December 2022 Alamodoso Magazine Lincoln County Edition

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Yes,Virginia,thereisaSanta Claus"isalinefromaneditorial byFrancisPharcellusChurch called"IsThereaSantaClaus?" whichappearedinTheSunon September21,1897,andbecame oneofthemostfamouseditorials everpublished.

Writteninresponsetoaletter byeight-year-oldVirginia O'HanlonaskingwhetherSanta Clauswasreal,theeditorialwas initiallypublishedanonymously, andChurch'sauthorshipwasnot discloseduntilhis1906death. TheSungraduallyacceptedits popularityandrepublishedit duringtheChristmasseasonevery yearfrom1924to1950,whenthe paperceasedpublication.

"IsThereaSantaClaus?"is commonlyreprintedduringthe Christmasandholidayseason, andhasbeencitedasthemost reprintednewspapereditorialin

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theEnglishlanguage.Ithasbeen translatedintoaround20 languages,andadaptedasafilm, televisionpresentations,a musical,andacantata.

In1897,PhilipO'Hanlon,a coroner'sassistant,wasaskedby histheneight-year-olddaughter, VirginiaO'Hanlon,whetherSanta Clausreallyexisted.O'Hanlon suggestedshewritetoTheSun. Inherletter,Virginiawrotethat herfatherhadtoldher"Ifyousee itinTheSunit'sso."

O'Hanlonlatersaidthatshe hadwaitedforananswertoher letterforlongenoughthatshe "forgotaboutit."Campbell theorizesthatithadbeensent shortlyafterO'Hanlon'sbirthday inJulyand"overlookedor misplaced"foratime.TheSun's editor-in-chief,EdwardPage Mitchell,gavetheletterto FrancisChurch.

MitchellreportedthatChurch, whowasinitiallyreluctantto writearesponse,producedit"ina shorttime"duringanafternoon.

DearEditor:

Iam8yearsold.Someofmy littlefriendssaythereisnoSanta Claus.

Papasays,"IfyouseeitinThe Sun,it'sso."

Pleasetellmethetruth,isthere aSantaClaus?

VirginiaO'Hanlon

VIRGINIA,

Yourlittlefriendsarewrong. Theyhavebeenaffectedbythe skepticismofaskepticalage. Theydonotbelieveexceptthey

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Alamogordo’s
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Historic Downtown 1901-2022
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see.Theythinkthatnothing canbewhichisnot comprehensible

bytheirlittleminds.Allminds, VIRGINIA,whethertheybe men'sorchildren's,arelittle.In thisgreatuniverseofoursman isamereinsect,anant,inhis intellect,ascomparedwiththe boundlessworldabouthim,as measuredbytheintelligence capableofgraspingthewhole oftruthandknowledge.

Yes,VIRGINIA,thereisa SantaClaus.Heexistsas certainlyasloveand generosityanddevotionexist, andyouknowthattheyabound andgivetoyourlifeitshighest beautyandjoy.Alas!how drearywouldbetheworldif therewerenoSantaClaus.It wouldbeasdrearyasifthere werenoVirginia’s.There wouldbenochildlikefaith then,nopoetry,noromance,to maketolerablethisexistence. Weshouldhavenoenjoyment exceptinsenseandsight.The eternallightwithwhich childhoodfillstheworldwould beextinguished.

NotbelieveinSantaClaus! Youmightaswellnotbelieve infairies!Youmightgetyour papatohirementowatchinall thechimneysonChristmas EvetocatchSantaClaus,but eveniftheydidnotseeSanta Clauscomingdown,what wouldthatprove?Nobodysees SantaClaus,butthatisnosign thatthereisnoSantaClaus. Themostrealthingsinthe worldarethosethatneither childrennormencansee.Did youeverseefairiesdancingon thelawn?Ofcoursenot;but that'snoproofthattheyarenot there.Nobodycanconceiveor

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imagineallthewondersthere areunseenandunseeableinthe world.

Youmaytearapartthe baby'srattleandseewhat makesthenoiseinside,but thereisaveilcoveringthe unseenworldwhichnotthe strongestman,noreventhe unitedstrengthofallthe strongestmenthateverlived, couldtearapart.

Onlyfaith,fancy,poetry, love,romance,canpushaside thatcurtainandviewand picturethesupernalbeautyand glorybeyond.Isitallreal?Ah, VIRGINIA,inallthisworld thereisnothingelserealand abiding.

NoSantaClaus!Thank God!helives,andhelives forever.Athousandyearsfrom now,VIRGINIA,nay,ten timestenthousandyearsfrom now,hewillcontinuetomake gladtheheartofchildhood.

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DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE

Admiredsinceancient times,turquoiseisknown foritsdistinctcolor, whichrangesfrom powderybluetogreenish robineggblue.It’soneof fewmineralstolendits nametoanythingthat resemblesitsstriking color.

Theword“turquoise”dates backtothe13thcentury, drawingfromtheFrench expression“pierretourques”, whichreferencedthe“Turkish stone”broughttoEuropefrom Turkey.

AncientPersia(nowIran) wasthetraditionalsourcefor skyblueturquoisegemstones. Thiscolorisoftencalled

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“Persianblue”today, regardlessofitsorigin.The SinaiPeninsulainEgyptwas alsoanimportanthistorical sourceofturquoisegems.

TheU.S.isnowtheworld’s largestturquoisesupplier. Nevada,NewMexico, California,andColoradohave producedturquoise,but Arizonaleadsinproductionby value,aswellasquality.The stone’spopularityheremakes itastapleinNativeAmerican jewelry.

Turquoiseisfoundinarid regionswhererainwater dissolvescopperinthesoil, formingcolorfulnodular depositswhenitcombineswith aluminumandphosphorus. Coppercontributesbluehues, whileironandchromeadda hintofgreen.

Someturquoisecontains piecesofhostrock,called matrix,whichappearasdark

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websorpatchesinthematerial. Thiscanlowerthestone’s value,althoughtheuniform “spiderweb”patternof Southwesternturquoiseis attractive.

Turquoiseissensitiveto directsunlightandsolvents likemakeup,perfume,and naturaloils.Thehardest turquoiseonlymeasures6on theMohsscale,whichmade thissoftgemstonepopularin carvedtalismansthroughout history.

FromancientEgyptiansto Persians,AztecsandNative Americans,kingsandwarriors alikeadmiredturquoisefor thousandsofyears.Itadorned everything fromjewelryto ceremonialmaskstoweapons andbridles.

Highlyesteemedforits strikingnamesakecolorandits ancienthistory,turquoise’s popularityremainstimeless.

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Decemberwillbring favorableresultsforthe Sagittariusnatives.

Allyourworkwillbe completed,andyouwillfeel relievedandexecuteallthe taskswithdedication.Ifyou wishtogoabroad,thenput inyourbesteffortsasthere arechancesofthefulfillmentofyourwishthis month.Youmightevengo onashorttripthatwillboost yourmorale,andsome peopleyoumeetonthattrip willbecomegoodfriends withyou.

Themonthwillbefavorablefromacareerpointof view.Youwillhavetoputin extraeffortsatthebeginning ofthemonth.Youmightget achancetogoabroad.

Youwillstarttopay attentiontoyourselfandwill findwaysthatwillbenefit youandtrytogetridof obstaclesthatwillimprove yourpositioninthejob.

Youmightgetpromoted andearnmorehonorand respectintheworkplace.

Thebeginningofthe

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monthwillbeweakforthe businessmenandthere couldtherewillbechallengesinbusiness.

Youmightgetachance toworkwiththegovernment sector,whichwillgiveyou greatbenefitsandbig contacts.Thesecontacts willhelpyouinexpanding yourbusiness.

Youwillspendmoneyon yourselfandsomeimportant items,butafter16thof December,expenseswill significantlyreduceandyour financialconditionwillbe good.

Businessmenofthissign mightbenefitfromthe governmentsector,andyour businesswillprosper.The workingemployeeswillgain greatbenefitsinthesecond halfofthemonth.

Inall,thismonthwillgive yougoodresultsbefore comingtoanend.

Health-wise,youmay haveblood-related problems,injuries, surgeries,boils,pimples,or bloodpressureproblems.

Theremayalsobean eyediseaseorinsomnia. highfever,cantroubleyou throughoutthemonth.

Youmusttakecareof yourhealthfromthe beginningandconsulta doctorincaseofneed.Eat yourmealsontimeandconsumealotofliquiditems.

Youwillbecarefreein love-relatedmatters.That meansyouwillnotcare

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aboutanyotherperson besidesthepersonyoulove themostandspendallyour timeonthem.

Thedifferencesbetween youtoowilleliminate,and youwillconquernew heightsoflove.Youwillbe completelycarefree.

Showyourlovebutknow yourboundariestostay happythroughoutthe month.Thelatterhalfwillbe favorableasyourabundant loveforeachotherwill strengthentherelationship.

Ifweshedlightonfamily life,Saturnwillbepresentin itsownsigninthesecond house,duetowhichyouwill speakyourmindwithout sugar-coatingit.However, somepeoplemightget offendedbecauseofthis. Therefore,trytobepoliteto maintainapositive atmosphereinthefamily.

Yourfamilylifewillbefull ofhappiness.Youwillget thesupportoftheelder membersofthefamily,and therewillbeapositive environmentinthehouse withtheirblessings.Youwill payattentiontothehouse needsandmakean expenditureforthesame.

Anauspiciousactivity mightbefulfilled,whichwill leadtopeaceandharmony amongthefamilymembers. Thearrivalofaguestwill alsoaddtoyour enthusiasm.Thepresence ofthelordofthethirdhouse Saturninthesecondhouse willprovideyousiblings’ support.Theywillhelpyou financiallyandotherwise.

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December BirthFlower: Narcissus

Thenarcissusisthe Decemberbirthflowerand symbolizesgoodwishes, faithfulnessandrespect.The narcissuscanoftenbe confusedwiththedaffodil,the birthflowerforMarch,which isatypeofnarcissus.Although mostnarcissusflowersare springflowers,thereare severalspeciesthatbloomin thewinter,suchasthe paperwhitenarcissus— makingitappropriateasthe birthflowerforDecember.

TheDecemberbirthday flowerhasarichhistory.Asa nativeoftheMediterranean, thenarcissuswasbroughtover toAsiawhereitbecamewidely

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cultivatedinChina.From there,thenarcissusmadeits wayintoEuropeviaEuropean colonistsandeventuallymade itswayintoNorthAmerica. Today,thenarcissusismainly cultivatedinGreatBritain, Holland,andTheChannel Isles.

Thenarcissusflower’sname isderivedfromGreek mythology.Narcissuswasa younghunterwhowasfamed forhisattractiveness.Hewas soattractivethathe,himself, wasobsessedbyhisgood looks.Oneday,whenlooking athisownreflectioninapond, heleanedintotakeacloser lookonlytofallinanddrown. Therefore,thenarcissusis knownforbeingasymbolof vanityinWesternculture.

However,inothercultures andorganizationsaroundthe world,thenarcissuscarrieson differentmeanings:

AccordingtotheVictorian “LanguageofFlowers”giving someoneanarcissusmeans thattheyare“theonlyone.”

InKurdishculture,the narcissusisasymbolofthe newyear.

Similarly,inChinese culture,thenarcissus symbolizestheChineseNew Yearbecauseitisoneofthe firstflowerstobloominthe spring.Itisalsoasymbolof wealthandgoodfortuneforthe comingyear.

Asasymbolofhope,the narcissushasbecomean emblemforcancersocieties aroundtheworld.

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expensive Christmastree Howmuchwouldyouspend onornamentsforyourtree? Wellthislavish,show-stopping treehassomeofthemost exquisitedecorationswe've everseen,includinga miniatureBVLGARIhandbag, ablackdiamondbauble,a LouisVuittoncarriage,ablue diamondnutcrackerandared diamondencrustedemuegg. Inspiredbytheverdantfeathers ofapeacockandthemodernist ArtDecoera,thetreealso includesuniquemartini glasses,feathers,perfume bottlesandeven3Dprinted chocolatepeacocks.Ofcourse, itwouldn'tbeChristmas withouttradition,sothetree includessomefestivefavorites 33 Storycontinuespage35
Theworld'smost
suchasababyJesusornament andnutcrackers. ThemostexpensiveChristmas treeintheworldhasbeen unveiledattheluxuryfive-star KempinskiHotelBahiain Marbella,Spain—anditcost aneye-watering$14.6million tocomplete. thislavish,show-stoppingtree hassomeofthemostexquisite decorationswe'veeverseen, includingaminiature BVLGARIhandbag,ablack diamondbauble,aLouis Vuittoncarriage,ablue diamondnutcrackerandared diamondencrustedemuegg. Inspiredbytheverdantfeathers ofapeacockandthemodernist 35 Storycontinuesnextpage

ArtDecoera,thetreealso includesuniquemartini glasses,feathers,perfume bottlesandeven3Dprinted chocolatepeacocks.Ofcourse, itwouldn'tbeChristmas withouttradition,sothetree includessomefestivefavorites suchasababyJesusornament andnutcrackers.

Thetreewasdesignedby DebbieWingham;knownas oneofthemostexpensive designersintheworld.Her celebrityclienteleincludes KatyPerry,theKardashian family,DitaVonTeeseand AmandaHolden.

Thosewholovethefiner thingsinlifewillbepleasedto knowthatthetreeisdripping indiamonds.Ethically sourced,decorationsinclude three-caratpinkdiamonds, four-caratsapphires,ovalred diamonds,blackandwhite diamonds,andamixtureof remastered,upcycledjewelry fromthelikesofBVLGARI, Cartier,VanCleef&Arpels andChanel.

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Thoseheadingtospendthe festiveperiodinsun-soaked Marbellawillalsobeableto indulgeinthehotel'sdiamond andchampagnenighton28th December.Hostedbytheir executivechef,attendeeswill takehomeadiamondworth $2,400.

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Laughatthese andyourgoingon thenaughtylist!
What'sSantaClaus's favoritetypeofpotatochip? A.CrispPringles! WhatdoestheGingerbread Manusetomakehisbed? A.Cookiesheets! "Whydidn'tRudolphgeta goodreportcard?" A:"Becausehewentdownin History."
WhatdoyoucallSanta’s helpers? A:SubordinateClauses. Whatdoreindeersaybefore theytellajoke? A:Thiswillsleighyou
Whatwouldyoucallanelf whojusthaswonthelottery? A:Welfy Howdidtheornamentget addictedtoChristmas? A;Hewashookedontrees hiswholelife Whatdoyoucallan obnoxiousreindeer? A:RUDEolph.
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WhoisSanta'sfavorite singer? A:Elf-isPresley

WhatdoyousaytoSanta whenhe'stakingattendance atschool?

A:Present.

WhydidSantabring22 reindeertoWalmart?

A:Becausewhathewanted tobuycostaround20bucks, butjustincaseitwasmore, hebroughtsomeextradoe.

WhatdoyougetifSantagoes downthechimneywhena fireislit? A:CrispKringle.

WhatdidMrs.Claussayto SantaClauswhenshelooked upinthesky?

A:Lookslikerain,dear!

Whatdoyoucallsomeone whodoesn’tbelieveinFather Christmas?

A:ArebelwithoutaClaus.

Whatdoyoucallasnowman withasixpack? A:Anabdominalsnowman

Howdoesasnowmangetto work? A:Byicicle

PeopleactliketheNorthPole andtheSouthPoleare exactlythesame,butreally, there'sawholeworldof differencebetweenthem.

Whatdidthepeanutbutter saytothegrapeon Christmas? A."'Tistheseasontobe jelly!"

What'sasheep'sfavorite Christmassong? A."FleeceNavidad"!

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Tamalesareatreatfavoredby mostNewMexicansyearround, butareespeciallyenjoyedat theholidaytable.Making tamalesatChristmasisa traditionthathasbeen observedandpasseddownfor generations.Theyconsistofa tubeof“masa”(dough)made withdriedcornkernelscooked inlimewaterwithafillingof eitherbeef,chickenorporkand redorgreenchilies.Tamale makingstartsearlyinthe morning,andislikelytoinvolve theentirefamily.Trythisrecipe toobserveyourowntradition, ortostartanewone.

NewMexican

BeefTamales INGREDIENTS •2poundsbeef •Saltandpepper,totaste •2onions,peeledandsliced •1garlicbulb,cloves
courtesyofTylerFlorence onFoodnetwork

•Seasonthebeefshoulder alloverwithsaltand pepperthenbrownina largeheavypotover mediumheat.Once brownedonallsides,add enoughwatertocoverthe roastalongwiththe1 slicedonionandabout6 clovesofgarlic.Cookuntil themeatisforktenderand comesapartwithno resistance,about2hours. Whendone,removethe roasttoaplattertocool, reservethebeefbroth. Handshredthemeatand setaside.

•Topreparethesauce, removethetopsofthe driedchiliesandshakeout

removedandpeeled •4ouncesdriedNew Mexicochilies •2ouncesanchochiles •2ouncespasillachiles •2tablespoonscuminseed,
•1tablespoonssalt •2bagsdriedcornhusks,
•4cupsmasamix •1tablespoonbaking powder •2teaspoonssalt •4cupsreservedbeefbroth, warm •1cupvegetableshortening
toasted
about3dozen
PREPARATION
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mostoftheseeds.Placethe chiliesinalargestockpot andcoverthemwithwater. Addthecumin,remaining slicedonionandgarlic. Boilfor20minutesuntil thechilesareverysoft. Transferthechilestoa blenderusingtongsand addaladlefullofthechile water(itisbesttodothisin batches.)Pureethechiles untilsmooth.Passthe pureedchilesthrougha strainertoremovethe remainingseedsandskins. Pourthechilisauceintoa largebowlandaddsalt,stir toincorporate.Tasteto checkseasonings,addmore ifnecessary.Addthe shreddedbeeftothebowl ofchilisauce,andmix thoroughly.Refrigerate untilreadytouse.

•Gothroughthedriedcorn husks,separatethemand discardthesilk,becareful sincethehusksarefragile whendry.Soakthemina sinkfilledwithwarmwater for30minutestosoften.In adeepbowl,combinethe masa,bakingpowder,and salt.Pourthebrothintothe masaalittleatatime, workingitinwithyour fingers.Inasmallbowl, beatthevegetable shorteninguntilfluffy.Add ittothemasaandbeatuntil thedoughhasaspongy texture.

•Rinse,drain,anddrythe cornhusks.Setthemouton asheetpancoveredbya damptowelalongwiththe bowlsofmasadoughand beefinchilisauce.Start withthelargesthusks becausetheyareeasierto roll.Laythehuskflatona plateorinyourhandwith

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thesmoothsideupandthe narrowendfacingyou. Spreadathin,evenlayerof masaoverthesurfaceof thehuskwithatablespoon dippedinwater.Donotuse toomuch!Addabouta tablespoonofthemeat fillinginthecenterofthe masa.Foldthenarrowend uptothecenterthenfold bothsidestogetherto enclosethefilling.The stickymasawillforma seal.Pinchthewidetop closed.

•Standthetamalesupina largesteamerorcolander withthepinchedendup. Loadthesteamerintoa largepotfilledwith2inchesofwater.Thewater shouldnottouchthe tamales.Layadampcloth overthetamalesandcover withlid.Keepthewaterat alowboil,checking periodicallytomakesure thewaterdoesn’tboil away.Steamthetamales for2hours.

•Thetamalesaredonewhen theinsidepullsawayfrom thehusk.Thetamale shouldbesoft,firmandnot mushy.Toserve,unfoldthe huskandspoonabouta tablespoonofremaining beeffillingontop.

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Whenmakingsavory tamales,manyfamiliesput asideabitofmasatomake TamalesdeDulce,orSweet Tamales.Fillingsvaryfrom simplesugartopineapple, raisins,driedfruitsor jams.Tamalesareafood madeforcelebrationanda specialholidaytreat.Some dyetheirsweettamales withadashoffood coloring.Regardlessof yourfamily’sowntwist, tamalesarealaboroflove. TamalesdeDulce INGREDIENTS •Bananaleaves •1/2cuprum •1/2cupdarkraisins •1/2cupwhiteraisins courtesyofiammexico.

•11/2sticksunsaltedbutter, melted

PREPARATION

•Defrostthebananaleaves overnightintherefrigerator iffrozen,andcutoffany hardsectionsorsections withholes.Cuttheleaves intounbroken12-inch pieces.Iftheleavesare pliable,proceedwith recipe.Ifnot,steamthe bananaleavesinthetopof adoubleboileruntilsoft andpliable,20to30 minutes.Setasideuntil readytoassemblethe tamales.

•Inasmallsaucepan,gently heattherum.Placethe raisinsinasmallbowland coverwiththewarmrum. Lettheraisinssoakand absorbtherumwhileyou preparethemasafilling.

•Inthebowlofanelectric mixerbeatthevegetable shorteninguntilverylight, about1minute.Addthe sugarandhalfofthemasa, andbeatuntilcombined.

•2/3cupvegetable shortening •2/3cupsugar •2cupsmasaharina •1cupwholemilk •1cupcoconutmilk •1teaspoonbakingpowder •1teaspoonsalt •1teaspoonground cinnamon
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Mixthemilkandcoconut milkandaddalternately withtheremainingmasain severalbatchestothe mixtureuntilmixtureisthe consistencyofmediumthickcakebatter.Add bakingpowder,saltand cinnamon,andbeatfor30 seconds.Addthemelted butterandbeatto incorporate,beingcareful nottoovermix.

•Spoonabout3tablespoons ofthemasabatterintothe centerofabananaleaf. Placeabout2teaspoonsof plumpedraisinsinthe center.Fold1sideoverthe batter,thentheotherto enclosethefilling.Bring thebottomandthetopover thefillingtocreateasmall package.Tiethetamale withapieceofstring,and repeatwiththeremaining masabatterandfilling.

•Lineasteamerinsertwitha layerofunusedbanana leaves.Laythetamalesin thelinedsteamer,and steamoversimmering wateruntilthetamalesare cookedthroughandrelease easilyfromthebananaleaf wrappers,about1to11/2 hours.

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courtesyofmexicoinmykitchen.com

PoncheNavideñoisahotpunch thatisserved(withorwithout alcohol)duringtheholiday season..It’softenleft simmeringonthestovetopto releaseit’sfragrantblendof cinnamon,applesandsugar, offeringthewarmestof wel=comes,especiallyona chillyDecembernight.Traditionalingredientsarecinnamon,rawsugarcane,sugar canesticksandseasonalfruits suchasguavas,apples,pears andoranges.Someaddchamomileandotherspecialfamily touches–therumisuptoyou! PoncheNavideño–

INGREDIENTS
ChristmasPunch
•4quartsofwater1gallon •1largepiloncillocone(or 12oz.ofbrownsugar)

•Placewaterinalarge stockpot.

•Addthepiloncillo(or brownsugar)and cinnamontocookforabout 15minutes.Ifyouare usingfreshTejocotes,add themwiththepiloncillo andcinnamon,sincethey takelongertosoften. PoncheNavideno

•Addthechoppedguavas, apples,andprunesalong withtherestofthe ingredientslikethesugar canesticks,tamarindpods orhibiscusflowers.Ifyou areusingthecanned versionofthetejocotes, thenaddtheminthisstep.

•Simmerforabout1hour. Servehotinmugs,ladling insomeofthefruitand addingrumtoyourliking.

•3cinnamonsticks •1lbTejocotes
•1cuppearchopped •½cupraisins
•1½Lb.guavasabout12 guavas •3/4cuppruneschopped •1½cupappleschopped
•3sugarcanesticks,about 5-in.longcutintofour pieceseach •1cupofTamarindpods peeled(or1cupof HibiscusFlowers) •Rumtotaste PREPARATION
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Thisthickanddeliciousdrink isservedhotastheperfect accompanimenttoapieceof sweetbread,oraspicy tamal.Typicallyitwillinclude masa,canesugar,cinnamon, vanillaandeitherchocolate orfruit.Therearemany, manyregionalvariations. AtoleDulceRecipe INGREDIENTS •4quartsofwater1gallon •1largepiloncillocone(or 12oz.ofbrownsugar) •3cinnamonsticks •1lbTejocotes •1½Lb.guavasabout12 guavas •3/4cuppruneschopped •1½cupappleschopped courtesyof theothersideofthetortilla.com

•1cuppearchopped

•½cupraisins

•3sugarcanesticks,about 5-in.longcutintofour pieceseach

•1cupofTamarindpods peeled(or1cupof HibiscusFlowers)

•Rumtotaste

PREPARATION

•Placewaterinalarge stockpot.

•Addthepiloncillo(or brownsugar)andcinnamon tocookforabout15 minutes.Ifyouareusing freshTejocotes,addthem withthepiloncilloand cinnamon,sincetheytake longertosoften.Ponche Navideno

•Addthechoppedguavas, apples,andprunesalong withtherestofthe ingredientslikethesugar canesticks,tamarindpods orhibiscusflowers.Ifyou areusingthecanned versionofthetejocotes, thenaddtheminthisstep.

•Simmerforabout1hour. Servehotinmugs,ladling insomeofthefruitand addingrumtoyourliking.

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”JUNIOR”

AllmylifeI’vebeen runningaway,I’mtiredofit... I’mgonnabecomfortablewith thename“Junior”fromnow on.......heyI’mgonnabeout there...

I’vealwaysintroduced myselfasJ.R.Didn’treally caretobecalledJunior.Why? I’mnotsure,Iwasjust uncomfortablewithit.Junior wasanameforkids,and,Iwas shortformyage,whichdidn’t helpmyselfimageofayoung blondheaded,dashingand daringClarkGablelookalike withoutthemustache.

Yes,I’vetoldmyreader friendsbefore,doesn’tseem likemymomanddadputa wholelottathoughtinto namingme.......Ihadtwoolder sisters,withnormalnames, PatsyandOleta.AfterIwas bornthreebrothersandanother sistercamealong,allgot normalnames,Donald,

Anoriginalshortstoryby JuniorThurmanofArtesia
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Michael,Joseph,Teresa. OnlyIwasbrandedwithwhatI consideredanabnormalname.

That’sright,Iwasnamed” Junior,”myfirstname,then, again,stillnotputtinawhole lottathoughtintoit,“Abe,” waschosenformymiddle name.(AftermyGrandpa). NopeI’mnotnamedaftermy dad.It’s”Junior”onmybirth certificate.......

problemsIhadwithteachers
days,kidsweresurprises,no oneknewwhetheritwouldbe aboyoragirl.Nosonograms
moneyforfoodandshelter,the
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Youwouldn’tbelievethe
beginningingradeschool.... “Listenson,thename Juniormeansyou’renamed afteryourdad,now,what’s yourrealfirstname!Quickly, I’mlosingmypatiencehere!” Tobefair,backinthose
backthen,atleastnotforpoor folks.Timeswerehard,dad justbarelymadeenough
countrywasatwarwith Germany,thebattleof

Normandy,notagoodtimeto beborn,itbeingpostwarand postdepressiondays.Toysand Candy,alongwithjobswerein shortsupply.Worrieswere plentiful.Thinkinofnames fornewkidscominalongjust wasn’tabigpriority,atleast, apparentlynotinmycase.

Obviously,ifyou’vedone themath,inthebeginning,I wasn’tthereyetonthat” cloudy,stormyday”(just guessing),Junethe19th,1944, but,I’dguessitwentsomethin likethis......

“Ohmygosh,bettergosee ifthecarwillstart,it’stime!”

Momannounced.

“Haveyouthoughtofany namesyet?”Dadasked, weavingthrutrafficinour1935 Packard......”Howabout WillaBelleifit’sagirl,I’ve alwayslikedthatname, remindsmeof.....”

“JUSTSHUTUPanddrive, faster!”Momyelled.

Realistically,dadwasn’t againsttakinafewshotsof whiskeyforspecialoccasions, orevenahalfafifthiftime permitted,whichwouldgive himagoodreasonforhislack ofthoughtinnamingme,but momwasadifferentstory altogether,shenevertooka drinkofliquor,andwasn’t planningonstarting.

I’mthinkin,perhapsshe washalfasleep,andagreedto thechristeningofmebyan inebriateddad........shefaintly heardDad’sfirstchoice, “WillaBelle”andmercifully turneditdownbeforesleepily agreeingto“Junior.”Hey,just guessinghere.

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But,what’sdoneisdone. ThroughtheyearsIthought aboutchangingmyname,but, sadlyallthegoodnameswere taken..........JohnWayne,Roy Rogers,GeneAutry,Randolph Scott,RoryCalhoun,George ArmstrongCuster,........Slim Pickens,ClemKadiddlehopper, hajustkiddin,but,Istuckwith Junior.Thatwhatallmysibs andtherestofmy acquaintancescalled me......wellmostofemanyway. ....

Yes,after75years,I’ve finallycometotermswith it........callme“Junior”or whatever,aslongasyoucall mefordinnerandmynaptime.

........

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TheAlamogordoNews andAlamogordo News-Advertiser

In1895,ayoungboy namedCarrollWoods accompaniedrailroad developerCharlesB.Eddyto AlamoSpring,inAlamo Canyon,NewMexico.In Woods'srecollectionofthe trip,hewrote,"Wefounda beautifulpoolofwater,eight feetindiameterandpossibly fourorfivefeetdeepandthree hugecottonwoods,whose branchesspreadshadeovera spaceofabout150feetinthe formofatriangle."

Aboardnailedtooneofthe treessaid,"Ojode Alamogordo,"bigcottonwood spring.Eddypurchasedthe springfromrancherOliverM. Leetofurnishwaterforthe railroadtownheandhis brother,JohnArthurEddy, wereplanningtobuild.The townsiteitselfwaspurchased andlaidoutin1898.

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Alamogordoderivedextensive revenuefromtherailroad,and asaresultitflourishedsooner thanneighboringCarrizozo. Alamogordoluredmany journalists,andbetween1900 and1912fourweekliesanda dailytabloidbattledeachother.

TheAlamogordoNews originatedinJune1899, succeedingtheSacramento Chief.Republicaninits politics,theNewswas publishedeveryThursdayin English.EdwardN.Buck,the editor,printedthepaperatthe AlamogordoPrinting Company.

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Itsweeklymotto,"Anewspaperrepresentingtheprogressiveinterestsofthenew southwest,"appearedbelow themasthead.Anannual subscriptiontotheAlamogordo Newscost$1.50andasixmonthsubscription$1.A single-columnone-inchadcost $2permonthwhileadouble columnone-inchad$3.

EDITOR’SNOTE

$3.00in1898hadthe purchasingpowerof$107; runningadoublecolumn1 inchadonceaweekwould cost$5,564yearly…wink, wink…makesadvertisingwith theAlamodosoMagazinea realadvertisingbargain

OnDecember7,1912,the AlamogordoNewsmerged withtheOteroCounty Advertisertoformthe AlamogordoNews-Advertiser publishedbyCharlesDowns. TheAlamogordoNewswas alsoknownastheAlamogordo DailyNewsandAlamogordo WeeklyNews.

Awiderangeoflocal, territorial,nationaland internationalnewsappearedin thepapers.Onearticleinthe NewsdatedJanuary3,1900, toutedthelocalclimateas"A remedialagentinthetreatment andcureofconsumption."It pointedtothelowdeathrate fortuberculosisvictimsinNew Mexico,whichlaterledtoa proposalfortheconstructionof alargesanitariumin Alamogordo.

TheAlamogordoNewsalso coveredthe1899trialofOliver LeeandJimB.Gillilandinthe murderofCol.AlbertJennings Fountainandhis9-yearold son.WitnessesincludedGov.

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WilliamTaylorThornton, AntonioGarcia-Fountain's father-in-law,andAlbert FountainJr,aswellasa numberofnotedlawmen.

OnMarch4,1905,W.S. Shepard,managerofthe AlamogordoNews,wrotean articlecomplainingabout "ThatGagLibelLaw,"which hethoughtwasanattemptto muzzlethepressandshield guiltyofficials.

TheNewsreportedon March15,1912,onthe upcomingschoolelectionsin Alamogordo,notingthat womeninNewMexicowere nowallowedtovote.Thepaper commentedthatdependingon thelevelofparticipationof womenvoters,awomanmight evenbeelectedtotheofficeof schooldirector.

After1912,theAlamogordo News-Advertisercontinued thistraditionofbroadnews coverage.Storiesincludeda localordinanceconcerning vagrancy,Congressionalefforts torestrictliquorshipmentsin "dry"regions,andcriticismsof PresidentWoodrowWilsonfor hisreluctancetodivulge informationtothepress(his "mouthandtongueseemtobe heldtogetherbyapadlock.")

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WhiteSands NationalPark History

Althoughthedunefield hasbeenherefor7,00010,000years,theduneshave notalwaysbeenprotectedas anationalmonument.Ittook thirty-fiveyearsand numerousattemptstoprotect thisnationaltreasure.Inthe earlytwentiethcentury, multiplecommercialinterests attemptedtominethese gypsumdunes;however, noneoftheseattemptswere successfulduetothelow marketvalueofunprocessed gypsumsand.Inthe1920's, localsbegantounderstand theuniquenessofthedunes andviewedthedunefieldas profitableinanotherway.

TheWhiteSandsdunefieldfits thedescriptionofwhatthe NationalParkServicesought

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inprospectivesites:"economic worthlessnessand monumentalism."Theareahad alreadysparkedscientific interestwiththefirstpublished researchoccurringinscientific journalsin1870.

However,theformationof WhiteSandsNational Monumenttooktimeand supportfrommanypeople.

Themostfamoussupporter andlocal"father"ofWhite SandswasTomCharles,an Alamogordoresidentand businessman.Mr.Charleswas notthefirsttosuggest includingWhiteSandsinthe NationalParksystem;however,heenthusiastically supportedtheideaandwroteto NationalParkServiceofficials andcongressmen.

Mr.Charlesgothiswishin 1933,duringthelastdaysof PresidentHerbertHoover's administration,Hoover declaredWhiteSandsa nationalmonumentunderthe AntiquitiesActof1906.

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WhiteSand’s1st Superintedent JohnwillFaris

PresidentialProclamationNo 2025(47Stat.2551) establishedthemonumentand setaside142,987acresforits "additionalfeaturesofscenic, scientific,andeducational interest."

In1907,J.R.MilnerandBill Fetzconstructedaplasterof Parisbatchingplantalongthe southernedgeofthedunes.

EvenbeforeWhiteSands wasdeclaredanational monument,theareawasa popularpicnickinglocation.It wasnosurprisewhenthere wereover4,000peoplein attendanceattheopeningday ceremonyonApril29,1934.

Visitationcontinuedto increase,withanestimated 34,000peoplevisitinginthe firstyear.ItwasclearWhite Sandsneededfacilitiesto accommodatevisitors'requests forrestrooms,water,and informationonthehistoryand formationofthedunes.

Plansfortheconstructionof avisitorcenterwithamuseum, restrooms,residencesforpark staff,anadministration building,andmaintenance shedbeganin1935.Funding andlaborfortheconstruction

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VintageVWBusMobilePhotoBooth 575-437-6611 73
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camefromthelargestagency ofPresidentRoosevelt'sNew Deal,theWorksProgress Administration(WPA).These facilities,whicharestillinuse today,werecompletedin1938.

Beginningin1942,only monthsaftertheattackonPearl Harbor,PresidentRoosevelt signedExecutiveOrder#9029, whichcreatedthe1,243,000 acreAlamogordoBombingand GunneryRange.

Followingtheorder, soldierswereevenallowedto practicetankmaneuversinside themonument'sboundary.By 1945themilitaryhadbegunto testmissilesandaskforthe firstparkclosures,apractice thatcontinuestoday.The AlamogordoBombingand GunneryRange(Alamagordo ArmyAirBase)closedatthe endofWorldWarIIandreopenedin1958asHolloman AirForceBase.

TheWhiteSandsProving Groundwasestablishedin 1945andwaslaterrenamed WhiteSandsMissileRange. Bothmilitaryareasstilloperate aroundtheparkboundariesand inthecooperativeuseareain thewesternpartofthepark. Thiscooperationmutually benefitsboththemilitaryby providingthemadditional spaceandtheparkbyinsuring thelackofdevelopmentonthe surroundinglands.

OnFriday,December20, 2019,PresidentDonaldJ. Trumpsignedintolawthe NationalDefenseAuthorization ActforFiscalYear2020, whichincludesaprovisionthat re-designatesWhiteSands NationalMonumentasWhite SandsNationalPark,makingit the62nddesignatednational

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parkintheNationalPark System.ThePark’sredesignationrecognizesthe addedsignificanceofthepark foritsnaturalandcultural resources.Inadditionto containingtheworld’slargest gypsumdunefield,including gypsumhearthmoundsfound nowhereelseonearth,thepark ishometotheglobe’slargest collectionofIce-Agefossilized footprintsandtellsmorethan 20,000yearsofhuman presence,allwhileproviding memorablerecreational opportunities.

Throughoutthepark's historytheNationalPark Servicehasimprovedvisitor accesstothedunefield,and continuestostriveforthis today.Thehistoricvisitor centerisstillinuse;however, themuseumhasbeenupdated numeroustimes.

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FrankandHazel

Ridinger’sWhiteSands Motelandfullservicegas stationwasthefirst establishedtouriststructure tocapitalizeonthe attractionoftheGreatWhite Sandsinthe1920s.

TheWhiteSandsMotel compoundwasasmall mercantilestorewithtwo Conocogasolinepumps locatedbythefront entrance,indicativeofa drive-inservicestation,with eightcottageroomsserving asmotelaccommodations.

Unfortunatelyforthe Ridingers’,theestablishmentofthemonument exacerbatedcompeting interestsforthetourists visitingthedunes,andby 1950theWhiteSandsMotel wasclosedforbusiness.

AWEEBITOFHISTORY

Aswithmuchofthe developmentoftheAmerican West,theTularosabasinfirst gainedeconomicviabilitywith constructionin1855ofFort Stanton.Themilitaryoutpost abovethepresent-daymountain communityofRuidosowasa remindertotheMescalero Apachesoftheinterestthat Americanshadintheresources oftheWest,thoughlimited fundingpriortotheCivilWar keptsettlementsfromappearing inthebasin.TheArmydidbuild severalserviceroadswestwardto theRioGrandecorridor,oneof whichheadedsouthofWhite SandsthroughSanAgustinPass intheOrganMountains.Thenin 1861agroupofHispanic familiesjourneyedeastward acrossthebasintoestablishthe farmingcommunityofTularosa, whichwasjoinedtwoyearslater bymoreHispanicfamiliesatthe villageofLaLuz,northeastof present-dayAlamogordo.Itwas thesecommunitiesthatfirst utilizedthegypsumresourcesof WhiteSands,asvillagersapplied moistenedsandtothewallsof theiradobehomestodeflectthe raysofthesummersun,andto givethebuildingsadistinctive whiteappearancefromadistance

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AcomaPueblo

AcomaPuebloisregarded astheoldestcontinuously inhabitedcommunityinthe UnitedStates.Accesstothe puebloisdifficultasthefaces ofthemesaaresheer.Before moderntimesaccesswas gainedonlybymeansofa hand-cutstaircasecarvedinto thesandstone.

Thereareseveralinterpretationsoforiginofthename "Acoma".Somebelievethat thenameAcomacomesfrom theKeresanwordsforthe PeopleoftheWhiteRock,with aa'kumeaningwhiterock,and mehmeaningpeople.Others believethatthewordaa'ku actuallycomesfromtheword haakumeaningtoprepare;a descriptionthatwould accuratelyreflectthedefensive positionofthemesa's inhabitants.

Theword“Haak’u”isKeresan, theancestralAcomalanguage. It’susuallytranslatedas“a placeprepared.”Theideaof Haak'uplaysanimportantrole intheAcomaoriginstory.

Today,fewerthan50tribal membersliveyear-roundinthe

earthenhomesofSkyCity. Thoselivinginthecommunity tendtothemassiveSan EstévandelReyMission, completedin1640.Boththe missionandpueblohavebeen designatedasaRegistered NationalHistoricalLandmarks. Nearly3,000additionaltribal membersliveinthenearby villagesofAcomita,McCarty’s andAnzac.

Theword“Haak’u”is Keresan,theancestralAcoma language.It’susuallytranslated as“aplaceprepared.”Theidea ofHaak'uplaysanimportant roleintheAcomaoriginstory.

Whenthefirstpeople appearedinamysteriousplace fartothenorth,EarthMother toldthemtomigratesouthand nottostopuntiltheyfound Haak’u,thespecialplacethat hadbeenpreparedforthem. Shesaidtheywouldknow whentheyfoundit.

AstheAcomawandered throughstrangeandoften dangerousterritories,they repeatedlycalledout “Haak’u?”Theirshoutswere metwithsilenceuntiltheday theyenteredthisbeautiful

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wonderlandofmesas.Anelder criedout,“Haak’u?”Hisvoice echoedoffabutte,"Haak'u!" Thelandhadanswered.They werehome.

Theylivedpeacefullyinthe valleyforcenturies,but everythingchangedin1540. That’swhentheSpaniards showedup.Theywere searchingforthe“SevenCities ofGold”.AstheSpaniards cameacrossthevalley,they sawthesunglintingoffthe windowsuphere.They thoughtthey’dhitthejackpot. Whentheyfiguredoutthere wasn’tgold,theyleft. Unfortunatelytheycameback.

In1599theSpaniards returnedandthingstooka catastrophicturn.Conquistador JuandeOnate,whoblamedthe Acomaforthedeathofhis nephew,orderedhismento attackthevillage.The Spaniardshadhorses,armor, swordsandcannons.The

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Acomahadbowsandarrows, clubsandrocks.

Duringtheonslaught,which ragedforthreedays,hundreds ofAcomamen,womenand childrenwereslaughteredand thevillageatopthemesawas destroyed.Manyofthe survivorsweresenttoMexico asslaves.Thosewhoremained inthevalleyhadtoadaptto beingSpanishsubjects.

TheAcomarebuiltthe villageunderthewatchfuleye oftheirnewoverlords.The buildingsweseetodaydate fromthattimeasdoestheSan EstebandelReyMission.The church,begunin1629,was completedafter11yearsof hardlaborand168Acoma deaths.

TheSpaniardsforcedthe AcomatoacceptCatholicism. AsteadyparadeofSpanish priestsmadetheirwayupthe treacherousstairstothevillage wheretheyworkedtirelesslyto makesurenoneoftheAcoma revertedtotheiroldways. Someofthepadreswere patientandkind;mostwere not.Afewweresobrutalthe Acomagavethem“flying lessons”offthemesatop.

Incredibly,throughallthe violenceandculturalupheaval, theAcomamanagedtokeep theirlanguage,religion, traditionalbeliefs,rituals, songsandstoriesalive.

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AcomaPottery

Perchedatopa365-foot mesainthehighdesertofNew Mexico,thePuebloofAcoma istheoldestcontinuously inhabitedcommunityinthe UnitedStates.Overthousands ofyears,tribaltraditionshave passeddownthrough generationsofAcomafamilies. Oneofthemostdistinctiveof thesetraditionsistheancient styleofAcomapottery,which wasonceonthebrinkofbeing losttothechangesofmodern times.

Attheturnofthe20th century,potterymakingamong Acomawomenwaswaningas handmadeclayvesselsand othertraditionalwareswere replacedwithmodern conveniences.Fortunately,a groupofwomenbornduring thattimetookuptheoldways outofpurepassionfortheart andproducedbrilliantpottery thatwouldnotonlyestablish thepuebloasanartmecca,but

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alsocontinuethelineof ancestralknowledge.The womenknownastheFour Matriarchs–MarieZ.Chino, LucyLewis,JessieGarciaand JuanaLeno–arecreditedwith revivingtheartistictradition andbringinggreatacclaimto Acomapottery.

TheFourMatriarchstaught theirdaughtersand granddaughterstodigforclay andshardsofancientpotteryin theremoteareasofAcoma. Theyshowedthemhowto cleantheclay,thetimeintensiveshapingandcarving processes,andtheincredibly precisegeometricpainting style.Allofthesestepsare closelytiedtonature;the brushesaremadefromyucca plants,thedyesareproduced fromvegetablesandground rocks,andthefiringisdone outdoorsinaclaybeehive-like kiln,whichisfueledbycow manureandsetablaze.

Apieceofpotterycantake 60-80hourstocreatebefore firing.

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BENEFITSOF DRINKINGBUTTERFLY PEATEA

CourtesyofRosemary’s

ButterflyPeaFlower,or Clitoriaternateabyits scientificname,isaplantmost commonlygrowninSouth EastAsia.Traditionalancient communitieshaveusedthis plantforcenturiesasateafor itsstrongantioxidantsand healthbenefits,aswellas topicallyforitsbeautifying andhealingproperties.

Traditionally,theButterfly Peaflowerissaidtoberuled bytheplanetVenusand connectedtotheelementof water,whichgivesitthe attributesoflove,emotion, serenity,andprotection.In India,thisflowerisnamed afterHindugoddess,Aparajita, meaningonewhocannotbe conqueredordefeated.Itisis commonlyofferedduringPuja rituals,whicharedailyrituals ofceremonialworship,that usuallyincludesabrief offeringtoagod.InThailand, thisdrinkiscalledAnchantea.

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Thaifolkloretellsusthata womannamedIsrawastaken onanadventurebyahalf womanhalfbirdcreature, calledakinnari.Thekinnari showedhertheseflowersand instructedhertogrowthem andusethemforhealing.Itis alsocommontousethe ButterflyPeaflowerinThai andMalaysiancuisinetobring thebluecolortodisheslike dessertsandstickyrice.This flowerisrichinhistoryand myth,buthasgained worldwidepopularitymainly foritscolorchanging properties.

ButterflyPeaflowersare extremelyrichinantioxidant compounds,calledternatins. Aswellasbeingthereasonfor thebrightcolor,ternatinshave alsobeenshowntoalleviate inflammationandprevent cancercellgrowth.Itisalso richinotherhealing antioxidants,including kaempferol,knownforfighting cancer-cells,p-coumarinacid, knowforbeinganti inflammatory,antimicrobial, andantiviral,andDelphinidin3,5-glucoside,knowntoboost immunefunctionandfight cancercells.Thepresenceof theseantioxidantsleadsto manyhealthbenefits.

ButterflyPeaflowerhas alsobeenshowntobe excellentatstabilizingblood sugarlevelsthroughitsability toinhibitglucoseintake.

Ontopofthepowerful cyclotides,theflowerisalso anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,andstimulatesblood flowthroughoutthebody, whichcanhelptorelievethe symptomsexperiencedwhen sufferingfromaharmful disease

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Foundedin2013asthefirst rughookingcooperativein Guatemala,Multicoloresisa groupofoverfortywomen artisansscatteredacrossfive communitiesinthehighlands ofGuatemala.

AsMayasthewomenvalue theirtextileheritageandlook uponrughookingasan evolutionoftheirtextile repertoireandawayofkeeping theirrichculturalhistoryalive.

Thehookedrugshavetheir originsintheSemanaSanta (Easterweek)rugswhichhave beenadorningthestreetsof Guatemalaforhundredsof years.Asanalternativeto coloredsawdust,fruit, vegetablesandflowers,the hookedrugsareinnovativein theiruseof100%recycled materialstomaketherugs. Thisisgoodfortheenvir-

onmentandaninexpensive localsourceofhooking material.

Theartiststaketheirdesign inspirationfromthetraditional blouses(huipils),skirts(cortes) andbelts(fajas)wornbyMaya women.

JoiningMulticoloreshas broughtmanypositivechanges tothewomen’slives.Through rugsalestheyhavebeenable toearnaregularincome,which helpsthemtosupporttheir families,improvetheirhomes, andsendtheirchildrento school.

FewMayawomentravel beyondtheirvillages,being partofMulticoloreshas openedupnewhorizons, providingopportunitiesto buildcross-culturalfriendships andsharetheircraftwiththe world.

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DISCOVERTHESACRAMENTOS Cloudcroft*Mayhill*HighRollsSunspot*Timberon*Pinion

SacramentoCampand ConferenceCenterhasa richhistory.In1931,The NewMexicoConferenceof TheUnitedMethodist Churchaccepted229acres oflandintheSacramento Mountainstoserveasan "assembly"locationfor youth...andSacramento MethodistAssemblywas born.

Located30miles southeastofCloudcroft, NewMexico,Sacramentois nestledinthebeautiful LincolnNationalForest.The landisapartofthe homesteadclaimofAndre McDonald,filedJuly1890, andpurchasedbyRoy Calkinsin1928.

Therewassomuch

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waterunderneaththe surfaceofthecampusarea thatitwasnotsuitablefor farming.

Mr.Calkinssoldthe Assemblypartoftheholding totheChamberof Commerceofthecitiesof SoutheasternNewMexico, whointurnofferedtheland totheNewMexico

Conference.Lotsweresold for$25tovariouschurches withinTheNewMexico Conference,andbuildings wereconstructed.Theidea ofchurchesbuildingcabins andowningthemwasin timeabandonedandallthe churcheswererequestedto turntheirpropertyoverto theassembly.

Inthebeginning, gasolinelanternswereused forlighting.Thenin1935,an electricgenerator,which hadbeenusedinthe CarlsbadCavernswas installed.Itrequiredaman ondutyconstantlyeach nighttokeepitrunning,and

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thelightswouldgooutat frequentintervals.

In1949,aroadwasbuilt upthecanyonandontopof themountaininpreparation forawaterstoragetank. Duringthewinterof1950, thefirstrestroomswere built.From1952to1954, thewatertankwasfinally erectedandwaterlinewas laidtoservicethecampwith freshwater.

InMay,1951,firebroke outinHayCanyonand burnedover50,000acres, butsparingthecamp.Fire alsobrokeoutin1956, startedbyalightningstorm 5mileswestofthecamp, butstoppingonthehill behindthechapel.

Another,morerecent andmoredevastatingfire wasthatofApril,1974.Asa resultofmans' carelessnessseveralmiles westofSacramento,high windsbroughtflamestothe westsideofcampwhere theyjumpedtotheeastside andcontinuedtheir destructivepathtoward Weed,NM,againsparing thecamp.

Themostrecentfirewas thatofSpring2000,where onceagain,thecampwas sparedfromfire,but suffereddestruction afterwardfrommudslides asaresultofthelossof vegetationandabove averagesummerrains.

Onaverage,Sacramento nowwelcomestothe mountainabout9,000 peopleperyearand60,000 mealsareservedannually.

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Locatedjustdownthe roadfromWeedisthe smallcommunityofPiñon.

ThePiñonStoreisan oldgeneralstorewith groceries,convenience foods,plumb-ingsupplies, livestockandpetfeed, horseshoes,fuel...youget thepicture.

Theyalsohavelocal craftsfromarearesidents includinghandmadeknives andjewelry.

Thestoreisalsoa tributetothehardworking folksofthisareapastand present.

Thewallsaredecorated withlargephotoswithsome oftheareasnotable residentsandthecattleand sheepbrandsofcurrent andpastranchers.

Stopbyifneed somethingorjustfora goodcupofcoffeeanda visit.

OpenM-F7:30to5:30, Saturday8-4andclosedon Sunday.575.687.4000

ShortlyaftertheElPaso& NortheasternRailwayextended intotheSacramentoMountains fortimber,itwasquickly determinedthattheregionhad potentialasareprievefromthe summerheatinElPasoaswell asasourceoffantasticscenery.

Seeingitasaprofitable businessventure,brothers CharlesandJohnEddydecided toestablishthe"Cloudcroft Resort"asanextensionoftheir growingtrainbusiness.

Aspartofthefirstbuildings builtinCloudcroft,alongwith thePavilion,TheLodgewas thecornerstoneofthenew retreat,providinglodgingfor guestscomingupforthewinter

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of1899.

Picturedontheprevious pageiswhatislikelythefirst everadforTheLodgeandthe CloudcroftRetreatthatranin theElPasoTimes,May14, 1899

WorldWarIIgreatly affectedthehotelindustry,and certainlyaffectedTheLodge.

Withgasolinerationing beingimplementedin1942, lesspeoplewereinclinedto travelbyautomobileortrain.

ItwasatthistimethatThe LodgewassoldtoM.R. Pestridge.Hewasdetermined todrumupinteresttoThe Lodgethroughvarious projects.

Thefirstwasforthe remodelingofthelobby,dining roomandcardroomwhichis nowpartofSeasonsBoutique

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Overseeingtheserenovations waslocalfamousartist, EequipulaRomerodeRomero.

Romerowhowaswell knownforbillboardpaintings inthe1930swasableto dedicatehimselftofineartin dueparttotheFederalArt ProjectenactedbyFranklinD Rooseveltin1935aspartofhis NewDealProgram.

Betweenhisbillboard paintingsandhisadvertising company,Romerobecame locallyfamous.

Hispainting,TheBlack Shaw,featuredonthefront coverofNewMexico Magazineforsixmonthsin 1934,helpedestablishRomero asanestablishedartist.

In1943,Romerowas approachedbyLodgeowner Pestridgewhohelpedwiththe renovationsofTheLodge Lobbyandtwenty-threeyears tooverseetheconstructionof TheRedDogSaloonbar,back barandtablesthatasstillin usetoday..

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Startinginearly1942, gasolinewasdeemeda preciouscommodityand,due toitslimitedsupply,was neededtofuelourplanes, tanks,Jeeps,andboatsforthe wareffort.

Still,Americansneededfuel fortheircarsinordertogetto work,soasystemwas developedandimplementedto regulatethepurchaseof gasoline.Carownerswere issuedaGasolineRation Card—liketheoneshown here—thathadOneUnittabs onthebottomthatwere punchedwhenused.Along withthecard,awindshield stickerwithaspecificletter wasissued.Themostpopular

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wasan“A”card/stickerthat allowedthecarownerto purchaseabout4gallonsofgas eachweek.Ifyouwere employedinafactorythat supportedthewareffort,you wereissueda“B”card,while doctors,nurses,farmand constructionworkers,andmail employeeswereissueda“C” card,eachofwhichallowed themtobuyupto8gallonsof gasperweek.

Therewereotherspecific cards,too,suchasan“X”card formembersofCongress,“E” foremergencyvehicles,“R” fornon-highwayfarmvehicles, and“T”fortruckers.

TheNewDealwasa seriesofprograms,public workprojects,financial reforms,andregulations enactedbyPresident FranklinD.Rooseveltin theUnitedStatesbetween 1933and1939.

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Majorfederalprograms agenciesincludedtheCivilian ConservationCorps(CCC),the WorksProgressAdministration (WPA),theCivilWorks Administration(CWA),the FarmSecurityAdministration (FSA),theNationalIndustrial RecoveryActof1933(NIRA) andtheSocialSecurity Administration(SSA).

Theyprovidedsupportfor farmers,theunemployed, youth,andtheelderly.The NewDealincludednew constraintsandsafeguardson thebankingindustryandeffortstore-inflatetheeconomy afterpriceshadfallensharply.

NewDealprograms includedbothlawspassedby Congressaswellas presidentialexecutiveorders duringthefirsttermofthe presidencyofFranklinD. Roosevelt.

Theprogramsfocusedon whathistoriansrefertoasthe "3R's":reliefforthe unemployedandforthepoor, recoveryoftheeconomyback tonormallevels,andreformof thefinancialsystemtoprevent arepeatdepression.

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HAVEYOUSEENA CONTRONYM? Acontronymisan interestingcategoryof wordsandphrasesthat, dependingoncontext, canhaveoppositeor contradictorymeanings. •Apology:Astatementof contritionforanaction,ora defenseofone •Aught:All,ornothing •Bill:Apayment,oran invoiceforpayment •Bolt:Tosecure,ortoflee •Bound:Headingtoa destination,orrestrained frommovement •Buckle:Toconnect,orto breakorcollapse •Cleave:Toadhere,orto separate •Clip:Tofasten,ordetach 118

•Enjoin:Toimpose,orto prohibit

•Fine:Excellent,oracceptable orgoodenough

•Finished:Completed,or endedordestroyed

•Fix:Torepair,ortocastrate

•Garnish:Tofurnish,aswith foodpreparation,ortotake away,aswithwages

•Go:Toproceedorsucceed,or toweakenorfail

•Grade:Adegreeofslope,ora horizontallineorposition

•Left:Remained,ordeparted

•Let:Allowed,orhindered

•Mean:Averageorstingy,or excellent

•.Dust:Toaddfineparticles,or toremovethem
•Firstdegree:Mostseverein thecaseofamurdercharge,or leastsevereinreferencetoa burn
•.Flog:Topromote persistently,ortocriticizeor beat
•Handicap:Anadvantage providedtoensureequality,or adisadvantagethatprevents equalachievement
•Help:Toassist,ortoprevent or(innegativeconstructions) restrain
•Holdup:Tosupport,orto impede
•Lease:Toofferpropertyfor rent,ortoholdsuchproperty
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Circa1901photoofthe arrivaloftheCloudcroft passengertrain.Notethe LodgeTransferWagonto theleftofthephoto Onthewayupto Cloudcroft1902 TheLodgeMainLobby 1899
EarlypictureoftheWeed school,whichwas establishedin1885Itwas closedin1991.The studentsweretransferred totheCloudcroftdistrict. Youneverknowwhen Rebecca,TheCloudcroft Lodgelongeststaying guestmightappear!

Growingup,thefarthest thingfrommymindwasany desiretobeawriter,evenmy Englishteachersinschool, alongwitheverybodyelsewho knewmewouldreadilyadmit thatwasnotthebestpathfor metopursue.

Englishclasseswerenot listedanywhereinmyfavorites list,Ihadnotimeforor interestinconjunctions, pronouns,verbs,adjectivesand pastparticiples,whateverthat was.Infact,mycurriculum, hadIgottochoose,wouldbe Shop,PhysicalEducation, Studyhall,andLunch,withthe restofthedayoff.

WasitMarkTwainwho said,"Neverlettoomuch schoolinggetinthewayofa goodeducation?"

Whenmyoldestsister, Patsy,died,herson,Hunter foundshehadwrittendowna fewthingsaboutourlives, growingup,thehardtimes, scrapingbyinalargefamily tryingtomakeendsmeet.

Ienjoyedreadingthose,and decidedtowritemymemories

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down,somethingtoleave behindforfuturegenerations.

Manyoftoday’sgeneration willneverexperience“The waythingswere,”thelifewe seniorslivedthroughwhenwe weregrowingupduringpost warandpostdepressionyears.
Youhaveenjoyedafewof JuniorThurman'sstoriesherein AlamodosoMagazine. Authorof"DriveorScream", "Morningside","TheWayWe WereandOtherStories","The WayWeWereandOtherThings" andhislatestbook,"Comanches Don'tDriveTrucks"areall availableonAmazonforthoseof youwantingtoreadmore! 123
Allwehaveleftareafew oldphotos,personalitemsand memories….

TheUFOThat CrashedInThe WhiteSands?

C.J.Zohnwitnesseda glowingunidentifiedflying object(UFO)crashtoEarthin theWhiteSandsDesertof NewMexicoandcaughtiton filmtakenin1996.

AUFOhasbeencaughton tapeperformingacrash landinginanareaknownfor highUFOactivity.Themysteriousobjectwascapturedbya witnessintheWhiteSands Desertin1996.

Thefootagewasfirst appearedonYouTubebyuser BadninjamaninApril26, 2006.“UFOcrashor somethinglikeit1997New Mexicodesert,”said Badninjaman,uploader.

Thevideostartswithashot ofwhatissaidtobeaglowing whiteobjectmovingacrossthe desertskyatahighrateof speed.Asitnearstheground, itcanbeseenbouncingoffthe groundbeforecomingcrashing ontotheground,exploding, andsendingsparksflying.

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Itisclaimedthatan Americanresearcherwhohasa highlyplacedNASAsource workingatEdwardsAFBsaid thatasmall-scalemodelofthe X-38spacecrashedonasmallscaletestrange,withtherange controlofficerexecutingaselfdestructprocedurebeforeit landed.

TheX-38isexpectedtobe usedasanemergencylifeboat fortheInternationalSpace Station.

“Peoplesaidit’ssomekind ofmissileatabasebutitdoes notlooklikeamissiletome,” saidaviewer.

Anotherusersaid:“Where wasthistaken?Thislooks authenticandthatdoesnot looklikeaplaneor“weather balloon“.”

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Halloween2022
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WhiteSandsMall
PetCostumeDay

DiscoverCarrizozo

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A

CARRIZOZO ARTSTORY

AllArtGallerieshave interestingstoriesbehind them-----Howdidthey start?Whostartedthem? Whatbuildingsdothey moveinto?Howlonghave theybeenopen?What formsofArtdotheyhave? Whydidtheychoosethat townorthatspotinthe town?

Thisisashortstory aboutJoanandWarren Malkersonandtheir involvementinthegrowing ArtsCommunityin Carrizozo,NewMexico.

Itallstartedabout20 yearsagowhenJoanand Warrenwerehavingaquiet firesideconversation betweenthemselvesbackin Minneapolis,Minnesota.

JoanandWarrenhad graduatedtogetherfrom ColoradoCollegein ColoradoSprings,Colorado backin1968andwere marriedthatAugust.[So thatis54yearsofwonderful marriage!]Theyhadtwo greatchildren---adaughter thatjustturned50yearsold andasonwhois44years old.Theyalsohavesix fabulousGrandchildren,and theyalllivebackin Minneapolis.

Warrenhadattended HarvardBusinessSchool

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aftercollegeandwentonto work30+yearsinthe CorporateWorld----General Mills,Pillsbury,Pepsico,LL Bean,FaribaultWoolen MillsandGabberts FurnitureandDesign.He wasanofficerinallofthese companiesandhad travelledconsiderably throughouttheUnited Statesandtherestofthe World.

Joanhadnotonlyledthe Familyintheraisingoftheir twochildrenbuthadalso beensignificantlyinvolved inanumberofVolunteer Organizationswhereshe wasalwaysinsomekindof Leadershipposition.She alsowentbacktoschool andearnedherART DEGREEattheMaine CollegeofArtandDesign whileWarrenwasworking atLLBean.

Duringtheirfiresidechat thatparticularevening20 yearsago,Warrenconfided withJoanthathehad accomplishedmanyofhis lifetimecorporatebusiness careergoalsandwasready forachange.Nowthattheir twochildrenwerethrough collegeandontotheirown businesscareers,itwasa perfecttimeforachange.

JoanImmediatelyspoke upandsaidshewantedto "Findasmalltowninthe Southwest&makeadifferenceintheWorldofArt”

Thegauntlethadbeen droppedandthesearch wason!!!!

NewMexico,aStatethat theyhadvisitedafewtimes whiletheywereincollege

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togetherimmediatelycame totheforefront.Theydug outNewMexicostatemaps andinformationandafter considerableresearch bookedaflightto Albuquerque---rentedacar-anddrovedowntoLincoln County.Theypurchaseda homeinRuidosoandsoon afterdecidedthattheTown ofCarrizozo,theCounty SeatofLincolnCounty, wouldbetheperfectplace to"Makeadifferenceinthe WorldofArt".

Carrizozohasa populationofonlyabout950 peoplebutitsitsatthe crossroadsoftwovery importantandbusyNew Mexicohighways---Hwy54 andHwy380.

Italsoisatthenorthern boundaryoftheTularosa BasinValley,atthewestern edgeoftheSacramento mountainrangewithSierra Blanca,NogalandCarrizo mountainsasthefeatured mountaintops,andat5,400 feetsitsinthemiddleofa wonderfulandflatbasin.. JoanandWarrencallit" TheBowlofEternity"and loveallthesurrounding mountainranges.Theywalk atleasttwomilesevery morningwiththeirdog Sunnyoverthegorgeous landwatchingthesuncome upoverthosefabulous mountains.

Carrizozo,onceathriving railroadtown,hasan Historic12thStreetrunning thelengthofthetownthat hadsomewonderfulold buildingsthatwouldsoon serveastheepicenterofa

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newandthrivingArts Community.

Oneofthefirstbuildings theyboughtwas40812th Streetwhichthey transformedintoMalkerson Gallery408.Theyaddedan outdoorsculpturegardento thesideofthebuildingand openedtheGalleryinApril 2005.Itfeaturessomeof Joan'sownArtworkaswell asworkfromotherlocal artistsandisfamousforits PaintedBurrosofSouthern NewMexico.

TheseBurros----manyof thempaintedbylocalartists-aremadeofcastaluminum andcomeinfourdifferent sizesranginginpricefrom $30forthemini-burroto $1200forahandpainted iconicBurrothatweighs over80pounds.

TheGalleryhassoldwell over500Burrosoverthe past17years,andthe Burrosarelocatedin38 differentstates!!

TheGalleryalsooffers veryinterestingSouthwest jewelry,specialceramic pieces,andtheGlobal MamasHandicraftsthatare FairTradehandicraftitems fromGhanasponsoredbya PeaceCorpsvolunteerthat JoanmetinMinneapolis yearsago.

AwonderfulGallerythatis notonlyfuntovisitand browsebutalsooffers extremelyreasonableprices duetoitssmalltownand lowoverheadcosts.

Thesecondbuildingthatthe Malkersonsboughtis locatedjustacrossthestreet

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fromtheMalkersonGallery 408.Itisaverylargetwo storybuildingonthecorner thatwasoncethelocal hardwareandmercantile centerservingmuchof LincolnCounty.

Finishedin1917ittook threeyearstobuildandwas thebusinesscenterofthe town.Whentherailroad diminisheditspresencein thetown,andtheHome DepotsandWalMartswere builtintheneighboring towns,itsdaysasthe mercantilecenterwere numbered.

TheMalkersons purchasedthebuildingin 2005andtheyspentthe betterpartoftwoyears fixingitupandopeneditas anAntiqueStorethatthey hadawonderfulantique expertrunforthemforsome eightyears.Whenshe decidedtoretire,the Malkersonsre-envisionedit intoaPHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY......andnotjust anyPhotographyGallery!!!!

TodayitistheLARGEST PHOTOGRAPHYGALLERY intheentireStateofNew Mexico.OpenedinOctober 2015,ithoststheworkof 40+photographerswhoare fromalloverthestate.

Infact,allthe Photographersaswellasall theirphotoimageshaveto befromNewMexico----thereforemakingitNEW MEXICOTRUE.All1,000+ imagesintheGalleryhave beentakeninourLandOf Enchantmentandrepresent somanydifferentparts---Animals,Landscapes,

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Events,andPeoplewithin thiswonderfulState.

Italsoexclusivelyhosts allthecontestwinning imagesfromtheNew MexicoMagazineAnnual PhotographyContest.They areallthereandforsale. Thisyearthereare30 WinningPhotoImagesout ofover2,500submitted entries.Theytrulyrepresent the"essence"ofwhat beinginNewMexico means.

ANDifthatwerenot enoughtoseeinone building,thereisalsoThe CarrizozoRockandRoll HallofFamelocatedjust downstairsinthebuilding.

Alifelongprivate collectionofoneJames Lanewholivesinthe Carrizozoareabutgrewup intheSanFranciscoBay area.Hehasdonatedhis collectiontotheGalleryfor alltoseeandenjoy----guitars,handbills,photosof themusicians,ticketstubs totheconcerts,hats,guitar picsandothermemorabilia collectedbyhimthroughout theyears.....TomPetty, CrosbyStillsandNash, JanisJoplin,theGrateful Dead,JeffersonAirplane, NeilYoung,Gunsand Roses,ZZTop,PinkFloyd, AliceCooper,Hendrixand manyothers.

Evenwiththesetwo fantasticGalleries,Joan Malkersonwasstillnot done.TheMalkersons purchasedanotherbuilding rightnexttoMalkerson Gallery408andwiththe collaborationofanother localartistnamedPaula

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Wilson,establishedan ARTISTINRESIDENCE programthathasbeen ongoingoverthepastsix years.Eachyear10-15

Artistsfromalloverthe UnitedStates,separately visitandstayinCarrizozo foraboutonemonthata timeandexpandtheirartistic talentsonHistoric12th Streetrighttherein Carrizozo.

EachArtistusuallyhas an"Opening"oftheirown towardstheendoftheirstay thatiswellattendedbythe CarrizozoCommunity.

Whatissowonderful aboutthiskindofEnergy andPurposecomingintoa smalltownisthatitnotonly complimentswhatothers beforetheMalkersonshad establishedasapotential directionforthetown,butit buildsuponthoseearlierArt Pioneersandhelpsattract evenmoreArtistsand Businessentrepreneursto joininontheexcitement.

Twentyyearsagothe Townhad10-15Artistswho calledCarrizozohome. Todaythatnumberisover 70andstillclimbing!!!

OtherGalleriesnowexist onHis-toric12thStreetand evenmoreareinthe planningstagesandwillbe opensoon..Othersmaller businessandrestaurant entrepreneursarealso openingupestablishments toservethegrowingnumber ofvisitorstoCarrizozo.To nameafew----HeartofThe RavenCeramicGallery,

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Discover Lincoln County Ruidoso RuidosoDowns Lincoln Capitan Corona Tinnie 136

SoulofTheWestBootand WesternWearShop,Honey GirlsCoffeeandLunch Cafe,Zo-Haus,FarrisArts, CarrizozoArts,AK

Celebration,MoMAZOZO, Rosey'sKIckassPizza, CarrizozoMuseum,The Caboose,CarrizozoLibrary, ZZQBarbeque,anew

Antiquestoreintheold grocerymarketandmany moreintheplanningstages. SothatistheGrowing andExpandingCarrizozo Artsstory----Makesureyou takethetimesoontovisit andenjoywhatishappening there.Youwillfeelthe momentum..... Theyusedtosay----" Carrizozoisinthemiddleof nowhere" Nowtheyaresaying-----" Carrizozoisinthemiddleof EVERYWHERE"!!!! 137
Leatherworks,WorldArtDay

RidgelineReview, ENMU-Ruidoso's Literary&FineArts Magazine

ENMU-Ruidoso’sliterary magazine,RidgelineReview, withartwork,poems,andshort storiesfromacrossthe SouthwestofNewMexico,just launcheditssecondedition.

Themagazinewasco-editedby ENMU-Ruidoso’sDepartment ChairofLanguageandFine ArtsandEnglishProfessorJeff Frawley,alongwithtwo studentinterns,Caitlin DaughertyandLuciana Schiavone.Themagazine containsartwork,poems,and creativefictionandnonfiction stories.Allofwhicharefrom localandregionalartists.

RidgelineReviewisalways opentonewartfromaspiring

artistsandacceptssubmissions year-round.Futureissuesof themagazineneedfreshand newartwork,stories, photographs,andpoems.

Tohaveyourwork consideredforpublication alongsidefellowregionalartist pleasesendyourartand creativewritingto Ruidoso. RidgelineReview@enmu.edu andcontinuetosupportthearts bycheckingoutRidgeline ReviewatENMU-Ruidoso’s campus.

Thepublicationisavailable atENMU-Ruidoso’scampus andonlineontheENMURuidosowebsitewww.ruidoso. enmu.eduunderAboutUsand RecentPublications.

ENMU-Ruidoso’sLiterary Magazineseries,Ridgeline Review,receivedtheCommunityFoundationofSouthern NewMexicoDevasthaliGrant. TheDevasthaliGrantprovides fundingtotheartsandhas chosentheRidgelineReview becauseoftheirimportanceto thecommunity.

DepartmentChairof LanguageandFineArtsJeff FrawleyandStudentEditor CaitlinDaughertywrotea proposalfortheRidgeline Reviewtoreceivethe DevasthaliGranttocoverthe costsofprinting,publication, andcirculation.

Thegrantof$1,500was awardedinNovember.

Frawleysaysaboutthe proposal,“TheRidgeline Reviewteamisexcitedthatthe magazinecontinuestogrow. Thisgrantwillhelpusshare

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evenmoreartandwriting withintheregionalcommunity, whilealsohighlightingour talentedstudents,faculty,and staff.

We’reverygratefultothe CommunityFoundationof SouthernNewMexicoandto theDevasthaliFamily Foundation.”

TheFire

Everyonehasaplace.A placethatiscomfortingand familiar.Myplaceisbythe fire.Thelandscapeisnothing butdotsofponderosapines andsaltcedars.Thereisno otherhumanitytobefound otherthanmyclosefriends.

Firecracklesandhissesin thewind.Thewarmthcan makeeventhecoldestofnights seemwarm.Agentlebreeze stirstheembersmakingthem turntoabrightred.

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Theonlysoundsarethose ofmyfriendsmurmuring softlytoeachother.

Thensuddenlythehushis interruptedbythesoundof suddendrunkenlaughter.No oneknowsexactlywhatisso funny,buteveryonejoinsin.It iscalmandpeaceful.

Outinthedistance,thunder rumblesitsdeepthroated moan.Weknowthattroubleis coming.Thepeacewillnot lastformuchlonger.The gentlebreezebecomesaharsh scream.Itrufflesthelongovergrowngrasswitha ghostlygasp.Thefirecrackles andhissesinprotest.Then,the firstdrop.

Itdoesnotrainmuch aroundthefire,buttonight

thereisathunderingsound. Thesoundofawaterfall.Itis comingstraightforus.The hailandtherainpeltthe landscape.Whatwasdry instantlyturnstomudand mush.Thelandscapechanges inasecond.Desertrainis nothingtobemessedwith.

Theycanmakeeventhe mostmachomanrunfor cover.Thepinesdripwateras iftheywerecrying.Rocks turnshinyandslick.

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Thetallunmowngrasshugs thegroundasifinfright.The once-hissingfireisnowno morethanapuddle.Logsthata momentearlierburnedbright nowlookedlikefishfighting fortheirlives.

Thesootthathadsustained themnowdrownedthem.It wasasifthewaterhadtaken theverylifeoutofallofthe scenery.Everydropofrainhad changedthelandscape.

Everythingseemedsovery unfamiliartousallnow.Calm settledinafterthefrightful event.Alonedeerappearedin thedistance.Itwassurrounded bythesoakingwetponderosa pines.Itwasexceedinglydifficulttoseeatfirst.Itwasasif anotherponderosapinehad sproutedoutofthinairand grownbeforeoureyes.

Everythingwassuddenlya wonder.Welookedupandthe tallthunderheadspartedto revealabeautifulsunset.Itwas adazzlingdisplayofredsand pinks.Itwasasifthesunwere shoutingitsdefiancetothe rain.Renewalwasuponus.

Theonce-weepinggrass againstoodupasiftoproclaim thatithadneverbeenscaredat all.Thecricketsstartedchirpingtheirmerrytune.

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Dottedinthedistance,the ponderosapinesandsaltcedars startedtodanceinthenowgentlebreeze.Itwasasifthey werejoyfulandhadnevershed atear.

Manypeoplehavenever hadadesertwaterfallfallon theirheads.Thesuddenonslaughtofrainthatleaves everythingdifferent.Thelandscapeisimmediatelyaltered, butitisnotforeverchanged.

Thepinesmayweepmomentarily,buttheywillalways danceagain.Thefirewillbe re-litandwewillenjoythe hushedconversationsand drunkenlaughterthatisshared betweenclosefriends.

Thelandscapeiswhat makessomanythingssointeresting,strange,andenjoyable nomatterwhatkindofweather mothernaturethrowsourway

SilentSpace

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KatherineNelson

Beautyaboundsinaplace thatIhavefound,where mystery&wondergrow.

Amongthegianttreesina forestknowntome,a crystal-clearcreekfows swiflynearby,while mountainsriseuptotouch thepiercingbluesky,even eaglesswoopby.

Whenrestinghereonthe forestfoor,Idon’tmind pineneedlesanymore, pokingmewhereIwon’t say,thisforestbeckonsme tostay.

HereIimagineallsortsof thingsunseen,wildthings, watchingme.

Yet,notasound,just natureandmypupasshe snifs&pokestheground.

Attimes,IthinkInever wanttoleavethis hallowedplacethatlures me.

Whilemyfourlegged friendroamsfree,though nevertoofar,thisforest doesn’tlureheraway. Alas,mythoughtsstartto wonder, Andrealitysinksin....

Icannotstayallday.Life, again,callsmeaway.

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HenryMcCarty,

akaWilliamHenry Bonney,akaBillythe Kid,wasbornon November23,1859, mostlikelyinNewYorkCity. Hisparents’namesarenot knownforcertain,buthis motherwasthoughttobe Katherine,andhisfather, perhapsPatrick.History thentracesBillytoIndiana inthelate1860sand Wichita,Kansasin1870.His fatherdiedaroundtheend oftheCivilWar,andat aboutthesametime,Billy’s mothercontracted Tuberculosisandwastoldto movetoadrierclimate.On March1,1873,Catherine McCartymarriedaman namedWilliamAntrim,who movedthefamilytoSilver City,NewMexico.

Hisstepfatherworkedas abartenderandcarpenter butsoongottheprospecting bugandvirtuallyignoredhis wifeandstepsons.Faced withanindigenthusband, McCarty’smothertookin boarderstoprovideforher sons.Despitethebetter climate,Billy’smother continuedtoworsen,andon September16,1874,she diedofhercondition.

Afterherdeath,Antrim placedBillyandhisyounger brotherJosephinseparate fosterhomesandleftSilver CityforArizona.

At14,thesmoothcheeked,blue-eyedMcCarty wasforcedtofindworkina hotel,washingdishesand waitingtablesatthe restaurant.Theboywas reportedtobeveryfriendly.

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Themanagerwas impressedbytheyoungboy, boastingthathewasthe onlykidwhoeverworkedfor himthatdidn’tsteal anything.Hisschool teachersthoughtthatthe youngorphanwas“nomore ofaproblemthananyother boy,alwaysquitewillingto

helpwithchoresaroundthe schoolhouse.”

However,onSeptember 23,1875,McCartywas arrestedforhidingabundle ofstolenclothesforaman playingaprankona Chineselaundryman.Two daysafterBillywasthrown injail,thescrawnyteen escapedbyworminghis wayupthejailhouse chimney.Fromthatpoint onward,McCartywouldbea fugitive.

Heeventuallyfoundwork asanitinerantranchhand andsheepherderin southeasternArizona.In 1877hebecameacivilian teamsteratCampGrant ArmyPostwiththedutyof haulinglogsfromatimber camptoasawmill.The civilianblacksmithatthe camp,Frank“Windy”Cahill,

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tookpleasureinbullying youngBilly.OnAugust17, CahillattackedMcCarty afteraverbalexchangeand threwhimtotheground. Billyretaliatedbydrawing hisgunandshootingCahill, whodiedthenextday.

Onceagain,McCarty wasincustody,thistimein theCamp’sguardhouse awaitingthearrivalofthe localmarshal.Beforethe marshalcouldarrive, however,Billyescaped.

Againontherun,Billy nextturnedupinthehouse ofHeiskellJonesinPecos Valley,NewMexico.Apache hadstolenMcCarty’shorse whichforcedhimtowalk manymilestothenearest settlement,whichwasMrs. Jones’house.Shenursed theyoungman,whowas neardeath,backtohealth. TheJonesfamilydeveloped astrongattachmenttoBilly andgavehimoneoftheir horses.

Nowanoutlawand unabletofindhonestwork, theKidmetupwithanother banditnamedJesseEvans, theleaderofagangof rustlerscalled“TheBoys.” TheKiddidn’thave anywhereelsetogo,and sinceitwassuicidetobe

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aloneinthehostileand lawlessterritory,theKid reluctantlyjoinedthegang.

Helaterbecameembroiledintheinfamous LincolnCountyWarinwhich hisnewestfriendand employer,JohnTunstall, waskilledonFebruary18, 1878.BillytheKidwas deeplyaffectedbythe murder,claimingthat Tunstallwasoneoftheonly menwhotreatedhimlike “free-bornandwhite.”At Tunstall’sfuneral,Billy swore:“I’llgeteveryson-ofa-bwhohelpedkillJohnif it’sthelastthingIdo.

Billy,nowamemberof theRegulators,wouldenact revengebygunningdown thedeputywhokilledhis friendandanotherdeputy andtheCountySheriff, WilliamBrady,onApril1, 1878.Nowanevenmore wantedmanthanbefore, McCartywentintohidingbut soonstartedtosteal livestockfromwhiteranchersandApacheonthe Mescaleroreservation.

Inthefallof1878,retired UnionGeneralLewWallace becamethenewterritorial governorofNewMexico.To restorepeacetoLincoln County,Wallaceproclaimed anamnestyforanyman involvedintheLincoln CountyWarthatwasnot alreadyunderindictment.

Billywas,ofcourse, underseveralindictments (someofwhichunrelatedto theLincolnCountyWar),but Wallacewasintriguedby rumorsthatMcCartywas willingtosurrenderhimself andtestifyagainstother

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combatantsifamnesty couldbeextendedtohim.In Marchof1879,Wallaceand Billymettodiscussthe possibilityofadeal.

Truetoform,McCarty, greetedthegovernorwitha revolverinonehandanda Winchesterrifleintheother. Afterseveraldaystothink theissueover,Billyagreed totestifyinreturnforan amnesty.

Partoftheagreement wasforMcCartytosubmit toashowarrestandashort stayinjailuntilhis courtroomtestimony.Even thoughhistestimonyhelped toindictoneofthe influentialHousefaction leaders,JohnDolan,the districtattorneydefied Wallace’sordertosetBilly freeaftertestifying.

However,Billywasa skilledescapeartistand slippedoutofhishandcuffs andfled.

Forthenextyear,he hungaroundFortSumner onthePecosRiverand developedafateful friendshipwithalocal bartendernamedPat Garrett,whowaslater electedsheriffofLincoln County.Assheriff,Garrett waschargedwitharresting hisfriendHenryMcCarty, whobynowwasalmost exclusivelyknownas“Billy theKid.”

Ataboutthesametime, Billyhadformedagang, referredtoasthe“Rustlers” orsimply“BillytheKid’s Gang,”whosurvivedby

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stealingandrustlingashe didbefore.Thecore membersofthegangwere TomO’Folliard,Charlie Bowdre“,TomPickett,Billy theKid,“DirtyDave” Rudabaugh,andBilly Wilson.

BytheFallof1880,Billy wasstilltryingtoconvince thegovernorofapardon, althoughcontinuinghis outlawactivities.Duringthis time,hisnotorietywith newspapersincreased,and theydubbedhim“Billythe Kid,”andthemostimportant outlawofNewMexico.

OnNovember30,1880, BillytheKid’sGang,David Anderson,akaBillyWilson, andDirtyDaveRudabaugh rodeintoWhiteOaks,New Mexico,andranintoDeputy SheriffJamesRedman. Redmanhidbehinda saloontakingshotsatthe deputyasseverallocal citizensranintothestreet, chasingthefugitivesoutof town.

OnDecember15,1880, GovernorWallaceputa $500rewardonBilly’shead, andPatGarrettbegana relentlesspursuitofthe outlaw.Garrettsetupmany trapsandambushesto apprehendBilly,buttheKid seemedtohaveananimal instinctthatwarnedhimof danger,butthatwasnotto last.

Trailedbythepersistent Garrett,BillytheKid,Billy Wilson,Rudabaugh,Tom O’Folliard,CharlieBowdre, andTomPickettrode wearilyintoFortSumner, NewMexicoonDecember 19,1880,andwere

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confrontedbyGarrett’s possewhichhadbeen hidinginanoldposthospitalbuilding.Pat Garrett,Lonchambers,and severalothersleapedfrom coverasGarrettorderedthe outlawstohalt.

Severalpossemembers didn’twaitfortheoutlawsto respondtoGarrett’sdemand;instead,openingfire onPickettandO’Folliard, whowereridinginfront.

ThoughPickettsurvived toescape,O’Folliardlay deadinthedustystreet. Rudabaugh’shorsecaught abulletandcollapsed. Rudabaughmanagedto jumpontoWilson’shorse, andheandtheother outlawsescaped,holingup inanabandonedcabinnear StinkingSprings,New Mexico.

Soon,thedetermined Garrett’spossetrackedthe outlawsdownand surroundedthehideout. InsidethehousewereBilly, CharlieBowdre,Dave Rudabaugh,TomPickett, andBillyWilson.When Bowdrepassedbeforean openwindow,hewasshot inthechest.Thesiege continueduntilthenextday whenRudabaughfinally wavedawhiteflag,andthe banditssurrendered.Billy theKidandhisgangof “Rustlers”werecapturedon December23,1880.Billy wasfirsttakentoajailin LasVegas,NewMexico, thentoSantaFe,and eventuallytoMesilla.

DeliberationinhisApril

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trialtookpreciselyoneday, andBillywasconvictedof murderingSheriffWilliam Bradyandsentencedto hangbyJudgeWarren Bristol.Hisexecutionwas scheduledforMay13,and hewassenttoLincolnto awaitthisdate.Hewas underguardbyJames BellandRobertOlingeron thetopfloorofthebuilding formerlyknownasthe “House”beforeandduring theLincolnCountyWar.

OnApril28,Billy somehowescapedand killedbothofhisguards whileGarrettwasoutof town.Itisnotknownhow Billycoulddothis,butitis widelybelievedthatafriend orRegulatorsympathizer leftapistolintheprivythat oneoftheguardsescorted Billytodaily.Aftershooting DeputyBellwiththepistol, BillystoleOlinger’s10gaugedouble-barrel shotgunandwaitedfor Olingerbythewindowinthe roomhewasbeingheldin.

Olingerobligedbyrunningimmediatelyfromthe hoteluponhearingthe shots.Whenhewasdirectly underthecourthousewindow,heheardhisprisoner say,“Hello,Bob.”Olinger thenlookedupandsawthe Kidguninhand.Itwasthe lastthingheeversawas Billyblastedhimwithhis shotgunkillinghiminstantly.

Thiswouldbe,however, Billy’slastescape.When PatGarrettwasquestioning Billy’sfriend,PeterMaxwell, onJuly14,1881,inMaxwell’sdarkenedbedroomin OldFortSumner,Billyunexpectedlyenteredthe

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room.

TheKiddidn’trecognize Garrettinthepoorlighting conditionsandasked, “¿Quienes?¿Quienes?” (Spanishfor“Whoisit? Whoisit?),towhichGarrett respondedwithtwoshots fromhisrevolver,thefirst strikingBilly’sheart.

HenryMcCarty,the infamous“BillytheKid,”was buriedinaplotin-between hisdeadfriendsTom O’FolliardandCharlie BowdrethenextdayatFort Sumner’scemetery.

Inhisshortlife,Billythe Kidwasreputedtohave killed21men,oneforeach yearofhislife.

However,manyhistorianscalculatethefigure closertonine(fouronhis ownandfivewiththehelpof others).

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