SUMMER 2017
The Green Child EHS Receives National Recognition for Excellence
Longtime Ruidoso residents and visitors alike may remember the old Mountain Annie’s at 2710 Sudderth in midtown. Since the Branson style music review and casual buffet closed several years ago, the sprawling 22,000 sq. ft. facility has seen a number of attempts to utilize this Ruidoso gem. Many tried to use the kitchen for catering, wedding receptions and even a restaurant. An arts center opened and then a religious organization held services in the auditorium.
There was an air of excitement in the village among working families when The Green Child/Early Head Start childcare partnership opened its doors in July of 2016. The Green Child/EHS partnership is a federally funded community based plan of action, benefitting low income families with children from 6 weeks of age to 3 years of age. The Green Child’s curriculum focuses on intellectual development, social, emotional and language readiness for pre-kindergarten success. Early Head Start partners with licensed daycare centers. The Green Child daycare currently accepts children 6 weeks through the age of 5. Under construction are three new classrooms to accommodate community demand for early childhood education and quality care. The current capacity is for 65 children. When the construction is complete it will provide room for an additional 37 children.
(Paid Advertorial).
According to the Early Head Start manager, “there are approximately 100 nationwide partnerships like ours.” The National office of Head Start oversees the grant and sends a review team once a year to inspect the progress. The Washington DC review team reported that The Green Child/EHS partnership is to be one of the “5 Best Practices” programs in the country. The Green Child is the only commercially licensed childcare center in Ruidoso to serve its children nutritionally balanced breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. The federal USDA program is administered through the Child Adult Care Food Program. The goal is to instill healthy dietary habits. Small groups and family style dining introduces children to important social skills. The Green Child hosts parents/caregivers nutrition education programs and cooking skills classes. The Green Child invites you to stop by 2710 Sudderth Drive and see for yourself. The center is open from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm.
The Green Child 2710 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345 575-630-8004
BUILDING DREAMS D es ig n • Re s i d e n t i a l Rem o d el s • Meta l B ui l d i n gs
• Co m m e r c i a l • O ut d o o r A m e n i t i es
inside this issue SUMMER 2017
04 WELCOME “ELLA” GLASS: 06 GABRIELLA A PORTRAIT OF COURAGE Contact us today for your complimentary project consultation. Serving Ruidoso and Lincoln County since 2003 1204 Mechem Dr, Suite 1 Ruidoso, NM 88345 JRPbuilders@yahoo.com Office: 575-258-1202 Mobile: 575-937-2914
SOCIETY: 09 HUMANE HOMETOWN HERO FEATURE: 12 CHEF MASHON SWENOR 14 BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN T. SODEN 19 RUIDOSO PARKS & RECREATION CHURCHES & 24 LOCAL FELLOWSHIPS SPENCER PERFORMING ARTS 25 THE THEATRE: A CULTURAL GEM
DON MCMASTERS
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WHITE APRON SOCIETY 27 THE HAS HEARD A CALLING 29 TEACHER FEATURE 30 TIDBITS & TRIVIA
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Associate Broker #46950
YOUR PARTNER WHEN BUYING OR SELLING Experience. Integrity. Knowledge.
Focus on Ruidoso is a 100% PrintReleaf™ Certified Publication Learn more at:
FocusNM.com/PrintReleaf
Dedicated to understanding client needs. Proven producer since 2010. Affiliated with top ranked company in Lincoln County.
Office: 575-336-7711 or 888-336-7711 Cell: 575-973-5141 DonMcMasters@zianet.com 931 Hwy 48 / Alto, NM 88312
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ABOUT THE COVER Gavin Parker spends time with an adoption pet from the Humane Society of Lincoln County. Photo courtesy of Johnnie Lujan Lajuana Martinez, Publisher - Staci Guy, Associate Publisher Adrian Martinez, Director of Business Development Jessie Hanson, Marketing Director Photography by Contributors & Submitted Photos FOCUS ON RUIDOSO IS PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY AD VENTURE MARKETING
Ad Venture Marketing, Ltd. Co. • 866.207.0821 • ad-venturemarketing.com All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission of the publisher is prohibited. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information provided. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for errors, changes or omissions.
Welcome! to the inaugural issue of Focus on Ruidoso, a uniquely new community magazine. Following the lead of its sister publications in Roswell, Carlsbad, Artesia and Hobbs/ Lea County, Focus on Ruidoso spotlights the persons, businesses and organizations that make up our beautiful mountain village and surrounding area.
Focus on Ruidoso offers readers vibrant, human-interest stories, pertinent information, and delightful feature articles of local interest. Regardless if you are a newcomer to the area, or your family dates back for generations, or if you call Ruidoso home for only a few months of the year, readers will appreciate the refreshing, uplifting content of this high quality publication. While the other Focus magazines are published quarterly, Focus on Ruidoso is a summer only issue. A winter edition, including all of the regions, arrives in December. Readers are able to browse every current and archived Focus publication online at FocusNM.com. For the latest events and happenings in Ruidoso, go to VisitRuidoso.com.
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
Both Focus on Ruidoso and the Ruidoso Visitor Guide are created by Ad Venture Marketing, a New Mexico company with offices and personnel located throughout the state and in Texas. Named as one of the “Top 5 Advertising Agencies� in New Mexico by New Mexico Business Weekly, Ad Venture Marketing is a full-service agency offering creative design, marketing services, publishing, web sites, promotional products and event planning. A note of special appreciation is extended to the advertisers who supported this effort. Their participation exemplifies a true commitment to the Ruidoso area and its residents. Throughout the year, these organizations strive toward making our community a great place in which to live and raise our families. Kindly acknowledge their dedication with your ongoing support. We hope you will enjoy this first issue of Focus on Ruidoso, and that it might find a special place on your coffee table where it can be shared with family and friends.
Grindstone Canyon Resor� An opportunity to build YOUR dream home in the heart of the Sacramento Mountains. Located minutes from downtown Ruidoso, New Mexico, this 40 acre subdivision is bordered by the Lincoln National Forest and Grindstone Lake Recreation area. If you are interested in outdoor activities, there is ready access to miles of hiking & mountain biking trails, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding and more.
If shopping in Midtown or visiting the Inn of the Mountain Gods
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Weaver Real Estate is currently offering 60, single family, residential lots for sale. Lot sizes range from 1/3 of an acre to 9/10ths of an acre and all lots have access to underground utilities. The roads are paved and the views are fabulous. Some lots have Sierra Blanca and valley views, while others overlook Grindstone Lake and the Lincoln National Forest. All lots have tall pines, cool breezes and abundant wildlife. This premium area is sure to sell out quickly, so call now to secure your piece of mountain paradise.
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Mary R. Weaver (Owner/Qualifyingwww.ruihomes.com Broker) Website: www.ruihomes.com Email: mary@ruihomes.com Office: 575-257-3221
mary@ruihomes.com Office: 575-257-3221
Gabriella ‘Ella’ Glass:
A Portrait of Courage by Michael Curran
Ella Glass and her father, David, join hands when she was admitted as an in-patient receiving chemo.
Gabriella “Ella” Glass and her brother, Ethen, share a happy moment at her mother’s wedding.
Ella is shown here after four months of chemotherapy at Ronald McDonald House in Denver.
Fifteen-year-old Gabriella “Ella” Glass, a freshman at Ruidoso High School (RHS), was officially diagnosed last November with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Because this type of cancer is so rare, it took over a month to identify, and by that time it had spread to her lungs and lymph nodes. Initially, a biopsy was taken in Ruidoso, sent to Albuquerque and then forwarded to the Boston Mayo Clinic where it was pinpointed. According to Ella’s father, David Glass, “That took a while. She couldn’t be seen by a specialist until it was determined what type of cancer it was. In the meantime, we had to sit on our hands and wait.” Before this misfortune befell her, Ella was a ninth grade honors student and athlete at RHS. This pretty, 5 foot 3 inch blue-eyed adolescent played volleyball and was being groomed for the upcoming state track meet. “She liked school,” her father reported. “Track was difficult for her to give up. She is glad for her schoolmates but has had to watch from afar. She’s happy for them but at the same time is heartbroken because she can’t participate. Ella had just started to learn how to drive and had gotten braces, which had to be removed a month later. Her entire life has been put on hold. My hope, intent and job is to help her with all the aspects involved and work through the mixes of emotions. She’s focusing now on the physical.”
school education at RHS in 1999. Needless to say, both are extremely involved in Ella’s everyday possible progress. “She’s remarkably humble and doesn’t want people to be burdened,” her dad explained. “Her strength is amazing. She’s stronger now than I think I could ever be, and Ella’s only 15. Her brother, Ethen, was 14 years old in May. They are super close. He’s bothered. She’s more reserved, keeps her feelings more to herself, but she’s outspoken. She tells you what she’s thinking but keeps her personal emotions closed in. I’m still struggling to find a positive. However, it’s definitely made the relationship between the two of us stronger.”
Her cancer treatment is administered at Colorado Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado where she matriculated to the public school there full-time after disenrolling from RHS. She has a tutor through the hospital who works closely with her so she can finish her freshman year. David graduated from Capitan High School in 1998 while her mother, Sarah Chavez, completed her high Courageous Ella Glass rests after a bone marrow extraction at Colorado Children’s Hospital in Denver.
Ethen, Ella and father, David Glass, were invited, as were other children with cancer, to a Colorado lacrosse game.
HELP HAS COME FROM MANY SECTORS
GENUINE APPRECIATION
Ella’s ill health has motivated loved ones, friends and strangers alike to come together to raise money for the Glass family. In December, the White Apron Society presented Ethen with a check for $7,000 at Chef Shawn’s Eatery after the organization sold 11,000 cookies on Ella’s behalf. Former cage fighter James Flores, now the owner of Scorpion Tattoos, hosted a fundraiser on February 18 and raised $9,000 after expenses. The Tularosa Wildcats and Ruidoso Warriors wore matching t-shirts while praying for Ella at a fundraiser basketball game at RHS. The Hidden Tap and Café Rio raised funds for Ella on December 16. Tommy and Christine McCarty sell decals and hosted a Little League/Junior League football tournament. A charity ball was held January 20 at Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill. Keithley’s Korner organized a pancake breakfast sold by the Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Blanca in early February, and Altrusa Club of Ruidoso also made a donation.
“I can’t say thank you enough times to the friends, neighbors and strangers--everyone--who have supported Ella with donations, fundraisers and prayers,” Dave exclaimed. “We feel fortified and loved here in Ruidoso. What these people have done for Ella goes above and beyond the norm. Monique Randall has been a bulldog. It’s overwhelming and tremendous. I would have had to sell my house, otherwise. Help has come from so many different directions.”
Local businesses like Ski Ruidoso, Inn of the Mountain Gods, Noisy Water Winery, the Links at Sierra Blanca, Adorable Hair, Hands and Feet, McE’s Vapor Lounge, Wild Alaska Salmon Co-Op, Bare Essentials Day Spa, Pieces of Life Photography, Patti Kim and K.C. Dorgan also made contributions to assist the family. Many others have donated items that have been and will be raffled off.
Ella played freshman volleyball at Ruidoso High School before her cancer struck.
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Ella Glass had a wish to paint pottery. Her father fulfilled that hope.
He encourages others, saying, “I would suggest to any other parents who find themselves [going] through this to seek help immediately. Be forceful. Be rude if necessary. Be annoying and be demanding. It’s your child’s life.” A site has been set up to raise funds for Ella and her family at www.gofundme.com/ellas-childhood-cancer-battle. A goal of $50,000 has been set; so far, that objective has been met half way. Help Ella win her battle.
Four members of the Hidden Taproom in Ruidoso are shown at a fundraiser they held last November. They also held another pledge drive for Ella June 24.
FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
Ella and her father David are pictured here a week before leaving for Denver while still awaiting the official cancer diagnosis.
Humane Society:
Hometown Hero
by Michael Curran
Now and then, as we attempt to negotiate our way through life, we occasionally fail to see the important contributions going on around us. It’s usually nothing selfish, it’s just the vagaries of everyday living. At times, we awaken and are suddenly made aware of the worthy, noble accomplishments people are busily laying before us in an altruistic effort to improve the community around us. These endeavors should always be appreciated and publicized, as only a few chosen human beings hear the call to arms and rush to the sound of the trumpet. Those conscripted for this calling do not seek praise for themselves; it’s almost always for the benefit of others who are less fortunate, forgotten and suffering. The Ruidoso area is favored in that it has more than its share of caring citizens who choose to give of themselves and attempt to benefit those who cannot meet their own needs. Abandoned children, homeless adolescents, addicted adults immediately come to mind.
This young pup is looking for a caring family to join.
There is, however, another element of living beings who
desperately require our attention: the ill-fated animal population of this scenic mountain village. Enter the Humane Society of Lincoln County (HSLC), protectors and guardians of these hapless creatures. The non-profit agency was established in our area in 1979 to improve the quality of life for companion animals. HSLC is an open admission shelter that takes in any four-legged friend regardless of age, medical condition or temperament. It works tirelessly toward promoting more animal adoptions, furthering pet pregnancy prevention, conducting animal rehabilitation and educating the public--a lofty undertaking, to say the least. From October 2016 to January 2017, this benevolent organization took in 318 animals from all sources (animal control, strays, owner relinquishment or those born in the shelter), adopted out 149, returned 72 to owners and transferred 30 to other shelters.
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Due to its determined, unflagging efforts, the HSLC has outgrown its existing home, the esteemed Ruidoso Animal Shelter on Gavilan Canyon Road and the thriving Humane Society Resale Shop at 413 Highway 70 West. Volunteer dog walker Joy Reed gives her friend a treat.
Nina Grunseth has been president of the Humane Society’s board of directors for three months, but she has sat on the board for two years and shared multiple goals she wishes the HSLC to achieve in the future. “We have, collectively, one of the most talented and dedicated boards of directors in the area,” Grunseth bragged. “We are a working board-we’re not figureheads--and we raise money to ensure the success of our shelter. We all have a profound sense of purpose in saving, rescuing, and finding loving homes for animals that have no control over their own circumstances. It’s a rewarding satisfaction.” Her 16-year-old cat Bevo and her two dogs, four-year-old Joy and six-year-old Pride, were all adopted. “Our volunteers are cyclical,” she went on to explain. “Some of them have been with us more than 10 years at the resale shop and as dog walkers for the shelter. We always welcome more.”
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This year’s highly anticipated annual Furr Ball Fundraiser will be held at Alto Lakes Country Club on July 20 at 6 p.m. Tentatively, the ticket cost will be $125 per Three cute puppies await adoption. person or $1,000 for a table of eight if bought before June 1, or $1,400 afterward. If you anticipate attending, consider purchasing tickets well ahead of time as it sells out every year. All proceeds from this event go to the capital campaign. Once the goal is reached for building the shelter, the funds will then go to the operation of the structure. The Furr Ball raises $50-70,000 every year. It was announced Tuesday, May 23, that the Hubbard Foundation has awarded HSLC a donation of $600,000--the first of its kind--to go toward the Capital Campaign to help fund the construction of the new state-of-the-art animal shelter and spay and neuter clinic. Fundraising is not complete, however; much more is still needed.
Humane Society of Lincoln County President Nina Grunseth visits with a chum.
Presently, the HSLC is pursuing its capital campaign as it endeavors to raise $1.2 million for construction of a new adoption center. Their new home, a 5,955 square foot state-of-the-art intake center will be located on a four-acre tract of land adjoining the present location of the resale shop on Highway 70 West and was designed by local architect Stan Cape. The five-year drive is nearly half way to Two eager canines crave achieving its objective, human companionship.
and this compassionate organization is still actively recruiting donors.
The HSLC contracts with Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan and Lincoln County to pick up stray animals, whether injured or abandoned, and ensure the shelter provides them with a safe haven. As of this writing, there are 14 dogs safely protected at the Ruidoso Animal Shelter, which can be reached at 575-257-9841. The Humane Society of Lincoln County has an excellent periodic publication, The Paw Print, that goes out to all members and donors. It’s an informative read and well worth a contribution. THE HSLC ALSO PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
• income-qualified low cost spay and neuter services • low cost vaccination clinics on specific dates in collaboration with local veterinarians • exceptional thrift store shopping and free pick-ups of large donations (all donations are about the animals)
FOR PICK-UP OF DONATIONS, CALL 575-808-8540.
Every once in a while, some of us need to be reminded about humility. A walk-through visit in this building will, most assuredly, give you a memory you won’t soon forget. It will be gratifying. When it comes to the discarded, damaged and lost four-legged beings in the Ruidoso area, it surely has to be said that this community takes care of its own.
is u o y r o f g Carin o! d e w t a h w
A duo of young kittens anticipate a human embrace.
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SUMMER 2017 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
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Mashon Swenor
This is going to be so delicious!
In ‘97 I took a hiatus from the kitchen and opened an Advertising/Marketing firm based out of St. Louis, Missouri. I spent the next 13 years throughout the midwest and east coast until I departed the marketing world to be a part of a microbrewery in Albuquerque in 2010. The brewery lasted for about two years until I found out my father had fallen ill. I came home to Ruidoso and found a position at the Ruidoso Jockey Club, where I was lucky to have three great seasons as the Executive Sous Chef and had a re-introduction to my love of the kitchen!
I got my start in the culinary world when I was 11 years old, washing dishes for a friend of my Father. I was excited to get a check every 2 weeks, but moreover the free meal I received every day was the clincher! I worked in several other restaurants through high school in Ruidoso, and into college. I volunteer at Ruidoso High School with their culinary program, Tepee Lounge. I’m a private chef for in-home dinners and events, and I teach a cooking class every two weeks at Sanctuary on the River on Wednesdays. You could definitely say food is my life! This community is amazing and I love being a part of it! I love being back home in Ruidoso. I teach. I cook. I feed. I learn. www.Sanctuaryontheriver.com
I am currently the executive sous chef at Alto Lakes Golf and Country Club, which is amazing! I grew up in wonderment of this place and now I get to work here! My favorite foods to prepare is anything you can’t get around here, and that’s what I like to focus on in my cooking classes. Every other Wednesday, at Sanctuary on the River, I get to play and explore with food....different cultures, preparations, flavors, presentations, etc., and Sanctuary on the River is such a beautiful setting for the classes!
Okay class, this is why you don’t shake before opening.
Cooking class at Sanctuary on the
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
River
uda Batata Maako nts: Ingredie
5 medium) • 2 pounds potatoes (about d • 1 small onion, finely choppe er butt p. Tbs • 1-2 • 3 or 4 cloves garlic, pressed • 1½ Tbsp. cumin • 2 tsp. salt taste • ½ tsp. pepper, or more to • 1 tsp. turmeric • ¼ cup chopped cilantro • 2 eggs, beaten • olive oil, for frying
can be inserted and boil just until a sharp knife a pot. Cover with salted water in e plac and toes ess. pota proc the the in later on Select same-sized potatoes. Peel toes whole so you can grate them Its important to keep the pota halfway through the potatoes. red, in cool a bit. Chill the potatoes, cove ing. Drain again, and allow to cook the stop to r wate ice them into Drain the potatoes and plunge rs or overnight. the refrigerator for several hou utes, or until -low heat for about 5 to 10 min sauté them gently over medium and ns onio the Add et. . skill ll heat the Melt the butter in a sma ing constantly. Remove from sauté just a minute more, stirr translucent. Add the garlic and eggs to bind the cilantro. Stir in enough of the in the spices, onions, garlic and toss tly Gen l. bow ng mixi a Grate the chilled potatoes into om of the bowl. there is excess egg in the bott potatoes, but not so much that to handle. s will make the mixture easier about 3” in diameter. Wet hand s cake into ure mixt to pota Shape the utes….. n on each side, about 7-10 min ure in. Cook until golden brow mixt the ing plac re befo heat h ium-hig Heat a cast iron skillet to med be patient! Enjoy!
Directions:
Chicken Tagine Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil • 8 skinless boneless chicken thighs, halved if large or quartered if whole bird • 1 large onion, sliced finely • 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger root • 2 tsp. fresh minced garlic • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste • ½ tsp. cinnamon • ½ tsp. cumin • ½ tsp. cardamom • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper • pinch saffron
• 1 tsp. tumeric • 2 Tbsp. honey • 3-4 carrots, cut into sticks • 2-3 large tomatoes, cut into wedges • ⅓ cup dried apricots • ⅓ cup dried cranberries • ⅓ cup Kalamata olives • 2 cups chicken stock, more if needed • 1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped • 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped • Lemon wedges and fresh mint, to serve
Kefta Mkaouara Ingredients:
For the Kefta (meatballs) • 1 lb. ground beef or lamb • 1 small onion, finely diced • 2 tsp. paprika • 1 tsp. cumin • 1 tsp. salt • ½ tsp. cinnamon • ¼ tsp. black pepper • ¼ tsp. hot paprika • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Mkaouara sauce • 2 lbs. ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped or (2) 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes • 1 onion, diced • 1½ tsp. paprika • 1½ tsp. cumin • 1½ tsp. salt • ½ tsp. hot paprika • ¼ tsp. black pepper • 12-15 small green olives, sliced
To serve • 4 eggs, for poaching • 2 cups cooked long grain rice • fresh cilantro and parsley for garnish
Directions:
Heat the oil in a tagine (a wide pan with a lid) or Dutch oven. Add the chicken, then fry quickly until lightly colored. Add the onion, ginger, garlic, and dry spices (except saffron) until super fragrant then fry for a further 2 minutes.
Add 1½ cups of chicken stock, saffron, honey, olives, carrots, cranberries, apricots, tomatoes, and stir well. Bring to a boil, cover tightly, then simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender. Uncover and increase the heat for about 5 mins to reduce the sauce a little. Sprinkle with parsley and cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy immensely!
Harissa Ingredients:
• 6 oz. bird’s eye chiles, seeded and stems removed • 12 cloves garlic, peeled • 1 small red onion • 1 Tbsp. coriander, ground • 1 Tbsp. ground cumin • 2 tsp. caraway seed • 1 Tbsp. salt • 1 Tbsp. dried mint • 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice • ½ cup fresh cilantro • olive oil
Directions:
Directions:
When using a tagine or Dutch oven, preheat oven to 325 degrees. For the Kefta (meatballs)... Mix all ingredients until just combined. Do not overwork. Form into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
For the Mkaouara sauce... In a large sauce pan over medium heat, combine all sauce ingredients (except green olives) and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes. Transfer into bottom portion of the tagine. Nestle meatballs into sauce. Sprinkle with sliced olives. Cover tagine base with lid and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove tagine from oven, remove lid, with large spoon make 4 wells in sauce. Crack an egg into each well. Return lid and return tagine to oven. Cook for an additional 10 minutes until egg whites are set.
In a cast iron skillet or saute pan, blister the chiles over medium-high heat and place them in a plastic bag to sweat. In the same pan, toast the cumin, coriander, and caraway until fragrant. Careful, they will pop on you! Once fragrant, take them off the heat and allow them to cool slightly. Take the chiles out of the plastic bag and remove the skins. Put all ingredients, except oil, into a blender and mix. Add oil to as needed to bring mixture together. Harissa is complete when it is just at the “paste” phase. Harissa is traditionally very spicy! If your mixture is too hot, add some honey until you find you can tolerate the heat…..or give it to a friend that likes the pain and start over with less chiles. Remember to scrape down the sides of your blender’s container so as to get all the flavors!
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Biography John T. Soden,
Photographer & Videographer by Michael Curran
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
of
Growing up in New York City, John Soden received his first camera, a Kodak Instamatic, when he was 13 years old from his father just in time to photograph the 1964 New York World’s Fair. His dad impressed upon his young son that because the World’s Fair would only be in New York two years, he should document this event. Thus began Soden’s love for photography. His first professional assignment was to photograph his sister’s wedding when he was 16 years old. All his sister’s friends were impressed, wanting to know who her photographer was. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, Soden joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and was given the assignment Operation Sail; his duty was to photograph the “tall ships” as they pulled into New York Harbor during our country’s Bicentennial, July 4, 1976. His career has spanned both coasts. In New York, he worked as a fashion and catalog photographer, working with models from the top modeling agencies. After a few years in New York, he returned to southern California where he was a photographer for ABC TV and the Pat Boone Show. In 1993 while enroute to Carlsbad, Soden and his wife, Sue Harkness Soden, visited a California friend, Father Tom Herbst, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and fell in love with New Mexico. Three years later they moved to Ruidoso, but on that earlier trip to the reservation, they had observed a private ceremony. Soden was so moved by this experience that he requested and received written permission from the late Mescalero President Wendell Chino and the Tribal Council to photograph on the reservation. Over the years he has photographed numerous Coming of Age ceremonies for girls and their families, a spiritual event which he does not take lightly. In 1998, the Sodens moved back to Connecticut for two years to take care of family obligations. While there, he joined the Greenwich Art Society, occasionally offered photography tips on the Good Morning America television show and had photo assignments for two Greenwich newspapers. In September 2000, after a summer of traveling throughout the United States, they returned to Ruidoso. He joined the Ruidoso Regional Council for the Arts and the Photo Society of Lincoln County, and he has had photo exhibitions at Ruidoso Village Hall and Cornerstone Bakery. continued on page 18 >>
SUMMER 2017 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
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PHOTOS ABOVE FROM LEFT: An antique lamp from the mid-1800s is featured here during a
Civil War re-enactment. A beautiful spring day in Ruidoso is captured by John Soden. A stand of Aspen trees near Bonito Lake highlight a fall day. Sunset on an ocean is hard to forget. Photos courtesy of John Soden
<< continued from page 15
On Christmas night in 2000, Soden photographed the businesses of midtown Ruidoso during a snowstorm. Using black and white film, he then sepia-toned the prints. The owner of Pizza Hut purchased a set of these that are still on display at Pizza Hut on Mechem Drive and at Josie’s Framery. In 2004, a travel writer named Starley Talbott Anderson wrote a collection of short stories about her travel adventures and about some of the interesting people she has met along the way. In her book Lasso the World, a chapter called “The Man Who Shot the Mescaleros” is about John Soden and his experiences with the Mescalero Apaches. From 2006-2009, Soden’s photographs have been juried into the Fall American Photography Competition and Exhibition at the Hubbard Museum of the American West. In the spring of 2006, he had another oneman show at Ruidoso Village Hall featuring some of the color photographs he took during a cross-country excursion. In 2007, the Ruidoso News published a story about him. A February 2007 art exhibit at the library at New Mexico State University in Alamogordo featured some of his black and white photographs of Otero County. Also on display were his original black and white photographs of Fort Stanton in an effort to preserve this historical landmark. During the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, he presented a portfolio of both black and white and color photographs of the Ellis Store in Lincoln to Tourism Hall of Fame recipient Jinny Vigil. His photographs have also appeared in various publications including the Ruidoso News and New Mexico Magazine. Internationally, his photographs have been published in the travel magazines DeVere and Travel + Leisure.
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
In 2008, Soden’s photographs of the Mexican Canyon Railroad Trestle in Cloudcroft were on display during the New Mexico Rails to Trails annual convention. The exhibit highlighted the need for repairs on this historic wooden railroad trestle that has been decaying rapidly over the past few years. Since then he has been photographing the rebuilding of the trestle on a weekly basis for the U.S. Forest Service. Log on to YouTube at www.youtube.com/ and search for”Mexican Canyon railroad trestle” to see a video of the project. Currently working as a freelance photographer, he has photographed events in Lincoln County for REDTT (Rural Economic Development Through Tourism) and both the Ruidoso and Capitan Chambers of Commerce. For several years he taught a photography class at Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso (ENMU-R) called Improve Your Photographs. Some of his photos are on display at ENMU-R, the Title Company and Josie’s Framery. Four of his black and white originals of snowy midtown Ruidoso are on display at First Federal Bank on Sudderth Drive. His black and white photo Starry Night in Lincoln was the first photograph chosen for permanent display by the Hubbard Museum and was on display in Congressman Steve Pearce’s Washington, D.C. office. Soden keeps busy as a freelance photographer, shooting weddings, special events and commercial projects. Many of his photographs of Ruidoso and Lincoln County have been published in the Ruidoso News and Alamogordo Daily News. Visit his website www.weaselvideoproductions.com to see more of his photos. PHOTOS BELOW FROM LEFT: A sunset over historic Fort Stanton is caught at just the right moment. A once-inhabited domicile at Fort Stanton is in well-kept condition. The barracks at Fort Stanton are always a popular visitor’s stopover. Photos courtesy of John Soden
Parks and Recreation Summer Wilderness Camp children go hiking and swimming below Alto Lake.
PARKS & RECREATION:
LIVING IN NATURE’S PLAYGROUND by Michael Curran
Few realize that residents and out-of-towners alike have access to an exceptional and impressive assortment of parks, facilities, programs and services designed to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors who take advantage of what the scenic mountain village of Ruidoso has to offer. The Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep and improvement of 11 parks and open spaces that total more than 700 acres of developed and undeveloped land. It is also a steward for 25-plus miles of trails and pathways in the parks system within the Village limits; eight pavilions; seven athletic fields for baseball, softball, soccer and football; a thriving Community Center; and a 26,000 square foot Convention Center for weddings, dances, family reunions, meetings, conferences, seminars and banquets.
“Additionally, we manage the recreational aspects of Grindstone and Alto Lakes,” Ruidoso Parks and Recreational Director Rodney Griego explained, which includes boating, fishing and hiking adventures. Numerous other leisure pursuits and offerings include biking, walking and jogging pathways and open space trails that can easily accommodate all who wish to take advantage of these given pastimes.
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PHOTOS ABOVE FROM LEFT: The newly built Pump Track at North Park Field is now a destination for many cyclists. The Memorial Day King of the Mountain baseball tournament at White Mountain Sports Complex is always a crowd pleaser. The annual Kite Festival at White Mountain Sports Complex is not just for kite enthusiasts.
“We just improved the bathroom facilities at each body of water,” Griego continued. “We’re always looking to create new recreational opportunities. In June there will be a public hearing to make swimming possible at Grindstone Lake. There is also a plan in the works to build a campground there this fall and winter. Until now, there was no camping within the Village limits. If the Village Council approves it, there will be hiking, biking, camping and swimming all year long.” Along with the above-mentioned amenities, the Ruidoso Parks system includes facilities that provide numerous adult and youth sporting activities--both recreational and competitive--such as baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, 5K runs and walks, mountain bike races and one of the largest and most first-rate designed premier disc golf courses in the state of New Mexico. The 27-hole, 81 par heavily wooded course is located in Grindstone Canyon near Grindstone Lake and is where the New Mexico State Disc Golf Championships are held annually. Another jewel is Two Rivers Park at 100 Robin Road. It is impressively located along the Ruidoso River and includes the Ruidoso River Trail, a 1.25-mile paved path that includes a playground, picnic tables and restrooms. Dogs on leashes are allowed, and four pavilions are available for rent for birthdays and picnic reservations but are not usable for special events. All four structures are just minutes away from midtown shopping. Wingfield Park, at 300 Center Street, is the Village of Ruidoso’s designated area for outdoor special events and is also located close to shopping areas. The park contains a playground for four- to 12-year-olds, a half-mile walking trail/loop, restrooms and an eight-acre open space ready for use for special events such as weddings, festivals, reunions and craft shows. White Mountain Recreation Complex consists of an outstanding baseball field with bleacher capacity for 200 people, restrooms and concession facilities; tournament use is allowed for a fee. Don’t forget the Kids Konnection playground with two tire swings, a pavilion available for rent, a basketball court and two play areas--one for three- to five-year-olds and another for five- to 12-year-olds. Directly
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
opposite the baseball field is the popular Ruidoso Dog Park at 685 Hull Road replete with water fountains, parking, benches and restrooms nearby. It was donated by the Humane Society of Lincoln County. The Parks and Recreation Department should be contacted at 575-257-5030 for rules and regulations pertaining to this convenience. Besides the baseball field and 6,000 square foot well-lighted skate grounds at North Park, the dirt bike Pump Track was constructed in the spring of 2016. The baseball field is the home to the local farm and T-ball divisions of Little League baseball. The prominent Wilderness Camp runs from July 3 until August 4 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This back-to-basics back-to-nature experience is a favorite for many people each year. It is open to weekly campers and features such activities as fishing, canoeing, hiking, disc golf, nature walks and crafts, archery, golf, tennis, swimming and field trips. Horseback riding and rock climbing are offered on alternate weeks. “The Wilderness Camp is a most sought-after and favored event,” according to Griego. “Some of the field trips include visits to a zoo, White Sands and Bonito Park. It involves not just one activity; it’s a lot of different ones. I believe there’s something here for everyone.” The cost for this program is $120 per week and is for youths in grades one through seven. Participants must provide their own twice-daily snacks, though lunches will be supplied by the summer lunch program. Weekly field trips are included. It will start at the Wilderness Park, which is located behind the Parks and Recreation Department (535 Resort Drive). Registration continues throughout the summer on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is available at www.ruidoso-nm.gov/parks. Another in-demand program is swimming lessons, offered on different dates throughout the summer. Swim lessons are age-divided: Water Babies for ages one to four, six- and seven-year-old Beginners, Beginners for kids PHOTOS BELOW FROM LEFT: The Ruidoso Municipal swimming pool is always a large draw in the summer months. The Summer Wilderness Camp hiking on Grindstone Trail is a children pleaser. Annual Fishing Days at Grindstone Lake could fill your frypan with some great fish.
PHOTO ABOVE: The 27-hole disc golf course at Grindstone Lake is a large summer attraction.
older than seven, Advanced Beginners for those who have completed the Beginners class, a 45-minute Intermediate class and a 45-minute Guard Start class. “People really look forward to the swimming lessons,” Recreational Supervisor Uli Siebertz acknowledged. “Many children from this area have learned to swim from this program. It’s in an outdoor pool. Last year we had 133 swimmers enrolled.” Go to www.ruidosoparksandrec.com for more information on reservations, prices, times or to sign up for lessons. As one can see, the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department is a valuable presence to this scenic mountain village. It does much to benefit the area and is committed to maintaining its respected position. The department manages numerous outdoor activities and oversees multiple programs. A descriptive 31-page brochure on events offered can be obtained at the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department offices at 535 Resort Drive. PHOTO BELOW: Some different musical instruments adorn Wingfield Park.
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The Bulletin Board
2017 CARLSBAD AREA
Calendar of Events
ARTESIA AREA
TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FOCUS CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR ITEM TO EVENTS@FOCUSNM.COM
LEA CO. AREA
ROSWELL AREA
RUIDOSO AREA
DATE COLOR CODE INDICATES EVENT LOCATION EVERY FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH
First Friday Downtown Market Downtown Roswell Every first Friday of the month 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free admission www.mainstreetroswell.org/firstdowntown-market/
EVERY SATURDAY JUNE 3 - AUGUST 19 Outdoor Summer Movie Spring River Park and Zoo 1306 E. College Blvd. Roswell All movies begin at dusk (approx. 8:30 p.m.) Free admission www.mainstreetroswell.org
THURSDAYS IN JUNE
Summer Movies in the Heritage Heritage Walkway, downtown 300 block of Main Street Movies begin at sunset Free admission Free popcorn Bring a chair and a drink Contact the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center for more info
EVERY FRIDAY
Carlsbad Community Focus IHOP 2529 S. Canal St. Every Friday 7 a.m. • Speaker begins at 8 a.m.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Stand Up Comedy Live Inn of the Mountain Gods 287 Carrizo Canyon Road Mescalero Every Wednesday 6:30 p.m. 575-464-7089
MAY 29 - JUNE 30 LCCA Summer Art Camps Center for the Arts 122 W. Broadway Hobbs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. lccanm.org
JUNE 10 - SEPTEMBER 23 2017 New Media Show/ Hobbs Outdoors Vision Fest Shipp Street Plaza 122 W. Broadway Hobbs 8 p.m. lccanm.org
JUNE 16 - 18 & JUNE 23 - 25
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast ENMU-R Performing Arts Center 64 University Blvd. Roswell 7:30 p.m. (Friday-Sunday) & 2:30 p.m. (Sunday) www.waywayoffbroadway.com
HEY YOU! DO YOU SEE THIS? SO WILL YOUR CUSTOMERS! THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE FOR ADVERTISING! CONTACT JESSIE TODAY FOR INFO!
JUNE 17
JULY 4
Downtown Farmer’s Market Opening day Courthouse lawn 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Carlsbadmainstreet.org
July 4th Community Celebration Harry McAdams Park 5000 Jack Gomez Blvd. Hobbs 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
JULY 7 - 9
JUNE 23 - 25
Smokin’ on the Pecos State BBQ Championship Eddy County Fairgrounds Gates open Friday at 5 p.m. Gates open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday Gates open noon-4 p.m. Sunday 575-746-2744 for more info
JUNE 24 - JULY 29
2017 Downtown Concert Series Center for the Arts 122 W. Broadway Hobbs lccanm.org
JUNE 26 - JULY 2
70th Anniversary UFO Festival 2017 Various locations For schedule of events and locations visit www.ufofestivalroswell.com
JUNE 30 - JULY 1
Roswell Galacticon & Sci Fi Film Festival 2017 Roswell Mall 4501 N. Main St. Roswell For events and times visit roswellfilmcon.com
Lincoln County Art Loop Studio Tour 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will be its 22nd year. For more information about the artists and their locations go to www.artloop.org.
JULY 8
Fort Stanton Live 9 a.m.-8 p.m. An annual event that brings costumed re-enactors from the Civil War and Indian Wars era to the Fort for demonstrations, presentations, a concert and a military ball. fortstanton.org
JULY 8
Alien City Over the Line Baseball Tournament Cielo Grande Recreation Complex 1612 W. College Blvd. Roswell 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. www.overthelinenm.com
JULY 14 - 15
Bring Back the West Show Roswell Convention and Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free admission
Jessie Hanson MA R KE TI N G D I R E CT OR AD VENTURE MARKETING
Call Jessie at 575.937.2914 email: jessie@ad-venturemarketing.com
Please visit FocusNM.com for additional events and up-to-date info. JULY 15
Dawn of the Bats Carlsbad Caverns Ntl. Park Natural Entrance 5:30 a.m. nps.gov/cave
JULY 20
Carlsbad Chamber Banquet Pecos Conference Center 711 Muscatel 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 575-887-6516
JULY 21
Down Syndrome Foundation of SENM 5th Annual Educational Workshop Roswell Convention and Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell 8 a.m.-4 p.m. www.dsfsenm.org
JULY 21 - 23
Ruidoso Convention Center Ruidoso Art Festival 111 Sierra Blanca Dr. Ruidoso 12 p.m.-6 p.m. (Friday-Saturday) 10 p.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday) Over 100 of the nation’s most talented artists will be set up at the Ruidoso Convention Center showcasing a broad spectrum of mediums including sculpture, photography, glass, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and more. 575-336-4800
JULY 22
Ruidoso Downs Race Track 26225 US Highway 70 East Rainbow QH Derby Final (G1) $1,200,000 est. purse
JULY 22
Spencer Theater Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist 108 Spencer Rd. Alto 8 p.m. 575-336-4800
JULY 22
International Day of the Cowboy Ocotillo Performing Arts Center & Bennie’s Western Wear
JULY 23
Ruidoso Downs Race Track 26225 US Highway 70 East Rainbow QH Futurity Final (G1) $1,000,000 est. purse
JULY 28
Movies Under the Stars - Nine Lives Del Norte Park 4314 N. Grimes Hobbs 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
JULY 30
Ruidoso Downs Race Track 26225 US Highway 70 East Zia QH Derby Final (RG2) $150,000 est. purse Zia QH Futurity Final (RG1) $400,000 est. purse
AUGUST 4 - 6 & 11 - 13 Into the Woods ENMUR-R Performing Arts Cener 64 University Blvd. Roswell 7:30 p.m. (Friday-Sunday) & 2:30 p.m. (Sunday) www.waywayoffbroadway.com
AUGUST 4 - 12
82nd Annual Lea County Fair & PRCA Rodeo leacounty.net
AUGUST 18 - 19
Pro Rodeos Eddy County Sheriff’s Posse 1601 E. Greene Street TBD 325-668-0163
AUGUST 25
Movies Under the Stars - Sing Del Norte Park 4314 N. Grimes Hobbs 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
AUGUST 26
Red Dirt Black Gold Festival Downtown Artesia and Heritage Plaza Free admission Entry fee to NM Beer Garden Entry fee to enter Oilfield Olympian or Oilfield Cook-off team Visit artesiaacd.com for lineup of musicians and for more info
AUGUST 26
International Vulture Awareness Day Living Desert 1504 Miehls Drive 1 p.m.-3 p.m. 575-887-5516
AUGUST 29
36th Annual Heritage Dinner Roswell Convention and Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 575-622-8333
SEPTEMBER 23
Ruffles and Rust Expo Roswell Convention and Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 Admission, 12 and under FREE
OCTOBER 14
Wolf Awareness Day Living Desert 1504 Miehls Drive 1 p.m.-3 p.m. 575-887-5516
OCTOBER 20 - 22 & 27 - 29 Guys and Dolls ENMU-R Performing Arts Center 64 Univeristy Blvd. Roswell 7:30 p.m. (Friday-Sunday) & 2:30 p.m. (Sunday) www.waywayoffbroadway.com
SEPTEMBER 2 - 4
Two Rivers All Handcrafted Arts & Crafts Festival Wingfield Park 415 Wingfield St. Ruidoso This will be the third year for the show. Free to the public.
SEPTEMBER 9
6th Annual Roswell Elks Charity Golf Tournament NMMI Golf Course 201 W. 19th St. Roswell 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ralph Brown 575-627-9255
BOOK BOOK YOUR YOUR
LODGING LODGING & & ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES
ON ON
SEPTEMBER 15 - 16
Clay Crushers Sporting Clays Fun Shoot Eddy County Shooting Range 131 N. Firehouse Road Friday Night Game Night Two rotations available Saturday 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Registration fee includes gift, targets and lunch 575-746-2744 for more info
VisitRuidoso.com
Local Churches & Fellowships Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church 613 Sudderth Dr. Unit D 575.257.0018
Church of Christ 1107 Ave. C Carrizozo 575.648.2537
Calvary Chapel of Ruidoso 127 Vision Dr. 575.257.5915
Community United Methodist Church 220 Junction Rd. 575.257.4170
Canaan Trail Baptist Church 105 Canaan Tr. 575.336.1979
First Presbyterian 101 S. Sutton Rd. 575.257.2220 Gateway Church of Christ 415 Sudderth Dr. 575.257.4381 Grace Harvest Church 806 Gavilan Canyon Rd. 575.336.4213
Episcopal Church of the Holy Mount 121 Mescalero Trail 575.257.2356
Casa De Oracion 220 Junction Rd. 575.257.4170
First Assembly of God 139 El Paso Rd. 575.257.2324
Christ Church in the Downs 604 W. Harris Ln. Ruidoso Downs 575.378.8464
First Baptist Church of Ruidoso 270 Country Club 575.257.2081
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 1091 Mechem Dr. 575.258.1253
Pacto Viviente Church 106 E. Circle Dr. Ruidoso Downs 575.378.9140 or 575.937.6664
First Baptist Church of Carrizozo 314 10th St. Carrizozo 575.648.2968
Church Out of Church River Crossing Ministries & Event Center 1950 Sudderth Dr. 575.937.1890
Jehovah’s Witness 1102 Gavilan Canyon Rd. 575.336.4147 One Church 1218 Mechem Dr. 575.257.2324
First Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs 361 W. Hwy. 70 575.378.4611
Church of the Nazarene Hwy. 48 Angus Hill 575.336.8032
J Bar J Country Church 25974 Hwy. 70 575.257.6899
Peace Chapel ULC 100 Pinon Lane Alto 575.336.7076
First Christian Church Gavilan Canyon and Hull Rd. 575.258.4250
Ruidoso Baptist Church 126 Church Dr. 575.378.4174
Ruidoso Seventh-Day Adventist Church 207 E. Parkway Ruidoso Downs 575.378.4161 Sacramento Mountains Unitarian Universalists Fellowship For locations and meetings call 575.336.2170 or 575.257.8912 Santa Rita Catholic Church 213 Birch St. Carrizozo 575.648.2853 Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran 1120 Hull Rd. 575.258.4191 St. Eleanor’s Catholic Church 120 Junction Rd. 575.257.2330 St. Joseph’s Catholic Mission 114 Mission Trail Mescalero 575.464.4473 St. Matthias Episcopal Church 610 E Ave. Carrizozo 505.257.2356 Trinity United Methodist 1000 D St. Carrizozo 575.648.2893
RUIDOSO'S NEW PREMIER EVENT CENTER Conveniently located, this beautiful facility offers the perfect venue for small, intimate gatherings to large parties of up to 500 guests. Call Julie to schedule a tour and discuss your next special event. HOLIDAY PARTIES
GRADUATIONS
WORKSHOPS
CONCERTS
QUINCEAÑERAS
FAMILY REUNIONS
ANNIVERSARIES
CORPORATE MEETINGS
FUNDRAISERS
HOME OF RIVER CROSSING MINISTRIES - SUNDAYS AT 10:30 A.M. (CHURCH(CHURCH- OUTOUT- OF-CHURCH) OF-CHURCH)
River Crossing Ministries and Event Center 1950 Sudderth Dr. | Ruidoso, NM 88345 (575) 937-1890 www.RuidosoRiverCrossing.info
THE SPENCER THEATER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: A Cultural Gem by Michael Curran
The Spencer Theater rises majestically on a mesa between two mountain ranges surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest in Alto.
It has been said we are defined as a culture by our artistic achievements. Some might disagree with that claim, but if those naysayers would reflect a moment or two on just the Greek Empire, the Italian Renaissance and the U.S. since its inception, most would probably have to accept that the opening sentence has merit. It is with that assertion that the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts rises majestically on a mesa between two mountain ranges surrounded by the Lincoln National Forest in Alto. Since its grand opening on October 3, 1997, it has served as a major attraction for aficionados of national and international arts to the residents of and visitors to Ruidoso, Lincoln County and beyond. It is an exceptional asset to the community and the state which brings added financial and artistic inclusion to the area. Its consistent popularity benefits one and all in multiple ways. That prestigious acclaim requires a concentrated effort by the staff of the Spencer Theater to continuously present outstanding entertainment, state-of-the-art costumes, a fostering of humanities and an enriched art curriculum for students. The approximately $22 million construction cost was funded solely by the late Dr. A.N. and Jackie Spencer. It was 15 years in planning and broke ground January 19, 1996. Regally situated on 74 acres of more-than-suitable countryside property, it contains 49,474 square feet of space. The non-profit organization’s mission statement is straightforward and noble: “To enrich the cultural lives of community members and visitors by presenting the finest in performing arts.” Jackie Spencer’s vision of an active stage, one which encompasses changing performance approaches, styles, genres and themes, has continued. This quintessential home for the performing arts has something for all ages and all genders. It basically has two seasons: summer (June, July and August) and winter (October through April). It is closed in September and again in May for maintenance and advertising. The Class Act Series is made up of professional shows geared for school children in grades two through eight, which include both national and international tours, as is true for all Spencer shows. This program presents two shows a day in the fall and again in the summer. These exhibitions are presented in the 513-seat capacity playhouse where the distance from the
stage (at 4,770 sq. ft.) to the farthest seat is 67 feet. It’s easy to see how 1,000 people or more could attend these performances in a single day. Additionally, the Spencer has an open air stage and amphitheater (964 square feet) that can seat 1,800 or more people for outdoor performances. Normally, the Spencer Theater offers 40-45 events annually of world class touring concerts, shows, plays, operas, dance companies and family and children’s presentations. On June 17, the renowned Alto landmark will host the Taste of the Spencer fundraiser. This 10th annual affair will have gourmet food tastings, generous pours of wine and an auction of first-rate items from around the country, all collected to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Spencer. It will take place on both levels of the Crystal Lobby, and patrons are invited to savor samplings at various catering stations while indulging red and white libations. Supporters in attendance may bid on items in a silent auction. Items close to home that are up for auction include fine art, home furnishings, golf memberships and other premier contributions. Further from home, bidders may compete for package journeys to fancy locales around the globe, outdoor adventures or old world experiences. This year’s auction will feature more than 200 items. Other June events will include the Texas country group Reckless Kelly on the 23rd. On July 1 at 8 p.m., the 39-member Air National Guard Band of the Southwest will perform a free concert preceded by a pecan smoked pork rib buffet offered at 6 p.m. for $20. Friday, July 14 is being set aside for the Missoula Children’s Theater; the Spencer Theater is calling for 50 to 60 young actors between the ages of six and 17 for a performance of the Tortoise and the Hare.
SUMMER 2017 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
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Patrons enjoy the hospitality of the Spencer Theater like the Taste of the Spencer fundraiser.
events
Other engaging happenings for the summer season will include the gold medal winner of the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (July 22, 8 p.m.); Shining a New Light on the Arts (July 29, 8 p.m.); Crystal Gayle (August 5, 8 p.m.); The Lettermen (August 12, 8 p.m.); Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits (August 19, 8 p.m.); Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (August 24 and 25, 8 p.m.); and brothers Dylan and Zachary Zmed bringing the Everly Brothers Experience to the stage (September 2, 8 p.m.).
Enjoy performances in the Spencer Thea ter’s intimate 514-seat capacity, state-of-the-art stage facility.
Throughout the year (excluding holidays), public tours are offered at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tour reservations (subject to cancellation due to weather) can be made by calling 575-336-4800. Parking in the upper lot is free, and valet service is available for $5. The Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts relies on the generous support of people who want to see this cultural gem maintain its world-class stature. For further information, please call 575-336-4800 or visit www.SpencerTheater. com. In the meantime, to quote the credo of the Spencer, “The show must go on--and always will.”
A visit to the Spencer Theater will be a unique intimate and immediate exp erience. Bring your friends .
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The White Apron Society
™
Michael Aguilar (left) and Jockey Club Executive Chef Brendan Gochenour prepare dishes for the Savor the Flavor fundraiser, which netted $10,000 on behalf of the Nest (domestic violence shelter).
HAS HEARD A CA L L I NG by Michael Curran
Sometimes a person is compelled to follow an instinct, pursuit or mission without exactly knowing why. At times, it is thrust upon us for no apparent reason … or is it? Whatever the case, occasionally it can take hold of you and become a duty. Such may have been the case for Executive Chef Brendan Gochenour of the Jockey Club at Ruidoso Downs Race Track when he initially founded the White Apron Club. “As chefs we attempt to create memories for people,” he explained. “Something that customers can fondly recall long afterward. I wanted to start an organization whereby local chefs could get together and have a sense of camaraderie. We, in this profession, are usually in our own bubble. We concentrate on our own exigencies, wanting to conceive excellent edible fare.”
The White Apron Society’s mission statement is “to serve our community with our talents and teach youths the basics of nutrition through cooking; providing inspiration and encouragement in developing the next generation of chefs; holding strong to the belief that the service of one’s self will advance the well-being of humankind, community and the world.”
“I originally perceived the name the White Apron Club from a Benjamin Franklin organization designated the Leather Apron Club. It was a group of craftsmen who wanted to get together to discuss new ideas. My first aim was to establish cooking classes for young adults and to teach them the lost art of food preparation. A couple of years later, Coleen Widell, the executive director of the Nest at the time, suggested the name White Apron Society. She thought the word club suggested a collection of people together merely to have fun. Hence, I changed the name to its current title and trademarked it.”
Currently, the White Apron Society has about 10 members from the Ruidoso area and expects to expand. Also, Gochenour would like to see his faction spread to other communities. He is presently working with chef Jim Bradburn to form a White Apron Society chapter in White Sands. “In the beginning I could always count on chef Shawn Seymour of Chef Shawn’s Eatery in midtown Ruidoso (at 2415 Sudderth) to help out when he was needed,” Gochenour confided. “He was always willing and able to give assistance, even if it was out of his own pocket. We then started pulling in additional chef contacts to get planned charity work achieved.” Gochenour was born and raised in Ruidoso. “This area was always good to me, so I wanted to give something back,” he disclosed. “Our first big opportunity to lend a helping
SUMMER 2017 | A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
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hand came when the Little Bear Fire of June 2012 struck.” Innumerable volunteers, led by Gochenour and the late chef Perry Champion, commenced to cook and serve food to hundreds of displaced residents, local firemen and hotshots from around the country.
plan and give it 110 percent. In the off-time, why not use your God-given talents to make your community a better place? Using our skills, chefs have to roll with the punches. It’s in our DNA to control situations like costs, creativity, employees, etc. We want to make people happy. Most chefs are that way.”
From that catastrophic fire, the White Apron Society went on to serve the Nest, a local abuse shelter. The Nest’s Executive Director Coleen Widell approached Gochenour with a plan to raise money for the needs of the Nest. This collaboration culminated in the inception of the Empty Bowl, a soup competition that brought home cooks and restaurant chefs together for a culinary competition replete with silent auctions and handmade pottery bowls.
Last December, the White Apron Society sold cookies to raise money for Ella Glass, a 15-year-old high school student who was diagnosed with the rare Ewing’s Sarcoma cancer. It turned a $1,400 cost into $7,000 to aid the Glass family. (See her story on page 6 in this issue of Focus on Ruidoso.) In March 2016, Gochenour’s group hosted a successful fundraiser to help save a Ruidoso landmark, the Old Mill.
“We have done some other things, like giving schools nutritional guidance,” Gochenour said. “We have helped with fundraisers to support the culinary department of a high school. In other efforts, in 2015 we raised $30,000. Think how great that would be in other towns for all the people. I think that is truly possible.”
Besides his personal life (he is married with six children-three daughters and three sons) and his responsibilities at the Jockey Club, he still finds the time to give of himself and is fully committed to helping people in need. He has recently announced that the White Apron Society events have been so successful that other events are being planned months to a year in advance.
He continued, “There’s one paramount trait chefs are generally known for. They are accomplished organizational people. Let’s say a party of 50 suddenly arrives at your restaurant and wants hors d’oeuvres. You hurriedly get a team together, develop a
PHOTO ABOVE: White Apron member, Executive Chef Randy Narveson of Alto Lakes
Country Club, shows a sampling of his cuisine.
Shawn Seymour, Mike James, Four stellar culinary artists, Chef ther. Gochenour share a moment toge dan Justin Besancon and Chef Bren
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PHOTO ABOVE LEFT: Audrey Gochenour prepares cookies for the Ella Glass cancer fundraiser. PHOTO ABOVE RIGHT: Chef Brendan Gochenour does a Superman impression to show the White Apron Society T-shirt.
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
Competetive Salary Health & Retirement Benefits Contact Human Resources 575-625-3115
teacher feature
Megan Goza-Rabourn
Art teacher • Ruidoso Middle School
Education: Master’s degree in art education, University of New Mexico, 2001; Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing, University of New Mexico, 1996
FOCUS: How did you wind up at the Ruidoso Municipal School District? GOZA-RABOURN: In the spring of 2001 I graduated with my master’s degree in art education at the University of New Mexico. My husband Trevor and I had enjoyed living in Albuquerque but were ready for a move to a smaller town. There were very few openings for art teachers in the state at the time, but Ruidoso was looking for a middle school art teacher to replace a retiree. We drove down together and were delighted to find this gem of a town. I interviewed the next day, was offered the job, and have been here ever since. FOCUS: Tell us a little bit about your professional background and your role in education. GOZA-RABOURN: I have been teaching middle school art for sixteen years and still love it! My job is never boring, and I have made it my mission to introduce my students to the joys of creating art through as many different mediums as I can. I personally have studied drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, woodworking and crafts as well as mixed media and printmaking. I love all these processes and am constantly looking for new ways to combine them. FOCUS: Tell us about you. What are your hobbies and interests? GOZA-RABOURN: I have a very active family, and we spend a lot of time outdoors in our beautiful forest as well as traveling around the Southwest. We hike, canoe, fish and camp when we get the chance and enjoy these romps with kids and dogs and anyone else who may want to tag along. I also play the ukulele and make jewelry and love to read. FOCUS: Please tell us about any awards you have received for your work in education. GOZA-RABOURN: I have served on the Leadership team at Ruidoso Middle School for many years as well as chairman of the Student Health and Wellness committee. I was a founding member of the Ruidoso Middle School Positive Behavior team and have been named Teacher of the Month for Ruidoso Middle School.
FOCUS: What’s special about the Ruidoso educational system? GOZA-RABOURN: The Ruidoso Municipal School District (RMSD) is special because of its remarkably diverse student population comprised of three wonderfully strong cultures. Our educational community has embraced this diversity and provides ways to celebrate and strengthen these unique identities. By supporting the arts and electives in general, RMSD gives students a pathway to explore their identities and the community a way to celebrate them. The amazing staff of RMSD work incredibly hard to nurture individuals and to create a culture of learning and support for students of all backgrounds, identities and abilities. FOCUS: What do you want people to know about your school, its educators and the work they do that perhaps no one knows about or understands? GOZA-RABOURN: Teachers work incredibly hard every day to nurture, support and educate our youth. Teaching demands so much energy, flexibility and attention that it is an incredibly dynamic field. It is often exhausting and frustrating but also so very energizing and motivating. Ruidoso Middle School in particular is populated with amazing teachers that guide and teach students with dedication, passion and a (necessary) sense of humor. FOCUS: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? GOZA-RABOURN: It is incredibly rewarding to see my students gain the technical skills and the confidence to express themselves with art. Once they have been introduced to media and have had an opportunity to practice, students realize they have the power to solve visual problems and to make something beautiful and/or interesting that has never existed in the world. That is so very empowering for them and so rewarding for me! FOCUS: Do you have a motto or saying that you live by? GOZA-RABOURN: Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is born an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” May we all play, experiment and learn for the rest of our days!
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1. The All American Futurity is held every Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and is the last leg of the
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Triple Crown, which has only been won once. What is the year and the name of the horse who accomplished this challenging feat?
2.
Where has Ruidoso designated a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sister Cityâ&#x20AC;??
3. What is the average annual rainfall precipitation for Ruidoso? 4. A well-known Hollywood actor was born in Albuquerque, but lived in Ruidoso as a child. Who is he? 5. Which group of people is credited with first coming to the Ruidoso area? 6. What is the largest plane able to land at Sierra Blanca airport? 7. The population of Ruidoso in 2016 was 7,769. How many people is that per square mile? 8. Hale Lake and Bonito Lake share a common trait. What is it? 9. When was Sierra Blanca Airport constructed and completed? 10. Who was the first mayor of Ruidoso? 11. What is the elevation of Ruidoso?
1. Special Effort in 1981 2. Puerto Penasco 3. 21.85" 4. Neil Patrick Harris 5. The Spaniards, and later the Mescalero Apache 6. Boeing 737 7. 480 8. They are both said to be haunted. 9. 1987 10. Ike Wingfield 11. 6,729 feet
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FOCUS ON RUIDOSO | SUMMER 2017
WHAT TO KNOW
7 Reasons to Own a Home 1. Tax Bene�its
4. Savings
The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home.
2. Appreciation
Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The recent housing crisis has caused some to question the long-term value of real estate, but even in the most recent 10 years, which included quite a few very bad years for housing, values are still up 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, the number of U.S. households is expected to rise 10 to15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing.
3. Equity
Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.
Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.
5. Predictability
Unlike rent, your �ixed-rate mortgage payments don’t rise over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will likely increase.
6. Freedom.
The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your lifestyle.
7. Stability
Remaining in one neighborhood for several years allows you and your family time to build long-lasting relationships within the community. It also offers children the bene�it of educational and social continuity. REALTOR® Magazine | RealtorMag.Realtor.org Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
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