Glenwood Gazette

Glenwood Library

These days, with their hint of fall, are inspiring - to read, to paint, to write or just to keep up with the weeds - as well as rejuvenating.

For those inspired to read, the Glenwood Library is the place to go! A tall stack of beautiful, hardbound books has been purchased, thanks to a generous, anonymous donation to honor long-time Library lover Dorothy King. Dorothy died last June at the age of 96. The books cover a wide variety of topics, including two of her loves: history and the great outdoors.

The Bookworm read a small one the other afternoon - Elisabeth Tova Bailey's "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating." Only 170 pages long, it tenderly chronicles the bed-ridden author's observations of and companionship with a snail that was accidentally brought to her bedside with a flowerpot of wild violets.

Who knew these gastropods could be so interesting?

Who knew so much already has been written about them?

Spiraling deeper into the life of a small snail - a little like Alice falling down the rabbit hole - led to an appreciation for the perfection of all creatures on Earth, whether carnivores at the top of the food chain or humble inhabitants of undersides of leaves.

If you don't have time to learn about the mating rituals of snails and a long list of "Honey Do's" is staring at you, the Library can help!

All the old, dog-eared, out-of date Do-It-Yourself books have been replaced with the latest set of Black & Decker's Complete Guides to Home Repairs, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical Wiring and Masonry & Stonework.

You'd rather watch a movie or TV show? Don't fret. The Library's got you covered. New releases of popular TV shows have arrived, including Dexter Season 5, Breaking Bad Season 3 and three seasons of the latest Midsomer Murders.

Two new classes at the Library are being planned, depending on public interest. One is a free basic computer/Internet class. The other is a beginner's conversational Spanish class that would begin early next year. Students would pay for their own supplies.

Contact Lynn Neidermayer at the Library, 539-2277, if you're interested in the computer class; call Val McCabe at 539-2627 if the Spanish class interests you.

The other day, while driving north on 180, a truck hauling a squeeze chute passed in the opposite lane. "There goes a 'squeeze machine'," the Bookworm chuckled, thinking of the wonderful movie "Temple Grandin," which was shown this spring at Library Movie Night.

If you haven't seen it, check it out. Several of her books are available as well. Grandin is autistic. She's also an author and PhD who has designed more humane slaughterhouses because she says she sees like animals. Hers is a fascinating story and Claire Danes gives a stellar performance of this socially awkward but prideful, impassioned woman who achieves so much because of a mother who won't ostracize her and her home-made "squeeze machine" that gives her comfort.

Speaking of Movie Night, this month's movie is the documentary "Manufactured Landscapes." It is an award-winning cinematic portrait that's part poem, part protest. The documentary follows the work of Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, known for finding haunting and lingering beauty in large industrial vistas. His shooting locations include slag heaps, factories, quarries and recycling yards.

Big Screen Movie Night at the Library
7:00 PM. ~ Friday, October 14
"Manufactured Landscapes"
No admission fee ~ Free sodas & popcorn ~
Donations accepted

Datil News

October Events at Baldwin Cabin Public Library in Datil

Datil's Baldwin Cabin Public Library is proud to present a Book Signing for Local Northern Catron County authors on Saturday, October 1st from 2 until 5 p.m.

Among the authors attending are two from Pie Town: Uncle River has three new books this year: 'Counting Tadpoles,' a cultural science fiction story; 'Jacinth', a novella of near future opportunities as society closes in with further economic disintegration; and 'King Freedom,' a novel of escape from oppression.

Thea Marshall, author of last year's popular 'Cat's Masquerade,' has this to say about her latest novel, "Lovers sacred and profane burn together in 'Love's Pure Flame.' In the 1171 Court of Love and war, who will win their heart's dangerous desire?"

Representing Datil is T. Michael Fuson who has written a thriller, 'The Black Heart' which takes place in 1969 and concerns the Vietnam War, a wheeler-dealer helicopter pilot, the Russians and the CIA.

A very busy resident of Datil, Ann Jenkerson, somehow found time to write and will sign her book 'Spur,' a very enjoyable Western family and love story. She also has an inspirational book.

Randell Whaley, an instructor at Datil's Mojave Academy, has written a memoir of life in Colorado and the Texas Panhandle, 'Teen Age Farmer' as well as other books. BCPL's staff hopes to see you there. It's not too early to start buying Christmas presents. Refreshments will be served.

On Friday, October 21st from 2 to 4 pm Matt Basham, District Archaeologist for the US Forest Service in the Magdalena Ranger District will give a talk on archeology entitled 'Heritage Resources of the Magdalena Ranger District.' Bring any artifacts you would like to show during the question session after the talk. Refreshments will be served.

BCPL is located on Forest Road 100, just off U.S. 60, three miles west of downtown Datil. Please patronize your local library.

Datil Arts & Crafts Show

The Datil Extension Club's Annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale will be held at the Datil School Gym. Proceeds from the show go towards scholarships and to the Good Samaritan Home in Socorro.

The date is Saturday, November 5th and the time is 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Datil Booster Club will as usual serve a delicious Mexican lunch starting at noon. Write it down on your calendars now as you won't want to miss the start of the Christmas season and the chance to buy your presents early.

For crafters: the fees are 10% a booth for home crafters; $25 a booth for home crafters with business; and clubs - $10 a booth. Please respond by October 15th at the latest with a $15 deposit check, which will be deducted from the booth fee.

Make it out to Datil Extension Club and sent to Pat Padgett at P.O.B. 182, Datil, NM 87821. It's on a first come, first serve basis so don't delay.

Crafters should set up at 8:00 a.m. on November 5th and should also bring a small item for the Raffle table. Please bring your own pegboard if you need to hang things up.

Call Pat Padgett at 575 772 5558 with any questions.

In Memoriam
Francis McKeen Wheeler
1923 - 2011

Francis McKeen Wheeler passed away October 3, 2011 in Dallas, Texas at the age of 88 years. Francis was the last of her generation. She was born in Alma, New Mexico on June 6, 1923. Her parents were Hugh and May Balke McKeen, who were pioneer ranchers in Alma. Her brothers were Hugh Brunson McKeen and John A. McKeen, and her sister was Eva Faust, all who have passed away.

Francis attended school in Alma as well as high school at New Mexico State Teachers College High School in Silver City.

She married John A. Wheeler August 24, 1942 before he was sent to Italy during World War II. They lived most of their married life in Lubbock, Texas where they owned a farm and feedlot machinery business and raised four children: Steven, David, Kathleen, and Douglas.

Francis is survived by Douglas and Steve and many nieces and nephews and friends who loved her dearly. In Francis and John's retirement, they lived in El Paso, Texas. After John's death in 1998, Francis moved to Dallas to live with her son Douglas. She could not have had better care for 6-1/2 years. A graveside funeral was held for Francis in the City of Lubbock Cemetery, next to her husband, John A. Wheeler.