Travis Nelson honored

Quay County Extension clubs honored Travis Nelson of Nara Visa for 50 years of work, commitment and dedication to the improvement of Quay County.

And the Travis Nelson Building at the Quay County Fairgrounds was officially dedicated Wednesday afternoon. Tucumcari Mayor Mary Mayfield introduced Nelson and spoke of all the hard work she had done for Quay County.

"It is due time for this dedication," said Mayfield. "I have known Travis for most of my life. It is so hard to put into words all that Travis has done for Quay County and its residents. This dedication celebrating Travis' 50 years of service to Quay County coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Quay County Fair."

"I am very honored that they would do all of this for me,” said Nelson. "4-H is one of the best things that can happen to a child. I was nine years old when I met the Home Extension lady for Quay County and she asked me to go with her to the club house. Since then I knew what I wanted to do."

The building has been called the Travis Nelson Building for many years, but it wasn't until this week, that there was an official dedication, said Lucy Nials, a member of the Tabosa Extension Club.

Fifty years ago Nelson worked as a Quay County Home Extension agent, served as a Quay County Commissioner, and later became the New Mexico 4-H director for Quay County, said Nials.

Restoration of the building was done with the efforts of the Quay County Extension clubs and was spearheaded by the Tabosa group, said Nials. The clubs raised $10,000 and received a $10,000 match from the Quay County Commission, said Nials.

"The money and work needed to restore the building was done all because of Travis's name and reputation," said Mayfield.