COPE Open House in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The Center Of Protective Environment (COPE) held an Open House for the residents of Otero and Lincoln Counties in Alamogordo, New Mexico on Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00PM. Delicious refreshments were provided by the COPE Board of Directors as well as tours of the new improved offices of the organization.

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce orchestrated a ribbon cutting ceremony with COPE Executive Director Kay Gomolak handily wielding the scissors.

Mayor Richard Boss read a proclamation issued by the city to COPE. Kay gave an interesting short history of the organization of how it started and how it arrived to this point.

Glenda Mendoza, board member

Board Members Linda Carr and Judy Pingle. Judy was the original founder of COPE

Board Member Carla Kerr

Teresa Ham, Producer and Director of the COPE annual fundraiser concert with Executive Director Kay Gomolak

President Jerold Wiley of the COPE Board of Directors

Rebecca Williams is secretary of the Ruidoso Satellite office of COPE

Angela Randall, Volunteer Coordinator of Thrive in Alamogordo

COPE Board Vice President Carol Teweleit talking with current COPE Secretary/past President Sheila Harrison

An attendee talking with City Commissioner Nadia Sikes

Kim Boss makes a point to her husband, Mayor Boss, while Reverend James Forney looks on

COPE Board Member and Treasurer Reverend James Forney

The ever lovely Teresa Ham

Executive Director Kay Gomolak cutting the ribbon

Kay receives a plant and a certificate from the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce

Kay relating the history of COPE to the group

Judy Pingel, COPE founder, adds her thoughts and information on COPE

Kay's daughter from Las Cruces, NM also photographed the event

Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss reading the Official Proclamation

Kay, receiving the Proclamation from Mayor Boss

Everyone held hands as Reverend Forney prayed for the continued success of COPE

Carla with the Alamogordo Daily News writer and photographer Tara Melton

This was a lovely event and well attended by the citizens of Alamogordo. The food was plentiful and delicious. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the event photos.

This is all I have to say for now.

COPE Christmas Party in Alamogordo, New Mexico

Friday, December 9, 2016

Board members and employees of the Center Of Protective Environment (COPE) gathered for a dinner and Chinese Auction at Carino's Restaurant in Alamogordo, NM. This is one of the few times during the year that everyone gets to meet and converse with all the people in the organization and it is a great way to make new friends.

For those of you unaware, COPE is an organization formed to give assistance to spouses and children suffering abuse. COPE provides Emergency Shelter, Crisis Intervention, Legal and Medical Advocacy, Counseling and Support Groups, Children's Programs, Community Education, Information and Referral, Emergency Clothing and Household Items. They have a 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 575-437-2673 in Alamogordo and 866-350-2673 in Ruidoso.

Executive Director Kay Gomolak gave a brief overview of the year and we ate dinner and visited. Then we began the Chinese Auction game. In this version, an item can be stolen three times. Everyone seemed to have a grand time. I know the conversation at our table was most interesting.

COPE Attorney Michael Keedy and his beautiful wife, Susan

Kay Gomolak, Executive Director of COPE, table hopping and talking with Molly and Susan

Perry Lawson, Community Education and Outreach Director of COPE, and Judy Pingle, board member

Carla Kerr, board member of COPE and husband, Douglas

Kay Gomolak, Esteemed Executive Director of COPE

Former COPE attorney Molly Kicklighter

She can't decide which one to pick

Molly on the right and they are both obviously amused at something

Yvonne Sours, Cope board member inspects her package

What a beautiful cross. Hope she got to keep it.

Perry got a Crown Royal set (but not for long)

He is seriously contemplating his gift

Cute pose

Looks like Ingrid Fowler (newest COPE Board Member) got a RumChata package

Carla Kerr got a Scentsy candle, but not for long

Carla picked one for her husband, Doug and it is a frame filled with scratch offs

She got a lovely bottle of Cabernet Savignon with those magazines

Party attendees visiting

Carla, having lost another gift, contemplating which other to choose

Looks like Kay got the champagne

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking the great pictures. If he missed someone, we do apologize, but his stander-upper is not well so he just shot from where he sat.

This is all I have to say for now.

Democratic Party of Otero County, New Mexico Holds Convention

February 20, 2016

A number of Democrats met at the First Presbyterian Church in Alamogordo, New Mexico for the Democratic Party of Otero County (DPOC) Convention to select delegates to attend the New Mexico State Democratic Pre-Primary Convention in Albuquerque on March 12, 2016.

Several people came from around the state including Mariaelena Johnson from Chaparral who checked everyone in and ascertained their voting eligibility. Also, Eric Spitty came to represent the Mescalero community. Neomi Martinez-Parra, Secretary of the State of New Mexico Democratic Party drove all the way from Lordsburg, New Mexico. Patsy Duran and her brother, Paul Duran, were here from Tularosa, New Mexico. Stephen Jones, representative of the State Central Committee from CD2/Photographer came from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Stephanie DuBois, a representative of the State Central Committee from CD2/also running for the post of Otero County Clerk and her father, Doc DuBois were here from Tularosa, New Mexico.

The venue was lovely and Judy Pingel, DPOC Treasurer, rushed around in the well appointed kitchen at the church and created some delicious food for everyone.

Nadia Sikes, Chair of DPOC conducted the meeting with Stephen Jones explaining how the delegates are selected and what happens at the Pre-Primary Convention in Albuquerque. Other speakers were Mariaelena Johnson and Neomi Martinez-Parra. Denise Lang spoke of her decision to run for Democratic Representative from Otero County and Stephanie DuBoise talked of her decision to run for Otero County Clerk. Jeff Swanson gave a report from the Financial Committee of the State Democratic Party telling us how thankful he is that the debt they inherited is almost paid.

Eric Spitty from the Mescalero Community

L to R: Judy Pingel with her back to us, Patsy Duran and her brother Paul Duran

L to R: Kenna Stormogipson, Bill Wheatley, Carla Kerr, Linda Barker, Tina, AJ and unknown man

94 Year-old Doc DuBois, our favorite WWII Veteran and loyal Democrat

Carla and Donna Swanson

L to R: Ken, Eric and Denise Lang

Neomi Martinez-Parra talking with Nadia Sikes, DPOC Chair

Nadia

Stephen Jones

Mariaelena Johnson

Denise Lang

Stephanie DuBois

Jeff Swanson

Neomi Martinez-Parra

Doug and I are now delegates to the Pre-Primary State Convention in Albuquerque that takes place on March 12, 2016 and we are excited. Thanks so much to Judy Pingel for the tasty food and all her hard work and preparation. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the great photos.

This is all I have to say for now.