Archive for March, 2008

LAS CRUCES, NM – Having trouble remembering a time when we lived without cells phones, DVDs, internet – even cars? Hard to believe, but that is why you should not miss the 20th annual Frontier Days at Fort Selden Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.

Experience a celebration of Old West history as Fort Selden staff dress up and recreate life during the time of 1865 to 1891. This year’s events tell the story of the Indian Wars in New Mexico. There will be infantry, cavalry and artillery demonstrations, as well as speakers programs. Food, games and dancing make the Frontier Days enjoyable for adults and children.

“We want to make people aware of what was going in the late 1800′s before and after the Civil War,” said Jeff Wooten, monument ranger.

What was going on were raids by desperados, apaches and bandits said Wooten. Fort Selden was built in 1865 to help qualm these raid and was decommissioned after 25 years.

“There is a lot of history here. Hopefully, people become aware of this history with Frontier Days,” said Wooten.

Fort Selden is located 13 miles North of Las Cruces on 1-25, Radium Springs exit 19.

LAS CRUCES, NM–The popular offset lithographs by artist Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt are now being featured in the north hallway of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

The pencil sketches will be on display through Aug. 10.

Shufelt, a native of Chicago who now lives in Hillsboro, N.M., is a master of the pencil. From a distance, his prints look like photographs, bringing to life dramatic imagery with bold sunlight and shadow.

Shufelt’s respect for ranching as a way of life is clearly stated in his art. Although he has won many awards, “Shoofly” feels that the reward for his work comes from the support of his collectors and acceptance into the fraternity of the cowboys he draws.

He takes about a month or more to finish a sketch and works on only one at a time. But Shufelt loves what he does, saying it is “like getting paid to eat ice cream.”

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, and $2 for children 5 to 17. Children 4 and under are admitted free.

For more information, please call (575) 522-4100.

Harvest Cooking ClassApril 1, 2-4 p.m.

Come learn new ways of preparing seasonal foods. This month Carol Koenig will show us creative ways to make asparagus, strawberries and radishes into mouth-watering dishes. Pre-registration is required. $30.

Time Traveling Through New Mexico HistoryApril 1 through May 1

Attention Teachers! Jon Hunner from the Public History program at NMSU is offering an opportunity for Middle and High School classes to participate in a living history program that recreates life in the Mesilla Valley in 1912 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the museum. Space is limited. You must pre-register for this event. $2 per person. Call Leslie Bergloff for more information at 522-4100.

Spring Lecture SeriesApril 10, 7 p.m.

Linda Harris is a resident of Las Cruces who has been traveling and writing about our state for 25 years. Join us for a delightful evening as she takes us on a journey to ghost towns in New Mexico. Free.

Jewish Pioneers Exhibit Opening & LectureApril 11, 7 p.m.

Please join us for an evening reception as we celebrate the opening of the “Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico” exhibit. Enjoy the exhibit and refreshments followed by a special presentation by Dawn Santiago entitled, “Ties That Bind: Jewish Business Families in the Southwest.” Free.

Knitting for AdultsApril 12, 9:30- 12:30

Ready to learn a traditional craft that has been passed down many generations? Come learn the basic techniques of knitting in this workshop taught by artisan Mary Pierce. All supplies are provided. Pre- registration required (sign-up deadline is 4-8). $25.

National History Day Regional ContestApril 15, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., Middle School and April 16, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., High School

Students in Southwestern NM will be competing for prizes and a chance to take their historical research to the state and national contests as they explore the theme, “Conflict & Compromise in History.” The public is invited to see performances, documentaries and exhibits as these young historians present their work. Please call for more information. Museum admission applies.

Knitting for KidsApril 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Children ages 8-12 will learn the basics of knitting with a loom. All materials are provided and each child will take home materials they can continue to use. Bonnie Connell is our teacher. Pre-registration is required (sign-up deadline 4-15). $20.

Pocket WeavingApril 26, 9 a.m. – noon

Come learn an easy weaving technique and take home a handmade purse. Susan Jewel, a LCPS teacher, makes this a fun and exciting experience! Adults only. Pre-registration is required (sign-up deadline is 4-22). $25.

Museum Tours

We invite you to experience the museum by arranging for a special tour for your class or organization. Ask for group discounts and spend the day with us!

Coming Up: San Ysidro Day, Thursday, May 15, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Join us for a traditional processional and blessing of the museum’s farm fields, animals and gardens.

For more information, please call 575-522-4100

Rag Rug Festival Las Cruces is returning to the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum the weekend of March 15 and 16. Rag Rug Festival™ is a program of New Mexico Women’s Foundation whose mission is to create economic opportunities for New Mexico’s women and girls.

“This is our fourth annual festival in Las Cruces,” said Frieda Arth, spokesperson for the group, “and with the addition of crafts-related films and demonstrations, and an Eatery, it’s taken on the festive air of an annual fair.”

“It’s gratifying to see people saying hello to folks they haven’t seen in a year,” Arth said. “One of the things that sets this event apart from others is that it gives people a chance to meet and talk to the women who make the work. In days when most things in our homes are mass produced, that’s a rare treat.”

Six participating organizations representing over 60 women artisans include: Art For The Heart from Penasco; Creaciones Yuca, a sewing group from Chaparral; Ramah Navajo Weavers from Pine Hill, Southwest Women’s Fiber Arts Collective, from Silver City; Tejedoras de Las Trampas with their handwoven rag rugs, from Las Trampas; and Tres Manos, a weaving project situated in nearby San Miguel.

Individual artisans include Karin Arrington from Farmington who creates jewelry; Charlotte Bartram from Tularosa grows her own sheep and turns the wool into yarns; Margaret Garcia from Las Cruces paints gourds; Claudia Giron from Espanola and Carol Mills from Silver City weave rag rugs; Ann Lumaghi from Abiquiu weaves a variety of fashions and rag rugs; Dina Ortega makes lotions called Native Naturals, and her aunt, Corina Trujillo of San Patricio, makes yummy jams and jellies from her berry farm; Doris Sherman of Santa Fe makes silver jewelry; Madeline Stark knits and Toni Truesdale paints – both of them are from Pecos; Romelia Tapia from Chaparral sews, crochets and knits; Lynn Unangst of Las Cruces is a fiber and mixed media artist.

Rag Rug Festival Las Cruces is open from 10am to 4pm, March 15 and 16 at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces. Admission and parking are free. This is a program of the New Mexico Women’s Foundation, helping to create a more abundant life for New Mexico’s women and girls.

For more information about New Mexico Women’s Foundation, contact Frieda Arth in Santa Fe at 505.983.6155 or info@nmwf.org. The website is: www.nmwf.org.