Community News

Silver City, NM — Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is pleased to announce that Southwest Bone and Joint Institute has joined the GRMC health system, further expanding our specialty care offerings and strengthening access to orthopedic services for residents throughout southwest New Mexico.

Southwest Bone and Joint Institute has built a strong reputation for high-quality orthopedic care, including treatment for injuries, joint replacement procedures, sports medicine, and advanced surgical services. Becoming part of GRMC's system enhances care coordination and ensures patients can access comprehensive orthopedic services close to home.

The Commons is pleased to announce that after a brief transition period, Ben Rasmussen has been hired as the new Executive Director.

Mr. Rasmussen has a long history of food security work in southwest New Mexico. Previously serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Center for Frontier Communities and as the founding director of the Frontier Food Hub from 2018-2025.

Since moving to New Mexico over a decade ago, Mr. Rasmussen has worked with dozens of local food producers, food hub networks and both state and federal agencies and has served as a national advocate for sustainable agriculture policy around the nation.

“My experience in the regional food and ag space is broad. I have designed and scaled coalitions, programs and partnerships in southwest New Mexico and across the state.” Said Mr. Rasmussen.

The Gila valley library will be having a summer reading program. 

See schedule below

From left are SWRMA Board members Christopher Saxman, Victoria Chick, Lucy Whitmarsh and Claude Smith III.

Since January, the Southwest Regional Museum of Art  Board is moving forward pursuing the goal of its Capital Campaign, meeting with trust holders, corporate representatives, and business leaders to ask for pledges of a significant amount paid over 5 years.

As you know, the Capital Campaign Goal of $1,200,000 will be used to purchase the old Silver City Post Office and renovate it to standards of the American Alliance of Museums. This First Phase of purchase and remodel will be followed, in the future, by a second phase already planned. SWRMA is blessed with generous Grant County residents who have made the art museum the beneficiary of their wills, gestures that will assure a sustaining future.

Since the last Newsletter, the Art Research library has been gifted 2,000 more art books for a total of 5,000 books in the Flanders Art Research Library. This is a fabulous educational History and Art resource for a small town Museum and its visitors.

XANTOLO: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, DEATH AND MEMORIES
by Patricia Morales-Cano

Xantolo is the celebration of Day of the Dead of the Huasteca region of Mexico, which includes the states of Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, Tamaulipas and Querétaro. Xantolo means “feast of the souls” and is usually celebrated every year from October 30th to November 2nd. The celebration includes artistic expression through music, theater, dance and painting. It is an experience of identity and profound spirituality that symbolizes the relationship between life and death, memories and the present, and the living and departed ones. 

SILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University (WNMU) announces Yvette Rackley, Director of Compensation and Benefits, as its February 2026 Employee of the Month. A cornerstone of the university's administrative operations, Rackley is recognized for her meticulous attention to detail, unwavering work ethic, and profound commitment to the well-being of WNMU faculty and staff.

In a university environment, the administrative machinery often operates behind the scenes, yet its success is vital to the institution's academic mission. Rackley's role is a primary example of this essential service. She is personally responsible for ensuring that every new employee is entered into the system accurately and is fully prepared to begin their roles the moment their respective departments need them.

SILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University (WNMU) recently announced a new scholarship by the WNMU Foundation in the name of Professor of Marketing Gordon Flanders, Ph.D. Flanders' tenure showcases the profound influence a single educator can have on the trajectory of a student's life.

The scholarship supports upper-division business students at Western New Mexico University who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to the field of marketing. It was established by family, friends, and colleagues to ensure that Flanders' high standards and passion for teaching would continue to inspire future Mustangs.

A previous WNMU student (right) works with Biology department instructor to load an electrophoresis gel in the university's science lab. This is a common procedure used in genetics and microbiology researchSILVER CITY, NM — In January, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) was awarded a $32,493 grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Community and Social Investment Fund. The funding will launch a transformative project titled "Enhancing Ecological and Analytical Chemistry Research Opportunities for Students in Rural New Mexico," designed to more strongly integrate classroom theory and high-level scientific practice.

This initiative addresses a critical need within the WNMU Department of Natural Sciences: the lack of specialized laboratory equipment required for advanced environmental research. Despite being in one of the Southwest's most ecologically diverse regions, students have historically faced limitations in conducting sophisticated onsite analysis. The grant will fund the purchase of a microbalance—a high-precision instrument accurate to within one microgram—and a freeze dryer.