New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle

JINGLE JANGLE

“When things go back to normal”. Who’s normal?

We are the backbone of the county and we are under HIS wings.

– Sandra Lacy NM State Cowbelle President

Igrew up in a small town where teachers knew your whole family. They graded their papers and worked on the ranch after school. They never had a cross word when ranch kids came to school with mud and more on their boots. In fact we had a school trip to one of the teacher’s ranch, we rode around in a stock trailer, and it wasn’t sanitary. How about the days we had off for the county fair? Lots of kids had fair animals. We had single cab, standard trucks with full gun racks, seldom, if ever locked. That was normal.

In the summer there were mud puddles full of tadpoles and dirt tanks to swim in. We licked salt blocks, ate cow cake, drank from the water hose. A half dozen of us could ride in the back of the truck to town. Even the horse rode back there. That was normal.

Best hamburgers were at the sale barn. The cafe had screen doors that banged constantly from people coming in and out. Fly swatters on every table. The cafe was loaded with the old timers telling stories, the auctioneers’ chants, the gates banging. Those old wood seats, stained and hard to climb. When my dad would get up to get coffee, he would always look back at me and say “and don’t you be buying anything.” He never forgot to say that after I bought some day-old calves. That was normal.

Times certainly have changed. What hasn’t changed is the love of land and livestock. The work ethic. Knowledge that is passed down to generation to generation. The passion for the life style. That is our history. Pres-Elect: Jacinda Price

Vice-president: Vonda Frost

Treasure: Stephanie Avent

Secretary: Michelle Greeman.

Chaplin:Corrina Casler

The 2021 NM State Cowbelle Officers. ▫

Powderhorn Cattlewomen met at First Baptist Church on February 11 with Beverly Overton and Joan Key, as co-hostesses. Eleven members were present with one guest. The group had a delightful and fun meeting! The raffle was a huge success and able to fund the group’s scholarships in addition to increasing the donation to the Boys and Girls Ranch as well as the two Christian Children’s home. The group is grateful for all that bought tickets and promoted the cattlewomen fundraiser! The winners are: Pow Carter, Molly Jensen and Kelsey McCollum! Congrats to them! Hostesses are still needed for the year and Sandy McKenna, chairwoman, will be calling members! Old Fort Days moved to Labor Day weekend with hopes of the group working with the Ft. Sumner Chamber of Commerce on Annual BBQ Booth. Next meeting will be at Kari Henry’s home in Ft. Sumner on March 11. See you there! Joan Key, Secretary

President Jeni Neely called the Chamiza CowBelles’ February meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. in the Albert Lyon Event Center with seven members present. Jeni read the Prayer and Creed and all recited the Pledge. Cathy read minutes from last meeting in November 2020, approved as read. Nancy took over the treasurer’s position from Robbie in November. In the transition period, there was a discrepancy of approximately $5. The group decided to go forward from this point with the current balance. Nancy proposed printing this year’s beef raffle tickets on cardstock providing are able to use a discount card. Otherwise, will have them printed on regular bond paper. The membership has increased to 40 members. A letter received from scholarship recipient, Buddy Neely, explaining the circumstances of why he shortly left college and gave up his scholarship. He may re-apply for assistance later. Thank you, Buddy, for sharing with the group. Jeni received a letter from the State CowBelles asking for confirmation of the information contained in the Directory of Officers. Local officers accepted as discussed at November meeting are President, Jeni Neely; Vice-President, Sherry Ibara; Secretary, Cathy Pierce, and Treasurer, Nancy Phelps. Nancy wore one of the new T-shirts to the meeting; they can be purchased from Nancy for $20. Krystie agreed to oversee the scholarships this year and Nancy will make sure the high school receives the application requirements soon. Jeni reported there should be 15+ steers at the fair this year. Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce

New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to Jingle Jangle. Please send minutes and/or newsletters to Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007 or email: janetwitte@msn.com. ▫