36^th annual Red Rock Balloon Rally kicks off Dec. 2

Bill Lee wanted to create a new balloon image to draw in more tourists and onlookers at the city’s annual Red Rock Balloon Rally. A partnership with the New Mexico Tourism Department allows just that.

Lee will fly a new balloon at this year’s rally that features a sugar skull logo. In terms of what the balloon looks like, Lee noted that the New Mexico True logo and brand are on two sides of the balloon.

“We have a contract with the state Tourism Department that allows us to fly five events per year,” Lee explained. Lee owns and operates X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon Adventures of Gallup. “When we showed the Tourism Department the design of the new balloon with the sugar skulls they wanted to have the New Mexico True logo on the balloon, too. We entered into an advertising contract with the department to have the logo placed on our balloon.”

Lee called hot air balloons “great marketing tools.” He said the sugar skulls are very popular and attract large crowds. “I have had people follow us in their cars to see where we land just to take a picture of it,” Lee said. “I have people requesting trading cards, pins and T-shirts of the balloon. There is no prettier place to fly in a hot air balloon than over the red rocks of Gallup.”

Lee said Samantha Brown of the Travel Channel flew in the newly-logoed balloon at the 2016 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. “While I am flying these people, I am interviewed about many things,” Lee said. “I make sure I highlight the culture, arts and outdoor adventure available in Gallup. Recently, we flew a travel writer (Chicago Tribune) from Chicago right here in the red rocks. Instances like this lead to national and international exposure (for the city) that really doesn’t cost anything. Many times a balloon ride is a ‘bucket list’ adventure for people.”

Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney praised Lee for the years he has put into the Red Rock Balloon Rally.

“It’s a top tourist draw for Gallup – no doubt about it,” McKinney said. “There are tourists and balloonists that come from all around the United States and the world to see the rally. Bill Lee has helped make the balloon rally what it is today.”

Lee said Gallup has formally partnered with the state Tourism Department since the inception of the New Mexico True Campaign a few years ago. “Gallup was the first community to adopt the ‘True’ campaign and remains aligned with the department even as we develop our own brand of Gallup. Real.True.” The Gallup City Council formally OK’d the new marketing brand a couple of months ago.

“The state’s True campaign has benefitted Gallup with nationwide promotion. As I travel with the balloon across the Southwest, it is noted at various events that the balloon is from Gallup, New Mexico,” he said.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

Prizes for winners will be available Dec. 5 at Rio West Mall office. Call Gallup Sun at (505) 728-1640 for questions or details. Thank you all entrants …
you all did great and made the competition tough!

Honorees recognized for making life better, safer for kids, vets, families, wildlife

Kenneth Riege, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the general manager at Gallup’s Comfort Suites, has been named a New Mexico True Hero. The announcement was made Nov. 29 by Gov. Susana Martinez.

“Our 2016 New Mexico True Heroes all have one thing in common – they go above and beyond everyday, leading by example to make our state a better place,” Gov. Martinez said. “These five New Mexicans work to make our communities safer from criminals, help more children have a chance to reach for their dreams, serve our veterans, and care for and protect our animals and wildlife. Through their commitment, passion and service they exemplify what it means to be New Mexico True.”

Over the years, Riege has raised money, hosted events and has given time to help fellow veterans with care, such as assisting veterans find assistance with respect to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Martinez said. Riege, an Ohio native, is highly involved with the Quilts of Valor program, and was equally instrumental in Gallup earning the Most Patriotic Small Town in America and Purple Heart City distinctions.

Others around New Mexico who also were named to the 2016 New Mexico True Hero list were Nicole Chavez-Lucero of Albuquerque, Michelle and Clay Schroff of Albuquerque, Dr. Kathleen Ramsay of Española.

“Our New Mexico True Heroes shine a spotlight on our state’s greatest treasure: our people,” Rebecca Latham, state tourism secretary said. “We are surrounded by so much good everyday, and our New Mexico True Heroes put everyday leaders like these front and center, where their incredible efforts can help inspire even more New Mexicans to do more to make our state a better place.”

The New Mexico True Heroes Awards were developed by the state tourism department in partnership with the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in 2014. Dozens of nominations were submitted by friends, family members, students and co-workers. A panel of community from around the state determined the winners.

The honorees will be recognized at this year’s Gildan Bowl during the player’s luncheon on Dec. 16 and on the field during the game on Dec. 17.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent

Menini calls for stadium to be named after educator, coach

The Gallup-McKinley County Board of Education unanimously agreed Nov. 14 to rename Public School Stadium Angelo DiPaolo Stadium. The action took place at the regular school board meeting and was not met with opposition from members of the community.

The matter was brought up by board member and retired educator Joe Menini. The vote called for changing the wait time from 10 to two years when it comes to name changes and buildings. The name change initiative includes a lengthy process, and Monday’s vote set into motion the plan to rename PSS.

“He was a pillar of the community,” Menini said. “I don’t know anyone more deserving who served the community like [Angelo DiPaolo] did.”

Each of the board members agreed to the DiPaolo name change, and agreed that the policy of waiting 10 years needed to be changed. “Who knows what can happen if you actually wait that long? Menini said. “Sometimes, people forget who you’re referring to.”

School Board Vice President Kevin Mitchell said 10 years is a long to wait. “Ten [years] seems like a long time,” Mitchell said. “I like the idea.”

School Board President Prescilla Manuelito was in complete agreement with the name change impetus. Manuelito suggested that a committee should be formed and undertake a plan of action while working alongside Superintendent Frank Chiapetti.

“I think [two years] is a good number to change to,” Manuelito said. “We can appoint a committee to assist the Superintendent in this.”

That committee consists of Menini and Board Member Lynn Huenemann. Located on South Grandview Drive and the playing place for the football and soccer teams at Gallup and Miyamura high schools, PSS, owned by the Gallup-McKinley County School District for several years, is in Huenemann’s district. Huenemann did not object to the name change and offered Menini support in moving the idea forward.

Menini worked with DiPaolo when the two were GMCS employees. He said he got the name change idea from a Gallup Sun article written about a month ago about the late Gallup City Councilor Cecil Garcia.

Last year, the Gallup City Council renamed the City Fitness Center the Cecil Garcia Fitness Center. The council erected a bronze memorial at the Old Zuni Road facility a few weeks ago to honor the fitness buff.

Menini said the name change idea would be put on the Dec. 5 Board of Education meeting agenda and from there move to its next phase. He said there is still some investigatory work to do, saying everything must be done legally and the right way.

“There is still some stuff yet to be done,” Menini said of the process. “Between now and the next meeting, things should be further along than what they are now.”

This vote is not Menini’s first name change recommendation for a public building. About four years ago, Menini addressed the Gallup City Council and asked that the newly built $1.4 million East Side Fire Station be renamed in honor of a Menini family member.

The Gallup Council welcomed the idea at the time and city officials have said the name change recommendation remains on the table. Right now though, the station, which is located in the Indian Hills neighborhood, is named the East Side Fire Station.

HONORING DIPAOLO

DiPaolo was not a stranger to the board members and Menini, who knew DiPaolo for close to 50 years, didn’t have to go into long discourses about the former educator.

A Gallup native, DiPaolo was a career educator. Over the course of his 39-year career at Gallup-McKinley County Schools, Gallup Catholic High School and the Window Rock Unified School District, he served as a teacher, administrator, coach and athletic director. DiPaolo was a long-time member of Gallup’s Rotary Club.

“I think it’s a wonderful honor,” Diane DiPaolo widow of Angelo DiPaolo said, of the plans to rename the stadium. “I found out about the renaming from Facebook and I myself and our entire family are very appreciative of Joe Menini and the Gallup-McKinley County School district. Angelo was very passionate about Public School Stadium. He was always making sure it was in good condition. Sports and news were his passions.”

DiPaolo died in 2014 in San Antonio, Texas, of brain cancer. He was 66 years old. He was posthumously inducted into the New Mexico Activities Association Hall of Fame in 2015.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent