Here’s a look at some local news:

Silver City MainStreet announced the winners of the 2019 Holiday Merchant Window contest this week in addition to the recipient of the 2019 Spirit of Christmas award during a presentation event at the Murray Ryan Visitor’s Center. In a news release from Silver City MainStreet, the merchant’s special window displays were judged for creativity/originality, holiday spirit, and lighting. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third in addition to a Community Choice Award. The first-place winner was Encore, second place went to Kris’s Unique Boutique, and third place was awarded to Vintage Fantasies. The Community Choice Award went to the Silver City Food Co-op. Last year MainStreet initiated the “Ward A. Rudick Spirit of Christmas Award” with Ward A. Rudick, being the first recipient. This year the award went to Patsy Madrid, owner of Vintage Fantasies. Madrid has always decorated her store windows for the holidays and sponsors a fundraising event each summer to raise funds for downtown holiday decorations.

The Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging completed an assessment of all Hidalgo Medical Services senior centers during the first week of December and the findings were extremely positive. Maribel Armendariz, HMS Chief Support Officer, stated: “Our Senior Centers are a top priority at Hidalgo Medical Services and it’s a privilege to be able to serve our community.” A news releases stated: “Hidalgo and Grant County have a variety of challenges in regard to the needs of older adults, and Senior Centers are an important component in maintaining and developing a better quality of life through nutritious meals, social interaction and medical education.” HMS has collaborated with Grant and Hidalgo County and the municipalities of the Town of Silver City, the Village of Santa Clara, and the communities of Cliff/Gila and Mimbres, to assure that the Senior Centers are thriving and providing services to the seniors. The lead assessor, Jose Fonseca, stated, “I was impressed by the passion and dedication of the leadership that the organization has to our seniors. I believe that this program has the potential to be one of the best in the state.”

Grant County Masons from 3 lodges in Grant County joined together with the assistance of spouses and other helpers for shop for over 80 children for the Holidays. Each child was chosen by Grant County school nurses and allocated $110 to purchase needed clothing. This annual event, titled “Clothe A Child,” is sponsored by Grant County Masonic Relief, which is made up of the Hurley, Mimbres, and Silver City Masonic Lodges.