Portales Past

Jan. 4, 1961

• The Portales City Council officially adopted the State of New Mexico traffic code as the official code for the city.

• Farmers were preparing to meet with a commodity expert from the New Mexico Farm Bureau to investigate growing sugar beets in the area. The Cuban crisis was cutting off traditional sugar markets for the U.S. and domestic production was in demand.

Jan. 6, 1961

• A total of 10,980 bales of cotton had been ginned in Roosevelt County, since the harvest began. Officials estimated 600-700 bales were left to gin.

• Dean’s Automotive Service in Portales was advertising the Studebaker Lark as “No. 1 for ‘61.”

• “Oceans 11” starring Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. was showing at the Tower.

Jan. 8, 1961

• Hunters in Roosevelt County were reportedly having rotten luck in the first sandhill crane hunting season since 1918. Game officials speculated that not enough hunters knew the proper tactics. Hunters said the season was too late and the birds had left for warmer climes.

• Joe Bilberry scored 20 points to lead the Floyd Broncos over Elida 46-39.

Jan. 9, 1961

• Bob Heselton of Hessie’s 66 Service Station received a $50 award from Phillips 66 for providing perfect driveway service to a “Mystery Motorist.”

• Travis Gossett advertised Jersey and Holstein milk cows for sale from one to 100 head. His reason for selling, as stated in the ad — “Going fishing.”

Jan. 10, 1961

• An overflow of water from the south water tank in Portales left six inches of slush on 16th Street.

• The Roosevelt County Fair Board decided that the next fair queen would no longer be elected on the basis of a penny a vote. Instead, the board would sponsor the queen with details on the selection process to be worked out.

Jan 11, 1961

• It was announced that Montgomery Ward had taken out a five-year lease on a building on the east side of the square in Portales. The remodeled building had previously been home to Sledge Hardware.

• The Mr. Shop in Portales was advertising it’s Green Door Savings Sale. Sport coats were marked down to $17.95.

Jan. 12, 1961

• College Drug advertised Aqua Velva shave lotion, Brom-Seltzer and Sominex sleeping tablets in an ad on the sports page.

• Members of the Floyd Homemakers Club were preparing for a “fancy pillow day” at the community building. Mrs. Orville Washington Sr. was to be the instructor for the course.

Jan. 13, 1961

• Bill R. Boone assumed duties as assistant branch manager at the First Federal Savings and Loan Co. in Portales. Boone transferred from the First Federal branch in Clovis.

• The Eastern Aquatic Club was presenting “Holiday in Hawaii.” The event featured a water show along with a pageant in which one of 13 female students at ENMU would be crowned Dolphin Queen.