DON McDERMOTT MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

In researching Pahrump Valley Times archives for material on a history series that will appear in this paper over the next few weeks, I came across some items that led to some questions.

Before you wonder why a history series, let me say that starting July 6 and ending July 26, your sports man will be on vacation, seeing if he can regain some lost youth and maybe win a buck or two playing poker.

If you have any sport-related stuff going the next three weeks, contact the paper. Telephone 727-5102 and get directed to the proper person.

Incidentally, the year being researched was the 1992-1993 school year.

* Now known as Honeysuckle Park and home to Pahrump Valley's youth baseball, softball and soccer programs, the sportsplex was a major construction project that was completed on the 20-acre site in summer 1993.

Helping complete the project in June and July 1993 were workers from the Nevada Test Site. The sportsplex had opened in June with a charity softball tournament, which generated more than $2,000 for Nathan Adelson Hospice.

* The Pahrump Town Board approved funding a girls' softball league. Susan Patchin, then the Pahrump Valley High School softball coach, had requested the funding, with the goal of improving the Lady Trojans program.

Note: In 2003, 10 years after the funding was approved, PVHS won the first of its three consecutive state Class 3-A championships.

* In summer 1993, the Pahrump tourism board participated in "Golfers Ball." a program which had several noted writers, travelers and golfers visit several golf courses in Nevada, including Yerington, Hawthorne, the clay course at Gabbs, Round Mountain and the Calvada Country Club (now Willow Creek). Pat Sullivan, the golf writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, was among the writers.

Note: The Chronicle is still doing its every-day job of informing Bay readers ... Sports writers, like Sullivan don't die; they just run out of words ... On the other hand, Willow Creek has nothing left of the grandeur the course had in its first 20 years.

* An Air Force F-4 crashed near the Pahrump Winery in May 1993 ... Rich Thurlow, then the Times owner and editor, was covering a high school baseball game. He photographed the smoke from the crash as it billowed into the skies; it is arguably the most unique photo published in the Times in its 39-year history. Crewmen Duke Frederick of Mojave, Calif., and Edward Mankin of Panama City, Fla., died in the crash.

* The ninth Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay was contested in March. The 25th was staged this past spring, with Pahrump still the pivotal stop in the running race for law enforcement agencies in the United States.

* Jimmy Pinkley won a 20-lap race for midget race cars in April 1993 at the Pahrump Valley Speedway.

Note: The track is going to reopen July 18 ... stay tuned.

* The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association overturned a previous appeal and ordered Boulder City to become a Class 3-A (now 4-A) school in the 1993-94 school year. Note: Does that sound familiar? The more things change, the more they stay the same: adults rule, children follow, not necessarily for their own welfare.

* Beatty had a student-athlete named Farrah Fausett in the 1992-93 school year. Farrah was on the wrestling team and the 5-foot-3, 103-pounder had designs on becoming a pageant contestant, then compete as a body builder.

* Pahrump Valley boxers finally got a home. Thanks to several volunteers, a space was created in the Calvada Sports Complex on Highway 160, near Leslie. Bob Tomaro was the director, with assistance coming from Roland Charles and Rick Remington.

Bud Holly leased the property, with Abe Fox, Dennis Wood, Dave Pearl and Tony Gibson also involved. They helped convince the Nevada State Athletic Commission to allocate $1,600 for equipment. Bouts were to be held in the complex, as well as in the convention center at Saddle West.

The boxers included Cord Carrington, Cliff Remington and Sammy Charles.

Note: What's happening with the sports complex ... and do any boxers reside in the valley?

* Lloyd Haines was named bowler of the year at the Mountain View in 1992: Note: Is that award still offered? Note 2: When is Pahrump going to get an open city tournament for men, women, and junior bowlers?

* Rodeo has been an integral part of the Pahrump Valley scene for ...ever. Note: Is it true the Fall Festival will not have a rodeo in 2009? If that is true, why?