The Chronicles of Grant County
This column will feature items that relate somehow to Grant County - the name of a street in the case of the first one, and maybe other streets, or the name of a building or whatever catches the fancy of the contributor, Richard Donough. Readers are encouraged to send him topics of interest to them, so he can do the research and write an article.
Abortion In New Mexico – Part One
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 29 June 2022 29 June 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Abortion In New Mexico – Part One
The United States Supreme Court Building. (The photograph was provided courtesy of The United States National Archives and Records Administration, circa – perhaps – prior to 1960.)
With the recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court, the decisions of whether to allow abortion in most cases and what restrictions to put in place regarding abortion are now in the hands of the individual states, commonwealths, and the District of Columbia.
Many statements have been made regarding how abortion will be regulated in the future. A number of those statements reference what happened in the past in this country.
One of the statements being made is that abortion is now illegal everywhere in the U S. That is not the case. Especially in New Mexico.
This edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County looks back on how abortion and abortion-related issues were reported in years past by newspapers in New Mexico. Some of the news items focused on activities that occurred within the State, while other news articles detailed events that took place in other locales. A few examples of these news articles:
Father's Day
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 19 June 2022 19 June 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Father's Day
(The image was provided courtesy of Prawny through Pixabay.)
"Great was the wisdom at Washington."
You may not read a statement like that in many places today, but the edition of the Albuquerque Morning Journal dated May 23, 1908, included that quote from the New York Herald. The quote referenced a decision by the United States Senate to not proceed with officially sanctioning "Mother's Day."
The concern was that if a day was set aside to honor mothers, other holidays would then be created.
The full quote was as follows:
"Now we perceive why the senators frowned on the 'Mothers' Day' proposition. Once open the gates and what would come? Fathers' day, sons' day, daughters' day, mother-in-law day – that's enough. Great was the wisdom at Washington."
A slightly different take on Father's Day was taken by another quote printed in the Albuquerque Morning Journal. This quote, from The Philadelphia Inquirer, was printed in the Albuquerque newspaper on May 13, 1909: "A correspondent (male and married) writes to complain that in all the fuss made over 'Mother's Day' nothing is said about Father's Day. It isn't necessary. Every day is Father's Day, and there is an awful kick if he occasionally wants a night out."
Flags Over Grant County
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 14 June 2022 14 June 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Flags Over Grant County
The American flag with 50 stars was first officially raised on July 4, 1960. (The photograph was provided courtesy of Elizabeth Budd through Pixabay, May 30, 2016.)
Today, Americans celebrate Flag Day.
People who have lived within Grant County, like those who have resided in many other communities throughout the United States, have actually lived under several flags of different nations through the centuries.
The Apache, among the people who initially lived in what is now Grant County, did not have a flag to designate their nation.
When Spain controlled the region that includes today's Grant County, it was the flag of that European country that flew over areas of what is now the U S, Mexico, and other nations in this hemisphere.
Veterans Legacy Memorial
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 30 May 2022 30 May 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Today is Memorial Day – the day designated by the Federal government to honor all those who died while serving in the United States military. A number of people will visit the Fort Bayard National Cemetery to decorate the gravesites of the men and women in eternal rest at this site in Grant County and attend a memorial ceremony.
According to the U S Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day began as "Decoration Day" three years after the end of the American Civil War. This Federal agency indicated that in 1868, Major General John Logan declared that the holiday should be held annually on May 30. The Department reported that "…it is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country."
Little Rock Mine Public Comments
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 25 May 2022 25 May 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Little Rock Mine
Public Comments
This is a portion of a map included in the public filings with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department of the State of New Mexico for the Little Rock Mine – Regular Existing Mining Operation – Revision 20-1. (The map was produced by Freeport-McMoRan and was provided courtesy of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department of the State of New Mexico, June 4, 2020.)
In a recent edition of The Chronicles Of Grant County, it was noted that the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) controlled large portions of Grant County. Some of the lands controlled by BLM are utilized in ways that affect Grant County, including in such areas as agriculture, mining, and recreation, among other activities. The efforts of the BLM have a direct impact on the economic development of Grant County.
Grant County is included in the Las Cruces District of the BLM. This district is in the process of collecting public comments regarding the Little Rock 2020 Mine Plan Operations Amendment.
A portion of a map that details aspects of the Little Rock Mine is at the top of this news column. You can view the entire map and its legend at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/LittleRockMineFacilities6-4-2020.pdf.
The BLM is seeking "…public comment…for an environmental assessment for activities associated with an amendment to the Little Rock Mine Plan of Operations NMNM091644 submitted by Freeport-McMoRan Tyrone, Inc. The public comment period is open…[until] June 8, 2022." This amendment was submitted to the BLM on June 21, 2021, "…to support continued mining and related operations on BLM-managed public land."
Bureau Of Land Management Photo Contest
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 18 May 2022 18 May 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
David Turning produced this photograph that won the 2020 Picture That Pass Photo Contest of the Las Cruces District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). According to the BLM, "Turning's winning photo captured the iconic Organ Mountains and its desert flora during an active lightning storm." (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management, December 30, 2019.)
Do you enjoy taking photographs of nature? If so, a contest sponsored by the Las Cruces District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) might be of interest to you.
The Las Cruces District of this Federal agency includes all of public lands managed by the BLM in Grant County as well as a number of other counties in southwestern New Mexico. Substantial portions of Grant County are controlled by the BLM.
Throughout this district, the BLM indicated that it "…manages 5.4 million acres of public land and…[more than] 10 million acres of Federal mineral estate from the western side of the Guadalupe Mountains to the Arizona border, and from Sierra County and the southern edge of the Gila National Forest to the Mexican border. These public lands include majestic, scenic mountain ranges jutting from the desert floor, and towering over the surrounding desert. The confluence of the Chihuahuan desert, Rocky Mountains, great plains, Sonoran desert, and Sierra Madre make the area the most biologically and recreationally diverse region of New Mexico."
People are encouraged to submit photographs of the landscape in the region or plants, animals, or other objects that are located on public land in Grant County or one of the other counties within the Las Cruces District. Entries are accepted now and through October 1, 2022.
Mother's Day In Grant County
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 08 May 2022 08 May 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Mother's Day In Grant County
Today is the official day in the United States to honor one's mother. From Hurley to Cliff and from Silver City to Santa Clara, mothers will be feted. Many mothers will be receiving greeting cards, candy, and flowers today. Some will wake up to breakfast being served in bed (watch that that hot coffee doesn't spill, though). Others might go out for lunch, brunch, or dinner with loved ones (that extra decadent chocolate cake looks delicious, doesn't it?) A few might even receive a toaster or an iron (but we'll put those items aside as "non-presents" that were "misdelivered for someone else.")
The concept of a day for mothers began long before any official holiday was proclaimed by the government. A day to recognize mothers had been proposed by Julia Ward Howe as well as by Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis and her daughter, Anna Maria Jarvis.
Children's Book Week In Grant County
- Category: The Chronicles of Grant County The Chronicles of Grant County
- Published: 02 May 2022 02 May 2022
The Chronicles Of Grant County
Children's Book Week In Grant County
Storytime is one of the weekly activities for children at the Silver City Public Library. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Silver City Public Library.)
Children's Book Week starts today, Monday, May 2, and runs through May 8. In Grant County, the Silver City Public Library has a number of activities available for babies, young children, and teenagers. This library is located at 515 West College Avenue in Silver City.
"We are passionate about encouraging children to read for fun," stated Lillian Galloway, Assistant Director of the Silver City Public Library. "We do our best to find books that fit the age, reading level, and interests of each individual child."
Babytime Sing and Play, a weekly program held at 10 AM on Tuesdays, includes "…stories, songs and rhymes, and movement for infants 0-24 months and their caregivers," according to a statement from the library. Ms. Galloway indicated that the program runs about 30 to 45 minutes.
Storytime is held at the library at 10 AM on Wednesdays. This program includes, the statement from the library continued, "…stories, songs, and more geared to [children] ages 0-5 and their caregivers."
Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years are welcomed to participate in the Minecraft Club here. Access is available at the library via Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and on computers.
"The library Minecraft Realm is online and always accessible," according to the statement from the Silver City Public Library. "Only people we invite can join our world. Anyone playing on PlayStation, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows 10, Windows Phone, Amazon Fire tablets, or Gear VR can play together."
A section at the library has been set aside for teenagers. "There's comfortable furniture, game consoles, and computers," explained Ms. Galloway. "Young people aged 12 to 19 years are welcome to use the area for gaming."
She also explained that the library has started an Open Mic program for teenagers and children that want to highlight their talents in singing, magic tricks, or other skills.
Ms. Galloway noted that "the Silver City Public Library has robust Summer programs planned for 2022."
Among the activities planed for May 31 to July 15, according to the library, are Reading Logs where individual children are encouraged to follow a reading log and win prizes: "The reading logs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers have clouds on them. The reading logs for kids ages 6-12 have waves on them. Teens receive a Bingo card where one can fill up to five lines to win prizes."
The library indicated that it "…will have three performers this year. Indiana Bones on June 10 at 10 AM. Indiana Bones does dramatic storytelling connected with this year's theme 'Oceans of Possibilities.' Explora on June 24 at 1 PM. Explora will be doing science experiments. And Asombro on July 8 at 1 PM. Asombro will be doing desert postcards…We will be having Crafts every Tuesday, for ages 12 and [younger], and Thursday for teens. Crafts include a Mermaid scrub, Leis, Jellyfish Lanterns, Slime, and much more."
The Little Artist Club will be held for young children aged five and younger. The library indicated that the first meeting will be at 10 AM on June 13 when children will be making salt jellyfish; at 10 AM on June 27, the children will be making yellow submarines; and on July 11 at 10 AM, the children will be making Sea Monsters.
In addition, there will be a series of movies presented at the library this Summer: "Encanto" on June 6, "Sing" on June 20, "Sing 2" on June 27, and "Coco" on July 11. Each of the movies will be shown at 3:30 PM.
Children and teenagers can start to sign up for the Summer programs on May 9 at the Silver City Public Library.
The Minecraft Club allows children to play video games at the Silver City Public Library. (The photograph was provided courtesy of the Silver City Public Library.)
Do you have questions about communities in Grant County?
A street name? A building?
Your questions may be used in a future news column.
Contact Richard McDonough at chroniclesofgrantcounty@mail.com.
If your email does not go through, please contact editor@grantcountybeat.com.
© 2022 Richard McDonough