DECEMBER 19, 2013
Also Inside:
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PECOS LIFESTYLES & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE
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FREE
Ski Apache
Wagon Rides | Toys for Tots | Community Volunteer Program Christmas Party
Roswell Daily Record’s
CONTENTS
Count Down to Christmas at
Thursday, December 19, 2013 Volume 20, Issue 24
PLAINS PARK MERCHANTS Convenient-Free Parking-Quality Products At The Following Merchants:
DFN Computers & Internet
Farmers Country Market
Lopez Insurance Agency Just Cuts Beauty Shop
La Familia Care Center
Bank of the Southwest
Publisher: Charles Fischer Editor: Rey Berrones Ad Design: Sandra Martinez, Steve Stone Columnists: Donald Burleson, Stu Pritchard Roswell Daily Record Staff Writers: Jill McLaughlin, Tess Townsend, Amy Vogelsang Roswell Daily Record Staff Photographers: Mark Wilson Contributing Writers: Katanna Zachry, Sara Peterson Get in touch with us online Facebook: facebook.com/PecosVisionMagazine Twitter: twitter.com/PecosVision Pinterest: pinterest.com/VisionMagazine Email: vision@rdrnews.com www: rdrnews.com/?page_id=215 For advertising information, call 622-7710
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Postal Annex
(Located in Just Cuts)
Plains Park Beauty Shop H N R Nutrition Roswell Community Little Theater ICON Cinema
Correspondence: Vision Magazine welcomes correspondence, constructive criticism and suggestions for future topics. Mail correspondence to Vision Magazine, P.O. Drawer 1897, Roswell, N.M. 88202-1897 or vision@roswell-record.com.
Located on West Hobbs at Union and Washington. Serving Roswell for over 40 years.
Submissions: Call 622-7710, ext. 309, for writers’ guidelines. Vision Magazine is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited materials.
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Your friendly neighborhood center
Vision Magazine is published twice a month at 2301 N. Main St., Roswell, N.M. The contents of the publication are Copyright 2012 by the Roswell Daily Record and may not be reprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. One copy of each edition is provided to 13,000 weekday subscribers to the Roswell Daily Record in the first and third Friday newspaper of each month. An additional 3,000 to 5,000 copies are made available free of charge to county residents and visitors and select site newsstands, and direct mailed to non-subscribers in the retail trade zone. Subscriptions are available by mail for $2 a month or free through subscription to the Roswell Daily Record. The Roswell Daily Record and Vision Magazine are represented nationally by Paper Companies Inc.
5 - 12 Pull-out Entertainment Calendar 6
In The Spotlight
Ski Apache
Culture
Toys for Tots
3
The Childrenʼs Christmas Party
9
The Missed Roswell Connection to the Kennedy Assasination
7 11 10
On The Cover
Actividades
4
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
History
The origin of Roswellʼs name
UFOlogy
Len Stringfield: UFO Investigator Extraordinaire
The slopes of Ski Apache are open for the winter break. Photographer: Mark Wilson
CULTURE
C
Toys for Tots
By Tess Townsend Record Staff Writer hristmas is a day when many children anticipate gifts from Santa Claus and family. In some families, though, parents must choose between paying for necessary items and purchasing toys for their sons and daughters. Toys for Tots aims to help financially struggling parents bring the joy of the season to youth, according to Don Hunter, organizer of the Toys for Tots campaign in Chaves County. "Our local campaign is focused on making sure that children's heroes growing up in their life is still their parents," said Hunter, who works as an agent advisor for insurance company New York Life. He said that annually, Toys for Tots serves between 900 and 1200 kids up to age 17 in Chaves County. The local campaign averages about three toys per child and accepts any gift, he said. "Whatever your heart compels you to give, we find a home for it." Monetary donations are also accepted. Hunter noted that some gift categories show greater need than others. Most gifts the campaign receives locally are appropriate for five to 11 year olds, and the campaign is seeking more gifts for teenagers and infants, according to Hunter. Dec. 20 is the deadline to contribute gifts for this year's distribution. The drive has already begun informally and accepts donations year round. Distribution begins at 8 a.m. Dec. 21 at Yucca Recreation Center and goes "until the toys are gone or the kids are gone," said Hunter. He said that normally the event wraps up around 10 or 11 p.m. Santa Claus and the Marine Corps will be present at the event, according to Hunter. Gift dispersal is based on parents' self-identification as low-income. Parents must attend the distribution event with their children in order to receive gifts. United States Marine Corps Major Bill Hendricks founded Toys for Tots was in Los Angeles, CA in 1947, according to toysfortots.org. That year,
Toys for Tots is a yearly tradition of giving.
the campaign collected 5000 toys, and the following year the Marine Corps adopted the program, the website states. Toys for Tots reports that last year, it distributed roughly 16.8 million toys to about 7 million children nationwide. To donate to Toys for Tots, drop off unwrapped gifts at any of the many white cardboard Toys for Tots boxes located throughout the area. Toys for Tots also offers to pick gifts up if necessary. Monetary donations may be mailed or dropped off at the New York Life office located at 104 E. Linda Vista Blvd. Checks may also be mailed to 612 Wrangler Road, Roswell, NM 88201. Checks should be made out to Toys for Tots. Donations may also be made online at toysfortots.org/donate. To find your nearest drop-off location, visit roswell-nm.toysfortots.org or contact Don Hunter at 575-420-9975 or don.hunter@zianet.com. Hunter said the drive would never be possible without the contributions of volunteers and local businesses. "Chaves County has always been (...) one of the most giving communities that exist," he said.
FIFTH ANNUAL
DUMMY GELUNDE
SKI JUMP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 DUMMY GELUNDE 3-4:30 PM TORCHLIGHT PARADE 6-8 PM Strap your best snow-riding dummy to a pair of skis or snowboard and launch it off our giant snow jump! After, watch our annual torchlight parade on Capitan, followed by a spectacular fireworks show and much more! For more information,visit SkiApache.com or call 575-464-3600.
$1,500 GRAND PRIZE
SANDSTORY THE ARTISTRY OF JOE CASTILLO
JANUARY 18 7PM DINNER | 8:30PM SHOW ĸĆĀ DINNER INCLUDED
CHRIS YOUNG JANUARY 19 ĉ đ ĸĂĆ
For tickets visit InnoftheMountainGods.com or or call 1-575-464-7053 Mescalero, NM near Ruidoso |
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | VISION MAGAZINE / 3
Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
CULTURE
The Missed Roswell Connection to the Kennedy Assassination
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Annual JFK Lancer Conference Brings New Information To Researchers - Part 1 of 2 By Katanna Zachry and Sara Peterson ov. 22, 2013 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the JFK Lancer Research Association provided guests, educators, and researchers another opportunity to share new evidence and intriguing stories about the most famous murder in America. A historical research company which specializes in information dealing with the administration of President John F. Kennedy, it also encourages the ongoing search for the truth about his assassination. Conferences, which are open to the public, have been held for eighteen
years each November in Dallas where Kennedy was killed in l963. Authors of some of the most recently published books and articles presented overviews of their works and held question and answer sessions which often were as interesting as the presentations themselves. Barry Ernest, for example, described his 35year search for a witness from the Texas School Book Depository Building who could help prove that Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy's accused assassin did not descend the sixth floor from where the Warren Report claimed he had shot the president. (1)
The story of this witness and how Ernest finally located her is the basis of his new book, “The Girl on the Stairs: The Search for a Missing Witness.” William Law, the author of “In the Eye of History,” brought a special guest to the conference, one who held the audience enthralled until almost midnight one evening. James Jenkins had assisted the doctors at Bethesda Naval Hospital with President Kennedy's autopsy. What he observed that night caused concern among FBI, CIA, and other government officials because the appearance of the president's cadaver and wounds did not correlate with
what the doctors at Parkland Hospital in Dallas had seen right after the shooting. For example, it appeared that part of the president's brain had already been removed before the autopsy, perhaps to eliminate fragments from bullets. Jenkins also realized later that certain “official” photos from the autopsy looked different from ones he knew were taken that night. One glaring difference was the fact that the autopsy face sheet which Jenkins had personally completed was changed so that weights and measurements differed from the original information, and the official signatures were
Delivering Love with Rio Pecos “Dr. Seivwright was very personal and we developed a close relationship. Once I had my daughter at Lovelace, the nurses were fantastic and encouraging. They made me a confident mom walking out! Rio Pecos and Lovelace are great places filled with wonderful people!” - Ashleigh, patient
To schedule your next appointment with a Rio Pecos provider, please call 575.622.6322. Ri
4 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013
missing.(2) One of the most intriguing stories of which Americans were unaware until recently concerned a young airman who began the mor ning of Nov. 22, 1963, at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C., and eventually ended up at Roswell Air Force Base in New Mexico. Accompanying Airman Robert G. Vinson on what should have been a routine flight home was a man who forever tied him to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. On Nov. 22, 1963, all Bob Vinson wanted was to get to Colorado Springs and his SEE
KENNEDY ON PAGE 11
Alamogordo
The Nutcracker
Every Week, Tues - Sun
Shroud Exhibit and Museum The Turin Shroud interactive exhibit at White Sands Mall in Alamogordo offers a backlit, full-sized picture, the only interactive VP8 Image Analyzer 3D experience. The exhibitʼs goal is make Turin Shroud available to all including the vision impaired. Hours are Sunday from 2 p.m. -4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free admission. For more information, call 446-2113, or visit ShroudNM.com.
Alto
Dec 21, 22
The Nutcracker Ruidoso Dance Ensembleʼs original adaptation of Tchaikovskyʼs Christmas classic, featuring outstanding student and guest dancers, is always a delightful trip into a magical world of dancing nutcrackers, soldiers, sugar plum fairies, candy canes, mice and little girls and boys. The spectacular sets come to life: the Christmas tree grows to 40-feet before our eyes, the cannon shoots smoke rings above patronsʼ heads and a swirling grandfather clock spins and flaps wings like a great hooting owl. Choreographed to precision, RDEʼs “Nutcracker” is a must see, a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family. There are three shows, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32. For more information, call 1-888818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.
Artesia Dec 21
Taylor Mason Comedian Taylor Mason is performing at 7:30 p.m., at Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, located at 310 W. Main St. Mason is a ventriloquist and comedian with a focus on family. Tickets are $25. For more information visit artesiaartscouncil.com.
January 3, 4
end of the year. This exhibit features a short history of the base and many items from the WWII era, as well as information about the planes that flew at Roswell Army Airfield from 1941-1945. The museum is open from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 2472464 or visit wafbmuseum.org.
Every Week, Mon - Sat
Dec 21, 22
Spencer Theater
Ruidoso Dance Ensembleʼs original adaptation of Tchaikovskyʼs Christmas classic, featuring outstanding student and guest dancers, is always a delightful trip into a magical world of dancing nutcrackers, soldiers, sugar plum fairies, candy canes, mice and little girls and boys. The spectacular sets come to life: the Christmas tree grows to 40-feet before our eyes, the cannon shoots smoke rings above patronsʼ heads and a swirling grandfather clock spins and flaps wings like a great hooting owl. Choreographed to precision, RDEʼs “Nutcracker” is a must see, a timeless Christmas gift for the entire family. There are three shows, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32. For more information, call 1-888-818-7872 or visit spencertheater.com.
Wait for What Cottonwood Wine and Brewing located at #1 E Cottonwood Rd will host the band Wait for What? on Jan. 3 and 4. For more information call Cottownwood Wine & Brewing, 575.365.3141
Carlsbad
Nov 29 - Dec 31
Christmas on the Pecos Take an evening boat ride on the Pecos River with illuminated backyards and islands of twinkling lights. The holiday spirit shines through as wise men and angles sparkle in a fairyland of lights. The tour starts at 711 Muscatel Ave. every night. The tour does not run on Christmas Eve. Adults 12 and over: $12.50 per person on Sunday-Thursday, $17.50 per person on Friday and Saturday Children 2-11: $7.50 per
child on Sunday - Thursday, $12.50 per child on Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit christmasonthepecos.com.
Cloudcroft Dec 21
Santa Land The annual Santa Land comes back to Zenith Park Pavilion on November 30 and December 21. This event is sponsored by the Cloudcroft Light Opera Company, Cloudcroft Kiwanis and the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 682-2733 or visit cloudcroft.net.
Roswell
Every Week, Mon - Sat
Lest We Forget: Roswell Army Airfield - The Early Years This Walker Aviation Museum display will remain through the
Peace Through Strength This Walker Aviation Museum exhibit is a tribute to the 579th Strategic Missile Squadron assigned to Walker Air Force Base during the early 1960s. The squadron was responsible for operating and maintaining 12 Atlas missile silos around the greater Roswell area. The exhibit was funded through a grant from the Association of Air Force Missileers. The museum is open from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. For more information, call 247-2464 or visit www.wafbmuseum.org.
Every Wed
Sing Out Loud at Club Revue Sing Out Loud, Wednesdays, from 9pm to 11:30pm, at Club Revue, located at 3905 SE Main. Enjoy karaoke night with no cover charge and drink specials. Sing Out Loud is a 21 and over event. For more information call 623-8557
Every Week, Wed, Sat
Karaoke at Billy Rayʼs Restaurant and Lounge Karaoke at Billy Rayʼs Restaurant and Lounge at 118 East Third St. from 9 p.m - until people stop singing.
Every Thu
Ritmo Latino at El Toro Bravo Ritmo Latino plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, call El Toro Bravo at 6229280.
Every Week, Fri, Sat
David and Tina at El Toro Bravo David and Tina plays El Toro Bravo at 102 S. Main St. from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For more informa-
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tion, call El Toro Bravo at 6229280.
Every Week, Thu
Los Band Dʼ Dos at Los Cerritos Mexican Kitchen Los Band Dʼ Dos playing Latin Pop and Country music at Los Cerritos Mexican Kitchen at 2103 N. Main from 6 p.m - 9 p.m. For more information, call Los Cerritos Mexican Kitchen at 622-4919.
Every Saturday
Open Mic at Ginsberg Music Ginsberg Music opens up the stage every Saturday from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. P.A. system and drums are provided, all other instruments must be brought by the musician.
Sept 7, 2013 - March 9, 2014
Tweeting Elations Join us in celebrating Aria Finch and her exhibition, soon after she receives the 2013 Governorʼs Awards for Excellence in the Arts. Well known to all, Finch will present a new body of work in clay that borders on the mystical, often. Through her medium, she evokes the viewer to ponder unanswered questions by entering her world to participate in the narrative of our own imagination. For more information, visit roswellmuseum.org.
Nov 22, 2013 - Jan 5, 2014
The Sculptorʼs Model Jessica Kirkpatrickʼs recent paintings explore the body as transformed into art. She questions the genre of nude figure painting and how the gaze is sanctioned through art. Working out of a collage ethos, figures and spaces collide to create living myths as the conjunction between the past and present. Jessica will give a talk in Bassett Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. Reception to follow, with refreshments provided by the Roswell Museum and Art Center Foundation. This is a 8 >>
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | VISION MAGAZINE / 5
T
he cold, black ice and snow flurr ies (or by Roswell standards, snow blizzards) have caused a lot of people to stay off the roads, trapped frowning in their own homes. Many Roswellites — or Roswellians if you prefer — aren’t accustomed to this wintery weather, especially not when it started in November. So naturally, you may feel slighted and left thinking, “Where is the nice, sunny 60 degrees Southeastern New Mexico is supposed to provide?” Well you may not like the snow so much, but the early winter has brought a f ew positives: the need to wear new sweaters, the actual dream of a white Christmas and most importantly, an early opening of ski season at Ski Apache. Whereas last year the resort couldn’t open until mid December, they were open promptly on Thanksgiving Day this year, said director of operations Justin Roland. Needing a minimum of 18 inches of snow, the resort has
19 and a half inches of natural snow. Add that to the manmade stuff and they have more than two feet of fresh powder. Of the 55 trails, they have had four open as well as a running gondola f or some sight seeing. But thanks to continued cold weather, and the anticipation of more storms, the upper mountain will be opened on Dec. 21, providing 15 more trails f or ski and snowboarding enthusiasts. And they hope to continue the rest of ski season in this positive fashion. “We’re supposed to get more marshmallow this weekend, so as long as it keeps coming we’ll keep taking the snow,” Roland said. Obviously an earlier season is good f or business, but Roland said the best part is just being able to provide people with more opportunities to ski. “We always have a lot of happy people, he said. “(I like) people having fun smiles on their f aces and having a good time at Ski Apache.”
6 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Ski Apache is open
By Amy Vogelsang Record Staff Writer The length of season, as well as the number of trails open, will vary depending on weather, but the tentative closing date is always set for April 6. In the past they usually close up at the end of
Mark Wilson Photo
The winter break is the perfect time to hit the slopes!
March, but this year has already been surprising so the date is not set in stone. So it’s time to gear up. Ski Apache is open every day, with lifts operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prices range from $23 to $36 for day passes, depending on age and other possible benefits. Season passes are also available starting at $365 for adults.
Located at 1286 Ski Run Road, Mescalero, Ski Apache also provides Ski Packages that include lodging at Inn of the Mountain Gods. To plan your trip or look up more information, visit skiapache.com, and for further inquiries call 464-3600.
Peachtree Village Retirement Community
ACTIVIDADES
Touring through the evening Christmas displays
1301 W. Country Club Rd. Roswell, NM 88201 575-627-8070
www.peachtreeret.com
Mark Wilson Photo Mid-Day Lions Annual Horse Drawn Carriage Rides led by Betsy and Zeke prepare to disembark for the Christmas Lights Wagon Ride, Friday evening.
Celebrate the season with an old-fashioned cup of hot chocolate and a tour through Roswell neighborhoods. By Jill McLaughlin Record Staff Writer
T
he first riders at this year’s old-fashioned horse drawn wagon rides, held by the Roswell Mid-day Lions Club, warmed themselves by a fire and ate holiday snacks after their tour. Aniston Montoya, 3, bundled in a pink jacket, asked her mom if she could pet the horses. “Can I pet his nose?” she asked her mom, Sonya. LaNette Irby, of Carlsbad, driver and owner of the two horses, said she enjoys helping out the Lions Club event every year. “This is my hobby,” Irby said. “I really enjoy the charity. It’s why I got into it.” The wagon that carried a full load of passengers beginning outside the SP Yates Scout Service Center Conquistador Council on 2603 N.
Aspen St., is owned by the club. The group toured Christmas lights around the neighborhood. The club hosts the event every year to raise funds for children in need of glasses, said club president Leandro Gutierrez. “This is our fundraiser for our organization,” Gutierrez. “It helps us buy glasses for students that need help and who can’t get it through any other means.” Many children are referred to the organization through school nurses, he said. The club organizes an exam and helps purchase glasses, if necessary. Friday’s kickoff went well, Gutierrez said. “The rides were full and the tickets were sold,” he said. “Our goal of course is to fill
every ride. The costs have more than doubled in the last few years.” The club has also helped the statewide Lions Club program called Eye Care for Kids. The next rides are on Dec. 20-22, from 6-9:30 p.m. To buy a ticket and schedule a ride, call 317-8211.
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Call today for lunch and a tour! 575-627-8070
Great food, super neighbors & lots of fun activities! “We have it all for the retiree that wants a new home!”
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FARMERS COUNTRY MARKET
Del Norte - Plains Park - 2nd & Garden
MON
TUES
WED
Gift Tickets now available at our box office. They make great stocking stuffers!
4501 N. Main Roswell, NM 88202 Movie Hotline (575) 623-1010
THURS
WINTER BREAK!! HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!
FRI BREAKFAST CEREAL SERVED DAILY. ALL MEALS ARE SERVED WITH YOUR CHOICE OF LOW FAT MILK: WHITE, CHOCOLATE OR STRAWBERRY. MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | VISION MAGAZINE / 7
>>5 free event. Call 575-624-6744 x 22 for more information.
Dec 13-15, 20-22
Horse Drawn Christmas Light Tours Get in the Christmas spirit and support the Roswell Midday Lions Club help the youth of Roswell with the purchase of eye exams and eye glasses. Take a Wagon ride to see the lights of a Roswell country neighborhood. For only $10, you will ride behind a two-horse team while singing along to Christmas carols. Warm drinks and a hot fire will greet you at the loading stable. Bring your family and friends too. Christmas Light tours start at the Boy Scout office at 2603 N. Aspen on December 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22. Friday and Saturday rides begin at 6 p.m. with the last one loading at 9:30 p.m. and the Sunday rides begin at 6 p.m. with the last one loading at 8:30 p.m. Call 317-8211 for tickets and ride reservations.
Dec 15-21
A Season in Bethlehem Come to the ninth annual Season in Bethlehem at 2603 S. Eisenhower from 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and see and feed the live Nativity animals, hear the beautiful sounds of Christmas along with 70,000 lights to brighten the eyes of young and old. Take an old fashioned wagon ride drawn by a giant pair of horses. See the stateʼs largest Advent wreath, and taste the mouth watering Hot Wassail (cider) as you warm yourself by the fire. Visit Bethlehem Theater for heart lifting music and The Manger Square where you will be awed by over 130 nativities from around the world and much more. This is a come and go inspirational outdoor event, so bundle up the whole family. For more information, call 420-7554.
Dec 20
Taylor Mason Comedian Taylor Mason is performing at 7 p.m., at Grace Community Church, located at
935 W. Mescalero. Mason is a ventriloquist and comedian with a focus on family. Tickets in advance are $3 and $5 at the door. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. For more information call 623-5438.
Taylor Mason
Dec 21
Dwain and Jill Dance A Dwain and Jill Dance is from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Roswell Adult Center, located at 807 N. Missouri. There is no admission charge; however, people are asked to bring some sort of snack food. For more information call 624-6718.
Dec 24
Childrenʼs Christmas Party The Childrenʼs Christmas Party is at 7 p.m. at Yucca Recreation Center, located at 500 S. Richardson. Toys and volunteers are needed for the party. For more information call 6247579.
Dec 31
The American Legion Riders Chapter 21 New Years Dance The American Legion Riders Chapter 21 will be having a New Years Dance at the American Legion Hall located at 1620 N. Montana. This is a byob event with no bottles allowed. Partytime is set from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m., and cost is $20 per person. This is an adults only event, guests must be over 21 to enter. Tickets can be purchased from any American Legion Rider, at Lauraʼs Café, or BMB Protective Services at The Mall. Dance the night away to Tejano, Country, Oldies and Rock & Roll Music provided by Desert Moon DJ services and Nferno DJ. Party favors will be provided at entrance Raffles throughout the night. Food available for purchase. Contact Jaime (Ironman) at 575.910.2102 or Greg (DizʼE) at 575.420.5049 for more information.
Jan 3
Nick Verzosa, Joe Teichman & Zach Wilkerson Nick Verzosa, Joe Teichman and Zach Wilkerson are playing
8 | VISION MAGAZINE / THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013
Friday Dec 20
Grace Community Church
Comedian Taylor Mason is performing at 7 p.m., at Grace Community Church, located at 935 W. Mescalero. Mason is a ventriloquist and comedian with a focus on family. Tickets in advance are $3 and $5 at the door. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. For more information call 623-5438.
Pecos Flavors Winery. Admission is $5. For more information, call 627-6265.
Jan 4
Roswell Adult Center Winter 2014 Class Registration The class schedule for the Winter 2014 classes is available at the front desk, 807 North Missouri. Come by and pick yours up today so you can start planning which classes you would like to register for. Some of the classes are; Yoga, Non Verbal Body Language, Bead Weaving, Cake Decoration, Oil Painting, Tap Dance, Belly Dance, Plaster of Paris Painting, Beginning Sewing, Crazy Crafters, Exercise by Video, Spanish, Ceramics, Line Dance and many more. Class registration will be on Saturday, January 4th from 9am until 8pm. This will be a one day registration – no registrations will be accepted after January 4. For more information, please call 624-6718.
Jan 10
Sam Barnes Sam Barnes is playing an acoustic set at Pecos Flavors
Winery. Admission is $5. For more information, call 6276265.
Ruidoso
Every Week, Thu
Karaoke at Cree Meadows Lounge Karaoke with DJ Pete, every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. 11 p.m. at Cree Meadows Lounge. There is also an all you can eat taco bar for $5.95 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Dec 6-8, 13-31
Grindstone Stables Sleigh Rides Join Grindstone Stables for a horse-drawn sleigh ride through historic Upper Canyon from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. With jingle bells ringing and the horses breath fogging in the air, everyone is sure to enjoy the crisp winter evenings while riding through the oldest part of Ruidoso. Sleigh Rides depart from Marthaʼs Fabrics parking lot. Located at the top of the “traffic circle”, at the the west end of Sudderth Dr. Rides start each evening at 5:30 pm. Blanket are furnished for all riders. Although snow is not always
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abundant in our southwest resort town, we are always able to offer our sleigh rides. With or without snow. With the addition of a few hidden wheels, our sleighs will travel smoothly, even on dry pavement. They are always pulled by a team of draft horses adorning bells, ensuring a magical evening. Cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 2572241. Visit grindstonestables.com to find out which nights the sleigh rides will be offered.
Dec 31
American Pie Do you believe in rock and roll? If so, then this New Years Eve, kick off your shoes and dig those rhythm and blues with American Pie, a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire — what a way to ring in 2014. Shake your nerves, rattle your brain, cut your nails, and quiver your thumb – thereʼs just no other New Years party in New Mexico like this. Dine on a special festive menu with your pretty Peggy Sue, including smoked salmon and oysters on the half shell, shrimp and red crab claws, prime rib, and of course – a delectable dessert. Doors open at 7 p.m., dinner will be served at 8 p.m., and first show begins at 9 p.m. And of course, there will be a countdown to midnight. Plus, donʼt miss a special performance dedicated to Big Bopper Jr. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at the concierge desk, by calling 464-7053. For more information, call 464-7777 or visit innofthemountaingods.com. If you would like your event listed on the entertainment calendar, please email vision@rdrnews.com or call 622-7710 ext. 309.
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Mark Wilson Photo Gavin Wakefield, Ema Arnold, Jimmy Loudermilk, Maggi Loudermilk and Riley Arnold sort through toys for the upcoming Free Children's Christmas Party Toy Giveaway that will be held at the Yucca Center on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.
The Childrenʼs Christmas Party
T
Children's Christmas Party toy drive an opportunity to make local kids smile By Rey Berrones Vision Editor hree thousand pecans, 1000 apples, 1000 oranges, 1000 mints, 1000 cookies and 1000 toys--it sounds like the beginning of a Christmas song. These are quantities of items Community Volunteer Program coordinator Johnny Gonzales hopes to collect for Roswell's annual Children's Christmas Party at the Yucca Recreation Center on Christmas Eve. The party has been a local staple of the holiday season for decades, and was originally created to collect toys for children with incarcerated parents. "I've been doing this for 35 years," said Gonzales, adding, "I'm gonna change that to 25 to make myself younger." The local character, known
for such antics as teasing unwed couples about the prospect of marriage, organizes community events throughout the year, most recently working with hundreds of volunteers to put on the largest annual free Thankgiving dinner in town. A small group of Roswellite students, parents and teachers of online charter school New Mexico Virtual Academy met with Gonzales Dec. 13 at a storage facility off 2nd Street to sort through collected toys. Five kids sorted items into girls' toys and boys' toys, responding to directions from their parents and educators. "Put the girl toys over there," said one child's father. Academy sixth grader Maggi Laudermilk, 11, said
she thought stuffed animals were the best of the donations. Seventh grader Riley Ar nold, 12, said he was impressed by the toy cars. Youth and elders agreed that whatever they were sorting, the activity was for a good cause. "I think it's better to do something for other people than to just sit at home," said Ema Ar nold, 14, in ninth grade. Gonzales said toy sorting will take place several times before the event at 7 p.m. Dec. 24. Even after all that sorting, volunteers will continue to collect toys up until the last minute, with community members toting gifts to the door of the Yucca center to add to the piles from which SEE
PARTY ON PAGE 11
B ARNETT’S
TWO FABRICS ENDLESS CHOICES
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | VISION MAGAZINE / 9
UFOLOGY
Christmas-season UFOs: two remarkable cases
Looking Up
T
By Donald Burleson wo memorable UFO events occurred during the holiday season in 1980, bizarre occurrences
only a little apart in time and on opposite sides of the Atlantic. As early as Christmas Day that year, strange lights were seen in the sky over Portugal, heading in the direction of souther n England, where observers in Kent and Sussex reported comet-like airborne objects. This complex of sightings would come to focus upon the Rendlesham Forest region of East Anglia a few miles north of Ipswich, a region home to the twin RAF bases called Bentwaters and Woodbridge, where military
personnel started seeing red and blue lights in the woods early on the mor ning of December 26. But the primary date of the Rendlesham experience is usually taken to be December 27, because of the report composed by Deputy Base Commander Charles Halt, describing a genuine close encounter with a UFO. According to his account, around 3 a.m., two Woodbridge security police patrolmen requested and were granted permission to investigate unaccountable lights seen outside the back gate in the woods. Drawing closer,
“Hometown Proud”
they observed a glowing triangular object, low to the ground, with a pulsating red light on top and a bank of blue lights on the underside. Before long, the object moved away among the trees. Investigators the next day found three depressions in the ground, an inch and a half deep and seven inches wide, where the object had been. The Ministry of Def ense long denied that anything had happened, and UFO investigator and author Jenny Randles, attempting to follow up on the case, was physically threatened by a governmentemployed scientist. He said she was “messing with something for which you can end up at the bottom of the Thames.” Two days later, across the Atlantic in Texas, we had the now famous Cash-Landrum UFO event, which had unfortunate consequences for the witnesses. On December 29, 1980, restaurant owner Betty Cash was driving toward the town of Dayton, north of Houston, accompanied by her friend Vickie Landrum and Vickie’s 7-year-old grandson Colby. Around 9 p.m. they saw, above and ahead of
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them, a fiery, globe-like, airborne orb with a rounded top and possibly a pointed underside. This large object just hung there, roaring and bleeping. Stopping the car, the two women got out, but Vickie soon got back in. Betty stayed out watching a little longer, becoming alarmed at the heat emanating from the UFO. When she got back in the car, the door handle was very hot to the touch. By that night Betty was beginning to exhibit symptoms of radiation sickness: nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, blisters, and swollen eyes. Vickie and Colby suffered effects too, but theirs didn’t last as long as those suffered by Betty, who was never really well again. She died in 1997, on the seventeenth anniversary of the event. Fortunately, the Christmas season doesn’t usually bring us such grim things as threats and radiation poisoning. I’ll take holly and mistletoe every time. Here’s wishing everyone happy holidays!
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HISTORY
R
The origin of Roswellʼs name
By Stu Pritchard Roswell Historian oswell received its name because a western gambler attempted to kick his gambling habit. Van C. Smith of Omaha, Santa Fe and elsewhere was the first Anglo-American to settle in Roswell. An acknowledged superior gambler who settled in Roswell in 1868, Smith decided to reform and build a merchandising and cattle business. His efforts produced a series of buildings, including a blacksmith's shop, store, stables, and two large corrals. He named the complex "Roswell" after his father so that items addressed to him wouldn't go astray under the vague designation "Rio Hondo," which is what the whole area was called. Rio Hondo was long known as a superior location for "cattle holding" in the Texas cattle drives which brought food to the Apache/Navajo Indian Reservation on the Bosque Redondo. Earlier, the Comancheros had used the
Originally part of Rio Hondo, Van C. Smith named Roswell in the 1800s.
KENNEDY
Continued from Page 4
wife, Bobbie. So he caught a ride on a C-54 headed to Colorado, like he had done several times before. Unlike other times when he had hitched rides across the nation, no one had him sign his name on the manifest, although he had signed his name on a list at Andrews Air Force Base. The plane he had been directed to looked different, also. It did not have the typical markings (“USAF” and serial numbers) on the tail. “It carried no markings except for an emblem on its tail that appeared to be a graphic of the earth, rust
place for trading stolen Texas cattle to area inhabitants. But Smith named it Roswelland so it is. County records show that Roswell Smith and Van C. Smith gave T.B. Catron of Santa Fe a quit-claim deed to 160 acres of land in what is now the business section of Roswell. Although it is said that Roswell's namesake never visited Roswell, it is entirely possible that he did. In efforts to depart from his gambling habits, Van Smith started a merchandising and cattle business. He built a couple of adobe buildings: one a dwelling, the other a store. After he added the blacksmith shop, stables, chicken house and two large corrals, he set trees all about, and built canals and ditches for water movement to his holdings. Later he built three other farm houses. His house was furnished splendidly and he started cultivating the ground and buying stock. Unfortunately, he had to brown with white grid marks on it separating latitude and longitude.” (3) The pilot and co-pilot wore unmarked coveralls and neither acknowledged him in any way when they boarded the plane. There was no crew chief and no flight log. But Vinson was relieved to be headed home, so he ignored all of this, expecting an uneventful flight. That changed at 12:29 p.m. An unemotional voice announced over the loudspeaker that the president had been shot. The plane immediately changed course and so did Bob Vinson's life.
have full-blooded cattle, fast race horses, game cocks and fighting bull dogs. As a constitutional gambler he proceeded to build a cockpit and race track. The track was approximately where Missouri Avenue School is today, His gambling friends would come all the way from Santa Fe to spend a few days with him in sporting past times. Smith could have been one of the West's true builders, except for his gambling propensity. Since Van C. Smith could not stay away from gambling, he longed for a more populated area where he could indulge his passion. He went to Santa Fe and established a firstclass billiard and gambling saloon. He left his mortgaged holdings in Roswell to his partner Willburn to do with as he liked. Soon he departed from the New Mexico scene.
Endnotes
1. Barry, Ernest. Presentation to JFK Lancer Conference, Nov. 21, 2013, Dallas, Texas.
2. Jenkins, James. Presentation to JFK Lancer Conference, Nov. 22, 2013, Dallas, Texas and Q&A Follow-up 3. Johnston, J & Roe, J. Flight from Dallas, p. 23.
Gunnor Petersen Illustration
Van C. Smith
PARTY
Continued from Page 9
children will choose. Gonzales expects about 1000 youngsters to make an appearance, and each will go home with a bag of sweet goodies. The treat parcels are the reason volunteers are seeking pecans, fruit and more. Nature's Dairy is expected to donate milk, a perfect pair for the 1000 cookies. Children ranging in age from six to 14 will have five or 10 minutes to fill their arms with toys from the pile. The Christmas Eve party will also include musical performances and gift certificate giveaways in addition to toy giveaways. Anyone is welcome at the event, which like others organized by Gonzales, is
focused more on community fellowship than on distributing material goods. "It's not the toy that they really want, it's the playing," said Gonzales. "It's a party." To make donations of unwrapped new or used toys, monetary gifts to purchase toys, or if you would like to help out with the event, contact the Community Volunteer Program at (575) 624-7579 or email Gonzales at gonzalesjohnny@hotmail.com. Toy and cash collections are taking place at Lawrence Brothers IGA grocery store at 900 West 2nd Street. Donations can also be dropped off with local merchants. Just ask for the toys to be set aside for Gonzales.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2013 | VISION MAGAZINE / 11
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