Thursday, September 28, 2017

First Friday: OCT 6 @ 7 pm Donna Blake Birchell with her latest book


Discover forgotten tales buried underneath the desert lands in a power point presentation by author Donna Blake Birchell of her book: Hidden History of Southeast New Mexico.

"Outlaws, cattlemen and a plethora of quirky pioneers once riddle southeastern New Mexico.  In November 1892, E.W. Doll and J.B. Coates ignited rumors of an eight-foot petrified man in McKittrick Cave.  A massive fire and subsequent shootout led to the demise of Phenix, one of the Old West's most scandalous towns.  And in August 1932, Bonnie and Clyde kidnapped Carlsbad's Deputy Sheriff Joe Johns;  Authors Donna Blake Birchell and John LeMay explore these little-known tales and more that have beguiled this region for centuries."


 As a native southeast New Mexican,Donna Blake Birchell has heard many stories of the fanciful events that have occurred in the area in the far, yet not so distant past.  With this book, she is able to share these stories with you, the reader.

Her passion for history developed at a young age.  Birchell, a former librarian, is a board member of the Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society. 

Birchell has authored four other books on New Mexico history: Carlsbad and Carlsbad Cavern, Eddy County, New Mexico Wine: An Enchanting History, and Wicked Women of New Mexico

Books will be available for purchase and signing by Birchell. She will also have copies of her other publications available for purchase.

Refreshments will be served after the discussion.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

looking for face painters for this event on Oct 28

Sign up for 1 or 2 hrs and make a difference in the kids' day!  Call Annmarie at Annie's Sure Shot at 575-653-4045.  There MAY be still space to be a vendor at this-- but you must be a Lincoln County artist.  Just ask Annmarie for details

Friday, September 22, 2017

Book signing with local author Bill MacVeigh on Sunday, Sept 24 at 2 pm


 Bill MacVeigh will be discussing and signing copies of his newly published book titled "Branded" this Sunday.

Bill MacVeigh taught history and science in Lincoln County schools for 28 years. He grew up in Carrizozo hearing stories told by his mother and grandmother about the early days in the gold-mining town of White Oaks and historic Lincoln County. Now retired, Bill and wife Dottie live in Capitan.

Did you have MacVeigh for a teacher or know him from Carrizozo or Capitan? Or did he make trophies for your sport group? Well, come on over, say hey and hear about this interesting book he wrote. Afterwards enjoy some refreshments and a cozy social Sunday afternoon with others.   See you there!

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Creative Aging Monthly Meeting on Mental Health, Behavioral Health, 2 speakers, Friday, September 22, ENMU, 10am #108

A taste of the agenda. Will have a copy for you as well at the meeting. Such comments are suggestions to think about and encourage you to ask questions.

 And remember, don't sweat the small stuff, stay strong.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can.Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

News from Lincoln and Fort Stanton Historic sites



Wednesday, September 20, 2017

September Creative Aging meetings & happenings

Come join us to ask any questions you are having and to review your budgeting process in a supportive environment. We welcome your interest and hope we can all learn from each other.  See you there – Thursday, September 21st, from 5 to 6:30 at ENMU Room 115.  




Our topic is mental health challenges in aging.
We have two excellent speakers. Chief Hooker, Ruidoso Police Force, and Dave McVey, Heritage Program for Seniors. Both of these speakers play a vital role in our safety and well being in Lincoln County. 
Please plan to attend. Chief Hooker will address dealing with mentally unstable people, both old and young. Dave McVey will talk about navigating aging and mental health. Please come we have so much to learn.
 And, as always there are special things to eat and special people to meet!  




Plans  have been made to mentor, coach, help ENMU students this fall. 
There are plenty of opportunities. 
In our last meeting we had 9 mentors present and 5 paid student tutors. 
Some training is necessary and will be available at this upcoming meeting. 

"Satisfaction comes with being engaged, doing good, and focusing on the present." Harvard Health Publications.
Stay engaged and join us for our September monthly meeting. Clara Farah.





Silas is now tutoring at both the Ruidoso Community Center and ENMU. 
Times for the sessions have changed,  there is a room change,
 but the specific days have not changed.
 Please check this latest flyer for information. 
All are welcome, donations appreciated but not expected. 
See you there. Clara Farah and Silas Laspada.

Friday, September 15, 2017

NEW Artwork on display in the library for Sept - Nov

Mural at Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway Visitor Center in Ruidoso Downs
Capitan artist Maria Hamilton draws and paints with watercolor, acrylic, charcoal, pencil,
 and pastel to create her captivating portraits of people, animals, and the beautiful scenery of the Southwest.

Maria and her husband, Rusty, train horses so she has a first-hand view of the models for many of her paintings. "When you train them, you get to know your subjects really well.  When I look at one horse, it looks completely different from another horse.  You can see the personality in their eyes and the differences in their faces, " Maria notes about her favorite subject.


Maria offers art instruction every Tuesday from 1 pm to 4 pm  at the Ruidoso Community Center. She is a proficient instructor in oils, acrylics, watercolor, pastel, charcoal and graphite. Classes are free-form: you select the subject and media you want to work with.  Bring your own supplies, but if you have none,  limited supplies are available. Call Maria at 575-937-7826 with questions and reservations.  The Ruidoso Communitiy Center is located at 501 Sudderth Dr., Ruidoso. Donations appreciated.

Maria's work has been on display at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, a juried show in Cheyenne, and her adjudicated piece "Calf Roper" hangs in the permanent display at the Ruidoso Convention Center. These are just a few of the adjudicated awards she has received.

Her art instruction began as a child with world-renown artist Ann James. She took classes in middle and high school. A mural she created of a trooper hangs in her high school. Eastwood high school teachers purchased her paintings. After high school Maria attended New Mexico State and Eastern New Mexico University majoring in studio art. She was awarded as Associate's Degree in Studio Arts. Maria has taught art classes at ENMU-Ruidoso.

Scout bike
Anyone who visits Mountain View Animal Clinic for animal care or pet food will also see Maria's artwork adorning the walls, both in the lobby and the individual patient rooms.  Maria is a part-time vet tech for Dr. Owens.  The clinic is at 1212 Mechem Dr., Ruidoso.











Maria's son, Scout, with his prize-winning turkey at Lincoln County Fair
Every year to support the Lincoln County Fair, Maria donates a work of art to be auctioned at the dinner.  The money raised goes to supporting the fair.  Many of the paintings hanging at the library are portraits of rodeo action at the Lincoln County Fair.


Maria paints personalized, original portraits of pets, people, or special events. She can capture your special loved pet in a beautiful, enduring piece of art.  Call 575-937-7826 to learn more about commissioning an original artwork that makes the perfect gift.


"I have two great passions in life -- horses and art.  I can direct these two great passions into quality pieces of art.  What I strive to capture in my work is small moments of shared kindness between people and animals.  The audience for my work will recognize the correctness of form in the realistic depiction of human and animal subjects.  I pride myself in my ability to capture the personalities and characteristics of the people and animals I portray." 





from Lincoln Historic site: "And our mothers before us" performance


Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Dr. W. Michael Farmer: our Southwestern culture-- Anglo, Hispanic and Apache

For those of you who enjoy good fiction about the SW, you might try to make one of these programs

·         Thursday, September 14th, at the First National Bank Atrium in Alamogordo at 11 am talking about Apache Scouts, and
·         Friday at the Ruidoso Public Library at 11 am talking about the Fountain Murders.

Dr. Michael Farmer writes about our Southwestern culture, Anglo, Hispanic and Apache.  His numerous books are now best sellers.  He will be talking about the Fountain Murders this trip.  His latest trilogy about the Mescalero Apache Yellow Boy is also a hit with people who appreciate well researched historical fiction.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Capitan Village Wide Garage Sale Saturday, Sept 9

Sale is from 8:00 until 2:00. 
Pick up map at the library that leads you to all the 
Garage Sale sites
Sponsored by the Capitan Library.  
Look for these signs:

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Double-hitter Chautauqua weekend in Lincoln County

Friday, SEPTEMBER 8
Music from the Ranch and Open Range
presented by Steve Cormier
Capitan Public Library, Capitan
7:00 pm






Saturday, SEPTEMBER 9
Sopranos and Six-Shooters: Great Ladies 
of the Old Western Theatre
presented by VanAnn Moore
Hubbard Museum of the American West, Ruidoso Downs
11:30 am

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Chautauqua - Friday, September 8 at 7 pm

Steve Cormier, the "Singing Cowboy", at the Capitan Public Library
Friday, September 8th at 7 p.m.


Cowboy music is the Western version of the human condition.  Steve Cormier's music is old, traditional cowboy work music, as well as modern cowboy work music.  It reflects his nine years working on ranches and farms in the Flint Hills of Kansas and around Santa Rosa and Fort Sumner, N.M.

Cormier earned a Ph.D. in American studies from the University of N.M, with his dissertation on 20th century New Mexico ranching.  He has published chapters on ranching in two books, "Essays in Twentieth Century New Mexico History" (UNM Press) and "The Multicultural Southwest" (Univ. of Arizona Press). He taught college history for 22 years.

Along the way he played supporting roles in film and television, including "Wyatt Earp", "Gunsmoke" and "Breaking Bad". He also has recorded several albums, including "Este Mundo", "Black Bart", "Zebra Dun" and "Bucking Off".

This program is made possible by New Mexico Humanities Council and Friends of the Capitan Library.

Refreshments will follow the Chautauqua presentation.

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Sign up for the Village Wide Yard Sale!


Sale is September 9 from 8:00 until 2:00.
Fill out your form and pick up your sign no later than Thursday, September 7 at 5:00 pm.

Sponsored by the Capitan Library.  
On the day of the Village Wide Yard Sale, people pick up map at the library that leads them to all the Garage Sale sites.