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Inserted in this edition
What’s
happening June 19
Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club at IMG
Live Stand-Up Comedy Series with professional comedians performing every Wednesday night at Inn of the Mountain Gods. 7 p.m. 575-464-7028, Innofthemountaingods.com. $5 admission, must be 21 or older.
June 20-22
Miss New Mexico pageant at the Spencer
Three nights of preliminary rounds and final competition for the beautiful and talented candidates seeking the Miss New Mexico 2013 scholarship and crown as well as Miss Outstanding Teen Crown. June 20, 7 p.m.: 1st preliminary round. Jun 21, 7 p.m.: 2nd preliminary and crowning Miss Teen. Jun 22, 8 p.m.: Miss New Mexico Final Competition. Spencer Theater of Performing Arts, 575-3364800. $29-$49 for different events.
June 22
NM Classic Car Show for Make A Wish Foundation With a goal to raise more than last year’s $15,000, attend this incredible Classic car show for benefit of Make A Wish Foundation granting wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Ruidoso Convention Center, 9 a.m. 512-413-5658, www. newmexicoclassiccarshow. com.
Petting Zoo and Archery Shoot
Parks and Recreation sponsored petting zoo with camel, Scottish bull, Tyrannosaurus Rex and llamas plus an archery shoot including taking a shot from the toy passenger train. Wingfield Park, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 575-257-5030.
June 23
Santa Fe Opera Educational Outreach seminar series
Barbara Westbrook, Ruidoso’s own opera diva, continues her Annual Santa Fe Opera Educational Outreach Seminar series by conducting two different lectures previewing two of this year’s operas being presented at the 2013 Santa Fe Opera Festival. Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea House, 3 p.m. 575-257-2273. Free.
‘40 Years at the Keyboard’ annual piano concert by Bryan Hutchison
Featuring works by Maurice Ravel and Frederic Chopin. Open to the public, reception following. First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road. 3 p.m. 575-378-8160. Free
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013 • W W W . R U I D O S O F R E E P R E S S . C O M • V OL . 5 , N O. 2 4
A property of
Public transportation at a crossroads, running on fumes By Eugene Heathman Editor eugene@ruidosofreepress.com The Lincoln County Transit system has reached a critical crossroads in its development. The service has a loyal and growing customer base and is recognized by elected officials and many of its citizens for its value, yet funding remains the transit service’s greatest challenge. There is a general consensus that the existing system “has to grow” or will not survive, and that is probably true. The service agreement between the Village of Ruidoso and the City of Ruidoso Downs states that established bus stops should be agreed upon and signs should be installed. Village councilors last week felt that established routes would be a cost saving measure. This hasn’t been done so far. They talked
strategies for the transit manager. The City of about substantially changing the format of their Ruidoso Downs, the Village of Ruidoso and service from demand-response to fixed route Lincoln County commissioners, considering and minimizing Para transit service to people that were incapable of using the fixed route bus. their elected representation encompasses areas of heavy ridership should develop a relationship Ruidoso Downs has once again threatened with Lincoln County Transit, including a strateto pull funding all together. Days and times gic oversight mechanism that will maximize the of service have been slashed. The Ruidoso Valley Economic Development Corporation See PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, pg. A3 (RVEDC) agrees there is a need for public transit in Ruidoso/Lincoln Ruidoso is at Level III Fire Restrictions County as evidenced by successThe village has moved to Level III which includes ful transit systems in many Rocky requiring all chainsaw users to have a permit prior Mountain resort communities. In a to use, among other restrictions. Permits are free statement released by the RVEDC, at the fire station, 541 Sudderth. Permits allow fire “Public transit in this community personnel to be aware of village activity. can benefit to everyone but will For a complete list of restrictions, visit surely fail without civic and business RuidosoFreePress.com or call 575 257-3473. leaders working together to outline
San Juan’s Day in Lincoln By Gary Cozzens
On June 24, 1887 the village of Lincoln observed the first San Juan’s Day to celebrate the completion of building the San Juan Mission. The tradition continued for many years but was discontinued recently. On Monday, June 24, San Juan’s Day will be observed again in Lincoln at the San Juan Mission. Father Mike Williams will lead the community in celebrating mass at noon on that day. Owners of the property is a “who’s who” of Lincoln County history and includes Hugh Beckwith, L. G. Murphy, James Dolan, John Riley, Alexander McSween, Isaac Ellis and John “Squire” Wilson. Fr. John Marie Garnier purchased the lot in June 1884 and deeded it to Archbishop Lamy in February 1885. The original Catholic Church was in the converted Chapman Saloon which opened its doors in February 1885. While Fr. Garnier was waiting, he ordered a magnificent bell which weighed 800 pounds from Henry Stuckstede & Co., brass and bell finders. The bell cost $160 and it cost another $41.35 to freight it down to Lincoln from Corona arriving in Lincoln the last part of March 1885. On Nov. 22, 1886 the “Catolicos del Rio Bonito” met in the Cortes home in Lincoln to build a new church. Locals built the church using materials from the area. The rock foundation was completed on April 10 and the construction of the walls soon followed, both under the supervision of Refugio Chavez y Archuleta. Religious furnishings to include the bell were moved from the “Convento” next door. The church was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, on El Dia de San Juan on June 24, 1887. Thereafter, every San Juan’s Day was celebrated with a special mass. A rosary was often held the night before and luminarias were set along the street for festive lighting. The San Juan Day festivities of 1906 were described in a Capitan newspaper: “… the most successful and devout celebration that has ever been held here. The church was filled. Everyone showed the great respect and adoration, which gained the admiration of all the non-Catholics who had
Photo courtesy of Gary Cozzens
come to watch. “During vespers the traditional procession (around the church) went in good order, the parish priest explained very clearly about the procession and why we do it. Later, he told us the reason why we honor the saints. “At the end of the mass, that was sung beautifully by our choir, the organ was played for the first time by Miss Bernis Barber, the priest gave a beautiful sermon on San Juan.” (El Farol: June 26, 1906) Unable to maintain a deteriorating building, the handful of resident parishioner’s sold the church to the Old Lincoln County Memorial Commission in July of 1973. The church was renovated in 1981 and today is a valuable structure within the Lincoln Historic Site, formerly the Lincoln State Monument. Recently, Lincoln residents have requested to return to celebrating San Juan’s Day and Fr. Williams has agreed to conduct the service. The local EcoServant group has thoroughly cleaned the interior of the church and parts of the outside are getting a fresh coat of paint. Everyone is invited to participate in this local tradition at the San Juan Mission on Monday, June 24 at noon. For more information contact Gary Cozzens, manager of the Lincoln Historic Site at 575-653-4082.
Sheriff ’s Office updates county drug activity burglaries in the county is to fund By Sue Hutchison drug purchases. “Burglaries are down Reporter right now, but that doesn’t mean we suehutch@valornet.com shouldn’t be vigilant,” explained the Last week’s monthly Republican sheriff. “$200 worth of drugs needs meeting at Cree Meadow Country Club about $2,000 worth of stuff to sell,” began with an appeal. “We would like he continued and alerted residents to to offer a place for all conservatives to take precautions to avoid becoming come together as we try to improve our victimized. country and get our message out,” said Shepperd said one of the most Jim Lowrance, chairman. Lowrance effective signals burglars watch for is introduced the evening’s focus speakchained driveways. If the chain hasn’t ers, Robert Shepperd, Lincoln County been moved for a few days, it may sheriff, along with Undersheriff Kent Cramer, who presented information Sue Hutchison/Ruidoso Free Press mean the home is a second residence and provide an opportunity for a about current issues which affect At left, Kent Cramer; at right, Jim Lowrance break-in. Shepperd said the presence residents. of a dog, or a home-security-alert sticker affixed Gangs and drug cartel activity aren’t merely sworn deputies. Shepperd’s staff covers Carrizourban area issues. Lincoln County faces these zo, Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, Capitan, Lincoln, to a prominent window may deter burglars. With cocaine, marijuana and heroin in the and other challenges, according to Shepperd Hondo and the valley, White Oaks and Corona. county among other illegal substances, another and Cramer. With a jurisdiction of 4,859 square “We have revived our narcotics unit,” large problem is the theft of prescription miles and a population of more than 20,000, said Shepperd. His officers are finding drugs drugs. Cramer asked the group if any knew the county delivers challenges to the sheriff’s at routine traffic stops across the county, and staff of 32 full time employees, 18 of which are have found that one of the main reasons for See DRUG ACTIVITY, pg. A3 ROOM 3 BED
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