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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
"Making A Difference!"
May 15, 2026
Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
The year 2000!
We have all wondered what it will bring.
Noitaercer, our alien friend, wondered also with anticipation. He was finally
able to return home after 53 years when the part that was needed to fix his
space ship, the rotavitom, was delivered in 1999. When he left last year, he
promised to return. He kept his word!
He stopped by the Roswell Recreation Office to
see some of the friends he had made during his earlier stay. He wanted us to
know that he appreciated the encouragement that he had received from us during
his wait. He wanted us to know that the activities and events planned were
beneficial to him as an individual. He wanted us to know that we had helped him
to be able to fit in during his stay here and when he was finally able to get
home, to function in his society on Erusiel.
Leisure and recreational services are very
highly valued on his home world of Erusiel. Sometimes, here on earth, we get a
little frustrated and discouraged because of what appears to be a lack of
understanding of the benefits of leisure in a community and the importance of
leisure to a growing, progressive community.
Noitaercer saw that we needed some
encouragement!
He pointed out to us a recent Sunday edition
front page of the Roswell Daily Record in April and used that page as an
example to lift our spirits. The page in question had six main stories on the
front page. Of the six stories, the Recreation Department was not mentioned in
any of them, but, the Recreation Department had a hand in making four of the six
successful!
Noitaercer had to remind us that the Roswell
Recreation Department plays an essential part in the health and well being of
the Roswell community. The only problem is that the community does not realize
it! Someday they will!
He pointed out that even though we may not be
listed as a prime mover in the community, the community would not be able to
move forward without us. It would only be a matter of time before people
realized the importance of leisure. He used the example of the front page
articles to illustrate his comments.
One article talked about a successful event
that was sponsored by another organization. What was not mentioned was that the
event would not have been successful without us.
"How?" we said. We were interested in
hearing what Noitaercer had to say.
The sponsoring organization rented from us the
main piece of equipment needed to help the event be successful! We helped
facilitate their success!
The second article talked about a committee
that was being formed to help with the youth in Roswell. The Roswell Recreation
Department was a part of that committee and was represented at the meeting! We
facilitated their success!
The third article talked about an organization
that was raising funds for a good cause. We helped them out by providing the
facilities needed for them to conduct their event. We facilitated their success!
The fourth article told about a new youth
program that was being started with the Department as a sponsor. Even though the
article did not mention us as a sponsor, the program was being conducted from
one of our facilities. We were in the process of facilitating that program's
success!
"Open your eyes to what is
happening!", Noitaercer told us. "Out of six front page stories, your
Department helped provide four very positive articles for the community to feel
good about. You make a difference in the community and you do not even have to
be specifically mentioned to do it! Because of what you do, the year 2000 and
more will be very positive years for Roswell!"
Sometimes it takes an outsider to point out the
problems, and the positive things that are done in a community. Noitaercer had
done just that for us!
He said he would stick around so he could
celebrate the anniversary of his crash near Roswell. We are glad because we want
to hear more from him.
Because Skrap dna Noitaercer - Eht Stifeneb Era
Sseldne!
Parks and Recreation! The Benefits Are Endless...TM
