On this date ...

1961: Joel Smith had arrived in Portales to assume duties as manager of the Tower and Varsity theaters.

Smith was transferred to Portales from Crane, Texas.

He was married with three children and one grandson. His oldest son was the backfield coach for Texas A&I College in Kingsville.

Asked about his first impression of Portales, Smith said: “When people on the street speak to a stranger like I am, I know I’m in a happy town.”

1976: The Plains Inn Café in Portales was pleased to announce, “Victor Hornal is back to serve you. Victor has over 30 years experience in cooking the fine dinners that you have come to expect.”

The Plains was open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays and from 7 a.m. to noon on Sundays.

1986: Sandra Gutierrez was preparing for her last regular-season home game on the basketball court at Eastern New Mexico University.

The Portales News-Tribune described Gutierrez as “certainly one of the most exciting players ever to grace a Zia uniform.”

Wrote newspaper Managing Editor Scot Stinnett:

“It’s a scene that has been repeated hundreds of times in the past four years at Eastern New Mexico University.

“Gliding downcourt with her head swiveling and her large brown eyes on high beam, she weaves and feints. At the top of the key, her stare bores into the eyes of the defender and the enemy freezes – the only advantage she’ll need.

“The pass may come from any one of a hundred different angles, but it will come and will arrive on target at a time when her teammate can lay it in for an easy bucket.

“In the stands, people just shake their heads. It is a pass that females supposedly can’t make – but she makes it every night.”

The Antler’s experience …

1941: The Antler’s Bar promised “We serve and prepare your favorite drink the way you like it best.”

The place to “Meet your friends” was at 111 W. Grand in Clovis. The phone number was 235.

Birthday sale …

1966: The Washington’s Birthday Sale at Trader’s in Clovis featured multiple specials, including toaster ovens for 22 cents (limited quantity), a 12-inch personal portable TV for 22 cents (with purchase of a General Electric color TV), and maple magazine stands for $9.22.

Trader’s Furniture Carpet and GE Appliances was located at 109-111 Main in Clovis.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact:

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