Fall….my favorite time of the year in Ruidoso! AspenFest is just around the corner, and the fall colors are shining all around us. The month of October also means that it is almost time for the annual Midtown Halloween Celebration that includes trick-or-treating, pumpkin rolls, costume contests, and a local favorite – the coffin race! Mark your calendars so that you don’t miss a minute of any of these great events.
I want to take a moment to update you on our ongoing wildfire and flood recovery efforts. Despite the challenges we’ve faced, I am constantly amazed by our community’s resilience. It shines through brightly, and it encourages me beyond belief.
Our dedicated teams have been working tirelessly on clean-up operations throughout the affected areas. We’re making significant progress in clearing debris, repairing infrastructure, and restoring our beautiful landscapes.
I’ve seen firsthand the spirit of volunteerism and neighborly support that makes Ruidoso special. Your patience, understanding, and active participation in our recovery process have been simply incredible.
While there’s still work to be done, I’m confident that together, we’ll emerge stronger than ever. We are committed to rebuilding and enhancing our community’s resilience against future natural disasters. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Ruidoso’s bright future is a testament to the strength and unity of our people.
Remember to tune in to 1490 KRUI – The Mountain every Monday morning from 8:00 – 10:00 AM for Mondays with the Mayor . We are here to answer your questions and invite you to call in or send us a text and talk about whatever is on your mind.
Until next time, stay safe and stay strong, Ruidoso.
Mayor Lynn Crawford
Mayor Lynn Crawford
VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Recent Actions
September 10, 2024, Village Council Meeting Highlights:
» Approval of a Water Project Fund Loan/Grant Agreement by and between the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) and the Village of Ruidoso, in the Total Amount of $3,645,695, for Country Club Subdivision Waterline Replacement.
» Adoption of Resolution 2024-40, a Resolution Adopting the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for Fiscal Years 2026-2030.
» Approval of Agreement with Eco Servants, Inc. for Professional Services for Community Partnership Improvement Projects and Services.
» Approval of Contract for Goods and Services for Waterline Erosion Protection Project at Eagle Creek Sports Complex with Crosstown Construction & Trucking, LLC.
» Approval of Contract for Services Between the County of Lincoln and the Village of Ruidoso to Provide Library Services to All Citizens Within the Boundaries of Lincoln County.
» Approval of Contract for Public Transportation with Zia Therapy Center to Provide Public Transportation within the Village of Ruidoso for Fiscal Year 2024/2025.
Next Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT
603 Mechem Workforce Housing Update
The workforce housing development at 603 Mechem is taking shape as 4 of the 10 homes have been brought to the site. All units are scheduled to be in place by Halloween. The contractor continues to finish pad sites, and all utilities are on track to be installed by January.
As a reminder, the VOR is coordinating the transportation of these modular homes to the property to minimize disruptions and delays; however, there may be brief interruptions to ease the movement of the units through the Village.
For those interested in living at 603 Mechem, a waitlist is being managed by Berkshire Hathaway. For more information on the qualifications, please call 575-257-4011. For additional details on the overall project, reach out to Michael Martinez at 575-258-4343 ext. 1006
Pictured from left to right: Greg Cory, Gary Jackson, Darren Hooker, Lynn Crawford, Mayor Pro Tem Rifle Salas, Susan Lutterman, Joe Eby
WINGFIELD HERITAGE HOUSE MUSEUM
Open House and Ribbon Cutting
The open house and ribbon cutting for the Wingfield Heritage House Museum on October 17, 2024, will celebrate the opening of a new home for history here in Ruidoso. The free event will begin at 12:00 Noon with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by an open house from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. From 4:00 – 6:00 PM, there will be live music, light hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. The public is invited to join in on the fun and tour the newly renovated Wingfield House.
The Wingfield House was built in the 1920s by Ike and Lula Wingfield. The Wingfield family lived in the home for three generations as they farmed their homestead and founded some of the earliest businesses in Ruidoso. Later, the home was used as several different businesses including restaurants and shops. In anticipation of making the house into a museum, the building was renovated to stabilize and repair the structure, return it to its original footprint, and make it suitable for housing exhibitions on local history.
Exhibits in the museum focus on the history of Ruidoso and the neighboring areas. One room highlights the Wingfield family and their life in early Ruidoso. Other rooms focus on the ancient people who lived here, life in early Lincoln County, the development of Ruidoso into the town it is today, and historical notes about the people who have lived, worked, and played in the Ruidoso area.
Come by and visit Ruidoso’s newest attraction!
PARKS & RECREATION
Ceremony
You are cordially invited to attend the Wingfield Heritage House Museum Ribbon Cutting and Open House Celebration
HERITAGE HOUSE
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Wingfield Heritage House Museum 2813 Sudderth Drive Ruidoso, NM
12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM Ribbon Cutting 2:00 - 4:00 PM Open House Reception 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Live Music, Food, Drinks Shuttle service will be available from the Mashburn Parking Lot behind Midtown from 2:00 - 6:00 PM
New Playground at Schoolhouse Park
The Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce that the new playground at School House Park is open! This playground was fully funded by a quality-of-life grant provided by the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration that can only be used for parks and recreation infrastructure. These enhancements to this park were completed at no cost to the citizens of Ruidoso.
The playground is designed to look like a miniature ranger station, featuring state-of-the-art padded fall protection and many fun new features for all kids to enjoy. A new fence was placed around the park to provide a safe place for the youth in this community.
WE ARE HIRING!
The Village of Ruidoso is looking for qualified people to join our team! We currently have openings in several departments, and we offer opportunities for competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and NM Public Employees Retirement Association plans!
• Earn more with the Village’s pay-for-performance plan
• Progressive pay and step plans are available
• Continuing education courses and specialized training are available
• Excellent opportunities for advancement in all departments
COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION
Kitchen and Restroom Renovation Update
In recent months, the Ruidoso Community Center has undergone renovations after staff secured $372,826 from the New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Capital Outlay Department. White Sands Construction did an outstanding job on all Community Center renovations. The projects awarded were for the renovation of the commercial kitchen and four restrooms inside the center.
The purpose of the kitchen renovation project was to bring everything into compliance with regards to safety standards and to make it more useful for the affordable meals that the center produces for the public each week. The commercial kitchen project included the placement of fiberglass reinforced plastic and stainless steel on all the walls for sanitary purposes as well as to hide exposed electrical lines. The walls between the kitchen and the dining room were renovated to make a window for placement of dirty dishes and to reduce the number of people entering the kitchen. The dining room, kitchen, and storage area also had a ceiling renovation to ensure the cleanliness of each area. The entry door to the kitchen was moved near the storage area where new shelves were built to provide more space to store items used for food service.
The bathroom renovation was done to ensure cleanliness and privacy for patrons using the center. The restroom renovation included the placement of new sinks, countertops, and vanities. Tile was placed on all the walls alleviating any concerns of uncleanliness. Automatic faucets were placed in all restrooms, and the large restrooms had doors placed on them to allow for more privacy.
The Ruidoso Community Center has been renovated several times over the last 13 years to continuously ensure useful and safe standards for patrons who use the center for any purpose. The Community Center staff is proud to offer such a great place for activities and socialization to the public and will continue to improve any areas necessary to ensure this community always has the best experience possible.
RUIDOSO MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT From the Desk of Superintendent Becca Ferguson
Enhancing Communication Channels for Our Community
Ruidoso School District is continually working to improve our communication methods to ensure important updates reach our community efficiently and effectively. We encourage you to stay connected with the variety of platforms we use. Sign up to receive messages from our schools via the following channels:
Ruidoso School District App
In August 2024, we launched the official Ruidoso School District app, which is available as a free download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Simply search for “Ruidoso Warriors” to find it. The userfriendly app provides a central hub for important updates, school news, and essential information, with quick access to school calendars, events, and notifications. It also integrates seamlessly with our website, providing you with a one-stop source for all things related to the district. Download it today to stay informed!
Facebook Pages
The district maintains an active presence on Facebook, where we share timely updates, announcements, and photos. We manage five Facebook pages including a district page for district-wide announcements and key updates, as well as individual pages for each of our schools where we post school-specific information, photos, and event details. Follow all relevant pages to stay up to date with all of our events and happenings.
Ruidoso School District Text Messaging Service
• Ruidoso High School
• Ruidoso Middle School
• White Mountain Elementary
• Sierra Vista Primary
• Ruidoso Municipal School District
This service allows us to send critical messages directly to parents and guardians, and is used for urgent notifications such as school closures, schedule changes, or emergencies. To receive these automated messages, please ensure that your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool and that you have opted into the service. To do this:
» Text “Y” or “Yes” to the number 67587 to subscribe.
» You will then begin receiving messages from the number 575-630-7040. Please save this number in your contacts to prevent the messages from being marked as spam.
Our text messaging service is a vital communication tool for sharing urgent information, so we encourage all parents and guardians to subscribe.
Ruidoso School District Website
Our website, www.ruidososchools.org, is the go-to place for the latest, and most accurate information and resources. Whether you are looking for forms, contact information, announcements, or district policies, our website is a reliable resource for all school-related inquiries.
By leveraging these communication channels, we aim to keep you informed and engaged with the latest happenings in the Ruidoso Municipal School District. Stay connected, stay informed.
LINCOLN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER
From the Desk of the Chief Executive - Todd Oberheu
A study by the Maine Rural Health Research Center found that 67.9% of New Mexico’s population which live in ambulance deserts are from a rural area. An ambulance desert is defined as an area located more than 25 minutes travel time from an ambulance station. The study further revealed that New Mexico has the 5th highest percentage of rural population living in an ambulance desert. A study by the American Medical Association found that the response rate in rural areas was nearly twice as long as in urban areas.
Although Lincoln County Emergency Services (LCEMS), operated by Lincoln County Medical Center, maintained stations in Hondo, Capitan, Carrizozo, and Corona, these stations were operated on a volunteer basis. LCEMS also staffed a station in the Alto area, but on a limited basis. To improve this, LCEMS expanded its services by creating two new, 24-hour staffed facilities in the county. With support from Lincoln County, LCEMS opened these stations at the Bonito Fire Station (Alto) on State Highway 48 and in Carrizozo in October 2023. These new stations resulted in over 85% of the county’s population being located within a 20-minute response time from a staffed EMS station. The Carrizozo Station focuses on services in Carrizozo, Corona, and Capitan. The Alto Station services Alto, Northern Ruidoso, and Capitan.
LCEMS also is one of the few EMS services in New Mexico with a Critical Care designation. This designation affords our paramedics clinical capabilities not seen in most rural areas. In addition, LCEMS carries blood products so that this life saving treatment can be provided in the field.
Lincoln County Medical Center is committed to improving the healthcare services throughout our county and we will continue to seek opportunities to improve the health of our communities.
RUIDOSO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Do Your Part to Keep Kids Safe in School Zones
School zone safety is crucial in ensuring the well-being of children, parents, and educators as they navigate the roads around schools. These areas are high-traffic zones, especially during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. Focusing on safety in these zones reduces the risk of accidents and promotes a safer environment for everyone.
Children are particularly vulnerable in school zones due to their unpredictability and smaller size, making them less visible to drivers. Moreover, kids are often distracted or excited, which can lead to impulsive movements into the street without checking for oncoming traffic.
To ensure safety in school zones, several measures have been taken:
1. Reduced Speed Limits: School zones typically have reduced speed limits during school hours. These limits allow drivers more time to react in case of unexpected movements by children.
2. Crosswalks and Crossing Guards: Clearly marked crosswalks and crossing guards help guide children safely across busy streets.
3. Signage and Flashing Lights: Adequate signage and flashing lights in school zones remind drivers to slow down and remain alert.
4. No Phone Use: Distracted driving is particularly dangerous in school zones, making hands-free and phone-free driving essential.
5. Bus Safety: Drivers must stop in all lanes and both directions, when school buses have their stop signs extended, allowing children to board or disembark safely.
Drivers should always remain vigilant, slowing down as soon as they enter a school zone. It’s important to avoid distractions such as mobile phones and focus on the road, especially during peak school hours.
By prioritizing school zone safety, communities can ensure that the journey to and from school is as safe as possible for children.
Fall EVENTS
Check out our line-up of great events for fall! Please visit DiscoverRuidoso.com for additional events and details.
WEEKLY COMMUNITY EVENTS
THURSDAY:
• Veterans Coffee and Company, 615 Sudderth Drive, Suite 1
• Open Mic Night, Downshift Hidden Tap
SATURDAY:
• Midtown Market, 100 Country Club Drive
SUNDAY:
• Alto Farmer’s & Craft Market, Enchanted Vine Barn
OCTOBER 4:
• Dave Millsap & Jennings and Keller, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Rockabilly Strangers, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Are You Smarter Than a Beertender? Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
OCTOBER 11-13:
• New Mexico 4x4 Rally, Ruidoso Convention Center
OCTOBER 15:
• Team Member Carp Tournament, Inn of the Mountain Gods
OCTOBER 16:
• Moonlight Hike, White Sands National Park
• Clark Libbey & Tyler Jones, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Paint a Pot Night, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
OCTOBER 19:
• Benny Basset, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Always Loretta ft. Emily Portman, Spencer Theater
OCTOBER 20:
• Toss No Mas Clean Up, Wingfield Park
• Paint and Pints, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 22:
• Dave Millsap & Allex Teller, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 23:
• Tyler Jones & Gnarly Sacs, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
OCTOBER 25:
• Chinese Acrobats of Hebei, Inn of the Mountain Gods; Rocky Horror Picture Show, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Are You Smarter Than a Beertender? Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
OCTOBER 26:
• Rocky Horror Picture Show, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Allex Teller, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Halloween Trunk or Treat, Enchanted Vine Barn
• 5k Run to Benefit Ruidoso Community & The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, The Links Fitness Trail
• Ruidoso Rotary Club Enchilada & Bingo Night, Ruidoso Convention Center
OCTOBER 30:
• Midtown Halloween Trick or Treat & Pumpkin Roll, Midtown
OCTOBER 31:
• Family Fright Night, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
TUESDAY:
• Baby & Me at 10:30 AM
WEDNESDAY:
• Storytime at 10:30 AM
• Teen Scene at 3:30 PM
NOVEMBER 1:
• Graveyard Party, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Dave Millsap & CW Ayon, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
NOVEMBER 2:
• 9th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Historic Lincoln
• CW Ayon, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
NOVEMBER 8:
• SPiVEY & Dave Millsap, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Are You Smarter Than a Beertender?, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
NOVEMBER 8-10:
• Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee, Ruidoso Convention Center
NOVEMBER 9:
• Saturday Night Fights, Inn of the Mountain Gods
• Justin Howl, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
NOVEMBER 10:
• SIRSY, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
NOVEMBER 13:
• Freeman DeJongh ft. Tyler Jones, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
NOVEMBER 15:
Dave Millsap & Moksi, Downshift Brewing
NOVEMBER 16:
• Moonlight Hike, White Sands National Park
• Darryl Worley, Inn of the Mountain Gods
• CW Ayon, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Chris Baker, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
NOVEMBER 22:
• Are You Smarter Than a Beertender?, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
• Dave Millsap & Allex Teller, Downshift Brewing Company Riverside
• Allex Teller, Downshift Hidden Tap
NOVEMBER 30:
• Turkey Trot 2024, White Mountain Recreation Complex
• La Fiera De Ojinaga, Inn of the Mountain Gods
• Moksi, Downshift Brewing Company Hidden Tap
DEPARTMENTS & PHONE NUMBERS
Airport 575-336-8111
Convention Center 575-258-5445
Judicial 575-257-9055
Library 575-258-3704
Parks & Recreation 575-257-5030
Police 575-258-7365
Fire 575-257-3473
Solid Waste 575-257-1502
Street Works 575-257-6023
ENMU-RUIDOSO
Regional Waste Water Treatment
Plant (RWWTP) 575-378-8417
Senior Center 575-257-4565
Water Distribution and Sewer
Collections 575-257-2386
Water Production 575-257-5525
Water Rights/Watershed (RJU) 575-258-6913
www.Ruidoso-NM.gov
VILLAGE HALL: 575-258-4343
• Capital Projects and Purchasing
• Executive
• Finance
• Forestry
• Human Resources
• Planning and Zoning
• Utility Billing
From the Desk of President Ryan Trosper
Destiny Hixon of Ruidoso recently joined ENMU-Ruidoso as the new Student Success Center Advisor. She has an Associate of Arts degree from NMSU-Alamogordo and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from ENMU.
She has been in and out of Ruidoso for almost 20 years. Her family moved here just after she graduated from Carlsbad High School. She now lives in Ruidoso with her husband, Jason, and their two daughters, Rori and Zoey.
“I am so excited to join the team at ENMU-Ruidoso because higher education is such an empowering step that anyone can take,” she said.
Jorge Nieto of Ruidoso recently joined us as the new Information Specialist. He has an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. He is a retired Fire Lieutenant from the El Paso Fire Department, retired Texas Tech-El Paso Police Department, and was previously a Fire Technology Instructor at El Paso Community College. He moved here two years ago after wanting to come to Ruidoso for over 40 years, and he absolutely loves it!
He considers himself a Jack-of-all-Trades, and enjoys hunting and fishing. He has a Border Collie named Jax.
DeMott Appointed to AACC Commission
Chief External Affairs Officer Robin DeMott was appointed to the American Association of Community College (AACC) Commission on Public Relations Advocacy and Advancement. The three-year appointment is from July 1, 2024-June 30, 2027.
This appointment requires attendance to at least one of the two commission meetings held during the year. The Commission on Public Relations Advocacy and Advancement will focus on visioning and messaging for “friend” raising, coalescing internal and external partners around marketing and public relations campaigns that garner support for two-year colleges and elevated fundraising (21st-Century Commission Recommendations 5, 6); collaboration with philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to drive investment in the nation’s community colleges; emerging trends in communications; and, sustain the 21st-Century Center to benefit all community colleges.
Destiny Hixon
Robin DeMott
Jorge Nieto
RUIDOSO MIDTOWN ASSOCIATION
From the Desk of Executive Director Stephanie Garcia
As fall colors begin to decorate our mountains, we begin to prepare for a number of seasonal activities.
In October, we will see events like AspenFest and the New Mexico 4x4 Rally. RangoDoso Roundup, an event meant to offer a place for businesses to vend and unwind with some great music and company, is happening in October just south of Durango at Tico Time. We look forward to seeing the continuing growth of each of these events where we know everyone can enjoy all of the wonderful businesses in Midtown.
Last but not least, the Ruidoso Midtown Association is thrilled to host an eventful Halloween in Midtown. With many exciting changes, and the invitation to businesses from outside the district to take part in the activities, we hope to provide the town with a memorable holiday. RMA is still looking for people to help business owners and donate candy. Several businesses, the Village of Ruidoso, the Chamber of Commerce, and RMA will be collaborating to ensure a stress-free Halloween celebration. This event offers many fun activities including a pumpkin roll, trick or treating, and coffin races. Following this, there will be a costume contest at Downshift Brewing Company Riverside, featuring a special guest! Be on the lookout for the QR code to pre-register for the coffin race.
The Ruidoso Midtown Association would like to remind everyone to please reach out to a board member or myself at any time if you have questions or concerns. We are always here for Midtown and other businesses outside of the district! Follow us on Instagram @ruidoso_midtown, email at ruidosomidtownassociation@gmail.com or call 575-937- 4727.
RUIDOSO VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
From the Desk of Executive Director Deborah Douds
Fall is in the air, and we are busy getting ready for the Fall/Winter season in Ruidoso. The AspenFest Parade is Saturday, October 5 at 10:00 am in Midtown. The theme for this year’s parade is Heroes of Ruidoso. Parade applications can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce.
Immediately following the parade, we will have a festival in Wingfield Park featuring beer, wine, food, arts and crafts, and other vendors, as well as live music by the Flying J Wranglers, The Mammoth Cults, and McKenzie. Tickets for the festival are available on HoldMyTicket.com or at the door.
The Ruidoso Midtown Trick or Treat will be Wednesday, October 30, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. We will once again be closing Sudderth Drive to through traffic to allow for a safer trick or treat for all the little goblins and ghouls. The Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce partners with the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation Department as well as the Ruidoso Midtown Association for this event, and we are looking forward to trick or treating, coffin races, and of course the pumpkin roll. We can’t wait for this great event!
Please remember to shop locally and support our local restaurants. The Chamber is the organization that supports our community, and membership in the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce is an investment in the future of our community. If you are interested in joining the Chamber and working with us to support this community, please give us a call at 575-257-7395.
ASPENFEST ASPENFEST
October 5, 2024 October 5, 2024
Midtown Parade
10:00 AM
Theme: Heroes of Ruidoso
11:00 AM
Festival tickets: $5 or $20 to include wine & beer tasting
There will be free kids activities 11 AM -3 PM hosted by the Ruidoso Public Library.
McKenzie 12:00-1:00pm The Mammoth Cults 1:30-3:30pm
