2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Sargeant Jésus A. Palomo

I ran across a very interesting book, The Conflict Korea 1953, Last Stand for Pork Chop Hill by Ruben J. Rodriguez. In his memoir, Mr. Rodriguez tells the story of his Army service in the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Infantry Regiment in Korea and includes many photos and lists of fellow soldiers.

One of these soldiers was Sargeant First Class Jésus A. (Pancho) Palomo of La Fundicion de Ávalos.

Mr. Rodriguez details stories about Sargeant Palomo’s promotion and how he was wounded.

If you have a moment, take a look at some of the entries and photos that are available on Google Books about Sargeant Palomo. You may decide to buy the book!

Does anyone know anything about Jésus Palomo? The wounds that he sustained in Korea may be mentioned here.

More Bowling at the Smelter Club

Eduardo Uranga, Jr. found these two photos of a championship bowling team from Avalos around the 1970s. Since the bowling alley was a manual operation, the action was in the little room at the bottom of the alley. The bowling balls were sent with some force up to the bowler by hand. The pins were collected and placed on trays shaped like a triangle then put in place for the bowlers. With great force, the bowlers threw their bowling balls down the lane. This was done about 20 times per game. Each game cost about $.50 and was excellent exercise!

Here is a little bowling history from Chihuahua I found on the internet:

• Historia del boliche en Chihuahua
• Billar y boliche, establecidos desde 1927

Included in these photos are Eduardo’s brother George, Cecy and their dear friend Chacha. Eduardo does not know the name of the older gentleman. Thank you for sharing these Eduardo!

Bowling at The Club

From the 1994 Avalos Reunion, here’s a photo I took of my mom, Flossy Wilson Delgado, bowling at the Smelter Club bowling alley. My mom told me the bowling pins had to be set up manually! She has great memories of bowling there. Does anyone else have photos of the bowling alley?

Felicitas Morris de Martinez

My great-grandmother Felicitas Martinez at about age 18

1986 Avalos Reunion

These photos taken at the 1986 Avalos Reunion show many families standing in front of their homes in the Colony.

Quinta ?: Johnny Leasure and Francis Leasure Harris

Quinta 30: Martha Santa Cruz (I think) and ?

Quinta 14: Tony Bremer, Juan Bremer, Catherine Bremer. Back row: Pancho Bremer and Jose Luis Bremer

Quinta 28 or 29: Carlos Alvarado and possibly Rudy's children and Carlos' children and Nena's children

Quinta ?: Bremer family, Pancho’s wife Mariqueta being held by Pancho. Frank Bremer, Catherine Bremer, Maria Antonetta Bremer, Jose Luis Bremer, Juan Bremer. Manuel Bremer

Why is Ávalos special to you?

I grew up in El Paso, Texas hearing stories from my grandmother, mother and aunt about their life in Ávalos. Even to this day, my mom and aunt think of Ávalos with love. The comments and photos from followers of this blog express the same sentiments.

Dear readers, why is Ávalos special to you?

Jardín Principal

This lovely watercolor painting by Eduardo Uranga, Jr. shows the garden in the middle of the Colony. When I first saw this painting, I imagined a time with children running under the shade of the trees without a care in the world.

In Eduardo’s blog, Colonia Avalos, you’ll find watercolor paintings capturing the essence of what Avalos was for those who lived there.

Eduardo says, “Para todos los que vivimos y recordamos este maravilloso jardín, que tantas veces lo corrimos en algún juego. Así recuerdo este lugar con cariño, recuerdo hasta el olor de un pasto recien cortado, lleno de luz, de árboles que fueron más que compañeros cada uno bien identificado. Por desgracia un lugar que ahora solo quedará en nuestros recuerdos. Espero lo disfruten.”

Beautiful Ávalos Slideshow

A beautiful song and a beautiful slideshow of Ávalos. Gracias Carlos!

Ávalos y Jardín Botánico del Desierto Chihuahuense

From Tiempo on July 30, 2011, Chihuahua Governor, Cesar Duarte, announces the construction of the Ávalos botanical garden. Also, from El Heraldo de Chihuahua an article discussing the conversion of the Ávalos foundry into one of recreation, leisure and tourism.