by Beverly Butler and Members
Dear Cowbelles,
What a year this has been. The weather has been from the drought to looking into a fantasy world, almost the best for some of us. Let’s not forget to thank the man who made a difference in our land, our state of mind and our industry.
It is time for me to let go of the reins and hand them over to a very capable Madalynn Lee. I thank you ladies for giving me the privilege to serve as your president this past year. It was a challenge, but that is what life is about. You never know what you have undertaken until you have completed your challenge. It has widened my view on what goes on in the beef industry, how changes in promotion of beef affects us. Yet, people still want to hear the story from the people who raise the best, most nutritious and healthy food they can put on their plate, Beef. Promotion is what we are best at, keep moving forward and doing it that is what CowBelles do best.
Legislation is another important part of our organization; keep writing letters, emails and phone calls. We must keep up with what the legislature is doing in Santa Fe and Washington, DC, it affects all of us. You have a voice let it be heard. Be proud you are an American, stand up for what you believe in and stand up for our industry. Tell these legislatures thank you, they will remember it in the future.
Our youth, what a shining star we have in our state, Katelin Spradley, our Junior Beef Ambassador, who was first at the national level. She will make the New Mexico Beef Industry proud. The youth is the future of our industry, support them, tell them Thank you.
I want to thank Madalynn for such a great job on the Pumpkin Patch. I want to thank those who helped her, those who participated in the Pumpkin Patch carving and those who helped judge it. For you who were unable to participate we are now waiting to see if there was a world record set for the Pumpkin Carving Contest. What a great opportunity for CowBelles to partipate and promote Beef.
It is amazing what our local CowBelles do and we are not aware. The Yucca CowBelles participate in a fishing outing for the Wounded Warrior’s. The CowBelles prepare and serve about seventy people, including twenty veterans; the others are fishing club and CowBelles. Thank you Farm Bureau who partner on this great event. This is done twice a year and have been doing it for four years. I would love to commend this group for doing such a great project.
An organization functions with great member to work with. I appreciate each of you and what you have done. I know you will continue to promote Beef. I am asking just one more thing from you; please get a new member so they can share their ideas in promoting beef and make our organization even stronger.
Don’t forget to say thank you, how we appreciate, when they say something positive about agriculture, beef or even for the moisture that we were blessed with, say thank you, it goes a long way.
Thank you again and have a happy holiday.
– Sharon King, NMCB President
UPCOMING EVENTS
January
Pray for moisture in 2014
February
4-7 Annual Cattle Industry, Convention, Nashville, TN
11 Ag Fest
March
District Workshops
10-Clayton
11-Lovington
12-Socorro
The Chamiza CowBelles November Meeting was called to order by President, Gloria Petersen, at Elephant Butte Inn with seven members present. The steer for beef raffle was purchased from Connor Roberts. It weighed 1274 lbs and the group paid a total of $1465.10 which was a market price of $1.05/lb plus 10 cents a pound bonus. The beef winner, Butch Bullock, opted to take the cash rather than the beef. Two cowbelles had previously expressed an interest in purchasing the beef, so they each bought a half. A total of 3302 tickets were sold, plus a donation of $100, both of which were deposited into the scholarship fund. The December meeting will be held at the home of Jodell Downs. This year, the group decided to make the meeting a membership drive party. Menu will be a taco bar and there will be a guest speaker, Bruce Cranmer. In lieu of gift exchange, members are asked to bring non-perishable items for the food pantry. Jodell will mail out invitations and Cathy will submit articles to both local newspapers. The members present at today’s meeting volunteered to bring ingredients for the taco bar as well as desserts. A brief discussion was held concerning election of officers for next year. It was decided to keep the same officers. Jodell won the door prize of a free lunch! Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce
The Chuckwagon CowBelles met on November 12 at Babbi Baker’s house in Estancia, with 15 members, one adorable little cowboy, two guests and Toni Barrow presiding. There was discussion about the meeting schedule for 2014. January – what is your one wish and why? February – history of your family. March – district workshop, March 13, in Socorro. April – bring your vintage quilts and aprons to share. May – June – show and tell. July – things you like about a certain month or season. August – what was the best advice you ever received? September – bring something that is special to you. October – November – December – Christmas party. The goal this year is to learn more about the membership. A good thought to remember: to succeed in life, you need three things – a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. Volunteer hours and miles are due to Babbi. Toni read a thank you card for the scholarship money from Lake Baker, and a letter from Joyce Shaw. A report on the Mountainair craft fair revealed few buyers there this year. The Estancia craft fair on Saturday, December 14 was discussed and it was decided to not participate. Chuckwagon’s officers are up for election, the nominating committee recommended the same slate of officers. Toni read a letter from Owaissa Heimann concerning the Associate Membership for ANCW. There was discussion about this and it was decided to remain a member and send $150. Toni then read a letter from the Camino Retirement Center regarding donation. After lunch Rick Iannucci and Nancy DeSantis with Horses for Heroes gave a presentation on their organization. The group gave $417.50, and an additional $100.00 to treat a veteran to the Christmas dinner during the Cowboy Christmas event. Toni announced birthdays. Joyce Shaw’s was today! She also announced the annual meeting and breakfast – $25 should be mailed to Lyn Greene as soon as possible. The next meeting is at Toni Barrow’s house in Belen on December 10, 2013, officer elections and potluck. Meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m. An Executive Board meeting was convened at 2:35 p.m. It was decided to donate #S38 – the Starter Gift Set from Rada – to the silent auction at the annual meeting. It was decided that group will also donate a set of Dry Creek books to the silent auction. Present at the Executive Board meeting were Cindy Robison, Vera Gibson, Margaret McKinley, Carolyn Chance, Toni Barrow, and Babbi Baker. Meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Babbi Baker
With 12 members present, Lariat CowBelles met on November 13 at the Rabbit Ears Café. There were three new members. Thank you notes were received from Owida Franz and school children for Kids, Kows and More. Thank you notes were received from Estelle Bond and Suzanne Bennefield for condolence cards. A thank you note was received from Barbara Jackson, one of the speakers at 5 States. A condolence card will be sent to Kay Stanley for the passing of Lariat member Pearl Sowers. Time sheets need to be submitted to Mary Coffman. Dues need to be paid. ANCW dues have increased to $60 and associate has increased also. Members signed up for committees and hostessing for 2014. The nominating committee nominated Owaissa Heimann for President and Marianne Rose for Reporter/Historian. Both were elected to those positions. There were 167 attendees at Kids, Kows and More. Lariat CowBelles cooked and served hamburgers. School children from Clayton, Boise City, Felt, Mosquero and Texline attended. Kathryn Malcolm-Callis explained what is taught to the children, such as how cattle are fed and cared for, the use of vaccines, and what products are made from cattle besides beef. Lariats will hostess the District 2 Workshop in 2014. A new meeting location will be obtained due to the increased number of attendees and programs. Lariat’s Christmas meeting will be held December 11. There will be a gift exchange with the cost of gift to be no more than $15. Officers will be hostess. The Joint Stockmen’s and New Mexico CowBelle’s annual meeting will be December 6 and 7, in Albuquerque. Lariats will be in charge of decorations. Owaissa Heimann explained what activities Lariat CowBelles participate in, such as 5 States, the Pat Nowlin Scholarship, education and promotion of the beef industry. Kathryn Malcolm-Callis discussed American National Cattle Women. The annual Gate to Plate tour will not be held in 2014 due to National Beef Council finances affected by the drought. Everyone needs to be aware legislation is coming up for the release of wolves in our area. Pumpkin Patch was a big success. A pumpkin carving contest was held that beat the Guinness Book of World Records for the most carvers at one time. Karen Kelling, author of The Comanchero’s Grave, gave a presentation on writing children’s books that promote ranching. Her book is targeted toward teen-aged girls. She discussed what is involved in writing a manuscript and getting it published. Her book is available on Amazon. There were signed copies available for members to buy. It is also available at the A. W. Thompson Library in Clayton. Respectfully submitted by, Marianne Rose, Lariat CowBelle reporter
The Powderhorn CowBelles met in November at the Valley Community House with Aspen Achen and Kari Henry, De Baca County Extension as hostesses. Connie Moyers Extension Home Economist from Roosevelt County was present to give the program, a demonstration of fall themed foods. She brought with her a friend from Melrose, Carol Moore. When we had finished the business meeting we moved to a semi-circle of chairs in front of the demonstration table and we were each given a book Falling into the Holidays printed by New Mexico State Extension but put together by Connie Moyers during her career. It is a delightful collection of whimsy, articles and recipes of all kinds. She was using an induction plate and a flat bottom pan of metal that a magnet will stick to. She started by putting the ingredients for Hominy Chile doubling the recipe and then putting on the lid and turning it on. She continued mixing the ingredients for Layered Corn Bread Salad and finally a large pumpkin dessert Pumpkin Trifle. As she prepared these dishes she called attention to other recipes she is fond of and recipes for mixes which make lovely gifts for family and friends and her section on tailgate meals, an update of suggestions bringing this old favorite into contemporary use. These three dishes, Hominy Chile, Layered Corn Bread Salad and Pumpkin Trifle became the main dishes of our lunch, along with foods we had brought. During the business meeting we made plans for our Thanksgiving giving of money and baked goods. Our new project for 2013 was the selection of three members whose history resulted in them being chosen to be honored for their service to Powderhorn at our Christmas party. At that time a gift for each will be sent to the Pat Nowlin Memorial Fund in their honor. Those three members are Lib Cortese, Sarabel Hall Key and Dorothy Vaughan. Our Christmas Party will be on December 10th at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Nick and Karen Cortese. Spouses are invited. There will be a gift exchange of a white elephant from each member’s home, not to exceed $5 in value. This is to be a true white elephant, not a purchased new gift. New officers were elected for 2014. They are President, Sandy McKenna; Vice-President, Aspen Achen; Secretary, Karen Kelling and Treasurer, Ginger Key. Dorothy Vaughan, Secretary
Mesilla Valley Cowbelles met October 29 at Village Inn in Las Cruces with 10 members present, one junior and one guest. Thank you notes from SNMSF Beef showmanship Buckle winners were read, flyers advertising Ropings were passed around. Traci gave a report regarding Ag in the Classroom newsletter and the books, which Chuckwagon and MVC will split a case of. Dues are due and discussion of raising dues transpired. It was decided to raise MVC dues for 2015. State and local dues will total $25 for 2015. Fundraiser/Christmas party was discussed. Group decided to have a New Years Eve Dance for young people so that kids underage will have somewhere to go. Details and tasks were discussed and delegated among the members. Officer nominations were discussed and the nominating committee nominated the same officers and it was the decision of the membership to keep the slate the same. Melissa Woodall, Secretary
New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to “Jingle Jangle.” Please send minutes and/or newsletters to: Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007 or email: janetwitte@msn.com by the 14th of each month