Vision Magazine, November 16, 2017 by Roswell Daily Record

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MAGA

YOUR FREE ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 16, 2017

SPOTLIGHT: ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’

ALSO INSIDE: A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS, ART CLASSIFIEDS, ‘BELIEVE,’ CALENDAR, CHRISTMAS FANTASY, COVER ART CONTEST, HEART OF WINTER, HOLLY-DAY MAGIC, LIGHTS FOR ROSWELL, RAIR RACHEL GROBSTEIN, SANTA FE OPERA RETURNS, TOYS FOR TOTS AND LOOKING UP

Roswell Daily Record’s

Thursday, November 16, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 11

Content

Art HeART of Winter RAiR Rachel Grobstein Art ~ Classifieds

Correspondence: Vision Magazine welcomes correspondence, constructive criticism and suggestions for future topics. Mail correspondence to Vision Magazine, P.O. Drawer 1897, Roswell, N.M. 882021897 or vision@rdrnews.com Submissions: Call 622-7710, ext. 309, for writers’ guidelines. Vision Magazine is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited materials. Vision Magazine is published once a month at 2301 N. Main St., Roswell, N.M. The contents of the publication are Copyright 2017 by the Roswell Daily Record and may not be reprinted in whole or part

Calendar

Spotlight: ‘A Christmas Story’

Publisher: Barbara Beck Editor: Jeff Tucker Vision Editor: Christina Stock Copy Editor: Vanessa Kahin Ad Design: Sandra Martinez Columnists: Donald Burleson, Sara Woodbury Get in touch with us online Facebook: PecosVisionMagazine Twitter: twitter.com/PecosVision Pinterest: pinterest.com/VisionMagazine Email: vision@rdrnews.com www: rdrnews.com/wordpress/vision-magazin For advertising information, call 622-7710

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Contest Cover Art Contest Culture Christmas Fantasy Toys for Tots Lights for Roswell Holly-Day Magic A Victorian Christmas

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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 third Thursday 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.

From The Vault ‘Ballet’ by Barbara Latham 15 Music Santa Fe Opera returns Theater “Believe” UFOlogy Looking Up

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Culture

Christmas Fantasy

This year’s Christmas Fantasy Arts & Crafts Fair is celebrating its 35th anniversary. By Christina Stock Vision Editor

uyers of unique gifts and art will have a large choice of jewelry, sculptures, woodwork, custom made clothing and metal art during the annual Christmas Fantasy Arts & Crafts Fair. Organizers Jane and Paul Nevarez took over the show five years ago from Earl and Betty Lusk. The Lusks had enjoyed organizing the event for 30 years. Retired from organizing the labor-intensive show, they will be there with their booth. “They will be there selling their green chile sauce,” Jane Nevarez said. The Nevarez’ have their own business. Jus Rope’n Kreations offers original art from used cowboy ropes, metal and used horseshoes. Paul Nevarez’ specialty is creating crosses and sculptures out of horseshoes in all sizes. “We got new artists, which is great,” Jane Nevarez said. “We’ll have Indian jewelry, fine

gemstone jewelry, soaps and candles, lotions and ceramics. Dan Wittfield will have his candies. We have two booths with silverware jewelry and we will have gift wrapping.” Artists from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico are offering their art. One of the award-winning artists attending is Tandra Johnson. “She makes hand-sculpted jewelry and figurines out of clay,” Jane Nevarez said. Johnson’s brand is Creations by Tandra and includes unique handcrafted treasures crafted from polymer clay; each one is individually sculpted from colored clay. No paint or molds are used to create the designs. “I have recently moved back to Roswell and love to be a part of the show,” Johnson said in an email.” “There will be a booth of Excel. They will either be giving away Christmas lights or light bulbs.

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The Nevarez’ hope to have around 50 booths this year. “We usually average between 45 and 50 booths,” Jane Nevarez said. “It is always nice to have new artists and returning favorites.” A tradition at the Christmas Fantasy Arts & Crafts Fair is the silent auction with donated items from the artists. This year, the auction will benefit Camp Invention. Camp Invention is a weeklong summer program that provides children hands-on opportunities to explore, create and invent to prepare them to change the world. It is a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring, challenging and inspiring innovation. Trinity Methodist Church, Roswell, is partnering with the NIHF to host Camp Invention next year. For more information about the program, visit campin-

Christina Stock Photo Photo of shoppers at last year’s fair. This year brings many favorite and new artists to town. vention.org. “Cattlemans will be our caterer for lunch both days,” Jane Nevarez said. “We’ll have wonderful food. Come

eat and shop. Admission is $1 and children 12 years and under are free.” The fair takes place Nov. 24, from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m. and Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roswell Convention & Civic Center, 912 N. Main St.

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Christina Stock Photo Volunteers hurried to the mall last year to help with the larger than expected crowds of children. The volunteers on the photo are listening to instructions how each child gets to choose his or her presents. Parents have to stay outside, but can watch through the windows.

Culture

Support Group Every Wednesday at 11:00 am Rm 110 The group is for those mourning the loss of a loved one, no matter how long ago. It is open to everyone in the community. There is no cost.

Contact Pastor Laird for more information. 575-420-5301

A toyful Christmas

shop there,” Hartwell said. This year another factor might raise the number of needy children. “There is no Toys for Tots in Eddy County this year,” Hartwell said. “Some families might join us this year. The children who have been registered have first choice, but we are not turning any child away if the legal guardians have the correct documentation.” There is a new group stepping up to help on the day of distribution. According to Hartwell, the Marines MC Motorcycle Club is going to join the volunteers this year at the mall, bringing smiles to the faces of children who otherwise would have nothing under the Christmas tree. Parents or guard-

ians registering their children for the Toys For Tots gifting program must bring a valid U.S. government photo ID, children’s birth certificate(s) and proof of address dated within the last 30 days of registration. Registration closes on Dec. 9. The Toy Giveaway will be on Dec. 16 at the Roswell Mall from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. To register or for more information, visit roswell-nm.toysfortots.org, email Jim Bloodhart at jim-ecs@hotmail.com or Alan Hartwell at alan@ ipsnm.com or call 575347-1625.

Local Marine Corps League Sgt. Moses D. Rocha, Detachment No. 1287, is making children’s Christmas dreams come true since 2007. By Christina Stock Vision Editor

he season for giving, celebration and good will toward mankind is starting. The first wish lists are appearing and the cooler weather is a good excuse for some fans of Christmas to already put up the decorations. It is heartbreaking that not every family will have enough money for their children to enjoy Christmas with a shiny new toy. This doesn’t have to be. The local Marine Corps League Sgt. Moses D. Rocha, Detachment No. 1287 has been sponsoring the Toys For Tots drive for 10 years and every year it has grown. The MCL’s adjutant and paymaster, Dawn

Hartwell, said, “We had 1,954 kids last year, (1,100 children more than in 2015). I wasn’t sure if we would make it or not (having a toy for each child). In the last minute we had the radio stations putting up announcements and people were coming up in droves with donations. I didn’t think we could have made it otherwise.” With these higher numbers, the MCL started much earlier this year looking for donations and additionally had their first Toys for Tots drive, a motorcycle poker run, on Oct. 21. “We got two full boxes of toys (Toys for Tots boxes),” Hartwell said. “We made $370. We had quite a few motorcyclists who came out. We had clubs and a lot who

4 | V i s i o n M a g a z i n e | Thursday, November 16, 2017

were not affiliated with a group who supported the run. We had a pretty decent event. After the run everybody got together for a pig roast and a bon fire was lit. Everybody had a good time. “Bikers love to give,” Hartwell said. “They are very generous. If it comes down to a kid, you can count on them. They are that way.” Toys For Tots boxes will be distributed throughout the community at banks and shops, including at the Roswell Daily Record. Only new, unwrapped toys are accepted and monetary donations are welcome as well. “Toys”R”U gave us $1,000 this year again, even though they declared bankruptcy. So we still are able to go

Christina Stock Photo Retired Marine Scott Montgomery is entertaining the children lining up to get into Santa’s room last year.

Culture

New lights will shine these holidays

Main Street Roswell is benefitting from one person’s dream of Christmas.

Christina Stock Photo It was all hands on at last year’s HeART of Winter Extravaganza.

Art

Even Picasso was once a kid Berrendo Middle School to hold third annual HeART of Winter show.

By Christina Stock Vision Editor

very year the art show at Berrendo Middle School expands including more and more programs where children can show their artistic talents and, just like adults, get judged by their peers and the public. This year the show is not only expanding, but also expanding its name into HeART of Winter — Arts and Language Arts Extravaganza. “It is fun that we are expanding,” said art teacher Jeannette Main. “New this year is that we are going to incorporate our family consumers sciences class. They are planning on doing some cookie decorating to bring in the winter theme and holiday theme.” Everybody big and small is invited to decorate the cookies. The language arts students joined the show last year with a display of their own. This year’s theme was not decided on at press time. Music teacher Whitney Bain has selected musicians who will be performing, though not in the classic band form. “I’ll have solos as background music,” Bain said in an earlier interview. “We are trying to get all of the arts incorporated,” Main said. Classes have different projects prepared for the show. “I know seventh

grade is working on some silk hoops, those are water coloring paintings on silk,” Main said. “There are some beautiful artworks coming out of that. I can’t wait to show those off. “Of course we are going to incorporate sixth and eighth grade to everything. I am planning on having every student having one piece in. So everybody gets to showcase something they have done. The judges will have a busy evening with 150 children participating. Who knows, there might be a future Picasso in their midst. “Come out and see what wonderful things these kids have done,” Main said. “Not just our art department, but everybody.” The show takes place on Nov. 30, from 6-8 p.m., at Berrendo Middle School, 800 Marion Richards Road. It is open for the public and refreshments are going to be served. For more information, email jmain@ risd.k12.nm.us.

By Christina Stock Vision Editor Excitement was almost tangible in the office of MainStreet Roswell on Nov. 7. The nonprofit organization had good news to share. Main Street from Fourth to Fifth streets will be getting new Christmas lights this year. President of MainStreet Roswell Molly Boyles was contacted earlier this year by Wendie Marley. Marley was born and raised in Roswell and returned to her hometown four years ago after living overseas serving her country. During that time she enjoyed the lit up streets decorated in Christmas lights, just as when she lived in the Dallas area. It was a stark contrast to Roswell. Instead of complaining and leaving it to others, Marley decided to see what she could do to bring more holiday

cheer to town. “It’s been hard,” Marley said. “It’s been a lot of movement in MainStreet Roswell. As soon as I would get a little bit further something would change. It just has been a back and forth and this year with the right support and the right people it has been able to take off.” “When I got in touch with her after the UFO Festival, she told me her ideas and the fact that she had already spoken with different people who were interested in sponsoring trees,” Boyles said. “She already had ideas of how to get the monetary things done.” “I went to Xcel (Xcel Energy electric services company) to see if they wanted to be involved in it. Once I talked to Xcel and Mike McLeod

they figured that they are going to donate the lights. J & G Electric was more than willing to help, and Xcel was ending up covering that bid as well to help with the installation,” Marley said. “It just happened,” Marley said. “They were excited and inspired. It seems like everyone was just waiting to see how they can help and it all came together.” According to Boyles and Marley, Xcel Energy is willing to donate 10,000 feet of Christmas lights to decorate the trees for three blocks on Main Street. The donation includes $18,000 to cover labor. “After she spoke with Xcel it just snowballed,” Boyles said. Other companies stepped forward see

Lights

on page

Christina Stock Photo From left: MainStreet Roswell President Molly Boyles, Wendie Marlie and MainStreet Roswell Executive Director Kathy Lay Exiting news for fans of the holidays. Main Street’s trees will shine bright this year.

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Lights

Second Annual Cover Art Contest ‘Roswell in Winter’

Continued from Page 5 including Roswell Wool Warehouse, Builders Do It Center and, after getting the green light from the necessary city departments, everything is set to start. Boyles encourages others to follow Marley’s example. “I don’t care what type of project it is, if one person got a passion and they reach out and find the right kind of people that they connect with, one person can make a huge difference in their neighborhood, in their city, in their county, in their state and in their nation. One person is all it takes to get the ball rolling. I really want to commend her for taking the time to do all that footwork, this is about an individual, a citizen who stepped up and did all the work and brought it to fruition.” MainStreet Roswell is planning to decorate the light poles as well. “There is going to be room for both volunteer work or donations as far as the wrapping of the light poles is concerned,” Boyles said. “The plan is to utilize large bows near the top, near the light fixtures and then wrap them with some type of heavy garlands. We are thinking of for the first year red bows and garlands. Keeping everything uniform would be more attractive.” The lights will go up as soon as the trimming of the trees begins. The goal is to have everything up and in working order by Thanksgiving. Executive director of MainStreet Roswell, Kathy Lay, is looking forward to the end product. “Walking downtown this year is going to be a memorable experience for the families and something that warms our hearts and makes us proud,” she said. “We are so grateful.” For more information, contact MainStreet Roswell at 914-8018 or email info@ mainstreetroswell.org.

See your art on the holiday edition of Vision Magazine! Professional or amateur artists of all ages can either send in or bring in their works to the Roswell Daily Record, 2301 N. Main St. — original art will be photographed and electronically uploaded — or email a large, at least 300 dpi .jpg photo to vision@ rdrnews.com. The top 10 artists will be selected by local artists and staff of RDR and displayed at The Gallery, 223 N. Main St. between Dec. 8 and 13 to be voted on for the public choice award. The winner will be on the cover of the holiday edition of Vision Magazine. All two-dimensional media is accepted as long as it has as theme ‘Roswell in Winter.’

Deadline is December 6 at noon. For more information, call Christina Stock at 575-622-7710, ext. 309.

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Calendar Ongoing Events Roswell Every Week, Wed Weekly knockout The Roswell Fighting Game Community presents their weekly knockout at The Unity Center located at 108 E. Bland St. every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to midnight. All games are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com/RoswellFGC.

ny Orchestra presents “Vida Guitar Quartet,” at the Crosswinds Community Church, 1701 N. Jefferson St. at 7 p.m. Founded in 2007, the Vida Guitar Quartet brings together four of the United Kingdom’s most exceptional artists. Vida’s ability to deliver music of the highest level with their trademark British humor has made them a favorite in concert halls all over the world. For more information, visit swsymphony. org or call 575-738-1041. Carlsbad

Santa Fe

Nov. 18

Ongoing until Jan. 21 ‘Quilts of Southwest China’ coming to Santa Fe The Museum of International Folk Art will host the national touring exhibition “Quilts of Southwest China,” beginning July 9 through Jan. 21, 2018. MIFA is located at 706 Camino Lejo. For more information, visit internationalfolkart.org or call 505-476-1200.

Holiday Bazaar The Holiday Bazaar takes place at the Riverside Country Club, 1700 W. Country Club from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a variety of booths for early Christmas shopping. There is no more space for further booths. For more information, call Kim Alexander at 432-517-5775. Hobbs

Hobbs

Nov. 18

Nov. 17

I Know What You Meme Exhibition The first meme art exhibit takes place from

Vida Guitar Quartet The Cultural Arts Series of Southwest Sympho-

5-7 p.m. at the Center for the Arts, 122 W. Broadway St. The exhibition will be on display until Jan. 6, 2018. The opening is free and open to the public. For more information, visit lccanm.org or call 575-397-ARTS. Carlsbad Nov. 25 Night of Lights The Night of Lights takes place at the Halagueno Arts Park, 101 S. Halagueno St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will be an evening of music, food, art, activities for the kids and the illumination of the Halagueno Arts Park, kicking off the Electric Light Parade. For more information, visit creativecarlsbad.org. Nov. 25

Roswell Nov. 25 Christmas Auction The Winter Wonderland Christmas Auction will Benefit Chaves County Casa. It takes place at the First American Bank, 111 E. Fifth St. at 5 p.m. Free admission. For more information, visit casakids. org or call 575-625-0112. Santa Fe Nov. 25 The New Mexico Museum of Art celebrates its 100th anniversary The event is open to all who are downtown for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 107 W. Palace Ave,.vents and activities in and around the museum will include

historical reenactors as famous New Mexico artists, a photo booth, birthday cake, art-making activities for visitors of all ages, live music, small theatrical performances, curator conversations, the Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum to mention a few. The debut of three new exhibitions at the museum, demonstrating the past and future of New Mexican art, takes place, as showing the special place that photography holds in New Mexico’s art scene. Artesia Nov. 30

eryone at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, 310 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil. com. Roswell Dec. 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17 Jean Shepard’s “A Christmas Story” The Roswell Community Little Theatre, 1717 S. Union Ave., presents the comedy “A Christmas Story” with performances Fridays and Saturdays in the evening and matinees on Sundays. For more information, visit roswelltheatre.com.

Sleeping Beauty Christmas The Artesia Arts Council presents Sleeping Beauty Christmas with singalong songs for ev-

10 >>

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Music

The Santa Fe Opera returns

The traditional winter tour of the Santa Fe Opera makes a stop at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art. By Christina Stock Vision Editor

Submitted Photo Joerge Espino and Sarah Coit to perform at the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art.

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uring the holiday season, our artists perform in local churches and auditoriums around the state. The Santa Fe Opera winter tour takes them to the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art for their annual holiday concert. This holiday season the public can look forward to hearing mezzo-soprano Sarah Coit and baritone Jorge Espino. Wojciech Milewski serves as the music director. Coit was a Gerdine Young Artist with Opera Theatre of St. Louis where she played Richard in the American premiere of Handel’s “Richard the Lionheart.” As a member of the 2016 Apprentice Singer Program at The Santa Fe Opera, she played the role of Erika in Barber’s “Vanessa.” She was a 2017 National Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. This past summer she returned to the Santa Fe Opera as an apprentice singer where she sang the role of Alisa in “Lucia di Lammermoor” among others. Coit holds degrees in music studies and theatre performance from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. Mexican baritone Jorge Espino continues his professional studies at Curtis Institute of Music, singing the title role in Eugene Onegin for the 2017-18 season. At The Santa Fe Opera this past summer he performed Prince Afron in The Golden Cockerel. Jorge Espino is a graduate from the Academy of Vocal Arts. He studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Mexico City. Espino has been awarded prizes in Mario Lanza, Giulio Gari, Licia Albanese, Giargiari Bel Canto, Artescénica, Irma Gonzalez and Carlo Morelli competitions. Additionally, he has performed with the orchestra in Italy AgimusArte, the Orchestra of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, the Orchestra of the Teatro de Bellas Artes, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Michoacan, Acapulco, Mexico, among others. Wojciech Milewski, pianist, is

thrilled to work with SFO again. In the spring of 2016, he served as music director for the premiere of SFO’s commissioned opera, “UnShakeable.” Shortly thereafter, Wojciech became the new music director of the Summerville Orchestra in Summerville, South Carolina. Prior to his appointment in South Carolina, he served as assistant conductor at the Opera NEO festival in San Diego, California, and as associate conductor for El Paso Opera’s production of “Carmen.” During his time in New Mexico, he also guest conducted two concert series with the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra. Off of the podium he maintains an active performing career as a pianist and clarinetist, having performed with various programs for Opera Southwest, the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, the San Juan Symphony, the National Broadway Tours of “Wicked” and “The Book of Mormon,” and the Roswell Symphony Orchestra. Past studies include workshops and festivals in Orvieto, Italy, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, the California Conductor’s Institute and the Bard College Conductor’s Institute. His past conducting teachers include Jorge Perez-Gomez, John Farrer and Daniel Hege. Wojciech is an alumnus of the University of New Mexico and the State University of New York at Oswego, and is currently based out of the Charleston, South Carolina area. The SFO Holiday concert takes place at the AMoCA, 409 E. College Blvd., Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. For more information, call 575-623-5600.

Culture

Holly-Day Magic

The 37th annual Holly-Day Magic Art and Craft Show promises a wide variety of unique items. By Christina Stock Vision Editor he 37th annual Holly-Day Magic Art and Craft Show will present unique handmade creations by artists, artisans and crafters from several states. Holly-Day Magic will feature a wide variety of merchandise, mixing returning favorites with many new exhibitors. The list begins with this year’s featured artists Roger Shamp, Troy and Tonia Gilliard of “Here We Go Again.” They are Holly-Day Magic favorites and create a wide variety of holiday décor. A full range of art and handmade crafts will include more fine art by several other artists as well as unique clothing designs, folk art creations, jewelry, holiday items, pottery, soaps, western creations in rope and leather, fabric creations, salsa and sauces, green chili sauce, sculptural and functional works in metal, clay, glass and wood, furniture, candles, lavender products and children’s accessories. The food offerings are varied as well, ranging from the ever-popular pumpkin rolls and cookies by Debora Lucas, to jerky, fudge and desserts. “It’s going to be a big show again this year,” organizer Joyce Tucker said. “Don’t let the construction scare you away. There is plenty of parking. It’s just going to be a little different. Our north entrance is

Submitted Art Part of the cast of “Believe” by Neverland Theatre and Studio+.

Theater

Do you believe?

The Studio+ and Neverland Theatre Company brings the Christmas show “Believe” to stage. By Christina Stock Vision Editor

he original ballet show “Believe” is returning to stage after a successful premiere two years ago. The enchanting story is written by Dominic Batista of Neverland Theatre Company. Neverland Theatre Company is collaborating with The Studio+ for this beautiful performance about a Christmas mystery. The touching story is inspired by Batista’s sister and dedicated to his mother, Regina. The show is a combination of the story that is told, sung, acted out and of course danced by performers of Neverland Theatre Company and the ballet dancers from the beginner and advanced students of The Studio+. “It’s a story about the true miracles of Christmas, it will entertain you and touch your heart,” said Jennifer Wolfe of The Studio+ in an email. It is also a mystery. As Santa reads his very last letter on Christmas Eve, a hush falls over the workshop. Gabe, Santa’s lead elf knows something happened, but Santa vanishes just saying that he has something important to do. While Gabe tries to keep calm, the

elves panic. What did the letter say? What would cause Santa to leave them on Christmas Eve? The story begins. Performances take place on Dec. 8 and 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Performing Arts Center, 52 University Blvd. For more information, visit tututix. com/roswelldance, roswelldance.net, or call The Studio+ at 575-623-5155.

not going to be used at all, it will be the west entrance. “We are filling about 86 booths,” Tucker said. “It is a big show. We’ll still have our lobby people out there, too. People like to go out and see who is in the lobby every year. Our butterfly guy, Jay Kortsch, is back this year from touring South America. He is a favorite with those beautiful South American butterflies that he mounts. Folks will remember him because he has been with us several years.” One of the artists is Rudolf Cavalier who is traveling to Roswell from Mountainair. Cavalier had won several awards in privious shows in New Mexico, California and Arizona.

“I am a professional artist who is selftaught,” Cavalier said in an email. “I sculpt in many different medias, but glass, stone and wood are my favorites. My glass sculptures are carved either from hot glass, which I make myself, or slag glass. My stone sculptures are created in either alabaster or marble. I also carve in many different types of wood. All my pieces are one of a kind. I strive to accomplish that which I feel, something unique that hasn’t been done. Perhaps it has, but not in my way. I feel that there is no mastery, just the journey and the search for something new.” Award-winning Artsee

Magic

on page

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Calendar

Roswell Dec. 2 Electric Light Parade The annual Electric Light Parade takes place at 6 p.m. The parade route is from College Blvd. to Third St. To join with a float or individually, visit mainstreetroswell.org. Entry is free. Albuquerque Dec. 1-2 “Shoes for the Santo Niño” The Santa Fe Opera presents the return of “Shoes for the Santo Niño,” an opera for all

ages originally commissioned in 2011. Based off the children’s story by New Mexico native Peggy Pond Church, the opera tells the story of Julianita, the youngest of 11 children, who slips out of her home one evening to take a pair of practical shoes she has made to the Santo Niño. Performances will take place at the Journal Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth St. SW, on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit santafeopera.org or call the Santa Fe Opera box office at 1-800-280-4654 or 505-986-5900.

Ruidoso / Mescalero

Artesia

Dec. 1-2

Dec. 5

Wait For What?! in concert The music duo T David Wiggins and Elane Wiggins are known as Wait for What?! They are going to perform on Friday in the 1852 Treaty Room at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Wendell’s Lounge at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, 287 Carrizo Canyon Road, at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Facebook page of Wait for What?!

White Mountain Christmas Join the Flying J Wranglers for their show White Mountain Christmas at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, 310 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil.com.

Roswell

The Lovington Chamber’s Light Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Main Street. There will be beautiful floats. The event is hosted by Lovington MainStreet Corp.

Dec. 2 Girls Golf Holiday Magic All girls ages 5 to 15 are invited at The First Tee for the Girls Golf Holiday Magic at the New Mexico Military Golf Course, 201 W. 19th St. The girls will be making holiday decorations, ornaments and enjoy treats. There will also be a drawing for a gift. Pre-registration is required by Nov. 20. The participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the local food bank. For more information, call 575-623-4444.

Lovington Dec. 7 Light Parade

Roswell Dec. 10 Christmas concert The Roswell Symphony Orchestra presents its annual concert “Christmas Classics” at the Pearson Auditorium on the New Mexico Military Institute grounds at 2:30 p.m. Maestro John Farrer and the Roswell Symphony Orchestra perform holiday favorites

for the entire family. For more information or tickets, visit roswellsymphony.org or call 575-6235882 or 800-300-9822. Roswell Dec. 15-23 A Season in Bethlehem The Gospel Village presents the 13th annual A Season in Bethlehem. The public can feed live Nativity animals, listen to Christmas music and Christmas lights. Other attractions are more than 130 Nativities from around the world and the world’s largest advent wreath. There will be refreshments as well. A new gingerbread church baking contest is open for interested bakers. Rules and entry blanks are available at the Roswell Chamber of Commerce. The outdoor event A Season in Bethlehem is located at 2603 S. Eisenhower Rd. For more information, call 575-420-7554. Raton Dec. 16 Christmas on the Chicorica The public is invited to stroll at Sugarite Canyon State Park by the light of

1,500 luminarias and to enjoy the holiday spirit. Christmas carols will be sung, there will be cookies and Santa will be there. For more information, contact the park staff at 575-445-5607. Artesia Dec. 19 Midwinter Holiday The Artesia Arts Council present Midwinter Holiday, a concert featuring medieval and traditional christmas ballads at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, 310 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil.com. Artesia Dec. 21 A Christmas Carol The Artesia Arts Council present “A Christmas Carol” at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, 310 W. Main St., at 7 p.m. For more information, visit artesiaartscouncil. com. If you would like your event listed on the entertainment calendar, please email vision@ rdrnews.com or call 6227710 ext. 309.

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Magic

Continued from Page 9 ist Darlene Ryer is hand,” Ryer said. Ryer f r o m M o u n t a i n a i r a s makes copper wall piecwell. She is looking for- es and pantinaed copper ward to showing her cre- jewelry. “The colors are ations at the Holly-Day created with specialM a g i c A r t a n d C r a f t ly formulated patinas I have developed in my Show. Ryer is self-taught and studio,” she said. specializes in weaving There will be hourbaskets. ly drawings for works “My traditional bas- given by the vendors kets are woven out of and there will be the natural materials, such chance to win one of a s r e d b u d w i l l o w , three prizes, including s e d g e r o o t s , W o o d - a 14-piece nativity from wardia ferns and Buck Troy and Tonia Gilliard, brush, which I gather a gift certificate to Pepand prepare myself,” per’s Grill and Bar and a she said. “Many of these framed print by Dorothy baskets sometimes take Peterson. up to a year to complete. “The police departI also use basket reed ment cadets/explorers (which is the core of rat- are coming in and will tan) and raffia (which is help us to run the rafa palm leaf) to weave fle and keeping things my intricate patterned going for us,” Tucker baskets. Many of my pat- said. terns come from nature, Holly-Day Magic is a and some were given to major fundraiser for The me from my mother. My Assurance Home, The baskets are in many pri- First Tee of Southeastern vate and corporate col- New Mexico, the Roswell Police Explorer Prolections. “I also do make jewel- gram and area students. ry, every piece done by According to Tucker,

last year’s show raised more than $8,000, which was used to assist a variety of programs, organizations and individuals to promote leadership, character and participation among the youth in the area. “These shows give a lot to the community,” Tucker said. “We pay ourself enough to cover our expenses and then give the rest of it away. That was the intent of the show from the get-go. Our primary program was the D.A.R.E. program of the police. We expanded to include other groups about 10 years ago. It just has been growing, the amount of money and the amount of recipients have been growing. “Catering is provided by High Chaparral Cafe,” Tucker said. “Admission is $2 and children under 12 get in for free.” The show will be held at the Roswell Conven-

Submitted Photo

“Nativity” by Troy and Tonia Gilliard. tion & Civic Center, 912 N. Main St., Nov. 17, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Christina Stock Photo From left: Randy Nolan as the Old Man and Aiden Smith as Ralphie are admiring their new lamp. Meanwhile, Louise Montague as Mother is not pleased. Avery Lawless as Randy seems to be frozen in awe.

Spotlight

You’ll shoot your eye out, kid The Roswell Community Little Theatre brings the beloved story “A Christmas Story” to stage.

By Christina Stock Vision Editor he comedy “A Christmas Story” has become an American tradition to watch on TV since the

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release of the movie in 1983. The story takes place in the 1940s, when a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder B.B. gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. The story was adapted by Philip Grecian for stage. This is the first stage production under guidance of Zack G. Anderson as director at the Roswell Community Little Theatre. He has se le c t e d t h e play a s well. Anderson has been on the play selection committee for the past several years. “We were looking for

stuff that people like that everybody really responds to,” Anderson said. “I am trying to get something here that everybody wants to try to see. “Everybody is going to talk about it — it will be something really good for everybody in Roswell and Artesia, Hobbs and Ruidoso. We want everybody to come out,” he said. A certain lamp and the fascination of Ralphie and his father will make an appearance. “Actually, I was just working on it — on both,” Anderson said. “We need one that’s intact and then it gets broken in the story.

12 | V i s i o n M a g a z i n e | Thursday, November 16, 2017

There is no way to break it on stage. I need an intact one and a broken one. We are going to do some clever lighting to switch them out. “That’s another cool thing for the theater, we are getting a new lighting system coming up and it’s going to be in time for this show,” Anderson said. “We are planning on doing some new cool effects that have never been done here at RCLT ever before. We are really, really excited about that.” Ralphie is performed by Aiden Smith. “He is the focal point,” Anderson said. “He is on the quest to get the ‘legendary official Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.’ And the actor has this tongue twister down to a point. You’ll hear it so much you’ll be quoting it on your way out.” Aiden is 11 years old, attends Berrendo Middle School and sounds like a pro already. “I hope this is a career that I can do professionally when I am older. It is really fun to do,” he said. There is one obvious difference between the stage production and the movie. “Ralph is the grownup version of Ralphie,” Anderson said. “In the movie, he’s only a voice over, but here, he is on stage; he’s doing a little bit of interacting. It’s kind of like with Ebenezer Scrooge, where they don’t see or hear him, but he does interact with Ralphie sometimes. It’s interesting. It is what you know (in the movie) but it’s also new and different. Ralph is played by Berkeley Dittmann and

his understudy is Jaron Morris.” Morris works and lives in Artesia and commutes for the rehearsals. “It’s a lot of fun so it’s worth the trip,” he said. “I have never seen the play, but the movie was one of my favorites since I was a kid.” Gina Montague is supporting Anderson as assistant director. Other characters are performed by Louise Montague as Mother, the Old Man is played by Randy Nolen, Randy is played by Avery Lawless, Miss Shields is Michele Massey, Flick is Shana Maring, Schwartz is Soren Thorsted, Esther

Jane Alberry is Alice Samuels and Helen Weathers is Elise Taylor. Scut Farkas is Emery Carter. Understudies and extras: Shelly Forrester, Emma Hargrave, Cale Taylor and Edrice Tozier. RCLT is located at 1717 S. Union Ave. The public has three weekends to see the play, Dec. 1-3, 8-10 and 15-17, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information, visit roswelltheatre.com or call 575-6221982.

Christina Stock Photo Randy Nolan is watching director Zack G. Anderson setting up the famous lamp during rehearsals of “A Christmas Story.” Louise Montague is waiting in the background.

Christina Stock Photo Rachel Grobstein at her Roswell Artist-in-Residence studio. Each of the miniature bedside tables tell the story of a life.

Art

A miniature snapshot of life

Roswell Artist-in-Residence lecture and opening reception of Rachel Grobstein. By Christina Stock Vision Editor step into an artist studio is always a step into the creative process, a glimpse into the soul, if you will. There is a lot of trust involved to show the birthing process of art and an upcoming show. Rachel Grobstein’s studio on the Roswell Artist-in-Residence compound is airy and its content structured. It is impossible to overlook her art, because it draws the eye just as a rare flake of gold. Grobstein was influenced by the world her parents lived in outside of Philadelphia and brought home to their daughter. “Both my parents taught biology,” Grobstein said. “It took me a while to connect the dots. I was raised with that kind of fluid understanding of life. The investigation of human

behavior in the world that you interact with and that kind of model of being closely attentive to your environment and studying it, I think definitely formed my way of being in the world and my curiosity. Also, microscopic — that kind of labor intensive activity. Looking at things under the microscope. It is endlessly fascinating and visually stunning. Certainly I got that in my DNA.” Grobstein achieved her Bachelor of Philosophy and Visual Arts at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine and her Master of Fine Art at the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island. She had selected group exhibitions which include Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts to the Bruce High Quality Foundation in New York City, Projekt 722

in Brooklyn, New York among many others. She had solo and two-person exhibitions at The Micro Museum in Somerville, Massachusetts, the Ulterior Gallery in New York City and just recently was part of the 50th anniversary of the RAiR program with exhibits at the new gallery, Isaac’s Pipe and Supply and the Roswell Museum and Art Center. “I’ve been all in the North-East,” Grobstein said. “I started in Maine and am getting more and more south as I go. “I went to Boston and Providence and then New York (City) for the last three years. New York is like a pressure cooker, focusing is hard,” Grobstein said. “There is a lot of sustainable living questions, like how can you afford living there and have your work at the same

time? “To have gifts like this (RAiR) is amazing. It is hard to focus when the beast is breathing down your neck. It is not the same pace here.” Grobstein applied to the RAiR because of her friend and fellow RAiR Claudia Bitran. Bitran was featured in the Feb. 16 edition of Vision Magazine. “I went to school with her and she got into the program,” Grobstein said. “That sounded like the best thing ever. I applied promptly.” “Actually, it’s funny,” Grobstein said. “The proposal that I wrote dealt with art that I made in New York that is not so much sculptures of miniatures, but it is cut paper on pins. I was looking a lot at that time at constellations and star charts and this idea of space junk. We send a whole lot of junk up in the stratosphere. I wrote a proposal about it because of the history of space exploration and the beautiful metaphor what this united hope and dream is for humanity. The prospect of having this other, alien gives us a sense of identification as human. “When I came to Roswell I was interested in the history of space. That is a project that I have been pursuing but not in the miniature table. Her miniature tables that are the major part of Grobstein’s exhibit at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, were inspired in New York City at a farewell party for her at her friend’s place. She looked at a bedside table with items and became so fascinated with it that she asked if she could take a photo of it and make a miniature. “I started asking friends to send me pic-

Christina Stock Photo Rachel Grobstein has created a variety of miniatures. Some are mounted, some pinned like butterflies and others seemingly serendipitously placed. tures of bedside tables,” Grobstein said. “I would recreate those as tableaus in miniature. “For a long time I have been interested in the ways the people both intentionally and unintentionally collect things. I thought they

were funny and also spoke to personal history, consumer culture and everyone’s was different but the same. I loved that,” Grobstein said. Soon Grobstein received photos from see

Life

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Thursday, November 16 ,2017

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Culture

A Victorian Christmas Take time to smell the Christmas roses. The annual Christmas open house of the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico channels the romantic Victorian era. By Christina Stock Vision Editor This year, the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico invites the public for A Victorian Christmas Historical Museum Open House Extravaganza. An afternoon of holiday atmosphere with refreshments, entertainment, book signings, door prizes and of course the real Santa Claus awaits. Amy McVay-Davis, executive director at HSSNM, said, “Anybody who loves history can enjoy walking through this area and through the house. “We not only offer unique books and some that you can only get here, but autographed books. I want to remind people how important this fundraiser is and what a wonderful gift this is. “A special Holiday bundle of Peter Hurd prints will be available at this event only,” McVay-Davis said. “The event is a reminder to think about others, seeing somebody they haven’t seen in a long time. We’ll have great entertainment here and next door. The Roswell High School Choir Cyettes and Roadrunners will be at the archives next door. “We will have some special surprise guests that people will not be aware of until they get here,” McVay-Davis said. “The history club will be available to greet the visitors. “We also are encouraging the people to watch the video upstairs. The timeline is not yet set, we are working diligently on that.” Decoration of the museum and archives building is again in the capable hands of the Morning Garden Club. “I am thrilled that they came up with A Victorian Christmas with roses and lace,” McVay-Davis said. “So beautiful. It takes you back in time. There will be the scent of the Victorian era. There will be roses. To

me, that is the essence of victorian style. “I think that many people presume that this house (the museum building) is victorian. It is not, it’s prairie style. Many of those women in the garden club have been volunteering their time over 20, maybe even 30 years. The connection we should never forget about is Mrs. White’s contribution and her connection with the garden club.” To slow down during the hectic time before Christmas is important to McVay-Davis. “You get so busy during the holidays you forget the whole purpose on what the event is for,” she said. “The whole purpose of this year’s Holiday Victorian Christmas open house is to show appreciation for all that the community does. “Everybody can come and enjoy refreshments and the beautifully decorated home,” McVay-Davis said. “It is our way to thank everybody for what they’ve done. I am a firm believer that everybody helps, even if they don’t realize they do. We are opening the doors to our home — take time to smell the roses. We encourage people to slow down, take time to get involved with the community, time to give back.” As last year, Santa is awaiting the children. “He’s not the flashy mall Santa,” McVay-Davis said. “This Santa is the real vintage Santa (David Brock) for the Victorian Christmas.” MacVay-Davis had observed the children’s reaction last year encountering Brock as Santa. “One kid said, ‘Now that’s the real Santa.’ Kids can tell. He really enjoys it; he is so sweet. They (the kids) really think he is the real one,” McVay-Davis said. A popular photo motive last year was Santiago Vasquez rounding up the picturesque image of the museum with his vintage vehicle parked close to the building. “He will bring the vehicle to us again.” McVay-Davis said. “The little details make the difference and Clary Sage (a bed and breakfast) is partnering with us.” The event takes place Dec. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Historical Museum is located at 200 N. Lea Ave. with the Archives Facility next to it at 208 N. Lea Ave. For more information, call 575-622-8333.

Christina Stock Photo David Brock is going to be the traditional Santa for the second year.

Life

Continued from Page 13 people she didn’t know and her miniature art grew. “I like at this point recreating them and not having any idea and it’s a mystery. That’s where this miniature body of work comes from which is going to be mostly in the show that is coming up. “All of it is gouache which is my weapon of choice. I started out as a painter with gouache on paper. I just started — since I was in Roswell — using clay, thread, like anything. It opened right up,” Grobstein said. Living most of her life in cities, Grobstein is fascinated with the wide open space and nature at the RAiR compound. “It’s incredible, even the seasons,” she said. “It just hit this ridiculous fall full of beautiful colors and we have barn swallows nesting on our porch, but they commuted, they left. We were real sad for two weeks, but now the cranes are starting to come through, and we have this crazy bird that we think is a flicker. We were busting out our bird guide. We were so excited because our little city hearts are just bursting; things are alive here.” Grobstein’s other passion is teaching art to children. In New York City she teaches at 92nd Street 7, which has a 140-year history serving the community as a nonprofit cultural center offering programs in a variety of art with educational programs for adults and children. After her exhibit Grobstein is planning to travel the area before returning to New York City. The RAiR lecture and opening reception of Rachel Grobstein will be on Nov. 17, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the RMAC, 100 W. 11th St. For more information, call 575-624-6744 or 575-623-5600.

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Art

‘Ballet’ by Barbara Latham

From the Vault

Roswell Museum and Art Center By Sara Woodbury RMAC Curator of Collections and Exhibitions couple of years ago I discussed a mysterious print in our collection, “Cactus Dancer” by Barbara Latham (1896-1989). Today, we’ll take a look at a painting that shares a lot of visual similarities with that work, “Ballet.” Originally from Walpole, Massachusetts, Latham moved with her family to Norwich, Connecticut as a child. She studied art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and at the Art Students League Summer School in Woodstock, New York. Among her teachers was modernist Andrew Dasburg (1887-1979), who moved to New Mexico during the 1920s. In 1925, Latham visited Taos for the first time while on a trip to Colorado and New Mexico. She moved to Taos in 1926, where she worked as a designer for Vancil Foster Greeting Cards. During her stay out there, she met and married fellow artist Howard Cook (1901-1980). Over the next several years, they traveled around Europe, Mexico, Africa and other places, eventually settling in Talpa, near Taos. During the 1960s, the two artists began spending the winters in Roswell, until Cook’s ill health ultimately required assisted living facilities in Santa Fe. Throughout her career, Latham worked as both an independent artist and as an illustrator for greeting cards and children’s books. As a painter, she

worked in mediums as varied as watercolor, egg tempera and oil. She was a skilled printmaker, creating block prints and lithographs. She also explored other crafts, including making tie-dye skirts that were featured in McCall’s magazine in the 1950s. Stylistically, Latham alternated between a highly detailed, naturalistic-looking style and a more simplified, abstract mode, depending on the nature of the medium and the work itself. Regardless of whether she was making a print or a children’s illustration, Latham’s work is often recognized for its sense of fluidity, color and humor. During the 1940s, Latham began a series of still life paintings that channel the mysterious and dream-like quality of surrealism, an artistic and literary movement that explored the creative potential of the unconscious mind. Executed in egg tempera, these paintings have a luminous, delicate character that underscores their ethereal, almost otherworldly nature. While the exact meaning of these paintings isn’t fully known, there is a particular iconography that unites these different works. Many of these paintings include dead tree branches with humanoid forms, for example, and often resemble dancing legs or other body parts. Napkins or doilies stained with lipstick also appear frequently, giving the paintings a strongly feminine character. Lace drapery, often appearing in fluttering, wind-blown

movement, is also usually present, enabling Latham to demonstrate her skill with meticulous painting. Flowers or gravestones are also present, adding a memento mori quality reminiscent of still life paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries while referencing New Mexico’s Spanish Catholic traditions. Simultaneously quiet yet unsettling, Latham’s paintings seem to meditate on mortality, femininity, and the Southwest as place and culture. “Ballet” was painted sometime in the 1940s, and encapsulates the Surrealist quality that Latham created in these particular egg tempera paintings. The focal point is a piece of dead wood with two branches shaped like human legs in dancing slippers. A lacy black mask is poised on top of the wood, emphasizing its anthropomorphic quality, while additional lace dangling from the wood helps to lead the eye down the composition. A napkin kissed with lipstick stains rests near the feet-like branches, while additional white lace frames the composition and adds a sense of movement with its folded drapery. Simple wooden gravestones can be seen in the background, while small blooming flowers are scattered along the wood in the foreground, establishing a contrast between living and nonliving forms, life and death. Cast shadows from the billowing lace and wood simultaneously add depth and abstraction, underscoring the otherworldly setting of

the still life. The painting does not appear set in a particular time or place, but seems to drift in its own liminal space of delicate light and blue shadow. As a painting, “Ballet” highlights not only Latham’s technical skills as a painter, but also showcases her lyrical sense of composition. It is a painting full of movement and mystery, where still life objects become graceful dance partners meditating on the nature of mortality. “Ballet” is currently not on view, though it was featured in the 2014 exhibit Danse Macabre, which explored themes of morality in the permanent collection. Latham has become one of my favorite artists since I’ve been at the Roswell museum, so I’m sure this gem of a piece will make a reappearance in the future.

Submitted Photo “Ballet” by Barbara Latham.

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UFOlogy

UFOs: Attracting the attention of artists through the ages

Looking Up

mong people in any way interested in the subject of unidentified flying objects, a commonplace observation is that it would be the height of human arrogance for us to imagine even for a minute that we’re the only advanced, intelligent life form in the univ e rs e . It ’ s a ve ry large and very old universe, after all. It contains every imaginable combination of thermo-chemical circumstances and spans such dizzying gulfs of time that the opportunities for the development of life by natural processes are excellent. We could scarcely be alone in the

By Donald Burleson

cosmos. Even people accustomed to thinking of life as a probably abundant phenomenon sometimes tend to forget that not all stars and their planetary systems reach the height of their development at the same time. Not all advanced life forms could be expected to appear on the scene simultaneously. The creatures who pilot the UFOs we see in our skies may have been technologically sophisticated a million years before we began to achieve any technological prowess ourselves, or even before we walked upright. In the opposite man-

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ner, there may now be, somewhere in the galaxy, elemental self-replicating molecules only just beginning to appear, simple life forms not destined to lead to brains and nervous systems for another billion years. And if various intelligent forms of life, various civilizations, can be that far “out of sync” with each other, it would be a trivial matter for one planetary civilization to visit another, off and on, over a period of many centuries, a mere fleeting moment in the cosmic abysses of time. Our interacting with UFOs did not begin in the 1940s. It’s been going on for much lon-

ger than that. One of the things hinting strongly at this is the apparent presence of UFOs in many medieval paintings. For example, a 1 5 th- c entu r y w oo d painting nativity scene called “The Madonna and Saint Giovannino” shows, to the right of Mary’s head, a strange disk-shaped gray object in the sky, with reddish rays emanating from it, and with a sort of turret on top. All in all, it doesn’t look very different from UFOs seen today. Lest one think the artist (unknown, but possibly Filippo Lippi, 1406-1469) was merely painting a figment

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16 | V i s i o n M a g a z i n e | Thursday, November 16, 2017

of the imagination with this airborne image, the painting also shows a man and his dog clearly intrigued by the object over their heads. Many other such examples exist, including medieval woodcuts showing flotillas of spherical objects in the sky above numerous wondering townspeople. These artists were likely documenting their memory of real events. For that matter, numerous centuries-old Native American petroglyphs right here in New Mexico show disk-like objects with light radiating from them, suggestive of UFOs. Needless to say, it takes a lot of work

to etch such images in stone, and one can only suppose the subjects were worth the trouble. Why UFOs have been visiting our planet for such a long time is a puzzle, but make no mistake, this has been going on throughout human history.

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