March 2014 - Mountain Times

Newspaper of the Southern Sacramento Mountains
March 2014
Timberon
50¢
Turkey patrol
Wild turkeys roam the forest just north of Timberon, taking advantage of the mild weather to hunt for an afternoon snack of seeds, nuts, acorns or insects.
Photo by Darrell J. Pehr
Mountain Times
Students excel in Honor Band,
Science Olympiad, Honor Society
By Travis Dempsey, Superintendent
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
I would like to begin this month’s article by thanking the 296 voters
who bravely trekked out into the snow to participate in the polling process
for the school bond election that was held on February 4.
I appreciate all the communities that make up Cloudcroft Municipal
Schools and their support and I would like to extend an invitation to any of
our community members who have questions about the bond or any other
issues to feel free to schedule an appointment or simply stop by my office
where I would be more than happy to discuss any school-related issues
with you.
With the passage of this special school election we will begin completing the projects that were identified in the 5-year facility master plan.
The next steps to be completed will be the official bond sale, prioritization of projects, and starting the process of working with the state’s Public
School Facility Authority who are tasked with guiding construction projects in New Mexico’s public schools.
Students In the News:
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY: Congratulations to the following
students who were inducted into the National Honor Society January 29:
Casey Green
Sam Rabon
Hunter Hughes
Emily Riggs
Brianna MacDonald
Lukas Rimmele
Brittney McCourt
Madison Royer
Kassandra Morales
Kevin Stewart
Robert Ortega
I would like to thank our guest speaker, Tim Rabon, for agreeing to
speak at this event and also a big thanks to Lisa Thomassie for hosting this
7
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event at The Lodge.
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD: The results from our most recent competition are as follows: Middle School received 2nd place. Out of 23
events, students medaled (1st-3rd) in 12 events. High School received
5th place. Out of 23 events, students medaled (1st-3rd) in 9 events.
Thank you to the following volunteers who helped our Science Olympiad
team: John Manford, who is our resident engineer, and Paul Benshoof,
another engineer who helps. Both men ran events at the competition as
well as Debbie and Tim Rabon and Larry Evans.
BAND: Forty Band students from Cloudcroft HS Band traveled to Roswell on February 7 & 8 for honor band at NMMI. Students
were selected on their playing ability by their director, Cloudcroft had
the most students representing our school. The combined bands played
an outstanding concert at the conclusion. The Middle School (7th & 8th
grade) group was directed by Mr. David Allen, Lovington High School
Band Director, and the High School group was directed by Dr. Dustin
Seifert, Director of Bands at ENMU. Cloudcroft was truly represented
by great students who are dedicated musicians.
Upcoming events include:
Solo and Ensemble, Mardi Gras Parade, 23rd Annual Band Camp,
SBME Large Group Band Contest, SW district Band & Choir Contest
NMAA State Concert Band and Choir Competition
NEW MEXICO STANDARDS BASED ASSESSMENT: Beginning March 11, 2014, we will start administering the New Mexico
Standards Based Assessment to all students in grades 3 - 8 and all 10thand 11th-graders. This test is used to determine each child’s level of proficiency and will be a determining factor in their fall 2014 class schedule. We also have a group of parents and community members who are
working to support our students in doing their best on this exam. They
have organized and funded a snack to be provided to each student who is
testing for each day of testing. I would like to express my appreciation
for this particular group of parents who have taken the time to support
the academic success for all students.
If you have any questions, feel free to stop by my office or give
me a call at 575-601-4416.
New programs increase
Mountain Times
opportunities for outdoor fun
The Newspaper of the
Timberon
Southern Sacramento
Mountains
Published monthly by:
Mountain News LLC
Editor/Publisher:
Darrell J. Pehr
Contributors:
Charlene Basham
Travis Dempsey
Joy Garrett Goin
Joyce Jankiewicz
Slim Randles
Michael Shinabery
Me’lissa Turnbow
Patsy Ward
Bill Weddle
Ed Woten
ALAMOGORDO – Take It Outside,
NM! (TIONM!) is encouraging people to get
outdoors and explore nature in southern New
Mexico in 2014 and they have two new programs to help students and families do just that!
The first program, for teachers and students, consists of transportation funding to bring
classes to outdoor sites in southern New Mexico. Students will learn about our local natural
resources while enjoying some of the area’s fabulous outdoor parks, forests, and monuments.
TIONM! was awarded a “More Kids in
the Woods” grant through the US Forest Service
for this program, and teachers can learn about
participating sites and how to access transportation funding by clicking on the “Passport to
Outdoor Fun” tab at www.takeitoutsidenm.com.
Teachers who bring their classrooms to our outdoor sites in spring 2014 and complete a class
sharing project about their trip will be eligible to
win valuable prizes for their classroom.
The second program, for young people
and their families, is called Passport to Outdoor
Our mailing address:
P.O. Box 235,
Timberon, NM 88350
Phone:
(575) 442-3031
E-mail:
[email protected]
Fun. Download a passport from the Passport
to Outdoor Fun tab on the TIONM! website,
www.takeitoutsidenm.com, and visit at least
four of the eight southern New Mexico sites
listed in the passport. Kids will get their passport stamped after answering a question about
each visit.
The first 300 young people who submit
their passport with four or more stamps will receive a free TIONM! patch. They will also be
eligible to win great outdoor prizes including a
tent, binoculars, and a camera.
TIONM! is a partnership including the
Bureau of Land Management-Las Cruces, the
Lincoln National Forest, White Sands National
Monument, Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park,
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, Asombro Institute for Science Education, Las Cruces Museum of Natural History, and the Alameda Park
Zoo in Alamogordo. For more information
about TIONM! visit www.takeitoutsidenm.com
or contact Peg Crim at 575-434-7231(office) or
575-551-1726 (cell).
ASPEN CO. CONSTRUCTION
George Corder
PO Box 143 Timberon, NM 88350
Phone 575-987-2372
NM LIC # 30323
Subscriptions:
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The Timberon Mountain Times
is printed by Signature Offset,
Inc., in Las Cruces. We normally print and distribute by the first
of each month. Mailed copies
go out bulk rate and may take
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get to distant locations.
We will appreciate any submissions, and are especially looking for nature and mountain-related stories. Pictures are very
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give you our thanks.
We also gladly accept Letters to
the Editor.
Letters must be signed by the
author and must include a telephone number.
Letters to the Editor also are
due by the 15th of the month.
VISIT THE WEBSITE OF THE
SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS
WWW.MOUNTAINTIMES.NET
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PAGE 2
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Development Council discusses
Blues Festival, Farmer’s Market
TIMBERON DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.
February 8, 2014
Minutes
Attendees: Rick Merrick, Pete Jankiewicz, Christy Braddick, Joyce
Jankiewicz, Patty Merrick, Nan Thorell, Jerry Epker, Everett Putney, Kent
Huisingh and Jackie Fioretti.
The meeting was called to order at 10:02 am by Rick Merrick,
President. The pledge of allegiance was given by all. A prayer was offered
by Everett.
Jackie moved to accept the agenda which was seconded by Everett.
Rick asked if there were corrections to the January minutes and if
anyone wanted them read. Joyce moved that the January minutes be approved. Jackie seconded the motion and it was passed.
Christy Braddick gave the Treasurer’ report. Pat made a motion to
accept the Treasurer’s report which was seconded by Kent & approved by
all. Christy gave the Bills report. Jackie moved to pay the bills; was seconded by Joyce and was approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
Visitor’s Center: Rick informed us that as he and Pat will be staying
in Ruidoso during the week, Pat will not be able to be there on Fridays. It
was agreed that until summer season – having the office open on Saturday
is enough. There were nearly 4000 hits on the website with 2300 views of
the web cam.
There are now 92 on the email subscribers list. 144 Blues Festival
postcards are ready to be mailed.
CAP : There were no additions to the CAP Survey. Nan will update it with the latest survey results. Since the main area of concern was
Fire-risk reduction, Rick will work towards doing a Fire Wise program in
Timberon. He will work in conjunction with the Timberon Fire Dept.
Donated Property: Pete reported that we now have 7 properties for
sale as the last donated lot has been transferred and recorded and is now
available. Joyce reported that there have been 3 different requests in the
last week for information either for donating or buying a lot. Suggestions
for methods for increased sales were discussed.
3rd Annual Timberon BLUES Festival: Rick reported that all but
one band has been hired. The headliners for Sunday will be JAYBOY ADAMS & ZENOBIA w/MISTER SISTER!
The very cool postcards that will be mailed to potential vendors
and/or sponsors have arrived and nearly 150 are ready to go in the mail.
TDC Blues Festival committee members are hard at work finding vendors, sponsors, accommodations for the bands, designing T-shirts, keeping the website current and all the other hundreds of “to do’s” that have
to be done to make it the huge success we all anticipate! www.TimberonBluesFestival.com tickets are on sale, sponsorships are being accepted!
RC& D: Rick reported last month that the South Central Mountain RC&D had a forester position open. It isn’t open any longer as Rick
is that new rural community forester for Otero and Lincoln counties.
Congratulations!
Treasurer’s Internal Audit: Christy reported that the financial audit was successfully completed last month. Thanks to Michelle Lowe &
Aurora Corder for helping out!
Farmer’s Market: Looks like it will be a ‘growing’ concern this
year. More than twice the number who participated last year have expressed an interest in participating this summer.
Jane Huisingh is attending the annual NM state Farmers market
in Santa Fe and requested that TDC assist in paying for one night of a
2-night stay which is $66.00. Joyce reported that the FM will be selling plants, and flowers this year which requires an additional permit
which is $75.00 and suggested that it would be a great way to support
the FM by paying for this permit. Jackie moved to pay the hotel bill of
$66.00 and the $75.00 permit. Joyce seconded it and it was passed. The
Farmer’s Market will begin in May.
CPA: Christy reported that the CPA that she & Joyce met with
will work well. They work with 501 (c) (3) organizations. The office
is in Alamogordo, so it is much more convenient. Charges are not to
exceed $650.00. Christy moved to accept him as our new CPA. Kent
seconded it and it was passed.
Friends of Timberon Golf Course: Stu Iverson, Chairman of the
Friends of the Golf course committee had asked if TDC would act as
a fiscal sponsor for monies donated for the golf course improvements.
Pete moved to do this & Kent seconded the motion and it passed. The
golf committee is gearing up for this summer’s season. There is a lot of
work ahead to get the course ready for tournaments.
Meeting adjourned at 11:32 p.m. The next meeting will be held
at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2014 – all are welcome to attend.
Respectfully,
Joyce Jankiewicz
Cattle Growers honor top cattle inspector
From the New Mexico
Cattle Growers Association
Kenneth Hileman, of Weed, was named 2013 Inspector of the Year
by the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA) at the recent
Joint Stockmen’s Convention, held in Albuquerque.
“We appreciate Hileman’s dedication to his job and service to our
industry, and are pleased to have this opportunity to say “thank you,”” said
Jose Varela Lopez, La Cieneguilla, NMCGA President. “He was nominated
for this award by producers he works with day in and day out, people who
don’t lavish praise but who do value hard work and dedication to service.
They believe he has earned this honor many times over.”
New Mexico’s brand and livestock protection system, enforced by
the New Mexico Livestock Board, is one of the strongest in the nation. In
recognition of the importance of this system to the livestock industry, each
year the NMCGA honors an Inspector of the Year, nominated for the award
by the producers they serve.
This year’s award was sponsored by the Sauble Ranch.
Hileman is the New Mexico Livestock Board’s (NMLB’s) District
4 Brand Inspector in Weed. He started his career with the New Mexico
Livestock Board (NMLB) in June of 1987. He successfully completed the
Police Academy in 1989, and worked in Clovis for 14 years before transferring to Weed in 2001.
He grew up on the family homestead in Clovis where they ran Charolais cattle. Before joining the NMLB, he worked for the Clovis, Portales and Roswell sale barns and cared for wheat pasture cattle. He and his
wife Martye have three children: Sheridan, Kendra and Lindsey, and three
PAGE 3
grandsons: Trenton, Luke and
Stetson.
Hileman has been with
the New Mexico Livestock
Board for nearly 27 years, Varela Lopez noted. In fact, he was
planning to retire this month
but his producers begged him
to stay.
“He has an outstanding
reputation for his dedication to
the producers he works with,
and is truly a great asset to the
industry and the New Mexico
Livestock Board.”
The NMCGA has represented the beef industry in
New Mexico and the West
since 1914 and has members
in all 33 of the state’s counties
as well as some 18 other states.
The Association participates in
venues necessary to protect beef producers and private property rights
including litigation, state and federal legislation and regulatory affairs.
For more information, or to join the NMCGA online, please visit www.
nmagriculture.org.
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Photo by Darrell J. Pehr
The Sacramento District Review
We all must take responsibility to protect the forest and wildlife by preventing wildfires. The topic of the
next Sacramento Ranger District lecture March 13 will be “Historical Fires on the Lincoln National Forest.’
Forest Service lecture series
March 13: ‘Historical Fires’
Following a winter break, the Sacramento Ranger District Lecture Series will resume on Thursday, March 13th, 6-7 p.m., with “Historical Fires on the Lincoln National Forest” presented by Mark Cadwallader and Jay Northcott at the Sacramento Ranger District Office.
Lectures are the second Thursday of the month, generally from 6 to 7
p.m. in the conference room at the district office.
Take it Outside, NM!
Take It Outside, NM! (TIONM!) is encouraging people to get
outdoors and explore nature in southern New Mexico in 2014 and they
have two new programs to help students and families do just that!
For more information about TIONM! visit www.takeitoutsidenm.com or contact Peg Crim at 575-434-7231 (office) or
575-551-1726 (cell).
Office Hours and Location: Sacramento Ranger District Office
4 Lost Lodge Road, PO Box 288, Cloudcroft, NM 88317
575-682-2551. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed
Federal Holidays.
TIMBERON RENTALS
Timberon, NM
575-987-2201
APARTMENTS
$45 to $80 per Night
TWO AND THREE
BEDROOM HOUSES
$90 per Night
Kevin & Shantel Keune,
Managers
PAGE 4
Fire Danger elevates to Moderate
on Sacramento Ranger District
ALAMOGORDO, NM – February 27, 2014 – Due to the combination of
low moisture, persistent drought, warm weather in southern New Mexico,
the Lincoln National Forest’s Sacramento Ranger District’s fire danger
rating has been elevated to MODERATE; the Smokey Bear Ranger District rating is also MODERATE, while the Guadalupe Ranger District’s
fire danger rating remains HIGH. The descriptive adjective ratings are:
Low, Moderate, High, Very High and Extreme and are likely to continue
to increase as summer approaches.
The fire danger rating helps describe the general conditions over an extended area. The HIGH rating indicates that all fine fuels, such a grass,
can ignite easily and fires can start quickly from most causes; unattended
campfires are likely to escape; fires can spread rapidly and short-distance
spotting is common; high intensity burning may develop on slopes or in
concentrations of fine fuels; fires may become large and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small.
A fire danger rating of MODERATE means that fire can start from accidental causes, but the number of starts is generally low. Fires in open,
cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days.
Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of
moderate intensity, although heavy accumulations of fuels will burn hot.
Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fire starts under
these conditions are typically controlled quickly.
If you plan to visit the Lincoln National Forest, please follow some simple safety tips:
•Make sure campfires are dead out!
•Spark arrestors are required on chainsaws and off-road vehicles.
•Don’t park vehicles on dry grass.
•If you smoke, do so in areas that clear of vegetation and don’t
toss cigarettes out.
•Remember, it’s ALWAYS illegal to possess or use fireworks on
public lands.
For information about the Lincoln National Forest, call 575-434-7200,
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Interesting dinosaur holds title
of New Mexico’s state fossil
By Ed Woten
Most people can tell you that the New Mexico state bird is
the roadrunner, or that the state flower is the yucca, or even that the
official New Mexico state question is “Red or green?” but hardly
anyone can tell you what our state fossil is.
What? We have a state fossil?
The official New Mexico state fossil is the Coelophysis dinosaur. The coelophysis (pronounced see-low-fie-sis) was a small
dinosaur, from two to ten feet in length, and was a theropod, that is,
it walked on two legs. It was a carnivore with sharp slashing teeth
that ate large insects, lizards and perhaps even its own young.
It had a long low head with a short narrow snout atop a long
flexible neck. Its forearms had large sharp-clawed hands. Its shapely
sprinter’s legs gave it a swift running speed helped by a long tail to
counterbalance the forebody.
The coelophysis was first discovered in 1881 in New Mexico
by David Baldwin who was collecting fossil specimens for Edward
Drinker Cope of the American Museum of Natural History.
At the time, there was a fiercely contested race going on between Cope and his arch-rival Othniel C. Marsh of the Peabody Museum at Yale University. Each was trying to outdo the other in fossil
finds.
Marsh eventually outdid himself with the naming of over
1,000 different vertebrate fossils, including coelophysis, which he
officially named in 1899.
During the early 1980s, there was an ongoing effort to build
a natural history museum in New Mexico and, as part of that effort,
museum supporters campaigned to have the State Legislature designate an official state fossil to add to the other state emblems.
The Triassic dinosaur coelophysis was world famous because
thousands of skeletons of this early reptile were found in a fossil
bone bed at Ghost Ranch in Rio Arriba County.
It was designated as the official state fossil on March 17,
1981, one hundred years after its discovery.
The coelophysis was picked as the New Mexico state fossil
because it was the first dinosaur to be discovered here, however, its
remains have also been found at several sites in Europe, South Africa and even China.
There was an attempt at one time to change the official designation to the seismosaurus, which is a long-necked sauropod dinosaur that is known from a specimen found only in New Mexico.
Coelophysis still reigns however, as the New Mexico State
Fossil. There is a skeleton and a reconstruction, both on display at
the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque, thanks to our state legislature.
Do you know what our official state gem is?
The official New Mexico state fossil is the Coelophysis dinosaur. The coelophysis (pronounced see-low-fie-sis)
was a small dinosaur, from two to ten feet in length, and
was a theropod, that is, it walked on two legs.
CARRILLO LAW FIRM, P.C.
Physical address:
1001 East Lohman Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
It pays to advertise
in the
Timberon
Mountain Times
Mark & Beth Bushlow
Owner/Operators
(575) 434-3042
INDOOR CLIMATE CONTROLLED
FEATURING A “PET VAC”
INSTALLED IN THE REAR DOG WASH
VISIT THE WEBSITE OF THE
SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO MOUNTAINS
WWW.MOUNTAINTIMES.NET
PAGE 5
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 457
Las Cruces, NM 88004
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
History of Baptist Church in the
mountains goes back to 1901
By Ed Woten
There was a strong religious influence in Cloudcroft from the very beginning,
and even earlier. After J. Arthur Eddy of the El Paso and Northeastern Railroad founded
Cloudcroft, he had the Pavilion built so that tourists and picnickers would have a place to
stay overnight. It is the oldest building in Cloudcroft.
At the official opening of the Pavilion in June of 1899, a visiting minister was
brought in to conduct Sunday church services for the guests.
Since that time, services of various denominations have been held here in private
homes, The Lodge, the Pavilion, the Texas Hotel and eventually in the church buildings
of those denominations. This is the first in a series about the history of those church buildings.
Thanks go to Pat Rand and the Sacramento Mountains Historical Society for much
of the information. Thanks also to Karen Anderton at the First Baptist Church for info and
photos.
According to the “Southwestern Baptist,” a weekly newspaper published in Alamogordo, The Baptist Church in Cloudcroft was established at a meeting held by Missionary R.P. Pope on May 3, 1901. By July of the following year, the local congregation
had purchased land to the northeast of the Texas Hotel and a wooden church building was
constructed. Church attendance fluctuated over the years and by 1910 there were only ten
members. By 1913 services were no longer being held.
By 1916 there had been a significant revival of interest, and the first of three lots
at the west end of Burro Street were purchased. The original building was abandoned and,
in 1920, was sold to the Catholic Church. There were different attempts to reorganize the
congregation during the 1920s and 30s, and the occasional meetings and services were
held in the old Red Brick Schoolhouse. By the 1940s, there was no active Baptist community in Cloudcroft.
On October 21, 1951, the Reverend H. T. Hawes was named pastor of the Cloudcroft Baptist congregation. Hawes was a carpenter by trade and pushed for the construction of a new building. This was done and on May 25, 1952, the first service was held in
the present building.
Membership continued to grow and in 1955, the Reverend B. C. Evans became
the first full-time pastor. By 1965, the two-story education addition had been completed.
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Phone 575-987-2372
NM LIC # 30323
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PAGE 6
Cell: (575) 415-0723
Fax: (575) 987-2546
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Missionary Olive Riley stands
beside the new
construction.
(Photo provided)
The 1978 remodeling gave
the First Baptist
Church its present look. (Photo
by Earl Hittle)
On May 7, 1967, the building complex was officially
dedicated.
Twenty years ago, there was a cottage on the
west side of the Baptist Church, It had been built in
1916 and for many years was the home of Clementine
Elizabeth Barrett Dixon who was a school teacher.
Later residents of the cottage included Susie Farmer
(as a child) and former Village Clerk Mitzi Register.
The cottage was eventually purchased by the
Baptist Church and was slated to be torn down to make
way for a parking lot.
Rev. Hugh Rogers, pastor at that time, donated several doors from the cottage to the Sacramento
Mountains Historical Museum to preserve the memory of the building. Contractor Don Hoffman heard
about the demolition plans and was able to purchase
the structure for $1 with the agreement that he could
move it to a new location.
But that is another story.
State of New Mexico
In the probate court
Otero County
In the matter of the estate of
No. CCP 2014-003
Victor H. McKechnie, deceased
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has
been appointed personal representative of this
estate. All persons having claims against this estate
are required to present their claims within two (2)
months after the date of the first publication of this
notice, or the claims will be forever barred. Claims
must be presented either to the undersigned personal representative at the address listed below, or
filed with the Probate Court of Otero County, New
Mexico, located at the following address: 1104 N.
White Sands Blvd., Suite C, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Dated: Jan. 14, 2014
Shirley M. Holstrom
(signature of personal representative)
Shirley M. Holstrom
(printed name)
P.O. Box 124, Timberon, NM 88350
575-987-2403
Flu season had much more
deadly impact in the past
By Ed Woten
‘Tis The Season! Flu That Is.
Did you know that the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 killed between
50 and 100 million people? That represented between 3 and 5 percent of
the entire world’s population! It is still ranked as one of the worst natural
disasters in human history. It infected more than 500 million people from
the Arctic to remote Pacific islands.
In New Mexico, as in most places, this demonstrated the need for
better health care. Prior to the flu epidemic, only a few cases of smallpox
had been recorded. The new state government became concerned with
public health and in 1919 established the New Mexico Department of
Health whose chief task was the control of epidemics. It also hoped to
make New Mexico “the healthiest state in the nation.”
In point of fact, New Mexico was already known as a healthy
place to live. Our fine climate and clean, dry air were good for people
with various lung diseases, one of the worst of which was tuberculosis.
At that time, TB was the main cause of death in the United States. This
brought thousands of people with TB to New Mexico. Special TB hospitals were built for them in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other towns. But
this was not a new story for New Mexico.
Fort Stanton, located northeast of present-day Ruidoso, was
originally built in 1855 to protect area homesteaders from the Mescalero
Apaches. It served as a military outpost until 1896 when it was abandoned by the Army and closed. However, just three years later, the United
States Public Health Service acquired the Fort as a tuberculosis hospital
for the Merchant Marine, again, for its healthful climate.
Between 1899 and 1953, more than 5,000 sailors were served as
patients at the fort. They lived in specially constructed tents because, at
the time, fresh air and sunshine were the only known cures for tuberculosis. There were literally hundreds of these tent houses built as well as
a new hospital, stables and new living quarters. The hospital was fairly
self-sufficient with a large farm on the grounds where the patients could
work in the fields. Recreational activities included golf, baseball and a
theater for resident workers.
Over the years, approximately 1,500 sailors died at the Fort due to
their various respiratory illnesses. Most are buried in the Maritime Cemetery on a hillside overlooking the Fort. The cemetery grew to include
veterans of other services as well as the Merchant Marines. If you visit
the site today, you will see a large ship’s anchor set in place near the front
gate as a memorial to all of the service men and women buried there. It is
quite an imposing monument to be found in the middle of New Mexico.
Flu shots, anyone?
A huge ship’s anchor can be seen at the entrance to Fort
Stanton.
Don’t miss a single edition –
subscribe! See page 2.
Timberon
Mountain Times
PAGE 7
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
If You’re Lucky Enough to Live in the Mountains, You’re Lucky Enough!
Patsy Ward, Editor
A Community Oriented Newsletter for Weed and
Surrounding Communities
8th - Becky Waldrop
13th - Chuck Komraus: Robert Ferris
19th - Katie Walker: Pat Hammett: Hannah
Walter
24th - Doreen Teel
26th - Janson Ham
30th - Gari Ann Gage
Sympathy
Sympathy for the Loss of a Pet
Available on-line at www.weednm.com
P.O. Box 565, Weed, NM 88354,
[email protected]
Our prayers and condolences are extended to the family and friends of T. A. Tanner
who passed away February 8 at the age of 89.
Survivors include his wife Ruth of the family
home; daughter Linda Taylor and husband Bill
of Piñon; granddaughter Ellie Taylor of Piñon;
and sister Samme Monson and husband David of
Piñon.
Graveside services were held February
11 at Piñon Cemetery. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Lakeview Christian Hospice
or Otero Cowbell’s Opal Lewis Memorial Fund.
Anniversaries, Birthdays, Get
Well Wishes, & More
Happy Anniversary to:
11th - Chuck & Nancy Sutherland
17th - Jeff Duncan & Ellen Kazor
19th - Wade & Tanya Maberry (1982)
23rd - Russ & Elaine Wright (1968)
29th - Gilbert & Penny Evans (1958)
30th - Tom & Patsy Ward
Happy Birthday to:
1st - Maddie Forkner
2nd - Abigail Alvarez (2011)
7th - Sandra Hunt
…Luther & Kathy Miller lost Callie, their feline pet of 16 years.
Dates to Remember
March 4 – VFD meeting, 7 p.m.
March 9 – Time Change (set clocks forward 1
hour)
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 18 - Bookmobile: Piñon 9:30- 10:30;
Weed 11:15- 12:30
March 20 – First Day of spring
March 25 – Community meeting, 6:30 p.m.,
Old School
The Houghtling Family will be at Weed Baptist Church on March 16 for a gospel bluegrass
concert. Starts at 11 a.m., with potluck lunch
to follow. Everyone welcome. Hope to see you
there.
USFS Sacramento District
Save the date!!! Following a winter
break, the Sacramento Ranger District Lecture
Series will resume on Thursday, March 13, with
“Historical Fires on the Lincoln National Forest” presented by Mark Cadwallader and Jay
Northcott.
Lectures are the second Thursday of the
(575) 987-2553
(575) 987-2372
Riverside Condos
Timberon, New Mexico
PAGE 8
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
month, generally from 6 to 7 p.m. in the conference room at the district office.
Yoga Classes
By Elaine Wright
No more yoga - for now. Classes ended
as of the 1st of March but will resume this summer. Watch for details in this space.
Diapers
Shared by Bill Weddle
I know you have been lying awake at
night wondering why baby diapers have brand
names such as “Luvs,” “Huggies,” and “Pampers,” while undergarments for old people are
called “Depends.”
Well here is the lowdown on the whole
thing.
When babies crap in their pants, people
are still gonna Luv’em, Hug’em and Pamper
‘em. When old people crap in their pants, it
“Depends” on who’s in the will!
Glad I got that straightened out so you
can rest your mind.
Greetings from Stagecoach,
Nevada!
By Joy Garrett Goin
The temps have been great. A bit below
freezing at night and 50s and 60s in the day.
Wind has been a bit of a nuisance; but, being
from NM, we are used to that. I don’t like it any
more here than I did there!
But, there is good news! We have water!
Guy who was supposed to come and dig up our
water pipe so Ray could repair the leak was a
no-show.
(Continued next page)
It pays to
advertise
in the
Timberon
Mountain Times
(Continued from previous page)
Leak happened because we wanted to move the water line. It was under the trailer on the “cold” side and froze solid during our really cold spell
that welcomed us to Nevada. It froze in spite of the fact that we had wrapped
it exceedingly well to keep that from happening. And once frozen, it stubbornly refused to thaw out regardless of the warm daytime temps.
So we decided to move it to the “warm” side of the trailer. Only problem was we were not exactly sure of where the pipe was on the other side.
We dug where we thought it would be. Not there. So, we kept digging.
Finally found it, but in the process of digging the hard Nevada soil, we put a
wee little hole in the pipe!
So, we had to have the water turned off while we expanded the hole
so Ray could get down in it and repair the hole. Both of us got really tired
of trying to peck away at the hard Nevada soil and called a guy to bring his
equipment and dig out the space.
Guy never showed. So, Ray took one of our neighbor’s advice and
went to the local “employment office” (AKA the Bar) and asked if anyone
wanted to come and dig a hole for us. The answer was yes!
And the next day a guy showed and proved he could handle the busi-
www.ocec-inc.com
Office
575-682-2521
Outage Assistance
1-800-548-4660
ness end of a shovel. In just a short time he had the hole big enough
hole for Ray to do what he needed to do. So, we now have water.
And the good news doesn’t stop there.
We now have the fence fixed so the dogs are free to roam
the acre. I don’t know who is happier...me or the dogs! I didn’t
like putting them on a chain, but I also didn’t want them roaming
the neighborhood.
The rehabbing continues. Have floors ready for tile and
laminate. Walls are ready to paint. And some of them actually
have paint on them. Still have a long list of “to dos,” but little by
little we are getting the place ready to move into. Aaaahhhh!!!!!
Our electricity comes from a generator until we can get
the solar kit put together and operating. The Tuff Shed Cabin has
become Ray’s office and this is where we do our emails and watch
a bit of TV. The dogs either join us or roam around outside. I came
in the office a few minutes ago to do this column and the dogs
didn’t come in with me. I left the door slightly ajar because I had
my hands full.
A little bit later, Amber pushed the door open and came
in. It reminded me of an incident that happened years ago when
Harold and Susan Ideus were my neighbors at Sacramento. I was
walking up the hill to a weekly Bible study at Susan and Harold’s
home. My 2 dogs, Sandy Dog and Sarah, were welcome at the
study.
They ran ahead of me and nosed open Susan’s door which
didn’t close tightly most of the time, and both dogs knew it.
To my amazement both dogs immediately tore out the
same door they had just run through! Right behind them was Susan and Harold’s dog, named Sunny (in a moment of optimism,
according to Susan).
Sunny was loudly voicing her displeasure at any other dog
beside her in that home. My 2 dogs probably weighed between 35
and 40 lbs. Sunny probably weighed 15 lbs. soaking wet!
Usually she was shut up in a bedroom, because she loved
her family and that was it. But that day it hadn’t happened. We all
laughed ‘til the tears came.
Well, on second thought, I don’t remember either of my
dogs laughing!
Type atcha next month. God Bless “ya’ll”!
Long term
rental wanted
for senior couple
2 or 3 bedroom, 2 bath,
with good heating and garage.
Looking at May 2014.
Reasonable, please.
George @ 575-207-5888
FOR SALE
Timberon # 6 BLK 74 LT 10
.560 acres subdivided lot.
$1000 or best offer.
Anxious to sell.
Contact us at P.O. Box 810,
Bastrop, Texas, or email address is:
[email protected]
PAGE 9
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Home
Country
TIMBERON HOMES
by Slim Randles
It’s the first Saturday in March,
1973, and more than 40 dog mushers are
ready to leave the semi-pro baseball stadium in Anchorage and drive their teams
more than 1,100 miles to Nome.
Could they really do it? Well, they did it that year and every year
since, of course, in the monumental Iditarod Sled Dog Race, but that first
year? The mushers themselves kinda looked at each other and shrugged
and wondered. No one alive had ever driven a team that far. I was there,
and was privileged to have driven a team in that first race.
Some top-name mushers referred to guys like me - homesteaders who used dog teams to get back and forth to town - as “recreational
mushers,” meaning not serious racers. That was true.
Our dogs were valued members of our families, just as your dog
is in your family. We just had more of them and they pulled a sled for a
living. Iditarod is pronounced eye-DIT-a-rod. The men and women who
drive teams in this long, cold camping trip pronounce it IDIOT-road,
with reason.
I had seven dogs, the minimum allowed, and I had to borrow a
dog to make seven, giving me the nickname “Seven-Dog Slim.”
The dog I borrowed had kennel cough and I had to stop every
couple of hours and dose him with cough syrup, which he hated and
caused him to run all out in panic when he saw me coming with the bottle. I still think I’d have won that race if all my dogs had kennel cough.
Our race ended ignominiously with a helicopter ride after I
crushed an ankle 300 miles into the race.
But there’s something about the first Saturday in March for those
who have been there. Wherever we are and whatever we do now, each
year on that day we say a prayer for the men and women on trail and wish
them good weather, packed trail, and happy dogs. It’s lonely and cold out
there, and it’s a very long way to Nome.
To buy Slim’s updated ebook version of his 1975 book “Dogsled, A True
Tale of the North,” email [email protected].
___________
_
When Jim Kennedy uses his big backhoe, a crowd usually gathers. He’s an artist, you see.
He runs his massive-toothed monster gouging holes in the backyards of his neighbors, putting in their pipes and even the occasional
swimming pool, and does it with the grace of a surgeon.
At Bud McFarland’s place the other day, he was there to install
Bud’s new septic tank. This was to be a massive septic tank, Bud said,
“big enough so if I want to put in a hotel, I don’t have to worry.”
It was a balmy day in March, past coffee time, and the backhoe
master was at work. Bud was standing there watching Jim work his digging magic in the backyard, along with half a dozen others, including
us.
Now and then Jim would just do something to show off his skill.
At one point, when Jim’s backhoe cut through a buried tree root, there
was about a foot-long section of root lying alone at the bottom of the
hole.
“Hey,” Bud yelled at Jim, good-naturedly, “firewood!”
Jim grinned and reached his long steel arm down into the hole,
gently picking up just the one piece of wood, lifting it out of the hole,
and delivering it to Bud’s outstretched hand as though it were the crown
jewels.
As we watched, Jim lifted the massive concrete vault of the septic
tank and placed it gently in the hole.
Then his helper hooked a chain to the septic tank lid and Jim
lifted this into the air and swung it over the hole.
But instead of lowering it, Jim stopped the machine in mid stride
and hollered at the new septic tank owner.
“Hey Bud!” he yelled, “Got any bodies you want to hide?”
The perfect place for a murder victim. Agatha Christie didn’t
even come up with that one.
You have to admire professionalism wherever you may find it.
FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING
PROPERTIES GO TO OUR WEBSITE
$119,900.00
Timberon Unit 5, Block 70, Lot 1,1999 Frame built home with metal
roof located on 1.119ac +/- lot.
$495,500.00
This house sits on over 35 wooded acres and borders the Circle
Cross Ranch, once owned by Oliver Lee.
HAS ABOUT 11,656 SQFT OF BUILDINGS, ORIENTED SOUTH
FOR SOLAR, IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF COMPLETION.
$119,000.00
Timberon Unit 5, Block 72, Lot 6/home, Lot 7 Manufactured home
located on 2. acres +/-.
$64,500.00
Timberon Unit 14, Block 126, Lot 4/home
$182,500.00
Timberon Unit 14, Block 126, Lot 86B, Custom Built Home located
on approximately .754 ac
$84,000.00
Timberon Unit 12, Block 103, Lot 215 This 1987 Double wide mobile home located on .344 acre
$123,000.00
Timberon Golf Course Unit 5, Block 15, Lot 55 1981 framed built
home on 1/2 ac.
$175,000.00
Golf Course Unit 7, Block 21, Lot 21 and Lot 22 2006 manufacture
home on 2 lots totaling 1 ac.
$199,000.00
Timberon Unit 8, Block 85, Lot 32/home and Lot 53 .804 Ac.
$88,900.00
Timberon Unit 8, Block 82, Lot 81A 1992 double wide 1.095 ac.
+/$148,500.00
Sacramento Mountain Ranches Unit 1, Block 5, Lot 1A, 1.02 ac.
2007 manufacture home,
$239,500.00
Timberon Unit 7, Block 80, Lot 38A replat Two Story Home on 3.2
acres.
$150,000.00
When the Sacramento River runs, it runs through this property.
Main home is approximately 824 sq.ft. There is a 50’ x 30’ barn
with a efficiency apartment. . This property is 2.9 acres +/-. Sacramento Drive.
$210,000.00
TimberonUnit 3, Block 59, Replat Lot 5A, Beautiful 2000 Oak
Creek Mobile Home, 2016 sq ft (+/-) on 3 acres. 24 x 48 detached
barn/garage,stalls & shop. Cactus Way.
$199,000.00
Timberon Unit 8, Block 85, Lot 32/home and Lot 53. Lovely trilevel, 2050 sq.ft. (+/-), on .804 ac. Detached studio/workshop/craft
room or office, 370 sq. ft. with storage area of 96 sq.ft. Carson
Drive
FOR PHOTOS AND A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR HOMES,
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.timberonnm.com
ROBERTS REALTY
PO Box 1, Timberon NM 88350
575-987-2440
Read “Saddle Up: A Cowboy Guide to Writing,” by Slim Randles. Just
released. Contact www.nmsantos.com for signed copies.
PAGE 10
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
Museum reflects rich history of mountains
By Charlene Basham
Unfortunately, most people
are not even aware that we have a
museum in Cloudcroft and we are
so proud of the accomplishments
that have been made since its inception in 1978.
The museum was the
brainstorm of John Mershon, and
with the help of Karl and Marie
Wuersching, the museum became
a reality with the donation of the
Main Log cabin and first building,
donated by I.W. (Bill) Dockray in
the fall of 1978 and moved to the
Pioneer Village on June 14, 1979.
The Village of Cloudcroft owns the
property and leases it back to the
museum. The museum is across
the street from the Chamber of
Commerce, just east of the Cloudcroft Elementary School. We have
2.5 acres of Pioneer Village.
Cloudcroft was started by
the Eddy Brothers in 1899. They
are the same men who started Alamogordo and Carlsbad. The reason Cloudcroft was started was the
coming of the railroad. The main
purpose of the railroad when it
was first built was logging. Logs
were first hauled to the sawmill in
Alamogordo to build railroad ties,
railroad trestles and lumber.
The Eddy brothers soon
realized that Cloudcroft could also
be a tourist destination. They purchased a 160-acre homestead and
later expanded it to 2,700 acres.
The Pavilion opened in 1899 to
provide tourist services, with lodg-
Bill and Johnnie Boverie
receive a plaque honoring
their volunteer service to
the Museum.
ing provided in 50 tents on wooden platforms. The original Lodge
was built in 1901, but burned in
1909 and was replaced with the
current Lodge at its present location in 1911.
One of the most interesting
exhibits in the museum is that of
the Baby Sanatorium, which was
opened in 1911 and operated until 1934. It treated more than 500
babies from nearby desert communities of El Paso, Alamogordo
and Las Cruces. During the early
1900’s there was very little air
conditioning and the refrigeration
of food was not good. During the
hot summer months, small children became dehydrated and if not
properly treated, could die. The
Baby San was founded by a Dr.
Stevenson from El Paso who small
son died on the way to California
This is the view after you exit the back door of the main
entrance and turn right leading to more displays of ski lift
equipment, water pump for Cloudcroft, Fire Trucks, a Caboose, the Train depot, the Eddy Cottage, and more.
for treatment. This event prompted
Dr. Stevenson to find a cool place
nearby where babies and children
could recuperate from the summer
illness.
Dr. Stevenson obtained
funds from the El Paso and Southwestern Railroad to construct the
Baby San. Wealthy individuals
from El Paso were contacted by
Dr. Stevenson in order to raise
money and El Paso architect Ernest Krause agreed to draw up the
plans at no charge. It was hoped to
raise enough money for construction, plus about $15,000 for an
endowment to finance expenses of
charity patients. The plan was to
have people pay what they could,
but no one would be turned away
if they couldn’t pay.
In May of 1911, the railroad advertised a $3.00 round trip
to Cloudcroft to participate in the
opening of both the new Lodge
and the Baby San.
A gradual shift from babies
to underprivileged children modified the Baby San’s purpose, and
by 1935, it was converted solely to
a summer recreation camp for children from 6-10 years old. Ironically, only healthy children were
accepted and they came up from
El Paso by bus.
The original building went
through many tenants following its
closure in 1941 and was torn down
in 1964 when Buddy & Margaret
Riter built their home on the site.
It was near the 9th hole of the
Lodge Golf Course.
The Sacramento Mountains Historical Society was able
to obtain the original log of the
Baby San patients, which gives the
names, dates, ages, addresses, the
referring physician, the types of
treatment and their final condition,
either improved or deceased.
Historical museum truly a ‘National Treasure’
By Me’lissa Turnbow
Remember the “National Treasure”
movies? They were so interesting and kept you
intrigued while learning history. Well, we have
our own “national treasure” right here in Cloudcroft that brings some of that fame to our village.
How? The Sacramento Mountains Historical Museum has a Pioneer Village. So, you
say, why is that famous? Because most museums do not have a village at all, and are housed in
one building. It is so enjoyable to stroll around
the Pioneer Village grounds and enjoy the beautiful scenery during spring, summer and fall.
First stop are the two one-room cabins
with a connecting room built between them. As
you can see from the pictures Neila Farmer is
on duty on Sunday afternoons as you enter the
front door. She tells you about the items in the
gift shop. These are numerous from bear grease
to T-shirts. (You’ll have to visit to find out about
the bear grease.) You can purchase a memento
of your tour or better yet one of the very interesting history books by local authors. People from
all over the world have signed the guest book
and consider our “national treasure” a must on
their itinerary.
Are you interested in the Cloud climbPAGE 11
ing railroad? You will find out all of your answers and more. Cloudcroft started with the
coming of the railroad, and the main purpose
for the railroad was logging.
Have you gotten your new Sacramento
Mountains Historical Museum 2014 Calendar?
Please order one now, and for $18.00 it can be
mailed to your address. Call the museum office at 575-682-2932 and Rae will help get the
calendar out to you immediately. If you want
to write and send in a check, it’s PO Box 435,
Cloudcroft, NM 88317. What could be easier?
Then, you’ll have amazing pictures and
informative facts. It tells about loops, S trestles,
how the roadbeds were dug, sawmills, steam
cranes, spur lines, (which are now some of our
roadbeds), famous train crews, derailments, passenger business, different types of locomotives,
steam loaders, and who were the privileged few
who rode in the caboose. What are you waiting for? Now is the time. It really helps the
museum as this is one of the major fundraisers
for the year (makes a great gift, too). They will
have a booth at Mardi Gras, selling calendars,
books and more. Be sure and stop by.
You may have heard about the latest
endeavor to bring in the 16 Springs Canyon
School House to the Pioneer Village grounds.
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014
It was given to the museum but is extremely expensive to move. Plus there will be additional
expenses for the foundation and the building will
need a new roof and many repairs too. There are
jars around town to donate to the museum for
this project. Or just send a check to the museum
and designate 16 Springs Canyon School House
funds. Please give generously as the addition of
this building to the Pioneer Village will enable
the community use of the school house as another meeting place and depict how students learned
in the early days of Cloudcroft, and surrounding
areas.
You can be a member too, there are many
levels, Adult, $15.00 or couple $30.00 and your
whole family only $40.00 at the same address
and your extended family only $50.00 (a good
deal) or your business for a corporate rate of only
$50.00. The Benefits: free admission to the museum, 10% discount on the gift items, notice of
special events, and of course the satisfaction of
supporting a worthy nonprofit community project.
The museum is yours and shows visitors
from all around the nation and world how much
we really care about our “national treasure”.
Stay tuned for more next month! Be prepared for
a treasure hunt.
Searching for news about Timberon? We can
help you find your way! Subscribe to the
Mountain Times
PAGE 12
MOUNTAIN TIMES - MARCH 2014