Friday's Internet Edition, July 04, 2008.
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- I’ve been admiring the new look at the Best Western American Inn, and when I noticed that it now has a new name, I decided to visit Sam Bhakta and get more information. I always admire those who take the old and make it new, or even better than new.
Originaly built in the mid-1950’s, the Western Lodge was Van Horn’s Finest
Sam Bhakta first came to Van Horn in 1989 from Phoenix, where he was working at a Travel Lodge. The Best Western here had been purchased by his brother-in-law from the Roukes (who bought it from the Brunes and Burnetts). He worked there a short time, before purchasing it the following year in 1990.
The façade of the office building has taken on a completely new look by adding a drive-under portico, designed by Mr. Bhakta himself. Large arched windows and a new entrance complete the new look. But this isn’t half of the remodeling job. The 33 spacious rooms are all undergoing a complete remodeling, including new bathrooms, new furnishings, new carpets – everything will be new.
This total renovation job began about six months ago and Sam hopes to be finished in another 6 months. The business has remained open throughout the project, which is being done by local contractor, Badillo Construction.
The motel has also taken on a new name. It will be Knights Inn & Suites, which is affiliated with Windham Hotels. According to Mr. Bhakta, this is a very common name in the eastern United States, and is just beginning to come west. There are only some twenty Knights Inns in Texas.
Little by little Broadway is looking better. And with people like Sam Bhakta who sees the benefit of upgrading and renewing we’ll have a main street to be proud of as visitors come to our town.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
Occasionally we point out needs that the Community Shelter has and encourage your contributions. If you ever wonder just how well the shelter is being managed, and if your contributions will be going to a deserving cause, the following will answer those questions.
Every two years the West Texas Food Bank does inspections of its agencies. The Christian Shelter is one of those agencies, and they would like you to know that the shelter was inspected recently and passed with flying colors. Categories and remarks were: Clean – Yes, Adequate Space – Yes, Organized – Yes, Stockpiling – No, Areas of Concern – None, Recommendations – None. This is the highest rating an agency can achieve.
Katherine and Albert Bell, managers at the shelter, are obviously doing a fine job at keeping a clean and organized facility. Our thanks to them.
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Welcome to the newcomers to our community who will be joining the staffs at our hospital and school. Over the next several weeks I’m sure there will be others that we will introduce here in the Advocate, especially with our school district. Be sure and make them feel welcome when you see them around town. We realize that professionals in these fields usually have a choice as to where they can locate. We’re glad you picked us! We hope this little town will feel like home to you real soon.
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Daniel Munoz, son of Amaro Munoz of Van Horn, is enjoying a short time at home in San Antonio, where he is getting acquainted with his new baby daughter, Adrianna, who was born while he was in Iraq. He and his wife, Kim, also have a little boy, Jacob, who is not quite two years old. I’m sure he is enjoying every minute with his Daddy.
Daniel is a Staff Sgt. in the Army and is an EOD Specialist. If you are like me and had to ask what that is, I can tell you that it’s not something that many of us would want to do! EOD stands for Explosive Ordinance Disposal.
Daniel is a 1995 graduate of Van Horn High School. Thank you, Daniel, for your service to our country.
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I can’t imagine anyone taking small puppies and dumping them out away from town near a FM road. But evidently it happens quite often. Even if you leave a little food, how long would it last and with no water. People who live out in the farming areas see this sad sight and it breaks their heart, but what can they do? They can’t be taking stray, unwanted puppies home all the time. Of course, many times these small dogs will be run over, or even worse, they will soon look like they are starving.
So, please, if you have puppies, or even kittens, that you don’t want, find a more humane way of getting rid of them. Even better, have your animals spayed and neutered so there won’t be these unwanted small animals.
I wonder if the city could find grant money somewhere that would offer a free spaying clinic. Surely that would help to some degree. But it still boils down to humans taking responsibility on themselves for animal control. I’m afraid the problem with animal control is not animals, but humans.
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JUST FOR LAUGHS……
Women’s Revenge – “Cash, check or charge?” I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet. I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. “So, do you always carry your TV remote?” I asked. “No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.”
Marriage Seminar - While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication, Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor. “It is essential that husbands and wives know each other’s likes and dislikes.” He addressed the man, “Can you name your wife’s favorite flower?” Tom leaned over, touched his wife’s arm gently and whispered, “It’s Pillsbury, isn’t it?”
Wife vs. Husband – A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep,” the wife replied, “in-laws.”
Creation – A man said to his wife one day, “I don’t know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. The wife responded, “Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me; God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you.”
Sorry guys, just this last one, and I’ll just make it my Thought for the Week……
God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece!
Have a great weekend. And give that man in your life a big hug. Afterall, what in the world would we do without them!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
August 9th - Directors of the Clark Hotel Historical Museum Association are slated to meet tonight at 6 p.m. at the Clark Hotel Museum. Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are slated to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the firehouse.
August 10th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
August 11th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
August 12th - Attend the church of your choice.
August 13th - Culberson County Commissioners’ Court is slated to meet this morning at 10 a.m. at the County Courthouse. Members of the Van Horn Lions Club are set to meet this evening at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
August 14th - School Board trustees have scheduled a special meeting for 10 a.m. this morning at the District Administration Building. Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are scheduled to meet today at noon at Chuy’s.
August 15th - Nothing scheduled at press time.