Hot Tamales! Get 'em while you can from PP Challenge

Local News

Discussion

October 27, 2009

Special to the Index

Hungry? Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. – makers of Hale Center Salsa, Jalapeño Cruzers and Jal-O-Dollies – has some answers.

The non-profit organization is taking orders for tamales now through Oct. 30. Call (940) 325-7100 or (254) 672-5891 and leave an order. Tamale pick-up takes place:

• Nov. 13 in Mineral Wells, 4-5:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church.

• Nov. 14 in Strawn, 11 a.m. to noon at the First Methodist Church.

Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. teaches life and job skills to mentally challenged adults in the county.

“We provide training for those challenged adults who have finished their public school training and need a place to continue learning how to get along in the world and have pride in themselves,” said President Jennifer Elmore. “Right now we have four salsa makers and two former salsa makers out in the county that we work with still.

“We use the production and marketing of three products, Hale Center Salsa, Jalapeño Cruzers and Jal-O-Dollies, to teach job and life skills,” Elmore added.

“Our annual budget is more than $80,000, with the products we sell just paying for the products themselves. This budget would be much harder to meet without the help we get from United Way,” said Elmore.

In September and October Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. participates in United Way fundraisers, Elmore said. In addition, she said the organization's board has helped support the United Way through several fundraising activities this fall.

“We helped with the spaghetti supper sponsored by Flossie’s in Strawn, at the home of Pamela and Eddie McQueary. We are also selling tickets for a portable DVD player donated by the First United Methodist Church in Strawn,” she added.

The November, February and April tamale sales also support programs and PPCI's big fundraiser is the Salsa Barons’ Ball on the last Saturday in February.

“It is a good time with a chance to help challenged adults build self esteem,” said Elmore. “It is not a real 'ball' in the formal sense, dress is casual and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. But it is a 'BALL' in the sense that you will have a ball while you are there!”

Palo Pinto Challenge is located in Strawn at 215 Central and sells its products in 15 stores in Palo Pinto, Parker and Erath counties.

“We take special orders for the holidays if you call (940) 325-7100 or (254) 672-5891 for all of our products,” she added. “The deadline for Christmas [orders] is Dec. 1.”

“What we have in Palo Pinto Challenge is a group of fine adults who work with pride in themselves and their products. Come by to see us sometime,” Elmore added.

Text Only

Local News

Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail.

July 29, 2010
PPGH looks forward to new general surgeon
Recruitment, knowledge, quality and the budget seemed to echo through Tuesday’s Palo Pinto General Hospital board of trustees meeting, as trustees received a full report of hospital activities.

July 29, 2010
Stagner retires after 29 years
After 29 years of services to Palo Pinto General Hospital, Human Resources Director Barbara Stagner has decided to retire.

July 29, 2010 1 Photo
County Records July 12-26
County Clerk
Bobbie Smith

July 27, 2010
Crime Stoppers reward offered for weekend business burglary
A cleaning crew reportedly found a business in the 2800 block of U.S. Highway 180 East burglarized early Saturday morning.

July 26, 2010 1 Photo
Veteran's Corner - July 25, 2010
Thanks again for your responses to this column. An abundance of questions regarding emergency care eligibility at non-VA facilities needs to be addressed.

July 26, 2010
All invited to document life on Saturday
What will you be doing on July 24? It seems the answer would be “document it.”

July 23, 2010
AGENDA
Palo Pinto County Commissioners are scheduled to meet in regular session at 9 a.m. Monday at the Palo Pinto County Courthouse to consider the following agenda items:

July 23, 2010
Salvador's Car Wash
Several community members will offer a car wash Saturday to help raise funds for the family of Salvador Briones Jr.

July 23, 2010
Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail. Information in this column is gathered from the Palo Pinto County Sheriff's Office incident reports and any related public documents. Not every incident leads to a charge under the law. If charges should be filed, innocence or guilt is determined by a court of law.

July 22, 2010
More Local News Headlines