For the past two weeks and for the next five weeks, the Bailey County Senior Citizens Sponsor of the Week articles are something you don’t want to miss. For seven weeks we are sharing “The Leal’s Story.” Get inspired by their stories and events. Learn about their family principles and their timeless traditions. Find out the how and why they made their home here in Muleshoe. Join us on Facebook, Channel 6, the Muleshoe Journal or just come by our center and pick up a weekly brochure.
Each of the children of Jesse and Irma has a story that’s all their own. Explore the articles each week and hear from some of their own can’t-miss experiences. Discover everything that makes them unique and different. And discover, too, how they are all so very much like the rest of us. Find out what’s happening now in their lives and what plans they may have for the future. Simply discover all that is “Leal’s” – a family that has made its mark on our small town of Muleshoe and on the Texas food industry.
Sponsor of the Week- Laura Leal “Leal’s- Clovis, New Mexico
Laura Leal is a very busy lady. As the fourth child of Jesse and Irma, she spends as much time as possible with her mother here in Muleshoe. She daily oversees two Leal’s Restaurants in Clovis, New Mexico, leads the praise and worship service at the Anglican Church every Sunday, and plays regularly as a member of the Monica y Mezcal Band. With all of this going on, she still makes time to be with her nieces and nephews who are all very special to her.
Laura is very proud to be raised here in Muleshoe and to be a graduate of Muleshoe High School. Laura loves music. It all started when she was 7 years old and began taking piano lessons from Mrs. Loveta McKinstry. She continued those lessons until she was a junior in high school. Laura said that she always had three dreams she wished to achieve with her music. One was to teach others to play and enjoy music. Second was to play in a band. The third was to attend the Julliard School of Music in New York.
Laura did have her own piano studio and taught music lessons back in the 80’s. As stated above, she is now performing in a band and enjoying every minute of it. She never made it to Julliard but she did attend Texas Tech and studied music there.
All through her school days in Muleshoe, she was very active in the Mighty M Band. She told me that some of her greatest memories were of the good times she had on band trips. She even traveled to Europe right out of high school in 1983 and toured with the U.S. Collegiate Wind Band. Quite an accomplishment!
Thinking back to her years at Muleshoe High School, she said that she was grateful that she got to be a part of the student body that organized the Student Community Action Club (SCAC) under the direction of Mrs. Jean Allison. This first group of SCAC students are credited with saving the Muleshoe Depot and are often cited as the group that is responsible for our Heritage Foundation today.
I asked Laura about the role she played in the Leal’s legacy. She told me that she loved growing up and working alongside her mom and dad. She was touched by how hard they both worked – especially in developing new recipes for the restaurant. But Jesse and Irma taught her far more than the basics of cooking. They taught her that running a business is like a ministry. You serve others while at the same time being of service to others.
I then asked Laura if in addition to her parents, did anyone else influence her life. “Yes,” she said very quickly, “my best friend, Jill Turner. She and her parents (Royce and Sandy) were a great part of my life. They still are. Memories of times shared with them and lessons learned are most precious,” she added.
I asked Laura if there were any family traditions for which the Leal family is known. She told me of one that started May 4th, 1957. That was the date they opened their first restaurant in Muleshoe. Since that year, they celebrate that date in all of their locations and celebrate it in association with the Cinco de Mayo celebration. The Leal’s make it a special day of appreciation to all of their patrons.
I went on to ask Laura what she saw as the future for Leal’s Restaurants. “My hope is that the future generations will take these businesses and keep them growing,” she said. She explained that the Leal’s family was blessed to have their first start up in Muleshoe. She added, “We are so grateful for the people here. There is no doubt, without the support of all of you, Leal’s would not be what we are today.” She continued, “you gave us help through the tough times and were there for us through the good. For that we are all so thankful!”
My final question to Laura was: “if you could change anything about your life, what would it be?” Her answer: “I wouldn’t change a thing. I have truly enjoyed my life. I have traveled. I have been blessed in the way of music. I have been blessed in the way of my businesses. I have been blessed with a loving, caring family. No, I really wouldn’t change a thing.”
Personally, I don’t think any of us would want her to do so. We, here at the Center, are thankful for the support Laura gives to us. Her contributions and donations are greatly needed and appreciated. And her smiling face is always welcome!