The good and the bad in 2013, Part 2

Second in a three-part series looking back at 2013 in Silver City

By Susan Dunlap

sdunlap@scsun-news.com on Twitter @SCSunNews

Posted: 01/01/2014 03:44:31 PM MST

SILVER CITY >> Wednesday we took a look back at the two top stories for the Grant County area in 2013 -- the problems at Gila Regional Medical Center and the Silver Fire that raged in the nearby Black Range Mountains and Aldo Leopold Wilderness for approximately one month in the summer. Today we will look at some of the other major stories that affected Silver City and the Grant County area in 2013.

Gay marriage >> This national issue became local news in Silver City when the Grant County clerk's office refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples without a court order in the last week of August.

Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Aug. 21. Sante Fe and Bernalillo counties soon followed suit. Additional New Mexico counties began to make the move to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in late August. Silver City attorney Tom Stewart filed a complaint Sept. 3 on behalf of plaintiffs Janey Katz and Suzi Calhoun and Judge J.C. Robinson signed it, ordering the Grant County clerk's office to comply or appear for a hearing. The same day the Grant County clerk's office reversed its decision and became the seventh county in NM to announce it would issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Within a week at least five gay couples were legally married in Grant County. One couple, Joshua Reeves and Kyle Meredith, had waited 35 years to be able to marry legally.

Gay marriage rights caught everyone's attention again in late December when the state joined 16 others and the District of Columbia in legalizing gay marriage when the NM Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples have the right to marry.

Flooding >> Almost as soon as the Silver fire was no longer a threat, mother nature struck the region again, this time in the form of floods. Rivers ran black with ash and sludge by mid-July and affected residents of Mimbres Valley. Ariel seeding and mulching began on burn scars and parts of Highway 152 were closed so the Forest Service could begin its work in late July.

Flooding continued through the summer and in mid-September a 15-foot wall of water washed away the road into Mogollon, leaving a handful of residents trapped. Businesses and residents in Mogollon reported water damage and four-to-five feet of water ran through the town. Mogollon residents also suffered power outages. At least one death was reported due to the flood in Mogollon.

On Sept. 18, Gov. Susana Martinez traveled to Glenwood to observe the flood damage there and issued an official disaster declaration for Catron County. The Gila Cliff Dwellings suffered major damage due to the floods and had to close. Congressman Steve Pearce also paid Catron County residents a visit.

The severe flooding came closer to home when Central Creek overflowed, creating a flash flood that roared through the Village of Santa Clara on Sept. 20. Four homes were evacuated and several streets were blocked off for several hours as the flood waters made the streets in Santa Clara impassable. Officials reported a foot of water on Maple Street bridge.

Business >> As the entire nation continued to pull itself out of the economic hangover left from the great recession, the 2013 year held steady for businesses in Silver City and Grant County. Some new businesses opened, some businesses closed. Morningstar Embroidery celebrated its 21 anniversary Feb. 19 and Twin Sisters Cycling and Fitness celebrated 14 years in business March 1.

Little Toad Creek Inn and Tavern debuted a new line of handcrafted beers and spirits and held a grand opening in their brewery and distillery March 9 in Lake Roberts. The week of April 7 saw a grand opening for three new businesses in downtown Silver City: Energy Ideal green boutique, BikeWorks' downtown branch and Power and Light Press, while the same week three Bullard Street businesses closed: Thundercreek Quilts and Trading, Western Stationers and A Bead or Two. Western Stationers moved to 113 W. Broadway.

Yankie Creek Coffee House gained new owners in early May. Barbara Gramling and Terry Sheffield bought the coffee shop from Greg Bond and MaryAnn Marlar, who still own Vicki's Eatery around the corner.

Three Dogs Coffeehouse also saw change in May when owner Melissa Amaris decided to close its doors to devote more time to family. By mid-June, Trudy Simon announced she would reopen Three Dogs Coffeehouse and keep a similar menu and atmosphere. Additional good news came in June when Cissy McAndrew, executive director of the Southwest NM Green Chamber of Commerce announced at a Silver City Town Council meeting that she had seen more than 15,000 visitors come through the Visitor's Center in the first half of 2013.

The Pink Store added new color to the downtown store in August and opened its doors to Silver City shoppers after a year's worth of interior renovation work.

The Butterfield Trail Trading Post also opened in August on Wells Fargo Road, just off Highway 180 on the way to Deming.

Amanda Vanek created new options for women wanting to shop for clothes when she opened Cream Peach Boutique in the Hub on Bullard Street in September.

Owner of Bear Mountain Lodge, Linda Brewer and her friend Pamela Wideman opened a new art gallery in December in downtown Silver City. Ursa Minor on North Texas Street sells jewelry and hand-crafted items along with art.

Teresa Dahl-Bredine and David Crosley, owners of Little Toad Creek Tavern & Inn in Lake Roberts also expanded into downtown Silver City in December with a new restaurant and bar at the corner of Bullard and Broadway in the building formerly occupied by Isaac's Restaurant. Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery serves New Mexico crafted beer and distilled spirits for downtown patrons thirsty for more cocktail options.

After 67 years in business, family-owned Conners Jewelry said goodbye with a huge closeout sale and shuttered its doors in downtown Silver City just after the Christmas holiday.

Susan Dunlap can be reached at 575-538-5893, ext. 5803.