American Gold Star Mothers

Posted in Books8 Comments

Providing services to vets and their families

Becky Christmas
Becky Christmas

Becky Christmas, a Wagon Mound, N.M. woman, has been actively involved in American Gold Star Mothers Inc., for many years. Following the death of her son, Capt. Todd Tyler Christmas who died while serving in the military, she wanted to affiliate with an organization in which she could serve others and honor her son. Christmas has served on the national board of American Gold Star Mothers and will soon step up to the role of president. Below she responds to questions about the organization.

By presidential proclamation, the last Sunday in September each year is designated as Gold Star Mother’s Day, but the proclamation is more than a recognition of selfless women who devote their time and energy to support soldiers, families of deceased veterans, and each other; GSM recognizes the impact mothers have had in shaping who we are as a country and the value of patriotism to sustain hope. The proclamation, written in 1936, is printed at the end of this Q&A.

ORP: Becky, talk about how American Gold Star Mothers has effected your life.
Becky: American Gold Star Mothers made a huge impact on my life when I first met other GSM members in New Mexico. Some were Mothers from the Vietnam era. They showed me they had lived full lives and had also continued the mission that their child could not, by helping others. I was not looking for a grief organization and that is not what we are. I began to feel that I could make a difference in veterans’ lives and other families of the fallen, once I met other Gold Star Mothers. It has changed my life a great deal and helped me step out of my comfort zone to help others.

ORP: What would you like people to know about the organization they may not know?
Becky: American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a service organization. We are the first Veterans Service Organization-VSO. Our number is 001. Not all Gold Star Mothers join AGSM. It is similar to the American Legion or VFW. Not all veterans choose to join those. We began in 1928.

Laying of the wreath
On Nov. 11, 2017, the 35th Anniversary of The Wall was observed. Laying the wreath for the American Gold Star Mothers were Mary Byers, Past National President from Tennessee and Becky Christmas, 1st National Vice President, New Mexico. At their side is Kate O’Hare-Palmer, U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Vietnam, who spoke during the ceremonies.

ORP: What was the genesis of American Gold Star Mothers?
Becky: When the United States entered World War I in 1917, American George Vaughn Seibold, 23, ended up serving in the British Royal Flying Corps. He corresponded with his family regularly. His mother, Grace Darling Seibold, was inspired to do community service by visiting returning servicemen in hospitals. When mail from George stopped, the family was unable to learn what happened to him. Grace continued to visit hospitalized veterans in the Washington area, clinging to the hope that her son might have been injured and returned to the United States without any identification. While working through this time, she helped ease the pain of the many servicemen who returned so war-damaged they were incapable of reaching normalcy. On Oct. 11, 1918, George’s wife in Chicago received a box marked Effects of Deceased Officer 1st Lt. George Vaughn Seibold. The Seibolds also received a confirmation of George’s death on Nov. 4, through a family member in Paris. George’s body was never identified.

Thereafter, Grace devoted her time and efforts to working in hospitals and extending the hand of friendship to other mothers whose sons had lost their lives in military service. She organized a group of these special mothers, with the purpose of comforting each other and giving loving care to hospitalized veterans confined in government hospitals far from home. The organization was named for the Gold Star families hung in their windows in honor of the deceased veteran. After years of planning, on June 4, 1928, twenty-five mothers met in Washington, DC to establish the national organization, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. We began with a few mothers from WWI in the DC area who wanted to turn their grief into something positive and it continued to grow. There have been many years when the membership was in the many thousands. Now we have around 1,000 members.

ORP: Why do women join this volunteer organization?
Becky: Most women join to give back, to continue the mission their child cannot. They want their child remembered but they also want to support their child’s friends who came home. They want to make a difference in the lives of veterans.

ORP: Not all mothers of deceased veterans choose to be a part of the organization. What do you think holds them back?
Becky: I think some women only want a grief organization; some think they will have to go to meetings all the time; some think they will have to volunteer at hospitals all the time. There are many reasons. Some do not see that they can help and make a difference.

ORP: Gold Star Mothers is a national organization with chapters across the country. How does one become affiliated with a chapter if there isn’t one in the town where you live?
Becky: Most states only have one or two chapters in their state. In New Mexico, for example, we only have one chapter. It is located in the central part of the state. We have members all across the state. Many cannot attend a meeting in person but they can attend events in their area and volunteer in their area. Each new member is assigned a chapter and department by the National Service Officer. Our New Mexico chapter tries to have a conference call meeting, every other month, and of course email is a great way to communicate. We try to have our members attend and volunteer in their areas.

ORP: Is there a cost to join and what is the money used for?
Becky: The cost for National membership is $30/year. Those dues cover the cost of putting out the newsletter six times a year and helps maintain our headquarters in Washington, D.C. Chapters and departments also may have dues. Most are only $5.

ORP: What types of volunteer work do Gold Star Mothers do?
Becky: AGSM members volunteer as representatives at a VA hospital or clinic. We try to have a representative for each state. We also have a deputy representative. We can also volunteer at a VA Center, Wreaths Across America, help in Fisher Houses, memorial parks and cemeteries, donate items at the VA hospitals, volunteer and donate at veteran nursing homes and any veteran event. We help with Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, Horses For Heroes, Paws and Stripes, memorial walks and runs and numerous other activities. We raise money that goes to veterans. The main focus this year is suicide awareness.

ORP: In what way is the organization affiliated with veterans’ organizations?
Becky: Many of our mothers are American Legion Auxiliary members and we are a Veterans Service Organization under the Department of Veteran’s Services.

ORP: What is the significance of wearing white?
Becky: Wearing white is a time-honored tradition of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. While black is a traditional color of mourning, the decision to wear white, rather than black, denotes the celebration of our children’s goodness, innocence and sacrifice. President Wilson also asked the GSM to wear white with a black armband, with a gold star, as the nation had endured so many deaths and it was mourning, but by wearing white, they could show there may be light ahead. The Gold Star Mothers are easily recognized at events because of their attire. Also, the Gold Star wives, wear a gold jacket and the Blue Star Mothers wear navy blue attire.

ORP: What challenges does the organization face as it looks to the future?
Becky: One of the biggest challenges now, is that a great majority of membership applications are from mothers whose child committed suicide. Sometimes the family does not have a document that states that the suicide was a result of service or many times the stigma of seeking help for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injury, prevents the servicemen and women from seeking help, especially at the VA. For a parent, the tragedy of a suicide means they will always seek the reason why. By the VA and military recognizing the results of combat and multiple deployments, we can help these families.

GSM event
For several days leading up to Veteran’s Day, reading of the names on The Wall took place around the clock. These Gold Star Mothers are pictured right before they read names. Front row, Sarah Taylor, National Banner Guard, Mary Byers, Past National President, Carol Resh, Flag Bearer, Jo Ann Maitland, National Service Officer. Back row Sue Pollard, National President, Mona Gunn, National 2nd Vice President and Becky Christmas, National 1st Vice President.

ORP: As the incoming president, what are your hopes and goals for the organization?
Becky: My hope is to reach out to all Gold Star Mothers and to continue the mission that was started this year of Military Suicide Awareness and Prevention. I also want our membership to be aware of legislation that affects our veterans, military and the survivors. I hope to continue the principles of Americanism, patriotism and service. I also want every American to remember the fallen and the sacrifice that service to our country takes.

We are mothers who come from all over the United States. A tragedy has brought us together but I have truly been blessed by these strong and sincere Gold Star Mothers. We help each other while we are helping our veterans.

For more information about American Gold Star Mothers call 202-265-0991, or email agsmnso@gmail.com.

PROCLAMATION – GOLD STAR MOTHERS

“Whereas the service rendered the United States by the American mother is the greatest source of the Country’s strength and inspiration; and “Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when we revere and give emphasis to the home as the fountainhead of the State; and

“Whereas the American mother is doing so much for the home and for the moral and spiritual uplift of the people of the United States and hence so much for good government and humanity; and

“Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers suffered the supreme sacrifice of motherhood in the loss of their sons and daughters in World Wars” and

“Whereas the said Public Resolution 12 provides: “That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches, or other suitable places, on the last Sunday in September, as public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers.”

“Sec. 2. That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day,” and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”

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Photos Courtesy of Becky Christmas

Scholarships for women through P.E.O.

Posted in Books

Jumping for joy

P.E.O. Chapter H Cottey College chair, Ruth Mares, announced recently that the school, located in Nevada, Mo., has risen in the 2018 U.S. News and World Report ranking of Best Regional Colleges. “We were notified the school we support ranked seventh, up from twenty-third last year. The school also ranked second for best value and third for proportion of international students,” Mares said.

“Not many people know about Cottey. It’s a small women’s college founded by our organization in 1884. The school’s 2017 enrollment was 288. One of those students was Christina Litherland who graduated last spring with a degree in English with an Emphasis in Women Writers and two minors: Writing Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She is now attending New Mexico Highlands University for her master’s degree in English with an Emphasis in Linguistics, Literacy, and Composition.

P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization founded in 1869, has two local chapters, which contribute to Cottey, and to funding projects for women at the national and state level.

“Both local P.E.O. chapters have sponsored women for scholarships through the years, and been able to collectively award thousands of dollars to qualifying recipients. Our goal this year is to promote the projects more actively so more women may take advantage of the opportunity this funding affords,” Mares said.

Recipients of scholarships are not required to attend Cottey. “They may attend any school of their choice. Scholarships are competitive and awarded based on criteria outlined on the international and state websites,” Mares said. “Each year we contact counselors at the high schools to keep them informed about what is available. This year we plan to contact financial aid offices at Highlands and Luna Community College as we have scholarships available for nontraditional and international students as well.”

P.E.O. has provided more than $304 million in financial assistance to more than 102,000 recipients through the Educational Loan Fund, International Peace Scholarship, Program for Continuing Education, Scholar Award and STAR projects.

For more information about P.E.O. scholarships go to www.nmpeo.org. Locally contact Chapter H at fsharon@msn.com, or Chapter AC at rayjoyl1957@gmail.com.
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Image: P.E.O. website

10 Ways to make yourself feel better

Posted in Health, Opinion

Is there a magic elixir for happiness? Should we be that thing called “happy” all the time? Is there value in disappointment and trials? Down days are inevitable. Sometimes all you need is a little boost to get you over the hump.

  1. Call a friend and tell them something you admire about them. This isn’t the same as giving someone a compliment when they have accomplished a noteworthy achievement. This is recognizing a trait that helps others or that has had a personal influence in your life. You know your friends well enough that coming up with an admirable trait or activity should be easy. It’s important to call instead of e-mail. One-on-one interaction is how we build relationships.
  2. Smile. Motivational writer and speaker Denis Waitley wrote: “A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside.” Your smile makes you feel better and has an equally beneficial impact on those you encounter.
  3. Make peace with yesterday. Are you carrying a grudge? It’s probably the heaviest weight you will ever carry. You may not even know how it began. Someone did this, you did that, they retaliated, you pushed back. Suddenly a long standing friendship (or family relationship) hit the iceberg of anger and broke apart. Even if your offer to make peace is rejected, you will know you made the effort, which will lighten your load.
  4. Hang in there. Success is not measured by how many times you fall down; it is measured by how many time you get up and try again. If you have an achievable goal, go for it with everything you have in you. Be energized by the small successes and treat mistakes as learning experiences. You will feel better about your accomplishments and have a more positive outlook.
  5. Be flexible. When life does not go your way, be open to other options. Not getting the promotion or the perfect job is a bump in the road, not a barrier. Too often we believe, “My way or the highway,” shows strength or power. It creates roadblocks to communication and personal growth.
  6. Maintain perspective. My husband jokingly says the words “always” and “never” should be stricken from the dictionary. When you think of your life in absolutes, you begin to see your problems as overwhelming, insurmountable. Take life in small increments and check off the solvable objectives one box at a time. You will feel better with each accomplished goal.
  7. Guard your thoughts. Proverbs 23:7 reads, “… for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink,’ saith he to thee, but his heart is not with thee.” (KJV) When you are helping, reaching out, lifting up, do so with the right mental attitude and with a generous spirit. A gift given begrudgingly is no gift at all.
  8. Avoid comparing yourself to others. Yes, you are unique. Don’t argue with me. You are you, created in a mold solely your own. You have been given a wealth of gifts and talents. How – or if – you use those gifts and talents is up to you. While it is true that the beautiful people seem to have ideal lives, they’re just like the rest of us, as full of insecurities as you or I. And think about it, some of the most famous actors were anything but beautiful; they were talented men and women who capitalized on their talent and opportunities. You can do it, too.
  9. Disappointment is part of life; get over it. Pain and disappointment are inevitable. It happens to all of us. If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that life is not fair. Living under the rationale that what happens to you is unfair will bring you down and create a defeatist attitude. “This, too, will pass,” may be a cliché, but it is a valid, positive way to handle disappointment. Tomorrow is another day. How can you make it a great day?
  10. Trust yourself. Self-doubt opens the door to defeatism. If you think you can’t, you won’t even try. If you think you can, you will make the most of every day and use the gifts and talents you’ve been given in the best way you know how.

Being happy is not a single thing, or getting what you want; it comes from contentment, loving others and being loved, helping those around you and making a difference in the ways you can. Believe in yourself. Live your faith. Make the most of who you are. You will feel better.

NOTE: Clinical depression is a serious illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes you can’t make yourself feel better. Seek help. See your regular doctor and ask for a referral to a psychologist or other mental health professional. See the signs of clinical depression here.

I am an indie author of six books and two chap books of poetry. Check the BOOKS tab to find out more. Follow me at www.vandermeerbooks.com, https://www.facebook.com/vandermeerbooks, Amazon Author Central

 

The Skillet: Fast-casual dining

Posted in Business, food4 Comments

The Skillet - Las Vegas, NMFor foodies on the go

Fans of The Skillet, get ready to chow down on old favorites and new menu items. The food truck with an attitude and funky decor is now a 90-seat restaurant and bar. The new digs will be open soon in the old wool warehouse on 12th Street. Radical decor and a trendy ambiance invite diners to sit awhile. Part of the renovation included the installation of an all new kitchen and overhaul of the electrical wiring. Through the construction and revitalization of the building, owner/operators Isaac and Shawna Sandoval oversaw the process and put their unique stamp on the eatery. As talented artists the Sandovals have created an experiential dining space in a fast-casual setting. They expect the restaurant will be open by the end of the month. In this Q&A, the couple talks about bringing their vision to life.

ORP: How did the ambiance and décor of The Skillet develop?
Isaac: We approached the design of The Skillet as an art installation. We used the time we had during construction to make works of art for the restaurant. Shawna and I are both artists. We have different approaches to making art. A lot of how things turned out were a product of us working together. We also had a great crew of assistants and other artist working with us to execute our vision. We worked together to create an immersive art environment. We wanted to create a space that was different, a place where people could sit and interact with artworks without being in a high-pressure situation that I think sometimes happens when visiting a museum or gallery. Some of the art was built with specific intent to the space, and some was made, and then the space was built around it. The tile work on the bar, for instance, was an idea Shawna had to take some of the design from the food truck into the restaurant. Meanwhile, the eight-foot donkey bust that I made over the course of a couple of weeks, had no specific place in the building until we finally put it up. Really, the whole processes of making the art was quite fluid. One project would influence another, and it seems to have become a new body of artwork itself.
Shawna: Our background in the arts informs much of what we were able to create in the business. The overall design is a total collaboration between us. We tend to make decisions as we go, coming up with design solutions on the fly, or in other instances, taking time to plan out larger components. The goal for the overall feel of the place was to create something aesthetically pleasing with an enjoyable ambiance, but also something with a bit of an edge that makes looking around at the artwork part of the experience.

The Skillet Owner
Isaac and Shawna Sandoval

OPR: Your food from The Skillet Rolling Kitchen was along the lines of fusion cuisine rather than typical Northern New Mexico foods. Talk about how you developed the menu in the new restaurant.
Isaac: Northern New Mexican food is – in itself – a fusion food. Chile sauce often contains a roux, which is a French technique, and dishes that we call “Spanish” are Mexican. There was a time not too long ago, that we were part of Mexico. Northern New Mexican food was very much influenced by Mexican food but it is a different cuisine than American-Mexican (Tex Mex), and to paint the cuisine of Mexico with a broad brush would be like saying all American food is a cheese burger. There is something specific and special about the type of food that is prepared in the area.

My background in cooking is Northern New Mexican food. I love to eat and try new foods/ingredients. Because of my background, I know that you can put pretty much anything in a tortilla and it has the potential to be awesome. When planning our menu, we wanted something different, but relatable. Shawna and I really wanted a fun menu, that wasn’t too fussy or would take too long. Most of the items from our food truck menu will still be available, along with new burritos and an appetizer menu. Our menu has items guests will be able to share over a beer or get a fast bite.
Shawna: We wanted to stick with many of the same menu items offered at our food truck because it is the food that helped us develop our customer base to begin with. We are keeping the fast-casual aspect of the menu knowing our customers appreciated that they could get in and out quickly at lunch with a satisfying meal. We are expanding the menu quite a bit to include more appetizers, salads, and burrito creations with new flavor combinations.

ORP: Will it change seasonally or as you are inspired as chef?
Isaac: As a food truck, we tried to keep our regular menu items while integrating new or different items throughout the year. Once we get settled with the restaurant we plan on doing regular daily specials, and offer something different. For instance, every Friday we might have a chicken fried steak with coleslaw and Mac and cheese special but it might be wrapped into a burrito. At this point it’s hard to say, I am too excited. I think with having a bigger kitchen than the food truck kitchen, the possibilities really grow.

ORP: What advice did you get from your entrepreneurial parents that gives you confidence about opening your own place?
Isaac: My parents have been our biggest guidance throughout this whole project. They have years of experience in the industry and are very knowledgeable about restaurants. I have grown up watching them work day in and out, dealing with customers and see how they handle employees in a professional manner. I have worked for my parents for many years now; everything I know, I know because of them.
Shawna: Hard work equals success. It’s a tough business at times, but with owner dedication, the restaurant business can really be rewarding.

ORP: What influenced your decision to expand from the rolling kitchen concept to a brick and mortar restaurant?
Isaac: The major influence was the support we had. We were a food truck for three summers before we decided to fully commit to a restaurant. Every year we were open we grew a larger following and grew slowly, adding new art to the environment, and integrating live music. At the end of the day, we were really at the mercy of Mother Nature. During the monsoon, we would get rained out. In fall, winter could be five minutes away and last until the first week of June. It created an inconsistent schedule that was bad for business. When the opportunity to purchase a liquor license came up, we knew a brick and mortar restaurant and bar would be a good undertaking.
Shawna: We learned a lot about the food business with the food truck and we were ready to scale to something bigger. The new location is the manifestation of our need to see our dreams for our business fulfilled.

ORP: How many do you expect to employ?
Isaac: We will employ bartenders, kitchen staff, cocktail servers, security, and dishwashers, 20-30 in all.

ORP: What is your food philosophy in terms of fresh and locally sourced when possible?
Isaac: In a perfect world everyone would be buying direct from local farmers. In that world, we would be eating green chile, squash, onions, some peppers and beef or lamb. In that same world, we wouldn’t be eating guacamole or sushi. When the food truck was open, we used locally raised eggs, which I loved, but near the end of the summer the chickens had a hard time producing enough eggs for the truck. I try to go to the farmers’ market on a weekly basis and buy what I can, but at the volume our food truck produced we had to outsource. That said, we do prepare most of our dishes from scratch or make them as fresh as possible.

ORP: What appeals to you about being a culinary entrepreneur?
Isaac: I love working with my hands. I love that cutting a case of tomatoes can become a meditation. I love that the situation in a kitchen can go from 0-100 in a matter of minutes. I love the rush of getting long tickets coming out of the printer. I love taking an ingredient and changing it into something completely different.
Shawna: We grew up in the business, Isaac with his family here in Las Vegas. My very first of many restaurant jobs was washing dishes. After graduating college, there was something about the business that kept pulling us back in. We love the challenges and being our own boss. Seeing our vision make people happy, creates a lot of satisfaction for us.

OPR: What are your hours of operation?
Isaac: We will be opening at 11 a.m. ’til close, Monday through Saturday.

ORP: Will reservations be recommended?
Isaac: Our restaurant is a fast-casual environment. We can seat about 90 people in the restaurant and 25 of those seats are at the bar. Outside, our two patios can seat another 50 plus a standing bar. We will be a different dining experience than what some might be used to. Customers order at the counter; we will not have servers. We will have cocktail servers to take drink orders and bring food out. We will also take call-in orders to go. We want The Skillet to be a place where people can get something delicious fast and easy.

ORP: What are examples of specialty drinks you will serve?
Isaac: We have a wide variety of really refreshing margaritas and cocktails. One example of a cocktail we offer is the Red Dawn, made with hibiscus tea, tequila, and grapefruit juice.

ORP: Do you plan to have live music/entertainment?
Isaac: Last year we had a band or musician playing once a week for most of the summer. We are reaching out to local talent, and traveling bands to play throughout the year. If anyone is interested in playing or performing they can email us a sample of their work at Giantskillet@gmail.com or contact us on our website www.giantskillet.com

ORP: What is your anticipated opening day.
Isaac: If everything goes as expected, we will open by the end of the month.

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The skinny on The Skillet:

What: The Skillet
Location: 612 12th St., Las Vegas, NM
Phone: 505-563-0477
Website: www.giantskillet.com
Instagram: @giantskillet
Facebook: The Skillet: Rolling Kitchen and Catering
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Donkey image: Courtesy photo

The way it was, on Sept. 10, 2001

Posted in Opinion1 Comment

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer
The Communicator, Santa Rosa, N.M.

Hopefully, somebody rang a bell on Sunday. All of us should have paused to remember. It has been 16 years now.

Do you remember where you were that day, Sept. 10, 2001?

Nothing particularly exciting happened in the world that day. But that was the point.

It was the last day of the “old normal,” before the terrorist attacks of the next morning, Sept. 11, 2001, would usher in the era of the “new normal.”

Before that day, our country did not seem to be in a constant state of war. We could walk into our federal government buildings without going through security gates. You could even sit with your loved ones at the departures gate in the airport, watch the planes come in, and give them a hug right before they walked through the door.

In hindsight, we were in the preliminary stages of a viciously divided, partisan period of American history. But our leaders were still decent enough people that when they got through a disputed presidential election that had to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the loser congratulated the winner, made sure everyone heard him acknowledge the new guy as “my president,” and allowed our country to move forward. No hard feelings. (OK, maybe a little…)

Life was so much different on the day before the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A whole generation of young soldiers had volunteered for service thinking the chances were slim that they’d actually end up fighting in a war.

Soon, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq, young infantrymen would come up and tell me and some of the other embedded journalists that they enlisted for college money or other reasons. Yes, they took their training seriously and they got ready, they said. But in all honesty, a lot of them said, they never really thought they’d get to put it to use in an actual battlefield.

That’s because it seemed like a different world on Sept. 10, 2001.

Behind the scenes, people at the highest level of the U.S. government knew we were approaching a more dangerous world, with terrorist groups and rogue states positioning themselves to shatter the relative stability of the geopolitical maps.

On Aug. 6, 2001, President George W. Bush had received a classified briefing report that spoke of the evil ambitions of the terrorist group Al Qaeda and its enigmatic leader, Osama bin Laden. The now-infamous headline was: “Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.”

But the American public wouldn’t hear about that until more than a month later, after it was too late.

In the weeks leading up to the terrorist attacks, it was business as usual in the United States. In the middle of August, I traveled out to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, went on a little hike and got to see President Bush do what they said he liked to do best: clear brush and help care for the land in a beautiful place.

He was all smiles later at the YMCA, joking with reporters in the lunch line and answering one important-sounding question about the Israelis and the Palestinians. But there was no mention of the Al Qaeda memo. Nothing that would indicate we were a country on edge.

Now, ever since that day-after the day-before, we’re a country that seems constantly on edge. We still worry about terrorists. We worry about our armed forces, who are still in harm’s way in Afghanistan and Iraq. We worry about places like Syria and Iran. And now, suddenly, the fear has been ramped up another notch with all the doomsday talk surrounding the nuclear showdown with North Korea.

Here at home, we now accept things that were unthinkable on Sept. 10, 2001. It’s presumed that the United States government will do a certain amount of electronic spying on its own people in the name of “homeland security.” We accept all sorts of compromises in our liberties, like drastic changes in airport security, pat-down searches at high-profile sporting events and more.

Meanwhile, at a new height in the information age, we don’t know what to believe anymore. The partisan divisions no longer are polite. They’re endemic, particularly vicious, and people on all sides try to spin them to their own advantage.

In many ways, we’ve all become way more cynical about the world in which we live – and, arguably, were more on edge today than we were in the immediate aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Being on edge, constantly, is just another part of the “new normal.”

This year, we waited until Monday to commemorate the 16-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. But maybe we should do something different this year. Let’s commemorate Sept. 10, 2001, figure out how life was better. Figure out whether we were too complacent for our own good.

Maybe, if we think about it, we can remember something positive about our lives before the world changed and see if we can sneak it into the world today.
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Originally printed in The Communicator, Santa Rosa, NM,
Reprinted here by permission of:
Tom McDonald
Gazette Media Services
Community News Exchange

Sheer Gumption and Making it Work

Posted in Business, food6 Comments

Amanda Medina, baking up a business…

It takes unique talent and passion to create something people like to look at that also satisfies a yearning for a delicious treat to cap off special occasions. Amanda Medina of SugarBomb Bake Shoppe nails it every time. Her Facebook reviews are numerous and enthusiastic.

  • She always does an amazing job! My graduation cake was perfect and tasted so good! AE
  • Absolutely love SugarBomb. Everything that I have ever ordered has exceeded my expectations. Wouldn’t order from anywhere else. LT
  • SugarBomb is the BOMB! I’ve never been disappointed! Always been satisfied! FP

 

Baker Amanda Medina
Amanda Medina

This culinary entrepreneur defines what it means to create a business from nothing and make it into a stellar success.

ORP: Briefly talk about why you started SugarBomb Bake Shoppe.
Amanda: SugarBomb was started out of combination of curiosity, passion for the craft and the desire to create something my way, from the ground up. Throughout my childhood, my mom owned her own flower shop, The Awesome Blossom, and it really resonated with me. I saw the struggles of owning your own small business, but it was the successes that really made the impression. I wanted to be my own boss and create something that was a representation of me. Baking has always been a hobby of mine, so it seemed a natural fit. It was a craft that I could hone and really make my own.

ORP: How did you become interested in baking?
Amanda: It started in high school. I’d taken a few culinary arts classes and fell in love with it. It was also at that time that cupcakeries were trendy and cake-related TV shows were becoming popular. I would make cakes from mixes and try to decorate them with fondant to replicate what I’d see on those shows.

A cake for the bookish
Bookish

ORP: You started out as a home-based operation. What are the challenges to doing that?
Amanda: I think having a home based business has a bit of a negative connotation. People are a little more wary because they can’t just come in and browse. I feel like I’ve really had to prove myself and my product. I’ve definitely earned every one of my customers!

ORP: What is the biggest challenge you faced in the beginning and how did you overcome it?
Amanda: The biggest challenge in the beginning was getting the word out there in ways that would be beneficial to the business, but also fiscally responsible for me. I came into this very naive. That may have been a blessing in disguise because the things I did then were done out of sheer gumption and hunger to make it work. From day one I had the desire to succeed at this. Everyday, every cake I make, I still strive to be better, learn more about my craft and to improve. I think having that mindset has helped me to overcome a lot of the struggles involved in having a home-based business.

ORP: What gives you the greatest joy as a professional baker?
Amanda: The reactions, for sure! Nothing compares to seeing a bride and groom see their cake for the first time or a three-year-old excitedly shrieking about their cake. And as much as I love the initial visual reactions, I love the texts or calls that often come later telling me how it tasted “…even better than it looked,” even more! Those make all the sleepless nights and hours of work more than worth it!

The Wild One
The Wild One

ORP: What is the most important trait for someone who wants to be a culinary entrepreneur?
Amanda: A bit of stubbornness. There are going to be so many hurdles to overcome that you have to be a little stubborn. You have to be willing to stick to your guns, believe wholeheartedly in your product and be willing to sacrifice to make it work. Also, I think there’s a balance of being confident in your product and having the humility to always want to learn more.

ORP: You are now the kitchen manager at La Cocina Commercial Kitchen at Luna Community College. Talk about that and what it means to you to have access to a commercial kitchen for your business.
Amanda: A commercial kitchen is a game changer! Right now, I am only allowed to sell direct to consumers. Producing in the commercial kitchen would enable me to wholesale (my products) and potentially get my items in restaurants or even grocery stores. It completely broadens the market and allows for faster and more efficient production. La Cocina Commercial Kitchen is a great resource for up and coming, and established business owners in our community. I definitely have plans to utilize it to grow SugarBomb.

ORP: You are also teaching a baking basics class at Luna Community College this fall. What prompted you to do that and what are you most looking forward to as an instructor?
Amanda: Initially, I wanted to teach the class as a challenge for myself. I haven’t always been super comfortable with public speaking so I thought it would help me break that. Talking about baking and the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way comes natural so it’s been nice to be able to share that with a group of people who are equally interested in baking. There’s such a range of students in the class, all the way from beginners to people who already work as professional bakers. I tell my class all the time that we are all learning new things from each other. It’s the only the third week but it’s been such an enriching experience already.

ORP: Any advice for beginning culinary entrepreneurs?
Amanda: Go for it! Even if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, if you have a passion, go for it. Put your heart and soul into it and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are some amazing people in the food industry here in Las Vegas that are willing to share their expertise. SugarBomb is a custom cake Shoppe. I strive to make everything from flavor to decor completely custom and one of a kind.

SugarBomb ontact information:
Phone: 505.429.4581
sugarbombbakeshoppe@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/sugarbomb.bakeshoppe

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Cake photos (Books and Wild One) courtesy of Amanda Medina, SugarBomb Bake Shoppe

 

Be Bold

Posted in Inspiration

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Mattress Mack helping outBe bold. Be bold with the talents you have been given. Be bold in prayer. Be bold in caring for other people. Be bold. We are given the strength and courage for every trial and every joy. Select what you choose to be bold about. Do what you do out of love. Discipline your life and your time to go about your bold acts with intention so the outcome helps others and makes the world a better place. Mattress Mack in Houston didn’t have to open his showroom to victims of hurricane Harvey, but he did. This is one selfless act that will live in the memory of everyone he helped and those who took a lesson from his generosity. This is a bold thing Jim McIngvale did, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. He not only opened his doors, he sent out box trucks that could get through high water and picked up about 200 stranded people. What do you do when something needs to be done? Figure out the best thing you are able to do, and do it.

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Photo of kids being kids at Mattress Mack’s showroom, taking a break from the devastation outside. Image from Mattress Mack’s twitter account.

Review: Seven Wings to Glory

Posted in Book Reviews, Books3 Comments

Seven Wings to GloryIn Seven Wings to Glory, author Kathleen M. Rodgers tells a layered story of life as we know it. It’s rarely simple and often riddled with secrets and surprises. Rodgers’ latest book explores loss, racism, forgiveness, and hope.

Protagonist Johnnie Kitchen uses her dream job as a newspaper columnist to bring to light long buried racially charged secrets, including the lynching of an innocent black man. She tells hauntingly and beautifully about the spirit of forgiveness as seen through the lingering presence of victims who died tragically in a long-ago fire that an all-white fire department refused to respond to.

When prejudice again rears its ugly head in Johnnie’s small home town of Portion, Texas, she is appalled and infuriated. Despite worries about her soldier son in Afghanistan, she sets out to right the wrongs of a brutally insensitive teen with an attitude. What she finds is the troubling reality of his life as a neglected and emotionally troubled victim of family dysfunction. With compassion and determination, Johnnie teams up with others to help reshape the life of someone who grew up in a hateful and mean environment.

In Seven Wings to Glory Johnnie frets about her absent son and the dangers he faces; learns surprising news about her life, withheld by people trying to do what they considered at time to be “the right thing;” and endures pain upon the tragic death of a beloved four-legged family member.

Surrounded by people whose love is sure, if sometimes imperfect, Johnnie navigates life with determination and steadfast hope.

Praise for Seven Wings to Glory:

Seven Wings to Glory “masterfully weaves the story of the Kitchen family, capturing a vivid snapshot of the American South.” – Eastern New Mexico News

A nuanced portrayal of military connectedness… Rodgers writes convincingly of relationships, foibles and struggles. Johnnie’s worry over her son is particularly tangible, informed by Rodgers’ experiences as the mother of a deployed soldier. – Stars and Stripes

Rodgers’ first Johnnie Kitchen book, Johnnie Come Lately, received First Place in Women’s Fiction for 2016 Texas Association of Authors Best Book Award Contest, a gold medal in the Military Writers Society of America 2015 Book Awards, and a bronze medal in the Readers’ Favorite 2015 Book Awards–Women’s Fiction Category.

The author lives in a suburb in North Texas with her husband, a retired fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot. Her youngest son is a former Army officer who deployed to Afghanistan in 2014. Her first novel, The Final Salute, takes place on an air force base.

Seven Wings to Glory, $15.95, is a work of women’s contemporary fiction available online and in bookstores. For more information about the author go to www.kathleenmrodgers.com .

 

A happy happenstance

Posted in Arts2 Comments

Michael Lucarelli, a musician par excellence

I hope Michael doesn’t mind me sharing this story before you get into reading his Q&A. He is first and foremost an artist worth listening to. Sharing his story is an honor. This began with an query from Michael that indicated he’d gotten the One Roof Publishing Q&A link from the Las Vegas Arts Council, and was interested in participating. I, of course, welcomed the opportunity. I always want to have a digital dialog with artists from every discipline. Fortunately, my first question was, “With your varied and successful career as a classical guitarist, what brings you to Las Vegas, N.M.?”

Michael LucarelliI can almost imagine the pregnant pause when Michael received the question. He promptly let me know he was in NEVADA and was unaware there was a Las Vegas in New Mexico, until now. So the crux of this story is that the local Las Vegas Arts Council ranks high in search engines! And Michael Lucarelli came upon it when searching for resources in that other place. Perhaps he will visit this Las Vegas and enjoy the history and charm of a true original.

Once Michael and I worked out the where, I welcomed his responses to my questions, which follow. Incidentally, he moved to Las Vegas, Nev., because of weather, which is more agreeable than the weather in Salt Lake City. “But it’s also great to be where the action is,” he said.

Michael’s bio excerpted from www.michaellucarelli.com: Award winning Classical guitarist Michael Lucarelli  has enthralled audiences throughout the U.S. for more than 30 years. He is known for his diverse programming and expressive style, tastefully blending classical, popular, jazz, Spanish, South American, as well as his original compositions. He is an annual favorite at The Sundance Film Festival where he has entertained for industry notables such as Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation and Arts & Entertainment. His music videos on YouTube have received more than 35 million views from fans world-wide.  He has twice received an Individual Artist grant from The National Endowment of the Arts. In 2014 Martha Stewart Weddings named him one of the top weddings musicians.

ORP: What drew you to pursuing music as a profession?
Michael: Luck, really. I was days from joining the military. I worked at Sperry Univac (computer factory ) for almost eight years, while studying classical guitar privately with Ricardo Lineres from Peru. I was also studying martial arts and going to competitions. After my roommate talked me out of joining the  military, things fell into place and I took a leap of faith. I walked away from a career job with full benefits and went to the University of Utah in 1985. I started playing the guitar at various gigs the day I started college. Hard to believe I’m still doing it after 32 years.

ORP: When you started out, what was your goal?
Michael: I began playing the electric guitar in 1973. I wanted to be a rock star. I started classical guitar in 1980. When I began my career professionally in 1985, my inner wish was to write one great piece for the guitar. I’ve been blessed. Now I’ve written many. I am very goal oriented.

ORP: In what ways has your goal changed over the years?
Michael: I’m still composing much more prolifically than the early stages. One recent goal was to write compositions that were more intermediate. Another goal is to write a method book, which is 70 percent finished. But my current goal is to get something going in Las Vegas, Nevada.

ORP: In terms of your accomplishments, are you where you want to be as an artist?
Michael: I believe I did more than I ever expected I would do with music. I never thought I’d have 38 million views on YouTube, or I would release 15 CDs, or compose so much music. In some ways, I’m lucky; I just follow where the guitar leads me.

ORP: What gives you the greatest joy, practicing or performing, and why?
Michael: They’re different. Each is extremely enjoyable. Practicing is a sacred and special place, a completely different experience from performing live. There is a reason – if you love music – you practice for five hours a day.

ORP: What do patrons say that gives you the greatest satisfaction as a classical guitarist?
Michael: That comes from different angles. I love the comments I get from YouTube, people who say they started playing guitar because of me. In my case, it was Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. As an artist, when you give a concert, you always love when someone says how great you are or how much they enjoyed it, but when I read comments like these on YouTube it really moves me:

“My sister died last week. Thank you for helping me get through that.”
“I have a chronic heart condition. Whenever I’m having a heart attack, I put on your Moonlight Sonata and concentrate on my breathing. That’s helped more than anything I tried.”

It’s strange and heartening to know that what I’m doing can effect people on such a personal level.

ORP: Solo performance seems to be your preferred style. How do solo performance and performing with others differ?
Michael: Yes, I mainly do solo. I did play with a trio a few weeks ago. Several concerts I’ve done titled Lucarelli and Friends, are a mix of various ensembles. I love playing ensemble but it is a bit more work. Solo guitar creates its own unique world. But playing with so many ensembles over the years has helped me be a better soloist. You learn to phrase things differently. More importantly you learn to listen! I do have a CD, Romantic Christmas, with violinist Kellie Parkinson, and Romanza with mandolinist Martin Swick, who passed away a few years ago. I did release a CD this year titled Blue Sunday, which is more jazz and New Age, but I’m doing all the instruments, something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s on YouTube. You can stream it or purchase it on iTunes. It features me playing electric guitar on four tracks. I haven’t played Electric guitar since I was 23.

ORP: At this point in your career, are you satisfied with your level of performance, or is it always evolving?
Michael: It’s always evolving, and yes, I am satisfied. When it stops evolving that’s when I’ll call it quits. You get older, your vision changes, you have to deal with those things along the road, but you always seem to reach higher ground, explore different avenues. I never saw YouTube coming. That’s a whole other world. I was lucky to be at the starting gate. I never dreamed people would be able to see me play the guitar all over the world, and having viewed, would enjoy and be inspired by what I do.

ORP: What excites you as a musician and performer?
Michael: To make a better world and to light up the inside of people who connect with my music. Physicists think music is one of the highest achievements of man. I think most people would agree. To be able to try and express the inexpressible. Some people call it God. I don’t think there’s a word that could describe how it makes me feel. It would have to be a musical sound like om. To think that there are an infinite number of dimensions and we are only living in four! What else could you do but create art. I love to think what music would sound like in the fifth dimension, or 100th or 1000th or one millionth. It’s lovely to think about what I do with my spare time.

ORP: What is the one thing you want people to know about you?
Michael: I love the Beatles, and that I finally got – after years of study – the meaning of “…all you need is love.” It is the path to freedom.

ORP: What performances to you have coming up?
Michael: Aug. 5 I will be playing at the Park City (Utah) Arts Festival, Oct. 20 Las Vegas, Nev. I mainly play private events. We’re playing on the biggest stage – YouTube. I have several videos coming out including Take Five, House of the rising sun, and Come Together, starting the first Friday of each month.

To book Michael Lucarelli for an event:
E-mail michael@lucarelli.com
Phone: 702-343-1009
Website: www.michaellucarelli.com
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Image: From Michael Lucarelli website
Music: YouTube

 

Is there a ghost in the house?

Posted in Entertainment, Las Vegas, New Mexico, My Town, New Mexico, Places, Q&A Posts, Travel & Tourism

Find out at the CCHP Places with a Past Tour Aug. 5

The Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation Places with a Past Historic Homes and Buildings Tour returns on Aug. 5, with haunting recall of lore and legend about ghosts flitting here and there. Visit Montezuma Castle (United World College), the Plaza Hotel, the Castañeda or some of the legendary homes around town and you will be amazed and delighted by the mystery in the history.

Do I believe in ghosts? I reserve judgment since years ago I lived in a spirited house in town. I say spirited because it was not haunted in the sense that something weird lived there. Quite the contrary. It did not appear as a ghostly apparition, but as a bright light flashing just on the periphery of vision. The spirit could be almost seen day or night. I thought of it more like an angel watching over me. I won’t tell you where the house is, but I hope the people who live there now appreciate that friendly spirit as much as I did.

Kathy HendricksonGhost Stories is the brain child of tour guide and owner of Southwest Detours, Kathy Hendrickson, who is also a CCHP board member. From whence did this idea spring? This Q&A with Kathy reveals the story behind her ghostly vision.

ORP: PWAP has been the major fundraiser for CCHP for many years. Talk about the challenge of making old ideas new again so you not only have new visitors but return visitors as well.
Kathy: This is my fifth year as Chairperson for the PWAP Tour and every year is a challenge to think of a new idea for the tour. There are so many events going on this time of year, it is a challenge to bring visitors to our town. I have been thinking of this ghost theme for awhile, mainly because I have heard so many folks talk about ghosts here. In fact, as soon as we bought our old Victorian, the former tenants told me that we have a female ghost living on our 3rd floor, thus the reason my house is on the tour!

ORP: Why did you select this theme?
Kathy: Ghosts stories seem to appeal to everyone, even when you say you don’t believe. Las Vegas was the “Wild West” and if you read about the history, there were hangings on our lovely Plaza, thus there must be ghostly spirits around.

ORP: How many homes and properties are on the tour this year?
Kathy: There are nine places on the tour this year. Four beautiful Victorians and five historic buildings, all with interesting tales of restless souls.

Ghost in the houseORP: Since the theme is ghostly, how did you go about selecting properties?
Kathy: Well, for one, my home has a ghost story, so that was a no brainer. I had heard ghost stories about the other properties I chose for the tour. Luckily the owners agreed to open their homes and buildings for the tour. And I only selected properties that have friendly spirits.

ORP: The popular sites are the United World College, fondly known as Montezuma Castle, the Castañeda and the Plaza Hotel, all of which host ghosts. What home properties and stories surprised you when you were putting the tour together?
Kathy: I don’t want to give the stories away, but there is one home on the tour in particular that has a very active ghost within. I had heard there was a ghost in this home and that two previous owners had moved because of the apparition, but after listening to the current homeowner tell her personal experiences with the spirit, it raised the hairs on my arm.

ORP: What reactions have you received about the theme of this year’s tour?
Kathy: I was surprised to find out how many folks are interested in spirits and ghostly tales. Even if you don’t believe, you are curious to hear the stories.

ORP: What is the most intriguing ghost story you’ve heard while putting the tour together?
Kathy: Not to give anything away, but in one of the homes, a ghost tucks the owners’ daughter in bed at night.

ORP: Have you ever seen a ghost?
Kathy: I was never a believer in ghosts, but now I am rethinking everything. After we bought our old Victorian, I heard many noises at night, and thought I saw someone in our room one evening. I always came up with a logical reason for hearing or seeing something. Now, after doing the ghost research, I’m not sure.

ORP: What do you most want people to know about the Ghost Stories tour?
Kathy: Even if you are afraid to be afraid, or don’t believe in ghostly spirits, you will enjoy exploring some beautiful historic homes and buildings and hearing about their histories. We will also have a special added attraction to the tour this year. The Ghost Paranormal Investigators team will be present to do two demonstrations during the day, and show folks how they investigate the paranormal phenomena of a haunted building. This husband and wife team have been featured on the Travel Channel Ghost Adventurers Show.

ORP: Have you had success recruiting docents for this ghostly adventure, and how are you preparing them to keep the ghosts at bay while revealing their secrets?
Kathy: This is the first time the CCHP has ever had a Ghost Story themed tour. I think the docents are excited about doing something new and fun. Hopefully the ghosts will enjoy being shown off, too. The Las Vegas Harvey Girls and Fred will be the docents at the Castañeda Hotel. This is for all those Fredheads out there.

ORP: Do you want to name the properties on the tour?
Kathy: I will let folks be surprised to see the places when they purchase a ticket.

What: Ghost Stories, 2017 Places With a Past Historic Homes & Buildings Tour
When: Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Nine selected properties
Cost: $25 per person
Tickets: CCHP, 116 Bridge Street, Las Vegas, NM
Phone: 505-425-8803
Website: www.lvcchp.org

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Photo Kathy Hendrickson, Fred Harvey/Mary Colter Fan Club
Photo at Castañeda, Martha Johnsen