Datil Library To Host Quadruple Book Signing

By Anne Sullivan
DATIL – Four authors with local ties will be at Datil’s Baldwin Cabin Public Library on Friday afternoon, Aug. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. for a Quadruple Southwest Book Signing.
• Earl Harvey lives in Albuquerque now, but in his younger days, he lived near and attended school in Datil, Pie Town, Magdalena, Reserve and Socorro. As a preacher, he’s been stationed all over the Southwest.
His latest book, “What Happened To Charlie?” is the book everyone in Catron County is waiting to read. It’s about a cowboy who was involved in the Elfego Baca shootout in Reserve.
It’s fiction with a true background Harvey certainly knows about since his wife, Lois, is a direct descendant of Charles McCarty. Harvey also has written his interesting autobiography, “A Different Drumbeat,” which BCPL is lucky enough to have a copy of in its Southwest Local Authors Collection.
• Pie Town resident Uncle River’s latest book, “Camp Desolation And An Eschatology of Salt,” is right up to date as it concerns Global Warming, bank failures and protests.
His other books, of which he’ll have copies, include “The Mogollon News,” a collection of colorful vignettes of Mogollon inhabitants, “Prometheus: the autobiography,” and “Thunder Mountain.”
• Another Pie Town resident is Thea Girard Marshall, whose book, “Cat’s Masquerade,” is historically accurate fiction with more than a touch of romance about a gutsy well-to-do heroine of many disguises who runs away to
London in the time of Napoleon. In addition to writing books, Marshall is an astrologer and world traveler with a love of history.
• Betsy Francois lives in Socorro and has written three books of children’s fiction all taking place in the West: “There’s A Roadrunner in the Honeysuckle Bush,” which she also illustrated, about goings on in her Escondida backyard; “Blunders of the Patriarch,” a historically accurate story of the ill-fated La Salle expedition in the Gulf of Mexico as seen through the adventures of five children; and “In Search Of Kindness,” about Frieda, a 13-year-old foster child who finds a lynx cat in the wilderness of Wyoming.
Everyone is invited to come meet the authors and partake of delicious refreshments. The library is located on Forest Road 100, just off Highway 60, three miles west of downtown Datil.

Datil Library To Host Quadruple Book Signing

Escape Artist Plans To Visit Quemado

By Anne Sullivan
Northern Catron County’s Roadrunner Arts Council, in conjunction with the New Mexico Humanities Council, is sponsoring Bill Martin in a Chautauqua performance of “Houdini Returns” at the Quemado Senior Center at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21.
The performance will be preceded at 4:30 p.m. by dinner from the kitchen of the senior center. The cost for the dinner of ham and scalloped potatoes, salad, drink and dessert is $6.50. There is no charge for the performance. Everyone is invited.
Harry Houdini was born Erich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary, in 1874, and immigrated with his family to Appleton, Wis., when he was 4 years old. In 1887 he moved to New York City and started a magic show, after which he became the world’s most renowned escape artist. He died in Detroit of complications from appendicitis on Halloween in 1926.
Bill Martin, who lives in Rio Rancho, also is a magician and an escape artist besides having been a hypnotherapist, a behavioral therapist and a retired naval aviator who saw service in Vietnam, where he became interested in magic.
Don’t miss Bill Martin, also known as Harry Houdini. It promises to be a magic performance you can’t escape from.

Escape Artist Plans To Visit Quemado

Datil Library Hosts Medicinal Herb Walk

By Anne Sullivan
On Friday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., Katherine White, who gave a very popular demonstration on medicinal herbs in February, will return to Datil’s Baldwin Cabin Public Library for a new program titled “Medicinal Herbs of the Mountains, A Herb Walk.”
Katherine White has also done several children’s programs for the library on Bone Art.
Asked about her background, Katherine White had this to say: “After more than 25 years of working in Western medicine, I have retired as an RN. I am into my fifth year of studying herbal medicine, with a focus on identifying and using local wild plants. I have completed the nine- month course, ‘Foundations in Herbal Medicine,’ and have recently returned from a week-long herbal study program in Cuernavaca, Mexico.”
All are invited to wear their sun hats and comfortable shoes and enjoy an informative walk. BCPL is located on Forest Road 100, just off Highway 60, three miles west of downtown Datil.

Datil Library Hosts Medicinal Herb Walk

Pie Town Water Meeting Has Been Rescheduled

The Pie Town Mutual Domestic Water Association’s annual general meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the Pie Town Community Center.
The agenda includes a guest presentation by Tucker McHugh, an update on the San Agustin Water Coalition.
There also will be a review of financial reports.
Old business on the agenda includes an update from Jay Carroll, certified operator; and an update on the status of known leaks/meter opportunities.
New business on the agenda includes the election of two officers to serve four-year terms, as well as open discussion.
The meeting, originally scheduled for Aug. 3, was rescheduled because of lack of attendance. A quorum must be present to elect officers. Should a quorum not be present at the rescheduled meeting, the board will take drastic and unprecedented measures, according to the agenda.

Pie Town Water Meeting Has Been Rescheduled

Camping In The Gila National Forest, Part 3

By Richard Torres
This is the third installment of a series of articles about camping in Catron County. With the richness and beauty of the grand outdoors right at residents’ doorsteps, it is time to once again experience the call of the wild.
The Gila National Forest offers many possibilities for recreational activity. Fishing, ATV riding, hiking, mountain biking and exploring are available. Multiple camping areas abound to fit everyone’s needs. Once the traveling rig is loaded with supplies, extra gas and water, an understanding of following rules and regulations, load the passengers and hit the road.
A little more than 14 miles northeast of Reserve on Highway 12 is the Apache Creek cutoff for Forest Road 94. For our trip, this is the entry into the Gila National Forest. A wonderful campsite is just off the highway. Vault toilets, cooking grills, huge ponderosa pine trees and spacious campsites make it an ideal first-night stay. No cell phone service is available at the site.
Forest Road 94 is a maintained dirt road. A fifth wheel, travel trailer, truck and trailer or a vehicle on a day trip can navigate the road. For the next eight miles, the road turns and climbs up a small series of hills.
After about 21 miles of traveling, travelers reach a nice flat area with plenty of trees and a couple of narrow forest trails (4033Z and 4035N) to explore. Primitive camp sites are available in that area.
A few miles further, the road forks. Forest Road 289 to John Kerr Mountain, less than a mile, is an option. The junction abounds with trees, and with plenty of primitive sites available, it would be a wonderful camping area.
Continuing on Forest Road 94, the next 14 miles is a beautiful ride. Squirrels and turkeys were seen during the day. It is elk country, with plenty of other wildlife in the area.
The road begins to descend to the wide-open plains known as Collins Park. The road forks again just past that area. The adventure continues on Forest Road 28, which is a right turn toward Willow Creek and Snow Lake. For the next five or six miles, the road climbs through low brushy hills.
After another five miles of driving, the road tops off on a plateau. Trees are huge, with many spacious areas to camp. A narrow forest trail (141) is available to explore. That is another excellent camping area. No cell phone service is available.
Just two miles further is a fork in the road. Turn left to Willow Creek and Snow Lake (Forest Road 28). Continue straight ahead (Forest Road 141) to Reserve (35 miles): upward and onward … straight ahead.
Just past that junction is Forest Trail 4044G. It is narrow and bumpy; if one can traverse for less than a quarter-mile, there awaits a beautiful camping area. There are trees and trails to explore there. Numerous flat spots are available for trailers and tents to position for camping. Downed wood for a nice campfire at night is to be had there.
Eleven miles further down the road is Forest Road 153. Between the two spots are plenty of opportunities to pull over and take pictures, eat a snack, sneak in a nap or just enjoy the scenery and ride.
It was at the junction for Forest Road 153 that this reporter met KC Gehrt, wildlife conservation officer for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Gehrt, 30, has been assigned to the Gila National Forest for the last three years. Recently engaged to Amanda Ruzicka, he lives in Reserve.
“The Gila has a lot to offer in the way of recreation. Be safe, respect the forest and people can have a wonderful time out here,” he said.
Gehrt patrols an area bordering between Luna, Alma, Beaverhead and Quemado. “Visitors to the Gila need to be prepared. Take a few extra minutes before you leave to visit the Gila to be sure you have not only what you need, but what you may need,” he said. “Rules and regulations are enforced. If
you have any questions regarding these, call or visit us. I get a lot of questions regarding ATV usage, and I am happy to inform our guests on these regulations.”
Born and raised in Nebraska, Gehrt developed a longing for the high country.
“I knew someday I would have a job in forestry, and here I am,” he said. “I enjoy what I do and look forward to helping when I can.”
Forest Road 153 is fewer than three miles long, ending in a wide-open flat area. After exiting a vehicle, one can’t help but notice all the young trees engulfing the area. Not just any young trees … they sure look like Christmas trees.
Back on Forest Road 141, the road becomes a blacktop heading into Reserve. With stops included, the trip took fewer than six hours, covering about 85 miles.

Photo caption: KC Gehrt and his hound dog helper “Tibbs” pose. Photo by Richard Torres

Camping In The Gila National Forest, Part 3

Former Party Chairman Colón Visits Catron County

By Richard Torres
RESERVE – Tia Steele, vice chairwoman of the Catron County Democratic Party, said uniting people to work together for the common good of the county is one of her goals, during a recent visit to Reserve by the state party chairman.
A lifelong resident of Datil, Steele said she understands the issues facing the county and is ready to help get people together to solve them.
“Catron County faces tremendous issues. Underground water rights to economic expansion – to name a few – decisions will define this county for years. We need to work together as a community to do what is best for us,” said Gary Clauss, Catron County Democratic Party chairman.
A resident of Glenwood, Clauss said he believes understanding among county residents to work for the common good are not only doable, but vital for everyone.
Catron County has a rich and interesting history in the political arena. Betty Radvillas, secretary-treasurer, shared the following memory.
“About 10 years ago, candidates Lena Milligan and Jim Blanc received the same number of votes for an office. To break the tie, they decided to draw high card from a deck of cards. Jim won,” Radvillas said.
Rural residents historically have a unique challenge in getting their voices heard.
“In years past, we banded together. Everyone got involved. We were able to make our needs not only known but addressed. In this day and age, we need to encourage people to become part of the process. We did it once, and we can do it again,” said Bob Atwood.
“People here recognize the strengths of family values, patriotism and strong Second Amendment rights. These are strengths we all firmly believe in. By channeling these strengths into information and education awareness, we can send our messages loud and clear,” said Brian Colón, former state Democratic Party chairman, who visited Reserve recently. He is running for lieutenant governor.
At one time in his career, Colón was sponsored by state Supreme Court Justice Patricio Serna, a prominent native of Catron County.

Former Party Chairman Colón Visits Catron County

Catron Sheriff’s Deputies Compete In Battle Of The Badges

By Richard Torres
Catron County Sheriff’s deputies Ian Fletcher and Ray Goetz recently participated in the Battle of the Badges, a fundraiser in Rio Rancho, July 26.
The event was a full-contact arena football game, a “grudge match between cops and firefighters.”
“I played most of the game as a lineman,” Fletcher said.
Goetz played nose guard. A crowd of more than 1,400 cheered on the teams in the indoor arena located at the Santa Ana Star Center.
“It was a very physical game,” Fletcher said. “This was my first time playing in such an environment. A special moment in the game came when Joe Harris Jr. entered the game. His father was slain in the line of duty, and he took his place on the team. I had a lot of fun, a few sore muscles, and I would do it again.”

Photo caption: Catron County Sheriff’s deputy Ian Fletcher (72) stands in the huddle of policemen/ football players during the Battle of the Badges, a fundraiser game between police and firefighters at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho. Courtesy photo

Catron Sheriff’s Deputies Compete In Battle Of The Badges