May 2022

Mealtimes in the borderlands are commonly made up of Mexican food. Many times this may mean that one’s main eating “utensil” consists of a tortilla. Depending upon the dish, this may be corn or flour. When we speak of tacos, it is usually corn tortillas that get the job done, and there is nothing better with which to eat carnitas.

Ingredients: ¼ cup vegetable oil 4 pounds pork shoulder, cut into several large pieces 3 tablespoons kosher salt 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 3 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon chili powder ½ teaspoon oregano ½ teaspoon ground cumin 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 1 to 2 fresh cut limes Fresh avocado, cilantro, or onions to top and garnish and/or queso fresco or cotija cheese or salsa. Directions: Fresh avocado, cilantro, or onions to top and garnish and/or queso fresco or cotija cheese or salsa.

Spectators enjoyed lots of classics and hot cars that showed up for the Cinco de Mayo car show on Murphy Street on May 7. Avalanche photo by Gail Diane Yovanovich.

Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall has appointed Carlos Hernandez, EdD, interim president of Sul Ross State University. Hernandez, who has served since 2014 as chief financial officer and senior vice president for operations at Sam Houston State University, will assume office on June 4.

Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library recently selected two graduating seniors for its annual Nancy Robinson and Bryan Woolley Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The judges deliberated a long time, choosing from among the many applications sent by very deserving students.

The Alpine non-profit Big Bend Parks and Recreation for Kids held a community meeting and ice cream social at Juan Medina Park on May 1 as Board Interim President Letty Carrillo and Treasurer Marci Tuck discussed proposed plans for a new splash pad for youngsters adjacent to Kokernot Park. Carrillo and Tuck also recruited new board members and discussed event planning and activities to benefit Alpine children. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

In the past we’ve examined those tiny nectar eaters, the hummingbirds. But now with century plants in full bloom, let’s take a closer look at another Big Bend bird that feeds heavily on nectar – the striking Scott’s Oriole.

Angelo State University’s chapter of the Order of the Sword and Shield national honor society recently inducted 28 new students for the 2021-2022 academic year, including Kassandra Acosta of Alpine.

Lanyana Hernandez What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? What I’m especially looking forward to is to graduate, and see what all my classmates decide to do with their lives. What activities are you involved in during your senior year? The activities I was involved my senior year were one act play, and track and field.

Odie Bud Finley passed away on Dec. 2, 2021, at his son’s home in Lexington, Texas, with his family by his side.