/180.

Remember boys, nothing on God’s earth must stop the United States mail.

Carryingthe u.s. Mail

21

to Advertise in

please contact Valerie Cranston575.885.8362

vcranston@gmail.com

575.628.0555 • 609 N. Canyon • Carlsbad, NM 88220

Espresso Coffee • Artisan BreadsFresh Baked Pastries

Fresh Soup, Salads & Sandwiches

Lunch SpecialsTuesday-Friday 11-1

HoursM-F 6am-2pm • Sat. 6am-12pm

Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30am - 2pmAll Items Available for Take-Out

409 S. Canal • Carlsbad, NM 88220 • 575.887.8882

SERVING the BESTBREAKFAST and LUNCH in TOWN!

The Next BestPlace To Home

Carlsbad: 575.234.2000Hobbs: 575.492.0038www.beehivehomes.com

Assisted Living In A Residential SettingH O M e SCounter Tops For Kitchen And Bath

business & dining directory

Fresh Ideas for Your Business

Full Service AdvertiSing • Print & Web deSign • SPeciAlty PublicAtionS • PromotionAl ProductS

toll free 866.207.0821 • www.ad-venturemarketing.com

“Advertising increases next week’s sales, but mArKeting insures continual growth.”

22 on carlsbad

... Offering careers, not jobs.

The LargestProducer of Potash in the U.S.

Carlsbad, New Mexico

www.intrepidpotash.com

The advanced medical care you need.

Right here at home.At Carlsbad Medical Center, you’ll find the advanced medical

technology you need – when you need it. Our dedicated and

experienced medical staff includes 55 physicians and offers

24 specialties ranging from emergency medicine and surgery

to oncology and more. The advanced medical care and

technology you need are right here at home.

Acute Care Rehabilitation Unit (Inpatient/Outpatient, Transitional

Care, OT, PT, Speech, Stroke Care)Bone DensitometryCardiology/Cardiovascular ServicesCardiopulmonary ServicesCardiac (Angiography, Cath Lab, Angioplasty,

Stenting, Nuclear Imaging)Diabetes Self-Management CenterDietary ServicesEducation DepartmentEmergency Department, 24-Hour

GI/Endoscopy LabHealthy WomanHospitalistsImaging (64-Slice CT Scanner, MRI, Bone

Densitometry, Nuclear Medicine, Lithotripsy, Ultrasound, MRI, PACS)

Inpatient Rehabilitation and Transitional Care UnitIntensive Care UnitLabor & Delivery, Level II Special Care NurseryLaboratory/Blood BankMedical/Surgical/Pediatric UnitNutritional Counseling/ Diabetes CenterOccupational/Industrial MedicineOutpatient Diagnostic Center & Sleep LabPharmacyRehabilitation Therapy ServicesSenior CircleSleep Studies LabSurgery (Inpatient/Outpatient)VolunteersWomen’s ServicesWound Care Services (Inpatient/Outpatient)

For a physician referral, please call (575) 887-40MD.

www.carlsbadmedicalcenter.com

35574_CARL_7_25x9_75_HBnp15_4c.i1 1 4/30/08 1:46:52 PM