Friday, June 8, 2018

For your information: Some WWI Facts


European diplomatic alignments shortly before the war. Note: Germany and the Ottoman Empire only formed an alliance shortly following the outbreak of the war.

Map of the world with the participants in World War I in 1917. Allies are in green, the Central Powers in orange and neutral countries in grey.
     World War I began in 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife that occurred on 28 June 1914 in Sarajevo.  He was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne.  Historians feel that a number of factors beyond the assassination contributed to the rivalry between the Great powers that allowed war on such a wide-scale to break out.

     WWI began in the Balkans in late July 21914 and ended November 1918, leaving 17 million dead and 20 million wounded.

     During the conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States (the Allied Powers).



On April 6, 1917, the U.S. joined its allies--Britain, France, and Russia--to fight in World War I. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S. soldiers fought on battlefields in France. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering the war and wanted to remain neutral.






For WWI, the Selective Service Act of May 18, 1917, introduced a system of conscription.

Uncle Sam created in 1917 for Army recruiting posters. Created by James Montgomery Flagg.  He also created 46 other posters during WWI.  Uncle Sam "I want You" posters also used in WWII.

George M. Cohan's song "Over There" captured the patriotic mood of the time.

June 6, when American entered the Battle of Belleau Woods in WWI, is ALSO D-Day for WWII

PBS has an excellent three-part series on WWI.  If you can stream PBS, I recommend watching this series

Red Poppies commemorate WWI. The remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war, and represents a common or field poppy, Papaver rhoeas. Inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields", and promoted by Moina Michael, they were first adopted by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers killed in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in parts of the British Empire. (from wikipedia)
also SEE this year's Vietnam War Memorial poppy display at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-poppy-came-symbolize-world-war-i-180960836/

Animals in the WWI

Sgt Stubby info from Wikipedia 
Stubby is a real dog who was the official mascot of the 102 Infantry Regiment (US), assigned to the26th (Yankee) Division.
     Stubby served for 18 months and participated in seventeen battles on the Western Front. He saved his regiment from surprise mustard gas attacks, found and comforted the wounded, and once caught a German soldier by the seat of his pants, holding him there until American soldiers found him. His actions were well-documented in contemporary American newspapers.
     Stubby has been called the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be nominated for rank and then promoted to sergeant through combat, a claim having no official documentary evidence, but recognized in connection with an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution.
     Sgt. Stubby is the subject of a 2018 animated film:
 Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is a 2018 computer-animated adventure film centering on the real-life Sergeant Stubby, a stray Boston Terrier] who becomes a hero during World War I. Directed and co-written by Richard Lanni. The film was released in North America on April 13, 2018 by Fun Academy Motion Pictures.
     What great way for younger generation to learn about WWI.

American soldiers paying tribute to all the horses that lost their life in World War I.
This was taken in 1918. Very powerful photograph!
below is information accompanying this photo on facebook

The British, Commonwealth and Allied forces enlisted many millions of animals to serve and 
often die alongside their armies. These animals were chosen for a variety of their natural 
instincts and vast numbers were killed, often suffering agonising deaths from wounds, 
starvation, thirst, exhaustion, disease and exposure. 

This Memorial is a fitting and lasting tribute to them all.  There are many inspiring and often
 tragic stories of the great devotion and loyalty shown between horses, mules and donkeys
 and  their masters during some of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century, as can be
 read in Jilly Cooper's moving book Animals in War, published by Corg

Horses, Mules and Donkeys 

Eight million horses and countless mules and donkeys died in the First World War. They were
 used to transport ammunition and supplies to the front and many died, not only from the
 horrors of shellfire but also in terrible weather and appalling conditions. Mules were found to
 have tremendous stamina in extreme climates and over the most difficult terrain, serving 
courageously in the freezing mud on the Western Front and later at Monte Cassino in 
World War II. Equally they toiled unflinchingly in the oppressive heat of Burma, Eritrea 
and Tunisia. 

Dogs

The dog's innate qualities of intelligence and devotion were valued and used by the forces
 in conflicts throughout the century. Among their many duties, these faithful animals ran 
messages, laid telegraph wires, detected mines, dug out bomb victims and acted as guard or
 patrol dogs. Many battled on despite horrific wounds and in terrifying circumstances to the
 limit of their endurance, showing indomitable courage and supreme loyalty to their handlers.

Pigeons

More than 100,000 pigeons served Britain in the First World War and 200,000 in World War II. 
They performed heroically and saved thousands of lives by carrying vital messages, some-
times over long distances, when other methods of communication were impossible. Flying at
 the rate of a mile a minute from the front line, from behind enemy lines or from ships or 
aeroplanes, these gallant birds would struggle on through all weathers, even when severely
 wounded and exhausted, in order to carry their vital messages home.

Other Animals

Elephants, camels, oxen, bullocks, cats, canaries, even glow worms — all these creatures,
 great  and small, contributed their strength, their energy and their lives in times of war and 
conflict to the British, Commonwealth and Allied forces during the 20th century.



2001 Release:   Against the backdrop of the Great War, Joey (the horse) begins an odyssey full of danger, joy and sorrow, and he transforms everyone he meets along the way. 


Monday, June 4, 2018

Sunday Program, June 10 at 2 pm

Want to learn more before Sunday? This just showed up at the Library of American's  Story of the Week   http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2018/06/woundedhow-it-feels-to-be-shot.html?m=1

Computer classes offered at Capitan Library

A basic computer class will be offered at Capitan PL beginning Thursday June 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and will run for 6 weeks. The class is free but limited in size so sign ups are required. Call 354-3035 or come by the Library - 102 E 2nd Street. The class is provided by the Adult Literacy Program. 

Thursday, May 31, 2018

First Saturday means BAG OF BOOKS FOR $5



You might find some books to read in bed
Library open on Saturdays: 10 am to 2 pm

Come grab some books!

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Carrizozo Music Sunday June 3

Free Concert           5-7 PM
Tango Lesson         4 PM 

Burgers on the grill 4-6 PM  ($5 advance, $8 at door) benefit Carrizozo Youth Sports, (575-973-0571 for ticket info)

Bring a lawn chair and join us for a fun evening!  Please pass the word!
Carrizozo Music, Inc. is pleased to announce that Folias Duo, international renown husband  and wife duet from Grand Rapids, MI, will perform in a Portico Concert on Sunday, June 3 from 5-7 PM
at the Carrizozo Woman’s Club.   Bring a lawn chair, enjoy an evening of tangos and milongas,
a tango lesson, and burgers off the grill. 
This event is sponsored by a Lincoln County Art Grant.


Folias Duo features flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. Bergeron and Maret met at
 Michigan State  University while finishing their Master’s Degrees in Music. 
The formation of the duo was brought about  by a mutual
 inspiration for the music of Astor Piazzolla and through their work as Argentine tango dance band leaders.
 Folias Duo's  fifteen year performer/composer collaboration has taken this nomadic husband and 
wife duo to stages throughout the United States and around the globe including Sweden, 
Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, and Chile. They have a fearless approach 
to developing new compositions for flute and guitar, an expertise for arrangements of
Argentine tango, and a passion for South American folk, jazz and world music.

Andrew Bergeron is instructor of guitar and music theory at Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Valley 
State University and Aquinas College. Andrew is a founding performer and composer with the Grand
 Rapids Guitar Quartet. He is also a Blue Griffin Performing artist. 
Carmen Maret is an endorsed Pearl Flutes artist and Blue Griffin Recording artist. Carmen is professor of 
flute at Aquinas College.  

Charlotte Pawlak, who studied dance at Texas Tech University, and danced with Deborah Rogers at 
the Ruidoso Dance Ensemble, will teach a free tango lesson at 4 PM. Come learn to tango, or watch
 the fun while enjoying a burger.  

Carrizozo Youth Sports, Inc. will hold a benefit with burgers or vegie burgers hot off the grill, chips and 
drink from 4-6:30.   Dinner tickets are $5 for advance sales or $8 at the door.  Call Fran at 575-973-0571 or go to www.carrizozomusic.org for ticket information.  Take-out available.  

For information about Carrizozo Music, Inc., the 2018 season schedule and concert updates please
 check www.carrizozomusic.org, email carrizozomusic@gmail.com or call Elaine at 575-648-2757.  Carrizozo Music, a 501c3, sponsors a series of classical concerts, summer Portico Concerts and
 an extensive school outreach program of concerts and workshops, with a commitment to providing
 free quality music to the students and residents of Lincoln County and the surrounding area.
 
To reach the Woman’s Club from Route 54, turn West at 12th Street, between the 54 Emporium and
 Roy's Ice Cream Parlor. Turn right onto D Ave and drive one block to the historic WPA building on the
 corner of 11th Street and D Avenue (908 11th Street, Carrizozo, 88301).


Monday, May 28, 2018

Be a Rock Star!

Sponsor a child in Summer Reading. $10 helps provide snacks, prizes and speakers. 
     What you will be supporting for the next generation:

The benefits of summer reading programming for children:
  • Children are motivated to read.
  • Children develop positive attitudes about reading, books, and the library.
  • Children maintain their reading skills during summer vacation.
  • Children have access to experiences that further their sense of discovery.
  • Children have access to experiences through which they can learn to work cooperatively.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Libraries Rock! Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading starts June 4 meeting every Monday at 10 am to 11:30 am. ( We've got treats to eat while here for the program.)  For 8 weeks a new program happens that Monday with the final grand program/party on July 23. We are still accepting registrations.  If you have grandkids visiting for a week or two in the Summer, bring the kids on over to participate in that week's program.
















The benefits of summer reading programming for children:
  • Children are motivated to read.
  • Children develop positive attitudes about reading, books, and the library.
  • Children maintain their reading skills during summer vacation.
  • Children have access to experiences that further their sense of discovery.
  • Children have access to experiences through which they can learn to work cooperatively.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Help place flags for Memorial Day at Fort Stanton on Friday, May 25 @ 9:30

     Spencer Volunteer Ushers will again be leading and placing the American flags on the grave sites of those who have passed at the Fort Stanton State Veteran's Cemetery in getting ready for the Memorial Day ceremony on Saturday morning.  There are 1,800 flags that need to be placed on Friday and removed on Tuesday
     Please encourage all those who are interested in helping to place these flags.  It is a privilege to be able to do this and honor those who served this country.

Time:  9:30 A.M.

Place:  Fort Stanton State Veteran's Cemetery, Fort Stanton

Please bring a screw driver to ensure that flags can be placed in the hole.  

Creative Aging Meeting: Friday, May 25 at 10am, ENMU-Ruidoso Room #102

Resilience is the topic of this meeting.
It focuses on how to recover from difficult experiences.
Aging has its challenges, learning about resilience can help us all to persevere through troubled times and increase our resourcefulness to move on and live fully.
I hope you will enjoy this presentation as much as I have studying it.

Dr. Steve Poland is a psychologist who teaches resilience at UNM’s Continuing Education Dept
This presentation will be interactive with a desire to hear your stories, both stories of success and those of failures when faced with unexpected challenges.
We believe we can learn a great deal from each other.
And refreshments this time will be a POTLUCK.
Please bring something to eat and share. Bring friends as well.
I will provide coffee and water.
Thank you for your continued support and volunteer help.
Clara Farah, clrfarah@gmail.com 575.975.7835

Program from NM Humanities at Ruidoso Library: Thursday, May 24 @ 1 pm


Monday, May 21, 2018

FYI: Knutt Peterson mention both of these places in his talk last Sunday. Here's your chance to join a hiking group to go there

Yesterday at the Fort Stanton Cave update, Knutt Peterson mentioned Feather Cave in the Fort Stanton BLM.  Well, the Huff'nPuff hiking group is going there Wednesday, May 23.

"May 23rd Feather Shelter in Fort Stanton area. Hike led by Mike Bilbo. Distance and terrain unknown.  Meet at 8:30 at Fort Stanton Museum.  Remember water, sunscreen, snacks, trek poles, etc." Contact: huffnpuffhikers@windstream.net

(P.S. I needed poles for stability to get up & down the trail to the cave - they really helped!)

Also on Wednesday, Trail Snails hiking group is going to Rio Bonito Petroglyphs Trail in Fort Stanton BLM.  This trail was also mentioned by Knutt Peterson in his talk Sunday.

"Rio Bonito Petroglyphs trail, a loop of about 3 miles. Here is the forecast for that area:  A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Meet at 08:30 AM at the entrance to Eagle Creek Sports Complex parking area on Ski Run Road."  Contact: Jim Edwards <trailsnail1@gmail.com>


Friday, May 18, 2018

Snowy River / Fort Stanton Cave UPDATE Sunday, May 20 @ 2 pm


Snowy River
Cave and karst specialist, Knutt Peterson of Bureau of Land Management, presents the latest information on The Fort Stanton - Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) at the Capitan Public Library on 
Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. 

With the discovery of Snowy River Passage in 2001 within Fort Stanton Cave, a tremendous amount of exploration and scientific research has been accomplished. Extensive photo-documentation has occurred and exploration continues to the extent of human endurance.  


NCA area - more than 25,000 acres
In 2009 the area around Fort Stanton Cave was designated as a National Conservation Area (NCA) with more than 
25,000 acres in order to protect this important resource. The new NCA is managed by the 
BLM out of the Roswell Field Office. Access to the Snowy River discovery is limited to research and exploration teams.

Peterson is  also the Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Fort Stanton NCA. He is a GIS specialist and geographer having earned a MS in Physical Geography and a BS in Geography with a Geology minor from the University of New Mexico.

On the public computers at the Capitan Library is a simulation for the Fort Stanton Cave Study Project Caver Quest. This is a 3D simulation of sections of Fort Stanton Cave and the Snowy River.  It it like a video game with avatars to explore the cave. You can explore some of it at home on a 14.4 MB wmv video file or a longer 46.2 MB wmv video at
 https://fscsp.org/CQ6/index.html , although it requires some lengthy download time (in fact they suggest you go out for a cup of coffee while it downloads).  NO downloading required if you come use Caver Quest on library computers!

Peterson will devote a portion of his presentation to show Caver Quest to the audience. The simulation gives you a “bat’s eye view “ of the cave.  

 Refreshments will be served at the back of the cave following the presentation.

 For more information call Capitan Public Library at 575-354-3035.  
The library is located at 
101 E. 2nd Street, Capitan





Visit us online at:  www.capitanlibrary.org  OR 

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

And now - a little unknown history from Lynda Sanchez

 The  American Dream story as it should be:

​HOW the POCKET WATCH started a Company

If you were in the market for a watch in 1880, would you know where to get one? You would go to a store, right? Well, of course you could do that, but if you wanted one that was cheaper and a bit better than most of the store watches, you went to the train station!

Sound a bit funny? Well, for about 500 towns across the northern United States, that's where the best watches were found.
  
Why were the best watches found at the train station? The railroad company wasn't selling the watches, not at all. The telegraph operator was. Most of the time the telegraph operator was located in the railroad station because the telegraph lines followed the railroad tracks from town to town. It was usually the shortest distance and the right-of-way had already been secured for the rail line.

Most of the station agents were also skilled telegraph operators and it was the primary way they communicated with the railroad. They would know when trains left the previous station and when they were due at their next station. And it was the telegraph operator who had the watches. As a matter of fact, they sold more of them than almost all the stores combined for a period of about 9 years.

This was all arranged by "Richard", who was a telegraph operator himself. He was on duty in the North Redwood, Minnesota train station one day when a load of watches arrived from the East. It was a huge crate of pocket watches. No one ever came to claim them. So Richard sent a telegram to the manufacturer and asked them what they wanted to do with the watches. The manufacturer didn't want to pay the freight back, so they wired Richard to see if he could sell them. So Richard did. He sent a wire to every agent in the system asking them if they wanted a cheap, but good, pocket watch. He sold the entire case in less than two days and at a handsome profit. That started it all.

He ordered more watches from the watch company and encouraged the telegraph operators to set up a display case in the station offering high quality watches for a cheap price to all the travelers. It worked! It didn't take long for the word to spread and, before long, people other than travelers came to the train station to buy watches. Richard became so busy that he had to hire a professional watchmaker to help him with the orders. That was Alvah. And the rest is history as they say. The business took off and soon expanded to many other lines of dry goods. Richard and Alvah left the train station and moved their company to Chicago -- and it's still there..
YES, IT'S A LITTLE KNOWN FACT that for a while in the 1880's, the biggest watch retailer in the country was at the train station. It all started with a telegraph operator: Richard Sears and partner Alvah Roebuck ​! ... the beginning of Sears stores in 1893...

Sadly we now observe the demise of the once venerated company.​

Now that's some history for you....