New Mexico Cowbells Jingle Jangle
by Madalynn Lee and Members
What a wonderful year I have had serving as the New Mexico Cowbelle President I can scarcely believe a whole year has passed.
I feel like we do an amazing job promoting, educating, and advocating beef and its amazing by-products. Cowbelles has always been and will always be our biggest bell ringer. Thanks to all of you girls.
I want to shout out a big “thanks” to all of the ladies that served on committees for me this year and also to all those that served as Presidents and officers of your locals.
I wish again to acknowledge my executive committee: Mrs. Carolyn Chance, “thanks, for doing it for me”, she served as my secretary and what a whiz she is. Mrs. Dalene Hodnett, served as my President – Elect what an amazing woman to hand the job of Presidency to. She will surely shine as the face of our state this next year. Mrs. Lyn Greene, served her last year as treasurer for the New Mexico Cowbelles. How grateful we will always be and have always been for she truly gave a mighty service. Lastly, Ms. Anita Hand will handle us in the future as she has given to First Vice- Presidency this year. Anita imprints a hand in the future of agriculture. Thank you all again SO much for everything and mostly for putting up with me.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Yours always in “bridging the gap”,
– Madalynn
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 20 – N.M. Legislature Opens
Feb. 17 – Ag Fest / Santa Fe
Feb. 4-7 – ANCW Winter Meeting / San Antonio
Mar. 19 – Roundhouse Feed/Santa Fe
May 27-28 – Women in Ag Leadership Conference / Albuquerque
June 14-16 – NMCGA, NMWGI, NMFLC, NMCB Mid-Year Meeting / Ruidoso
Borderbelles Report, October 22, 2014. The raffle total sales were $2,970 with a net profit of $2,440. Stafford Ruebush won the Shoofly print with Cathy Moore winning the $100 beef certificate and Cal Wenzel winning the $50 certificate. The group would like to thank all who purchased a ticket to support the scholarship and activities. Fair: The fair booth received many compliments. Special thanks to Gwen Ruebush for all the work in getting it set up. The cost was only about $60. The pumpkin patch is in Albuquerque and Beverly will be attending Oct 25-26. Tamara Hurt reported on the Beef Council initiative to increase the check-off by a second dollar. That dollar would stay in New Mexico. She encouraged the members to talk it up. 2015 Dues are now due. Marianne Treadwell sent out a letter for collection – $25 for local and state and $60 for ANCW. The officers for 2014-2015 are as follows: President – Tris McSherry, Vice President – Beverly Butler, Secretary – Tamara Hurt and Treasurer – MariAnne Treadwell. ANCW Annual meeting is May 1 in Tucson this next year. The next meeting will be December 10 at Custom’s House. Respectfully submitted, Tamara Hurt
Mesilla Valley CowBelles Minutes, October 28, 2014. Members present: Janelda Richardson, Janet Witte, Fita Witte, Trudy Kremer, Mary Sanchez, Mary Esther Grider, Melissa Woodall, and Gretchen Lindsay, and Kids of CowBelles (juniors: Jennifer Witte and Lily Woodall). Dues are due, $25. If have not already paid dues, please send to either Janet or Gretchen. Officers for 2015: It was decided to keep the same officers from 2014 for 2015. Officers are: President – Gretchen Lindsay, Vice President – Vicki Gove, Treasurer – Janet Witte, Secretary – Melissa Woodall. Annual Meeting (December 5-7, 2014): MVCB will host NMCB annual meeting this year. The group’s very own Dalene Hodnett will be installed as the 2015 NMCB President. Breakfast, meeting, and installation ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014, in Albuquerque. The group will also be handing out mementos, and will meet on Tuesday, November 18, 5:30 p.m., LCHS, room
E-70 (Janelda’s room) to assemble. Next meeting will be November 18, 5:30 p.m., Janelda’s classroom. Submitted by Gretchen Lindsay
Chamiza Cowbelles, November 6, 2014. The meeting was called to order by President Gloria Petersen at 11:10 a.m. in the atrium at the Elephant Butte Inn with eight members present. Cathy read September’s meeting minutes and Dolores gave both September’s and October’s treasurer’s reports. Both were approved. Gloria reported the group sold close to 4,000 beef raffle tickets. This year, everyone turned in their tickets. The steer purchased was raised by Colt Roberts and was the reserve champion steer. Chad Ortega won the half of beef and Leslie Benda won second prize of a beef certificate. However, Ms. Benda donated her prize back to the Cowbelles to be returned to the scholarship fund. All those present at the meeting signed a thank you note to her which Gloria will send. Volunteer time sheets are due this month. After a short discussion, it was decided to keep the existing officers. Gloria suggested taking few day trips this next year. Jackie will inquire and try to arrange the visits. Some places mentioned were the cheese factory, chile factory, and a local dairy. Jackie will also post meeting minutes on Facebook along with any photos when they are available. The supply of brand throw blankets is quite low, but the group decided to hold off ordering any more at this time. The December meeting has been postponed until the second Thursday, December 11, and will be held at the Elephant Butte Inn. There will be a gift exchange with a $10 limit on the gift. Meeting adjourned at 12:07 p.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce
The Chuckwagon CowBelles met at the home of Babbi Baker in Estancia, on November 11, 2014 with 15 members and one guest present. Toni Barrow called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. The CowBelle Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance and CowBelle Creed were recited. Babbi Baker read the minutes from the last meeting. Toni Barrow gave the Treasurer’s report. Toni then read a letter from Owaissa Heimann regarding Associate Membership. It was decided to remain Associate Members. The group has been invited to the Torrance County craft fair. The members wished Tommie Aber a happy birthday coming up on the 27th. Toni covered the information on a letter regarding a Beef Check-off increase. Ruth Romero gave a presentation on Blue Star Mothers. She said her Valencia County chapter began in 2007. Blue Star Mothers originated in 1942 in Flint, Michigan. It was chartered by Congress in 1960. The fellowship of mothers of military members who are serving during unrest or war is vitally important. Blue Star Mothers ship care boxes overseas to help support their children while they are serving. Airport welcomings and Wreaths Across America are two of the events in which Ruth’s chapter of Blue Star Mothers participates. The website is http://www.bluestarmothersofvalencianm.org/ . They also participate in Paws and Stripes, an organization that rescues dogs from the pound and then helps the veteran train that animal to assist him or her with PTSD. Ruth shared her family’s history. Her parents came to America from Germany and went through all of the legal protocol to become United States citizens. They treasured their freedom. Her husband earned a bronze star for valor during the Vietnam War. Ruth and Mike have eight children who have connections to the military. Ruth said veterans face immediate dangers during war and hidden ones when they come home. Next meeting will be at Toni’s house on the 9th of December for a potluck and Christmas party. Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Babbi Baker
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