Mountain Mail Archives

This Blog Is No Longer Being Updated

2011-06-09T14:31:00.006-06:00

The new Mountain Mail website is: www.mountainmailnews.com.

A downloadable .pdf of the print version of the newspaper and other articles can be found on the new website.

The new website is replacing this blog, so this blog will no longer be updated.

Please go to http://www.mountainmailnews.com for all new material and updated articles.

We are now accepting letters to the editor and material for future articles.

Our email is: editor@mountainmailnews.com or call 575-854-3500.

Our snail mail address is: P.O. Box 500, Magdalena, NM 87825.

Our physical address is: 504 First Street in Magdalena.

We will keep this site active for archival purposes only.

Newspaper Relocating

2011-05-09T15:17:00.000-06:00

The Mountain Mail is relocating to Magdalena under new ownership. Updates forthcoming!

Quemado Connection

2011-01-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

By Debbie Leschner

The Cowboy Christian Church has begun a new program to help the community. The members of the church have collected some food and warm winter clothing, coats, shoes and other items, that will be available to the community during a time of need. It was started to help families who were in dire need of food and could not make it from month to month. Items will also be available to families who have a loss due to a fire and need help to get back on their feet.
The Cowboy Church located off Highway 32 near Quemado and is open the third Friday of the month from 10 a.m. till noon so people can come and pick up items. Sometimes folks just need a little help to make through tough times and the folks at the Cowboy Church would like to be there to offer that help.
If you know of someone who is in that situation or you would like to donate food, clothing or household items you may call the church at 773-4265, Charlotte at 772-2568 or Dora at 773-4165. There is a limited amount of food and clothing at this time but it is a start says a member of the congregation.

The activities for the week at the Quemado Senior Center include a pool tournament on Tuesday, Jan 18, with quilting and bingo on Thursday. The center will be closed Monday for the holiday.

Lunch for Tuesday – beef stroganoff over noodles, Wednesday – chicken fried steak, Thursday – chicken enchiladas with green chili and Friday – Brunswick stew. All seniors are welcome. Please call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations.

January Birthdays include Jim Anderson, Charlotte Buchanan, Wayne Donham, Chris Hosetler, Matt Rodruquez, Marjory Tiaynham, Shana Tuffly and Missy Williams. Happy Birthday!

The Women's Fellowship Luncheon will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18 at noon in the Cowboy Church located off Highway 32 near Quemado. The Men’s Breakfast will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. For more information, please call 772-2568.

The Western New Mexico Veterans Group will hold their monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 21 in the Veterans' Hall located at the corner of Baca and Church Street in Quemado. A potluck begins at 6 p.m. with a meeting to follow. All veterans and their families are welcome. For more information contact Commander Rick Sharp at 733-4350.

The Quemado Schools spelling bee will be held Thursday, Jan. 20. The county spelling bee will be held in Quemado on Thursday, Jan 27.

Basketball games for the week: Boys and Girls Junior Varsity will have a home game against Alamo on Thursday, Jan 20, Boys and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity will play an away game against Mountainair on Friday, Jan 21 and both Boys and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity play an away game against Hondo on Saturday.

LETTER: Co-op Informational Meetings Questioned

2011-01-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Editor:

The SEC board of non-trustable trustees (with the exception of C. Wagner) just doesn't get it! We don’t NEED “informational meetings” about raising the rates of our electric service! We already know that they have wasted and mismanaged SEC funds for far too many years. They seem to have a comprehension problem that this is wasting still more money. My suggestion is to boycott all such meetings. We don’t need them and we should not go. If you think you must do something, then picket them.

Barbara Moore

Magdalena

Magdalena Marshal's Blotter

2011-01-05T09:49:00.002-07:00

The following items were taken from reports at the Magdalena Marshal’s office.

Dec. 18
An officer took an accident report at 6:45 p.m. on Hop Canyon Road where a vehicle struck an elk. There were no injuries to the driver or passenger.

Dec. 20
An officer took a report at 9:45 a.m. of damage to a police vehicle. The case is under investigation and officers a reviewing the security camera video tape.

Dec. 21
Officers stopped a vehicle for speeding at mile marker 113 on Highway 60. The driver from Albuquerque was arrested for DWI and possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver blew a .10 blood alcohol level.

Dec. 22
An officer made contact with a male subject on First Street at 12:30 p.m. The subject was taken to the Magdalena Marshal’s office where the Magdalena ambulance was called. The subject’s blood alcohol level was .34. The subject was charged in Magdalena Municipal Court.

Dec. 27
An officer stopped a vehicle at 9:16 p.m. on Hop Canyon Road where the three males were under the influence. The driver was arrested by New Mexico State Police for DWI and the passengers were turned over to guardians. The passengers face several charges in juvenile court.

Dec. 30
An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding at First Street and Kelly Road. A passenger in the vehicle was arrested for two outstanding warrants from Socorro Magistrate Court and Magdalena Municipal Court.

2010 Gave us Plenty of News to Report

2010-12-31T10:38:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

The most talked about articles published in the Mountain Mail in 2010 included the death of Theresa Saiz-Chavez, fires in Magdalena, marijuana plantations on the Rio Grande, controversies at the Socorro Electric Cooperative, and a mixed bag of other happenings.
Some of the top stories covered by the Mountain Mail in 2010:
In January three new SEC trustees – Luis Aguilar, Prescilla Mauldin and Donald Wolberg – took office. They had been elected on the promise of supporting changes to the co-op’s bylaws.
Socorro’s only radio station, KMXQ, signed off the air in April after being acquired by a Wyoming-based broadcasting company. The signal at 92.9 on the FM dial is still silent.
Also in April, Socorro Electric Cooperative members passed sweeping changes in the way the cooperative operates at the annual members meeting.On June 8, John “Jack” Hayden was arrested in connection with the death of Theresa Saiz-Chavez, whose body was found locked in the trunk of her car under a bridge off Chaparral. At the preliminary hearing District Attorney Clint Wellborn made the case that Saiz-Chavez identified Hayden as putting her in the trunk on the 911 recording. Defense attorney Lee Deschamps argued that she entered the trunk herself in order to hide from Hayden, who was pursuing her. The case against Hayden is expected to go to trial in District Court on Jan. 18, 2011.
Also in June, the first of five large marijuana plantations along the Rio Grande bosque was destroyed by officers of Socorro Police, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Bureau of Land Management.
The Mountain Mail was tipped off to the presence of Legionnaires Disease at the spa and pool at the Holiday Inn Express in June. The owner of the hotel, Dr. Ravi Bhasker, had the areas cleaned and sanitized after being notified by the New Mexico Environmental Department.
Sheriff’s deputies broke up an apparent cockfight in Lemitar, and June saw the reporting of bears and mountain lions in the Magdalena area, and at homes and campsites in Catron County.
In July, a Datil man, Jason Lon Kirby, was indicted by an Arizona grand jury on charges of fraudulent schemes and artifices, trafficking in stolen property and two counts of theft after allegedly stealing 200 head of cattle.
Poor adobe plastering was the cause of a Lemitar Church wall collapsing in July and the closing of the sanctuary at San Miguel Church. In November, Father Andy Pavlok began using San Miguel’s Parish Hall for church services.
Socorro Electric Cooperative General Manager Polo Pineda and Kathy Torres were suspended and were eventually fired by the board of trustees. The following month a forensic audit was held.
In August, Martin Pyke, who was implicated in a March 2006 fire and theft at the Eagles Club four years ago accused in the theft of money from the Eagles Club, was allowed to make restitution in lieu of being prosecuted as part of the District Attorney’s Pre-prosecution Diversion Program
Joseph Vallejos, owner and operator of JM Abstract and Title Co., was arrested on two counts of fraud. He was arraigned in Magistrate Court on Nov. 19.
The Rode Inn Motel in Reserve was destroyed by fire on Dec. 14.
Businesses making news were the opening of Family Dollar in Magdalena, the Stage Door Grill closing and Old Town Bistro opening in the same location, Subway’s first week of business, and the Warrior Grill opening on California Street.
In 2010, a number of much loved and respected people passed away. Gary Perry, longtime president and member of the Socorro County Fair and Rodeo Association and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, died May 5 after a short illness. Charles B. Moore, renowned researcher on atmospheric physics, passed away on March 2 in Socorro, and Jacky Barrington, founder and longtime publisher of the Magdalena Mountain Mail newspaper, passed away March 9 in Centennial, Colo.

Workshop Intended to Curb Narcotics Activity

2010-12-31T10:30:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

The Socorro Police Department is taking steps to further curb narcotics activity in the Socorro area by attending training workshops hosted by the national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
Police Chief George Van Winkle said Detective Rocky Fernandez recently attended a “drug cartel” conference in Las Cruces and a Domestic Highway Interdiction workshop in Phoenix.
According to its website, the HIDTA program enhances and coordinates drug control efforts among local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies. The program provides agencies with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug trafficking in critical regions of the United States.
Van Winkle said Mexican drug cartels are expanding their methods of getting cocaine, heroin, and marijuana into the Southwest.
“They’re trying to figure out new ways to smuggle the drugs into the country, and how to get them on the streets,” Van Winkle said. “Socorro is at the junction of two common routes for transporting narcotics, Highway 60 and I-25, and we’re constantly looking for drugs.
“We’re out there doing traffic stops and our officers are trained in what to look for when a drive is pulled over for a traffic violation,” he said.
Van Winkle said the practice of profiling does not apply when making traffic stops. “At night there’s no way you can see who’s in the vehicle, especially on I-25,” he said. “We are very conscious on that, and if you go back through the citations, [the suspects] are all different.”
He said officers are trained to spot inconsistencies in drivers’ stories, coupled with other indications, like out-of-state plates. “We work with the Border Patrol on some cases,” Van Winkle said. “But we’ve assisted them more than they’ve assisted us.”
“The sheriff’s office has been good to work with. We assist each other regularly,” he said. “The whole idea is to get the bad guys.”
Detective Fernandez said the conferences he attended gave an insight into the extent of drug trafficking from Mexico, and how dangerous it is to travel south of the border.
“One Mexican who was stopped in Las Cruces said, ‘muchas muertes,’ when they asked him why he crossed the border,” Fernandez said. “On one day alone there were 280 killings in Juarez.”
While over 12,000 have been killed in Mexico in 2010, three thousand of those were killed in Juarez alone, he said. “Right now the government is saying simply do not go to Mexico.”
“In Mexico, people driving can be stopped anywhere by Cartel members dressed as police or Federales,” Fernandez said. “And they even have official looking vehicles. The only way you can tell if it’s a real police car is by the VIN.”
He said he learned that Mexican drug cartels are building their drug corridor out of Mexico northward, and infiltrating into Colorado, where companies are started as a front.
“They will hire Mexicans to work for them, and they know what their family connections are in Mexico,” he said. “They have photographs of their family members and tell them, “if you don’t do what we want you to do, everyone in your family will be dead within 24 hours.”
Van Winkle said the HIDTA program provides much needed funding for officers’ overtime.
“Federal money gives more opportunity for officers to earn a little more money, and have more officers working,” he said. “They have the option to be working on their off time, if they decide to.”

Co-op to Hold Info Meetings in January

2010-12-31T10:29:00.002-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

Socorro Electric Cooperative office manager Eileen Latasa at the board of trustee’s regular meeting on Dec. 22 outlined a tentative schedule for a series of meetings that could take place at various sites within the public utility’s service area in January.
She said the idea of the meetings would be to provide member-owners with information regarding the rate increases that are set to go into effect next year, along with an explanation of the cost of service study behind the rise in fees.
A meeting for District 1 would take place at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the Veguita Senior Citizens Center; a meeting for Districts 2, 3 and 4 would take place at 5:30 on Jan. 21 at Finley Gym in Socorro; as of Wednesday, Dec. 29, the details for a meeting for District 5 is still being worked on, according to Latasa.
Meanwhile, the board scheduled its next regular meeting for 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 inside the co-op’s board room located at 310 Abeyta St. in Socorro.

Educational Retirement Board Revises Eligibility Recommendations

2010-12-31T10:28:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

The New Mexico Educational Retirement Board amended its recommendations concerning retirement eligibility requirements for employees of all public schools in the state, from local school systems to universities. The new requirements will be submitted the state legislature during its 60 day session, which begins on Jan. 18.
After a public comment period during a special board meeting on Dec. 17 in Albuquerque, the board voted unanimously to recommend two new requirements for collecting retirement pay. Both used a formula based on years of service in addition the employee’s age.
For those employed before July 1, 2010, the current eligibility requirement of 25 years will be retained. For those whose employment began afterward, there is a new requirement of 30 years.
In addition, all employees will see a one-half percent increase in their retirement fund contributions. This increase will be phased in over a four-year period, resulting in an increase of .0125 percent per year.
New Mexico Tech President Dan Lopez said in light of the financial state of the retirement funds, the decision of the board was more acceptable than the initial recommendation, which called for raising the number of years a person is employed from 25 to 35, raising member contributions to 9.9 percent of salary, and reducing benefits by 2.4 percent if retirement is before age 60.
“What they are needing to do is insure solvency – that the funds are sufficient to fulfill retirement pay if everyone currently employed works until retirement. It’s a big improvement over the original plan,” said Lopez. “But, of course, this will all have to be approved by the legislature.”
New Mexico Tech currently has about 1,000 employees.
ERB Chairwoman Mary Lou Cameron said, “This recommendation is expected to achieve the board’s goal of reaching the recommended Government Accounting Standards Board criterion of 80 percent funding within 30 years.”
Those wanting more information can visit www.nmerb.org, or contact Jan Goodwin, NMERB executive director, at 505-476-6118.
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Accident On California Street

2010-12-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

No one was seriously hurt in a wreck Dec. 16 that resulted in the temporary closure of two lanes on California Street and the destruction of a light pole in the median. According to the accident report, Candice Baldonado was heading south in a 1992 Chevrolet SUV at 8 a.m. when her vehicle was struck by a Dodge van driven by Shane Savage, who was making a left turn onto California from Proto St. Savage was issued citations for failing to yield the right-of-way and driving on a suspended driver’s license.

Transition to Morning sky Nearly Done

2010-12-31T10:17:00.000-07:00

January Skies
By Jon Spargo
New MexicoTech Astronomy Club

For the past few months we’ve seen a slow transition of planets from the evening sky into the morning sky. With the exception of Jupiter, this transition is nearly complete. Jupiter is still found in the evening sky high in the south-southwest. Uranus is still hovering nearby, barely a half of a degree north of Jupiter. This will be the last opportunity to see these planets so close together until 2038. Binoculars or a small telescope should offer excellent views of both planets.
During the month, Saturn transits the midnight hour. At the beginning of the month it rises at 12:30 a.m. but by month’s end you will see it rise at 10:30 p.m. Saturn’s magnificent rings have opened to a tilt of 10 degrees, which is the best since 2007.
Dazzling Venus, at magnitude -4.5, will rise as much as 3.75 hours before the sun and climb to almost 20 degrees above the horizon before sunrise. Mercury reaches its greatest elongation on the 9th rising, about one and one half hours before the Sun. At magnitude 0 it should be easy to spot below and to the left of Venus during the first two weeks of the month.
The moon will be new on Tuesday, Jan. 4, first quarter on Jan. 12, full on Jan. 19, and last quarter on the Jan. 26. On Saturday, Jan. 1, the waning crescent moon can be found, about one hour before sunrise, in the southeast halfway between Venus and Mercury in the early morning sky about one hour before sunrise.
On Jan. 8 and 9, the crescent moon will be keeping company with Jupiter in the west. On Jan. 25 at about 1 a.m., look for the waning moon just below and to the right of the ringed planet Saturn. In the early morning hours from Jan. 28 to 30, the waning crescent moon will be found parading past Antares and Venus.
For you orbital mechanics, the Earth will reach perihelion on Monday, Jan. 3. This marks its closest approach to the sun at about 91.4 million miles.
Clear Skies!

Socorro Police, Chief Honored for DWI Reduction

2010-12-31T10:15:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

The Socorro Police Department and Chief George Van Winkle were honored this week by Gov. Bill Richardson and the state’s DWI Czar, Rachel O’Connor, for their increased efforts to reduce drunk driving in New Mexico in 2010.
Van Winkle received the Governor’s Superblitz Performance Award at city hall Wednesday. The police department was also awarded $10,000 to go toward DWI related equipment.
“We will probably use the money to buy cameras for four of our units,” Van Winkle said.
The department will also receive funding to attend the next national Lifesaver’s conference, a national highway safety meeting, in Phoenix.
According to O’Connor, since 2003 New Mexico has seen a 35 percent reduction in alcohol-related fatalities. The state had 221 alcohol-related fatalities in 2002. There have been 131 alcohol-related fatalities in the state to date in 2010.
Decisions were based on an independent review of all agencies participating in Superblitz activities. Awards were given to the top performers for large, medium and small agencies whose activities contributed to the reduction in alcohol-related fatalities.
Others receiving the award were Chief Faron Segotta of the New Mexico State Police and Chief Ernest Mendoza of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Department.
“We have all worked very hard to keep drunk drivers off our streets, and we are proud of the work of these law enforcement agencies,” Richardson said in a press release. “Their efforts have been crucial in the success of our statewide efforts in reducing DWI in New Mexico.”

OBITUARY: David E. Griego

2010-12-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

David E. Griego, 61, passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2010 in Socorro surrounded by his loving family.
He was born June 20, 1949 to Elfego Griego and Caroline Cuellar.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Cathy Griego of Socorro; his devoted children, David Griego and wife, Barbara also of Socorro; and Elaine Montoya and husband Michael, of Bernalillo, NM; four grandchildren, Joshua; Madison; Jalen; and Tiara; his brothers, Paul Cases and wife, Frances; Rick Griego and wife, Julie; Elfego Griego Jr.; Levi Griego; Sam Griego; Anthony Griego; and Elmer Griego; his sisters, Ida Ortega; and Geraldine Rael; his aunt; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents and his brother, Carlos Griego.
David was a life long resident of Socorro. He was a self-employed carpenter and a devoted member of San Miguel Catholic Church.
A Rosary was recited on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at San Miguel Catholic Church. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:00 am with Deacon Mike Ybarra as Celebrant. Interment will take place in the San Miguel Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Daryl Cases, Rick Griego Jr., Joshua Griego, JC Griego, Miguel Griego, Robert Olguin, Tony Derryberry, and Jolinda Cuellar. Honorary Pallbearers are Salo Griego, Mick Chavez, and Robert Chavez.
Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 575-835-1530.

OBITUARY: Anastacio S. Sedillo

2010-12-31T10:11:00.000-07:00

Anastacio S. Sedillo, 85, passed away Thursday, December 23, 2010 in Socorro.
Anastacio was born on February 5, 1925 to Fillamon and Elisearia (Sais) Sedillo in Socorro.
He is survived by his sons, Dennis Sedillo; Paul Sedillo; and Herman Sedillo; his daughter, Viola Edwards; his half brother, Junior Eatman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Anastacio was a lifelong resident of Socorro and a member of San Miguel Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Michael. A Military Memorial service and internment will be held on Friday, January 7, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 575-835-1530.

OPINION: The Government is Just Plain Embarrassing

2010-12-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

Magdalena Potluck
By Margaret Wiltshire

We are not victims. We are the US in USA. We have never been perfect but we have always been worthwhile. Shock and Awe isn’t just a military experience. No matter what your politics are or have been, chances are our government has embarrassed you sometime in the past few years.
We let things slip by in Washington for decades so we are responsible, as well. We’ve been enjoying the kinds of comfort that are just not good for you, or anyone.
While 9/11 First Responders waited almost a decade for a real thank you, our government began two wars killing many more of US. Even in 2010 our government had such little respect for those who represent the best of US that they held their health care hostage right up to the holidays.
There are some miserable souls in this world. Their goal is to make someone else miserable. It’s a lack of power they feel and have to deny to others. They are bullies. Bullies can be found anywhere from playgrounds to government offices and everywhere in between.
Unfortunately there is often – not always, but often – a real trickle down effect. Yes, and one that works. Abusers create abusers and one street gang creates another. Tit for tat.
I guess we showed Saddam Hussein who can commit war crimes and who can’t; who can use weapons of mass destruction and who can’t. The Nuremberg War Crime Trials once got our full support, and so did our manufacturing. Times change, bullies don’t.
We are not the first people to have a government go sour on them. We can survive.
We knew in the beginning that a government would not represent individuals individually. What we demanded was that they respect us individually.
Later, we agreed to pay taxes for state and federal services. We hire these people to service us. Now they’ve got a better offer from multinationals. I am not going to wander through this maze. I just want to suggest that honing our survival skills might be a good idea.
First, decide and commit to survival. Second, become aware of your surroundings and situation. Do that without lying to yourself or getting overly emotional. This is not the time for wishing or feeling, it is a time to be objective. The ego is not a great help here. This is true in battle, it’s true in a VA hospital and in a cancer ward. It’s true at the kitchen table with the bills in front of you. It’s true in a job hunt. Wishing, hoping, begging, and self-deceit will work against you. Know what your problem is and know what you are. These are tools.
Be curious. Situations may be similar but never forget they are always unique. Be fully aware of the now, this situation, this moment. Knowledge or intel is a tool.
Be flexible. Consider all possibilities. Surviving often means forgetting about rules. Holding on to patterns, habits, traditions and personal values and bias may bury you. Be willing to break some rules, even or especially if you wrote them.
Surviving is not about the ego. Keep the ego for R and R or at least ‘til you get to a safe place and you can say, “Did I just survive that.” (That’s not a question, that’s an assertion.)
Look at your take on a situation, up, down and sideways, as if you were evaluating someone else’s idea. This is where being partisan can do you in.
If you can’t look at courses of action from every angle it can be worse than tunnel vision. The other person might have a good idea, if you can’t see it, you lose.
When in doubt, trust your gut. Einstein said, “The only valuable thing is intuition.” It’s because your mind and body want you to survive and all you have to do is ask, and listen. Don’t wait for a traumatic event, practice, practice, practice. It’s like fry bread, you’ve got to get a feel for it. If your gut is tough and tight, you are not there yet.

Here’s to your Health
You are what you eat. If you are eating, you are alive and need to keep moving. Your health is your real social class, as in, you are as good as you feel. Sometimes we need help but help works better if we help ourselves as well.
Good for you food is not boring. White flour and white sugar are boring. I know I’m suppose to say that about white rice too, but just can’t bring myself to say it. I love white rice; I’m not eating it anymore (not very often).
Seriously, if you haven’t found a way to eat your vegetables, keep looking. We now have access to recipes from all around the world. Explore. The truth remains that most veggies are best pretty much as is. Some need a little cooking.
We nurturing adults are weird with our offspring. When they are at an age when they believe everything we say (2 to 5), we teach them to not like vegetables and to prefer junk food. Like, if you eat your vegetables, you can have soda, dessert, whatever later. We don’t count the wisecracks we make about vegetables. Like, I’m President now; I don’t have to eat broccoli.
I experimented with my daughters. I was excited when I put vegetables on the table. When I offered dessert, soda, I said nothing.
My first born just turned 41 and never wanted – or would accept – a birthday cake and still won’t drink soda. This complicated sleepovers.
There are well over a hundred foods, herbs and spices that are good for you. Many are believed to be life extenders and to fight disease.
Tomatoes are full of lycopene, an antioxidant that mops up free radicals. Cooking actually concentrates the nutrient. Tomatoes are believed to reduce the risk of lung, colon, breast, cervic and mouth cancers. According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, men who ate 10 servings of tomato-based foods weekly slashed their risk of prostate cancer by 45 percent.
Check out the website www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm. It has a wonderful article titled “Cancer Fighting Foods/Spices”. Avocados, chile peppers and jalapeños are listed. This is the website of The Cancer Cure Foundation. Its extensive list of foods and descriptions will be familiar to many of you, but I’ll bet you’ll find a few surprises, too.
Many like to be macho about foods that are good for you and laugh them off. My baby brother (he’s 60) has been one. His idea of eating at a golden age has been to eat as often as possible at the golden arches. He’s been having small heart attacks in the last few years; a few days before Christmas he had another. When he got to the VA hospital they discovered that he also has leukemia. Now he has a two against one battle on his hands. Good food is nothing to laugh off.
In my family, four people have battled cancer in the last few generations. Two were smokers. All four avoided vegetables and would decline a cup of tea.

Love is a verb; Happiness is a choice
You can’t buy them, inherit them, own and possess them. That only leads to flirtations. You can’t expect them. You can’t match up with them like matching clothes. You can only do them and that’s a trip.
If you think you are giving out a lot of love and not getting any and your miserable, then you are working on bad intelligence (about the situation). Love and happiness are important to our survival. It’s not treason to be objective about ourselves and our others.
Happiness and love are wonderful motivators. The best part is they are always available. Having a sexual partner may not be always available. Having someone to share responsibilities and income may not always be available. Love and happiness, they are always available.
“Find somebody to love”, that’s how a song went and it is not that hard. Love is an ability, an action. It’s a matter of use it or lose it.
If you are available, perhaps lonely, don’t go without. We have a universe and planet full of things to love. Open your eyes; be in the now, this moment. Not only are you pretty neat but you are surrounded by neat people, plants and animals. Develop a relationship with good foods, good ideas and this good earth, and don’t forget music.
People say, “I see other people are so happy and it makes me so sad and lonely.” Drop the jealousy. Jealous people are into power, not love.
See happiness and be delighted. See sadness and be concerned. See a respectful caring love and be moved. Be there. Choose to join this universal group. You’ll be delighted at how much company you’ll find just waiting for you.
Disclaimer: I’m not a professional on any of this. I often think of myself as a slow learner and even slower practitioner. Everything I write is OK’d by me on a gut level. I have learned to love my intuition.
New Year Promise: I saw this tag at the end of an e-mail: Don’t dream it, do it. I’ve decided that’s my “byline” for this coming year.
Yes! Magdalena’s Recycling! Contact Laurie Ware at 575-854-2529, or e-mail moocowblues@gotsky.com for the details. A tip of my hat to Laurie and friends, who have worked so hard to make this happen.

Know a way to get problems solved? Write me at wshireoldadobe@yahoo.com.

SGH Honored for Provided Care

2010-12-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

The area’s only full service hospital has once again been honored for maintaining a high level of care.
For the third consecutive quarter, Socorro General Hospital received the Brilliant Torch Award from the New Mexico Medical Review Association, an independent nonprofit health care consulting firm based in Albuquerque. This most recent recognition covers data between the third quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.
The award, which was given to SGH in November, is earned by health care institutions achieving between 76 and 100 percent approval on surveys completed by patients regarding experiences in relation to core measures. Core measures, data pertaining to quality care as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, include communication between medical staff and patients, pain management, room cleanliness and aftercare.
“We’re very proud of have been recognized for these achievements,” said Bo Beames, Socorro General Hospital administrator, “but more importantly it reflects the quality of care that is provided all of the patients at Socorro General Hospital.”
Veronica Pound, director of nursing at SGH, says that the hospital’s leadership team established the expectation of meeting the core measure requirements at the beginning.
“Providers were given data showing that specific interventions would decrease morbidity and mortality,” she said. “Staff then collaborated with providers to adapt the order sets to fit our patient population and practice.”
The NMMRA gives technical and professional advice to hospitals in New Mexico in maintaining the improvement of their core measures. The consulting firm began giving out accolades based on core measures in December 2009, mostly in an effort to recognize performances made by the state’s hospitals in improving patient care.
SGH is one two hospitals in New Mexico that received the Brilliant Torch Award for a third successive time last month, the other being Española Hospital.
“Hospitals across the country have made significant improvements in the evidence-based practices that support good patient care,” said Carlene Brown, NMMRA’s director of patient safety.
SGH is part Presbyterian Healthcare Services, which is based in Albquerque.

Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter

2010-12-31T10:06:00.002-07:00

Information for the following items was provided by the Socorro County Sheriff’s Department.

Nov. 7
A complainant on Avenida Ladera in Socorro reported at 1 p.m. that he is being harassed by the suspect. He stated that they are divorcing and she is trying to make problems for him at his work and with co-workers. She has sent emails, filed false reports, stalking and gossip. He stated that she has been to his home with police on separate occasions. She was told not to return to the home unless with legal advisor.

An Albuquerque woman reported at 3:55 p.m. that she was driving her ATV on the dirt road to Riley from Bernardo and lost control of the vehicle and fell off. She suffered a bump to the head, and was treated and released by EMTs. No action taken. The victim did not want a crash report.

Nov. 8
A complainant in Socorro reported at 11:30 a.m. that a rock had been thrown through the driver side door window of the car his wife drives. No suspects at time of report.

Nov. 9
An officer assisted a city police detective and a caseworker from CYFD with a home visit in Lemitar at 1:15 p.m. During the course of investigation a controlled substance was located. The female suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the detention center.

Nov. 14
A woman from Cincinnati was driving westbound on Highway 60 in Veguita at 11:45 a.m. at the intersection with Highway 304. At the same time another vehicle southbound on Highway 304 passed through the stop sign and was struck by the westbound car. The westbound driver swerved in an attempt to avoid the crash but could not. The driver of the southbound car was cited due to her being at fault for the crash.

Nov. 15
A Socorro woman reported at 1 p.m. that she and the suspect had a child custody hearing at district court. She said that as they were leaving the suspect came up behind her and made comments to her. There is an order of protection in effect and he is not supposed to have any contact with her, verbal or physical.

Nov. 26
An officer pulled over a vehicle at 10:15 p.m. for a traffic violation on Interstate 25 at mile marker 155. A check with NCIC showed that the driver’s vehicle had to be equipped with an interlock system, and the vehicle he was driving did not. He was placed under arrest and transported to the detention center.

Nov. 27
An officer pulled over a vehicle at 10:30 p.m. for a traffic violation on Fairgrounds Road, and found that the driver did not have a driver’s license. There was no insurance or registration on the vehicle. The driver was cited and the vehicle was released to his spouse.

Nov. 30
An Albuquerque woman visiting in Veguita reported at 12:22 p.m. that her sister kicked and slammed her head into the door. The officer could find no physical evidence of battery. Their mother stated that there was no physical interaction between them as stated by the victim. The victim was asked to leave the residence by the sister and mother. Incident possibly turned into a civil matter due to victim wanting to change power of attorney from the sister to her.

A city police car was attempting to stop another vehicle on Center Street at 4:50 p.m. when the vehicle would not pull over. The officer pulled up in front of the suspect in order to make the vehicle stop. The suspect driver continued and rear ended the police car. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to the detention center.

Dec. 1
An officer pulled over a vehicle at 7:30 p.m. for a traffic violation on Highway 380 at mile marker 9. The driver, from Jarales, New Mex., did not have a driver’s license and the vehicle was not covered by insurance. She was cited and the vehicle was towed.

Dec. 2
An officer was dispatched at 11 a.m. to district court to take the suspect into custody and escort her to the detention center. She was booked and incarcerated.

An officer was dispatched at 7 p.m. to the truck stop in Lemitar on a DWI alert call. The vehicle was located and was pulled over for a traffic violation. The officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from the driver’s person. He admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages and was given, and failed, field sobriety tests. He was then transported to Socorro for a breath test - which he refused – and then locked up in jail.

Dec. 4
A deputy met with Border Patrol officers who had pulled over a vehicle at 1:10 a.m. It was learned that the suspect was driving on a suspended or revoked license with an arrest clause. A check confirmed the arrest status, and he was placed under arrest and transported to the detention center.

An officer ran a check on a suspect in Veguita at 6 p.m. and learned that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and transported to the detention center.

Dec. 9
A complainant from Middle Rio Grande Conservancy reported at 3 p.m. that someone shot out the windows of a backhoe and a grader parked on Farm-Market Road. A small caliber weapon was used. Tire tracks were located and photographed.

Tech Professor Runs Toward First-Place Finish

2010-12-31T10:04:00.000-07:00

By Dave Wheelock
For the Mountain Mail

Aster nears the summit of Pike's Peak last August. Photo courtesy of Jan Aster.

Rick Aster of Socorro placed first in his age division and seventh overall of 57 finishers in the 50-kilometer Rodeo Beach Trail Ultramarathon in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area near San Francisco on Dec. 18.
The 51-year-old professor of geophysics at New Mexico Tech covered 31 miles of trail near the Golden Gate Bridge with a time of 4:56.21, beating the next fastest finisher by more than 30 minutes. A winning time of 3:56:27 was run by 34-year-old Pieter Vermeesch of London.
The race took place in rainy and misty conditions that Aster reported as perfect for running a long race, with only one section of bad mud. The run had a vertical elevation gain and loss of approximately 6,000 feet.
Aster, who is chair of Tech’s Earth and Environmental Science Department, was in San Francisco for the annual conference of the American Geophysical Union.
Aster said he “really felt the difference in elevation running near sea level after training in Socorro and the Magdalena Mountains.” The elevation of Socorro is approximately 4,600 feet, and local runners can train at elevations of up to 10,700 feet on South Baldy.
Aster and his wife, Jan Tarr, are avid runners of trails and road races around New Mexico and beyond, and Tarr recently organized a community 5-kilometer running series in Socorro.
The couple competed in the Boston Marathon in April and has been running races together for the past five years. They have also competed in marathons and ultramarathons in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon.
Aster noted that Socorro, with its highly varied elevations, trails, and terrain and great weather, is “perfect for trail running and training.” Tarr and Aster typically run 40 to 50 miles per week when training for races.
For the past several years, Aster, who is also president of the Seismological Society of America, has made close to a dozen field trips to Antarctica to conduct research of that continent’s geology, glaciology, and volcanology. These visits can extend for several weeks.
How does Aster manage to keep up his fitness?
“I run on the 10,000 foot runway,” he said.

Former NFL Star has Ties to Socorro and Reserve

2010-12-31T09:55:00.000-07:00

By Gary Jaramillo

I had the unique opportunity to visit with Don Woods (former NFL great) at our local Supermart Store. He was in town raising money for kids at risk and his Ray of Hope Foundation, and also to visit his wife’s family, who live here in Socorro and are originally from Reserve. He is married to Margaret Montano and was excited to be able to spend time with his in-laws while raising money for the nonprofit foundation he and his wife began in order to promote values in post secondary areas of education.

Their foundation helps raise money for those kids who need funding assistance to attend college. Woods’ wife Margaret is a social worker and Woods teaches at risk kids in Albuquerque for charter schools.
Before teaching, Woods played football at Highlands University in Las Vegas his first three years of college and finished up at the University of New Mexico. His talents got him drafted into the National Football League by the New York Jets in 1974 and then traded to the Green Bay Packers, where he missed the final cut, and was finally picked up by the San Diego Chargers, where he played for one of his past UNM football coaches, Rudy Feldman, who had a pretty good idea about just how talented Woods was on the field of play.
Woods took advantage of an injury that placed the Chargers starting running back on the bench and really took charge and impressed the team’s coaches and ownership in the end. His almost 1,200-yard season ranked him a close second in the league that year behind Otis Armstrong of the Denver Broncos and just ahead of the great Buffalo Bills runner O.J. Simpson. He also garnered Rookie of the Year honors that season.
Woods finished up his NFL Career with the San Francisco ‘49ers in 1980, and resumed his educational goals in order to get his master’s degree and his interest and love for helping others realize their educational and life dreams have been moving ahead at full steam, like the way he used to run in the NFL. He hasn’t let anything slow him down when it comes to helping his kids in school. Woods has been teaching for more than 20 years in the Albuquerque schools and charter schools as well.
Each year, Woods hosts an annual golf tournament that raises money for kids who want to attend college and he has great plans to build a Ray of Hope Charter School in the south valley of Albuquerque within the next couple of years. His new school would help at-risk students, from kindergarten to 12th grade, and would also provide flexibility which would help special needs students as well.
“We don’t want to let any of our kids fall through the cracks ever again,” said Woods.
He smiles every time he talks about his kids and the possibilities that will come with his new school in Albuquerque. Football was a very special part of his life, but the kids that he cares about and love so much are just as special and fill his and Margaret’s hearts with pure joy and contentment.
It was a pleasure to meet a great former professional athlete and even greater man with a big heart and love for educating those less fortunate. It’s nice to know that he didn’t just sit back and rest on his laurels, but decided long ago that his life has only begun after he left the playing field so many years ago.
Congratulations to Woods for caring so much about our children, and congratulations to the kids who will succeed because he made a choice to make a difference in so many other people’s lives. It’s also pretty neat to have a gentleman of his caliber dropping in for a family visit from time to time here in Socorro. We wish him and his extended Montano family from here in Socorro and Reserve the very best always.

Catron Historical Society Throws Old-Fashioned Christmas Party

2010-12-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

By Lisa Blessing
For the Mountain Mail

The Quemado School cafeteria on Dec. 11 was transformed into an old fashioned Christmas for the third annual Catron County Historical Society Christmas Party.
Members and their guests walked past sleds piled high with packages and guarded by a reindeer to enter doors hung with twinkling boughs of pine and large sprays of beribboned and belled juniper. Hot spiced cider and hot chocolate were waiting near the door to take away the December chill.
Tables lit by luminarias displayed items for both a raffle and a silent auction. Catron County businesses generously donated gifts and gift certificates while many talented CCHS members provided home crafted gifts that ranged from a lovely afghan to a hand forged BBQ fork, handmade dolls, art, edibles and gift baskets. A cowboy boot stocking was hung for donations to share with those less fortunate than we this season and was bulging by evening’s end.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Gatlin/La Luz Photography

Creating a homey feeling, the main wall was covered by a large mural of an old fashioned living room. A genuine old rocking chair on a braided rug with assorted antique furniture brought the mural into the room, as packages spilled out from under an old fashioned decorated Christmas tree topped by a red cowboy hat. On the edge of the living room the harp of Rebecca Ketts filled the hall and hearts with traditional seasonal music from the moment of welcome all the way thru dinner.
After an invocation, all headed for the buffet table where the Quemado FFA served a delicious traditional meal of ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with two kinds of gravy, candied yams, cranberry sauce, green beans, corn and rolls. Everyone appreciated not just the generosity and the effort of the FFA, but its success in creating such an elaborate and tasty meal for 60 people.
Some CCHS members contributed elaborate desserts, and as people finished a delicious variety of taste treats and coffee the entertainment began. Stories and poems about Christmases in different places and times were shared to delight and applause. Some adventurous women did a turn at line dancing followed by the raffle and silent auction. Even the artificial but artfully decorated Christmas tree in the living room went home with a lucky winner.
No gathering this time of year is complete without group caroling and the CCHS was fortunate to have Laurie Vance playing the guitar and leading the singing. Finally, the lingering strains of “Silent Night” gave way to folks gathering up their treasures from the auction and raffle, wishing their friends and neighbors “Merry Christmas” and heading home filled with the warmth of the season, of good friends, and good food.

Community Center to Host Quemado Food Pantry

2010-12-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Quemado News
by Debbie Leschner

Quemado Food Pantry will take place on Jan. 7 at the Community Center, sponsored by the Datil Community Presbyterian Church. Two programs run simultaneously: the federally funded commodities and a food fair. There are no eligibility requirements for the food fair, and you will receive about 50 pounds of food per household. You must arrive and sign up before 3:30 p.m. You will then be called in order, so prepare to wait – it is well worth it. Bring your own containers. Ice chests are recommended for frozen and refrigerated foods.

There will be a food distribution the first Friday of every month at 3:30 p.m. in Quemado, along with Datil at 11 a.m., Horse Mountain at 12:30 p.m., and Pie Town at 2 p.m. The times might vary due to the food distribution truck’s arrival. You may attend any of these locations, but only one location per month. For more information, call or email Anne Schwebke at 575-772-5602 or anneschw@gilanet.com.

The Quemado Senior Center pool tournament will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 4, with quilting and bingo on Jan. 6. Lunch menu was not available at printing time. All seniors are welcome. Please call the center at 575-773-4820 before 9 a.m. to inquire about the menu and make your lunch reservations.

Quemado Schools resume classes on Monday, Jan. 3. Basketball games for the week: Jan. 6, the boys varsity and junior varsity teams play Magdalena at home while the girls varsity play at the Cliff Tournament from Jan. 6 through Jan. 8. The boys varsity and junior varsity play an away game against Ramah on Jan. 7.

The Western New Mexico Veterans Group Rummage Sale will be held on Jan. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. in the Veteran’s Hall, located at the corner of Baca and Church Streets in Quemado. All proceeds go to help local veterans, their families and for the renovation of the hall.

Leadership Camp at the Mojave Academy will be held from Jan. 15 to 28. During this time children are expected to learn greater responsibility, better communication skills, stronger initiative, improved judgment and the ability to maintain values. These are attained through study, drills and outdoor activities in an individualized program precisely tailored to the needs of your child. The academy is a private boarding school on 160 acres located in the Datil area. You can get more information by calling 1-800-576-3866 or visiting their web site www. mojaveacademy.com .

Note: Know of anything going on or a special event in a family or school, please let me know. Good news can’t be shared if it is unknown. Call 575-773-4119 or email at mmquemado@hotmail.com.

Sylvia and Friend Confront New Year’s Resolutions Head On

2010-12-31T09:45:00.002-07:00

Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan

Lying on the living room rug with a spiral notebook in front of her, Sylvia clutched pen in paw. As far as I could tell from my comfortable chair, she hadn’t written one single word. A blank page stretched endlessly before her.
“What’s the matter?” I asked. “Inspiration won’t come?”
“I’m trying to do what you said,” was the gruff answer.
“Well, that’s a first. What’s the problem?”
“I’m serious.” She turned to look at me and, indeed, she wore her serious face. “You said I had to write down my New Year’s Resolutions and I can’t think of any. I’m quite perfect the way I am.”
“Oh, I see,” I said, returning to my newspaper.
Several minutes passed before Sylvia put down her pen and turned to me and asked, “What about your New Year’s Resolutions?”
“I haven’t done any. I never do. I gave that up years ago.”
Sylvia digested this as well as the chawed-upon end of a pig’s ear before pronouncing, “I have an idea. Why don’t I make resolutions for you and you do the same for me?”
“Okay, I’ll play,” I said. “But who makes resolutions for Gordo?”
“We both do. Let’s limit the number of resolutions to three each and we have ten minutes to write them.” Sylvia tore two pages from her notebook and brought them to me.
“One more thing,” I suggested. “We must have rebuttal time.”
“Okay,” she agreed, “as long as it’s limited to one minute.”
I wrote as fast as I could, looking up only once to see that Sylvia had already filled one page and was starting on the next.
A glance at my watch showed me that ten minutes had passed. “Time’s up.” I called.
“What have you got?” Sylvia asked.
I read from my paper, “One: I, Sylvia, resolve to stop arguing with my boss about everything.
“Two: I, Sylvia, resolve to always keep in my mind the fact that my boss knows what she is doing. Three: I, Sylvia, resolve to take any pills prescribed by the Vet without having to be wrestled down by my caring boss because—”
Sylvia did not let me finish before she interrupted with, “In the first place you do not have a dog who argues with you about everything. Your dog is patient and kind and…”
I checked my watch while she droned on.
“And in the second place. I cannot be sure that you always know what you’re doing at all. And in the third place—”
“Time,” I called. “Your rebuttal time is over.”
“It can’t be over yet. Your watch must be wrong.”
“It’s over. I have spoken.”
Sylvia glowered at me. “My turn to read your resolutions.”
“Go ahead.”
“One: I, the boss, resolve not to be so bossy. Two: I resolve to feed Gordo and the good Sylvia on time every morning and evening. Three: I resolve never to yell at Gordo and the good Sylvia and I must always remember that they are sensitive intelligent individuals. At least Sylvia is. I’m not so sure about Gordo.”
“Now listen,” I said, “I am the boss here and it’s about time you real—”
“Time,” Sylvia called. “Your rebuttal time is over.”
“It is not!” I shouted.
“Yes, it is. I’m hungry. It’s time for breakfast. The first breakfast of the New Year. Happy New Year, everybody!”

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

2010-12-31T09:29:00.001-07:00

Part 16 of the series.
Letters to Myscie is a true story. It reveals to us a “yankee’s” view of the area and the times, and the impact it had on new comers.
Suzanne E. Smith

Sunday P.M. May 30th 1883
San Mateo Mts.
Delta Ranch
Socorro Co. N.M.

My dear dear Myscie

I have just returned from hunting our horses. I have been out looking for them over two hours and I am quite tired; only found one of them after all either, and Mr. Phillips has just taken that to go over to his ranch and will not return until night. Mr. Walker who went into the Magdalenas yesterday and took the letter I wrote yesterday will return tonight too so I shall only be alone this afternoon. We expect to have some trouble over these ranches and in fact we have had some already, but then we have got the drop on the right side and they can kick just as hard as they please and it will do no good. About two weeks ago the "Terry outfit" as we call them started out to take these ranches by "storm".

There were four of them T.J. Terry brother of the one that claims them. T.E. Walker brother in law of the same and two cowboys. They were armed to the teeth just as if they expected to meet Indians or Rustlers, the blamed cowards that they are. Well before they started out they made the boast that they would run us out (as we have been told since by a party that loaned them his gun). The day they came Clay and two "old timers" who have been out here for years; (stanch friends of Clay's) started out for a bear hunt over in what is called the "Big Rosie Canon" about eight miles from here. (I have a "Desert Claim " of 640 acres of land in that same canon.)

San Mateo Ranch cowboys

Well, they had been gone about two hours. Jim, he had taken a gun and gone off too, for a little hunt. I had got tired of waiting for him to come back so wrote a note to him stuck it up on the door and saddled up my pony ready to start off over to the Little Rosie Ranch to do some work, which I wished to do that day. I was just about to jump into the saddle when I caught sight of something moving down the canon. I waited and soon saw three men on horse back coming up. There were Clay and his two friends. As they rode up Clay says “the Terry outfit are just on their way over to the Little Rosie (that is where my ranch is).” He said they saw them just as they were crossing the Little Rosie Canon to go into the Big Rosie Canon. That they run right on them; that they drew their guns from their saddles but made no trouble. They had a little talk with them and then Clay and his friends came back here and the "Gang" went on. Just as soon as Clay had told this I was determined to see the thing through for the ranch is mine and I can hold it by law and if they think they can scare me off or drive me off because I am a "tenderfoot" they are mistaken.
So I just jumped into my saddle and started off over the mountains to my ranch detemined to hold it in spite of them and to show them that I didn't scare "worth a cent". I expected to find that they had broken in the door and taken posession but they had got there long before I did, had pulled down my notice, whittled it all off and stuck up an other notice. They did not break in. I do not think they dared to. After they had taken lunch which they took on the ground out side, they started off again for the Pine Tree Ranch.

It was here in the mountains just half way between the "Pine Tree" and the "Little Rosie" that I met them face to face right in the woods. It was truly picturesque I know it must have been and quite romantic. I thought of it afterward that night after I got back. To see us five parties riding up onto one another with our guns in hand and six shooters shining in our belts while the sun peeped down between the branches of the big pines to see the fun. I wasn't afraid one bit and I shouldn't have been if there had been 40 instead of four, for I knew I was on the right side. That they were on the "bluff" game and was trying to scare me out of it. I knew there wasn't one of them had the sand to draw his arms on me, for they know as well as we know how tight we have got them, and as far as being safe I would just as soon have met them without my gun or six shooter as to have had them. They are cowards from the word go. I knew the two cowboys and as I drove up they spoke and said that I was Smith and the man he (Terry) wanted to see.
I pulled up my horse side of Mr. Terry so clost that I could touch him and asked
what was wanted. Terry asked me if I was the man who was locating these ranches out here. I told him I was, and then he opened up on me with his threats and warnings etc., talked law, talked force, talked everything that would tend to scare me, said if I placed foot on the Little Rosie Location he would prosicute me to the full extent of the law etc., etc., etc. I let him go on for some time in this way and then I said just as cool as could though I admit I was a little nervous. “ Mr. Terry your ranches have been jumpable for some time. In fact we have jumped some of the, and I for one intend to keep the one I have jumped. As for law, the sooner we go to the law, the sooner you will see where you are getting left, and as far as going on to the Little Rosie claim, there is just where I am going now.” Pointing to my saddle where I had a saw, an axe and a hatchet strapped I said..” there is my axe, hatchet & saw that I am going to do work with over there this afternoon. Furthermore said I, we are both wasting time standing here talking in this way so good day.”
I then turned my horse about and drove past them. They called to me to stop and I stopped and turned around and one of the cowboys whom Terry had to locate the ranch in his (the cowboy's name) said to me, “Smith I warn you before these parties, not to set foot on the Little Rosie Location for it is mine.” “ George” said I “ you heard what I said to Mr. Terry. I don't care to make any more talk with you whatever”, and then I drove on.
But to go back a little way to Jim, he had wandered off towards the Little Rosie and knowing that I would be there soon had lain down side of the cabin to rest and wait for me instead of returning, as I had expected, to Hoyt's, before I left. While he was siting here, down came these four upon him with their guns flashing as he told it, and asked him if he was put in charge of that ranch. He said he was not and had nothing to do with it.

Unknown group of armed men

They wanted to know where Smith & Cowles were. If they slept there or where they did sleep. They said they knew where we would sleep tonight! Jim asked them where and they said out in the brush somewhere and they laughed as if they were on to us as big as an ox. They asked Jim what his name was, where he came from and a thousand and one questions. They just pumped him dry. They made him stop to lunch with them and gave him lots of taffy about Cowles & myslf. They said they just wanted to see that Smith, and he was the man they were after. Jim was a little scared I know, but he says he was not and will not admit it a bit. I know he was from what happened and what they said he told them. As soon as they left the Little Rose, Jim, he skipped out across the mtns to Frank Pierce's ranch. So when I arrived at the cabin he was not there. They told me about finding Jim there and what he told them and lots of stuff he didn't tell them, just to scare me, so I expected to find him when I got there. But I did not find him for he had slipped out as soon as they had left.
I went to work and worked about two hours when Clay came and we went back to Hoyt's where we are making our head quarters. I told him what I had gone through and what I had said. He said I had done just right and praised me up by saying that he told the other fellows when I started off to come over, that these fellows wouldn't make anything out of Smith, if they did try on their "bluff" game. It is a State Prison offense to destroy or tear down a location notice, as they did mine, and I have almost positive proof that they did. Jim was there all the time but did not see them do it; but I have found over in the bushes the shavings with the writing on that fits into the same board that they have got their notice written on. You see they were not so very smart after all for they just whittled off the side my notice was on and wrote on the other side. I have several witnesses to seeing my notice there first also witnesses to the shavings which I have saved and tried into the same places where they were whittled off. So if they destroy the board, I can proove by witnesses that have seen both board & shavings all about it. I've got them down fire and if they go to kicking too hard I will "squeeze" them a little.

San Mateo cabin

After they left the Little Rosie they went over to the Pine Tree and tore down our notice there and put up one of their own. I have also found a part of this notice which they split and cut up. Then they came over here where Cowles & his friends were but were very quiet had nothing to say about running anybody out of the country or that anyone has got to sleep out in the brush that night, neither did they lay down any notices but just simply posted up one of theirs over. They asked Cowles some questions about Hoyt's right as location and he told them he knew nothing about it but must go to Hoyt if they wanted to make any talk for he owns the location and the one who claimed the ranch. After they left here they went to five other of Terry's ranches and stuck up notices but they don't amount to any more than the ones out here only to proove that they are "behind time". Last Sunday I went over to my ranch and found the same outfit there again with an addition to the gang of an other of Terry's brothers. This time armed as before. I don't know what they intended to do but found them camped out side. I opened the door and went in just as they were posting a warning up on the door. I got what I was after and came out; They asked me if I was going to lock the door and I told them I was. Well they said they guessed they would sleep outside. I told them they had that privledge. The warning they stuck was a precise copy of the one I had put up of my own. I read it over to them, it reads like this
=Warning=
To any person or persons who may trespass on these premises to molest or disturb or do harm to any part or portion of property belonging to this location. I do hereby give warning and shall prosicute to the full extent of the law such intrusions.
May 25th '83=Signed Jos E. Smith=Location (Seal)

I guess none of them knew enough to make out one of their own so had to copy. The next day they came over here stoped all day, camped out all night-about 50 yards from the cabin under the trees; posted up their warning and went away the next morning with out disturbing a thing anywhere or making any disturbance. I guess they are finding out the "Bluff" don't count. Our lawyer; Judge Cartwell was out the other night and gave me a few pointers. He says I have done well and to keep a stiff upper lip and we will teach them a few things they don't know yet. We may have some fun yet, but there is plenty of money and the right side of the law to back us so we are all OK. You must be tired of this stuff for here I have written seven or eight pages of it. I did not know I had written so much, but when I get to going I don't know when to sto, so forgive me if I have tired you Myscie. I'll change the subject.
The J.E. Smith Collection is wonderful. However a large number of the photos and the people in them are unidentified. One of the the two ranch photos were validated by Buddy Tigner, as being located within the old Tigner Ranches in the San Mateos. The photo of the “armed” group is odd because some seem to be wearing military uniforms; some casually dressed, and there are a couple of “little fellers” and some dogs. It was possibly a “hunting party”.

Letters to Myscie, a Western Love Story written by Suzanne E. Smith, All rights reserved.

Accident on Highway 107 Results in Fatality

2010-12-23T13:49:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

A rollover accident on Highway 107 resulted in the death of a Winston man last weekend. Magdalena Marshal Larry Cearley said Adam Peterson, 22, was returning home for Christmas from a tour of duty in Afghanistan when the accident occurred. He was serving in the Marines as a Lance Corporal at 29 Palms Marine Air Ground Combat Center in California.
According to the New Mexico State Police, officers responded Sunday, Dec. 19, to a single vehicle rollover off Highway 107, just south of Magdalena.
A press release from Lt. Eric Garcia said that the State Police believe the crash sometime occurred between Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
“The Office of the Medical Investigator will advise on time of death after an autopsy has been completed,” Garcia said in the release. “Alcohol and failure to wear seatbelts are contributing factors.”
The officers’ investigation showed Peterson was traveling southbound in his 1997 Ford pickup approaching a curve at mile marker 27 when he lost control. The pickup slid off the roadway and subsequently rolled nearly three times.
During the rolling momentum Peterson was thrown from the vehicle and killed when the vehicle came to rest on top of him, Garcia said.
Adam Peterson was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Weapons Company, and conducted combat operations in Helmand and Farah provinces in Afghanistan from March through the end of October.
“He had lots of friends in the Magdalena and Socorro County area,” his father, Paul Peterson said by telephone Wednesday. “He will be missed by many.”
Before joining the Marines in 2008, Peterson was a wildland firefighter working with the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico State Forestry.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Butte in Elephant Butte Monday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. including a Marine honor guard. Burial will follow at the Peterson family ranch in Winston.
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Decision on Ordinance to Boost Economic Growth Delayed

2010-12-23T13:48:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

The Magdalena Village Board decided Monday, Dec. 13, to table a decision on an ordinance designed to encourage economic development within the village limits.
Village attorney Tom Fitch told the trustees he read the ordinance and said it could be used as a tool to attract the type of businesses the community wanted.
“It appears to be one way of being able to offer businesses incentive to locate in Magdalena. A way of stimulating growth,” Fitch said. “Is that good? That’s the age old argument. It’s a judgment of what you want for this community.”
Trustee Barbara Baca said she was wary of opening the village up to the “wrong kind of growth. We don’t want to see a lot of influences coming in and taking all the power away from the people here.
“You’ll end up with people wanting to leave town,” Baca said.
Fitch said there were two aspects to consider. “First, if you do pass the ordinance you would have the Magdalena Community Development Commission to be an initial screen on each project. They would make recommendations to the board,” he said. “Number two, would you vote off on this support. The ordinance is a tool which allows you to do. So, if you have the tool do you use it?”
Trustee Diane Allen quizzed Fitch on several sections of the ordinance, objecting to the imposition of a village gross receipts tax of .25 percent earmarked for economic development projects. “As I read this we could impose another infrastructure project passed on people in the community as a local tax,” she said.
Fitch said, “The board is the one makes the final decision.”
The second objection Allen had was with a section of the ordinance which said that “policies and objectives of the county’s economic development plan shall receive priority,” including “projects which … meet the mission of New Mexico Tech and Very Large Array.”
Allen questioned why the village should give priority to New Mexico Tech and VLA projects. “As far as I’m concerned, this is not what I want,” she said.
Clerk Rita Broaddus said the ordinance, proposed by Tim Hagaman of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, “appears to be a boilerplate copy that can be used by any county or municipality, after appropriate changes are made.”
Broaddus said it appeared that that section was overlooked when Hagaman copied the version he submitted to the county.
Baca moved to table the issue indefinitely, and the board unanimously agreed.
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Students get Head Start at Socorro School

2010-12-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

While attending Southwest Child Care in Albuquerque, T.J. Silva Jr., then 3 years old, spent most of his time inside his classroom at the daycare facility staring off into space and not interacting much with the other children and instructors.
“He’s a fast learner and pays attention at home,” said his mother, Sonya Silva, 23, “but they weren’t really teaching him anything there.”
T.J. Silva Sr., 24, added, “He got bored real easily.”
It wasn’t until the Silvas moved to Socorro a little more than a year ago that the childcare situation for T.J., now 4, improved. That was when his parents enrolled him at the Early Childhood Development Center in Socorro, the city’s lone Head Start-affiliated program.
And though the program is geared toward children ages 3 to 5, this is anything but a daycare facility.
Head Start program teachers must prepare a curriculum for their students and include a lesson plan consisting of reading stories, writing in journals, basic arithmetic, science projects, and hygiene awareness. Lead teachers must also have earned a Child Development Associate credential, and beginning in 2013 all teachers must have at least an associate’s degree.
A recent visit to the school on a Friday morning witnessed activities that were very much similar to your average elementary school: yellow school buses dropped children off in front of the school; parents, students, teachers and administrators crowded the corridors before class; there were announcements delivered by someone working in the front office over the public address system.
And then a few minutes later the school day officially began.
Lorie Padilla, who has worked at the Early Childhood Development Center for the past eight years, teaches 3 year olds and begins each school day by providing breakfast for her students, followed by a simple health evaluation of each student to check for signs of illness. She said that if any of the students show signs of illness, they are sent to the health office to have their temperature read. If the temperature reading is too high, the students are then sent home, said Padilla.
Another teacher of 3 year olds, Veronica Tsinajinnie, who has been teaching at the Early Childhood Development Center for the past three years, encouraged her students to listen to stories and then afterward ask questions.
The Federally-funded Head Start program came to fruition as included in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, an initiative of then-President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and then later was assigned to fall under the umbrella of the Department of Health and Human Services. The program has gone through numerous changes since its inception, mostly recently in 2007 when then-President George W. Bush signed into law an amendment to the Economic Opportunity Act intended to help homeless children in the United States enroll into their locally-administered Head Start program.
Funding for the Head Start program comes from grant money. There are about 1,600 different Head Start programs across the United States, operating more than 48,000 classrooms. As of 2005, more than 22 million pre-school aged children have participated in Head Start since 1965.
The only other Head Start program in either Socorro or Catron Counties is at the Alamo Navajo Early Childhood Center in Magdalena, which is falls under the American Indian-Alaska native Head Start project.
Not every child may enroll into their local Head Start program. Aside from space restrictions, eligibility is largely geared toward children of low-income families, though each locally-operated Head Start program might include other admission criteria such as disability.
Head Start Programs are administered locally by nonprofit organizations, such as the Midwest New Mexico Community Action Program, which oversees the Early Head Start facilities in Valencia, Socorro, Catron, Cibola, and McKinley Counties.
There are seven classrooms at the Early Childhood Development Center, which uses a few buildings that once were part of the now-defunct Edward E. Torres Elementary School, and each classroom is assigned two teachers, including a teacher’s assistant. Many of the classrooms also receive help from family members who volunteer.
“The curriculum is excellent,” said Caroline Benjamins, a volunteer, whose grandchildren attend the Early Childhood Development Center. “There aren’t many quality childcare facilities around here (in Socorro), but there really needs to be.”

Pictured: T.J. Silva Jr., 4, shows his parents, T.J. Silva Sr. and Sonya Silva, his favorite toy inside his classroom at the Early Childhood Development Center in Socorro.

Photo by Patrick Jason Rodriguez

Magdalena Plays Host to Fashion Model Photo Shoot

2010-12-23T13:41:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

The Village of Magdalena played host to six fashion models who were in town last week for a photo shoot for a Milwaukee-based department store chain.
The pictures will be featured in advertising mailings promoting the spring apparel line for The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. nationwide. The company operates 278 stores under various names in seven states.
Markus Barrington, senior photo producer for The Bon-Ton Stores, said Magdalena was chosen for the photo shoot because he knew the area well. Barrington is the son of Magdalena resident Tom Barrington, and grandson of the late Jacky Barrington, founder of the Mountain Mail.
“I’ve been coming here since I was young, visiting my grandmother. Many of my memories as a child were of her working on the newspaper,” Barrington said. “I’ve always felt like Magdalena was my second home.”
Another of Jacky’s grandchildren was part of the team. Gina Barrington, sister of Markus, was the hair and makeup stylist.
“We love coming back here to visit,” he said. “This the second time this year they’ve been in Magdalena. We spent a week here in April, using the Kelly area for backgrounds.”
Barrington said the rustic settings of the village were perfect backdrops for The Bon-Ton Stores’ 2011 spring mailer. The stock pens, Magdalena Peak and surrounding mountains were used as backdrops for the latest fashions.
Another member of the Bon-Ton crew, photographer Michael Bollitine, said the light in Magdalena was perfect for shooting pictures, and prefers the early morning.
“The light is the best in the morning. Toward the middle of the day we get shadows on the models’ faces.” he said.
Markus Barrington has been senior photo producer for Bon-Ton for four years. Before that he spent five years as a model and eventually becoming director of an agency representing models.

Tech Earns Forbes Ranking

2010-12-23T13:37:00.002-07:00

Mountain Mail Reports

Forbes magazine recently ranked New Mexico Tech No. 20 for best colleges for women and members of racial or ethnic minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.
The top spot was given to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona, Minn.), followed by Westmont College (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Colorado College (Colorado Spring, Colo.), Christopher Newport University (Newport News, Va.), and the University of Colorado Denver.
In its rankings, the magazine excluded schools whose student body is made up almost entirely of female or minority students.

Thrift Store Celebrates 30th Year

2010-12-23T12:39:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

Tierra de Segunda Thrift Store, located at the north end of the Smith’s shopping center, on Dec. 7 celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Sally Nelson, president of the nonprofit organization, said the need for the store is as great as ever.
“Right now we serve about 400 people on a regular basis. Last week for the 30th anniversary we had about 150 people come into store,” Nelson said.
Past president Lola McWhorter said volunteers are what make the business work.
“We started out originally to help the elderly, to make donations for Good Sam’s seniors,” McWhorter said. “Wanda Ramzel, one of the founders, helped open the store the same year Good Sam’s opened, 30 years ago.”
Founders of the organizations included Ramzel, Francis Senn, Evelyn Fite and the late Florence Kottlowski.
The group started out selling off racks set up at the fairgrounds before it was able to use two rooms in a residence near San Miguel Church in the early 1970s.
After a few years they moved to California Street, occupying the building currently housing the New Mexico Educators Credit Union. Before moving into its present location last year, the thrift store was located on Fisher Street.
“It represents the life blood of the community,” McWhorter said in an interview. “People who shop here … where are they going to go? Many can’t even afford to buy clothes at Wal-Mart.”
She said donations are always needed.
“We provide three services,” McWhorter said. “First, a place to get rid of clothes and items. Second, a place for people to shop. And third, the donations we make to help seniors.”
In addition to regular contributions to Good Sam’s, the store donates money to support the senior citizen centers in Socorro, Veguita and Magdalena, Socorro Village, Vista Montano, Meals On Wheels, C.P.A., La Vida Fields, and the DAV.
“The store continues to have a steadily increasing number of customers,” McWhorter said. “They come from Magdalena, Veguita, really all over the county, even from Reserve and Datil. “A lot of people buy their kids’ school clothes here each year. They can’t afford to go elsewhere,” she said.
The group has 27 active members, all who work on a volunteer basis.
“We do it because we enjoy it,” volunteer Susan Miller said.
The store also tries to have walkers, wheelchairs, and crutches on hand.

Pictured: Volunteers at the Tierra de Segunda Thrift Store on Tuesday, Dec. 14 (from left): Clarence Lopez, Della Benavidez, Lupe Lukesh, (an unidentified customer), Sally Nelson, Lola McWhorter, Wanda Ramzel, Cynthia Kopp, Estella Reichenbach, Jan Reed and Judy Muncy.

Photo by John Larson

Escape From Mexican Prison Could Affect us

2010-12-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Message from The Mountain Mail

In the early hours of the morning on Friday, Dec. 17, about 150 prisoners escaped from a Mexican prison close to the border just outside of Laredo, Texas. Authorities say they are investigating the possibility that employees were involved in releasing the prisoners.
What does this have to do with any of us in Socorro County? It is believed that a good number of those prisoners will end up passing through this area (and may already be in the area) by train or established walking trails to get to family in our area.
“It can be dangerous up and down the Middle Rio Grande Valley because the trains stop just about everywhere at one time or another,” said immigration officials. “There’s a possibility that unknowing families along the way, such as farm owners and residents close to the railway could come in contact with one of the escaped prisoners and experience a dangerous or deadly encounter.”
The Mountain Mail management and staff want to let everyone who lives along the railway close to Socorro and all the small villages up and down the Rio Grande Valley to be extra mindful of people who you do not recognize in your area. Those of you who live close to where trains make their stops should always keep your doors locked and always know who is knocking before you open your door. Leave outdoor lights on around your home at night. When walking to your vehicle outside your home, be aware of your surroundings. Only leave your car running for warming purposes in the mornings or evenings if you have the ability to lock it and unlock it with a spare key. It is not beyond these people to hide in the back seat of your car and wait for you to come outside.
Don’t let your children play outside without adult supervision, and never leave your kids in the car while you run back inside to get something that you may have forgotten.
Lastly, don’t hesitate to call the police the second you feel something is not right. Paying attention to detail can help authorities with their investigations. Keep your guard up at all times and teach your children to do the same.

OBITUARY: Wilfredo M. Mata

2010-12-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Willfredo “Fred” M. Mata, 82, passed away Saturday, December 18, 2010 at his home in Polvadera.
Fred was born on February 6, 1928 in Socorro to Olivero and Sinforosa (Madrid) Mata.
He is survived by his sons, Fred Mata; and Robert Mata; his daughters, Dina Mazon and husband, Kenny; Janet Valles and husband, Manny; Pamela Berringan and husband, Henry; and Eloisa Romero and husband Jason; seventeen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; three brothers, James Mata and wife, Patsy; Mike Mata and wife, Frances; and Danny Baca and wife, Elda; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Fred was a Socorro resident for 35 years after serving in the Military. He was a Veteran of the US Army.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, David Baca, and one sister, Rosita Pena.
Cremation will take place but no formal services have been arranged at this time.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Helen Isabel Hazard

2010-12-23T12:31:00.001-07:00

Helen Isabel Hazard, 80, passed away Monday, December 20, 2010 in Socorro.
Helen was born on May 21, 1930 in Syracuse, New York, to Earl and Martha (Spinning) Ashton.
She is survived by her sons, David Hazard, Douglas Hazard, and Daniel Hazard; her sister, Jean Herzog; five grandchildren; nieces Deborah Murillo and husband George , Martha Jean Fairbanks and husband Robert ; nephew Robert Otis; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
Helen was a Socorro resident since the early 80’s. Helen enjoyed playing classical music on the piano which she did quite beautifully.
A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 pm, Wednesday December 29, 2010 at the Socorro Good Samaritan Village, 1203 Hwy 60 W.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s honor to Socorro Good Samaritan Village, 1203 Hwy 60 W, Socorro, NM 87801 or the Socorro General Hospital Hospice, 1202 Hwy 60 W, Socorro, Nm 87801.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 (575) 835-1530.

Effort to Have Trinity Named National Historic Park Grows

2010-12-23T12:26:00.001-07:00

Mountain Mail Reports

The birthplace of the atomic bomb is open to the public for only two days each year. That could conceivably change.
A move is underway to have Trinity Site designated as a National Historic Park, which would allow visitors to enter the White Sands Missile Range site at Stallion Gate, conceivably on any day of the year when there is no missile test scheduled.
In its annual “Internet Christmas card,” the nonprofit Atomic Heritage Foundation is urging the National Park Service and the Department of Energy to again recommend a Manhattan Project National Historical Park to Congress.
The issue is expected to have strong bipartisan support from the congressional delegations of New Mexico, Tennessee and the state of Washington, according to the release.
“We are optimistic that the new Congress will officially designate the park at Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Tenn., and Hanford, Wash.,” the report said. “In addition, Manhattan Project sites such as the Trinity Site, Wendover Air Field, Utah, and others may become affiliated areas over time.”
Trinity Site, just off Highway 380, southeast of San Antonio, has long been viewed as the one “goose bump” site among those being considered because it is the site of the world’s first atomic bomb explosion. Other sites were largely manufacturing sites.
“The term ‘ground zero’ originated at Trinity Site, and has since become a part of the language,” said Ben Moffett, a retired public information officer for the National Park Service and a ground zero “survivor” as a resident of San Antonio when the bomb was exploded. “Viewing it, one gets the same chills as are produced at such other NPS areas as Little Bighorn Battlefield, Ford’s Theater, and Gettysburg, all part of the National Park System.” Trinity Site has been excluded from recent legislation on the Manhattan Project, in part because it is already protected since it is within White Sands Missile Range, but also because of the fear that recognition of it as an NPS area will increase efforts to open it to the public more than two days a year as is now the case. Proponents of opening Trinity Site on a daily basis, claim that White Sands Missile Range officials can close the park on days when they need to for security reasons, just as they have done at White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo.
They also argue that costs would come from the Department of Interior’s NPS budget, not from the military budget.

OPINION: Message of Love for Humanity, Neighbor and Stranger

2010-12-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Can We Talk?
By Jack Fairweather

Just two days until Christmas 2010.
You can tell.
The sellers are playing Xmas music nonstop, the buyers (obedient consumers that they are) arise in the wee small hours to rush in order to hand over their dwindling cash supply for “bargains,” many of them are suffering from seasonal depression brought on by higher and higher prices, the knowledge that many of their neighbors faithfully follow the schedule of food pantries and semi-truck delivery of free food and the constant media barrage that tells them on one channel we’re all doomed and another that everything is improving and that next year will be better. Well, now, the preceding comments are cynical, aren’t they? Yes, they are. Sorry about that.
At this season, too, Christian ministers and pastors are attempting to come up with homilies (sermons) with which to assure their congregations of the truth of the basic Christmas message: Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary in the little town of Bethlehem, and that birth brought into the world a message of love and forgiveness.
Of course, we know very little of the actual birth of Jesus. There are two stories in the Bible. The New Testament books of Luke and Matthew have slightly different versions. Other accounts in the biblical canon speak of Jesus as an adult. People of faith, whether they view the Bible as the inerrant word of God or as history will continue to believe in the Christ and the message he brings. The central message, which resounds through the New Testament, is one of love for humanity; love from the Creator and love for neighbor and the stranger. That message was, apparently, known or sensed by the “magi,” the men from the East who were over-whelmed with joy, when they saw in the place a star that led them to the baby and Mary. They knelt down and paid him homage.
A great many people, individuals and groups, are concerned to pay extra attention to others during this season, giving gifts of clothing, food, money (if they have it this year) and demonstrating their opposition to systems of domination and oppression. In Ireland, citizens are taking two ambulances, a mini-bus, and a truck filled with 10 tons of humanitarian aid over 4,000 miles to Gaza in Palestine. Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin has described Gaza as an “open prison”. Other Irish citizens are flying to Cairo, Egypt, to meet up with the Irish convoy participants. On Dec. 27 they will attempt to enter Gaza and join Gazans and other International participants on the “Gaza Freedom March”. Bowing to pressure from Israel, Egyptian officials have already indicated the crossing may be blocked. However, the message of such an outpouring of concern over the situation in Palestine indicates the message of Jesus is alive and well, especially among the common people.
What else can be said about the birth celebrated at Christmas time? St. John Chrysostom, in the 4th century said in his Christmas homily, “What shall I say? And how shall I describe this birth to you? The Eternal One has become an infant…he now lies in a manger. For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His word, taking my form He gives me His spirit, and so, He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares me for the treasure of Life. He takes my form to sanctify me. He gives me His love that he may save me.”
As a Catholic Christian, I can’t think of much more to say.
Have a blessed Christmas.

OPINION: A Market Based Solution for a Market Caused Problem

2010-12-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

The Pencil Warrior
By Dave Wheelock

Lock up your daughters. This might be the next good piece of advice for mothers and fathers of the so-called developing world, as they face the “market solution” to the worldwide problem of disappearing forests. For the industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere, those which invented and continue to advance the phenomenon of manmade global warming, the carbon offset scheme known as REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) is a win-win. In return for cash payments to ostensibly preserve the carbon-absorbing quality of the global south’s remaining forests, corporations increasingly doing business as governments purchase the legal right to keep right on pumping pollutants into the sky.
Unfortunately for the indigenous people living in and around these forests, REDD represents the opportunity to relive the experiences of sisters and brothers elsewhere who have already learned what it means to be guilty of living anywhere near something that can be bought and sold. Unfortunately also for you and me, because these threatened life ways are undoubtedly the last ones successfully practicing sustainable life on planet Earth.
In case you missed it, the latest in an ongoing series of sessions of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Cancún, Mexico, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10. True to the form of UNFCC gatherings since the 1997 session in Japan produced the Kyoto Protocol – a treaty signed and ratified by nearly all the world’s governments, agreeing to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions – delegates from the more than 190 “parties” significantly squared off as “developed” versus “developing” countries.
Among developed nations, REDD, first introduced in 2000 by the United States (which remains virtually alone in not ratifying Kyoto), was all the rage in Cancun, a market solution to a market problem; i.e. the loss of profits that are likely to occur as a result of global meltdown. Or more optimistically I suppose, the mouth-watering prospect of being allowed to continue to produce the majority of greenhouse gases while simultaneously cashing in on a whole new and extremely lucrative market: trading in carbon offsets. The wonderfully natural function trees fulfill by reducing carbon concentrations in the atmosphere is now being sized up as just another billable service.
But just as with the Black Hills in what is now western South Dakota, there are the party poopers. Not so much among governmental leaders in South America, Africa, Indonesia, and other places where large, biologically diverse forests still stand. After all, those market-worshipping newcomers to the high plains of yesteryear could always manage to kidnap some poor resident who’d succumb to the right mixture of bribery, threats, or drunkenness long enough to sell that which he knew couldn’t be sold anyway.
Without a doubt, many so-called leaders of the so-called Third World can be counted on to support REDD. It’s the commoners who cause all the trouble.
In Cancun, Indigenous Environmental Network executive director Tom Goldtooth (Dine’ and Mdewakanton Dakota), had his United Nations-issued entrance credentials yanked on Dec. 8, the day after informally voicing in public his protest of the REDD model. Other opponents of the cash-for-trees program were also banned from official negotiations while still more were physically removed from the area.
In an interview the next day, Goldtooth gave his witness. “There’s (sic) institutions, there’s financiers, the governments of the North – they’re all invested in a carbon market scheme. And here in Cancún, the United Nations climate meeting is selling the sky to the highest bidder, using indigenous peoples’ forests to soak up their pollution instead of reducing emissions at its (sic) source.”
“Instead of reducing emissions at their source”? Now, now. If there’s one concept of the environmental justice movement that’s consistently underreported (other than environmental justice itself) it’s the notion that alternatives exist. Especially when those alternatives conflict with culturally embedded economic assumptions (or prospects for a killing). Nevertheless, for the intellectually daring, here are some observations paraphrased from the Indigenous Environmental Network’s (ienearth.org) Four Principles of Climate Justice:
“(The) production-consumption regime pursues profits without limit, separating human beings from nature. It establishes a mindset that seeks to dominate nature, turning everything into a commodity: the land, water, air (carbon), forests, agriculture, flora and fauna, biodiversity, genes and even indigenous traditional knowledge. The world must forge a new economic system that restores harmony with nature and among human beings.
“Climate justice calls upon governments, corporations and the peoples of the world to restore, reevaluate and strengthen the knowledge, wisdom and ancestral practices of Indigenous Peoples, affirmed in our experiences and the proposal for “Living in a Good Way”, recognizing Mother Earth as a living being with which we have an indivisible, interdependent, complementary and spiritual relationship.”
In this country, non-Natives have always laughed at Indians for saying corny things like “Mother Earth.” Nowadays, they’re tossing Indians for talking about new economic systems. Indians don’t say these things because they’ve been reading Marx. They just have fresh memories. And unlike some, realistic plans for the future.

Dave Wheelock, a member of the Oneida Nation, is a collegiate sports administrator and coach. His history degree is from the University of New Mexico. Reach him at davewheelock@yahoo.com. Mr. Wheelock’s views do not necessarily represent those of the Mountain Mail.

OPINION: Who’s Running This Ship?

2010-12-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Magdalena Potluck
By Don Wiltshire

Are we on “Auto-Pilot” or is there really a group of people in charge of where we’re headed and what we’re supposed to do once we get there?
At some point in the two weeks before my column is due, two or more events, books or ideas will smash together in my head. This time it was the movie Titanic and several small news articles about the austerity measures being imposed on Ireland.
The recent bailout of Ireland’s banks, to the tune of €85 billion ($112 billion) will cost the average Irish citizen €12,500 ($16,460). In contrast, the average American citizen has only assumed a $10,000 bailout for our banks, auto industries and the too-big-to-fail corporations.
“Those in charge” of the economic situation in Ireland deemed it necessary to slash billions of Euros from social services, health care and infrastructure expenditures. Unemployment in Ireland is running at about 14 percent, and wages have been cut by 20 percent. The stoic Irish (bless them) have had about as much of this nonsense as they can stand and are about to take to the streets in massive demonstrations of civil unrest.
Watching Ireland is like looking at a mini-scale version of our own country. “Those in charge” are basically the same: the banks, the investment companies and the multinational corporations. The austerity measures being put in place are to insure that the appropriate amount of profits flow to those “in charge.”
The movie Titanic was also a metaphorical play in miniature of our own situation. The ship is sinking and the affluent assume their rightful position in the lifeboats while the lower class passengers remain locked below deck. This same assumption is also available in a “trickle down” format. I’ve read more than my fill of blogs about income inequity where the less fortunate are told to “stop their whining”; “if they had any smarts, they would be wealthy too”.
So just who is in charge of our ship? Who is steering our Titanic? Go ahead, call me a “conspiracy theorist” but a fairly solid guess is The Carlyle Group. Founded in 1987, it was named after the luxury New York hotel, a favorite of the company’s first investors, the Mellon family. The firm, valued at more than $13.5 billion, manages $88.6 billion of capital (other peoples’ money), making it, until this year, the largest private equity firm in the world. It’s called a “global alternative asset management firm, specializing in private equity.” It claims to have four fund “families”: buyout capital, growth capital, real estate, and leveraged finance investments. Sound like a club for the “big boys”? Indeed it is.
The home office is on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., right between the White House and the Capitol building. The cast of characters includes, or has included, former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Jim Baker, former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci, former White House budget director Dick Darman, former British Prime Minister John Major, former Philippines President Fidel Ramos and, oh yes, members of the bin Laden family.
So just how does this seemingly respectable model for an investment firm generate its billions of dollars with a 36 percent annual return? Basically it buys privately held companies or divisions of big public corporations that are deemed to be in the most lucrative of future niches. These new “cash cows” are then repackaged, polished up, pushed in the “right” direction then sold off for many times their purchase price, after, of course, the managing directors and Carlyle partners take their 20 percent cut.
What sort of crystal ball allows Carlyle to peer into the future and decide which company cow will give the richest milk? Carlucci seems to have a good handle on the $150 billion per year U.S. defense industry. Will many more tanks or drones or airport scanners be needed next year? Buy, invest, position, persuade and profit.
Not only are defense contractors, like United Defense, Magnavox, GDE, Vought and Booz Allen Hamilton, subject to the insatiable appetites of Carlyle, recent acquisitions have included the Hertz Corporation, HCR ManorCare (senior care facilities) and Dunkin’ Brands, makers of the all American favorites, coffee and donuts!
This directly from the pages of Carlyle’s glossy annual report: “Diverse teams with deep expertise focus on buyout, growth capital, energy and power, infrastructure, real estate, and credit alternative transactions, as well as distressed situations.” I guess that last phrase means us.
Because of its global reach, this also appears in the annual report: “Perhaps more than any other country, China has a greater number of assets that could grow dramatically in value.”
Carlyle has 27 offices worldwide, including Denver, New York, and Milan, Italy. Hmm, I wonder if Bruno Modena has positioned himself for maximum growth potential. We will all know soon enough.
This was probably not the most uplifting topic I could have picked for the Christmas column. To end on a more cheerful note, the Magdalena Public Library is busy planning many workshops and events of local interest. Watch the community bulletin board outside the library for dates and times.

If you have any comments, problems, solutions, upcoming events or extra life vests, contact me, Don Wiltshire at mtn_don@yahoo.com.

EDITORIAL: ‘I Wish it was Christmas Today’

2010-12-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

From The Editor
By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

“I Wish It Was Christmas Today” is a song that was first performed during a skit on Saturday Night Live a little more than 10 years ago. I heard it the other day when a friend of mine posted a linked to the video on their Facebook page.
I don’t get why the radio stations don’t play it. It seems they’ve been blaring the same stale holiday tunes since October (Yes, since October; obviously they started late this year). This whimsical song would certainly be a nice addition to anyone’s holiday playlist.
I finished my holiday gift buying this past Sunday. That’s the good news. The bad news is that I didn’t buy anything from any of the shops here locally, instead spending my money in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Los Lunas (for gas). I really do need to start shopping more in Socorro, and I don’t mean at Walmart. Though I know that’s where I will, indeed, end up shopping at. Sorry, but soy milk, among other things, is just so darn inexpensive there.
Seven lines left to say what I need to get off my chest (metaphorically). So. Here. It. Goes. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, solstice, Festivus, etc., and, of course, Happy New Year.

OPINION: Make Every Day Christmas

2010-12-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Just Thinking Out Loud
By Gary Jaramillo

So – how many grown people believe that a big fat guy named Santa really does come in the middle of the night and leave presents for all the little kids? Come on now – really? If you don’t still believe, you’ve lost a part of you. After all, we are all just bigger kids when all is said and done. We all still want the very best and coolest gifts, and if someone won’t buy them for us, we buy them for ourselves. There isn’t a person alive that wouldn’t give away everything they own to be a kid again and feel those feelings every time Christmas comes around each year. And if you say that you wouldn’t – you’re lying.
Every year I seem to have to fight my mixed emotions concerning Christmas and the Holidays. Around September I try to start hardening myself against the coming holidays. I tell myself, “I’m not buying anything this year for anyone – and I don’t need a damn thing either.” So there! Well, that worked for a couple of years and I have to admit I felt terrible about it after the holidays had past and I missed out on the things I had loved doing all of my life for Christmas. But now I have grandsons and it’s all brand new for me again. I sit with them on the floor at their house and get all excited about commercials for the coolest toys as both I’nyn and Bowyn yell, “I want that too, Grandpa.” I say “Okay-Okay,” and I’m ready to buy whatever they want. Oh boy, that’s the most wonderful feeling in the world – the way it used to feel – I can now feel all over again with my grandsons. My chest and head all full of silliness and excited about everything Christmas brings. I’m a kid again. Thanks big guy in the sky – you really know what you’re doing.
One thing I have realized, as well, is that our time in this place is definitely not forever. Forever is somewhere way down the road. We are only in a place called “right now”. And to me, that means do what you gotta do RIGHT NOW because forever is slowly creeping up on all of us – and there’s never a warning of when your “forever” begins.
I have that excitement in my belly again. Nervous about all of the wonderful things that Christmas brings. You know, like the little cookies and cakes and pies, carne adovado, tamales, posole, smiles from your mom and dad, visits from siblings and other family, the Christmas lights, and the hope that it all brings to our lives no matter our financial situation. It always seems something of a miracle that happens to make everyone’s Christmas just a little better. I’m an optimist no matter how low I get with my own life problems (and everyone has them), but I never give up – ever!
We got a kind of sign from Santa this year at the Mountain Mail. A young man by the name of Adam McGrath from Salt Point, N.Y., wrote a letter to Santa with a list of the things he wanted for Christmas. It was very simply addressed: To Santa at the North Pole – and nothing else. How it ended up here in Socorro and in The Mountain Mail P.O. Box is something we’ll never know. As luck would have it for little Adam, I just happen to love writing letters to children from Santa every year. Now we had no idea why we were picked to get little Adam’s letter to Santa, but there’s always a reason for everything. Sometimes we just never know what that reason is. So, I wrote a nice Santa letter with all the bells and whistles and holiday colors and Christmas joy along with it, and sent it to Adam back in Salt Point, N.Y. I hope he got his letter from Santa and it gave him a memory of Christmas and a story he can tell his grandchildren for the rest of his life. It took me all of 15 minutes to write his letter and make the paper and envelope dressy with Christmas decorations from the North Pole, and just maybe those 15 minutes will change Adam for a lifetime. If that’s the outcome, then I’m the one who has received a very special present indeed.
I hope my optimism and love for everyone who shares this planet with me rubs off on whoever I meet. We smile at one another but never really know how things are going, but what I do is try to spread a feeling of happiness. I still see the little kid faces on my friends who are now close to 60 years old, like me. I remember the days of playing in the street and the joy we all had in our friendships as kids even if we were poor and didn’t get much for Christmas. We had each other all year round and that was the real gift. Christmas was just an opportunity to feel even better about our lives. We were all happy with a little food, church, and being together as friends and family.
So, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with acting the fool with your kids and grandkids during Christmas time. Heck, there’s nothing wrong with living with joy, faith in your God and living with the hope of better things to come every moment of your time on this earth. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with hugging a friend and telling them you love them, every chance you get. To heck with popular polls and all of that snooty stuff that says we have to act the way “they’ say we have to. Who are “they”, anyway? Live your life filled with smiles, hugs, kisses, and hope – and pass those things on to everyone you love and care about. Tell a stranger in the store to have a great day – and they always smile and might think you’re a little crazy, but they do like it. We all need to reconnect and remember as kids we didn’t let invisible walls keep us apart.
Make everyday Christmas, and give that one special gift (love) as often as you wish. No wrapping, and all it costs is your will to share it with someone.
I’ll be thinking of everyone on Christmas Day, and I’ll be praying that your day is so very special.
Viva con el amor en el Corazon y la esperanza en su vida.
Feliz Navidad!

Armstrong’s Points Lift Lady Steers in OT

2010-12-23T12:13:00.002-07:00

By Kyle Smith
For the Mountain Mail

Kameron Armstrong scooped in a layup and hit a crucial free-throw in the closing seconds of overtime as Magdalena came away with a 59-58 win over visiting Hatch Valley in a nondistrict girls basketball game on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Bears lead 54-52 with 6.8 seconds left in regulation. The Lady Steers then moved the ball down the court quickly, setting up a layup by Alicia Armijo before time expired to tie it.
Hatch Valley opened the extra period with a 3-pointer, to make it 57-54. Magdalena then responded with a two-point jump shot to cut the deficit by one to make it 57-56.
After Armstrong made her layup, the Lady Bears hit a free-throw to tie the game at 58 with 30 seconds left.
Hatch Valley got the ball back but failed to capitalize on the opportunity when Alyssa Martinez missed two free-throws, the second try rebounded by Armstrong. Armstrong was then fouled who and sent to the free-throw line with 1.2 seconds left.
Armstrong made her first attempt and missed on the second try, but Armijo came down with the rebound to preserve the victory for the Lady Steers (5-5).
Nicah Montoya scored a game-high 14 points, Armstrong had 11, and Breann Baca chipped in with nine for Magdalena.
Shelbey carson scored a team-high 13 points for the Lady Bears (3-4).
Hatch Valley competes in Class 3A. The Lady Steers compete in Class 2A.
Both squads showed strong defense early in the game as Hatch Valley had a minuscule 7-6 lead after the first quarter.
Magdalena took a 20-17 lead into halftime.
The Lady Bears led 34-29 in the third quarter, which was the largest point advantage for either team on Saturday.
The Lady Steers next play on Jan. 13 when they play host to East Mountain.

Layup in Closing Seconds Overwhelms Socorro Boys

2010-12-23T12:12:00.002-07:00

Mountain Mail Reports

Four seconds turned out to be the difference.
That’s the amount of time that was left in the fourth quarter when Erik Garcia drove the ball past two defenders and scooped in a layup to give Ojo Caliente Mesa Vista a 62-61 victory over Socorro in the first round of the 11th annual Ben Lujan Tournament at Pojoaque Valley High School on Monday night.
The game-winning basket was setup when Michael Contreras of the Warriors stepped out of bounds with the ball with a little more than 15 seconds left to play.
Jared Marquez had a game-high 29 points, including five 3-pointers, in the loss for Socorro (4-5), which trailed for much of the game, including a four-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Alejandro Lopez scored a team-high 15 points and Lorenzo Sanchez chipped in with 14 for the Trojans (6-3).
Socorro will have a couple weeks to recuperate from the loss. The Warriors next play on Jan. 4 against Ruidoso at home.

Lady Warriors Stymied by Tough Defense

2010-12-23T12:11:00.002-07:00

Mountain Mail Reports

After going on a scoring surge in the first quarter, the Socorro offense couldn’t get much else going during a 55-40 loss to Taos in the first round of the 11th annual Ben Lujan Tournament at Pojoaque Valley High School on Monday.
The Lady Warriors scored 16 points in the opening quarter, but could only notch 14 more the rest of the way.
Samantha Sedillo scored a team-high 14 points and Jaden Jones added 10 for Socorro (2-5).
Mona Trujillo scored a game-high 16 and Mirasol Martinez chipped in with 11 for the Lady Tigers (5-3).
The Lady Warriors next play on Jan. 7 at Ruidoso.

Santa Gets Help From The Sheriff

2010-12-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

“Elves and reindeer” from the Socorro County Sheriff’s Dept., Socorro County Emergency Services and Socorro City Police helped Santa Claus deliver an early Christmas to needy families in the county Wednesday. Food and toys were given out throughout the rural areas of Socorro County.

John Larson/Mountain Mail

Playing With a Holiday Breakfast Tradition

2010-12-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Fork Tender
By Nancy Newberry

I think cooking should be fun. It’s a good thing to remember during the holidays, when things can get hectic, and cooking can become – quite unnecessarily – a stress-inducing performance. I also think cooking should be, mostly, easy. I think that cooking gets more fun, and easier, the more you do it. Once you have tried and read a number of recipes, you begin to know just how far you can push a recipe. You begin to see patterns that you can experiment and play with, and create new things, spectacular successes and maybe the occasional flop – a small price to pay for greatness.
So let’s play with a holiday breakfast tradition – the breakfast casserole. I suggest this for two reasons: casseroles are easy to prepare ahead, and bake on a busy holiday morning. Also, I’ve just recently tasted a terrific variation on baked French toast, created by a Hop Canyon neighbor of mine. She’d been to the east coast and tried Anadama bread – dense yeast bread with molasses and corn meal – for the first time. She had the idea that it would make a nice French toast and then decided to invite a bunch of pals over, so she made it as a French toast casserole. We all loved it, so we’re sharing it with you.
It’s the perfect example of creating a new recipe from the pattern that is really a basic bread pudding. Bread, cubed or sliced, doused in an egg-milk mixture, rests overnight, and then you bake it. Easy, peasy! But the excitement is in the details: what kind of bread can you use? Should the casserole be sweet or savory? How far can basic bread pudding be pushed in new directions? Well, the answer is pretty far, indeed.
In this case, the Anadama bread is dark and rich, so spicing this casserole with cinnamon and maple syrup creates a gingerbread-like comfort dish. And there’s no reason to stop there: include a cup of wild blueberries before baking to add a contrasting tangy fruit flavor. Or you could begin with a few tablespoons of butter, a half cup of brown sugar, and two chopped pears in the bottom of the casserole dish, and it would be like French toast pear upside-down cake. And there’s no reason to experiment only with sweet ingredients. You could make a savory casserole using Pueblo bread, slices of smoked sausage, shredded cheese, and some chopped green chile.
So you can see where I’m going here. Don’t throw your recipes away, by any means. But take a risk in the kitchen, and see if you can come up with greatness. Any flavor combination that makes you think, “Oh, that sounds good,” is worth trying. Start with a basic pattern and create your own experiment. Keep notes; feed your friends. This is how great chefs are made, and if not great chefs, really good home cooks. And really happy friends.
This week’s recipes, then, are for Anadama bread, adapted from Allrecipes.com, and for the casserole as our Hop Canyon chef made it – it’s really nice served with a fruit salad, crispy bacon, and a dollop of Greek yogurt. And I’ve teased out a basic formula for the egg-milk mixture to pour over any type of bread so that you can go nuts making your own breakfast casseroles. Immortality is in your hands now, and if you come up with a great recipe that everyone swoons over, let me know. We’ll put you in the newspaper.

Anadama Bread

Prep time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Makes 1 loaf
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup molasses
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon salt
Bring ½ cup water and cornmeal to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook until slightly thickened; about 5 minutes. Stir in butter and molasses; let stand until lukewarm.
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add the flour, cornmeal mixture, and salt, stirring well to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Alternatively, mix and knead in the mixing bowl of a stand mixer using the dough hook.
Spray the dough with cooking spray, and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Deflate the dough and form into a loaf; place in the prepared pan. Cover and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.
Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped, about 35 minutes.

Hop Canyon Anadama French Toast Casserole

Serves 8
Prep time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Bake time: 1 hour 15 minutes
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons maple syrup
6 eggs
2 cups milk or half and half
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 loaf Anadama bread, sliced 1/2 –inch thick
Melt butter with cinnamon and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Layer the Anadama bread slices in the baking pan. Pour the egg mixture over the top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the casserole from refrigerator.
Bake in the preheated oven until set, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Turn out onto a platter to serve.
The Basic Formula
The basic formula is 1 egg to every 1/3 cup milk (or half and half), plus a pinch of salt. This will cover 2 slices of bread cut into cubes (about 2 cups cubes). Four times this basic formula is enough for an 8x8 inch pan; six times this recipe will make a 9x13 inch casserole. Add a little sugar, honey, or syrup, fruit, nuts, and spices to your sweet versions; Add loads of fresh herbs, cheeses, some vegetables, bacon, salami, or ham to savory variations.
Savory possibilities:
Sage, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, bacon.
Green chiles, Cheddar cheese, cilantro.
Sweet possibilities:
Apples, green chiles, pine nuts, cinnamon.
Pecans, pears, dried cranberries, cardamom.

Nancy Newberry arrived in Magdalena from Seattle about a year ago, where her DIY food exploits are, while not quite legendary, pretty daring. She has worked in coffee shops and deli kitchens, cooked for camps and field trips, and worked as a site producer for the #1 Food and Entertainment website on the web, Allrecipes.com.

Holy Days Linked to Winter Solstice

2010-12-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Luna News
By Debbie Leschner

Religions worldwide observe many seasonal days of celebration during the month of December. As we shop and visit about, it is more and more common to hear friends, neighbors and strangers wish us “Happy Holidays”, and it is a fitting response with most religious holy days linked in some way to the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.
Winter Solstice happened on Dec. 21. On that day, due to the earth’s tilt on its axis, the daytime hours were at a minimum in the northern hemisphere and the night time is at a maximum.
Season’s greetings are being shared in various ways to treat the celebrations of many faiths as diversely as mankind itself.
We should value the range of December celebrations, because it is evidence of the multiplicity of belief within our common earthly humanity. We should share a smile and above all, share respect, both within our own religious traditions and in reaching out to those of other faiths. Indeed we are celebrating the ability to inspire people to lead more ethical lives. Religious diversity is a very positive influence.

Congratulations

This winter season is bringing many of our Luna families together in very special ways. Dennis and Patti Swapp recently traveled with family to Las Vegas, Nev., to celebrate their youngest daughter Jessica’s marriage and enjoy a little time away. Congratulations from all of us to Jessica. I think it’s safe to say that it wasn’t a coincidence that it also just happened to be National Finals Rodeo week.

Stan and Pam Thompson recently received the best Christmas present ever. Their 36th grandchild was born on Dec. 6. Milo Boyd Whatcott came into the world weighing 8 lbs., 8 oz. Grandma Pam reports their daughter Kendra, husband Russell and baby Milo are doing great.

Christmas Events and Services

The Catholic Church of Alpine, Ariz., is preparing to hold their Christmas Eve Mass on Friday, Dec. 24. For specific times for this year’s services, you may contact Becky Trujillo.

The Presbyterian Church of Alpine, Ariz., will hold its Christmas Eve Mass at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24, and has extended a special invitation to everyone to attend the services. Flyers have been posted on the bulletin board for more information on this and weekly worship services and meeting times.

Genealogy Corner

Ever wonder how your early family might have spent their Christmas season celebrations? Christmas was not celebrated in the Colonial period at all like it is today. British Episcopalian settlers would go to church on Christmas Day and come home to a meal with family, but not necessarily a special meal. Christmas was viewed more as a religious activity.
A British Christmas was also more for adults than for children. Wealthy British colonists in the southern colonies would hold Christmas balls, featuring a burning Yule log from an oak tree. Fox hunting and other activities would follow in the 12 days after Christmas. Mistletoe, holly, and bay leaves were placed in vases in windows, according to old paintings.
Young British schoolboys would write “Christmas pieces” on paper with holiday borders, which would later become the infamous Christmas card.

Quote of the week:
“One kind word can warm three winter months.”
—Japanese Proverb quotes

Commission on Aging Publishes Cookbook

2010-12-23T11:29:00.001-07:00

Quemado News
By Debbie Leschner

The Catron County Commission on Aging has printed a cookbook comprised of the favorite recipes of our local friends and neighbors. It is titled “County Cooking – Catron County Senior Favorites” and is available at the Senior Center for $12. A nice last-minute gift, or hostess gift. This will also be Diana’s last week, so be sure to stop in and wish her well in her new ventures. She will be truly missed.

Quemado Senior Center will hold pool practice on Tuesday, Dec. 28. Movie and popcorn on Wednesday, with quilting and bingo on Thursday.
Lunch for Monday – beef steak with gravy
Tuesday – chili relleno casserole
Wednesday – meatloaf with sauce
Thursday – hot dogs
Friday – pork posole.
All seniors are welcome. Please call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations.

With winter break it is a quit week for Quemado schools. This year’s Homecoming Queen is Tara Walker and Homecoming King is Garrett Williams; Homecoming Princess is Emily Farranti and Homecoming Prince is Hiram Fernandez.

Christmas is a time to remember the ones who light up our lives with friendship and laughter and fill our hearts with memories and love. From my family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas.

Sulky Sylvia is Gleeful Concerning the Arrival of Christmas

2010-12-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan

“Merry Christmas!” Sylvia shouted as she entered the house for breakfast.
“My, aren’t we cheery today,” I said, heading to the kitchen to pour kibble into her dish.
“It’s Christmas, that’s why I’m so joyous. Did Santa Claus come?” Sylvia wagged her tail with eagerness.
“Not yet. You’re a day early. He comes tonight. That is, if you and Gordo have been good.”
“I can’t answer for Gordo, but I’ve not only been good, I’ve been angelic. Isn’t Christmas wonderful?” she said as she dashed over to the tree instead of her breakfast. “The house looks so nice with all the cards we’ve received around the windows and doors. And the tree is a joy to behold with all those beautiful ornaments.” Sylvia smiled from ear to ear and wagged her tail as she admired the tree.
“Be careful with that tail of yours. Some of those beautiful ornaments are very old.”
“Like you, huh?” Sylvia’s smile widened into an enormous toothy grin.
“Like both of us,” I said, having the last word for once.
Sylvia trotted over to her dish in the kitchen and for a few minutes loud gobbling sounds rang through the room.
“Mmn, that was delectable. Thanks, boss,” she said, wiping her mouth with a paper napkin picturing a jolly Santa. “What a gorgeous day this is.”
“Excuse me, but are you Sylvia?” I asked as I sank into my comfortable chair. “You seem to be a new and different manifestation of the depressed dog named Sylvia that used to live here.”
“It’s me, boss,” she said, bouncing to my side. “I’m your loving dog, Sylvia. Don’t you recognize me?”
“You look like Sylvia but you certainly don’t talk like her. You’re full of sunshine and cheer. I’m not sure I can cope with a dog like that.”
“Get used to it, boss. This is the new me. And it’s all your fault.”
“How so?”
“You’re the one who was after me to join Christmas, to meet it face to face and conquer it.”
“I’m not aware I phrased it exactly that way.”
“Nevertheless, that was your intent. I simply followed your advice to banish my Christmas depression.”
“Well,” I tempered, taken aback by this revelation, “that’s wonderful. How are you planning to accomplish this?”
“Gordo and I are giving a Christmas party.”
“Not in my my house, you’re not.”
“Don’t worry, boss. It’ll be on the porch. Like your parties, it will be potluck so we won’t have to furnish all the food. Gordo’s out now inviting all the squirrels and chipmunks and deer and elk. The birds have already refused because they’re afraid he’ll eat them.”
“You’re not inviting the mice, I hope.”
“No, not the mice. After the way they behaved last year they’re rodenta non grata. But there’s more. We’ll have punch to drink and games to play and Santa will give a small present to everyone.”
”And who will be Santa?”
“Gordo and I thought you would. You’ll just have to wear something red. Your pajamas will do. You already have the white hair and the belly.”
I glowered at her. “I take issue with that and I certainly don’t have a white beard.”
“We’ll make you one with cotton or something. There’s a lot to do to get ready. We’ll put the Christmas tree out on the porch for the party. You can move it inside afterwards if you want. We’ll have dress up games and lots of food. This will be such fun. Why, this will be the best Christmas ever.”
One can always hope.

Datil Singer to Ride Float in Rose Parade

2010-12-23T11:25:00.001-07:00

By Anne Sullivan
For the Mountain Mail

Windwalker Dorn is walking on air these days. And she has great tidings of joy for Datil and environs. She and her husband, Edoal Spirit Buffalo, and their 14-year-old daughter, Anagqus, will be riding on the One Nations float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day.

How did this honor come about? According to Windwalker, “We were invited by Group Drule because in November we were winners of the Single Song of the Year Award at the Native American Music Awards held in Niagara Falls, N.Y. The song was called ‘Grandfather’ and it’s from our new album. We’ve won for two consecutive years. In 2009, we won the Gospel Inspiration Award for ‘Amazing Grace’ in Cherokee.”
Windwalker and family, who came to Datil from Pennsylvania six years ago, are what you could call multi-Tribal Native Americans. They belong to the Micmac Tribe from Maine and Canada, and they’re Cherokee from North Carolina and Lanape from Pennsylvania and New York.
Windwalker can be described as a singer with a stunning a cappella voice, a drummer, a story teller, a song writer, a masseuse, and a Generational Medicine Woman. Asked which was the most important to her, she challenged with, “You pick.” Having heard her sing, I pick the first.
She can also be described as a bubbling-over enthusiast. Flashing her enormous blue eyes which are becomingly set off by her jet-black hair, and scarcely pausing for breath, she had this to say: “I just learned that we’re – the whole family – going on a 10-day European Tour in July 2011. We’ll perform in England and Amsterdam and France, and some other cities, and we’ll end up in Germany. Oh, and we’re playing at the Old Taos Inn on Dec. 26. And we were just given a new tour bus. I was just in Socorro getting the paperwork settled on that.”
It looks like Windwalker and family are on their way. Come New Year’s Day, I’ll be looking for them in the Rose Bowl Parade.

Pictured: Edoal Spirit Buffalo and Windwalker at Pie Town

Photo by John Larson

Letters To Santa

2010-12-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

The following letters came from Magdalena Elementary and Parkview Elementary.

Dear Santa,
My name is Britten Monte. I am 9 years old. Could you buy a present?
I want a Barbie Doll for Christmas.
Love,
Britten Monte

Dear Santa,
My name is Lazarus James Sanchez. I live on 505 9th Street in Magdalena. I am in Mrs. Rices 3rd grade. I am 8 years old and so far I have been learning about money. All I want for Christmas is a game for the computer.
Love,
Lazarus

Dear Santa,
My name is Libby Sedillo. I’m 8 and in 3rd grade and I have five friends. Cheyenne,
God, Catrina and you. I learned not to yell at my brother to be nice or I can’t play with the Wii. Thank you for all the presents you give to the children. Why do you like making toys and working all day long? What color are your eyes? How many Elves do you have? If I’m good will you give me snow on Chrismas day? Please wrap my present of Justin Beiber.
Love,
Libby S.

Santa Claus,
My name is Rose Secatero and I am 9 years old. I am in 3rd grade. What I learned in school is Reading and Math. I want you to give me an Ipod, a Gumball Machine and Laptop. Merry Christmas Santa.
Love,
Rose

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Kasie Gallegos and my age is 9. I live in New Mexico 96 Chunky Road. I want my parents to be safe and I want an Ipod. What I learned in school is how to use multiplication charts and I learned new reader strategies.
Love,
Kasie

Dear Santa,
My name is Mikhail Gonadonegro, I’m 10 years old and in 3rd grade. My teacher is nice to me. I have been nice to my mom and dad. If you see me nice could you give me 3 presents? I want an Ipod, PSP and S.C.A.R.E.
Love,
Mikhail G.

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Keithan Minitrez and I am in 3rd Grade and 8 years old. I want a new bike and a new Laptop and Ipod. How are you? I am good and I am working hard Santa.
Love,
Keithan M.

Santa,
My name is Cheyenne Sullivan. Thank you for everything. All I want for Christmas is to have fun with my family. Today my teacher said wed had to write four letters. I had never heard her say that. We’re going to write to Mr. Chambers, our Mom and our Dad and to a service man. We are studying how to write letters. If you are wondering my age, I am 9 years old. You can give me a dollhouse and a puzzle for my sister. One more thing, have a very Merry Christmas Santa.
Love,
Cheyenne Kelly Sullivan

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Elijah and I’m 9 and in 3rd grade in Mrs. Rice’s class. I wonder how you get from house to house? What I would like is a helicopter with hope and joy. I learned a lot in school. I also learned how to be respectful. I think Christmas is about thankfulness. I hope you save a cookie for me.
Love,
Elijah

Dear Santa,
Hi, I’m Jordan and my last name is Brannon. My parents are Rebecca and Jonathan. I’m in the 3rd grade. We have been studying animal classification and my teachers name is Mrs. Rice. This is what I want for Christmas. Play station games, a phone Case and touch brush.
Love,
Jordan

Dear Santa,
I would really like to have a Play Station for Christmas. I have been a good boy. My name is Carlos. Merry Christmas Santa.
Your Friend,
Carlos

Dear Santa,
I’ve been a very good boy and I would like a computer for my Christmas gift.
Love,
Nathan

My friend Santa,
I have been a really good girl and I would like to have a Hannah Montana Blanket for Christmas please.
Your Friend,
Isabelle

Santa Claus,
I’m a good boy and I hope you can bring me a guitar for Christmas. Thank you Santa.
Love,
Teddy

Dear Santa,
I’ve been a really good girl this year and would like and Ipod for Christmas if you can.
Your friend,
Gabrielle

Dear Santa Claus,
I would like an Ipod for Christmas this year. My name is Mirella and I’ve been a good girl this year.
Your friend,
Mirella

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Lucy and I would like a Basketball for Christmas this year. I have Been a good girl this year.
Love,
Lucy

Dear Santa,
My name is Catrina Otero. I’m 8 Years old and I’m in 3rd grade. I like Math, spelling and Science. I have 3 Friends. One Libby, the other Kasie and last one Cheyenne. I’m glad you can deliver presents to both big and small kids. I hope you can get me a Wii, phone and Blizzard maker.
Love,
Catrina

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Kaylena Ganadonegro and I’m 9 years old. I have four friends Rose, Britten, Gavin and Kasie.
All I want for Christmas is an Ipod and an Xbox 360.
Love,
Kaylena G.

Dear Santa,
My name is Josiah Piasso. I am in the 3rd grade and I’m 9 years old. In school I learn Math and Science. How are you doing today Santa? I am fine. What I want for Christmas is an Ipod, DVD player and a book. Merry Christmas to you Santa.
Love,
Josiah Piasso

Dear Santa,
I’m Kyle Julian and I’m 8 years old. I want a football and Ipod. If you get me three things I will be happy. How many Elves do you have? It’s probably so Relaxing for you, that’s why you never have to make toys cause they do it.
Love,
Kyle

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Gavin Apachito. I like to do Math and Science and reading. I’m doing good in school, Are you happy? I bet it’s fun going into peoples houses. I want an Ipod, Camera and Laptop
Love,
Gavin

Dear Santa,
My name is Keanna Torres. I am in the 3rd grade and I am 8 years old. I would like for Christmas a Laptop, Ipod, crayons and a coloring book. Merry Christmas Santa.
Love,
Keanna

Dear Santa,
I have been a very good boy. I would like a Piano for Christmas.
Your friend,
Jason

Dear Santa,
I have been a very good boy and I would like to have a nice present for Christmas.
Love,
Jordan

Dear Santa Claus,
I have been a good boy and I would like to have a Superman Game for Christmas.
Your friend,
Daniel

Santa Claus,
I’ve been a really good boy. I would like to have a Turtle for Christmas.
Love,
Luther

Dear Santa,
I have been a good and nice girl this year. Please bring me a Play Station for Christmas.
Your friend,
Felicia

Dear Santa,
I have been a really good girl. I would like to have a Barbie Doll for me.
Love,
Ali

Dear Santa,
I’ve been a really good girl and would like a Rocking Horse and Ipod for Christmas.
My name is Angel and Merry Christmas Santa Claus.
Your friend,
Angel

Dear Santa Claus,
My name is Riley and I would like a computer and Guitar because I have been a good boy.
Love,
Riley

Dear Santa,
I have been a very good boy and I would like a Play Station for this Christmas.
Love,
Mary Louise

Dear Santa,
I’ve been a really good girl and would like to have a Rocking Horse and Computer for Christmas.
Love,
Emily

Dear Santa Claus,
I’m a good boy and would like an I Phone for Christmas this year. Thank you.
Love,
Chris

Dear Santa,
What I would like for Christmas is a dollhouse. I’ve been a good girl for most of the year, so maybe you might think about giving me a fake horse but it could walk. And that’s all I want!
Love,
D.D.

State Police Shopping Spree

2010-12-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

I had a blast on Saturday watching kids shop for Christmas gifts they would not have received if not for some caring people who live right here in Socorro. Organizers, volunteers and donors from here made this happen, and it doesn’t get any better than that, this time of year.
State Police employee Tina Arellin organized a shopping day at Walmart here in Socorro for 22 children along with help from State Police Capt. Mark Umprovitch, Officer Enrique Vega, and other State Police family volunteers.
Arellin said, “It’s the third year that we’ve organized something for Socorro families and their children. We want to do something every year and it really makes us feel good to do whatever we can for people in need. We’re honored to help in any way we can with the children of Socorro.”
After two months of planning, Arellin, her husband Manuel and son Matthew put the plan into action, which meant giving each child a gift card to shop with and a gift-wrapping party at the County Annex building with pizza and soda and other refreshments.
It was a pleasure for me to follow the children and volunteers throughout Walmart, taking photos and watching the looks of such joy on the kids’ faces. I find as time passes as owner of the Mountain Mail, those are the moments that are truly the best in working at a newspaper. It’s great to know that there are people in Socorro who are always trying to help those less fortunate. Congratulations to Tina and her family, all of the volunteers, and the wonderful people who donated the money to make this Christmas gift party possible.
— Gary Jaramillo

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

2010-12-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Letters to Myscie is a true story. It reveals to us a “Yankee’s” view of the area and the times, and the impact it had on new comers.
Suzanne E. Smith

Part 15 of the series

Middle Camp, Magdalena N.M.
Friday 18th, 1883

My dear dear Myscie
I have just a few minutes before we start this morning which I will use in writing while the boys are harnessing up the horses. Mr. Cowles and myself came in last night. On Wednesday afternoon we started from the ranch; day before yesterday. Mr. Hoyt was with us. We were caught in a fearful rain & wind storm when about half (way) in here and were out in the whole of it. It lasted for about five hours. It was the worst stormI ever experienced. I was on horse back and was drenched through and through in five minutes after it began. Then came up a sleet and snowed as we came up into the mountains and I was nearly frozen to death. We should not have started at all until Friday or today only Mr. Hoyt; George was with us and he was anxious to get in here and take the coach for Socorro, and unless he came in that night he would not catch it for several days again. We came about ten miles from here and it was already dark so we decided to stop over night (Mr. C & I) with some miners who were camped about a mile & a half away & Geo took my pony and came on alone.

He got in here about midnight, and yesterday noon we started after drying our bedding and clothing which were all wet through when we came in here. We stoped last night here with Mr. Stots property where Jim is staying. Jim will go back with us for a few days. I guess he has no work and he can step right in just as well as not if he wishes to go. I have not heard from you since I wrote you from Socorro last Sunday. Our mail will come out to-day. We have it sent out every Friday so I expect there will be one from you sure. We will be in again in a few days. The boys are out at the door waiting for me now so good bye dear and I will write you again after I get out to the ranch.
Love untill then Your true and loving Joe

Friday May 25th '83 3.30 PM Magdalena Camp N.M.

My dear dear Myscie
Here I am back again to the Magdalenas. I started this morning about 8 o'ck from the ranch on horse back and arrived here later about 2 o'ck this afternoon. The mail will not be in much before 5.30 so I will write a letter while I am waiting. I intended to have written before coming in and have actually started two evenings in succession but have been interrupted both times, so had to give it up. Yesterday I went out to Antelope Springs (Cowle's Ranch) to get some "grub". Most all our things are stored there. It is about 12 miles from where we were camped. I rode out but had to walk back for I had the horse's back packed so full there was no chance to ride. I got in about sun down and I tell you I was tired. After feeding the horse I went in and lay down a while. Jim got supper. After walking, then resting before supper and just as soon as I was through, I started to write and whenI had hardly finished a page, Jim was washing up the dishes, when I heard horses hoofs down the canon. It was dark but soon a man on horse back rode up out from amoung the trees into the light of our camp fire and inquired for Mr. Cowles. He said he was just out in Middle Camp, and had a special message for him. I told him he was not there; but had gone to Socorro to be gone several days. He had started that morning early, and that I would take the letter. He handed it to me. This broke up the writing for last night for we had to set about and get another supper for this man and after that to get packed and write to Mr. Cowles. By the time I was through it was time for me to turn in, for I had to rest for my journey today. We were up early this morning but I had a long hunt for my pony up in the mountains so, did not get a very early start after all. The man who brought the letter to Mr. Cowles stayed the night with us and drove in with me today.
We had a fine time this fore noon chasing a hurd of antelope out on the plain. I put chase to them for several miles for I thought I had wounded one. I fired at them twice but they were too far away, about six hundred yards when I tried it again.

Now perhaps you would like to know what Jim and I have been doing out here in the mountains this past week. Let me see. I wrote you a letter last Friday morning before we started from here. Jim and I have been all alone. Mr. C. did not come out until Sunday night when he brought me your letter written the 13th. The only one I have received since your wrote me just after the fire. You had not then received any of my letters written in Socorro. This was Jim's second trip out with me. He has written Annie all about it I guess, by what he said, so I will not try and describe as you may hear it all first hand. We have been busy all the week working on the huts. Putting up fire-places, beds, etc, etc. I will not stop to describe just now for Mrs. Stotts little girl just came in and told me the mail is here. So I will not have time to write much more for I must start back tonight and get as far as I can; for it is a long drive.
Did you get those pictures I sent you? One was of a mexican oven I told you I was going to send along. I will tell you about it and I will try to make time to do so, if I can find it. The other was a picture of Mr. Cowles camp last winter when he was out in the mines. Why I sent it was because "Dick" my pony is in it. You can see him on the right, he moved his head so it is not very plain. Mr. Cowles is the one sitting nearest in front with a rifle in his hand.
Have you seen Mrs. Hamilton yet? I can not write this time to her & have not yet written to Mother, poor woman. You must write for me Myscie. I must stop now. Please excuse this hand and I apologize for the letter Myscie dear, but I could truly not write at this time. Write me often please because I depend very much on them.
Your true and loving Joe.

The following post script was spiraled around the page, and it is quite possible that he did this because he was out of paper. Paper was not something that was easy to find way out on the ranch, (it probably had a greater purpose), and most cowboys weren’t writers.

PS.
I did not get any letter in there for Jim or myself. Oh I am so disappointed Myscie, it can't be you did not write they must have forgetten to have forwarded them from Socorro. Oh dear I could cry truly I feel so disapointed after coming so far purposely after, and I don't know when I can come in again.

The construction of the railroad to Magdalena was begun in 1883 and completed in 1885. Until that time the mail was transported by stage, which only ran a few days a week. The train ran from Socorro to Kelly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and returned on alternate days. From the ranch, it was a full day on horseback to Magdalena or Kelly. Neighbors would help each other by picking up mail, getting supplies and running errands, but it might take days to get mail even after it had arrived at the station.

Letters to Myscie, a Western Love Story written by Suzanne E. Smith, All rights reserved.

All Photos©J.E. Smith Collection

Fire Destroys Motel in Reserve

2010-12-16T15:07:00.001-07:00

By John Larson

Fire crews were called out in Reserve to fight a fast moving fire early Tuesday, Dec. 14, that destroyed the village’s only motel, the 22-room Rode Inn. The primary blaze was battled for about six hours by 35 firefighters from seven volunteer fire departments.
A spokesperson for Reserve Fire Chief Donald Weaver said the business is believed to be a total loss.
According to the Catron County Sheriff’s office, there were no serious injuries to the nine motel occupants, although two people jumped from the second floor into a pickup truck bed.
“EMTs were on hand, and the victims were treated at the clinic. No one had to be transported to the hospital,” Undersheriff Ian Fletcher said. “The Sheriff’s office primarily worked traffic control. At first we had one lane open on Main Street, and then had to shut it down and divert traffic. At one point we shut down Bolke Street by the post office.”
Elena Gellert, owner of the Black Gold Emporium, watched the firefighting efforts from across the street.
“We opened at 6 a.m. and the fire must have started about 15 or 20 minutes before,” Gellert said. “It looked like it started in the west wing and involved the whole building pretty quickly. The entire building is gutted.”
As of Mountain Mail press time Wednesday, crews were still working on smoldering areas. “There was one room where they stored mattresses,” Gellert said.
Gellert said she and other merchants in town donated food and drinks to the emergency workers.
“This will really hurt the town, especially in the summer,” she said. “There are always tourists, hunters, travelers, those bicycle tours coming through.
“Eight people have lost their jobs, and in a town with a population of 400, it will be felt.
“Also, the motel had the only Laundromat in town. This means people will be having to drive to Cruzville, nine miles away,” Gellert said.

Henry Martinez of Henry’s Corner agreed that the absence of the motel will impact the village’s business community negatively.
“It was a busy business,” Martinez said. “The loss of revenue from people staying there will be immediately be felt. They bought gas, shopped, ate at the restaurants, and went to Uncle Bill’s bar.”
Martinez said those who were staying at the motel are, as of Wednesday, still searching for lodging. “Those people don’t have a place to stay,” he said.
The Rode Inn is owned by members of the Kiehne family, which operates three other motels in Arizona.
Max Kiehne told the Mountain Mail in a telephone interview that the family was shocked to learn the building burned.
“I am very appreciative of all the efforts from the fire departments and all the fire fighters,” he said. “It was such a loss to the community, as well as our family.”
The Rode Inn started out as a six-room motel and opened in 1971 by Emil and Beverly Kiehne, according to Gary Kiehne. “A few years later it was torn down and the larger motel was built,” he said. “The rooms and service were designed to be on par with the national chains.”
He said it was too early to estimate the dollar loss, but “the insurance investigator is expected to arrive Thursday morning. The state Fire Marshal investigator is still on the scene.”

Photos courtesy of Alex Smith

Off The Wall Generosity

2010-12-16T15:03:00.003-07:00

Cooks Richard Beltran and Leonard Rivera (background) remove one-dollar bills that have been tacked on the walls of the Owl Bar and Café over the course of the past year by tourists and locals alike. Owner Rowena Baca’s annual philanthropic project has raised more than $21,000 for various charities and organizations including the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Good Sam’s, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Ranch.

Photo by John Larson

County Clerks Push for Centralized Voting Sites

2010-12-16T15:02:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

An initiative to change the state law concerning voting precincts has been put forth by a group of New Mexico county clerks, and the idea is to provide voters with one central location where to cast their votes.
Although Socorro County Clerk Rebecca Vega isn’t part of the group, she still says the proposal has merit.
“It would essentially do away with the multiple polling places, for instance, in the city of Socorro, which would be affected most,” said Vega, adding that the proposed plan would save the county a considerable amount of money.
She said that outlying polling places in the county would probably be unaffected by any changes brought forth by the group of county clerks. “But in Magdalena,” she said, “instead of two voting places there would only be one.”
The group is headed by Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who said a draft of the proposed bill will be sent to the state legislature, which convenes for a 60-day session on Jan. 18.
“The way we are envisioning the legislation is that it would be optional for each county,” said Oliver. “All the voting precincts would be combined into ‘X’ number of centralized locations. Precinct boundaries would still exist, but only for addressing purposes and vote counting.”
She added that larger cities would have several centralized voting centers, but in smaller municipalities like Socorro “only one would probably be needed. This would solve some problems voters may experience on voting day.”
The proposal has at least one ally in the state legislature. State Rep. Don Tripp (R-Socorro) said in a telephone interview that he hasn’t heard any talk about the initiative in the Roundhouse, but feels the proposal has merit.
“It sounds like a very good idea,” he said. “It would make it easier for clerks to run elections, and, of course, save the taxpayers money. It would also end disruptions at schools where people have been voting. It just makes more sense. More people are getting used to voting early and this would just continue that through Election Day.”
Vega agrees, citing confusion with residents who move from one part of town, or one part of the county, to another.
“With centralized polling places, as long as someone is a registered voter in the county, they could vote at any of the voting locations in the county,” she said. “It would, in effect, be like early voting is now.” Early voting allows anyone in the county to vote at the Socorro County Clerk’s office prior to Election Day.
Also included in the proposal is the introduction of an auto-vote system, which would print out a ballot specific to one’s precinct.
“This would save the county money by reducing the costs of Election Day,” said Vega, “like reducing the number polling place workers and saving on the cost of pre-printed ballots for each of the 26 current voting places. We would print out only what is needed.”
The pre-printed ballots cost the counties about $1 each.

Socorro Football Player Invited to Showcase Talent at Event in S.C.

2010-12-16T15:01:00.002-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

It’s about two o’clock in the afternoon on a Sunday in the middle of December and Socorro High School football player Ray Vaiza III is inside the weight room at New Mexico Tech.
It’s been about a month since the Warriors’ season ended catastrophically following a 63-21 loss at Albuquerque Academy in the Class 3A quarterfinals and next season won’t begin until late August, but by the way Vaiza’s been focused on lifting weights you’d think he’s preparing for a game later this week.
Already the 17-year-old junior has done arm curls, bench presses and leg squats, and now he’s taking a breather in order to talk to a reporter, but he’s got a busy schedule this afternoon. In a few minutes he’ll be going outside to the athletic field to run through some drills with his friend and Socorro High football teammate Chandler Benavidez. And there’s a good reason for all this urgency. The 5-foot-10 quarterback-slash-defensive back-slash-kick returner-slash-punter has been invited to participate at the National Underclassmen Combine in Charleston, S.C., later this month.
Challenging hurdles still lie ahead, though. Not the combine testing, which will include a 40-yard dash, shuttle run, broad jump, bench press, vertical jump, and a seven-on-seven tournament, but rather the logistics of just getting to South Carolina. The NUC event doesn’t provide invitees with travel expenses, so Vaiza and his father, Ray Vaiza Jr., are hosting a raffle and an enchilada dinner from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday (Dec. 17) at the DAV Hall to raise some money for the trip to the east coast. For more information on the fundraiser, call 575-418-0156.
The National Underclassmen Combine bills itself as being the longest running underclassmen event and the most respected combine and football camp in the country. And although there are other recruitment combines for collegiate prospects, Vaiza isn’t taking his invite to the NUC lightly. Playing for a small high school like Socorro in a small state like New Mexico, he knows that this event will be one of a few chances he’ll have to show scouts from some of the best college football programs in the country that in spite of his diminutive size – he wants to play quarterback and college quarterbacks shorter than 6 feet are rare – he has the talent play at a Division II or Division I school.
Vaiza says that his dream has always been to play for the University of Texas, which boasts one of the top college football programs in the country and has sent many of its players into the National Football League. But he’s realistic that because of his lack of height, his goal of playing for a school like Texas, or any Division I program for that matter, might not come to fruition. He’s so far garnered letters of recognition from a few college programs such as Texas A&M (Division I), Eastern New Mexico (Division II), and New Mexico Military Institute (Junior College).
Vaiza is the first player from Socorro to be invited to the National Underclassmen Combine, and only one of a few from New Mexico that received an invitation to the event for this year. “I’m very excited,” he says, “It’s a chance to not only represent the southwest and New Mexico, but to represent Socorro.”
Vaiza found out the night of the Warriors’ loss at Academy that he was invited to the combine. His father, Ray Vaiza Jr., received the invitation via e-mail about a week before, and withheld the information from his son because he wanted to wait for the right moment when to present the news. “I don’t like losing,” says Vaiza, “but getting the invite made me feel a little better.”
Vaiza first started playing football at age five, suiting up for a local flag football team, and has competed in organized football every year since. He even played football during his 8th grade year in Tifton, Ga., about 180 miles south of Atlanta. He and his family lived there for about seven months, the only time he’s ever lived away from Socorro. In Tifton, Vaiza’s coaches weren’t so welcoming at first, insisting that he should be playing soccer instead of football. Vaiza says the coaches in Tifton probably thought that way because he was from New Mexico.
In addition to football, Vaiza has participated in martial arts such as jujitsu and kick boxing, the latter in which he’s compiled an amateur record of 24-5. He’s scheduled to make his mixed martial arts (MMA) debut in February. He also played basketball his freshmen and sophomore years at Socorro. He was the leading scorer on a freshman squad that finished 18-2. He made six appearances as a member of the varsity team his sophomore year. And though Vaiza isn’t playing basketball this season, he hasn’t decided whether or not to play basketball his senior season.
We’re outside on the athletic field at Tech and Vaiza has just put on his football cleats. His friend Chandler Benavidez arrives a few minutes later. While the two Socorro football teammates begin to toss a football around, the attention shifts toward Ray Vaiza Jr., who’s a noteworthy individual in his own right, and after a few minutes conversation with him you can understand why he’s pushing his son toward attending the NUC and making sure they have the means to get there.
Ray Vaiza Jr. has raised Ray Vaiza III, along with two younger children, pretty much by himself since Ray III was two. A former basketball player who sustained a career-ending ACL injury in high school, Ray Jr.’s athletic outlet for the past decade or so has been mixed martial arts and cage fighting. He also commutes from Socorro to Rio Rancho for work five days per week. He says he doesn’t mind the more than 130-mile roundtrip commute each day and the thought of moving his family closer to where he works is not an option because he would like to see his son finish out his high school career at Socorro. After that, though, he will base his decision on where Ray III ends up after Socorro.
Ray Vaiza III is done tossing the football around with his friend, Chandler, and is now ready to show off his arm strength. His father says that he can toss the ball at least 60 yards, and on a few throws this afternoon it is estimated that Vaiza either matches or exceeds that distance.
During his sophomore season on the junior varsity, Vaiza accounted for 20 touchdowns (both passing and rushing), threw for more than 500 yards, and rushed for 800 yards. This past season he played behind senior Zach Esquivel on the depth chart at quarterback. In his first season on varsity, he played defensive back and compiled some modest statistics – more than 50 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass break-ups, and one touchdown.
Kyle Henderson, who for the past six years has run the website NMpreps.com, which has Vaiza ranked No. 95 in the state as far as skills players are concerned, says that Vaiza is decent a underclassmen prospect and that the invitation to the NUC is a good opportunity for him to showcase his talent to not only Division I schools but to smaller Division II and III programs as well. “He’s the kind of athlete who can get things done,” said Henderson, who added that he thinks Vaiza would fit better at a smaller school like NMMI because of a lack of size, especially if Vaiza wishes to play quarterback, though says that Vaiza projects better as a defensive back.
“A lot coaches say that I should play defensive back,” says Vaiza. “If I can’t play quarterback in college, that’s okay. I played strong safety this past season, and it was fun. I like the contact, I like to hit.”

Photo by Patrick Jason Rodriguez

Judge Sets Schedule in Case Involving Co-op, Members

2010-12-16T14:58:00.002-07:00

Mountain Mail Reports

Judge Albert J. Mitchell set a schedule in a case involving the Socorro Electric Cooperative and its member-owners during a status hearing in district court on Tuesday (Dec. 13) in Los Lunas.
The co-op’s attorneys originally filed the lawsuit in June in an attempt to prevent three new bylaws that were passed by member-owners at the annual meeting in April.
Though the co-op’s attorneys later filed a motion to dismiss the case, Mitchell said he wouldn’t allow that.
The bylaws in question are:
• Call for the board to voluntarily follow the Open Meetings Act and Inspection of Public Records Act
• Allow members access to co-op books, records and audits, with the exception of records protected by the Privacy Act
• Allow members and the press to attend co-op board meetings and that a portion of the meeting is set aside for public comment. In addition, announcements of meetings are to be made in billing statements and advertised in local newspapers
Mitchell requested that all attorneys involved file briefs on the matter before the end of this month.

New Mexico Tech Loses Dear and Beloved Professor

2010-12-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

By Thom Guengerich
New Mexico Tech

New Mexico Tech lost a dear and beloved professor on Saturday, Dec. 11, when Dr. Osman T. Inal passed away at his home after a long battle with illness. He was 70.
“Dr. Inal was not only a superb teacher, but an outstanding researcher and a close personal friend,” New Mexico Tech President Dr. Daniel H. López said. “The entire New Mexico Tech community is saddened by his death and he will be sorely missed.”
Dr. Inal joined the faculty at Tech in 1972 as an associate professor of materials engineering, and earned full professorship in 1980. He added the title of associate vice president and dean of engineering in 2001. He also served as department chair for more than 15 years.
He was a prolific researcher, and authored or co-authored more than 230 publications. He advised 40 master’s students and 18 doctoral students during his time at Tech.
“Osman’s enthusiasm for working with students and guiding them from undergraduate through postgraduate work was unmatched,” López said. “His dedication not only to students, but to this institution was total, deep and unabiding. Our farewells go to our great friend.”
A native of Turkey, Dr. Inal is survived by his wife, Serife, their daughter, Nazli, his siblings and nieces and nephews. As of Monday, Dec. 13, no services have been planned.
Osman Tugay Inal was born on Feb. 29, 1940, in Turkey. He was especially proud of having a birthday on Leap Day. On his most recent birthday in 2008, he accentuated the fact that he was celebrating his 17th birthday.
Dr. Inal earned his first bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. He then earned three degrees in metallurgical engineering from Columbia University: a bachelor’s degree in 1964; a master’s degree in 1965; and his doctorate in 1969. After working three years in Southern California, he joined the Tech faculty in 1972.
“Dr. Inal’s profession and career at New Mexico Tech was a huge part of his life,” said his fellow professor in materials Dr. Paul Fuierer. “His unique personality is legendary among students. As longtime chair of the Materials Engineering Department, Osman’s legacy will last for years to come.”
Dr. Inal’s specialties included explosive welding and forming, polycrystalline intermetallics, plasma and laser surface modification and the development of reactive solders and braze alloys.
Dr. Deidre Hirschfeld, another colleague at Tech, said Dr. Inal cared deeply about his students’ success and that he lived to teach. He was teaching classes this semester and planned on teaching classes again next semester, she said.
“He was a strong promoter of New Mexico Tech and an excellent recruiter,” she said. “Everyone knew of Dr. Inal’s cantankerous personality, but he did a lot for materials engineering at New Mexico Tech and he did a lot for New Mexico Tech in general.”
Dr. Inal and his wife always helped international students at Tech, welcoming them into their home and treating them like family.
“He was a deeply sensitive guy,” said Dr. Peter Gerity, vice president of academic affairs. “He and his family took in every international student who came to Tech. He gave selflessly to helping them financially and with culturalization to the United States. He was a deeply caring person for students. This is a loss of a good friend to New Mexico Tech – a loyal and dear friend in every way possible.”
Over the years, Dr. Inal established a pipeline of Turkish students who came to Tech, including several of his nephews. He was also an effective recruiter domestically.
“He’s well known and has many friends throughout the United States,” Hirschfeld said. “He’s closely related to many researchers at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Many of his students have gone on to very prestigious positions.”
He was an active member in many professional and academic societies and regularly volunteered for service to New Mexico Tech, professional societies and government committees.
Dr. Inal won the university’s Distinguished Researcher Award at Tech in 1989. From the Alumni Association, he won the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2001 – the same year he was inducted as a Fellow in ASM International, the largest materials professional organization. Hirschfeld said Inal’s fellowship with ASM was an elite post and a crowning achievement for his career.
Dr. Gerity said Dr. Inal’s research is recognized and cited worldwide. He was continuously invited to deliver keynote addresses at international conferences throughout his career, he said.
Dr. López said, “As Adlai Stephenson said on the occasion of Dag Hammarskjöld’s death, ‘We will mourn his death until the time of ours.’”.

Looking Ornamental

2010-12-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Christmas Tree is up at Fidel Center at New Mexico Tech, and students have been asked to bring items to put on the tree. Adding their contributions are: Kristen Henricksen (left), an Environmental Engineer major, and Matt Wroblewski, a psychology major.

Photo by John Larson

Toys From Cops to Tots

2010-12-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Capt. Angel Garcia of the Socorro Police Department received a carload of toys from Isabel Savedra, representing the ‘M’ Mountain Good Sam RV Club, on Monday, Dec. 13. Savedra said the club donates toys to the Toys From Cops To Tots every Christmas, as well as other charities and community service programs. The toys will be delivered to children of families in need on Dec. 23. Garcia said the police department appreciated the donation from the RV club. “Our kids here in Socorro will be happy,” said Garcia. “We also get support and donations from the Sheriff’s Department, DWI Compliance office, NAPA Auto Parts, Car Quest and Tripp’s Jewelry.”

Photo by John Larson

OBITUARY: Dyer Stephen Forbus

2010-12-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Dyer Stephen Forbus, 89, passed away, Tuesday, December 7, 2010 in Socorro, NM surrounded by his loving family.
Dyer was born on June 5, 1921 in Honey Grove, TX. to EP and Mary (Jackson) Forbus.
He is survived by his loving wife, Irene Forbus of Socorro; and his devoted daughters, Barbara Forbus of Socorro; and Darla G. Bryson also of Socorro.
Dyer was a Socorro resident since 1961 after moving from Capitan, NM.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and five sisters. A Graveside Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 12:00 pm at the Village of Capitan Cemetery. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Albert Benavidez

2010-12-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Albert Benavidez, 60, passed away, Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Socorro, NM.
Albert was born August 7, 1950 in Magdalena, NM to Jose and Teresa (Marquez) Benavidez.
He is survived by his loving mother, Teresa; his devoted children, Teresa Mann and husband, Brian; Alberta Benavidez; Angel Benavidez; and Juan Benavidez; seven grandchildren, Nicole; Destiny; Adrianna; Kaya; Joseph; Julian; and Amanda; his brothers, Tony Benavidez; Joe Benavidez; and Donnie Woodard; his sisters, Ana Acosta; and Brenda Adams; and many nieces and nephews.
Albert was a Socorro resident since 2003.
He was preceded in death by his father, his wife, Hilde Benavidez, one grandson, Juan Benavidez, his brothers, Ray Benavidez, and Thomas Gonzales, and one sister, Rosella Moya. Cremation has taken place but no formal services have been arranged at this time. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM, 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OPINION: There is, Indeed, a Santa Claus

2010-12-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

Magdalena Potluck
By Margaret Wiltshire

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa. If she’s not out shopping, then she’s in the kitchen (where you should be). Things change but they don’t change. Most of the Grandmas and Great Grandmas in this country should have earned a gold watch by now. Most have spent more than 30 years making Christmas happen. Supporting the family and supporting the economy. Who do you think put the green in Black Friday anyway?
During these last thirty to sixty years, most white women worked at the bottom of the wage scale. Women of color worked for even less. Every year they found a way to make Christmas happen. They cleaned house, cooked, decorated and taught children to read.
No gold watch for them, just social security. Very little social security at that. No one gives out the statistics on how many women now are trying to live on fewer than $750 per month. That’s 750 minus more than a hundred per month for Medicare.
These women who made our economy work for the last 60 years did so in a variety of ways. One, they were cheap intelligent labor. Two, they bought things and used services. Three they worked for free raising families and in community service. In every way they are this country’s Santa.
So what did they get for Christmas? No increase in Social Security. The consumer price index didn’t rise.
Food prices are the same, right? Medicine is really cheap, right? If she’s been living and working on a tight budget, using the same car, the same appliances, the same clothes for the past 10 years or more, the replacement price she will encounter will be feasible, right? Rent, mortgage interest rates, heating, and lighting are some of the many, many things that haven’t gone up, right?
Grandma will probably find a way to do Christmas with or without the help of government.
Grandma is not the only American that our government doesn’t care about this Christmas. If you ran out of unemployment benefits a while ago, are running out of them now, or you put your health on the line cleaning up after Sept. 11, the government doesn’t care. Well, really they do, let me explain.
It’s a bipartisan movement. The Republicans are playing the abusive terrorists holding these groups hostage, and the Democrats are playing the battered spouse who won’t press charges. See, bipartisan all the way. If you say it’s wrong, they’ll call you a terrorist; and with the Patriot Act and the Obama embellishments on the Patriot Act, they can.
George Washington knew that anyone who could justify torture could justify anything. He advised we not go there. We’re there.
Here’s the really fun part. Washington says if you don’t see the value in this bipartisan movement, it’s because you are too partisan.
In the early November election we’re partisan, but in December we’re bipartisan. Get it?
The reality is that no one in Washington cares if you are a Democrat or a Republican beyond elections. Grandma, Grandpa, Sept. 11 workers, and the unemployed are Republicans and Democrats. Washington serves the “Devil” Red China and the “God” Multi-national Corporate Empire. They do it for “Glory and Gold”.
Before the Supreme Court caved, this might have been called kick-backs. Since the Supreme Court decided we don’t have illegal elections and Multi-national Corporations are citizens, everything is cool. For millions of households this winter it will be down right icy.
Why was the tax break cut off point $250,000 per year? It opened the door for screaming about small business. Loud objections and platitudes are about all small business will ever get. Why didn’t they, say, tax those earning more than a million dollars? Or even, let’s tax those who receive more than a million dollars in Christmas bonuses? Or why don’t we tax those who will save enough in taxes to buy a jet (and avoid being frisked at the air port; Grandma will be frisked)?
Do we have to take money from Grandpa and Grandma? They have paid more to the government than any generation.
It’s no secret war is not making us rich. Or even solvent. The Taliban will never be able to hurt us like our own government can. War is killing our kids by the thousands. No health care for decades killed millions, and more will die this winter. I want our kids home for Christmas, that’s homeland security. Washington can stay in Washington.
Don’t let the people in the black hats get you down, you are what America is about.
My Grandma’s Christmas Treat: Slice open pitted dates, fill with a mixture of peanut butter and honey, close date, and roll in cinnamon and sugar. She also filled dates with cream cheese or goat’s milk cheese.
Happy Holidays.

EDITORIAL: A Fondness for Books and Libraries

2010-12-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

From The Editor
By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

I wasn’t much of a reader of books between the ages of five and 17. In fact, I wasn’t much of a reader before the age of five, either. Seriously, though, it wasn’t until I reached college that I developed my current love for literature.
My favorite venue to read books has always been a bookstore, both the corporate chains and independently owned ones. I apologize if that means I have let some of you down. And that isn’t a knock on libraries, of course. My preference for bookstores has to do with these establishments allowing me to drink coffee, read a newspaper from Burlington, Vt., online, and use my mobile phone to make a call while simultaneously perusing some sort of novel (I rarely read non-fiction nowadays). There aren’t many public librarians around that don’t frown upon such activities when you’re inside a library, and I would like to see it kept that way.
Like I said, I’m not putting down libraries when I say that I prefer to read books elsewhere, or when I mention the advantages of living in the 21st century while patronizing bookstores, especially the corporate chains. Quite the contrary. I like that some many public libraries do not reek of coffee and blare saccharine pop music at an uncompromising volume. There’s indeed something wonderful about the smell of books and serenity of no music. Not even classical music, which I don’t like anyway.
The smell of books was one of the first things that I noticed upon entering the Socorro Public Library on Tuesday night. It was the library’s 86th birthday, and there was a celebration going on, including music and refreshments. It was also my first time inside this particular library. The other thing was how organized everything seemed.
Despite it being after hours, I was allowed a few minutes to snoop around the shelves, and so I went right away for the fiction area. I have always done this one test where when I enter a public library for the first time I check to see if there are any books written my favorite, P.G. Wodehouse, available on the shelves. I wasn’t disappointed, as I counted a grand total of five books written by the greatest comic writer in the English language. One of these days I am going to check out a copy of “The World of Jeeves”.
A few minutes later I was sitting down waiting for the entertainment to begin. The singing group Las Cantantes and the musical duo of Toby and Ermie Jaramillo performed well. Afterward, those in the audience were allowed to sing along to holiday classics, and I joined in even though I’m not much of a singer and normally I would rather be rebuked by a librarian than sing in public.

Blotter

2010-12-16T14:33:00.001-07:00

Information for the following items was provided by the Socorro Police Department.

Nov. 22
A woman on Proto reported at 1:12 p.m. that the suspect was highly intoxicated and became violent, destroying several items in the house. She was afraid for her safety and was arrested and booked.

Nov. 24
An officer was dispatched at 1:20 a.m. to Walmart on a shoplifting report. The suspect was shoplifting alcohol with a 13 year-old juvenile. The suspect, who was identified on video, fled in a vehicle.

Nov. 24
A man reported at 4 p.m. that a dog bit him on the leg while he was riding a bicycle on Cuba Rd. The office noted the dog bite. The dog’s owner was not located at the time of the report.

A vehicle was stopped at 10:30 p.m. for a traffic violation on Leroy. After being given consent to search the car, the officer located several items of drug paraphernalia. The driver was cited into court.

Nov. 25
A suspect was discovered shoplifting at 2:20 a.m. at Walmart and detained by the staff. The subject was cited into court and released.

Nov. 27
A woman on Channel Rd. reported at 8 a.m. that the suspect has been harassing her over the woman’s dogs killing the suspect’s chickens. No contact with suspect at time of report.

Dec. 1
A complainant at a residence on Arroyo Dr. reported at 7:50 p.m. that the suspect struck the victim with a TV remote and also struck victim 2. He was cited into court.

A complainant reported at 9 p.m. that a man came to her house on Judith Ct. asking for another female. She stated that she did not know who he was talking about. The man then became angry and attacked her, knocking her unconscious. She described him as Hispanic with a mustache and driving a yellow pickup with a black stripe.

Dec. 3
An officer responded at 8 p.m. to a complaint of loud noise in the 400 block of Eaton. When meeting with the suspect the officer smelled marijuana coming from the residence through the open door. The suspect turned over a pipe and small amount of marijuana to the officer. He was cited into court.

A woman at a residence in the 500 block of Highway 60 reported at 10:35 p.m. that a man battered her and broke out a window on her vehicle. She had signs of being battered. The suspect was arrested and booked into county jail. He also a pipe used to smoke marijuana on his person.

Dec. 4
A vehicle was pulled over at 2:28 a.m. for a traffic violation in Fatima Trailer Park. The driver was given, and failed field sobriety tests. Intoxilyzer 8000 breath samples were .09 and .09 blood alcohol content. The driver was booked into county jail for DWI.

Dec. 5
A woman on Fatima reported at 9 a.m. that a TV had been stolen from her residence. Entry into the home was through an unsecured window. No leads to any suspect at time of report.

Information for the following items was provided by the Magdalena Marshal's office.

Nov. 28
An officer located a subject at 4 p.m. near Wells Fargo Bank who was wanted on an outstanding warrant from the Magdalena Court. The subject was taken to the Socorro County Detention Center where he bonded out.

Nov. 29
An officer arrested a male subject at 2:50 p.m. on Highway 169 for driving on a suspended license after he was stopped for illegal wood. He was charged with the crimes and taken to the Socorro County Detention Center.

Nov. 30
An officer stopped a vehicle at 1:25 p.m. on Highway 60 where the driver was found to be driving on a suspended license. The driver also had an illegal load of wood which was confiscated by U.S. Forest Service officers. The vehicle was impounded and the subject was charged with the crimes.

An officer took a report at 5:45 p.m. of a two vehicle crash on First Street. One person was charged in the accident.

Dec. 4
An officer arrested a minor male subject at 4 p.m. for alcohol, drug paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct on Highway 169, where there was a party involving several subjects. With assistance from a BLM officer and a U.S. Forest Service officer, four more subjects were arrested for crimes from ranging from Probation and Parole violations to drug and alcohol charges. A female was transported by ambulance from alcohol use. Charges are pending on all subjects.

Dec. 5
An officer was called to the Family Dollar where a male subject was caught shoplifting. The subject was charged through Juvenile Probation and Parole.

Dec. 6
An officer was called at 2:30 p.m. to a residence where a domestic was occurring. The female was taken out of the home for her safety. She was directed to El Puente in Socorro for assistance in her case.

Dec. 8
An officer was called at 2:25 p.m. to the local market for a two vehicle crash. A report was taken.

Dec. 10
An officer arrested a male subject at 4:40 p.m. after he was stopped by a U.S. Forest Service officer while driving on a suspended or revoked license. He was booked into the Socorro County Detention Center.

Declamation Winners

2010-12-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Pictured are the winners of the Socorro County Declamation Contest held at the Fine Arts Center at Magdalena Schools on Dec. 2. Humorous Poetry: Elena Gonzales, 1st Place; Alexandric Martinez, 2nd Place; Andre Gonzales, 3rd Place. Serious Poetry: Miceta Gallegos, 1st Place; Rose Carilli, 2nd Place; Will Montoya, 3rd Place. Humorous Prose: Weston Tomlinson, 1st Place; Autumn Bjorkland, 2nd Place; Christopher Thornton, 3rd Place. Serious Prose: Jorrell Mirabal, 1st Place; Jack Lee, 2nd Place; Asjah Apachito, 3rd Place.

Courtesy photo

Chow Bella! Little Italy Comes to Magdalena

2010-12-16T14:22:00.001-07:00

Fork Tender
By Nancy Newberry

Transport yourself 6,000 miles due east, and where are you? You’re in the heart of Sicily. Or, you could save the trip, and walk right into Italian Buffet Fridays at the High Country Lodge in Magdalena. A little Mario Lanza coming through the speakers and the heady aroma of marinara simmering on the stove takes you deep into an Italian country kitchen, but here everyone knows your name, and you didn’t have to suffer from a Transportation Security Administration pat-down.
Chef Michael DeMaria now heads the kitchen at the High Country, and he’s bringing in a new game. He’s been cooking for 27 years in New York and New Jersey. He started as a kid plating salads, always watching what the sous chef was doing, what the chef was doing. The appetizer chef left; he moved up, and within six months, Michael was head chef at age 19, serving about 400 dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. He’s worked in Manhattan’s Little Italy; in Chambersburg, Trenton, N.J., where busy Decembers saw him serving as many as 2,500 people per day. For Michael, cooking is a pure pleasure, and he loves it: It’s all “about the creativity and making people happy with the food,” he says.
And his plans don’t stop with Italian Fridays. On Saturdays, prime rib joins other specials on the menu, and limited room service for guests at the lodge is in the works. On Tuesdays, he’ll have Chris Pino preparing Mexican dishes, and soon to come are Pizza Wednesdays, accompanied by calzones, hoagies, and even a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. A catering menu is in development, and if you need a gallon of chili or a big batch of meatballs for a party, all you need to do is call. Daily lunch specials and an expanded breakfast menu have already begun.
Everything is made fresh and healthy, with all sauces from scratch – you won’t see packages in this kitchen. Friday’s menu always includes dishes on the lighter side and vegetarian selections, and will be different every week. I have the scoop on this Friday’s menu, and I’ll share it with you: appetizers include pepperoni and cheese stuffed bread, olive salad, tomato and onion salad; featured mains will be eggplant parmesan, roast pork with port wine sauce, rigatoni with vodka sauce, and sausage with peppers and onions. Sides of string beans marinara and garlic parmesan mashers will make it hard to leave room for dessert…will it be cannoli? Zabaglione? Dessert is still a secret. My lips are sealed. Don’t even think of trying to bribe me with ricotta cheesecake.
I was in the kitchen with Mike last Friday, taking his calm, quiet direction, chopping peppers, onions, and potatoes; plating a fragile rum cake with homemade whipped cream. The week’s menu featured a surprising side dish made of cooked romaine lettuce, seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, and with a slight sweet note provide by raisins. Though we think of lettuce as for salad only, it is delicious and sturdy when cooked. This dish was a happy accident some years ago: the New Jersey restaurant was so busy that they ran out of every vegetable, and the only thing Mike had left in the kitchen was romaine lettuce. Into the pot it went, and people loved it. Mike never uses recipes – all these dishes come straight from memory – but I watched these vegetables come off the line, and created these recipes so that you can try some Italian at home.
Michael has been in Magdalena just more than a year, when he joined his sister Catherine of Magdalena Feed Company. So he’s still kind of the new guy in town. When you come on down to the High Country, do say hi to Mike and tell him what you think – he’s the gentle guy in the white coat who really wants you to love the food.
Details: The High Country Lodge is located on Highway 60, just west of Kelly Road, in Magdalena, and open for breakfast and lunch daily. Dinner is served between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The all you can eat Italian buffet each Friday is $12.95.

Lettuce Entertain You Italian Style

Salad no more, romaine lettuce cooks into a quick, sweet-savory side dish. Any sturdy lettuce with flavor will give you a great result: I tested it with red-tipped leaf lettuce, and it performed beautifully.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves 2-4
1 large head Romaine lettuce or red leaf lettuce, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ cup raisins
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in the Romaine lettuce, and cook for 1 minute. Drain.
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium high heat. Stir in the Romaine, garlic, red pepper flakes, and raisins. Cook and stir until the Romaine is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Michael’s Roman Rosemary Roasters

Savor these tasty little red potatoes, seasoned just right and roasted to perfection with crispy skins and tender flaky centers.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Serves 4
1 ½ pounds small red potatoes, halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Toss potatoes in a large bowl with the olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper, and spread in a single layer in a baking pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 35 minutes.
Nancy Newberry arrived in Magdalena from Seattle about a year ago, where her DIY food exploits are, while not quite legendary, pretty daring. She has worked in coffee shops and deli kitchens, cooked for camps and field trips, and worked as a site producer for the #1 Food and Entertainment website on the web, Allrecipes.com.

Christmas Depression Hits Sylvia Harder as December Marches on

2010-12-16T14:17:00.002-07:00

Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan

As soon as I opened the front door Sylvia, eager for dinner, rushed in only to be halted by a stack of boxes.
“Don’t knock those over,” I ordered. “Can’t you be careful?”
“Can’t you be agreeable?” Sylvia responded as she threaded her way around the boxes by going under the table which was overflowing with incoming and outgoing Christmas cards, letters and bills. “The closer it gets to Christmas, the worse it gets in this house,” she complained at the top of her lungs. “I can’t wait until December 26th.”
“Are you still in the throes of Christmas depression?” I asked.
“What? Please repeat.” Sylvia cried. “I can’t hear anything with that Christmas music blaring from the TV.”
“Isn’t it beautiful? It’s a Great Performance Christmas Concert on PBS.”
“I’d appreciate it much more if you turned it down – about 20 decibels – whatever they are. And yes, since you inquire, I’m still depressed about Christmas. After all, I am an orphan. I have no family.”
“You have me. And Gordo.”
“Yes, I do,” she said after consideration, “but at this time last year I had RingWorm and Brandy as well. That’s another thing I feel sad about. Our family is shrinking.”
“I know. I felt very sad when RingWorm disappeared but I learned it’s often what cats do when they get ready to die.”
“But RingWorm was my special friend,” Sylvia said with the usual tear in her eye. “She was the one who taught me the ropes when I came here to Swingle Canyon. And then Brandy departed from this world just after New Year’s Day. She didn’t like me much but she was still family.”
“That horse didn’t like anybody very much,” I said, “but, as you say, she was family.”
“Do you suppose that was because she didn’t like herself?”
“I imagine that could have been the reason.”
“What an unhappy way to be,” said Sylvia. “And for 33 years. It’s all so sad. I can’t bear it. There’s too much sadness to think about at this time of year. It doesn’t make sense when you have people greeting each other with ‘Merry Christmas’, singing carols ordering Joy to the World and insisting that I have a happy New Year whether I like it or not.”
“You must get ahold of yourself and chase all those blues away.”
“Thank you, Bing Crosby,” Sylvia muttered.
“What I mean is you must stop mourning what or who you don’t have, but rejoice in everything you do have. It might help if you could keep yourself busy doing things for others.”
“Like presents, I suppose. I notice you’re awfully busy with presents this Christmas season.
You’re so busy wrapping presents for all those people that you don’t have time to go for a walk with me. No wonder I feel sad.”
“It is a very busy time,” I tried to defend myself.
“I don’t see any presents for me,” Sylvia said after thoroughly smelling and pawing at all the papers and boxes on the floor.
“It’s very difficult to find a present for you. You don’t play with toys anymore and I can’t imagine you wearing a sweater.”
“Heaven forbid. Promise you won’t knit anything for me.”
“No jaunty little cap with holes for your ears?”
Those ears perked up in terror. “Oh, dear. You’re not knitting me something as a surprise, are you? I’ll leave you if you do that. If you want to give me something, anything in the food department is a good choice.”
“Even something I bake myself?”
“A not-so-good second choice.”

Cantanta, Schools, Toys for Tots, Christmas Services, and Tree Lighting

2010-12-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Quemado News
By Debbie Leschner

A Christmas Cantata, the Journey of Christmas, performance will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, inside the Quemado school gym. A community choir of 40 voices, directed by Jerry Armstrong, will sing and tell the story of the journeys made at Christmas. Richard Parker is the sound technician. Come share an evening with friends and family to celebrate the reason for Christmas.

Quemado Schools Elementary Christmas Program will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 20, inside the school gym. It is a Readers Theater with the subject being Christmas Carols. The presenters are the kindergarten through sixth grade classes. Mrs. Lynn Boe is the coordinator of the program. Who else but our very own area children can be sure to get everyone in the Christmas spirit?

Toys for Tots Christmas Drive is being sponsored by the Western New Mexico Veterans Group of Quemado and the group led by Tony and Joan Shannon of Pie Town. This is the fourth consecutive of the toy and food drive. Last year, more than 50 local families were helped. This is a way for the community to help provide the children and families in our immediate area. Donations of food for food baskets, unwrapped toys, warm clothing such as coats, scarves, mittens and other items will be accepted. In Quemado, donations may be dropped off at the County Store and Rito Quemado Store. For Pie Town area donations, items may be dropped off at the Top of the World Store. All donations need to be dropped off before Saturday, Dec. 18. Santa Claus will be at the Veteran’s Hall to visit with the children between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22. For more information, please call the Shannons at 575-772-2528, or Rick and Sonja Sharp at 575-773-4350.

Christmas Services this year are as follows: Cowboy Church will be at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22. First Baptist Church will have a Candlelight service at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 24. The Catholic Church will have a noon mass on Saturday, Dec 25.

Town’s Christmas Tree is lit and shines brilliantly as you drive through town at night. For those of you who missed it, there was a wonderful bonfire for roasting marshmallows while Santa presented the children with gifts, followed by caroling and some terrific refreshments. Thanks to the Quemado Fire Department for the refreshments and transporting Santa Claus, the Mojave Academy for the hot dogs, and the wonderful Christmas carols.

Quemado Senior Center pool tournament on Tuesday, Dec 21. The Center will be closed on Thursday and Friday (Dec. 23 and 24) for the Christmas holiday. Lunch for Monday – hamburger gravy over biscuits; Tuesday – pork ribs; and Wednesday – cook’s choice. All seniors are welcome. For more information, please call the center at 773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations.

Quemado Schools will have dismissal at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, with Winter Break happening from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2.

Basketball games for the week: Saturday, Dec. 18, is Homecoming Day and begins with the Boys and Girls Junior High playing at home against Cliff at 10 a.m. Boys and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity teams play against Mountainair at 2 p.m. The day ends with the Homecoming dance, from 8 to 11 p.m. The Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity play an away game at Magdalena at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec 21.

Cheers, Fire Department, Community Center, and Christmas Events

2010-12-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Luna News
By Kaye Mindar

Ann Snyder is doing much better now in time for the Holidays and family after her latest fall in October. The Snyder family wishes to thank all who have helped with care and with prayers sent their way.
There are many others in our community who need your well wishes and time, especially at this time of year and as the season turns colder here in the Luna valley.

Congratulations

Dan and Kaye Mindar welcomed a new granddaughter on Dec. 4. Joe and Kendall Mindar of Springerville, Ariz., welcomed Aphton Bale Mindar to their brood.

Luna Volunteer Fire Department

Luna Fire District training meeting was postponed until Saturday. All members are needed to attend and there is a dire need for recruitment of new members in every capacity of service in the department. Please Contact Fire Chief Eugene Snyder for more information. Our fire department is working closely with the county to provide training for department members for them to become increasingly knowledgeable and proficient in the areas of public education, fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue and other related activities. It is their mission in the coming year to provide members with the necessary equipment and supplies to safely perform their duties. New goals are being set are to develop and provide educational programs to teach our community the services that can be provided by this department; promoting the deterrence of fire through proactive measures vs. reactive service and to encourage fire safe and fire smart activities. Goals of our members to reach firefighter I level certification are a top priority. Luna is working hard to invest in its members and the rewards are ours as a community. Saturday’s training will be driver’s training and certification.

Luna Community Center

Southwest Shooting Authority who has recently moved into the Luna area is sponsoring a disaster preparedness seminar to be held at the Community Center lasting from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Please contact Cope Reynolds for more information. There are only 150 slots available to attend this event. Concessions will be available during the day-long seminar. Be sure to visit their web site at southwestshootingauthority.com for more information and to see the many other services they provide.

Christmas Events and Services

The Alpine Presbyterian Church will be holding Christmas Eve Mass at 7 p.m., and all are invited to attend services. Flyers have been posted on the bulletin board for more information.
The Luna LDS Church is hosting the annual “Night of Sacred Music” at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. There will be special choir numbers and congregational participation. Bring your family and friends and plan on a special evening to celebrate the season.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Luna Ward is preparing to host their annual Christmas dinner and program on Friday, Dec. 17. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. Please watch for more information to be posted. This is a great family activity each year bringing friends and neighbors together for the holidays.

Preparedness Corner

Luna has been experiencing weather that fluctuates from the 60s in the daytime to below zero on clear nights. Prepare yourself by adding supplies to your shelves and kits, talk to your family and know how to react to different situations that might come on suddenly, be sure to check your vehicles for travel near and far and carry emergency supplies at all times, dress for the weather, layered clothing is best, and always plan for the unexpected. Remember your pets and animals need proper protection from the weather and altitude too. Have a safe season and look out for yourself, your family and your neighbors.

Quote of the week
“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
—Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

2010-12-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Part 14 of the series

Letters to Myscie is a true story. It reveals to us a “yankee’s” view of the area and the times, and the impact it had on new comers. —Suzanne E. Smith

A continuation of the letter from May 12, 1883

It was quite romantic I tell you, sleeping there on the ground in the mountains miles away from everybody with our firearms by our sides ready for use in case of need. I slept pretty sound too for I was very tired. I awoke once during the night and there the bright moon was just over our heads shining down into our faces and the stars shining so bright they did look so pretty. I lay awake for a little while thinking about-can you guess? I finally went to sleep again and dreamed about being chased by something. I could not tell what, anyway I got away all right. In the morning when we awoke and looked about us there the cabin and corral and spring was only about 3/4 of a mile away. It was quite provoking to have gone so near and not to have known it. The first thing we did was to lead the horses to water for they had none since the noon before. Then to get breakfast; pack up and start off once again. At noon we reached another spring called the "Richest Well" at the foot of wild cat mountain where we camped for dinner and that night about sun down we arrived at Mr. Cowles cabin, which is called "Antelope Springs" because there are so many Antelope and deer come there for water. We see them every day but do not shoot them because we want to catch some young ones this fall. This was Sat Apr 28th; we had started Thursday. Sunday we fixed up the cabin and rested. At this cabin we have a stove and bed so we are fixed quite comfortable. We take turns in getting the meals and Oh wouldn't you girls laugh to see me getting up a dinner and washing the dishes? We have lots of fun though and some good laughs when we think of our Easten friends could only look in on us sometimes.

Monday morning we started out again bright and early to locate these ranches. I have been telling you about in my other letters. Now I will stop, for I am afraid if I write you too much all at once of this sort of stuff, you will get tired so I will continue from here in my next. The letter I began to you Thursday I did not have a chace to finish yesterday. I sent it last night. We will not start out until tomorrow afternoon (Sunday) so I will try and find time to write again tomorrow and answer the remainder of your letter. You are getting a little ahead of me I believe but never mind for I will soon catch up-Ha? at this rate?
Your loving Joe

Socorro New Mexico
In my room Sunday 12 o'ck noon May 13th 1883

My dear dear Myscie
Will you tire of reading my long letters Myscie if I do write three days in succession? I hope you will not for I do not tire of writing, and I am not so happy as when I am writing or thinking of you unless it be when I am reading yours. Did Ed send you my picture during the past two weeks? You know you asked about some more in one of your letters written before I left town. I was intending to print them myself before I left, but I went so suddenly I did not have a chance and so Ed said he would print you some and sent to you after I had gone. Did he send you any? I think he must have printed some for I found one the one I have here on the table, in the show case when I came back and then one more printed when I went away. I was intending to write to mother to-day but I do not feel one bit in the mood so have given it up for to-day. At least I received a nice long letter from Mrs. Dr. Hamilton yesterday. If you see her Myscie please mention to her that I have received her letter and will answer it the first time I come in to the city again. I have no time this time for we shall start just after dinner today and it is dinner time now nearly. You may explain to her if you will please, how it is I am so far from any P.O. and then she will not think it strange at not hearing from me.

Why doesn't Venie answer my letter? When you see him tell him I would be pleased to hear from him when he has the time to write to me. You have sent love and inquiries from several persons in your letters. I do not remember them all but give them my kindest regards and to any one who may see fit to inquire after, we return the same.
Did your mother's cactus live? They are just beginning to blossom out in the mountains and they are just beautiful. I assure you I wish I could send you some. Myscie you must not believe all you hear or all you read about the Indians out here in this country. I know the papers are full of reports and stories of the bluddy work and Eastern people think you can not safely slip out of your house down here with out being in danger of having your "scalp" lifted but believe me Myscie 9/10ths of all this talk is "bost" from beginning to end. Many of these reports are put into the papers and set in circulation for certain objects which I will explain to you some future time. When I tell you about the "Rustlers" as class dare devils who are as bad if not worse in their way than the Indians, their business is cattle stealing. To be sure, it was right in around us here where our ranches are, that the Indians did such bluddy work about one year and a half ago, but those days are all over for this section of the country and there is little or no danger from them again. So don't worry one bit Myscie for I assure you we who are here and know all about it, do not have the slightest anxiety about the matter.

You would hardly know me Myscie, if you should see me now. I look so rough. I will have my picture taken the next time I come in and send it to you in my full ranch suit; broad brim hat; belt; six shooter; rifle; bowie knife etc. I have let my beard grow too and I look in the glass, I can hardly tell whether it is me or some stranger there. I have got my hair cut clost to my head so you see I could disguise myself pretty well. I bet in a month from now I could walk into Darlington in my full suit and there wouldn't be a single person know me. You would see them running down the street for their life thinking the "cow boys" had come to take the town. I guess I must stop now for it is time to go for dinner. This isn't much of a letter Myscie I know, but some how I don't feel in the mood of writing a bit to-day. I want to see you that is all I can think about and I've got the "blues" I guess. I sat here for half an hour before I began to write looking at your picture and thinking of you. Oh dear if I could only see you just for a little while; but this will do. Write me often dear Myscie. With a kiss from you true and loving Joe. Love to your mother and all inquiring friends.

It has been “rumored” that the photo of Nana was taken in the Smith Studio in the middle of the night. It makes a very good story, and if so would have been taken after 1886. Join us next week as the life of J.E. Smith as a “cowboy” unfolds even more.

Pictures (from top down): Magdalena ranch; Magdalena Mountain ranch; Nana (Warm Springs Apache leader, brother-in-law to Geronimo); J.E. Smith as cowboy.

All photos ©J.E. Smith Collection

‘In the Spirit’ of Christmas Concert

2010-12-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Socorro will present a musical performance titled In the Spirit at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Epiphany Episcopal Church in Socorro.
The concert will begin with a harp solo titled A Tree in Winter performed by harpist and composer Julietta Rabens – inspired by naturalist Gene Stratton Porter who wrote:
All other trees are harps in the winter. Their trunks are the frames, their branches the strings, the winds the musicians. When the air is cold and clear, the world very white, and the harp music swelling, then the talking trees tell the strengthening, uplifting things.
Arcangelo Corelli’s most famous composition Made for the night of Christmas will be played by string orchestra with five violins (two soloists), two violas, two cellos (one soloist), string bass and harpsichord. The conductor is Andrew Saletta, director of New Mexico Tech’s orchestra.
Las Cantantes will perform Benjamin Britten carols for women’s choir and harpist. Procession is a medieval chant announcing the birth of Christ; That Yongë Child (performed by Ingrid Halverson) is a lullaby for the weeping Christ child; There is No Rose is a metaphor for Mary's womb; and This Little Babe (performed by Ingrid Halverson, Shirley Coursey and Lisa Young) portrays Christ’s battle with Satan.
The full choir will sing three carols Here We Come a Wassailing, Gabriel’s Message and Noel Noevellet composed by John Rutter for voices and small orchestra.
The full 22-piece orchestra and full choir will then perform a medley of holiday favorites: Let It Snow!, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bell Rock, Silver Bells, and Frosty the Snowman.
To finish the program, the audience will be invited to sing Christmas carols with the choir and orchestra. Everyone is invited to eat refreshments in the Parish Hall after the concert. Admission to the concert is free, and any goodwill offerings will be donated to Puerto Seguro.
Epiphany Episcopal Church is located at 908 Leroy Place in Socorro. For more information, call 575-838-7113.

Mountain Mail Delivers Early Christmas Gift

2010-12-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Mountain Mail ownership and staff have decided to pitch in even further during this economic slow down by rolling back the price of the only locally owned community newspaper to just “two bits”. That’s right – only one quarter. The first thing the ownership and staff decided after buying the Mountain Mail a little more than a year ago was to lower advertising prices to a more affordable level in order to help fellow businesses continue to have the ability to advertise during these tough economic times, and pass the savings on to their customers and our loyal readers at the same time. It’s no secret that the Mountain Mail offers the lowest newspaper advertising prices in New Mexico.
“We understand that the current business and job situation is tough on everyone,” said former Socorro Mayor and business partner Tony Jaramillo. “If we’re going to get through these hard times together, everyone in Socorro and Catron Counties need to work as one. This just seems like the right thing to do right now.”
Your hometown Mountain Mail begins its lower price in this edition and will continue with the new price through the holidays and into the New Year, and revisit the question of pricing again in July. Subscribers will still be charged our very low annual rate due to the fact that we still have to pay labor to have every individual subscriber’s newspaper labeled, and weekly payments for postage must still be paid to get the news and great stories to all of our loyal readers across the country.
“We wish we could cut the price for subscribers, as well, but it’s just not financially feasible, so we’ll sell all counter and coin machine papers for only 25 cents,” general manager Gary Jaramillo said. “We’re not exactly sure how long it’s been since a newspaper has sold for two bits anywhere in New Mexico, but we felt like it was a great opportunity to pass this price cut on to everyone at this time.
“It’s a matter of helping our business clients by getting more papers into potential customers hands with their advertising in it, and making it easier for our neighbors here in Socorro and Catron Counties to buy a Mountain Mail for 50 percent less and still get the same great weekly stories, columns and news to which they are accustomed. And if we can keep more quarters in our readers’ pockets, maybe they’ll have just a little bit more to save and spend at local businesses on the important things that they have to have for their own family needs. If everyone in our little corner of the world helped one another, we’ll all come through during these hard times all right – just like we’ve done so many times before.
The Mountain Mail is still – and will always be – your No. 1 news source and only locally owned community newspaper. So grab a quarter for your newspaper each Thursday, and use the other one for a down payment on the future. We’re proud of the work we do, and proud to be a part of Socorro and Catron Counties – and we count everyone as dear friends. With a positive attitude and all of us helping each other in any way we can, we’ll be just fine – even if we do it one quarter at a time.
Enjoy the holidays, everyone!
.

Scientists at Observatory Make Quick Discovery

2010-12-09T13:53:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

A husband and wife astronomy team at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory on Nov. 16 documented the second-fastest spinning asteroid on record, missing the earth by about 20,000 miles.
Asteroid 2010 WA was tracked by Bill Ryan, the leading astronomer at the New Mexico Tech facility, using a 2.4-meter telescope. The rock measures about 10 feet in diameter and completes a rotation about every 31 seconds. By comparison, the fastest spinning asteroid, known as 2010 JL88, also discovered by Ryan, takes 24.5 seconds to complete a rotation.
His wife, Eileen Ryan, director of the 2.4-meter telescope, says that the only danger that the asteroid presented was that it had entered the path of satellites in geosynchronistic orbits, which stationary orbits generally above the equator. Those satellites are generally used for global positioning (GPS), weather forecasting, television broadcasting, and defense or intelligence purposes.
There are about 300 satellites at that altitude, according to Eileen Ryan. “If an asteroid were to hit one of those,” she said, “it would understandably cause disruption of services on which we commonly depend. And those are quite expensive pieces of equipment.”
Tracking asteroids is one of the main operations of the telescope, which first went into operation in November 2006.
“We’ve tracked four asteroids in the last month that came that close to the earth,” said Eileen Ryan. She said studying the rotation rate can help scientists understand the geology of the rock passing by.
“The rate of spin, which we are learning about for the first time,” she said, “can tell us about the material of bodies in the asteroid belt.”
In years past, she added, there wasn’t a reliable system for studying an asteroid’s rate of rotation, but her husband has since devised a method which involves spotting them early on and picking out the best candidates.
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory has been involved in a variety of asteroid studies and has built a reputation on being a leader in the field. On a recent Discovery Channel program, “Phil Plait’s ‘Bad Universe: Asteroid Apocalypse’”, Eileen Ryan discussed the observatory’s asteroid studies, explaining that 10 or 12 asteroids might be discovered on any given night.
“We have to assess are they a danger, how strong are they, how big are they,” she said during the program. “All of the work we do can be used for predictions on when or where an object will hit.”
And what about other flying objects?
“We work with NASA, the National Science Foundation, and Los Alamos National Laboratory,” said Eileen Ryan. “We’re also working with the Air Force to track satellites. And if we’re called on to track Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, we’ll do what we can.”

LEPC Says Red Cross Center Needed in Socorro

2010-12-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

The chairman of the Local Emergency Planning Committee wants the Red Cross to have a resposnse center in Socorro.
Doug May made his proposal to the city council at its meeting on Monday night.
He said that the city is under prepared for any sort of catastrophic event like an earthquake, huge fire and a great deal of flooding, and gave examples of past local disasters such as the tire fire of 2000, the hail storm of 2006, and the derailment last year of a train traveling through the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge when three cars carrying fuel oil spilled.
May stressed the need for shelters in the city and said his committee is working on being able to find lodging for those who must evacuate from their homes in case of floods or other emergencies. He also said that he recently took part in a shelter management class.
Volunteers who are trained and administered by the Red Cross would provide much needed assistance for Socorro, according to May. He said that some of their training would be conducted locally but that a bulk of it would take place in Albuquerque. He also mentioned that the city, county, New Mexico Tech and other local businesses should be accommodating to volunteers and trainers.
May said that shelter management survey teams would visit shelter sites and evaluate capacity, make agreements with local business owners, and ensure that structures are free from damage, including the section of Interstate 25 that flows through the Socorro.
The Red Cross doesn’t need a formal endorsement from the city to launch these services, said May, “but I think it would be helpful if the city council passed a resolution, encouraging cooperation, to send a good message.”
Mayor Ravi Bhasker asked May if he had any conversations with other emergency planners in other towns comparable in population of Socorro that already have Red Cross teams, and whether May planned to make the same presentation to the county, the schools and New Mexico Tech. May replied that Truth or Consequences was the only city with a similar size in the state that offered these services.
Mayor Bhasker then brought up the question of whether or not the Red Cross team would duplicate emergency response services already offered by the city and the county.
May said that the Red Cross team would not duplicate services but rather would actually supplement existing local government agencies.

Petition To Recall Trustee Wolberg Now Underway

2010-12-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

By Patrick Jason Rodriguez

Another recall campaign by the Socorro Electric Cooperative Reform Group is officially underway in District 3.
A petition to recall Co-op Trustee Donald Wolberg commenced on Friday, Dec. 3. As per the co-op’s written bylaws, petitioners need at least 10 percent of member-owners signatures to remove a sitting trustee.
Wolberg is one of six current board members representing District 2, which encompasses the city of Socorro.
The petition’s proponent, Charlene Wagner, in an email sent out Friday said that Wolberg “has been granted this honor because so many members consider that he has betrayed them by running as a reform candidate and then joining the board majority in actions detrimental to the members' interests.”
Also cited in the email were concerns regarding the costs of an informational meeting in March, which, according to Wagner, was little more than propaganda disguised as a lecture, and ballot issues regarding the annual members’ meeting in April. “This ballot,” Wagner wrote, “included threatening comments and untruths and voting was held by a show of hands which limited members’ freedom of action as opposed to a secret ballot.”
Wolberg, in a telephone on Wednesday, said that he has no interest in the petition and plans to go about his business as usual. In fact, he added that if the petition comes his way, he’d add his name to it.
“If they can find 400 people to sign the petition, that’s fine,” he said. “I’ve always been independently minded.”
This most recent campaign comes less than a month after a petition with allegedly a sufficient amount of signatures to recall Co-op President Paul Bustamante, the only board representative in District 2, was presented at a regular meeting by member-owner Richard Epstein.

Socorroan Wins Sweepstakes’ Grand Prize

2010-12-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

By John Larson
Christina Albeldano got a surprise visit to her home on Thursday, Dec. 2.
The Socorro resident was chosen as the Grand Prize winner of Aaron’s National Lucky Dog Days Sweepstakes and received a houseful of furniture, appliances and electronics valued at around $10,000. Atlanta-based Aaron’s, Inc. is a lease-to-own retailer with one location in the Socorro area.
The items arrived at Albeldano’s residence in one of Aaron’s delivery trucks. She’d been informed that she was one of the company’s 99 prize winners, but not specifically that she had won the top prize.
“I’m still numb,” Albeldano said afterward. “I don’t know what to think. I’ve never won anything in my life.”
Her prize package included an eight-piece living room set, an eight-piece bedroom set, a 60-inch Mitsubishi 1080p big screen TV with stand, a 32-inch Panasonic LCD flat panel TV, a Frigidaire 23 cu. ft. refrigerator, a Frigidaire front load high-efficiency clothes washer and dryer pair, a Dell Inspiron laptop computer, and an HP Mini netbook computer.
Aaron’s Inc. sent out more than 1.6 million letters with unique prize numbers during the contest, which ran from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
Brandon Kellogg, manager of the Aaron’s retail store in Socorro, said that Albeldano has been a customer of his store since 2008.
“We’ve become friends over the last two years,” he said. “Sometimes she comes into the store just to say hello. I can’t think of anybody who deserved to win the grand prize more than her.”
Aaron's regional manager Brooks Hartmann added, “All of us at Aaron’s hope that winning the National Lucky Dog Days Grand Prize is going to brighten the holiday season for Christina and her family.”

Pictured: Christine Albeldano reacts to being told by Aaron's manager Brandon Kellog she won the grand prize.

Photo by John Larson

5 Charged in Connection with Walmart Theft

2010-12-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

By John Larson
Criminal complaints were filed in Socorro Magistrate Court on five people Monday on shoplifting and burglary charges in connection with an incident on Dec. 3.
Socorro police Det. Rocky Fernandez said the suspects – Elisa Montano, 23, of Socorro; Gavin Eads, 24, of Belen; Charmayne Lopez, 20, of Belen; Antoinette Martinez, 27, of Belen; and Dillon O'Brien, 24, of Los Lunas – were operating as a shoplifting team.
“This wasn’t your everyday shoplifting situation,” Fernandez said. “They left the business with two plastic bins full of merchandise, mostly children’s clothes and some other small items.”
He said the incident was similar to a shoplifting that occurred at Walmart on Sept. 21.
Antoinette Martinez and Charmayne Lopez were arraigned Monday, Dec. 6 on burglary and trespassing charges. Dillon O’Brien was arraigned Monday on shoplifting charges and possession of drug paraphernalia. Gavin Eads was also arraigned Monday on one shoplifting charge, and a criminal complaint on Montano was filed on shoplifting and criminal trespassing charges.
The total amount stolen was $633.05, said police Sgt. Richard Lopez.
Fernandez said shoplifting rings are becoming more numerous, not only in Socorro, but nationwide. “When the economy is bad, you’ll see people being recruited by ‘kingpins’ to do the shoplifting,” he said.
Fernandez said stolen items are also sold on the internet, using e-Bay, Craigslist, or any one of dozens of online sites.
“Does anyone ask why a DVD movie costs only a couple of dollars?” he said. “It’s not out of the question to think they are bootlegged movies.”

Animal Humane Group To Sponsor Herbal Medicine Class

2010-12-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

Magdalena’s animal humane organization, The Grizz Project, is sponsoring a workshop on herbal medicine at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11.
The class, which includes a Power Point lecture and discussion period, will be taught by medical herbalist Judyth Shamosh, Ph.D. She will be covering many of the most common questions people have about herbal medicines.
“People will learn how to use the right herbs for a specific situation,” Shamosh said. “We’ll also cover how herbal medicine was discovered, why an herb works for you and not someone else, and why herbal medicine can work so well sometimes.”
Shamosh, a part-time Magdalena resident, heads an herbal health clinic in Phoenix, Ariz., called Green Fingers Herbal Medicine.
She said if someone tells her that they tried an herbal remedy for arthritis on their own and it didn’t seem to work, she then asks what kind of arthritis they have.
“I tell them what they used may not have been right for their problem. There are four or five kinds of arthritis in eastern medicine,” Shamosh said. “That’s an example of how Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine works. We have to know our tools, the herbs, and the condition of the person’s body.”
Shamosh said herbal cures, especially from ancient East Indian (Ayurveda) and traditional Chinese medicine, go back thousands of years.
“It’s extremely well documented,” she said. “What I use in my practice is not something I came up with. It has a history going back three to four thousand years.”
Herbal medicine was more commonly used in this country up until about 200 years ago, she said.
“In the early 1800s, treating things by symptoms became the popular practice in mainstream medicine,” Shamosh said. “Using the right herbal medicine deals with the root cause of what’s going on in the body.”
Shamosh’s class is being held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Magdalena Senior Center on Main Street, and the class costs $25 for the general public, $20 for Grizz Project members.
Proceeds will benefit The Grizz Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people find solutions to problems of unwanted, abused or neglected animals through a spay/neuter program and other help as needed.
For more information on The Grizz Project, call Marguerite Sweeney at 505-206-3565.

OBITUARY: Florence Ruth Martin

2010-12-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

Florence Ruth (Wesner) Martin, 98, passed away Sunday, December 5, 2010 in Socorro.
Florence was born on April 19, 1912 to Frank R. and Rose (Dalley) Wesner in Las Vegas, New Mex.
She is survived by her devoted son, James Martin and wife Cathy of Socorro; her loving daughter, Wanda Martin of Socorro; two grandchildren, Jennifer Aimone of Socorro; and Sara Yazdian and husband, Ali of Salt Lake City, UT; her sister, Betty Schwede of Las Vegas, New Mex.; three great grandchildren; and her nephew, Danny Schwede of Rio Rancho, New Mex..
She was a lifelong resident of New Mexico.
No formal services have been arranged at this time. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Socorro Hospice. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM, 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Diane Dee Phillips

2010-12-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Diane Dee Phillips, 66, passed away Monday, November 29, 2010 at her home in Socorro, NM, surrounded by her loving family.
Diane was born on April 28, 1944 in Massillon, Ohio to Crawford and Maxine (Osborne) Isbell.
She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years of marriage, Roger Phillips of Socorro; her devoted sons, Scott Phillips and wife, Christine of Albuquerque, NM; and Steven Phillips of Socorro; her adored grandchildren, Justin; Eric; Haley; and Ryan; and her loving mother in law, Jeanette Phillips also of Socorro.
Diane was a resident of Socorro since 1965. She enjoyed Elvis Presley music.
Diane was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Being a Mother and Grandmother brought Diane so much joy and happiness.
She was preceded in death by her Parents.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11:00 am at The Daniels Family Funeral Services Socorro Chapel. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM, 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OBITUARY: Renate H. Lange-Romero

2010-12-09T13:28:00.001-07:00

Renate H. Lange-Romero beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and inspiration to all who knew her passed away peacefully November 25 to rest until the coming of our Lord.
She was born in Germany and later moved to New Mexico where she lived for nearly 50 years.
Renate resided in Polvadera, New Mexico, with her husband Roman Romero. Together they enjoyed a peaceful rural life, morning walks, and shared a beautiful garden she created and nurtured.
She is the daughter of the late Ida and Franz Lange.
Renate will forever be remembered and loved by the family she cherished, her loving husband Roman Romero; loving sons Franz Griego, Glenn Griego and wife Tonia, Ahren Griego and wife Meredith; loving grandchildren Ahren M. Griego, Leanna Saiz, Jonathan Griego, Joshua Griego, Gabriella Griego, Justin Pirtle; great grandchildren Josiah Saiz, twins Alaina Renee, Jazmin Marie Griego.
Renate is also cherished by a loving family in Germany, Uncle Siegfried Gruber and wife Ilse, Aunt Lotte Lange; Cousins Carlo Barone and wife Eva, Wolfgang Gruber and wife Birgit and Children, Dieter Doehring and wife Christa, Gisela Forrester, and Renate Lange.
Her faith in Christ was evident in her radiant smile, pure soul and gentle words.
She loved life and all its rewards, her many dear friends, Stella Cota, Frau Engelhart, Corine and late husband Tony Vigil, Nino Gonzales and wife Annemie, Joe P. Valdez and wife Frances, Archie and late husband Joe Romero, Mr. and Mrs. Zack Romero, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Romero, Mr. and Mrs. Sip Romero and family, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Romero and Family, Sokie Romero, David Griego and wife Leticia, Julia Nicklin, Gary Chrisman and wife Shirley, Ilza and Yvonne Magener, Maggie Panzer, Katie Mirabal, Helga Eiching, Ernst Brandt, Gisela Plank, Susan Miller and many more.
Renate made a difference in this world; she was an inspiration and positive influence to all who knew her.
It is with great sadness that we must grieve the loss of this wonderful woman, but we can rejoice in the love she bestowed on each of us, a love that will never fade. We can only hope we may soon put our selfish thoughts aside so that we may be overcome with joy and happiness knowing that she will be in Heaven with God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and once again in the warm loving embrace of her mother.
Memorial Service: Sunday, December 12, at 2:00 pm: First Baptist Church, 203 Spring street, Socorro.

OBITUARY: Ray Lee Baker

2010-12-09T13:25:00.000-07:00

Raymond Lee Baker, 23, passed away Monday, December 6, 2010 in Albuquerque, NM. Ray was born on September 14, 1987 in Albuquerque to Richard Baker and Valorie (Lee) Lesperance.
He is survived by his loving wife, Samantha Baker of Socorro; his son, Richard Devin Baker; his devoted mother, Valorie Lesperance and step dad, Harold of Socorro; four sisters, Shelby Pace; Crystal Lesperance and fiancé, John Michael Evans III; April Lesperance; and Kayla Baker; his grandmothers, Rosella Lee; Gertrude Baker; and Macedonia Lesperance; grandfather, Dale Lee; his nieces, Joslin Baca; Mariah Baca; Jayden Baker; Isabelle Evans; Elizabeth Evans; and Aleyah Evans; and many other loving family members.
Ray was a lifelong resident of New Mexico and graduate of Socorro High School, class of 2006. He was a proud member of the Socorro Warrior Football Team. Ray proudly served with the US Army.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard; his Uncle, Bobby Lesperance; grandmothers, Pat Baker; and Bertha Lee; and his grandfather, Robert Baker. A Visitation will be held, Sunday, December 12, 2010 at the Daniels Family Funeral Services Socorro Chapel from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, December 13, 2010 at 10:00 am also at Daniels Family Funeral Services Socorro Chapel with Deacon Mike Ybarra officiating. Burial will take place in the San Acacia Cemetery.
Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM, 87801 (575) 835-1530.

OPINION: From The Publisher

2010-12-09T13:14:00.001-07:00

Just Thinking Out Loud
By Gary Jaramillo

It’s this time of year when we all seem to think more about everyone staying safe, healthy and prosperous. We seem to care a little bit more about one another at holiday time. Like clock work in the fall season, people begin to get a little softer and are more willing to sacrifice more for the betterment of their neighbors and even stick their necks out for their neighbors during the holiday season.
But there’s a group of people who feel like this every day of the year and are always there for all of us – no matter what. They work tough hours, they see the very worst in all of us, and they’re willing to jump into the most terrible of situations to help everyone they meet in spite of the stress and dangerous circumstances they face each and every day. Why? Because it is what they have chosen to do in there lives.
They are our firefighters, police officers and the emergency room teams that save lives and rush to our aid 24 hours a day – every day. Whenever a loved one is in desperate need of protection or medical help, they’re always there. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion or holiday for these wonderful people to come running, any time, day or night. It’s a special kind of person that does this type of work. They are people who have decided to put others lives before their own with no questions asked. Firefighters run into burning buildings as we are all running out. Police officers stand between you and the bad guy knowing that it could be his last day alive. Doctors, nurses and techs work feverishly on you or a family member until you go home or there is nothing else that can be done.
They are on the streets, in a burning building, or in a crowded emergency room, while we are sitting at home in front of our Christmas tree enjoying the moments of the holidays and all of the joy they bring. We are all having a nice family meal while they haven’t eaten in 12 hours and haven’t had time to even think about food.
This Holiday Season – say a little prayer for those who are willing to be there for you and your family every day of the year. Give thanks that they chose to be who they are, and pray that whoever needs them, meets them in their most desperate hour. May those brave and caring people who sacrifice so much for our safety and welfare each and every day, be blessed and kept from harm always.
The Mountain Mail Staff wishes the police officers, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses and techs a most joyful and safe holiday season and New Year!

LETTER: Price Of Co-op Membership

2010-12-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Editor:
The member-owners of the Socorro Electric Cooperative need to examine this new rate increase closely. Most of the increase is in the system charge (from $9 to $15) and only a small amount in the kilowatt hourly rate (from 12.15 cents to 12.5 cents per hour). The Co-op has intentionally designed the new rate this way to prevent a loss of revenue if the consumers start conserving energy. By the same token, this hampers the consumers ability to save money by installing those funny light bulbs handed out at the annual SEC meeting or implementing the energy saving tips printed in the Enchantment magazine. Such measures will only affect the hourly rate portion of their bill and not the system charge. The SEC might be fully justified in structuring the increase in this way, but it limits the member-owners opportunity to lessen the impact on their wallets.

Anne L. Dorough
Pie Town

OPINION: Finding Solace in the UU Church

2010-12-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

From The Editor
By Patrick Rodriguez

It's about a quarter to four in the afternoon on a Sunday and I’m in the unfamiliar situation of being bored out of my mind. I'm also depressed because my favorite football team is getting a pasting from my least favorite football team. And my Internet connection speed is too slow. It’s getting dire.
I need something to take my mind off of things, and because poker games seem to be pretty rare in this town (not that I play, but I do like to watch on occasion), I already went for a jog, drinking isn’t my thing, drugs I wouldn’t even know where to begin and my girlfriend lives more than a hundred miles away, I decide to go for a walk.
About fifteen minute later I end up in front of the Epiphany Episcopal Church building. There’s a sign out front that piques my interest, something about the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Albuquerque. Apparently the Socorro branch of the church meets in this building in a few minutes. And though I planned on going for a longer walk, something (other than the sign) tells me to attend this service, so I do.
Before I go any further in the narrative, I want to point out that I am not, nor have I ever been, religious. It’s not that I find the subject objectionable or anything, but rather that I was raised in an irreligious household. Talking about religion or God or whatever in my family home made about as much sense as discussing astrophysics or Dostoevsky; we were a secular bunch, sure, but by no means were my parents considered intellectuals.
It turns out that I am not the only one. According to a study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, about 15 percent of Americans identify as non-religious, atheist and agnostic. To put it in perspective, that’s nearly five times as many than those who classify as Jewish (though some view being Jewish as also being an ethnic term without any sort of religious connotation).
Before moving to Socorro, however, there was a time when I was attending services at the First Unitarian Universal Church in Albuquerque. I also didn’t view the services as typical sermons carried on by a preacher spreading the word of God or whatever, but rather as a well thought lecture delivered by a member of the intelligentsia. In other words, it was like going to a college class that you’re actually pretty excited about attending. Whatever. I’m feeling stoked now.
I’m not surprised by what I discovered inside. There are 16 members of the UU branch of Socorro already in the meeting room, and not one of them – barring a couple of children whose family members brought them – is anywhere close to my age. I don’t consider myself young, of course, though I do sort of represent the key demographic that media outlets target. And by no means am I back at the megachurch that I used to attend with my girlfriend, who self-identifies as a Christian. (You see, I really don’t have a problem with religion.) Weekly attendance at those churches puts the David-esque UU congregations to shame.
Anyway, I don’t care about the disparity in age – and perceived ethnicity (I am also the only one in the room – barring one of the children – who would be classified as being a “person of color”) – because I actually do find it charming that the UU church has a branch – albeit a small one – in Socorro. Not many cities with populations fewer than 10,000 can make that claim.
Although I am staunchly an introvert, I muster the courage to make the rounds and introduce myself to a few of the other parishioners. Soon after, the service begins.
After the lecture, er, service, I’m meeting a few more people also in attendance. I find out that most used to belong to one of the more popular denominations but decided that it was best they part ways and seek spiritual enlightenment elsewhere. For some, though, the UU church is the only church they have belonged to. There are also a lot of people in some way or another associated with New Mexico Tech, which I also don’t find surprising seeing as how most of the UU churches I have attended all seem to attract certain elements of academia.
About half an hour later I leave the church building having met more great people in my new city. I even made some new professional contacts.
And best of all I now know that I’ll have something exciting to look forward to come late afternoon next Sunday.

OPINIO: A Much Belated Thank You Note

2010-12-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Magdalena Potluck
By Don Wiltshire

In my next life, I think I’ll be an Anthropologist. We’re dog-sitting for Pearl, a miniature Boston Bull Terrier. She and our dog, Abby, an Australian Cattle Dog, four times the size of Pearl, have been friends since puppyhood. Like Dian Fossey, I could spend hours watching them work out just who has senior bed-sitting rights. With a minimum of fuss, Pearl always seems to claim the bed for the duration of her visit.
Like Dian’s Gorillas, there is more going on in a dog’s head than we usually give them credit for. They most certainly communicate with each other: vocally, through play, wrestling, posturing, preening, and, of course, the “looks.” An equitable solution is usually worked out as long as each of them gets their fair and rightful amount of attention. If only we could work out solutions to our water rights problems, our unemployment situation and our equitable taxation dilemma with as much care and finality.
At the same time, I’ve been reading Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World by Jack Weatherford. Written in 1988, it is still an eye-opening book. When Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, thinking that he was in India, he called the native people “Indians.” When asked where the peppers were that flavored their foods, the Spanish explorers were handed our famous chilies. One thing led to another and for the next 500 years, the food crops, the agricultural techniques, the medicinal plants, medical knowledge and the forms of government developed by the Native Americans have changed the world. At the same time, however, the Native American people have undergone systematic genocide, enslavement and plagues of diseases brought to them from the Old World for which they had little or no natural immunity.
The culture and development of the potato alone was one of the greatest gifts of the Americas to the world. A field of potatoes produces more nutritious food with less labor and with more reliably than the same field planted in almost any other crop. The population of Ireland alone more than doubled in the century following the introduction of the potato to the Emerald Isle. If only the Irish had adopted a mix of the potatoes developed by the American Indians, the effect of the great potato blight of 1845 would have been minimized.
Corn, squash, yams, wild rice, beans, peanuts, chilies, avocados, tomatoes and peppers in hundreds of varieties were all introduced to Europe, Asia and Africa. They certainly improved the varieties of nutrition available at the time, not to mention the improvement of flavors to rather bland European diets, with the help of vanilla and chocolate. Of all the food crops now in cultivation in the entire world, more than three-fifths of them were developed by the Native Americans.
The American Indians also had their medical kits far more developed than their counterparts in the Old World. Surgical techniques and medicinal remedies derived from plants and barks were in common use throughout the Americas at the time of Columbus’s arrival.
The form of government that had been developed by the Native American people proved to be the greatest gift of all. The Iroquois League of five Indian Nations served as the model for our own Congress. Nothing like it had ever been seen before in the world. It has served as an inspiration of democracy and freedom for all of mankind.
Personal liberty with freedom from authoritarian rulers and freedom from social classes based on the ownership of “private property” or masses of money along with a deep respect for the Earth seem to be the hallmarks of the Native American’s form of government. Problems were discussed in councils where one member at a time got to express their opinion without interruption. The final solutions were arrived at through much thought and compromise. The idea of coupling an extension of unemployment benefits with the extension of tax breaks for the wealthy never even came up. Somewhere along the way we seem to have lost touch with the basic concepts. Perhaps it was our insistence on the concept of “private property.”
So here is my Thank You note to our Native American Brothers: Thank You for all that you have so carefully and thoughtfully provided for us. I’m sorry that we screwed things up so badly for you; that we took your land, slaughtered you, pushed you westward, ignored our treaties, polluted the Earth and just didn’t take the time to understand you. Could you find it in your hearts to help us fix our government again, and get us back on the right track?

The Magdalena Public Library is offering three programs for kids of all ages this year. On Saturday, Dec. 11, Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone will start at 10 a.m.
On Wednesday, Dec. 15, Prehistoric Planet: The Complete Dino Dynasty will start at 6 p.m.
Santa is scheduled to make a special visit on Saturday, Dec. 18.

If you have any comments, problems, solutions, upcoming events or little doggie crowns for “Queen of the Bed,” contact me, Don Wiltshire, at mtn_don@yahoo.com.

OPINION: ‘Bring ‘em On’ not Exclusive Domain of Tyrants

2010-12-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Pencil Warrior
By Dave Wheelock

On October 30, 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt, nearing the end of his second campaign for president, addressed an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at Madison Square Garden in New York. In a voice that betrayed his patrician northeastern seaboard upbringing, Roosevelt recalled the situation his first administration had encountered in 1932: “For 12 years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do-nothing Government.” The audience of 20,000 cheered its approval. “The Nation looked to Government but the Government looked away.” More cheering. “Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines.”
Roosevelt turned his audience’s attention to those who still opposed government that served the middle and lower classes. “Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of government with its doctrine that that Government is best which is most indifferent to mankind.” He went on to name those powerful influences: “the old enemies of peace – business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs.”
FDR didn’t need to remind the crowd of the savagery of the Depression, but he did anyway: “And we know now that government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mob.”
As one listens to the speech today, Roosevelt’s defiant pride comes through the scratchy recording. “Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today.” And then, in an exultation of defiance comes Roosevelt’s call to electoral battle, and the crowd explodes: “They are unanimous in their hate for me – and I welcome their hatred!”
(An Internet search for “FDR I welcome their hatred” will quickly return an audio recording of this speech.)
The rest is history, of course. Although the U.S. economy dipped into recession again in 1937, there is no doubt the government’s involvement in addressing people’s needs and attempting to control runaway financial speculation got the nation’s economy headed in the right direction again.
I believe a solid majority of my fellow citizens are convinced we need more men and women with that spirit in government today. As the arguably false hopes many of us held for Barack Obama to lead that charge fade, there is a tendency to believe Roosevelt’s type died with his times.
Enter Bernie Sanders, an Independent Senator from Vermont, with some very “uncustomary” words on the floor of the Senate on November 30, 2010. In a 13-minute speech that’s still stirring rave reviews around the blogosphere, the white-haired senator with the thick Vermont accent delivered a frank assessment of the state of things in Washington and beyond:
“There is a war going on in this country, and I’m not referring to the war in Iraq or the war in Afghanistan. I’m talking about a war being waged by some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in this country, against the working families of the United States of America, against the disappearing middle class of our country.”
With diction that probably wouldn’t threaten FDR, Sen. Sanders lay bare our mounting income and wealth inequality. “When we were in school we used to read the text books that talked about the banana republics in Latin America . . . in which a handful of people owned and controlled most of the wealth of those countries. Well, guess what? That’s exactly what is happening in the United States today. . . . We talk about a lot of things on the floor of the senate, but somehow we forget to talk about who is winning in this economy and who is losing.
Bernie called out Congressional Republicans, their allies and their lobbyists on their demands to keep tax rates for the wealthiest Americans at historic lows, eliminate the estate tax, send more jobs overseas, lower corporate tax rates, stay the course in Iraq and Afghanistan – and balance the budget.
“Gee, how we gonna do that? We’re gonna cut back on health care, we’re gonna cut back on education, we’re gonna cut back on child care, we’re gonna cut back on PELL programs. We just don’t have enough money for working families and their needs – we’re gonna cut back on food stamps. We’re surely not gonna expand unemployment compensation. We’ve got a higher priority . . . we’ve got to – got to – got to – give tax breaks to billionaires. I mean, that’s what this whole place is about, isn’t it? They fund the campaign; they get what’s due them.”
Unlike FDR’s Bring It On speech, you can see and hear Sen. Sanders’s speech at his website, www.sanders.senate.gov. See if it isn’t like therapy to watch Bernie in action.

Dave Wheelock, a member of the Oneida Nation, is a collegiate sports administrator and coach living in Socorro. Reach him at davewheelock@yahoo.com. Mr. Wheelock's views do not necessarily represent those of the Mountain Mail.

Huge First Quarter Buoys Lady Steers to Tourney Consolation Win

2010-12-09T10:57:00.002-07:00

By Kyle Smith
For the Mountain Mail

The host Magdalena girls’ basketball team, playing in the consolation bracket of the Steer Stampede Tournament for the first time in several seasons, defeated Alamo 77-20 on Saturday, Dec. 4.
The Lady Steers used a strong full court press defense to force several the Cougars to commit costly errors, such as poor ball control, catching, and shooting. This helped Magdalena to score 50 first-half points.
The Lady Steers opened the first quarter on a 21-3 run. Magdalena continued this torrid scoring pace by leading Alamo 29-9 in the second quarter, giving the Lady Steers a lofty 50-12 halftime advantage.
Thanks to 12-0 run that started at the end of the second quarter and went into the third, The Lady Steers outscored the Cougars 23-1 in the third quarter. At that point Magdalena coach Wally Sanchez put in the JV squad to finish out the game.
Kameron Armstrong scored 19 points, Camille Mansell had 15, and Alicia Amijo chipped in with 12 for the Lady Steers (3-2).
Magdalena next plays in the Alice King Memorial Tournament in Moriarty from Dec. 9 to 11.
In an earlier consolation game, Magdalena beat the Rio Rancho junior varsity squad 50-11.
The Lady Steers were able to use their strong full court press defense to take advantage of several Rams miscues, such as poor passes, poor ball control, poor catching, poor rebounding, and problems shooting.
Magdalena opened the game with a 17-0 run. The Lady Steers built on that lead, going into the second quarter with a 24-2 advantage.
Early in the second quarter, Rio Rancho was able to trim the lead to 28-4, however, that’s as close as the Rams got. The Lady Steers led 38-4 at halftime.
Riding the wave of a 10-0 run to start the third quarter, Magdalena outscored the Rams 7-0 in the third quarter, and then went on a 17-0 run in the fourth.
Rio Rancho didn’t score again until the 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 48-6. The Rams, however, were able to outscore the Lady Steers’ JV squad, 7-5, in the fourth.
Kameron Armstrong scored a game-high 14 points, Alicia Armijo had 13, and Nicah Montoya chipped in with five.

Magdalena Boys Can’t Tame Tigers in Tourney Final

2010-12-09T10:55:00.001-07:00

By Kyle Smith
For the Mountain Mail

Playing in the Steer Stampede Tournament championship game for the third consecutive season, as well as playing against Hot Springs for each of those seasons, the Magdalena boys basketball team looked to repeat as champions.
Not this time, as the host Steers came up short in a 42-30 loss on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Both teams traded the lead several times in the first quarter, which ended at 6-6.
Hot Springs took an 18-15 advantage into halftime. The Tigers kept this momentum going into the third quarter.
Hot Springs went on a 3-0 run to begin the quarter, resulting in a 23-16 deficit at the end of the third quarter. Magdalena then quickly fell more behind, allowing the Tigers to go on an 8-2 run to open the fourth quarter.
The Steers then caught fire, outscoring Hot Springs 12-8, to make it 39-30 with about 1:30 remaining in the game.
Then, with 1:14 left on the clock, Magdalena lost its inside man as Miles Parscal fouled out. Parscal finished with a team-high 11 points and three blocks for the Steers (3-2).
Due to late fouls committed by the Steers’ defense, Hot Springs added three more points before the end of the game.
Duster Apachito scored 10 points, and Parscal and Kendall Apachito were both named to the 2010 All-Tourney team for Magdalena.
The Steers play on Thursday, Dec. 9, at Mountainair. Their next home game will be against Carrizozo Saturday, Dec. 11.

Warrior Invited to Football Combine

2010-12-09T10:47:00.002-07:00

Mountain Mail reports

Ray Vaiza of the Socorro High School football will be spending this Christmas about 2,000 miles away from home.
But Ray Vaiza won’t be sipping egg nog and singing carols in some far off destination. Instead, the junior defensive back for the Warriors was invited to participate in the National Underclassmen Football Combine All-World Classic in Charleston, S.C.
He and his father, Ray Vaiza Jr., will depart for South Carolina on Dec. 25, and plan to spend a week there.
However, the combine does not pay for travel expenses such as airfare lodging. Vaiza and his family are hosting a dinner on Saturday, Dec. 18, to raise money for the trip. For more information about the time and place of the dinner, call 575-418-0156.

Local Bistro Cooks Up European Style Dishes

2010-12-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

The dictionary defines bistro as “a small, modest, European-style restaurant or café.” That was the inspiration for the Old Town Bistro, the restaurant J.P. and Terry Moore decided to open in the historic Baca House, previously occupied by the Stage Door Grill.
“We wanted it to have an old world ambience, with a variety of continental food, as well as New Mexico favorites,” J.P. Moore said. “We also serve espresso drinks for late night coffee drinkers.”
The Moores reside just down the street where they operate the Socorro Old Town Bed and Breakfast at the corner of Bernard and Baca Streets.
“I live just down the block and walk past here everyday,” Moore said. “When the Stage Door Grill closed, I would find myself hoping that a new restaurant would open with good food.
“We decided to do it ourselves to make sure it had good food.”
The restaurant opened without fanfare for lunch Tuesday, Nov. 7.
As for the quality of the food, Moore said he was able to acquire the services of former Albuquerque chef Jim Greer. “We first met when I took a science class at UNM in the early seventies,” Moore said. “Jim was the professor, but he’s also one of the best chefs in the state.”
Greer told the Mountain Mail he has been cooking professionally “on and off” for about 50 years.
“One of my first jobs cooking was when I was hired as a chef at a country club while I was in college,” Greer said. Later, Greer became the head Chef at Casa Vieja in Corrales, “at one time, the finest restaurant in the Albuquerque area serving continental cuisine.”
And after that, he worked at Gallery International Cuisine on San Pedro in Albuquerque.
The restaurant’s cuisine is varied, ranging from New Mexico Parmigianino to Thai Delight.
“We will also be featuring specialty dishes from Fettuccini Cellini to Mandarin Press Duck,” Greer said. “The Fettuccini Cellini and other presentation meals will be personally served by me at the table.”
Old Town Bistro manager Erin Moore said there are plans for returning live music to the main dining room. “As everyone in Socorro knows,” she said, “this location has a reputation for great live music, and we have already installed a sound system.”
Ronna Kalish, of the band Roon, said the local musicians she’s talked to were looking forward to the venue coming back. “I know the music community would be thrilled to be a part of it,” she said. “We all want this to succeed.”

Picture: Chef Jim Greer prepares an espresso at the Old Town Bistro. Manager Erin Moore said after the dinner hours the restaurant would be like a “late night coffee house” in the evening. The Old Town Bistro is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Photo by John Larson

Socorro Police On Lookout For Toys

2010-12-09T10:27:00.002-07:00

By John Larson

The Socorro Police Department is in the process of collecting toys and donations for its annual Toys From Cops To Tots program.
According to police Capt. Angel Garcia, there are many children in the area that have benefited from the yearly project.
“The reason we do this is simple – we want the underprivileged boys and girls of the community to have a little happier Christmas,” Garcia said.
He said the entire police force tries to get involved.
“Just before Christmas we take Santa Claus around in the police van to the children’s homes,” he said. “The kids will then see Santa himself come to their door with a gift.”
Both individuals and local businesses are getting involved, Garcia said. “We will also accept monetary donations to purchase toys.”
“Right now we have a shortfall on toys,” he said. “We get with the people at CYFD for families that are most in need. We’re trying our best to supply all children with something nice.”
Garcia said they are in need of toys of all types and “all age groups.”
For more information or to make a donation, contact the Police Department at 575-835-1883.
All donations must be made by Dec. 19.
“We’ll get toys to the kids no matter where they are, and try to make this a happier Christmas for them,” Garcia said.

School Employees Face New, Tougher Retirement Policy

2010-12-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

By John Larson

Employees of most public schools, including New Mexico Tech, Socorro Consolidated Schools, and Magdalena Schools might have wait until they put in 35 years of service before they can collect retirement benefits, if recommendations by the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board are approved by the state legislature.
According to a press release from the Retirement Board, the Legislature established a task force in 2009 to study New Mexico’s public retirement plans and prepare solvency plans and recommendations.
Recommendations were made public this week, which include raising the number of years a person is employed from 25 to 35 years, raising member contributions to 9.9 percent of salary, and reducing benefits by 2.4 percent if retirement is before age 60.
The changes would not apply to employees who are within three years of retirement under the current plan. The proposals can be viewed online at www.nmerb.org.
A final vote on the retirement plan will be taken by the Board on Dec. 17.
The NMERB will hold a public comment session on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m., at Central New Mexico Community College’s Smith Brasher Hall, located at 717 University Blvd. SE in Albuquerque. The session is open to the public.

December Skies

2010-12-09T10:23:00.000-07:00

By Jon Spargo
Tech Astronomy Club

This month we’ll lead off with news of a spectacular Lunar Eclipse that will be visible from all of North America during the night of Dec. 20 to 21. This is going to be a beauty with totality lasting for one hour and 12 minutes. We will be able to see the entire eclipse from beginning to end. Mark your calendars because this won’t happen again in North America until April 2014.
The fun starts at 10:55 p.m. (MST) on Dec. 20 when the Penumbra will first be visible. At 11:33 p.m. the partial eclipse begins followed by totality beginning at 12:41 a.m. Dec. 21. Mid-eclipse occurs at 1:17 a.m. and totality ends at 1:53 a.m. The partial eclipse ends at 3:01 a.m. and the Penumbra will be last visible at 3:35 a.m.
This month also brings the Geminid Meteor shower during the night of Dec. 13 to 14. The Moon will be just past first quarter and will set around midnight. This is one of the more productive meteor showers and can rival the Perseids for the number of meteors seen. The Geminids will appear to originate from near Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini. The peak should be about 2 a.m. on Dec. 14 when you could see an average of about two meteors per minute.
This month Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn and Venus are the stars of our planetary show. Jupiter is high in the southern sky at sunset. At the beginning of the month, Uranus is three degrees east of Jupiter. By month’s end, Jupiter will have moved to within a mere 40 arc minutes of Uranus making it a great opportunity to see both planets with a small telescope.
Saturn rises around 2 a.m. and its rings have opened to a tilt of 10 degrees, the best in several years. Venus, at magnitude -4.9, rises about three hours before the sun and will knock your eyes out with its dazzling brilliance. A small telescope will reveal that the percentage of illumination of the planet will grow to about 45 percent by the end of the month.
From Dec. 18 to 20, the nearly full Moon will be found skimming past the Pleiades and the Hyades (Taurus) clusters winding up between the two stars that form the tip of Taurus’(The Bull) horns. Owing to the brightness of the Moon, it will be a challenge to see these constellations and stars. A good pair of binoculars will help.
The night of the Dec. 21 to 22 will be the longest night of the year for those of us in the northern hemisphere and will mark the Winter Solstice, which begins at 4:38 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

2010-12-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Part 13 of a Series

Letters to Myscie is a true story. It reveals to us a “yankee’s” view of the area and the times, and the impact it had on newcomers.
Suzanne E. Smith

Saturday morning
Socorro, N.M.
In my room
May 12, 1883

My dear dear Myscie
Your loving letter telling me about the fire came this morning. I was so glad to hear from you again before I left town, because it seems so long to look ahead and think I will not be able to get another for perhaps two whole weeks. Myscie I can't help thinking how good you have been about witing to me ever since I came out here. On our way in last Wednesday we stoped at the Magdalena camp, left Jim (I will tell you how he came to be with us after awhile) and got the mail. I had three letters there waiting for me all from you my dear Myscie and some papers. After we got the mail, we came right away so I read them while we were riding in. Clate said I was two hours reading them. Well, I don't know but I was, for some of them I read over twice and I took my time about them all and a pleasanter or happier two hours I haven't spent since I came to New Mexico. Myscie they were the best letters you have written me. So full of love and trust and confidence and they did me so much good to read them and know your true loving self, dear dear Myscie I know how much you love me, how much you miss me and how you would love to see me. I know it all and it is mutual; it could not be less so on my part. Dear Myscie you shall never regret this love nor this trust and I shall always strive to make you so very very happy, Myscie. Do you know I am all the while looking forward to and picturing to myself our future happy home. Oh Myscie, my dear dear girl, how happy we shall be and how we will strive to make it so pleasant for each other. Such thoughts as these are continually going through my mind. I can not help it. I don't wish to help it, for they make me so happy and willing and so anxious to do all I can.
You mentioned in one of your letters Myscie about the letter I wrote to Vence. Yes I did write to him. I like Vence, he asked me to write when I came away. I promised I would and as I was feeling just like it one day, I did sit down and scribbled quite a letter off to him, but about the contents, I don't think at least I don't remember of writing him anything I would not be writing for you to read. Myscie of course I did not write about the same things entirely that I would write to you, neither do I write to you about some of the things perhaps that I wrote to Vence because they would not interest you as there are rough sides, bad sides and hard sides of life in this country that you would not care to know and yet I would be willing to write to you about them if I thought they would interest you. I take little interest in them myself and try and keep out of the hard places as much as I can for I have seen many samples of the ease with which boys are led in to utter ruin out here in no time. Gambling, drinking etc, etc is the past-time of most all, and it is hard to be clever and be liked (and one must be clever and liked or else he is U.G.?) with out falling into these H--- holes all over. I have little fear, and yet I don't care for those experiences only so far as they may help me to get on with others. Now for instance last evening, I fell in with about eight of some of the best boys of the city; they were out on a "lark". I could not get away from them after they had caught sight of me with out playing the wrong card. I knew that some time I may want to use some of them and they will stand by me. I also knew what it meant to get in with them, but I could work that all right which it did about 9.30 in a very clever way and went to my room with the good use of all the boys and yet all OK myself.
The boys from what I hear this morning did have a pretty hard time before the night was over as I anticipated. Now this was the best thing for me to do, as I did do. Yet there was quite a risk to me because it's easier to get in with the boys than to get out after you are over in, but I had no fear for I have been there before.
Myscie trust me in these things, for I would be willing for you to know all my out side experiences here if I thought they would interest you. I always have you in mind my dear dear Myscie and do nothing that can reflect on you or that I would not be willing to tell you all about. I know you do trust me in these matters or I should say more. So about Vence's letter though it was not like I would write to you Myscie, Yet I know of nothing I wrote I would not be willing for your eyes to read for I am careful what I write always. Myscie I am real glad you have written to mother. You are so good to and is with out my asking you too, but I wish you would tell me what you wrote her Myscie. I know how you have under-rated yourself to her from the very start and now it's my time to write to her. You have given her your standard and your description and now I want to give her my opinion of my little girl. There she can put the two together and form her own opinion.
Myscie your letter this morning was full of the "blues" but no more so and perhaps not as much so as I had expected, for I know how sad it must make you all. But don't get discouraged dear Myscie for it never will do and don't give up your music for it is one of your best and dearest friends at all times. You know this yourself and last of all you must not give up going to Boston. It may seem just now out of the question, but you must not give up the idea Myscie. Where there's a will, there's a way you know, September is a long way off you know yet. Do you know what I am calculating for you to do this summer Myscie? I want you to spend next August in Rockland Mass at my house. They would be so happy to have you visit with them. It is the best time to visit on the sea shore and we do not live far so you would have a grand good time and I know it would be so good a change for you on the health question. Myscie do you know you worry me? Dear Girl you are all not well that is sure. You have no business or right, a young girl like you to be as unwell as you have been the past four or five months. You need a rest and a change and you must have it. You may laugh but it is truely so and if you will stop and think about it you can't but say so too. Myscie you must keep your health, let that be the first thing. Now about you going East this summer.. You must not say no to me Myscie. Don't say you can't or that it will never do, for it will do. By that time you will be well acquainted with my mother and I know you will not hesitate if she asks you to come, as I know she surely will do. Uncle, Auntie and my two cousins Jessie and Authur are to be at grandpa and grandma Smith's all summer, July and August so you will meet them for father will surely take you down there and they live right on the coast, where there is bathing and sailing and fishing untill you can't rest. This change will do you so much good dear Myscie, and I want you to consent to go and you will won't you?
Have you told your mother about our engagement Myscie? I thought perhaps you had by some things you wrote in your last two or three letters. I have not had a chance to write to her as yet, but shall very soon, as quick as we get settled down from running all over the country as we have been doing for the past three weeks. We have traveled over four hundred miles during the past three weeks. Give my love to your mother and tell her not to worry about her boys out here for we are all right.
Jim is going out and stop with me for a little while I guess we will stop for him when we go back. He has been a little blue I guess for some time back for he has been promised jobs several times and has lost hem each time some how. I have been rather fortunate in this way some how for I have had several good chances offered me with out hunting them.
How would you like to know what we have been doing the past two or three weeks? I can tell you in a very few words= Locating Ranches= That is just puting up notices of possession not all for our selves but in other parties names. When you knew of me last was the first night-after we started out when we camped at the "Milk Ranch" and where I wrote you a letter, the next day we went out forty miles, reached "Snake Ranch" about noon. We were doing so well we pushed on thinking we could reach what is called "White water spring" by dark, but night over took us and we were obliged to make what is called a dry camp. This is to camp with out water. We had had no water since noon except about two quarts which we carried with us in a canteen for drinking purposes. We drove about an hour after dark but finally gave it up for fear we would loose the trail as we could follow it with great difficulty in the dark. I wish you could have seen us winding along in the "foot hills". (There are small hills and swells which are found at the foot of every mountain range) I was on horse back picking out the trail and Mr. Cowles following with the team. We made our camp on a sort of a plain between two foot hills. This was my first experience in camp life. The first thing we did was to unhitch the horses, feed them and then turn them out to grass "lariat" them as we call it. That is we put a long rope around their neck and tie it to a stick fastened to the ground so they can feed and yet so we can find them in the morning. Next was to build a big fire and make our bed. There were lots of scrub cedar trees all about us. We cut down lots of these, some for fire wood and some were piled up all around us on three sides of the fire and made a sort of little house. In this we spred our blankets on the ground for a bed and after we had eaten our supper which I will not attempt to describe just here, we turned in for the night, with our camp fire burning.

To be continued…

Picture: Saloon (speculated to be the Hilton)©J.E. Smith

Holidays Mean Open Season on Cookies

2010-12-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

Fork Tender
By Nancy Newberry

The holidays are here – it’s open season on cookies, and I have a bird dog’s nose for a good cookie. I have standards: most cookies should be crisp outside, tender, even succulent inside. Unfortunately, altitude can shoot that standard full of holes. Every cookie recipe I made last year – save one – turned out rock hard and dry.
So in comes the idea of a Cookie Exchange, and I take this to mean two things: first, we’ll talk about how to hold a Cookie Exchange party. Then, we’ll take the concept further: Cookie Exchange as Exchange of Ideas and Culture.
Holding a Cookie Exchange party is simple: Email or call your friends, co-workers, or members of any group that you meet with. Invite them to bring a large batch of their favorite cookie (generally ½ to 1 dozen for each attendee, plus a dozen to taste during the party), with copies of the recipe to share, and set the time and place. Provide some backup zipper bags and paper plates for taking cookies home.
It’s also nice to offer something salty to snack on, cheese, nuts, or olives, to counteract the sweet. Each person bakes one kind of cookie, and goes home with many kinds, a maximum variety for a minimum of work.
I have been the unacknowledged Queen of the Exchange, and this is how: My secret weapon is the homeliest cookie on the plate, my home state cookie, a dark lump called The Michigan Treasure Cookie. The concern on my fellow bakers and decorators’ faces says, “Really? That cookie doesn’t look very festive! I kinda thought you were a better baker than that.” Then they taste them. An explosion of chocolate and dark cherry changes a lot of minds. And guess what – this is the one cookie I’ve made up here at 7200 feet that works!
I’ve also been playing with New Mexico’s favorite cookie, the biscochito, and my first attempts did not match the outrageously good version I found early last summer at the Socorro Farmer’s Market. They had the altitude problem: hard and dry. All the recipes I read, online and in cookbooks, were nearly identical, too, with the same proportions of flour, fat, sugar, and eggs. The only variation was in the choice of butter or lard as the fat ingredient. So I decided to work up my own version, with the help of my favorite culinary hunting guide, Harold McGee, author of On Food and Cooking: the Science and Lore of the Kitchen.
McGee says that at high altitude, because air pressure is lower, the bubbles created by leavening break faster and more easily, so I decided to reduce the amount of baking powder. Water boils at a lower temperature up here, so the moisture leaves a cookie before it is really cooked. I made three other adjustments to counter this effect: I increased the egg, reduced the sugar, and raised the oven temperature by 25 degrees F. In addition, I performed one more experiment for you: I made one batch with lard, the traditional fat, and one with butter.
I belong to the Michael Pollan school of thought that says that butter and lard are both good for you, because they are traditional fats that humans have eaten for a long time.
The results: Both biscochitos rose nicely, were crunchy outside, and maintained a moist center. I’d say the cookie made with butter is a great sugar cookie, but not a true biscochito. Those made with lard had the signature sandy texture of my first biscochito experience. I think the hunt’s been a success.
So this is what I have to offer you: two tested recipes for great cookies, and my best tips for managing high-altitude cookie baking. I’d love to hear from you, too: what works for you? Shoot me an email (cheesemite@wildblue.net), and I’ll publish good hints, great cookie recipes, and ideas in a future column.

Biscochitos With Altitude

Makes: 1 ½ dozen small cookies
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
½ cup lard or butter
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon anise seed, lightly crushed
1 egg
1 tablespoon brandy
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Cream the lard or butter and the 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar until smooth. Stir in the anise seed, egg, and brandy. Stir in the flour mixture, working quickly to make a soft dough.
Whisk together the 3 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Roll the dough out to 1/3-inch thickness on lightly floured surface, and cut into small shapes with a cookie cutter. Dredge the cookies in cinnamon sugar, and place 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake until the bottoms of the cookies are pale golden, about 11 minutes. Remove from oven; cool completely on a wire rack.

Michigan Treasure Cookies

Makes: 3 dozen
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups dried sour cherries
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chunks or chips
Additional granulated sugar to roll dough in before it bakes.
Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; set aside. Beat the butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the flour mixture, 1/3 cup at a time, until it is all used, scraping the sides of the bowl between additions. Stir in the chocolate chunks and cherries. Cover the dough and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Roll chilled dough into golf-ball-sized balls. Roll the balls in granulated sugar; place 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Gently press with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.
Bake in the preheated oven just until cookies are set, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven to cool for 5 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Nancy Newberry arrived in Magdalena from Seattle about a year ago, where her DIY food exploits are, while not quite legendary, pretty daring. She has worked in coffee shops and deli kitchens, cooked for camps and field trips, and worked as a site producer for the #1 Food and Entertainment website on the web, Allrecipes.com.

Scrooge Sylvia Battles Idea of Depressing Ides of Santa Claus

2010-12-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sylvia
By Anne Sullivan

“Look out, Sylvia. Watch where you’re walking,” I yelled at her.
“Where can I walk?” she retorted. “There are boxes and papers all over the floor.”
“I’m getting the Christmas boxes ready to go out,” I said. “You’ll just have to watch where you walk for a week or two.”
“Or forever. There is altogether too much stuff in this house. Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, no matter what the season,” she grumped while trying to disentangle a length of red ribbon from her paw.
“You’ll sing another tune when Santa fills your stocking with treats and joy.”
“Treats I’ll accept. Joy is something I do not associate with Christmas.”
“No joy to the world?” I teased.
“None whatsoever. Christmas is simply something to be endured like winter’s endless snow and cold.”
“However did you get to be so cynical, Sylvia? If you continue to repudiate Santa like that, he’ll be loathe to put anything in your stocking.”
“Pshaw. Santa is a myth.”
“Don’t let Gordo hear you. He still believes.”
”Ah, youth. As they say, pity it’s wasted on the young.”
“As well as cynical, you’re very philosophical these days.”
“I think it’s the cold,” she said. “It gets in my bones.”
“Mine, too, I must admit. Could I warm up a biscuit for you? It might help.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea, boss. The Vitabone ones should take the heat well. A warm biscuit on a cold day. That’s a good title for a book, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is. Are you thinking of writing another book?”
“A real author always has a book in the works – or up the sleeve, so to speak. The only problem is: I can’t think of anything to write about.”
“The writer’s lament,” I commiserated with her.
“Too true,” she said, an all-too-prevalent tear forming in her eye.
“You mustn’t let seasonal depression get the better of you, Sylvia. You must fight it with all your might.”
“How?”
“By joining it. By decorating your doghouse and the surrounding porch. By putting up a tree. By sending cards to all your friends and fans. By giving presents to everyone you know – especially me.”
Sylvia’s expression was a combination of sorrow and stubbornness. “I can’t send cards to all my friends and fans,” she complained. “I don’t even know who some of them are much less having an address the post office will accept and I have to use the money I earn for dog and cat food. I haven’t any left over for stamps which are so expensive these days.”
“They certainly are, “ I said. “I remember when you could send a postcard for a penny and a letter for three cents.”
“You do?” Sylvia sounded incredulous. “Did the Pony Express deliver your mail in those days?”
“No, we had mail carriers who walked carrying heavy bags full of mail all over New York City. What’s more, they had deliveries every day. Why, you could mail a letter in the morning and it would be delivered across town that very afternoon.”
“I guess things were different in the Old World,” Sylvia said with a sigh. “Do you think it would be proper if I wished all my readers and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in my column?”
“I think that would be very proper and much cheaper than sending cards.”
“Consider it done. That way, I’ll get my cards out before anyone else.”

Rummage Sale, Senior Center, Santa’s Workshop, Basketball, and Cantata

2010-12-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

Quemado Connection
By Debbie Leschner

Western New Mexico Veterans Group Rummage Sale will be held Saturday, and Sunday (Dec. 11 and 12) between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Veteran’s Hall located at the corner of Baca and Church Streets. All proceeds go to help local veterans, their families, and the renovation of the hall.

Women’s Fellowship Luncheon will be held Tuesday, Dec. 14, at noon in the Cowboy Church, located off Hwy 32 near Quemado. All women are invited to come.

Quemado Senior Center pool practice and exercise on Tuesday, Dec. 14; decorating for the Christmas party on Wednesday, Dec. 15; quilting and bingo on Thursday, Dec. 16; and exercise on Friday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. The center’s Christmas Party will be on Thursday, Dec. 16. Lunch for Monday – tuna casserole; Tuesday – chicken fingers; Wednesday – red bean burrito supreme; Thursday – baked ham with gravy; and Friday – hot turkey sandwich with gravy. All seniors are welcome. Please call the center at 575-773-4820 before 9 a.m. to make your lunch reservations. The center has posted a job opening for a Site Manager, as Diana will be leaving us at the end of the month. You may pick up an application at the center or in the Reserve Senior Center office. The application deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 21. For more information on the job, please call Nan Skelton at 575-533-6676.

Quemado Schools Santa’s workshop is Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 13 and 14) between noon and 2:00 p.m. If you have any old Christmas cards or ones you are not going to use, the art classes can use them. Please drop them off at the school’s front desk to the attention of Kathy Candelaria.

Basketball games for the week: Boys and girls junior high teams will each play a home game starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16, against Pine Hill. On Friday, Dec. 17, the boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams will each play a home game against Ramah starting at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, is a busy day for our teams, starting with the boys and girls junior high playing at home against Cliff at 10 a.m. At 2:00 p.m., boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams play Mountainair. This is also Homecoming night.

Last Chance to get your tickets to win a registered yearling filly and help the Cowboy Church raise some money to help the building fund of the church. Bettbesatton, her registered name, was born in May 2009 in Pie Town. She is a sorrel mare and is owned by Jim and Janet Leslie of Pie Town. The Leslie’s grandson, Jacob, is in the process of halter breaking her. The tickets are being sold for $5 each, or five for $20, and can be obtained from any member of the church or by calling 575-773-4119. The drawing will be held on Dec. 19. You do not need to be present to win.

A Christmas Cantata, The Journey of Christmas, will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Quemado school gym. A community choir of 40 voices, directed by Jerry Armstrong, will sing and tell the story of the journey made at Christmas. Richard Parker is the sound technician. Come share an evening with friends and family to celebrate the reason for Christmas.

Quemado Schools Elementary Christmas Program will be on Monday, Dec. 20, in the school gym.

Other Catron County Activities:
The Reserve Senior Center is holding its Christmas Bazaar on at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. Along with the many craft items, there will be a bake sale and an outside yard sale.

Mountain Mail Archives

This Blog Is No Longer Being Updated

Newspaper Relocating

Quemado Connection

LETTER: Co-op Informational Meetings Questioned

Top Ten Swingle Canyon Stories Of 2010 According to Sylvia

Magdalena Marshal's Blotter

2010 Gave us Plenty of News to Report

Workshop Intended to Curb Narcotics Activity

Co-op to Hold Info Meetings in January

Educational Retirement Board Revises Eligibility Recommendations

Accident On California Street

Transition to Morning sky Nearly Done

Socorro Police, Chief Honored for DWI Reduction

OBITUARY: David E. Griego

OBITUARY: Anastacio S. Sedillo

OPINION: The Government is Just Plain Embarrassing

SGH Honored for Provided Care

Socorro County Sheriff's Blotter

Tech Professor Runs Toward First-Place Finish

Former NFL Star has Ties to Socorro and Reserve

Catron Historical Society Throws Old-Fashioned Christmas Party

Community Center to Host Quemado Food Pantry

Sylvia and Friend Confront New Year’s Resolutions Head On

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

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Decision on Ordinance to Boost Economic Growth Delayed

Students get Head Start at Socorro School

Magdalena Plays Host to Fashion Model Photo Shoot

Tech Earns Forbes Ranking

Thrift Store Celebrates 30th Year

Escape From Mexican Prison Could Affect us

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OBITUARY: Helen Isabel Hazard

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OPINION: Make Every Day Christmas

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Lady Warriors Stymied by Tough Defense

Santa Gets Help From The Sheriff

Playing With a Holiday Breakfast Tradition

Holy Days Linked to Winter Solstice

Commission on Aging Publishes Cookbook

Sulky Sylvia is Gleeful Concerning the Arrival of Christmas

Datil Singer to Ride Float in Rose Parade

Letters To Santa

State Police Shopping Spree

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

Fire Destroys Motel in Reserve

Off The Wall Generosity

County Clerks Push for Centralized Voting Sites

Socorro Football Player Invited to Showcase Talent at Event in S.C.

Judge Sets Schedule in Case Involving Co-op, Members

New Mexico Tech Loses Dear and Beloved Professor

Looking Ornamental

Toys From Cops to Tots

OBITUARY: Dyer Stephen Forbus

OBITUARY: Albert Benavidez

OPINION: There is, Indeed, a Santa Claus

EDITORIAL: A Fondness for Books and Libraries

Blotter

Declamation Winners

Chow Bella! Little Italy Comes to Magdalena

Christmas Depression Hits Sylvia Harder as December Marches on

Cantanta, Schools, Toys for Tots, Christmas Services, and Tree Lighting

Cheers, Fire Department, Community Center, and Christmas Events

Letters To Myscie: A Western Love Story By Suzanne E. Smith

‘In the Spirit’ of Christmas Concert

Mountain Mail Delivers Early Christmas Gift

Scientists at Observatory Make Quick Discovery

LEPC Says Red Cross Center Needed in Socorro

Petition To Recall Trustee Wolberg Now Underway

Socorroan Wins Sweepstakes’ Grand Prize

5 Charged in Connection with Walmart Theft

Animal Humane Group To Sponsor Herbal Medicine Class

OBITUARY: Florence Ruth Martin