Monday, October 27, 2025

Espiritu to report on Air Races

Rotarian Mike Espiritu will report on this year’s National Championship Air Races and their meaning for Roswell at the Oct. 30 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


Mike, as president and CEO of the Roswell Chaves County Economic Development Corp., is in charge of bringing new businesses to the city and county.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Ramp project head to speak

Greg Holstrum will speak via a Zoom electronic call to the Roswell Rotary Club this Thursday at the Texas Roadhouse.


Greg heads a statewide organization of volunteers who build ramps for people with special needs.

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Highway cleanup nets 23 bags

It was a wonderful Saturday morning for our club’s trash pickup on U.S. 285, north of the overpass.


We gathered 23 bags of trash, and the coffee and doughnuts were all consumed.


Rotarians Richard Altans, Steve Henderson, J.P. Cheney, Bianca Cheney, Steve Smith, Frank Sturges, Juan Rodriguez, Jason O’Day, and Gordon Patton participated in the cleanup.  Thanks to all!

— Gordon Patton 

Highway cleanup chair


NOTE: A photograph of the cleanup crew appeared on Page 1 of the Roswell Daily Record on Sunday.


Photograph by Rotarian Jason O’Day showing the Rotary highway cleanup crew.

Monday, October 6, 2025

Sculptor to address Rotary

Duke Sundt, an accomplished artist who has been doing sculptures in bronze for many years, will speak at the Oct. 9 Rotary Club meeting.


Sundt, who is known throughout the Southwest for his work, was chosen to do the sculptures for the club’s “Lest We Forget Historical Statuary Garden.”


He has completed three pieces for the Rotary Club so far — the children known as “First Jump,” the “El Vaquero” Hispanic cowboy, and now the “Buffalo Soldier.”


Sundt will be accompanied at Rotary by Oliver Horn, an expert on the Buffalo Soldiers who served at Fort Stanton.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Pastor to talk about trip

Jerry Acosta, missions pastor at Grace Community Church, will speak to Rotary on Oct. 2 about leading a group to Spain last summer.

Rotarians work Air Races


Roswell Rotary Club members check out a tractor they will drive to tow passengers around the National Championship Air Races at the Roswell Airport.


Shown are (from left) Danny Fulkerson, Maurice Geldert, and Ryan Vance.


Rotary Club members manned tractors during the Air Races, which ran Sept. 10-14. During this time, club members worked more than 478 hours, earning a total of $2,390 for club projects.

Friday, September 19, 2025

Highway cleanup on Oct. 11

The Roswell Rotary Club has scheduled a cleanup of its Rotary Mile along U.S. 285 north of the overpass beginning at 8 a.m. on Oct. 11.


Club volunteers will meet just before 8 a.m. for coffee and snacks at Mile Marker 116.3, about one mile north of the US 285 overpass.


Gloves, trash bags, and safety vests will be provided.


“It takes an ideal group of 12 people about 1.5 hours to walk our mile on both sides of the highway. Your participation is encouraged to keep our Rotary Mile from being trashy!” said Gordon Patton, highway cleanup chair.

Davenport to discuss soccer

Kate Davenport of the Roswell Youth Soccer Association will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on Sept. 25.

Club honors two Harris fellows

Two Paul Harris Fellows were announced during the Sept. 18 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.

Gary M. Smith
Rotarian Marlin Wells nominated Gary M. Smith, longtime chair of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Roswell committee.

Marlin serves on the ESGR committee alongside Smith, a retired National Guard officer.

In the top photo, with Smith, who holds the Paul Harris Fellow certificate, are (from left) Rotarian Steve Henderson, a fellow ESGR committee member; Smith's wife, Candy; and Marlin.

Nicole Wieser
In the bottom photo, Bianca Cheney, assistant Rotary District 5520 governor, pins the Paul Harris Fellow insignia on Nicole Wieser, Roswell Rotary Club president.


Monday, September 15, 2025

Exchange student to speak

Martin Llanes Padillo, Roswell Rotary Youth Exchange student from Spain, will speak at the Sept. 18 club meeting.


Also in the program will be a Paul Harris Fellowship presentation by Rotarian Marlin Wells.

Friday, September 5, 2025

Altans named Harris Fellow

Rotarian Richard Altans receives the Paul Harris Fellow award at the Sept. 4 Roswell Rotary Club meeting. On the left is Richard’s wife Eileen. Presenting the award was Rotarian Carolyn Mitchell (right).

Rotary to meet at ENMU-R



Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Katy Wright to discuss 4-H

Katy Wright, Chaves County 4-H agent, will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on Sept. 4.


Rotarian Karl Shelton, September speakers’ chair, said his focus for the month will be on youth and youth programs.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Exchange student arrives


Rotary Exchange student Martin Padillo tries out the alien seat at the Roswell Air Center Monday night after flying to New Mexico from Spain. Welcoming Martin are Rotarians J.P. and Bianca Cheney, as well as Rotarian Karl Shelton and his wife, Toni. The Sheltons are Martin’s initial host family.

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Telling gives update on air races


Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, on Aug. 14 updates the Roswell Rotary Club on the upcoming National Championship Air Races. See: airrace.org

ENMU chancellor to speak

Dr. James Johnston, chancellor of the Eastern New Mexico University System, will speak Aug. 21 on the One Eastern Initiatives and provide an overview of the system.


On Aug. 28, Rotarian Shawn Powell, ENMU-R president, and Roswell School Superintendent Brian Luck will provide information on the upcoming mill levy.


Powell will discuss how the mill levy would impact career and technical education at the university.


Luck will describe the impact of the bond renewal for the Roswell Independent School District.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Air races CEO to speak at Rotary

Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, will give an update on the upcoming National Championship Air Races on Aug. 14.


The air races will be flown in Roswell on Sept. 10-14.


Roswell was selected to host the air races, beginning this year, after they left Reno.


See: airrace.org

Monday, August 4, 2025

Espiritu to address club

Rotarian Mike Espiritu, CEO of the Roswell/Chaves County Economic Development Corp., will provide an overview of the corporation’s activities at the Aug. 7 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.

Monday, July 28, 2025

Shawler to discuss high court

Donald Shawler, career law clerk for U.S. Appeals Court Judge Bobby R. Baldock, will discuss the U.S. Supreme Court term during the July 31 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.

Friday, July 18, 2025

Director of students to speak

Emily Taylor, NMMI Intermediate Preparatory Academy director of students, will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on July 24.


She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University.


Emily has taught in Roswell area public and private schools for the past 10 years.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Wehinahpay camp program topic

Staff members from Wehinahpay Mountain Camp will speak at the July 17 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


Speakers Michael Beaumont, Walter Stagaman, Valerie Stagaman, Jason Ruby, and Sarah Ruby will speak about the Boy Scouts of America camp in the Sacramento Mountains.


Each speaker will discuss his/her area of responsibility and take questions at the end of the presentation.


For information about the camp, click on: https://www.wmc-mountaincamp.org/

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Rotary Board takes office

Assistant District Governor Bianca Cheney gives the oath of office to Roswell Rotary Club officers and directors during the club’s July 10 meeting at The Liberty. The officers are (from left) Ryan Vance, sergeant-at-arms; Jack Swickard, public relations chair; J.P. Cheney, Rotary Foundation chair; Nicole Wieser, president; Juan Rodriguez, treasurer; Steve Smith, club administration chair; and Dan Girand, membership chair.

Friday, July 4, 2025

Rotary scholarship recipients

The Roswell Rotary Club honored 38 area students with scholarships this year.


Recipients of the scholarships and family members were honored at the July 3 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


The group photograph shows 23 of the scholarship recipients who attended the scholarship lunch and ceremony.


Recipients are:


Maggie Albarez, Mya Albarez, Yadira Aragon, Kylee Archuleta, Edy Alcazar, Danique Blankvoort, Dallye Burge, Kayla Burnett, Cynthia Campos, Iridiana Campos, Christopher Cardoza, Xavier Cheney, Gabriella Clements, Nalani Cobos, Valeria Dominguez Chavez, Allyssa Fox, Jacob Franco, Rayford Fulkerson,


Giselle Hernandez, Ava Jamison, Tegin Maloney, Sara McConnell, Reid McKelvy, Reese Melton, Samuel Montez, Mary Kathryn Olvera, Istreya Rodriguez, Caleb Ross, Sara Royo-Begueria, Andrew Saiz, Alice Samuels, Naomi Smith, Ross Stokes, Cale Taylor, Lindsey Weathers, Julie White, Madison White, and Caysie Wood.


Membership chair to speak

Kathie Williams, Rotary District 5520 membership chair, will speak at the July 10 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


The club will meet at The Liberty Inc., 312 N. Virginia Ave.


This is the second time Kathie has served as District 5520 membership chair. She previously held that position from 2012-16, as well as serving as assistant governor and lieutenant governor.


Kathie is a member and former president of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors as fundraising chair.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Rotary to host scholars

The Roswell Rotary Club will host student recipients of the club’s annual scholarships on July 3.


The club will meet at the Encanto Event Center, 1010 S. Main St.

Late Rotarians memorialized

The families of Roswell Rotary Club members who have died during the past nine months were presented with roses during a memorial ceremony on June 26.


Receiving memorial roses were:

  • Camille David Hussey, daughter of Rotarian Eddie David, who attended the meeting with her husband Matt. Eddie died on Oct. 23, 2024.
  • Susie Maples, wife of Rotarian Royce “Pancho” Maples. Pancho died on May 1, 2025.
Camille David Hussey

Susie Maples


Monday, June 23, 2025

Brooks to speak at Rotary

Caroline Brooks, executive director of the Roswell Museum and Art Center, will speak at the June 26 Rotary Club meeting.


The club will meet at the Encanto Event Center, 1010 S. Main St.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Literacy coalition topic of talk

Pam Randall, outreach and recruitment coordinator for the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin, will speak at the June 19 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


The club will meet at the Encanto Event Center, 1010 S. Main St.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Jim Burress to speak June 12

Jim Burress, city Parks and Recreation Department special services director, will speak at the June 12 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


The club will meet at the Encanto Event Center, 1010 S. Main St.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

District honors Rhoads Co.

Trent Bates and Bianca Cheney

Rotarian Trent Bates, chief financial officer for Rhoads Co. of Roswell, received the Sonny Brown Business of the Year Award from Bianca Cheney, assistant governor of Rotary District 5520.


The company was honored with the award in the large business category for its high ethical standards.


To receive the award, a business must demonstrate excellence in employee relations, quality of product and/or representation, and community involvement by management and employees.


Rhoads Co. is a third-generation family-owned business providing residential and commercial plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services throughout southeastern New Mexico for more than 60 years.


The company is headquartered at 107 E. Sixth St. in Roswell.


District 5520 established the award in 2005, in Rotary’s Centennial Year, to honor Sonny Brown, a past district governor and Rotary International vice president.


The district includes Rotary clubs throughout New Mexico and part of West Texas.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Mental health in seniors talk topic

Katrina Dowdy, CNM, will speak at the May 29 Roswell Rotary Club meeting about mental health in seniors.


The club will meet at The Liberty Inc., 312 N. Virginia Ave.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Maples service on May 20

A graveside service will be held for Rotarian Royce “Pancho” Maples at 10:30 a.m. on May 20 at Woodbine Cemetery in Artesia.


A meal at First Baptist Church in Artesia will follow the service.


Pancho died May 1.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Robotic knee surgery talk topic

Dr. Deron Ottey will speak about the new robotic knee replacement procedure at the May 22 Roswell Rotary Club meeting.


The club will meet at The Liberty Inc., 312 N. Virginia Ave., during May.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Walker to discuss vaccines

Nancy Walker, APRN, will speak to the Roswell Rotary Club on May 15 about adult vaccines.


The club will meet at The Liberty Inc., 312 N. Virginia Ave., during May.

Monday, May 5, 2025

Rotarian Pancho Maples dies

Roswell Rotarian Royce “Pancho” Maples died May 1. He was 68.

Services are pending with Anderson Bethany Funeral Home.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Flag football subject of talk

Brandon and Brittany Williams will discuss the upcoming “Not of This World Flag Football” tournament during the May 1 Rotary Club meeting.


They own the Brandon Williams Farm Bureau Insurance Agency.


The club will meet at The Liberty Inc., 312 N. Virginia Ave., during May.

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Students honored for essays

Jace Ingram receives a $100 first prize check from Rotarian Bianca Cheney.


Three Mountain View Elementary Students took the top three places in the Roswell Rotary Four-Way Test essay contest.


The students were recognized and presented checks at the April 17 Rotary Club meeting.


• Jace Ingram received a $100 prize from the club for his winning essay.

• Dakota Holladay received a $75 prize for second place.

• Genesis Moreno received a $50 prize for third place.