A Chip Off the Ol’ Block? Nay!

(Note: Watching your grandkids grow up is very special, and when they do something spectacular, it’s only natural to want to brag on them. Senior coffee cup circles provide a great avenue for doing just that. For the past several years, I’ve been covering and bragging about the exploits of Carlsbad’s kids, and it’s been fun. Today, however, I’d like to brag about the exploits of one of my own.)

It’s always a great feeling when you hear from a grandchild. Yup, when that happens, the day suddenly becomes much brighter.

Such was the case for this ol’ boy a while back.

After hearing my phone beep, I checked my texts to see who had sent me a message.

The message was from my granddaughter, River. River, who lives in Waukee, IA, with her father, Sean, mother, Shandra, and brother, Ian, was a junior in high school at the time.

A perfectionist in all she does, it’s no surprise that she’s a straight-A student. Now, at 17 years of age, along with being a great student, she’s become quite the young artist, which, by the way, was what her text message was about.

River, born in Albuquerque, loves the southwest, so much so that she had just completed a pastel painting of the Taos Pueblo. Knowing how interested her grandmother and I are in her artistry, she sent us a photo of it.

So, impressed and proud, we printed it out right away and hung it up in my office here in Springfield, MO, the same painting I’m sharing with Carlsbad today.

As a young man growing up in Carlsbad, my neighbor was Mae Howell. For those who may remember her, she was one of New Mexico’s most accomplished artists. Today, our home is filled with Mae Howell paintings.

Because of Mae, I developed a great appreciation for art. I can only imagine how proud she would have been of River, as are her grandmother and me.

River, now a senior, will graduate from Waukee in December of this year. Presently, she hopes to attend the University of New Mexico, where she will major in archeology. She feels that her zest for painting will assist her in this field.

For those who might be wondering if she could be a chip off her old granddad’s block, the answer is obviously no! River’s much smarter, more talented, and much better looking than her grandfather ever was. And as her grandfather, I couldn’t be happier!

Yup, life with grandkids does brighten up our day, doesn’t it! Best to you, Carlsbad.

Cavemen Trap & Skeet Team

The Cavemen Trap and Shoot teams went first and second at the recent state tournament. The Intermediate team, grades six through eight, claimed the 2025 state championship, while the varsity team, grades nine through 12, finished as runners-up.

While listing standout performances from both squads in the June 13 edition of the Carlsbad Local, four names were inadvertently left off. They were intermediate, John Campbell, and varsity, Gage Clifton, Tayden Kimbley, and Zane Luedecke.