Saturday, April 16, 2016

Red Hatters of Alamogordo Explore Carrizozo, New Mexico

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society took a road trip to Carrizozo, New Mexico to explore this small town. The town had many unexpected surprises. Carrizzo is known as the town of burros and indeed, sculpted and painted burros of every description are scattered at various locations and in their art galleries as well. The program is known as The Burro Serenade.

On the way to Carrizozo we stopped at Three Rivers Petroglyphs and indulged in a wee bit of shopping, the Red Hat Society's official sport.

Our first stop in Carrizozo was the Emporium where we were hosted by a dear man who filled us in on various must see places in town and the best place to dine for a large group such as ours. The Emporium is stocked with amazing items from the 1800's up to the present time. Again, purchases were made before we moved on to the lovely Malkerson's 408 Gallery where there were a number of painted burros. I purchased a lovely piece of Raku depicting petroglyphs duplicated from Three Rivers, created and titled by noted Taos, New Mexico artist Hollis Hansen, "The Gang's All Here".

The girls were getting hungry so we drove to the now defunct golf course to a beautiful new restaurant and gift shop called The Rustic Antler. It is owned by a charming family and they've been open for business since October of last year. The service and food were excellent and we had a grand time there. I highly recommend that you visit them for an excellent dining experience. While there, we sang and kazoo'd Happy Birthday to Lu Mattson and Gale Swineford. The owner brought out a bouquet of purple balloons to celebrate the occasion.

A lady, JoAnn Butler was having a meeting at another table with two gentlemen and when her meeting was over she asked questions about the Red Hat Society and expressed an interest in starting a chapter in Carrizozo which I plan to follow up on and help her get started.

We drove back downtown and went into the Photography Studio which was exhibiting the award winning photos from the latest New Mexico Magazine among many others. They also had a burro in their front window with an antique motion picture camera.

One last stop was made at a coppersmith shop and he was quite friendly and informative. It seems that the movie starring Denzel Washington, "The Book of Eli" was filmed right there in Carrizozo on 12th Street.

We all agreed that our road trip to Carrizozo was well worth our time and we still didn't see everything.

Indian Joe making a play for Trudy Reese at Three Rivers Petroglyphs Shop

Jan Jennings paying for a beautiful pendant she treated herself to
Lu Mattson, one of our birthday girls
Gail Swineford (our other birthday girl) amused at something
The pendant that Jan purchased
Jan enamoured with Indian Joe
A vinyard burro inside the Malkerson's 408 Gallery
This burro appears to have a middle-eastern decor
The artist just went wild with color on this burro
L to R: Trudy, VQ Donna Williams, Margie Purcella and Alice Johnston-Evan taking a rest break
A close-up of VQ Donna, Margie and Alice with a brightly painted burro
Carla purchased this lovely Petroglyph wall-hanging done in the Raku medium by noted Taos, NM artist Hollis Hansen
L to R: Lu, Trudy, Gail and Margie at The Rustic Antler
L to R: Alice, Jan and VQ Donna
Margie and Alice sharing this scrumptious looking (HUGE) banana split
The movie maker burro at the Photography Studio
There is no doubt that we need to return to Carrizozo sometime in the near future because what we've explored will have changed and there was still much more to see.

Thanks to Doug Kerr for taking my picture before I left for Carrizozo. I always seem to be behind the camera.
This is all I have to say for now.

Addendum: Lu Mattson was busy with her camera that day and I wanted you to see what she captured.

Indian Joe with Alice Johnston-Evan

Indian Joe with Gail Swineford
Indian Joe with Lu Mattson
The ever popular Indian Joe with Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr
Indian Joe with Margie Purcella
Indian Joe with VQ Donna Williams
Indian Joe with Jan Jennings
Indian Joe with Trudy Reese
Thanks to Lu Mattson for taking these FUN pictures and to Indian Joe for posing so patiently with us.

This really is all I have to say!





Thursday, April 14, 2016

Mayor Richard Boss Declares April 8, 2016 Stephen DuBois Day in Alamogordo, New Mexico

April 8, 2016

Many citizens gathered to honor Stephen "Doc" DuBois on his 95th birthday, April 8, 2016 at the Alamogordo City Hall where Mayor Richard Boss read a proclamation officially declaring this day to be Alamogordo Stephen DuBois Day.

"Doc" as he is affectionately known by all is a Pearl Harbor survivor as well as a veteran of several conflicts in the military. He lives with his daughter, Stephanie DuBois, in Tularosa, New Mexico where they maintain a dog grooming business, are on the Board of Directors of the Red Brick School House project, and are dedicated Democrats, attending many if not most of the Democratic Party of Otero County meetings in Alamogordo. He has been a member of the State Central Committee for the State of New Mexico's Democratic Party for years. Doc has also volunteered his time, talents and expertise to the Health Clinic in Tularosa, the Planning and Zoning Committee for both Otero County and Tularosa and was instrumental in bringing the VA Clinic to the community. He is a lifetime member of the VFW and the Marine Corps League.

Military Color Guard
Honoree Stephen "Doc" DuBois
Gloria and Tony Marie
Doc DuBois being greeted by one of his many friends with Nadia Sikes standing by
Mayor Boss reading the official proclamation
Mayor Boss presenting the proclamation to Doc DuBois
Warren G. Booker, Commander VFW Post 7686, Alamogordo, New Mexico
Doc showing his proclamation
Carla Kerr congratulating Doc on his honor
A representative from Holloman AFB congratulates Doc
Doc, surrounded by members of the Marine Corps League
Tara Melton, Reporter and Photographer for The Alamogordo Daily News
L to R: Commander Booker,  Stephen "Doc" DuBois and his daughter, Stephanie DuBois
Doc with Nadia and Stephanie
Carla Kerr, Doc DuBois and Stephanie DuBois
Doc DuBois, Stephanie and another well-wisher from the Marine Corps League
Stephen DuBois Day was a grand affair and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy the whole event. Mayor Boss said he thought the entire country should honor him and we certainly concur.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for the fine pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.