Roswell and Chaves County: land of milk and honey

New Mexico Business Journal, August, 1994 by Kalynn Huffman Brower

The Chaves County Home Health Service, a trio of non-profit agencies, has also seen triple growth in the last two and a half years, says executive director John Taylor.

The growth rate for that service is tied to nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy being taken into the home.

Meanwhile the Chaves County Primary Health Care Clinic is scheduled to open this month for those who are under-insured or uninsured, modeled after La Casa de Buena Salud of Portales.

For a town of Roswell's size, few can offer the plethora of arts and entertainment, whether it's the community little theater, public library, four museums, two golf courses, athletic fields, the zoo, or the largest planetarium in New Mexico.

The Roswell Museum and Art Center, built in 1937, considered one of the city's cultural jewels, includes fine arts, history and space science technology sections.

The fine arts collection featuring Santa Fe and Taos modernists is considered among the best in the Southwest, according to assistant director Laurie Rufe.

Since 1967 when the museum began sponsoring the internationally renowned Artist-in-Residence Program, more than 100 sculptors, painters, animators and photographers from throughout the U.S. and abroad have been hosted.

The space science and technology portion of the museum houses the most comprehensive exhibit of Robert H. Goddard's research and tests in liquid-fueled rocket technology.

The Roswell Symphony Orchestra begins its 36th season with its annual Labor Day Concern in the Park. Since 1972, internationally known John Farrer has conducted the group of talented musicians recruited from throughout the region.

For the off-beat approach, Roswell's Zia Gus Macker Western Region Street Hoops Tourney has becoming increasingly popular with 662 basketball aficionados turning out last year.

Like a stubborn Western wrangler, Roswell is proving to have that special resilience for the comeback trail.

Kalynn Huffman Brower is a free-lance writer based in Roswell.