Boating, Wine and Family Time By: Rachel Forrester Boating in the middle of the desert ... a luxurious, historic
The pumpkin patch has become a huge hit, complete
hotel ... a pumpkin patch and winery combo. It’s a group
with a petting zoo, hayride, fishing pond and
of attractions you might not expect to have a common
more. Today, Toni spends her days juggling her
denominator, yet each one is owned and operated by the
responsibilities in Carlsbad with imPRonta, her PR
Balzano family out of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
company based out of Albuquerque.
Part of a family of entrepreneurs who are constantly
“Sometimes I’m dealing with a media crisis for an
looking for a risk to take or a gap that needs to be
imPRonta client, and the next I’m talking to employees
filled, Dale Balzano (BS 75) started the first of their
about boat motors or the latest drama with one of the
local family attractions with Carlsbad Cruises 30 years
pumpkin patch animals,” Toni explained. “I live and work
ago. The company offers guided boat tours along the
in Albuquerque, but from boat season to pumpkin patch
beautiful Pecos River, as well as pedal boat, kayak and
season we spend a majority of weekends in Carlsbad.”
paddleboard rentals. He and his wife Janie (attended) also own the historic Trinity Hotel, which they bought with their son Derek (attended) in 2007 and fully renovated into what is now Carlsbad’s finest dining establishment and hotel. The couple is also responsible for Balzano Winery where, so far, four generations of Balzano family members have been seen tending to and pruning the vines. Dale and Janie’s daughter, Toni Balzano (BS 97), started her first company when she was just 6 years old, selling sheep to other 4-H kids. Toni took over managing Carlsbad Cruises seven years ago and also recently
Toni Balzano most recently pursuaded her father, Dale, to let her open a pumpkin patch on the winery property.
talked her parents into letting her open a pumpkin
Toni’s husband, Johnny Chandler (BS 02), is also a
patch on the winery property.
Greyhound, along with all of Dale’s siblings, Rick
Dale and Janie Balzano with their daughter, Toni and her husband, Johnny Chandler. All four of them are ENMU alumni.
Balzano (attended), Gary Balzano (BS 77) and Debbie Balzano (BBA 85). All three brothers belonged to the Sigma Chi fraternity, and Dale and Gary still get together with several of their fraternity brothers every year in Las Vegas over Super Bowl weekend. “I always tell kids to choose Eastern,” Dale said. “Some kids think they want some big, fancy, expensive school, but nothing will prepare you for life like ENMU. Eastern gives you a big education for a fraction of the cost. And being a smaller school means you can really get involved and get to know people.” To Dale and Janie, success has meant working together as a family. And with a new generation of Balzanos contributing to current projects and forming their own entrepreneurial dreams, it looks like continued success is on the horizon. Carlsbad Cruises opens each year after Easter. Balzano Winery is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day, when they make the switch to opening the pumpkin patch at the beginning of October.
Green & Silver | April 2018
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