News-Bulletin

VALENCIA
COUNTY
LOCALS
2 0 1 2
Citizen
of the year
Unsung Heroes
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin
2 October 27, 2012
Citizen of the Year: Jim Lane
Meadow Lake man with a mission
Brent Ruffner-News-Bulletin photo
MEADOW LAKE RESIDENT Jim Lane, right, talks with Marlene Padilla, left, about a scavenger
hunt on a recent day at the Meadow Lake Parks Area Association property.
Submitted photo
THIS PICTURESQUE VIEW of Meadow Lake in the past is similar to what resident Jim Lane
hopes to transform the now desert area into a park where families can spend time together.
By Brent ruffner
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
bruffner@news-bulletin.com
Meadow Lake
Enthusiasm is contagious.
For Jim Lane, the News-Bulletins 2012
Citizen of the Year, that enthusiasm was chan-
neled into a project meant to revitalize the past
and rebuild the future.
Lane is a Meadow Lake resident who had
a vision of transforming a 35-acre area into
a park, complete with four ponds where resi-
dents would have access to horseback riding
and hiking trails that could go deep in the
Manzano Mountains.
Thirty-some years ago, trees crowded
around the man-made lake and residents could
be found feeding the ducks or simply taking in
the gorgeous views of the mountains.
The land, located at the end of Meadow
Lake Road, looked to be more abundant than
any dead-end street.
The water was used to irrigate crops of near-
by residents in the 1960s and later became a
place where families and children could come
and spend quality time with one another.
But at some time, those breathtaking views
were lost in the heaps of trash thrown, which
collected over decades of neglect and misuse
of land that was once pristine.
It was a beautiful, little man-made lake,
Lane said. But at some point, they drained it.
Lane, 55, helped organize a mighty effort
to recondition the area and eventually formed
a 501(c)3, a non-profit organization, after he
managed to secure the land from Los Lunas
developer and realtor Max Kienhe.
Lanes vision was to create four small
ponds separated by land and picnic tables and
benches for folks to socialize and relax as the
Meadow Lake Parks Area Association was
formed.
But Lane knew the clean-up wouldnt be
easy. So, he gathered a board of directors and
set out to clear a huge area filled with trash,
old sofas and even a dead horse.
Lane estimates hundreds of man hours were
spent clearing nearly 60 tons of debris.
An open house took place that essentially
dedicated the land to the community in August
2010.
Now, a couple of trees sit in what was once
Meadow Lake, along with a few sitting areas
where people can go and relax.
The association charges a $35 annual mem-
bership for people who want to use the area,
and so far, a little more than 50 people have
joined.
Members get a key to the locked gate and
many use the dirt walking track that is close to
a mile in length.
Bonfires are also popular for get-togethers at
a fire pit situated near the middle of the walk-
ing track.
Lane said the recent appearance of the land
is a stark contrast from an area littered with
trash.
It was a dumping ground, Lane said. This
community was going downhill.
But, the Meadow Lake man knows the
project is still far from done. There are still
obstacles that need to be overcome.
But the obstacles seem to be his specialty.
Lane doesnt let those obstacles get him
down, and he has been the individual who has
been the primary motivator inspiring others to
get involved.
Nothing has seemed to deter Lane.
He uses two words that embody his groups
progress baby steps.
Lane says the small strides that the Meadow
Lake Area Parks Association has made count
toward the end result of bringing a positive
experience to young people in the area who
maybe wouldnt otherwise have it.
The group has persevered from the get-go.
On one occasion, he and fellow Meadow
Lake resident Jerry Cline were using a bull-
dozer to grade the land, and at some point, it
took off without the men in it. Cline managed
to jump in the seat of the dozer before it landed
in a nearby arroyo.
The dozer wound up with a broken track and
turbo charger a rare, 1966 model that no
longer worked.
Cline found the exact charger in a scrap pile
of old mechanical parts.
Now, if that isnt a sign that this project is
going to succeed, I dont know what is, Lane
said.
The group is determined to make sure that
more than 5,000 Meadow Lake residents have
a place of their own to bring their families one
day. Board members have worked together to
help piecemeal needed parts of what will be
the finished product.
Little items, such as a small pond and a
group of purple and white flowers next to a
chain-link fence east of the roadway, are all
part of the plan.
Next, the group needs the use of a backhoe
that they hope will be donated by a business or
community member.
The association also hopes to garner a
$150,000 legislative appropriation that would
help complete the first phase of the project.
The phase would get (the group) going and
include picnic tables and working rest rooms.
But a lack of funding hasnt stopped the
group or Lane from holding events for the pub-
lic. On a recent Saturday, Lane helped host a
Treasure Map Reading Workshop, an event
geared for children and parents to spend qual-
ity time together.
Twelve to 14 groups turned out for the event
that had families trekking across an area that
spans 1.1 to 1.4 miles depending on the map
the group happened to choose. Each map
included seven stops where individuals needed
to pick up certain items to be able to earn their
prize at the end of the trip.
Lane took time to explain the rules to each
group and took a picture of the families as
they exited the scavenger hunt. Lane explained
to one young girl that there would be candy at
one of the stops and reminded her to not litter
on the grounds.
On one of the maps, group members were
required to find a camp fire and take an item
from a man who had a container covered with
animal fur and then go on to a stop where
people were given a drink of water and apples
on their way to a horse trail.
At the wood pile stop, participants were
required to take a roll of the dice to determine
which animal they had to draw to receive a
lanyard. They received their choice of petrified
wood or a peacock feather along with a snack
and drink.
Lane said the group tried to make the scav-
enger hunt unique so children would be excited
about the experience.
Theres a bunch of happy kids here, Lane
said.
Meadow Lake resident Sonia Estrada took
her two children to the event. She said the
event was perfect for the weekend since there
isnt many activities going on in her neighbor-
hood.
I though it would be fun to take them,
Estrada said.
The next weekend, another family activity
was scheduled to take place that involved mak-
ing paper rockets.
Tom Mraz, a board member of the non-prof-
it, said he got involved with the effort after he
moved to the area almost seven years ago. He
said the association is committed to seeing the
project through to its completion.
Mraz said the project is a way to save kids
so they dont develop bad habits, such as com-
mitting crimes. He said the park is a way for
children to participate in positive learning
activities.
He said Lane has been the driving force to
help continue with the project, and that Lane
has been a positive influence on the other
members.
Without Jim here, it wouldnt happen,
Mraz said. It would still be a landfill.
MLPAA Board Member Bob Gosticha said
if the group has its way, the park will be the
pride of the area. He said no way the group
will stop until the project is complete, and
members of the association can find the fund-
ing it needs.
Funding would go toward filling the four
ponds and creating a few grassy areas suitable
for children.
Its not going to be nickels and dimes,
Gosticha said. Its going to take some fund-
ing.
Gosticha said obstacles the group has faced
are no match for Lane. He said Lane has found
resources one way or another.
If it didnt come from some place, he found
it somewhere else, he said.
Cline said Lanes efforts have made others in
the group work harder.
The board member, in his third year with the
project, said members who want the park to
get completed are motivated by the proximity
of the area to their own homes.
This is where we live, Cline said.
Lane knows there is still a lot to do.
He said a clay bed liner would hold the water
100 percent better than the black plastic liner
was able to support the water in the past. Hes
experimenting with different mixtures of dirt
and clay to help figure which will best suit the
ponding areas.
But Lane said the work by others has been
instrumental to the groups success.
Alan Billau, Cline, Gosticha, Joe
Griffenberg, Mraz and previous members have
greatly contributed to the effort, Lane said.
Theres no way I could have done it without
other people, Lane said. They want to see
the community grow.
The leader of the group said members of the
association are stewards of the land and gates
to the property are locked for non-members to
preserve the condition of the land.
The association has received donations from
individuals and area businesses, and Lane said
he expects more in the future. His positive
attitude will no doubt help the group get where
they want to go.
We have done so much with so little, Lane
said.
Brent Ruffner-News-Bulletin photo
JIM LANE, the 2012 Citizen of the Year, sits on a stump carved by volunteers of the Meadow
Lake Parks Area Association. Lane is the driving force behind a project that will include four
ponds and several seating areas for community members. Lane and other volunteers are
vying for a $150,000 legislative appropriation to help revamp the area. The association, a
non-profit group, wants to turn the 35-acre area into a wildland park for Valencia County.
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES October 27, 2012 3 Valencia County News-Bulletin
Unsung Heroes: Cecilia CeCe Aragon
and Patti Bucklew
An affinity to art and to the community
By DeBorah Fox
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
dfox@news-bulletin.com
Belen
Raising money for the Belen Art
League Gallery is a labor of love for
Cecilia CeCe Aragon and Patti
Bucklew.
The team works off each others pas-
sion when one or the other runs out of
steam, but no project seems too much
when it comes to supporting the league.
Aragon is always looking for new
ideas to bring people into the BAL gal-
lery, and expand its membership. You
dont have to be an artist to be a mem-
ber either.
She develops and organizes programs
and events to attract people, working
with the Greater Belen Chamber of
Commerce to promote BAL at chamber
events. One of the chamber events to
promote BAL is the Rio Abajo Becker
Street Festival. Aragon and Bucklew
organized BAL exhibits and activities
out in front of the gallery during the
annual festival.
This year was our best year,
Aragon said. We had a huge sidewalk
sale, and then we had a face painter,
who is one of our members, that
reached out to the children.
Aragon originally got involved with
the BAL years ago when she took art
lessons from the late Dorothea von
Eckhardt. Eckhardt often recruited
her students to help set up shows, and
Aragon was no exception.
Then, Lorraine Doty, a former presi-
dent of the art league, asked Aragon if
she would take on the responsibility of
treasurer for the league.
I knew we were a non-profit, but
I thought we had enough money to
pay for the bills, said Aragon with a
chuckle. But there wasnt.
Membership dues help with the bills,
but Aragon faced a $200 balance and a
$600 bill as the new treasurer. So she
rolled up her sleeves and began tidying
up the BALs budget.
Thats how the annual yard sale start-
ed, Aragon said.
She asked BAL members if they
would clean out their closets, garages
and homes to see if they had any items
they could donate for the yard sale.
About 20 or so BAL members contrib-
ute by volunteering on a regular basis,
but Aragon and Bucklew are the steam
engines for the yard sale.
I started working with CeCe and
Patty at the Valentines Tea, said Belen
resident Imogene Hatch. Since then,
Ive worked with them at the yard sales,
and Ive seen how hard they work and
how passionate they are for things to go
right.
For starters, they arrange transpor-
tation and storage for all the donated
items.
The art league has no storage, said
Bucklew. We ended up, the last year
or two years, using the VFW for our
sales, because the art league has no
room. Even the week of the sale, we
ask everybody, Dont bring it in until
Wednesday, so that the classroom is
just full of stuff.
One year, they ended up renting a
U-Haul just to store the merchandise
for a couple of days, she said.
So, they organize where, when and
how, as well as set up the whole sale.
All of this money that we make is
to pay bills, to put on more programs
for the kids, do more things at the art
league, improve the building, adver-
tise more so that people know that its
there, Aragon said. We have some
really talented people in the Valencia
County area, and they need a place to
show their stuff.
The BAL gallery has rooms for
exhibits, a workshop for art classes and
a backyard garden for receptions and
summer events, all of which require
maintenance and sometimes repairs.
The yard sale is probably the biggest
fundraiser for the Belen Art League.
Theres so many logistics to getting
the yard sale going, Hatch said. First
it was in front of the art league for two
or three years, then we got the VFW
hall. Its just amazing. They do the hard
and the dirty work. Theyre there both
days and do all the heavy work, lift all
the heavy tables. If it werent for those
two, I dont think our yard sale would
be nearly as successful.
Part of the gallerys lease from the
city of Belen requires community out-
reach, and its a hand-in-glove situation
for the league.
The art leagues summer art work-
shop for youth is another of Aragons
projects. She started the program three
years ago, and she and Bucklew have
organized it ever since.
There are two separate workshops,
each one a week long, starting soon
after school gets out for the summer.
The fee is $5 and the league supplies all
the materials, instruction and activities.
Its a program close to Aragons
heart. She is an advocate for both
elders and youth, because they require
assistance and cant do everything for
themselves.
For the students in the summer
program, Aragon derives tremendous
satisfaction in being able to offer local
youth an opportunity to learn some-
thing different, explore different art
mediums and discover their talents, she
said.
If more supplies are needed than the
gallerys treasury can afford, shell dip
into her own pocketbook to make sure
the program has all thats needed.
The week-long workshop fills up fast,
and many of the students want to attend
both weeks, Aragon said.
We have a waiting list every year,
she said. Were hoping the more
instructors we can get, the bigger the
program can get.
When Aragon learned about an arts
media requirement for home-schooled
children, her wheels started turning
again.
Were hoping we can start a class all
through the year, not just the summer,
she said.
When Aragons mentor and former
art teacher, Eckhardt, died a couple of
years ago, Aragon and Bucklew were
there to help Eckhardts elderly sister,
Catherine.
She lived in Tierra Grande and need-
ed to move to an assisted living facility.
All her relatives are back east, but her
brother was coming to move her.
Aragon realized the woman needed
help with all her household goods, so
she and Bucklew organized an estate
sale. They did all the cleaning, packing,
pricing and then the selling, to make
sure Catherine received as much money
from the estate sale as possible.
Sometimes its just a matter of over-
hearing about a persons predicament.
Bucklew calls it being in the right place
at the right time.
Its just put on our hearts to help
them, Bucklew said. It just feels good
to help people, because they appreciate
it ... thats what I get out of it that I
know in my heart Im doing the right
thing at the time.
When Belen Art League member
John Bock died, he willed some of his
art work and all of his art supplies to
the league.
His lawyer called the gallery to
arrange the transfer of the materials
that were stored in an airplane hanger
at Mid-Valley Airpark.
The women had no idea it would be a
such large room full of supplies requir-
ing an extensive moving operation, but
they dug in all the same, grateful for
the treasure that would help support the
gallery.
The VFW really worked with us,
Aragon said. They let us use their
space, and we gave them a donation,
which helped them.
The yard sale earned the league more
than $3,000.
Theyre just indefatigable, Hatch
said about the two women. They dont
have to be asked or cajoled like a lot
of us do. They see a need and they just
do it.
Aragon and Bucklew also volunteer
at the Harvey House Museum in Belen
to help decorate the Christmas trees for
the holiday show.
The museum is also a nonprofit.
Aragons wheels started turning yet
again. She started thinking of ways to
promote the museum.
One way the Belen Art League sup-
ports the museum is by holding its
large, spring and fall art shows there,
renting the space for a $75 donation.
Promoting the Belen Art League
Gallery and tourism to Belen are the
aims of most of Aragon and Bucklews
volunteer activities.
I think the biggest thing for me is
my passion for the art league, Aragon
said. I want it to survive, and if it
means a little bit of work, then Im all
for it.
Sure, do I get tired? I do, but after
you do something and its a job well
done, a success or whatever, thats pay-
ment enough for me.
Deborah Fox-News-Bulletin photo
CECILIA CECE ARAGON, left, and Patti Bucklew, right, are tireless volunteers and advocates for the Belen Art League
and its gallery at 509 Becker St. in Belen. The duo are always working to attract visitors and new members.
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LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin
4 October 27, 2012
Unsung Hero: Shirley Blackwell
Promoting poetry and her passion
By UngelBah Daniel-Davila
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
udavila@news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
When power leads man
toward arrogance, poetry
reminds him of his limits,
quotes Shirley Blackwell of
President John F. Kennedy.
When power corrupts, poetry
cleanses.
Blackwell does not only
believe these words, she lives
them as president of the New
Mexico State Poetry Society,
founder and former chairwoman
of the Rio Grande Valencia
Poets chapter and author of
Already There, her first book
of poetry.
Blackwell, who has written
poetry since college, says when
her brother-in-law passed away
in 2003, she wrote a poem to
eulogize him. It was her first
serious poem she says, calling
it a cowboy poem for an old
cowboy.
Around that time, her daugh-
ter was teaching in the English
department at the University of
New Mexico-Valencia Campus
and shared her mothers poetry
will her colleague, professor
Greg Candela, who, after read-
ing her work, invited Blackwell
to a poetry workshop in
Mountainair.
After attending the workshop,
Blackwell decided to enroll in
Candelas poetry class and it
was there, she says, that she
caught fire and found her pas-
sion.
With poetry kindling in her
heart, Blackwell joined forces
with fellow poet George Forrest
and organized a group for kin-
dred spirits to come read their
poetry in a safe, supportive
environment.
Poets tend to be a lonely
bunch, Blackwell says.
The group gave them a place
to be around like-minded indi-
viduals, also bringing in those
she calls the closet poets.
Being with other poets
makes you write, read and think
about poetry, says Blackwell.
She says she sees poetry read-
ings and meetings as a form of
public service in that they give
people a place to go to express
themselves and develop the
arts.
This group soon blossomed
into the Rio Grande Valencia
Poets and in December 2005,
became an official chapter of
the New Mexico State Poetry
Society.
When Forrest, who was the
first chairman of the chapter,
was elected as state president,
Blackwell took the helm as
chapter chairwoman.
Valencia County was kind
of a little dead spot in the desert
as far as literary, and shes got-
ten people to come up and give
workshops and readings, says
Kitty Eppard, who nominated
Blackwell as an Unsung Hero.
In my feeling, (the poetry) has
really enriched this whole area.
Eppard said she sees families
attending the public reading
with their children, who, they
themselves, become excited
about poetry and see that litera-
ture can be fun.
We have kids as young as
5 who want to come up to the
microphone and say something
that rhymes, says Eppard. It
builds confidence and acquaints
them with literature.
Aside from the impact the
poetry events have on youth,
Eppard says they have also
inspired a number of elderly
men and women to write their
memoirs and share their stories
and experiences.
Currently, Blackwell and the
RGV Poets are working toward
organizing readings locally and
in Socorro for December. In
the past, the RGV Poets have
taken poetry into the schools to
do workshops with fourth- and
fifth-grade students through
the Childrens Poetry Playhouse
program.
I wanted to do things to pro-
mote poetry, said Blackwell,
and that she wanted to find ways
to inspire people with poetry the
way it had inspired her. Poetry
was a way to talk about things
I couldnt talk about any other
way, even to myself.
It seems despair is often what
creates a poet where there was
none before, and Blackwell tells
how in working with poetry, she
has noticed that its when a per-
son is experiencing that prover-
bial dark night of the soul that
poetry will often break forth.
I saw in others that (poetry)
is what kept them sane and got
them through (hard times), she
says. It showed me what poetry
can do for people for the
spirit.
Besides helping others use
poetry medicinally, Blackwell
says she wanted to encourage
overall literacy in the area.
The visual arts are well
represented here, but the liter-
ary arts, not as much, she said,
adding that poetry is being lost
in the schools and, the U.S.
doesnt have a poetry culture.
She attributed this cultural
lacking to her theory that peo-
ples native poetry traditions
were lost after immigrating to
the United States. However, she
admits a renaissance of poetry
is taking place nationally and
central New Mexico is playing a
big part in it.
Being chairwoman automati-
cally made Blackwell a board
member and eventually she
was asked to be state chancel-
lor, tasked with rewriting the
constitution, probably, she says,
because she kept complaining
about how out of date it was.
After rewriting the societys
constitution to bring it up to
speed with modern technology,
Blackwell was elected president.
She says rewriting the constitu-
tion in 2011 changed the whole
way the society functions, by
making it so that people can
attend meetings using technol-
ogy, such as Skype, rather than
attend in person, thus allowing
for the real possibility of a state-
wide society.
As a result, the society went
from 83 members to about 152
between May and September
2011, with the establishment of
four new chapters in Santa Fe,
Taos, Corrales and TorC, total-
ling eight altogether.
And to top it off, New
Mexico will be the host for the
2013 National Federation of
State Poetry Societies Annual
Convention in June, which
Blackwell is now in the midst of
organizing and planning.
I think its going to be a new
chapter for the federation, she
says, noting that since they have
never hosted an event like this,
it will be different than what
regular attendees are perhaps
used to. Were designing what
seems to make the most sense,
she says, so it will look differ-
ent.
Blackwell encourages people
to become members of the poet-
ry society, calling it a wonderful
source of fellowship.
I just want people to know
that the poetry society is a
resource for anyone who writes
poetry or likes to listen to poet-
ry, she says. Poetry can ben-
efit peoples lives, and society as
a whole.
Across a wintry backdrop filled with prophecies of snow,
a skein of sandhill cranes uncoils on the way toward rest.
Russet flickers under wings from the reflected glow
of flame-to-ember sunset banked against the west.
Earths oldest bird, now sailing thermals over sage and sand,
once soared above savannahs that stretched to cooling seas.
Pterodactyl echoes sound from this primeval band;
wings of feather once were leather on the buoyant breeze.
These elders of the airways flew in ages-old migration
when man was but a fledgling, and the world was wrapped in cold.
Now, humans are a factor in a delicate equation,
and if we keep the balance is a tale yet to be told.
As habitat diminishes to satisfy our greed,
where will these ancient majesties find space to rest and feed?
POET SHIRLEY BLACKWELL has had little time to get much
writing done lately as she prepares for the June 2013 National
Federation of State Poetry Societies Annual Convention to be held
in Albuquerque.
Ungelbah Daniel-Davila-News-Bulletin photos
LOCAL POET and President of the New Mexico State Poetry
Society Shirley Blackwell sits in her study with her first book of
poems Already There. Blackwell has been instrumental in bring-
ing the art of poetry to Valencia County.
Legacy
~Shirley Blackwell
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I was proudly honored by your support four years ago when YOU, the people elected me,
Donald Holliday as County Commissioner for District 5. I have been dedicated and commit-
ted to my job of serving my constituents and the people of Valencia County. These past four
years have not been easy but I have met the challenge and have made good and positive
progress. District 5 has not had a second consecutive term County Commissioner for many
years. Your continued support would be greatly appreciated in re-electing me, Donald Holli-
day, this November 6th election so that I may continue the work we have before us. Let the
voice of reason and the knowledge of my experience guide you with the right choice this
November 6th and re-elect Donald Holliday County Commissioner District 5.
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LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES October 27, 2012 5 Valencia County News-Bulletin
Unsung Hero: Cindy Clark
A contagious and crafty volunteer
By Mike Bush
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
mbush@news-bulletin.com
Belen
It would be difficult not to
like Cindy Clark.
It would be difficult not to
appreciate all she does for the
people of Belen and the sur-
rounding community.
Clark, former executive
director of the Greater Belen
Chamber of Commerce, a
transplanted Midwesterner
and treasurer and ex-president
of the former Belen Breakfast
Optimist Club, is truly a woman
about town:
Three or four times a year,
the former physical education
teacher organizes blood drives
that collect dozens of pints of
precious plasma.
She is a Big Sister to a teen-
age girl.
She is a repeat volunteer
with Habitat for Humanity.
She is an active member of
Crafty Ladies.
She participates in neighbor-
hood cleanups, sometimes far
from her own home, and is not
afraid to get her hands dirty or
break a sweat.
At considerable cost, she has
renovated a century-old house in
old Belen.
I think Belen could be such a
neat place, Clark says. This is
our town.
At the same time, she laments
the rundown look that char-
acterizes parts of the city. Her
neighbors in the Original Town
Site where she has lived for
the past decade say they often
see her walking her dogs and,
at the same time, picking up lit-
ter. Clark, with typical modesty,
says shes not alone.
A lot of people pick up
trash, she says. People try.
Clark was born in Wisconsin,
grew up in Illinois and went
to school in Michigan. After
college, she moved to Denver,
where she taught physical edu-
cation for nearly 20 years.
At age 43, however, a hip
replacement demanded an early
retirement. Afterward, she went
back to school this time in
Toledo, Ohio to pursue a
masters degree in public health
education at the Medical School
of Ohio and Bowling Green
University.
While there, she did an intern-
ship at a womens shelter, pro-
viding guidance on such matters
as nutrition and exercise.
It was such a rewarding
experience, she recalls. I
knew then that I always wanted
to help people and help others
become the best they can be.
In Ohio, she volunteered at
Habitat for Humanity, the non-
profit agency that helps needy
families worldwide build decent,
affordable housing. After gradu-
ation, masters degree in hand,
Clark decided she did not want
to stay in Toledo. In fact, she
says, she was tired of living in
cold places.
Luckily, Habitat for Humanity
steered her toward a house-
building program in Rio
Communities. She and other
volunteers with their own rec-
reational vehicles were called
Caravaners.
It was January 2001 and
Clark, who owned a pop-up
camper, asked what the weather
would be like. Dont worry,
she was told. She asked herself,
How cold can it be? After all,
its New Mexico.
Today, with hindsight and a
retrospective smile, she remem-
bers shivering through the night,
cuddling with her dog, trying to
sleep while the temperature out-
side plunged to nine very chilly
degrees. Nonetheless, she appar-
ently liked it here. She sold her
place in Toledo, packed up her
belongings and moved to Belen.
She found the people exceed-
ingly friendly and more than
welcoming. She recalls one
incident shortly after she moved
here: She left her clothes in a
washing machine at a laun-
dromat on Reinken Avenue
and went shopping. When she
returned a few hours later, the
clothes were gone.
Uh-oh, she exclaimed.
Then, to her great relief, the
proprietor handed her a basket
of clean, dry, neatly folded laun-
dry.
No charge, the woman said
with a big smile.
Clark was 57 when she decid-
ed to make New Mexico her
home. Finding a job wasnt easy,
she recalls, but she landed a
position at Central New Mexico
Community College as a health
care coordinator. However,
she disliked the commute to
Albuquerque, so when the
chamber of commerce position
opened about three years later,
she jumped.
She worked there more than
four years from 2005 to 2010
as executive director, often
closely with then-Mayor Ronnie
Torres.
She always went above and
beyond the call of duty at the
chamber, Torres recalls. She
has such a passion for the com-
munity, from restoring an old
home to volunteering for so
many different things. She was
always there to help anyone who
needed assistance.
Clark, Torres says, was
always such an ambassador for
the city.
The current mayor, Rudy
Jaramillo, feels much the same.
He says he has known Clark for
many years and she has always
been involved in some effort
to make Belen and Valencia
County better places.
He cites her work with the
Breakfast Optimist Club in pro-
viding scholarships for young
people and other services to the
youth of the community. He also
praises her work recognizing the
countys finest police officers.
Shes a great choice for an
Unsung Hero, Jaramillo says.
For her part, Clark is clearly
surprised by the award.
Im shocked, she says. It
is such an honor. I dont think I
deserve it.
But her friend and sister
Crafty Lady, Susan Reese, says
she thinks the award is just
fantastic. One would be hard-
pressed to find a more caring
and giving person than Clark,
she says.
When she retired, Cindy
decided she wanted to do some-
thing for other people and thats
exactly what shes done, Reese
said.
The first thing Clark got
involved in following her time
at the chamber of commerce
was to become a caregiver for
senior citizens. At one point in
life, she had worked as a nurses
aide, and she thought shed like
to help older people. She did
that for about 18 months. Now
she spends her time volunteer-
ing here and there, for this and
for that.
The Crafty Ladies meet at
the Peralta United Methodist
Church and produce Christmas
decor for a big annual sale just
before Thanksgiving.
But Clark is probably best
known for her tireless work with
the Breakfast Optimist Club of
Belen, which disbanded in June.
The Optimist Club organized
community events, including
the yearly Breakfast with Santa
and Fishing Jamborees. It also
honored deserving students,
coordinated essay and oratori-
cal contests and recognized law
enforcement officers.
The clubs longest serving
member and another past-
president, Cortez Kibble, said
he thinks its wonderful that
Clark is being recognized for
her work in Belen.
Shes always been highly
supportive of community pro-
grams and she tries to contribute
to the success of those programs
as much as she can, Kibble
says. Cindy is very sympathet-
ic. Shes always willing to listen
to and share the other persons
viewpoint about a given issue.
She also did an excellent
job as executive director of the
Chamber of Commerce, he
adds.
Clark is divorced, but remains
friendly with her ex-husband.
She is very close to her step-
children. A few months ago,
they all had a great time at a
reunion in Colorado, she says.
She has also been a Big Sister
for the past five years. Her Little
Sister, Kieana, now 13, has
blossomed in many ways since
theyve been together, although
Clark credits the girls mother
more than anyone.
Clark also has two dogs
Annie and Swan and a cat
named Bibs.
Her 101-year-old house can
only be described as beautiful.
Perhaps most striking are the
gabled roof and the many Gwen
Thorman murals gracing the
interior walls. And, inside and
out, get ready for her favorite
color: Her furniture and curtains
are blue, she often wears blue
clothing, the trim on her house
is blue.
Despite all the accolades
expressed by just about every-
one who knows Cindy Clark,
her old Optimist Club colleague,
Kibble, may have put it best:
She always puts the commu-
nity before herself.
Mike Bush-News-Bulletin photo
UNSUNG HERO Cindy Clark sits by a flower bed in front of her
101-year-old Belen home.
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By Julia M. DenDinger
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
jdendinger@news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
At first glance, Candace Johnstons room is
that of a typical 13-year-old girl. Its not as clean
as her mother, Kimberly, would want it.
There are posters of numerous Lady Lobos
adorning the walls and her unmade bed is cov-
ered with a zebra-striped comforter, washed
with pink.
In the corner is a leopard print upholstered
chair, shaped like a high heel.
But in one corner is something kind of unusu-
al a plastic organizer with four deep draw-
ers. In those drawers are hundreds of coupons,
arranged neatly in binders, folders and plastic
wallets.
One might think this is some kind of odd
teenage trend gone wrong. She certainly doesnt
look like a typical middle-aged housewife, clip-
ping coupons while watching the evening news.
Instead, Candace is a girl with a broad, beam-
ing smile who clips coupons for a very specific
purpose to help as many people as she can.
Candace practices what she calls extreme
couponing, collecting coupons to get food and
school supplies at a reduced rate or at no cost
at all. Her most prized possession and favorite
Christmas gift? A paper cutter.
Most of the items she buys with her savings
are stockpiled in a spare room down the hall
from her bedroom. Six-foot shelves hold bottle
after bottle of shampoo, mouth wash, deodorant,
razors, artificial sweetener, toothpaste, maca-
roni and cheese, salad dressing, cookies, cake
mixes, cereal ... it goes on and on.
I try to donate a lot of it, but I keep some of
it so if a neighbor needs something, I have it,
Candace said.
Kimberly said word gets out that they have
necessary items in surplus at their Huning
Ranch home and people will literally knock on
the door seeking help.
And recently, she has taken to writing or call-
ing the toll-free numbers of the manufacturers
of products she likes.
That positive praise to corporations has result-
ed in free products that she puts away for some-
one in need. Recently she contacted Similac, a
maker of infant formula, asking for supplies for
a mother-to-be she knows.
Shes going to have a baby soon, and she
doesnt have a lot, Candace said. So, I just
asked if they could send some stuff.
Sure enough, a box with formula samples
showed up on their doorstep a few weeks later.
From a very young age, Kimberly said
Candace has been willing to give to others.
She gets it. She is the type of kid who is sat-
isfied with what she has, Kimberly said.
To that end, Candace spends a lot of time
gathering up toys, treats and school supplies to
give away to individuals she knows are in need,
as well as helping to support the efforts of local
groups, such as the Toys for Tots from Cops
program sponsored by the Valencia County
Sheriffs Office.
Not only does she spend countless hours
gathering up things to give away, but Candace
spent last year dressed as an elf, handing out
Christmas presents and goodies.
I just try to find people that need some-
thing, Candace said. She shrugs. I have a lot
of stuff and someone else might not have any-
thing.
Kimberly says in addition to her natural
propensity for giving, Candaces attitude and
approach to life comes a great deal from her
upbringing.
As a single parent, I make a point to be very
open and honest about everything alco-
hol, drugs ... sex and the consequences,
Kimberly said. Candace looks mildly embar-
rassed and rolls her eyes a bit.
But her stance on issues such as DWI comes
from being in the vehicle with a drunk driver as
a young child.
People die from drunk drivers, and I think
if we have more people to stop that, there will
be less people who get hurt, she said. I even
had my mom sign a contract that she wont have
alcohol in the house.
Candace has partnered with Mothers Against
Drunk Driving and was appointed as state
ambassador of Children Against Drunk Driving
in 2005.
She gave her phone number to children she
met who said they had family members who
drank a lot, so they could call her if they found
themselves in a car with a drunk driver, she
said.
Candace has attended two town hall meet-
ings as a representative of Children Against
Drunk Driving with Valencia County Youth
Development, Inc.
Weve done different things with MADD,
Candace said. Weve done (victim) impact pan-
els and things like that, but its mostly the inter-
action with officers here in Valencia County
and Bernalillo.
She has also made it her mission to make
sure local law enforcement officers have
refreshments and water during the DWI check-
points, which she calls Lollipops for Law
Enforcement.
I think that the officers should be rewarded
for all their hard work, she said.
So, she talks to local restaurants to work out
special prices she can afford, and takes meals,
coffee or some type of refreshment to the offi-
By aBigail r. Ortiz
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
aortiz@news-bulletin.com
BeLen
Red rover, red rover send Mrs.
Linda right over! sang a group of
fourth- through sixth-grade girls with
their arms outstretched and hands
linked together.
Hold on tight, whispered one
girl to the next, while girls on Linda
Ericksons team said, Come on Mrs.
Linda.
Erickson hurtled at full speed toward
the chain of girls, breaking the link and
laughing and running back to her team
with an addition.
The Belen native was chosen as a
2012 Unsung Hero for her countless
hours of work in activities shes single-
handedly created for the First United
Methodist Church, including the Girls
Club, Boys Club and Kids Zone.
A nudge in your heart
Children have a really big place in
the lives of Erickson and her husband,
Butch, which Erickson said was Gods
doing.
Working with children in some shape
or form was something that she and her
husband felt thats what we should be
doing, Erickson said.
I think He kind of puts little nudges
in your heart and you just kind of fol-
low that, she said.
Erickson began her work with chil-
dren about 28 years ago, when she and
Butch fostered children in Bird Island,
Minn.
I think we just saw a need, she
said. We saw kids needing and under-
stood that kids needed some help, and
their parents needed some help short
term while they got things squared
away in their lives.
After three years of fostering chil-
dren, Erickson and her husband were
hired as house parents at New Mexico
Boys Ranch south of Belen, where they
took care of 12 boys living in a cottage
attached to their apartment.
For six days out of the week, the cou-
ple placed the boys on a regular rou-
tine, where they got up, went to school,
completed household chores and home-
work and ate super together.
They came from dysfunctional
families and were having difficulties in
their families, Erickson said. Many
of them came from broken homes and
needed to kind of regroup and find
their place again where they belonged;
(they) were offered counseling and
guidance and wed spend time with
their parents too.
From there Erickson stayed at the
Boys Ranch as an administrative assis-
tant for 10 years before joining the
Belen Chamber of Commerce as a rep-
resentative for the Boys Ranch and later
as director of the chamber. Throughout
that time, Erickson volunteered in chil-
drens events at her church, the First
United Methodist Church, before the
churchs pastor, Jay Armstrong, asked
her to come on board as the churchs
childrens director.
Shes always been involved some-
how or another, and thats why I asked
her to come on board here, Armstrong
said. She jived with the community
and liked to be involved in a lot of
stuff.
Building year after year
The mother of two developed a num-
ber of programs for children, ranging
from toddlers to students in the sixth
grade, over the past six years as the
childrens director.
When Erickson began, the only
activity offered to children through the
church was Sunday School services.
Year after year, Erickson established
free programs at the church. The Girls
Club, which began three years ago, was
first, then came the Boys Club the next
year, the Kids Zone the following year
and a Childrens Choir, which began
this year.
You tell them, Come on. Lets
just go and have fun together, and
we would just kind of play together,
Erickson said.
Throughout these programs, Erickson
aims for children to know that the Lord
loves them and can be integrated in
their lives every day; develop confi-
dence in who they are; recognize their
particular talents and use them to help
others and cooperate with one another
by loving your enemies and working
out solutions to problems with others.
Just teaching basic life skills, hon-
oring their parents, respecting their
parents and dont let the world tell them
that they should be any different than
that, Erickson said.
Her nomination
Although Ruthie Gladwell didnt
know Erickson, she was the first per-
son that popped into her mind when
she saw the call for nominations for
the 2012 Unsung Heroes in the News-
Bulletin.
The Belen grandmother was
impressed by Ericksons involvement
in the Girls Club on top of her hand
in the staff luncheon for La Merced
Elementary School staff each year.
I appreciate what shes done for my
granddaughter and the other girls,
Gladwell said. For my granddaughter,
its helped increase self esteem, create
a safe place to go to talk about some
issues she faces, and its an outlet to go
and have fun with other girls her age.
For girls only
Participants are involved in a whole
myriad of activities, including packing
boxes for soldiers overseas with the
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.,
creating blankets for pregnancy centers,
visiting homeless shelters, practicing
their acting skills during small theatri-
cal skits and go hiking and camping,
along with teaching them about God.
God is paramount for their lives,
Erickson said. Weve got to have
someone we can fall back on when
everybody else fails us and the Lord is
good about that.
The club creates a venue where girls
can express who they are, have an
opportunity to just be girls and devel-
op methods to help them overcome
obstacles they face as teenagers.
We just want to get them ready to be
a person that can stand up on their own
and have some good quality and value
in their lives and find good quality and
value in friends and learn how to do
that, Erickson said.
Ashley Olson, 10, said the club
allows her to be herself, talk about her
day and gives her a support person to
talk to if shes having a problem.
Jaelyn Ezell, who is also 10, agreed.
When youre in there you can talk
to anybody and they wont make fun of
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin 6 October 27, 2012
n See Erickson, Page 10
n See Johnston, Page 11
Unsung Hero: Linda Erickson
Paying it forward day by day
Abigail R. Ortiz-News-Bulletin photo
ANNAMARIE CARBONA, right, shows 2012 Unsung Hero Linda Erickson her school pictures. Denali Murray, left, listens
to Erickson tell Carbona she looks beautiful and waits to show Erickson her school portrait. Erickson was chosen as an
Unsung Hero for her hand in the Girls Club put on by the First United Methodist Church.
Unsung Hero: Candice Johnston
A teenager with the gift of giving
Julia M. Dendinger-News-Bulletin photo
WORKING TO MAKE sure those with less dont go without the essentials, 13-year-old Candace
Johnston clips coupons to find great deals on groceries and toiletries, then donates the items to
those in need.
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES October 27, 2012 7 Valencia County News-Bulletin
Unsung Hero: Gene Kastelic
Made a field of dreams a reality
By Jason W. Brooks
News-Bulletin Sports Editor
jbrooks @ news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
One ... two ... three ... Tigers!
Thats the battle cry heard at
Volunteer Field over the past 12 years
just before Los Lunas High soccer
teams have taken to the pitch.
Many volunteers have put in count-
less hours to make this rare school-
facility arrangement work, none more
so, it seems, than Gene Kastelic.
As one of the News-Bulletins 2012
Unsung Heroes, Kastelic helped urge
Los Lunas Schools to build a two-
field complex that has been home to
Tiger teams since 2000. He has also
put in many hours to help maintain it,
although school personnel now han-
dle a great deal of the maintenance.
It was all for the love of the game,
said Kastelic, whos three sons played
for the Tigers. Im so grateful the
place is named Volunteer Field. That
really shows what the place is all
about.
Growing up in Wisconsin as one
of seven children, Kastelic says he
was taught to live by several tenets.
These included becoming a believer
in the Green Bay Packers but also
included sharing a workload and car-
ing about your fellow man, getting
schoolwork done and the idea that one
could do anything if enough effort
were involved.
In 1983, the Los Lunas boys soc-
cer team won the state tournament in
only the third year such an event was
held for New Mexico. But with only
a small field located near the Willie
Chavez Field football stadium, the
Tigers played their home matches on
fields at Katherine Gallegos and Ann
Parish elementary schools during the
regular season.
The need for the Tigers own com-
plex increased as the village of Los
Lunas and the school grew in the
1990s. With spiraling construction
and maintenance costs, Kastelic, who
is in the landscaping business, and
others developed a movement to cre-
ate a complex with volunteer efforts.
Bob Whorton, another parent, and
Michelle Osowsky of Los Lunas
High School, went before the school
board in 1999. Whorton approached
Kastelic ahead of that meeting and
Kastelic agreed to be the unofficial
leader of the project.
Because I bite off more than I can
chew, and because my three sons
were potentially going to play on
these fields, and because I knew the
district couldnt afford to pay a big-hit
contractor to do the work, I said yes
to leading the project from start to
finish, and beyond, he said.
By December 1999, Kastelic started
gathering personnel to prepare the
northwest part of the LLHS campus
for the fields. It was not only tough
coordinating personnel in what would
normally be a cooperate project, but
Kastelic also admits that it is tough to
work for him.
The fields were completed during
2000 and were first used for a match
in October of that year. Whorton was
with a company that did all the grad-
ing for Sivage-Thomas Homes, so all
of the grading ended up being done at
no cost to the school district.
The debut of the complex was a cel-
ebration, for which Los Lunas High
School band director Henry Estrada
brought in the Tiger Marching Band.
Kastelic helped greatly with main-
tenance of the fields until around
2003, as Los Lunas Schools person-
nel werent initially staffed with the
crews to do the needed landscaping.
He moved to New York for a couple
of years, but has returned and lives in
Bosque Farms, where he operates a
sprinkler-repair service.
His oldest son, Danny, graduated in
2002, followed by Andy in 2006 and
Alex in 2008.
Several student-athletes seemed
happy when finding out Kastelic
is being honored as an Unsung
Hero. One of the adults who has
been around since the beginning of
Volunteer Fields is Eliseo Aguirre,
who has coached the Tiger boys since
1999.
Words cant describe all the things
Gene has done for these programs,
said Aguirre. Its a well-deserved
honor.
James Torres, the Lady Tigers
coach since 2007, played for the Tiger
boys in the late 1990s.
He was all about doing your own
work, said Torres while sitting in
the temperature-controlled Volunteer
Fieldhouse after a recent match. One
of the many impressive things was
when the field area was leveled, they
left enough room to be this fieldhouse
later. He built locker-room benches,
but he wanted the kids to work for
what they had, and he had them do
projects like clean up around Las
Maravillas. He helped instill a work
ethic in the players.
Oscar Vargas, another former Tiger,
said Kastelic was the type of parent
who wanted players to not only learn
to accept help, but do things on their
own.
The team was always family-ori-
ented, and Gene, more than anyone,
did a lot of the familys hard work
himself, said Vargas. He was all
about doing a job before it needed to
be done.
Visitors still remark on the qual-
ity of Volunteer Field. When Vargas
was playing, the Tigers were a part of
southern-based District 3-5A, and he
feels the Tigers had the finest facility
among those five teams.
It felt like home when we went out
for the kickoff, he said. It was a dif-
ferent feeling playing there, compared
to anywhere else. And parents hard
work made that happen, with Gene
getting them going, because he felt
that was the right thing to do.
Kastelic not only arranged team-
building service projects for the play-
ers, but has also given inspirational
speeches and led the team in prayer
roles not typically taken on by a
parent. Vargas said Kastelic is a hard
worker himself, so its natural for him
to inspire others through helping with
the field and his rally the troops
activities.
He would always add a little bit of
humor, Vargas said, remembering
Kastelics encouraging words. It not
only helped the younger guys build
character, it also helped get other par-
ents involved, too.
Omar Vargas, Oscars brother,
pointed out that Los Lunas autono-
mous, small community is where the
efforts of Kastelic are the most useful.
In a bigger school district, Gene
might not be allowed to do all that
stuff, said Omar. But we had the
best field around, and I cant explain
what a great feeling it gives kids to
have a nice facility. Its like someone
really cares. And I still get that feel-
ing when I play on the field in alumni
matches.
Marie Ipock, a 2010 graduate, said
the LLHS girls team reaped the ben-
efits of the fields and Kastelics hard
work.
I love all the work hes done with
our facilities, said Ipock, now a
junior midfielder for the Metro State
College Roadrunners in Denver. It
was always nice to have teams come
to our field and say, Wow, I would
love to play here. He did a great job
of making our facilities more profes-
sional.
Kastelic says he cannot take as
much of the credit. In fact, if the
News-Bulletin accepted nominations
for non-human objects, he would
probably suggest Volunteer Field as
an Unsung Hero itself.
He credits his children, plus
Whorton, Osowsky, Jeff Good, Jose
Batista, Tom Tooker, Nathan Tooker,
Lane OConner, Steve Moore, Teresa
Scott and Valley Improvement
Association personnel, the LLHS
soccer and football teams, the school
board that backed the project and
many others for helping make the
unique project happen.
He also thanks his wife, Laurie.
I wouldnt have even been in this
area, or had sons if it werent for her,
said Kastelic. For every supposed
successful man, there is a woman
standing right next to him.
He describes himself in the third
person, regarding his management
style of the fields construction:
Gene, he grew up in Wisconsin
during the Vince Lombardi era; he
is a meticulous, demanding S.O.B.
throughout the project.
Jason W. Brooks-News-Bulletin photo
GENE KASTELIC and his wife, Laurie, stand in front of the field house at Los Lunas High Schools Volunteer Field soccer
complex. Kastelic donated much of his own time, materials and organizational skills to create and maintain the complex.
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Councilors
Charles Griego Richard Lovato
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Phone (505) 839-3840 FAX (505) 352-3280
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LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin 8 October 27, 2012
Unsung Hero: Gillis Mullins
A veterans veteran
By Mike Bush
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
mbush@news-bulletin.com
Bosque
The year was 1969.
Gillis Mullins was only 19 when he stepped
off the aircraft in Danang, South Vietnam. He
may not have known it at the time, but he had
just entered a violent and irrational world, one
so profane he couldnt have imagined it as a
boy growing up in the tiny farm community of
Datil.
Welcome, my son, welcome to the Nam.
Sometime after he reached the ripe old age of
20, Mullins was seriously wounded when the
First Marine Division Husky an all-terrain
tracked vehicle he was riding in struck a
land mine. It exploded under him and several
other young men, at least one of whom was
killed. He was sent to a hospital in Yokosuka,
Japan, to mend. Thats where he would spend
his 21st birthday.
When he recovered sufficiently, it was back to
Vietnam to complete his one-year tour of com-
bat duty. Altogether, he would serve six years
with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Today, 43 years after his first tentative step
onto Vietnamese soil, there are some things
Mullins doesnt like to talk about. Some of
those he would surely like to forget.
But one thing is absolutely certain: He is a
true patriot who wouldnt think twice before
volunteering again.
Oh yeah! Mullins responds without a
moments hesitation.
Thats the kind of guy he was, as I remem-
ber, says Mike Newell, an even younger
Marine who was riding in the same Husky that
day so long ago and who was also injured.
Newell, who lives in Moodus, Conn., recalls
going out on that operation in 1970. When
the land mine exploded, the Marine driving
the vehicle was killed instantly. His passengers
were perhaps luckier.
Gill was blown out of one side, me out the
other, Newell says. Me and him were buddies.
They flew me out by helicopter, but Gill had to
walk back to battalion before they realized he
had a broken back.
He also suffered a broken hip and multiple
shrapnel wounds. Newell also had shrapnel
embedded all over his body and perforated ear-
drums.
Mullins was a very easy-go-lucky guy, great
to get along with, says Newell, now 61.
After the war, the two decorated veterans
lost track of each other. Then a few years ago
Newell learned how to use a computer and, after
a few false starts, managed to locate Mullins.
We send emails back and forth every now
and then, Newell says. All these years were
still buddies at heart, but I havent seen him
since July 21, 1970 the day of the land
mine.
Today, even though they correspond only
periodically, Mullins calls Newell a really
close friend.
The physical injuries and scars he suffered
in Nam werent the only baggage the war
would bequeath. In Vietnam, the seeds of Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder were sown. Although
it is something he will have to live with for
the rest of his life, Mullins with his wifes
immense help has learned to deal with
PTSD.
And, he says, the care he receives at
the Veterans Administration Hospital in
Albuquerque couldnt be better.
For his service in Vietnam, Mullins was
awarded a Purple Heart, a Service Medal, a
Campaign Medal and a Combat Action Medal.
Unofficially, he also earned a Bronze Star. His
response?
Im no hero.
After the war, back in civilian life, Mullins
took up driving a truck. After 20 years behind
the wheel, he took a job at Kirtland Air Force
Base as a hazardous materials specialist in a
transportation squadron, handling munitions,
bombs, radioactive material and the like.
He was also a rapid deployment specialist and
helped develop a program that the Air Force
still uses. After 20 years at Kirtland, he retired
again.
Mullins and his wife of 21 years, Susan, live
in Bosque on a plot of land he jokingly refers to
as a two-acre weed farm.
In fact, Mullins is full of one-liners. In 1990,
when Operation Desert Storm came along, he
wanted to volunteer again.
But I was too old, too fat and had too much
hair on my face, he recalls.
A big, friendly man with a firm, beefy hand-
shake and a quick and sincere smile, he has
been the commander of VFW Post 2387 in
Belen for the past five years or so. Today, he
spends much of his time dealing with VFW
business.
But the veterans organization often proves
to be all consuming. And because of ongoing
health issues, he says without elaborating, he
may resign his leadership position soon.
The VFW post has more than six dozen war
veterans on its roster, but only about 12 are
active members.
Mullins also stays busy working around the
house. One recent morning, for example, he was
up at 4 a.m., getting ready to pull an engine.
He and Susan have 12 grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren who also help them
occupy their time.
When told that Mullins had been named an
Unsung Hero, Barbara Bowman, commander of
Belens American Legion Post, was delighted.
Thats terrific! Bowman said. I think hes a
wonderful person. He works really hard for vet-
erans. Hes a veterans veteran.
News-Bulletin file photo
GILLIS MULLINS, the commander of the VFW Post 2387 in Belen, salutes the flag at a recent
Memorial Day event. Mullins, has been awarded the Purple heart, a Service Medal, a Campaign
Medal and a Combat Action Medal. He has unofficially earned a Bronze Star.
n See Mullins, Page 11
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VALENCIA
COUNTY
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES October 27, 2012 9 Valencia County News-Bulletin
Unsung Hero: John Michael Nagy
Wounded Warrior donation from future vet
By Mike StearnS
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
mstearns@news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
One of the first things a 4-H club
participant learns is that their projects
will take an investment of time and
money.
From leatherwork to raising farm
stock, the investment comes with a lot
of work and love.
That is why it was a big surprise
when Los Lunas senior John Michael
Nagy donated his complete $700
prize for a grand champion goat at the
Valencia County Fair to the Wounded
Warrior Project.
As his grandfather, Tom Nagy, said,
every last cent was donated.
Grandfathers are the reason
According to the website, www.
woundedwarriorproject.org, WWPs
purpose is to raise awareness and enlist
the publics aid for the needs of injured
service members, to help injured ser-
vice members aid and assist each other,
and to provide unique, direct programs
and services to meet their needs.
While John Michael is in touch with
the projects main idea, it was the ser-
vice of both of his grandfathers in the
Vietnam War that has turned his heart
toward the needs of military returnees
from war zones.
He is real close to both of his grand-
pas, said Tom, with a knowing glance
to his grandson. You might be able to
tell that.
The younger Nagy thanked his
grandfathers for their service and
acknowledged that none of his family
would have what they have if it were
not for their sacrifices.
I have always had a heart for our
nations heroes. Both of my grandpas
were in Vietnam, said John Michael.
This is just one way that I saw that I
could support the men and women that
are fighting for our country.
John Michael made the decision early
to donate if he won at the county fair.
My sister won it last year, he said.
I definitely didnt think I would win
grand champion. I thought I would
make the sale. I didnt expect to do this
well.
I hope it can help somebody that
risked everything for our country. I
hope that it not only helps them, but
shows that this nation appreciates
everything that they have done.
Working at the zoo
For a young man still in high school,
John Michael is exceptionally focused
on what he wants to do with his life.
And he has had some help in formu-
lating that plan.
Dr. Ralph Zimmerman, the lead vet-
erinarian at Albuquerques Rio Grande
Zoo, has known the youngster since his
mom, Sylvia, brought a dog in to him.
He spotted John Michaels interest in
animals right away.
He goes to work with me on the
weekend, said Zimmerman. He shad-
ows me at the zoo. He helps the keep-
ers. He really is up for doing every-
thing that needs doing.
John Michaels experience with
Zimmerman has fueled the future vets
love for large animals.
He had a pretty good idea what he
wanted to do, and I supported it as best
as I could, said Zimmerman.
We did an ultra-sound on a gorilla,
John Michael said, beaming. I have
gotten to see all of the animal at the
zoo, but on a totally different level.
Once you get close to a large animal
like that, you realize just how huge they
are, he said. I mean when you are
three feet from a rhino, it is an amaz-
ing thing. It gets your heart pumping. It
is one of the coolest things I have ever
gotten to do.
John Michael fondly recalls his first
visit to the male gorilla, named Marcus,
at the zoo.
Any time he sees a new person walk
into the primate barn, he will run as
fast as he can and slam into the barn
wall. It is metal and it is loud, Nagy
said. You jump because it is so loud
and he is so fast.
He has gained experience with a wide
range of animals at the zoo.
I have gotten to hold koalas and
stuff like that. Being within inches of
the lions and tigers, well it is scary,
he said. Even though there is a fence
there, just being that close is awesome.
Zimmerman appreciates the boys
deep commitment to helping the ani-
mals.
He has gotten a great look at it with
what we do at the zoo and with the
horses here, said the vet. I havent
managed to scare him off. He is smart
enough and tough enough to hang in
there.
Real heroes are real people
Our country historically, especially
recently, has had too few heroes. There
is not enough focus on the younger
generation and that we do have hope,
said grandpa Tom of John Michaels
being chosen as an Unsung Hero.
He is a pretty class act and I thought
it was a pretty cool thing to do. I
thought he should get recognition for it,
even though he did not want any recog-
nition.
His dad, Michael Nagy, remembers
some other things about his son, too.
He went through the teenage years
where he was a willful child, said
Michael.
The fathers pride in his son came
from his wanting to make the Wounded
Warrior donation on his own.
The biggest thing for me is that
there was no coaxing from us on this,
Michael said of his son. We didnt say
that he should donate. It all came from
him. That was the coolest thing.
Zimmerman thought the donation
was typical of John Michael.
I wasnt surprised because that is the
kind of kid he is, Zimmerman said.
He is thinking of others instead of
thinking about himself.
The experienced vet continued with
his insight into John Michaels charac-
ter.
A kid that shows the interest, has got
the smarts, is enthusiastic, has a work
ethic it is hard to come by a kid with
that combination.
He was just so gung-ho about every-
thing, it is hard not to pick up that
enthusiasm right along with him,
Zimmerman said.
Ditch rescue
His grandfather Tom noted that John
Michaels compassion came early in
his life. He tells a story of his grandson
when he was 10 and a 2-week old colt
fell into a ditch filled with grime, mud
and slime.
The colt panicked and was thrash-
ing about trying to get out and John
Michael and I jumped in to try to res-
cue it.
After struggling to lift the colt and
getting very beaten and kicked, his
grandpa recalled that he looked over at
me with a huge grin and said, We did
it Grandpa!
His grandpa summed up that caring
courage.
He had no regard for himself at all.
There was a job to be done and he did
it, he said. There wasnt one ounce
of quit in the boy then and its carried
through to today.
A state university
John Michael made his campus visit
to New Mexico State University in Las
Cruces earlier this month.
He plans on attending NMSU next
fall, mostly because they have the only
veterinarian training program in the
state that has live animals on campus.
I am looking forward to being on
campus and being able to work with
the animals, he said, sitting next to his
father in his cherry red Lobo shirt.
It has caused some tension, said
Michael. I promised not to wear it on
his college visit.
The senior year
In addition to his studies and his
work around his grandpas place with
the goats, John Michael is president
of the Los Lunas High School Drama
Club.
He played the lead role in Get
Smart and will likely star in three
other productions and direct the final
presentation of the year.
He explained with a smile that his
goal was just to get through it.
But, he got a little serious in his con-
tinued explanation.
It is just that I need to keep up with
my work, John Michael said. Those
school things and keeping up with our
animals will keep me pretty busy.
An interview agreement
When informed he was name an
Unsung Hero, John Michael was hesi-
tant to talk about it. He asked for some
things to be made clear in his inter-
view.
I dont want this to be about me,
said the affable young man. I want
it to be about that Jesus gave this
opportunity and that there are men and
women who risk there life every day to
protect this country.
His dad noted that it might give oth-
ers an idea of how to help.
Maybe it will plant a seed with other
kids that will get a grassroots effort
going on. Maybe it will spread that
way, too, John Michael agreed.
This isnt about me. It is about the
men and women who risk their lives for
my freedom. That is how I keep it off
of myself, he said.
The high school senior noted that if
he can be a hero, then anyone can.
Everyone has that one thing that
they are truly passionate about.
Whatever your passion, you can turn
that into something good for someone
else, he said, suggesting that athletes
can even run in Susan G. Komen races
to raise money for cancer research.
There are all of these things out
there, he said. You can find them.
Mike Stearns-News-Bulletin photos
SHOW SKILLS come in handy for Los Lunas High School school senior John Michael Nagy, displaying one of his prize
goats. Nagy showed the grand champion goat at this years Valencia County Fair and donated the $700 prize money to
the Wounded Warrior Project.
SHARING MOMENTS with his grandfather, Tom Nagy, right, John Michael Nagy, left, a Los Lunas High
School senior, who donated his county fair grand champion prize money to the Wounded Warrior
Project. As grandfather Tom said, every last cent went to help service men and women.
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin 10 October 27, 2012
Erickson: Mother of two and mentor to many strives to build relationships
from PAGE 6
Unsung Hero: Teresa Romero
A life filled with volunteering
By Julia M. DenDinger
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
jdendinger@news-bulletin.com
Peralta
There are just some houses you walk into
and know immediately that they are more than
bricks and mortar, wires and tile.
They are homes.
The house of Teresa Romero is just that a
calm, cookie scented oasis amidst the hustle and
bustle of her familys busy life.
The mother of three and stay-at-home mom,
Teresa says family is of the utmost priority to
herself and husband Joseph, who works for
National Nuclear Security Administration in
their weapons division and is a Peralta town
councilor.
Sitting at her kitchen table that is covered in
a table cloth emblazoned in pumpkins and fall
leaves, Teresa talks about being a mother and
volunteer.
For six years now, she has been the driving
force behind the Peralta Elementary School Fall
Carnival.
When her oldest son Daniel, 10, started
school, Teresa became involved with the Parent-
Teacher Committee at the school.
They were talking about the carnival and
didnt have enough volunteers, so I said I would
help out, Teresa said.
Now its become kind of her thing and shes
very much in the groove of keeping things mov-
ing and organized.
Preparations start in September, with Teresa
sending out letters to local businesses, asking
for donations of food, supplies or money to fund
the carnival.
She coordinates the games, solicits items for
the silent auction, hires a band and above all,
makes sure arrangements for parking have been
made.
Oh, thats a big deal, she says, laughing.
At this point, Teresa knows almost by rote
the supplies the carnival needs, so a few weeks
before the October extravaganza, she heads to
Costco.
This year, she had another parent volunteer
to help with the carnival, something Teresa is
grateful for.
Sometimes, sometimes, I wonder, What did
I get myself into? But then I see the smiles on
the kids faces and its all worth it, she said.
And since she was getting involved with
things, five years ago Teresa also stepped up as
the PTC president. For the most part, the presi-
dent just fills in when there is a vacancy on the
board, Teresa said.
For the past two years thats been the fund-
raiser coordinator. For several months, Teresa
goes to the school every day to count money
and check the inventory for the schools annual
candy sale.
As the president, she also hosts the popcorn
and pickle Fridays at the school, serves snow
cones at the beginning of each school year and
coordinates end-of-year field trips.
Apparently, keeping up with her 10-year-olds
football, baseball and wrestling practices, mid-
dle son 6-year-old Andrews baseball, wrestling
and karate, and almost 2-year-old Mias gym-
nastics wasnt enough for Teresa.
Last year, she volunteered to help with Yucca
Little League. She served as the leagues trea-
surer, secretary and player agent.
The player agent is in charge of the draft and
assigning players to teams, as well as the unen-
viable parent complaints.
Parents wanted to know, Why isnt my kid
getting more playing time? Why didnt my kid
make the Allstars? That was tough, she said.
It turned out to be difficult to do everything.
I felt like I wasnt giving 100 percent to either.
And I love this, the smiles on their faces.
At times it was very stressful and I had to
step back, she said. Its hard to always be ask-
ing people to help and volunteer, and get turned
down.
Despite the hectic schedule and sometimes
fast pace, Teresa says she wouldnt change a
thing and encourages everyone to get involved
with their childrens lives.
Everybody should get involved with their
kids, she said. They have a better chance to
succeed in life.
Since she spends so much time at the elemen-
tary school, volunteering in her boys class-
rooms and her other activities, Teresa said she
can see a huge difference between the students
whose families choose to be an active part of
their lives and those who dont.
They just do better, she said. You can tell
the ones whose parents volunteer and help in
their education.
And Teresa is unapologetically traditional
about family time and priorities. Every evening,
they sit down at 5:30 p.m. for dinner as a family,
just like she did as a kid.
Although some things can throw the routine
off kilter.
It was strange, for two weeks in a row we
didnt have football practice on Thursday night.
We didnt know what to do with ourselves
because we werent rushing out the door to do
something, she says with a laugh.
In her spare time, Teresa reads, but a book
that would normally take two or three days
stretches to two weeks.
Darlene Jaramillo, the secretary at Peralta
Elementary School, says Teresa does so much
for the kids at the elementary school.
Shes here every day picking up the candy
money, getting ready for carnival, Jaramillo
said. She and the other volunteers she gets to
make sure everything runs the way it should,
we really dont give enough credit to.
For having three kids and one under 2, its
crazy what she does, Jaramillo said. She is a
wonderful person, never complains. Ive known
her for five years and never once heard her
complain about doing all that.
Peralta Elementary School Principal Monica
Arguello has gotten to know Teresa over the last
year.
She was one of the first people I met,
Arguello said. Teresa has a huge heart, and she
will open it up to everyone who needs help. She
never says no.
The principal said Teresa has spent countless
hours at the school working on various projects.
I see her every day. Her dedication, not
only to us, but her other volunteer positions, is
incredible, she said. She is such a good role
model. Being part of the PTC is sometimes
stressful, but she handles is all with a calm
demeanor.
Arguello said Teresa is dedicated to her fam-
ily, Peralta Elementary, her children and their
activities.
She takes pride in being part of Valencia
County and Peralta, she said. She is always
busy, but she always takes time to greet you and
say hello.
Teresa was born in Valencia County, but in
kindergarten, her family moved to California
when the company her father worked for,
Caterpillar, transferred him. They moved back
here when she was a freshman in high school,
so Teresa graduated from Los Lunas High
School in 1996.
After graduation, Teresa said her sisters boy-
friend got a rodeo scholarship to Eastern New
Mexico University in Portales.
She was going, and really wanted me to go
with her, she said. It was a lot of fun to be
there with her.
Teresa eventually transferred to the University
of New Mexico in Albuquerque and graduated
from there with a degree in business manage-
ment in 2000. She moved back to Peralta, where
she met and married Joseph Romero.
At the time, he was in the Marines and the
couple ended up stationed in Hawaii for two
years. Teresa said being in the tropical location
was fun and different, and her entire family vis-
ited at one time or another, but she still missed
home.
Joseph completed his service and Teresa was
pregnant with her fist son when they moved
back to Peralta. But shortly after, Joseph was
recalled to service due to the 9/11 attacks.
After Daniel was born, Teresa went back to
work, but that was short lived.
It was a hard choice. I always wanted to be
a stay-at-home mom and give my kids the same
thing I had growing up, she said. I remember
coming home after school and mom was there,
dinner ready.
Teresa is very close to all her family, and her
in-laws are no exception. Their cozy home in
Peralta sits behind Josephs parents house while
the couple waits to begin construction of their
new house.
I want our kids to grow up with the same
values I saw when I was young, she said. Im
very fortunate to be able to stay at home.
Julia M. Dendinger-News-Bulletin photo
A STAY-AT-HOME mom of three, Teresa Romero makes time to volunteer at her childrens school,
Peralta Elementary, as well as for the local Little League team.
you or make you feel uncomfortable,
Ezell said.
Three year Girls Club mem-
ber Denali Murray, said she loves
Ericksons enthusiastic attitude and how
she helped her come out of her shell.
Not just for children
Erickson strives to build relationships
not just with children, but with their
parents as well. Doing this builds a net-
work of support for the parents while
simultaneously reinforcing the beliefs,
values and lessons parents try to instill
in their children from another adult
besides family.
She can still remember the few men-
tors who touched her life throughout
the years growing up as a child with six
siblings.
That was important to me to have
other people come along side you and
make you feel important, special and
unique, she said.
Having an extended network to fall
back on as a parent was essential to
Erickson when she had small children.
She learned the value of this system
and wanted to pass on what an extend-
ed network had to offer to others.
Everybody has a bad day. You just
have to have someone come alongside
and say, Its OK, Erickson said.
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LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES October 27, 2012 11 Valencia County News-Bulletin
Mullins: Veteran and post commander described as quiet, a good guy and committed
from PAGE 8
Johnston: Clear vision of her future
from PAGE 6
Unsung Hero: Rebecca Romine
Service through prayer and organizing
By Jason W. Brooks
News-Bulletin Sports Editor
jbrooks @ news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
Some of the News-Bulletins
Unsung Heroes never really get to
reap any benefit for their years of
service.
That was not really the case for
Rebecca Romine. The Los Lunas
resident had to undergo emergency
surgery about 2 1/2 years ago, and
the people and organizations she has
helped were right there at her bedside,
ready to return the favor.
You get so much more back, when
you give it, said Romine. A lot of
the people I work with (on charity
causes) rallied around me in my dark-
est hours. Although it was the Lord
who spared my life, it was people
who prayed with me and for me.
Romine became one of the 2012
Unsung Heroes largely through
her presence volunteering with
the CareNet Pregnancy Center of
Valencia County and the Victory
Riders, a county chapter of the
Christian Motorcyclist Association.
From maintaining the clothing
closet at CareNet to helping plan and
organize events, Romine is described
by many of her acquaintances as
someone who is always willing to
help out, in any way needed.
In fact, it was almost fitting
Romine needed to have open-heart
surgery in 2010. According to her col-
leagues, a big, open heart is exactly
what Romine has shown in her ser-
vice to the community.
Rebecca is a great organizer, who
makes things work, said Rich Joos
of the Victory Riders. She not only
cracks the whip, she brings up things
we dont see, in planning events.
And shes so supportive. We look for
opportunities to support each other,
and she is the example.
Glenda Miller, director of CareNets
Valencia County center and a mem-
ber of the Victory Riders, describes
Romine as sort of a utility player,
willing to step into any role in the
CareNet office.
Rebecca has a pure servants
heart, said Miller. She does whatev-
er needs to be done. One of Rebeccas
main things is the clothing closet,
and she does a great job with it. But
she will also do things like answer
phones and do reception work.
Romine, 59, can call on a plethora
of life experiences when helping oth-
ers. She was born Rebecca Turnbull
and raised in New York, earning
an applied-science degree in dental
hygiene at Erie Community College
before joining the U.S. Air Force.
She found New Mexico because
her final U.S. Air Force deployment
was at Kirtland Air Force Base. She
met and married James Romine, who
she credits for not only supporting
her through tough times, but also for
doing the not-so-glamorous jobs at
charity events.
James will do the little things,
she said. He even helped out selling
snow cones.
Romine has two daughters who
live in the Los Lunas area, a son who
lives in Oklahoma and four grand-
children. She has had paid jobs in
the helping professions, worked as a
Belen Schools crossing guard and at a
day care for small children.
One of her volunteer efforts was
at the Valencia County Abundant
Grace Free Store, now located in Rio
Communities, along with several
roles in prayer-alliance efforts.
Linda Stopyak has only known
Romine for about three years, but she
saw enough hard work and dedication
in her friend to nominate her for the
Unsung Hero honor.
Rebecca got right back into vol-
unteering, Stopyak said. She was
cleaning up in the kitchen at an event
just a few days after open-heart sur-
gery. She is still always willing to
help out.
Stopyak said her friend is not only
a ready volunteer and an organizer,
as Romine has decided to be the
primary liaison between her church
and other organizations, but she also
jumps in to help with more immedi-
ate situations.
She took me to the dentist once, in
an emergency, she said. And I have
seen her pulling weeds at her church.
Stopyak said Romines attitude
and disposition are a big part of her
identity.
If youre having a bad day, and
you talk to Rebecca, you wont be
bummed out any more, said Stopyak.
There are no headaches or any-
thing that can ruin her day. She is so
upbeat. She never frowns.
Stopyak said her friend makes the
effort to visit sick friends in the hos-
pital and pray with them.
Joos said Romine is so passionate
about helping others and how her
faith works through others, it actually
is too overwhelming for her to make
any type of evangelical talks.
That is not a knock against Romine,
he said, but it is an indication of how
deeply she cares for fellow human
beings.
Rebecca has a genuine gift, said
Joos. When her emotion boils over,
we cant take it. But she is so great at
organizing events, that she channels
that energy into cracking the whip
and getting everyone on the same
page.
Her husband, James, is the motor-
cycle driver, and though she merely
rides along, there is plenty to do at a
bike rally. Romine said she has helped
out at both Christian and secular
motorcycle rallies, making food for
riders. She speaks fondly of a rally in
Red River.
One of the Christian Motorcyclists
main annual projects is the Run for
the Son, which was held this year in
Arkansas. The rally is a fundraiser
that divides its proceeds among dif-
ferent missionary funds.
Food and toy drives are com-
mon charity efforts for at least one
of her groups or organizations. Her
participation in a sort of traveling
Bible-study group not only takes her
to churches across the county, but to
different denominations as well.
Carrying the Christian message is
a high priority for Romine, whether
it is through praying a blessing over
food or a motorcycle, or praying with
someone going through a daunting
moment.
She encourages not only the read-
ing of the Bible, but also practicing its
positive principles in daily life.
I want people to be able to see
Christ in me, said Romine, her
voice cracking with emotion. When
you give yourself to others, the faith
means so much more. You may never
even have to mention the name of
Jesus. Love can be spread, even to
those who may never know Him.
Jason W. Brooks-News-Bulletin photo
REBECCA ROMINE volunteers at CareNet and with the Christian Motorcycle Association. Service work is so important to
her, she went back to volunteering soon after having open-heart surgery.
But the first thing Mullins
said when told he had been
selected was, Id like to
decline that honor. I dont do
anything. I dont deserve it.
However, like Bowman, oth-
ers feels differently. The Boy
Scouts whom he and other vet-
erans work with on Flag Day,
for example. Every June 14,
VFW Post 2387 holds a retire-
ment ceremony for old flags.
The scouts come by to help out
and to learn.
Its our duty to teach all
people how to properly respect
the flag, Mullins explains.
He will, in fact, abruptly hit
the brakes on his silver pickup
if he sees an obviously worn
flag to advise the owner
that its time to get a new one.
VFW Post 2387 also runs
ads in the newspaper every
year asking people to turn in
their old, tattered or damaged
flags so they can be disposed
of fittingly during the June 14
ceremony.
Fellow veteran George
McKee says Mullins shows
a tremendous interest in the
Flag Day event. He also plays
an instrumental role in other
VFW efforts. Earlier this
month, for example, he and
McKee a former post com-
mander were pictured in
the News-Bulletin presenting a
check to the Belen Area Food
Pantry. The VFW also sup-
ports Toys for Tots and a free
backpacks for needy children
program.
Mullins leadership is key to
the success of such programs.
Hes done a lot for the
VFW, McKee says. Hes all
right, a good guy. Hes very
committed to veterans affairs.
He shows that by helping other
people.
Delmar Wendel, another
former post commander,
describes Mullins as a car-
ing, polite person. He notes
that Mullins is an active par-
ticipant in Belens annual 911
Memorial program and that,
under his tutelage, the VFW
has a strong funeral detail.
We show up even if its not
a VFW member, Wendel says.
Wendel relates a story that
exemplifies Mullins clear
sense of duty. A few months
ago, George Hanley, VFW
Post 2387s longtime quarter-
master, died. The Albuquerque
funeral home that took care
of his body said it would
transport his ashes to Santa Fe
National Cemetery for burial
when it had accumulated
enough bodies and remains
to make the trip economically
worthwhile.
Gill said No way! So six
or seven of us (VFW mem-
bers) picked up his wife and
transported the ashes to Santa
Fe. We made sure George had
the dignified military funeral
he deserved, Wendel says.
Gill did that. Otherwise, they
wouldve just dumped him
off.
Personally, he says, he thinks
the world of Mullins.
Gill has been a really good
commander. Hes a very quiet
individual. We dont tell many
war stories, and he doesnt
brag about what he did.
Growing up in Datil, about
halfway between Socorro and
the Arizona state line on Route
60, perhaps his greatest influ-
ence was his father, Vernon
Mullins. The elder Mullins is
also a decorated Marine who
served with distinction in
World War II.
The apple doesnt fall far
from the tree, and like his dad,
Gillis Mullins is a hero a
true hero.
cers. Sometimes, local restaurants donate the
food, she said.
She also donated more than 20 sets of school
supplies to children in need, with money she
raised for her organization, Lollipops for Law
Enforcement.
Candace was given a New Mexico
Department of Safety award by New Mexico
State Police Chief Robert Schilling in June for
her contributions to the state DWI program.
She was named an honorary state police offi-
cer by Shilling. Candace is the youngest recipi-
ent to ever receive this award. She was given her
own badge and a certificate of the award.
And just like her determination to help,
Candace has a clear vision of her future.
She wants to go to Harvard and go into family
law. She got a jump start on that law education
by working for local attorney Elias Barela this
past summer.
Barela said the very first thing he noticed
about Candace was that she saw the big picture.
Shes like no 13 year old Ive ever met. Shes
genuinely interested in being out there and
being involved with the community. This kind
of activism from a child is really rare, Barela
said. What really impresses me is how much
of her free time she is willing to give up to help
other people.
Candace spent her time filing and running
various errands for Barela. During her time
working in his office, the attorney said he found
her to be very inquisitive about the law.
She was very interested in learning about
what the laws are about, he said. Everything
she does, she does because she cares. She is an
activist who is interested in helping people who
are struggling and shes got a big heart.
She is really a rare individual in intellect,
work ethic. The things that give her pleasure are
oriented towards helping others.
Kimberly says there is always something her
daughter is working on and involved in that ben-
efits someone else.
Every month, theres something, she said.
Its pretty much on going with everybody.
Her most recent project is Jeans for
Teens, sponsored by clothing manufacturer
Aeropostale. The company is sponsoring a
contest across the nation to see which school
can donate the most pairs of jeans. In turn,
Aeropostale gives the pants to homeless teens.
Candace decided to get involved with the pro-
gram when she heard of a student at Los Lunas
Middle School whos family was living in a tent.
I just thought, I have to do something. Thats
awful, she said.
The school that collects the most jeans gets a
pair of jeans for each student and $5,000 for the
school.
I really like to help other people, Candace
said. I like to see people smile, thats what
makes me feel good inside.
Paid political advertisement
LOCALS 2012: CITIZEN OF YEAR/UNSUNG HEROES Valencia County News-Bulletin
12 October 27, 2012
Unsung Hero: Jim Schnitzler
Always running for a good cause
By DeBorah Fox
News-Bulletin Staff Writer
dfox@news-bulletin.com
Los Lunas
Jim Schnitzler enjoys running for
a cause, combining his favorite sport
with raising money to help war veter-
ans and youth service organizations.
The Jubilee Los Lunas resident
said he benefits from running with
the added satisfaction of helping wor-
thy causes. He has used his sport to
raise money for cancer and leukemia
research as well as the annual Los
Lunas Wounded Warrior Project Run,
where he has been the event coordina-
tor for the past two years.
This year, he agreed to be the run
coordinator for the inaugural La Vida
Felicidads Jog for Joy fundraiser.
He started running at his doctors
suggestion back in the early 70s, in
order to combat a rising cholesterol
level. The doctor wanted him to run a
mile every day in lieu of medicine.
I went and got my old shoes on and
started running, Schnitzler said. After
one block, I thought I was going to die.
I would run a block, then walk a block.
Finally, I got up to one mile after about
six months and Ive been running ever
since.
His cholesterol came down in time,
but by then, he realized another benefit
of running.
It was a great stress reducer, he
said. It was a good time to be away
from phones and faxes back then.
Schnitzler ran his first marathon a
decade later in Milwaukee. The next
year, in 1984, he ran the Duke City
Marathon, 26.2 miles, and finished
43rd.
I ran the first, the very first Duke
City Marathon that they ever had,
he said. And this year, Im going to
run a half marathon in the Duke City
Marathon. Last weekend, I ran a full
marathon in Milwaukee. It was my 43rd
marathon.
Back in the late 90s, Schnitzler
ran for the Leukemia and Lymphoma
Societys Greater San Francisco Bay
Area Chapter.
I enjoyed seeing this go to a good
cause, Schnitzler said. And the health
benefits the individuals get by partici-
pating.
Many doctors have been inspired to
run after giving Schnitzler a physical.
One doctor in California who had
never run before, started a running
regime after reading Schnitzlers pulse
and other vital signs.
I enjoy the contributions the running
can do toward a good organization,
Schnitzler said. And you get some
personal gratification because youre
maintaining your health at the same
time.
What got him into the Wounded
Warrior Project Run was the Jubilee
general manager at the time, Susan
Halser. She heard about the project on
the radio and suggested Jubilee should
do something to raise money for the
project, he said.
She turned to Schnitzler, knowing
he was a runner, and asked if he would
organize a run.
Being the gregarious and generous-
hearted man he is, he agreed.
As it happens, Adolph Lopez, the vil-
lage compliance supervisor, was giving
a seminar at the Jubilee community
center, where Schnitzler met him.
I said I was thinking about putting
on this run, and he said, Hey, come
down and see me. Ill get you some
contacts, and he lined me up with
Kathy Martinez, Schnitzler said. And
then I started working with all the dif-
ferent village personnel.
Hes always out there getting things
done, and running each morning,
Lopez said. Hes as easy going as they
come, willing to help anybody.
The Wounded Warrior Project raises
awareness about the post traumatic
stress disorder many soldiers come
home with, an undetectable injury from
the traumatic experiences of war.
The soldiers often feel a sense of iso-
lation and alienation while they are try-
ing to adjust back to civilian life.
As an example, they come back,
theyve had some traumatic experi-
ence and they dont want to share it,
Schnitzler said. They dont want to
talk about it. They just feel its their
problem.
The Wounded Warrior program
offers support groups, counseling, reha-
bilitative retreats, education programs,
information technology training and
employment assistance.
Because the government doesnt do
all that, Schnitzler said, they take
care of their bodily injuries, but the
mental aspect is something else.
Coordinating the run for the recent,
Jog for Joy fundraiser at Heritage
Park in Los Lunas was a learning
curve for him. He didnt realize all the
permitting he would need in order to
have a run in a public park and along
the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District irrigation ditches, or how he
would need to notify the neighbors so
they wouldnt be alarmed and would
secure their dogs.
But its all part of the deal, he said.
Raising money for La Vida Felicidad
is another important cause, he said.
The money goes toward helping
kids, families that are in need of, lets
say they have a mental disorder, or
whatever the case may be, they need
professional assistance, Schnitzler
said. I just feel like Id like to help
them in any way I can.
Originally from Madison, Wis., a
business venture brought him and his
wife, Mary, out to New Mexico in
1983. They lived here for four years,
but Schnitzlers career took him back to
Wisconsin.
But we always liked New Mexico,
he said. We always came back.
In 2007, he and his wife were one
of the first to buy a home in Jubilee of
Los Lunas. They bought it as a summer
home, but soon moved to Los Lunas
permanently.
Hes a great guy and is always will-
ing to help the community, Lopez
said. Hes a community-oriented citi-
zen, and he puts everybody else before
himself.
Deborah Fox-News-Bulletin photo
JIM SCHNITZLER is a marathon runner living in the Jubilee subdivision at Los Lunas. He enjoys running for a cause to help
raise money for veterans, cancer research and children.
Former news-BuLLetin Citizens oF the Year
Since 1995, the News-Bulletin began choosing a Citizen of the Year and honor-
ing Unsung Heroes. Theyre all people who do things out of the goodness of their
hearts, folks who are volunteers and are not paid for their activism. Each year, we
like to review the names of the people weve honored as sort of a continuing tribute.
Heres an update of those who have been honored as Citizens of the Year:
1995: Dolph Schlies
1996: Edwin Berry
1997: Ronnie Torres
1998: Pam Etre Perez
1999: Charlie Pea
2000: Maurine McMillan
2001: Cindy Valenzuela
2002: Margaret Espinosa
McDonald and Richard
Melzer
2003: Luz Chavez
2004: Cristina Jaramillo
2005: Lillie McNabb
2006: Filomena Baca
2007: George and Diana
Trujeque
2008: James and Rosie
Garley
2009: Louis Lusero
2010: Molly Madden
2011: Matthew Aragon
2012: Jim Lane
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