Salsa Barons have a ball

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Contact Index staff writer Libby Cluett
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Related Photos

Palo Pinto Challenge raised $5,103 from Saturday’s live and silent auctions. Above, Eric Dyess calls as PPC President Jennifer Elmore eyes prospective buyers, while holding fruit salad, made by associate Eric Hernandez. LIBBY CLUETT/INDEX
It wasn’t just the décor that was colorful Saturday night at the Palo Pinto County Posse building. Margie Holmes is pictured here wearing a red jalapeño outfit as she chats with Betty Couch at the Salsa Baron’s Ball. LIBBY CLUETT/INDEX
Dawn Hernandez, pictured at left, sports PPC’s new “Everyone Can Work With Pride” T-shirts, which she managed to keep clean while carrying her table’s dinners Saturday. At right, PPC Associate Eric Hernandez, center, indicates “Yes,” through sign language, when Pulido Chef Sergio Alonso, left, asks for his meal selections. Also pictured is PPC Executive Director Barbara Cranfill. LIBBY CLUETT/INDEX
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March 5, 2013

Salsa Barons have a ball

Auctions, ticket sales and sponsorships aid Palo Pinto Challenge

Anonymous Mineral Wells Index The Mineral Wells Index Tue Mar 05, 2013, 08:30 AM CST

By LIBBY CLUETT

Tasty food and spicy salsa were just some of the main ingredients adding to the success of Saturday’s Salsa Baron’s Ball.

Individuals and businesses contributed auction items, sponsorships and dollars to help Palo Pinto Challenge Inc. raise nearly $17,500 over expenses. A raffle brought in $1,060, while the silent and live auction contributed another $5,103.

“We’re thrilled,” said PPC Executive Director Barbara Cranfill.

“We’re down from last year, but the economy is worse than last year,” she added. “We just really want to thank everybody in the whole county.”

Cranfill and other event organizers noted there appeared to be an increase in attendance this year.

Not many left empty handed. Several pies and food items, some made by the PPC associates, were the focus of bidders as Eric Dyess called the live auction. Margie Holmes won the tricycle. Cranfill said she must have become fond of it, since Holmes had the prizes before the event.

“She baby sat [the trike] for several weeks admiring it,” Cranfill suggested.

In addition, she said Dr. Will Warren won the grand prize drawing for $1,000.

All of the proceeds go directly into Palo Pinto Challenge to help “pay for insurance, buy jars and lids and pay bills,” explained Cranfill. “The program teaches job and life skills to mentally challenged adult residents of Palo Pinto County.”

These associates make the Hale Center Salsa and jalapeño Cruzers, which are available in Mineral Wells, at Metro Food and Sav-a-lot grocery stores, and throughout the county at: Strawn’s Machacek Bakery and Greyhound Pak-a-Sak; Mingus Quick Stop; Thornton’s Merchantile and Gateway, in Santo; Palo Pinto’s Red’s Grocery, Gas and Grill; Possum Kingdom Lake’s PK General Store. The PPC salsa is also available in Parker County, at Weatherford’s SuperSave and Brookshire’s stores, in Weatherford and Willow Park.

Saturday’s Salsa Baron’s Ball, Cranfill said they served 221 meals, made by Pulidos Restaurant.

While eating a dinner of fajitas and fixings at the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Posse building, partygoers heard the music of CoeBoy, which included Mineral Wells’ Willie Coe and sons, along with local fiddler Bleu John McCoy.

Once the event was over and people left, she said the associates, Eric Hernandez, Poncho Yañez and Julia Elmore, stayed and helped clean up.

For those who missed out on the ball, there are ways to continue helping Palo Pinto Challenge. The organization is selling T-shirts – $15 for sizes small through extra large and $18 for 2X and larger – that read, “Everyone Can Work With Pride.” To purchase a shirt, call the office at (254) 672-5738.