SeasonsGreetings
• Local Shopping Encouraged
• Holiday Event Guide
• Irene Lewis’ Pies
DECEMBER 2012 • CIBOLA BEACON
2 HOLIDAYS 2012
Roberta’s PlaceFestival of WreathsFriday, December 7, 2012
6:00 pm - 9:00 pmGrants Senior Center
Tickets $15.00 per personDinner and Desert IncludedPlease come and support our
Local domestic violenceProgram and win a wreath!
Call 287-7200 or come by807 E Roosevelt Ave
For tickets or information
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820 E. Santa Fe Ave.Grants, NM, 87020
285-6229
Authentic New Mexican CuisineStay Warm With a Posole Fix
Before the Light Parade!XN
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Shop Local, Live Local
CIBOLA COUNTY – Spending
money at local businesses has a bigger
impact on the local economy than
spending those same dollars at na-
tional chains, according to a new
study.
Civic Economics conducted the re-
search recently detailing the amount of
revenue returned to the community by
locally-owned, independent busi-
nesses. The study showed that 52 per-
cent of all revenues went back into
their communities compared to nearly
15 percent for national chain stores.
The report also indicated that local
eateries returned nearly 79 percent of
revenues compared to just slightly
more than 30 percent for national
restaurants.
“It’s easy to spread holiday cheer
this season by purchasing even just a
few of those ‘wish list’ items from
small businesses within your commu-
nity,” said Jeffrey L. Gerhart, chair-
man of Independent Community
Bankers of America.
ICBA is encouraging shoppers to
spend at least 30 percent of their holi-
day dollars locally. By doing so, con-
BEACON / CHAVEZ
Cover PhotoOne of the many Nativity scenes ondisplay last year at the annualChurch of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints Church at 1010 BondadAvenue in Grants. There will bemore than 80 on display fromaround the worldThe free display opens today from6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is open again to-morrow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.Call 287-9844 for more informaiton.
‘I BELIEVE IN CIBOLA COUNTY’
By Donald JaramilloBeacon Managing Editor
sumers will be supporting small businesses that createlocal jobs and fuel their economy – making everyone’sholiday on main street a little bit sweeter.
Grants State Bank (GSB), the area’s bank that hasbeen in business the longest, is a member of ICBA.
“Americans shoppers have power and that’s why theholiday season is a great time to take on this 30 percentspending challenge and get to know your local smallbusinesses and what they have to offer,” said Gerhart. “Ihave no doubt that once shoppers see the great servicesand products that they can obtain locally, they’ll be backfor more throughout the year.”
Two years ago, it was GSB President, Ron Williams,who started a shop local initiative in Cibola Countynamed “Cibola Friendly, Cibola Proud.”
Recently, two local pillars passed away who alsostarted ‘buy local’ efforts.
Ralph McQueary was tagged “Mr. Grants” because hecontinually encouraged residents to buy locally.
Eddie Peña, who passed away earlier this month,started the “I Believe In Grants” campaign in 1984 be-cause many of the mines in the area were closing. Alongwith them, went many residents.
Grants’ population in just a matter of two-three years
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105 Goltz Dr • Grants, NM 870201 Block N of Smith’s, off Lobo Canyon RdOpen M-F 8am-5pm • 287-9031
*The 50th person to visit our business, and mention this ad, will receive this autographed rolling pin signed byIron Chef Cat Cora
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HOLIDAYS 2012 3
Buying local benefits local communities by:• Retaining money in the community – Each time thatmoney is spent at locally owned businesses, moremoney is available to support other local businesseslike retail stores, movie theaters, auto repair shops,restaurants, health services, etc., and more local jobsare created• Local businesses generate local jobs - Income tothose businesses is returned in the form of salaries,which are spent locally as well. And don!t forget allthose youth team sponsorships, raffle items, highschool scholarships and other investments in our com-munity that are made by local merchants. They don!thave to do any of that, but they do because they care.• Retains local flavor - Experiences at local establish-ments are completely unique, expressing the local fla-vor of the area.• Increases community involvement - The men andwomen who own and operate businesses downtownhave deep community roots. They sit next to us at ath-letic events, coach our children, and volunteer in ourchurches and charities. The brick-and-mortar small-business owners in our community represent the back-bone of our local economy.
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4 HOLIDAYS 2012
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Winter has arrived!Don’t wait to get those replacement windows!
Happy Holidays from
Holiday Trees Christmas
Tree Cutting
Permits Available
The Cibola National Forest andGrasslands will begin selling Christ-mas tree cutting permits startingNov. 14 for the Mount TaylorRanger District.
Trees may be cut between Nov. 22and Dec. 24.
Cost is $10 per tree (up to 10 feet). For trees taller than 10 feet,
the cost is $1 per foot. The tagsalso permit digging up a livetree.
Christmas Tree tags may be pur-chased at the following locations:
• Mount Taylor Ranger DistrictOffice, 1800 Lobo Canyon Rd., 287-8833.
• Northwest New Mexico VisitorsCenter, 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave.,Grants; weekends only from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., 1-505-876-2783.
• Cibola National Forest andGrasslands Supervisor’s Office, 2113Osuna Rd. N.E., Albuquerque, 1-505-346-3900.
• Wingate Workcenter, located onPainted Horse Trail in Fort Wingate,N.M. Follow the signs to theWingate Workcenter/Administrativesite; Saturdays only from 9 a.m. to 3p.m.
Visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/cibolafor additional information about theChristmas Tree Cutting Program.
4-H Council
Annual Christmas
Tree Sale
Starting Monday, Dec. 3, the Ci-bola County 4-H council will beholding its annual Christmas TreeSale at Diamond G on 225 El MorroRoad, Grants. Trees will be $10 eachwith many sizes to choose from.
Call 287-9266 for more informa-tion.
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505-285-6811Closed Sundays
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 8pm • Sat. 8am - 7pm
We have pumpkin and pecan p
ies!
Available through the holidays!
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Over 50 Crafters and Artists from around the area!
4-H will have decorated Christmas Trees to ra! e!
Dates & TimesFriday, Nov 30 - 6pm to 9pmSaturday, Dec 1 - 10am to 6pmSunday, Dec 2 - 11am to 5pm
Grants RecreationArts & Crafts Fair
Future Foundation Family Center
Shop Local!
Great selection of Christmas Gifts!
HOLIDAYS 2012 5
was cut in half, from 20,000 to 10,000.
Obviously, Peña, who was president of the area Cham-
ber of Commerce at the time, felt a need to push resi-
dents to spend money in Grants as many of the shops’
walk-in traffic was cut in two also.
Grants MainStreet Project, Inc. encourages holiday
shoppers to shop downtown at local main street busi-
nesses.
“Small businesses in MainStreet districts are the heart
of so many New Mexico communities,” said state Eco-
nomic Development Secretary Jon Barela. “It takes risk
and a lot of hard work to open a business and by sup-
porting these businesses this holiday season we will see
the benefits all year long by having these local retailers
locate in our downtown.”
Rich Williams, New Mexico MainStreet Program Di-
rector, added, “Dollars spent in MainStreet businesses
are more likely to re-circulate in the community. This
creates jobs and builds a stronger tax base.” See ‘buyinglocal benefits local communities’ on Page 3.
Avon’s‘Slippers for Seniors’
CampaignThrough early December, Avon sales women are
hosting a promotion that they are hoping will provide
100 seniors in Cibola County with a pair of slippers.
Cibola County residents are encouraged to purchase
a pair of slippers from the for $9.95, specially designed
for the elderly, and in mid-December they will donate
them to residents at the Grants Good Samaritan Soci-
ety and Pueblo of Laguna Rainbow Center, both of
which are elderly care facilities.
The Avon ‘slippers for seniors’ promotion is in its
fifth year, according to Linda Griego, one of Avon’s
district representatives.
Residents are encouraged to contact their Avon sales
representative and purchase a pair of slippers.
Call Griego at 290-0805 for more information.
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6 HOLIDAYS 2012
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Happy Holidays from
Handbags & AccessoriesHandbags & AccessoriesHandbags & Accessories
Because you asked, we are now open for your lunch hour from 12-1!
Message from the Publisher . . .
It’s been proven, a dollar spent at a
locally owned small business goes
much further then a dollar spent at a
national chain store.
It is estimated that for every $100
spent at a national chain store, $43
remains in the local economy.
However, for every $100 spent in a
small locally owned business, $68 re-
mains in the community.
Americans will shop more in No-
vember and December than they
have the other 10 months of the year
put together. That is a lot of shop-
ping and that is a lot of money.
It would be nice if residents spent
30 percent, or even one-half, of that
money right here in Cibola County.
That would make a huge difference
in our economy.
There are many small shops,
artists and crafters to choose from in
our county that have great gifts for
all ages.
You will find that their service is
good and the durability of the items
in most cases matches that of a
chain store or better.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
have passed.
The national chain stores have al-
ready received their big piece of the
shopping dollar pie.
Make this Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, “I Believe in Cibola County
and Shop Local,” weekend.
There are several events in Grants
to go along with all your shopping
opportunities.
Make this weekend “I believe in
Cibola County” weekend.
Make Ralph McQueary and Eddie
Peña proud.
They were two community leaders
who encouraged people to take pride
of our community.
Lastly, from my family to yours,
have a safe and happy holiday sea-
son.
Feliz Navidad.
By Donald JaramilloBeacon Managing Editor
HOLIDAY 2012 7
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4 753 E Roosevelt Grants NM 87020(505) 285-3675
Farmers Insurance AgentApril Montoya
SHOPLOCAL
Shop Local
Shop ROCKY’S
Treasured Keepsakes
Wishing everyone a Safe and Wonderful Holiday!
A wide assortment of locally made, one-of-a kind,
hand-crafted art & gift itemsFor her - for him - for the home
THE LITTLE SHOP OF TREASURES
Nativity Display
Today, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec.1, the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-
ter Day Saints, 1010 Bondad Ave.,
Grants, is hosting a live Nativity re-
enactment along with an exhibit of
more than 80 Nativity scenes from
around the world.
Ina Hoffman, one of the event or-
ganizers, noted that additional dis-
plays are welcome.
The free event will be held from 6-8
p.m. on Friday evening and from 4-8
p.m. on Saturday.
Call 287-9844 for more informa-
tion.
2nd Annual
Christmas
Arts & Craft Fair
Tomorrow, Dec. 1, the LCEP is
hosting its second annual Christmas
Arts & Craft Fair K’awaika Center,
which is the old Laguna-Acoma High
School, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All vendor spaces have been re-
served in advance.
The fair offers a selection of holiday
gifts and food concessions.
Call 1-505-552-7243 for more infor-
mation.
Holiday Light
Parade and
‘Shop Local’ Event
Tomorrow, Dec. 1, the Grants
Mainstreet Project, Inc. will be hold-
ing the annual Holiday Light Parade
and Winter Festival. The event is
being held in conjunction with the
Grants/Cibola County Chamber of
Commerce “Shop Local” effort.
Many small businesses will display
their goods and services inside of the
Cibola County Complex, 515 W.
High St., Grants from 4 - 9 p.m. Resi-
dents are encouraged to browse at the
Holiday Events
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8 HOLIDAYS 2012
505.285.6611Toll Free 877.825.6611
24 Hour Telephone BankingWest Santa Fe Ave.
285-6611
Main Branch824 West Santa Fe Ave.
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MayorJoe Murrietta
CouncilmenMartin "Modey" Hicks
Walter JaramilloMichael QuintanaRuben Sandoval
Happy Holidays
from
“shop local” event before and afterthe annual light parade.
The parade starts at El CafecitoRestaurant, 820 E. Santa Fe Ave., andproceeds west down Santa Fe Avenueto Fire and Ice Park. After the parade,at Fire and Ice Park, there will be hotcocoa, cookies, live entertainment,and a special appearance by SantaClaus. This year there will also be aperformance from the Grants HighSchool ROTC and prizes for the “BestDecorated Business.” Float entry feeis $5 per float.
Call 285-3573 for more informationon the parade. Or, 287-4802 for infor-mation on the Chamber’s “ShopLocal” effort.
Arts and Craft Fair
Today, Nov. 30; and Saturday, Dec.1; and Sunday, Dec. 2, the GrantsParks and Recreation Departmentwill be holding its annual holiday Arts
and Craft Fair at Future FoundationsFamily Center at 551 WashingtonAve., Grants.
There will be more than 50 artisansand artists from the surrounding area.The event offers a wide selection ofholiday gift items and will include theCibola County 4-H Council’s auctionof decorated Christmas trees.
The fair will be from 6-9 p.m. onFriday; 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. onSaturday; and from 11 a.m. through 5p.m. on Sunday.
Call 285-3542 for more informa-tion.
4-H Council ‘Festival
of Trees’ Fundraiser
Today, Nov. 30; and Saturday, Dec.1; and Sunday, Dec. 2, the CibolaCounty 4-H Council will host a “Fes-tival of Trees” where sponsored, dec-orated trees are auctioned off with thepurchase of a $1 ticket.
Tickets will be available for sale dur-ing the Grants Park and RecreationArts and Crafts Fair, located at FutureFoundations Family Center, 551Washington Ave., Grants, on thesame days as the Festival. All itemsdisplayed with the decorated trees areto be considered part of the tree. Or-ganizations that are decorating theirtrees with gift certificates should dis-play only copies. The money raisedgoes towards 4-H scholarships.
Call 287-9266 for more informa-tion.
Festival of Wreaths
On Friday, Dec. 7, Roberta’s Placewill be holding its annual Festival ofWreaths at the Grants Senior Center,550 Jurassic Court, Grants, at 6 p.m.Tickets are $15 each and include agourmet pasta dinner, deserts, and asilent auction. A queen-size hand-made quilt will be raffled. They will
HOLIDAYS 2012 9
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Happy Holidays From Us Here At!
(505) 287-35431433 E Old Hwy 66 Grants, NM
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1001 N. First Grants, NM 87020
287-4007
Store Hours: Mon. - Fri.
10 a.m. - 5:50 p.m.
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Sending Out a Thank You To
All Who Chose To Shop Local!
Complete Sales and Installation
Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year!
also be selling Christmas wreaths for$20. These wreaths are to be pur-chased, decorated, and then donatedback to Roberta’s Place for the wreathraffle.
Call 287-7200 for more informa-tion.
Christmas Bazaar
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the MalpaisMasonic Lodge, 1004 W. High St.,Grants, is hosting a Christmas Bazaar,which will offer crafts, baked goodsand a variety of candies. The bazaarwill be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Call Al Prewett at 240-0148 or 285-4018 for more information.
Winter Wonderland
Arts and Crafts Festival
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the 3rd An-nual Winter Wonderland Arts andCrafts Festival will take place at theK-awaika Center cafeteria. The holi-
day event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Vendor spaces are available for $20,
and the price does not include a tableand chairs.
A food handler’s card is required ifselling baked goods, pre-cooked andpre-wrapped food.
The eighth grade St. Joseph SchoolCompletion Committee will provide afood concession for the event.
Call 290-7692, or email:[email protected], for more infor-mation.
El Morro
‘Holiday Craft Show’
On Saturday, Dec. 8, the OldSchool Gallery, State Highway 53, ishosting its annual “Holiday CraftShow,” 1-5 p.m.
Vendor booth spaces are now avail-able for reservation, which includes a$10 fee.
Call 1-505- 783-4710, or visit
www.elmorro-arts.org, for more infor-mation.
Seasonal Music
Performance
On Saturday, Dec. 15, the CibolaArts Council and the Double SixGallery are hosting an evening of livemusical performances, 1001 W. SantaFe Ave., Grants, from 6 – 8 p.m.
Zuni Mountain musician BrianNeher will perform from medieval-music to 18th century pieces by Bach.
Call 287-7311, or visit www.cibo-lartscouncil.com, for more informa-tion.
Two Musical
Performances
On Saturday, Dec. 15, the OldSchool Gallery, State Highway 53, ishosting performances by two musi-
Cont!d on Next Page
10 HOLIDAYS 2012
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State Rd. 124 Cubero, NM
VILLA DE CUBERO
Old RT 66
Exit 102 I-40
Sky City Casino
Villa De Cubero
(505) 552-9511 ph/fax
Happy Holidays To All!
GRANTSDELTA TIRE833 E. SANTA FE AVENUEGRANTS, NEW MEXICO 87020
505.287.7946
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HAPPY Holidays!!
cians: LP Camozzi, who specializesin children’s music and Paula Tripodi,who will play the guitar while per-forming her originals pieces and holi-day music.
The program begins at 6:30 p.m.Tickets are $8 per person and $15 perfamily.
Call 1-505- 783-4710, or visitwww.elmorro-arts.org, for more infor-mation.
Annual Caroling PartyOn Sunday, Dec. 16, the El Morro
Area Arts Council is hosting its an-nual holiday caroling party at the OldSchool Gallery, State Highway 53, 4 –6 p.m.
Pianist Mark Gibbons will accom-pany area residents singing of sea-sonal music.
The event includes refreshments.Call 1-505- 783-4710, or visit
www.elmorro-arts.org, for more infor-
mation.
6th Annual‘Solstice Surprise’On Saturday, Dec. 22, the El Morro
Area Arts Council is hosting the sixthannual Solstice Surprise event, 6 p.m.
The event includes holiday musicalperformances, story telling, drum-ming, Ceili dancing, and refreshmentsincluding traditional fruitcake.
Tickets are $3 per person.Call 1-505-783-4440 or 1-505-783-
4710 for more information.
Navajo Winter StoriesOn Saturday, Dec. 29 and Saturday,
Jan. 19, the Inscription Rock TradingPost at mile-marker 46, State High-way 53, El Morro, will be presentingNavajo storyteller Nixon Martinez,who will be telling traditional talesoften told in winter by the Diné peo-ple.
Call 1-505-783-4706 for reservationsand more information.
BEACON / CHAVEZ
The !Scrooge" could not ruin the holiday
season last year as he was locked up on
float in Grants MainStreet"s Holiday
Light parade.
HOLIDAY 2012 11
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123 N. First Street505-287-4432 • 800-660-9935
[email protected] www.walker-agency.com
Auto • Life • Health Home and Business Insurance
New Winter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 12pm & 1 pm - 4:30pm
Support your local merchants by
shopping local!y
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Vista Mesa Villa Apartments
1121 Mt. Taylor Ave.
Wishing Everyone a Safe and Happy
Holidays!
RAMAH - Irene Lewis takes great
pride in her pies and because no two
people bake exactly the same, she is
the only one who makes the pies at
the Stagecoach Café in Ramah.
She makes a variety of pies - any
kind of cream pie you can think of
she can make; pistachio cream, co-
conut cream, banana cream, choco-
late cream or strawberry cream.
Irene specializes in traditional fa-
vorites such as apple, blueberry,
pumpkin and raisin pie, just to
mention a few.
If she has not made the pie you
want, the gifted baker will take your
order and make it.
Upon request, Irene will make a
sugarless pie. The pastry chef re-
called that she had done just that for
a couple who are on the Atkins’ diet
and who wanted a sugarless choco-
late cream pie. “I whip my own
cream,” she pointed out and added,
“Cream doesn’t have a whole lot of
carbs; it’s what you put in it. Instead
of sugar I used Splenda and it
worked really well.”
Irene spends long hours at the
Stagecoach Café, Monday through
Any Kind of Pie You’d LikeMADE SPECIALLY BY IRENE LEWIS
By Marie GallegosBeacon Correspondent
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12 HOLIDAYS 2012
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1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM1415 W. Highway 66 - Milan, NM
287-2157287-2157287-2157287-2157Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open:Open: Sunday - Saturday Sunday - Saturday Sunday - Saturday Sunday - Saturday Sunday - Saturday Sunday - Saturday
5am - 9pm5am - 9pm5am - 9pm5am - 9pm
Your Local Food Store
Support your local merchants by shopping local
Saturdays from early morning, at 7a.m., to late at night, 9 p.m.
Saturdays are devoted to makingpies…15 pies baked at once; 10minutes each from rolling out thedough, topping, cutting and fillingand then crimping the dough toputting them in the oven to bake.
The baker laughed at the no-tion that she is her own pie as-sembly line.
There is a pie case, an originalold oak telephone booth dark-ened with age that Irene and Johnpurchased at an auction. Shesaid she told her husband, Johnthat it would come in handy ifthey ever had a restaurant as they
could use it for a pie case. When they brought it home,
Irene used it as her linen closetand about seven or eight yearsago, they decided to purchase theRamah eatery and the old tele-phone booth became home to allher pies.
John told the story of how his fa-ther and uncle built the building in1964 that houses the café today.
Originally it was a Laundromatand later became a restaurant,going through several owners.Nowadays, John’s 90-year-old fa-ther comes in every morning tomake the pancake batter and hasbeen doing it since Irene and Johnopened the doors to their first cus-tomers.
He also takes care of the Ramahmuseum and told Irene that heplans on living to be “103 or dietrying.”
Irene Lewis in front of her pie dis-play case at Stagecoach Cafe inRamah, just two miles outside ofsouthern Cibola County.BEACON / GALLEGOS
John’s mother came from Englandbringing with her recipes from thebakery where she once worked. Laterwhen the Laundromat turned into arestaurant she made the pies for thecafé owners.
After her mother-in-law died, Irenepicked up the pie making.
When asked why not buy pies al-ready made Irene replied, “Oh, no, Idon’t do anything readymade. Evenmy chicken-fried steaks are madefrom scratch. I don’t like premadestuff. I want home cooking.”
She added that their breakfast bur-ritos are a favorite and very popularwith her customers.
A few years ago the Route 66 Tourcoordinator stopped in at the restau-rant and after having eaten he askedIrene if she would be interested inserving a motorcycle group each year.
They come from Germany, Switzer-land, and Norway so Irene opens the
restaurant on Sundays for them. From Ramah the group goes to
Zuni, Gallup, and Acoma. The tourcommences in May starting out eitherfrom Los Angeles, Calif., to Chicago,Ill., or from Chicago to Los Angeles.The group always stops in at theStagecoach with the tour ending inSeptember.
“This will be our third year,” Ireneproudly stated.
What does she serve? “Whatever I bake. And they like
their coffee very strong,” noted thecook.
She gets a two-day notice prior totheir arrival and she thoroughly en-joys the annual event. The groupsrange from the smallest of 15 peopleto the largest group of 56.
Although she is the only one whomakes the pies, she does get somehelp.
Dorcas Piño works the café as she
has done for previous owners for thepast 14 years.
“She can do almost anything,” Johnproudly stated.
Sometimes Irene’s mother waits ta-bles.
Unlike many restaurant chains,John and Irene both agreed that theywould never serve premade boxedfood or prefab dinners. Prior to oper-ating their own restaurant John andIrene worked for Ski Hill in LosAlamos for about seven years where2,500 trays of food, cafeteria-style,were made almost every hour.
“Home-cooking may not be cost ef-fective but quality is more importantthan money itself. We just want ourreputation to be that we make home-made food and that nobody leaveshungry,” emphasized Irene.
They have a motto: “If we won’t eatit or drink it, we won’t serve it.”
HOLIDAY 2012 13
BEACON / GALLEGOS
Stagecoach Cafe in beautiful Ramah.The restaurant owned locally by John and Irene Lewis is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to p.m.
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Letters To Santa
express delivery to the north pole
Please have your Santa Letters to the Beacon no later thanTHURSDAY 12/13/2012 AT 3 PM
! e Cibola County Beacon will publish the letters in the Greetings Guide onFRIDAY 12/21/2012
Any questions, please call 287-4411
Attention: Parents,
Teachers, Kids!
1016 E. Roosevelt Ave. Grants, New Mexico
WWW.CIBOLAHOSPITAL.COM505-287-4446
ShopShopLocal
Support your local merchants
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6
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