| By HARRY READEL Editor Effie Potter was "bowled over" by her Associated of the Year award that was presented by the Artesia Chamber of Commerce awards banquet last Thursday night. That’s a fitting expression from a longtime bowler. But Effie Potter is more than that! Effie wasn’t in town to receive the award, though, because she was at the annual Women’s American Bowling Congress convention in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. "It was a total surprise. I didn’t know anything about it," she said. "I was really pleased with the presentation. I never thought about it, but it’s a great honor, one I’ll treasure always." She had already made advance plans to attend the bowling conference and was unable to change them. So she received the award upon her return. Potter works for Mack Energy Corporation now. She just can’t retire and take life easy. "I quit a good job once. I don’t want to quit working and Mack is a good company to work for," she said. A one-month retirement in 1997, after 45 years with Currier Abstract, was all she needed. She likes to play golf and bowl still, but doesn’t want too much idle time. "There is so much time wasted," she said. Her job now deals mostly with titles and land. "Whatever they need me to do I do it," she said. An avid sports enthusiast, Potter has long been associated with girls and women’s softball and basketball in Artesia. She still goes to games and supports teams and the Girl Scouts also. "We have good athletes coming up and we need to give them encouragement. I’m happy to see the parents supporting the girls," she said. Potter will watch any basketball game in the country, she said. And she likes to attend Wayland Baptist College and West Texas A&M games. Years ago Potter, Peg Springer and Hilda Kelly worked with the girls and women’s softball league and kept up the field. There were some women’s fastpitch tournaments in the 1970s that brought in top-flight teams. Through the years the Artesia native has been involved in much community work, including: n Past board member, New Mexico Youth Bowling Association n Past board member, Artesia Women’s Golf Association. n Past member, Altrusa Club of Artesia. n Charter member, Desk and Derrick Club of Artesia. n Current board member, New Mexico Women’s Bowling Association. n Current board member, United Way. n Current board member, Girl Scouts, Zia Council. n Current property chair, Girl Scouts, Zia Council. n Inductee, New Mexico Landmen’s Association, lifetime member. n Inductee, New Mexico Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame. n Girl Scouts, Zia Council appreciation award and other recognitions. She has also won several first place awards for bowling and golf in Senior Olympics competition. Potter started working at Irby Drug Store at age 19. She hasn’t stopped since then. |