Here’s some of today’s local news:
The Gila National Forest Silver City Ranger District presented the “Every Kid in a Park Program” to fourth grade students at Harrison Schmitt Elementary. Silver City Ranger District’s Fire Prevention Technician, aided by other Gila National Forest employees, presented the program to the kids and Smokey Bear taught a stewardship message and passed out 84 4th-grade passes. The “Every Kid in a Park” initiative provides an opportunity for US fourth grade students across the country to experience their federal lands and waters in person. The pass will give the child and his/her family free access to all of the federal lands and waters across the U.S. for a full year. Fourth graders will be able to learn about their heritage, connect with nature, and ignite a passion for history and culture. Another perk of the pass is that the fourth grader, along with their parent or guardian, can come into any Forest Service office and receive a free Christmas tree cutting permit. For more information on the Every Kid in a Park initiative, visit everykidinapark.gov.
Western New Mexico University’s 2018 Homecoming celebration will be kicking off next Thursday, October 4th and run through Saturday, October 6th. This year’s theme, “Remember When”, includes an alumni social, a combined alumni and athletic halls of fame banquet, an Eagles tribute band, a pancake breakfast, a parade, a community-wide tailgate party and of course a home football game against Angelo State. In addition, alumni Tom Powers, Rosemary Garcia, Alfred J. “Al” O’Malley, Trey Clarkson, Yair Banuelos, Nicole Luna and Janette Carrillo, along with the entire Women’s Recreation Association 1967 state champion softball team, will be honored. Additional alumni will be recognized at the Mustang Legends banquet on Friday. Homecoming 2018 events will take place all over campus, throughout Silver City and at the University Golf Course at Scott Park. Visit alumni.wnmu.edu/homecoming for a complete schedule of all the festivities.
The New Mexico Coalition for Literacy honored Thelma Sordyl with the “Tutor of the Year Award.” Thelma has served as a tutor, event volunteer and Board member for Literacy Link-Leamos since 2001. She is a longtime Silver City resident, a retired Silver High School teacher, and currently tutors individuals who are studying for the US Naturalization Citizenship exam. The Santa-Fe-based New Mexico Coalition for Literacy is a statewide nonprofit that works to improve adult literacy rates. It supports about 20 community-based literacy programs. Congratulations to Thelma Sordyl!
Some local events taking place this weekend include the 13th Annual Mimbres Harvest Festival tomorrow from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. at San Lorenzo Elementary School on New Mexico Highway 35. There will plenty of locally grown food, handmade products, games for adults and children, and live music. They are also featuring a Health Fair sponsored by Hidalgo Medical Services, WNMU Nursing students from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. with screenings, blood pressure checks and free flu shots from Walgreen’s. In addition, a Territorial Charter “Volunteer Work Day” in District 3 in Silver City has been scheduled for tomorrow from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at La Capilla Park in Silver City. Residents are urged to bring their own work gloves, hand tools, weed trimmers and related safety equipment and parking is available at the Senior Center and Light refreshments will be served.
