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Youth of West Park Baptist Church braved the coldest weather of the year
Wednesday night to present their annual "Living Nativity" on the front
lawn of the church at Sixth and Eddy streets.
Nacona Parmer and Jeff Perkins portrayed Mary and Joseph. They entered
the spotlighted area to music by Perry Como, sought a room in the inn
and were escorted to a manger by innkeeper Eric Bainter.
Shepherds Kristen Carreon, Tammy Bainter and April Ryan, alerted by
angel Christina Akins, soon arrived to worship the Christ Child born to
Mary.
Kings bearing gifts for the Christ Child were portrayed by Michael
O'Callaghan, Chris Ryan and Holly Perkins. Jae Ewing projected images of
camels onto the building wall as the kings approached.
Dickie Jones operated the sound system.
Refreshments were served in the church fellowship hall between
performances at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Kim Ewing directs the youth group and the pageant.
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
Steps are being taken make Christmas in Pecos literally `brighter'
during the 1997 holiday season.
"We're hoping to raise enough funds for new Christmas decorations to be
placed around town for the following Christmas," said incoming Pecos
Chamber of Commerce President Paul Hinojos.
Hinojos is also chairman of a group wanting to update the city's aging
Christmas lights, by purchasing new decorations for next year.
"We want to beautify Pecos, to decorate it and make it a wonderful
Christmas for the children and everybody, so that they can take more
pride in their town," said Hinojos.
A number of holiday decorations on light poles around town are either
completely dark at night, or have burnt-out bulbs, while some buisness
sections of the city have no decorations at all.
This is a community effort and the chamber would like all the clubs,
community members and interested individuals to get involved, according
to Hinojos.
The Downtown Lions Club has so far donated $1,000 to the worthy cause
and the Pecos Rotary Club has said that they plan to match or exceed the
donation.
"We want this to be a community effort, because it is a community
project," said Hinojos.
"We're hoping that by September we will have raised enough, so that we
can order the items needed," he said.
Cost for the new decorations will range in prices.
"There are some that are really expensive, while others are moderately
priced," he explained.
The ones the group is thinking of purchasing will cost about $11,000.
"Of course we'll refurbish the ones we already have and purchase some
new ones," Hinojos said.
Hinojos said that they are asking businesses along the streets targeted
for decorations to either sponsor a light pole outside their building,
or to purchase the decoration of their choice.
The streets which are targeted for the new decorations are Third Street,
South Eddy Street and Cedar Street.
"I have a catalogue that has all the decorations available along with
the prices and if a business wishes to purchase one to place in front of
their building they can do so," said Hinojos.
The Pecos Chamber of Commerce will choose all the other decorations that
will be bought.
"We want to give them a choice if they wish to purchase their own," said
Hinojos.
"We want to show more pride in Pecos and hopefully to provide a cheerier
Christmas for next year," he said.
"This is for our community. It's for everyone, and we would like all the
clubs and anyone wishing to do so to help us in our efforts," he said.
An update will be given monthly as the to status of the fund.
"We'll be letting the public know where we are in our efforts, what we
lack and who's be helping so far," he said.
Anyone wishing to help with the Christmas Lighting Fund can contact
Hinojos at the First National Bank, 445-9444.
By MARI MALDONADO
Staff Writer
Concerns about discipline once again made their way through the chain of
command and to the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board, during Tuesday
night's regular monthly meeting.
Retired P-B-T librarian, and now substitute for the district, Betty
Capshaw, told board members that the situation regarding the lack of
discipline at the high school is dire and creating, "animosity between
teachers and administrators."
"Believe me there is a problem," she contended.
"The students are taking over," she said, declaring that requiring,
"more paperwork and (having to fill out) forms is not the answer."
"The students know what is going," continued Capshaw, adding, "they are
taking over. They are in control."
"Help is need," she said.
Board member Frank Perea asked that some an agenda item calling for some
sort of investigation about Capshaw's allegations be put on the agenda.
"I would like to see if her allegations are founded on fact," he said,
because, "those are serious allegations."
In a related issue, handbooks for the Zavala Middle School, Crockett
Middle School, Lamar Middle School Sixth Grade and Pecos High School
were approved, as was the second reading of the P-B-T ISD Employee
Handbook.
The board also postponed action on revising the discipline management
plan, pending word from the district's attorney.
Superintendent Mario Sotelo told the board that all parents will be
receiving a copy of the district's report card from Texas Education
Agency, which are, "primarily based on TAAS (scores)," in their
students' report cards.
Only a discussion was conducted regarding the district report.
The board voted to approve the campus improvement plans as presented,
after assurance from the superintendent that all was budgeted for.
Guidance Counselor Michelle Workman delivered a brief presentation to
board members on instituting an experimental course in career
connections for PHS 10th graders for the 1997-98 school year.
"They will have the opportunity to gain employability skills...develop
career pathways," and become aware of college opportunities and choices.
"It is a community driven course," Workman added, along with being,
"parent-based."
"It's more of a guidance activity," added Career and
Technology Director Larry Sloan.
The idea passed by a unanimous vote.
An update on the Alternative Education Program revealed that there are
currently 20 school district students enrolled in and 11 Reeves County
Juvenile Detention Center youth attending the program.
Business manager for the school district, Cookie Canon, told the board
that there are plans to increase the computer stations at the Pecos
Elementary and Lamar Middle School Sixth Grade campuses from 16 to 24.
"They will be similar to the one at Bessie Haynes," she added. The
software has been received for the project, "and we're waiting on the
hardware."
Funds were transferred from the district's bilingual program to help the
technology department with this project, she added. Primary funds were
received from Title I monies, Canon said.
Board members unanimously passed a resolution to grant 4-H activities
extracurricular status, falling under the no-pass/no-play rule.
Budget amendments for the AEP program were approved as presented by
Canon, as was the superintendent's evaluation form, with a few changes
made, according to forms from the previous years. The revised form will
be used next year only. The latter motion was passed with the requisite
that the board look at a different, more streamlined form for the future.
No action was taken on a proposal to name the old and new PHS gyms. "We
need more input from everybody," said Board President Linda Gholson.
Also, trustees voted unanimously to keep the Eagle 2 coach bus, "fix it
up," and sell Eagle 1 on consignment to the Fort Worth dealership from
whom the two newer coach buses were recently purchased from. It will
leave the district with four transport coach vehicles.[
No executive session was held and board members voted to approved the
resignation of Jolene Whitehurst as Austin Elementary librarian. A
retirement party was held in her honor Wednesday afternoon.
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
Bright, shiny faces lit up at the sight that greeted them upon opening
their doors Wednesday afternoon.
Toys for Tots "elves" began their trek yesterday, travelling all over
town delivering the toys, clothes and "goodies" they had wrapped up for
the children.
Boys and girls who would otherwise not have received toys for Christmas
will be getting a little bit extra this year, thanks to the efforts of
the local program.
"We're not just giving them toys this year, but clothes and
necessities," said Elf Sofia Baeza, who is the coordinator of the
program. "We're actually an extension from (the original Toys for Tots
program) because we don't just give out toys."
The group is also planning a name change before next Christmas, in
conjunction with their expanded efforts.
They're considering Christmas for Kids as the new name. "This way it
will include all the other items that we are providing," Baeza explained.
Items the group has gathered include jackets, shoes, tennis shoes,
warm-up sets, pant sets, baby clothes and other baby articles.
"We didn't just want to focus on toys, since children need so much
more," she said.
Baeza credits her involvement in the project to her granddaughter.
"My son is a fireman in Odessa and he was very touched by a fire, where
the family lost everything," said Baeza. "He went home and told his
children about it, and my granddaughter decided to donate her clothes to
the needy family," said Baeza.
What happened next is what really touched her heart.
"I couldn't believe my ears, when she came here and was telling me
about, then said, `why don't you do something to help people like that,'"
Baeza asked her what could she do.
"You could collect from the richer people to give to them," she told me.
"If this little person could be so giving and loving that she would
donate her best clothes to others, then I could do my part also," said
Baeza.
"With the help of the people and blessings of this community we were
able to help about 106 families," said Baeza.
The group wrapped about 319 presents in all, for 286 children.
Seven Reeves County Sheriff's Department employees and County Treasurer
Linda Clark have worked hard all week and will continue until all the
gifts are delivered.
The elves include Baeza and Clark, Pam Bustillos, Pam Dominguez, Betty
Herrera, Cato Ybarra, Jesus Baeza and Alfredo Saldana.
"They have stayed late all week wrapping all the gifts and we will be
out delivering until all the gifts are delivered to the appropriate
houses," said Baeza.
Baeza said the program they are working on is not for personal
recognition, but to help those less fortunate.
"We're doing this because we want to help others, especially the
children, who really believe in Christmas and deserve a good one," she
said.
To be a Toys for Tots/Christmas for Kids, recipient, individuals may
fill out an application.
"We got names from the schools, from people filling out applications,
from churches, the fire department and just by word of mouth," said
Baeza. "We're here to help all those that we can, and the more we can
help the better."
As the gifts were delivered the spirit of Christmas prevailed.
"All the thanks we need is to see those happy little faces," said Baeza,
who received another surprise yesterday, when a special Christmas Card
from President Clinton and his family arrived.
"I was so thrilled that he would be sending me a Christmas card," said
Baeza.
The card read in part, "thanks for your wonderful community service."
"It was really exciting to be receiving something like this from the
White House," she said.
Services for Sam Jones, 83, of Hobbs were held Friday, Dec. 13, at
Jefferson Street Church of Christ with Eli Borden, minister,
officiating. Virgil Web, minister, will assist.
Burial was on Dec. 13 at Seminole South Cemetery under direction of
Griffin Funeral Home.
Jones died Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Hobbs.
He was an elder at Taylor Street Church of Christ, was listed in the Lea
County Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was
a rancher, and he worked on the Taylor Ranch.
Survivors include his wife, Effie Mae Jones; two sons, Mike Jones of
Gorman and Charles Jones of Midland; three daughters, Martha Whitman and
Elaine Hood of Hobbs, and Teresa Jones of Sugarland; two brothers,
Vernon Jones of Hobbs and Elgin Jones of Mentone; a sister, Callie
Newcomb of Lueders; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the New Mexico Christian
Children's Home in Portales, N.M., or to the Hospice of Lea County.
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