December 2023

Sul Ross State University student, Caitlyn Peña, was selected to serve on the Sun Bowl Court for the 2023 Sun Bowl. She has been serving in the role of Sun Princess since July 28, when she was crowned at the Sun Bowl Coronation. Since then, she has been serving as an active ambassador for the city of El Paso by volunteering at various community events. Caitlyn most recently represented the Sun Bowl Association in the Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade on Thanksgiving morning, where SRSU Alumni Tuff Hedeman served as the Grand Marshal. She will be participating in the upcoming festivities for the 90th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl where Oregon State and Notre Dame will play on December 29 in the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso.

Send your community events to kara. gerbert@alpineavalanche.com.

Dear Neil: I’d like to raise corn in my garden next year – both for eating at the table and Indian corn for decorating. Do you have any tips? A few.

Alpine Avalanche.

The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was off to a shaky start, with opening night being postponed due to a shooting on the campus of the University of Las Vegas Nevada last Thursday. The first round instead began on Friday night at the Thomas and Mack Center, and bull rider and former Sul Ross rodeo competitor Ky Hamilton kicked things off by winning round one of the 10-round finals aboard Vitalix Theodore with a top score of 86.5.

Directions: (not browning). Let simmer until orzo is tender, stirring once halfway through, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Always a fan of lemons, they make a great addition to many dishes and desserts. Whether sweet or savory, lemons can brighten up a dish in a way that no other ingredient can. They add just the right amount of flavor and acid to balance a dish that may be too rich or add a bit of tartness to a dessert that may be too sweet.

On November 27 our beloved mother, Joyce Marie Davis Miller, jumped into the arms of Christ and went home. Soon afterward, she turned and kissed her husband, of almost 62 years, Bob, once again. Mom was given the name Joyce by God’s sovereignty and providence because she was full of joy. The Bible says to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances. As we will miss her earthly presence, we rejoice with her homegoing and reunion with Daddy, her parents, and her brother. Mother was always filled with joy, even while raising three boys. We never saw her upset or say any unkind words. Mom was a devout Christian, Godly woman, loving mother, devoted wife to her family, her husband, and more importantly, her Lord and Savior.

Keith Ray Johnson, 72, passed on December 1, in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Anna Johnson, and brother, Jimmy Johnson all of Alpine. Survivors include sons; Kade Johnson and wife Kara Johnson, Shank Davis and Kaitlyn Gaston, brother George Johnson and wife Sally, and sister, Joan Johnson of Alpine. He is also survived by his grandchildren Koy Johnson, Koeker Johnson, Kallahan Johnson, Kreed Davis, and Graeson Davis plus numerous nephews and nieces including Jami and Cody Carpenter of Driftwood, James and Reagan Johnson of Brady, Marti and Anthony Luparello of Waco, Jessi Johnson and Michael Calderon of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan plus numerous great nieces and nephews.

Olivia Ramos, 107, of Alpine passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on December 8. She was preceded in death by her husband, Salomon Ramos, Jr., daughter Rosemary, and the following sisters: Augustina Gonzales, Susana Galindo, Angelita Valenzuela; and the following brothers: Eusebio, Manuel, Daniel, Gorgonio, and Guadalupe Ramirez.