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May 23, 2013 — It’s time to celebrate a milestone for Last Minute Low Budget Productions. The LMLB plans to celebrate the closing of a land transfer from Terlingua Fire and Emergency Medical Services (TFEMS) to Last Minute Low Budget Productions, and begin to finalize construction of the Mercury Center for the Performing Arts in Study Butte. To show appreciation to TFEMS and the Terlingua community, LMLB is hosting a reception at High Sierra at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Appetizers will be provided, and beer and wine may be purchased at the bar. The deed transfer to LMLB will take place around 6:30. • Here’s the skinny on LMLB and its long journey toward getting its own building: You know what a hard-working crew the Last Minute Low Budget Productions is when it comes to our favorite plays. But did you know the dream they have of building a community theater is one step closer? For a full decade LMLB was graced with a performing venue known as the Theater Behind the Store. This facility was as basic as it comes; yes, it had bathrooms and electricity, but other than that it was simply a tin roof tied by wire onto rafters, a concert floor and one stone wall. Three outside walls, stage, seating, backstage, lights, sound all had to be constructed — and then removed and stored for two weeks every year to make room for another organization. The inconveniences were multiple: no heat or air conditioning, shows delayed by thundering rain on the tin roof and, always, the annual tear-down, storage and rebuilding of every single piece of the theater. Nonetheless, LMLB thrived and in 2009 began plans for a permanent facility to be named the Mercury Theater for the Performing Arts. (The name comes from the area’s local history with mercury mining as well as a nod to the historical Mercury Theater of Orson Welles.) In the fall of 2010, the Board of Directors of Terlingua Fire and Emergency Medical Services (TFEMS) decided to donate, rather than sell, two acres of property to a local non-profit organization. TFEMS selected LMLB Productions as the entity best suited to receive this donation. In December 2010, LMLB President Trevor Hickle and the TFEMS board met to formalize the arrangement. The land transfer agreement with signed on September 11, 2011, by LMLB President Martha Stafford and TFEMS President Steve Beckett. On November 5, 2012, Stafford met with the TFEMS board to document that all caveats of the land transfer had been met by LMLB. The building of the Mercury Theater for the Performing Arts became a “must” rather than a dream when the Theater Behind the Store venue was lost in November 2012 due to ownership issues. While the loss of venue was an unexpected surprise, LMLB lived up to the mantra, “The show must go on,” and produced its regularly scheduled winter show in a space donated by a local business. The LMLB Board of Directors is committed to future productions, regardless of scrambling for space until our permanent theater is ready. And that won’t be long! The board understands that the building this theater must occur in increments: a roof, walls, utilities — and we’ll open the theater. After all, we have quite a bit of experience of producing high-quality theater in a jerry-rigged space … and we can live with lawn chairs for seats for a while longer. Our beautiful little space will unfold and develop a step at a time while we stay true to our mission of presenting the performing arts to the Terlingua community. In addition to use by LMLB productions, the Mercury Theater will be available for use by other community organizations. The board envisions groups holding classes, trainings and meetings in the building as well as school programs, performances and graduation. As the space will be climate-controlled, events can be scheduled throughout the year, which could help offset the summer slowdown. Last Minute Low Budget Productions is a non-profit community theater group that began putting on plays in the Terlingua area in 1989 and averages three to four events per year. The all-volunteer cast and crew hail from the area; new thespians are always welcome. For more information, contact Martha Stafford, president of LMLB, atmstafford@terlinguacsd.com, or visit http://www.lmlbterlingua.org. |
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The inaugural “Voices From Both Sides — A Reunion At the Lajitas Crossing” was held on the banks of the Rio Grande on Saturday, May 11.
The event was a fiesta with music and food for Texans on the north bank of the river and Mexican residents on the south bank of the river. Many of the participants met for camaraderie in the water in the middle of the river and at water’s edge along the riverbanks. There were many tearful but joyful reunions of friends and relatives in the river. One Terlingua teacher met again with several former students she hasn’t seen for almost a dozen years. A mother hugged her daughter — one from each side. A lady from Terlingua embraced her grandson from Paso Lajitas. Music played throughout the day. A mariachi band played on the south bank of the river. Numerous Terlingua area musicians played on the north bank overlooking the river. Folks danced on both sides and in the middle of the river, too. Kids, some of whom were cousins from both sides, swam and splashed and ran and giggled. There were a couple of brief speeches. Terlinguan Jeff Haislip welcomed everybody to the event, and San Carlos, Chihuahua Presidente (Mayor) Ramon Garcia welcomed the crowds and thanked the participants for attending the festival. The event, organized and orchestrated by local residents Jeff Haislip and Collie Ryan, with several trips to meet with counterparts in Mexico, is intended to restore some of the sense of common community between Lajitas and Paso Lajitas, the northern and southern portions of the historic community which existed for centuries on both banks of the Rio Grande. A historical marker states that Lajitas Crossing dates back to its use by pre-Columbian Indians and later by Spanish Conquistadors. The use of the crossing was abruptly terminated on May 10, 11 years ago in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Participants Saturday were greeted with a light rainfall as the event kicked off at 2 p.m. but were soon greeted by light, wispy clouds and blue sky. The temperature, which barely reached 80 degrees, was a pleasant surprise for a Rio Grande event in mid-May. The planning for the event was coordinated with the U.S. Border Patrol, which emphasized the need for the U.S. citizens not to make landfall into Mexico, while Mexican citizens ought not cross onto the banks on the U.S. side. The event also was broadly supported in the greater Terlingua and Lajitas community. Shade was provided by Desert Sports. Refuse collection was taken care of by Far Flung Outdoor Center. Water stations were provided by Big Bend River Tours. The location on the U.S. side was provided and graded by the Lajitas Resort. Bobbie’s Blues and Barbecue was on-site with delicious food served free of charge. Solar POWER for the music was supplied by Casey Colando of All Energies - Alternative Energy System Design and Installations. This Voices From Both Sides festival is part of a larger effort that includes the production of a Music CD and documentary DVD featuring musicians from the United States and from Mexico. The link to the Kickstarter project is http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1793089882/voices-from-both-sides?ref=live Our border is like no other with families separated only by politics. Click here for lots more pictures |
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The 2013 Terlingua Goddess Party was hosted by Reine Wonite on May 4th at Casa del Corazones. This Terlingua Goddess party annual tradition of a potluck mimosa brunch was started about ten years ago by Janet Sullivan. When she died, Elizabeth Thompson volunteered to host the next party at her house as a memorial. She featured Janet's eclectic collection of stemware and Goddess cards as a memorial. It's been a tradition every since to gather the first weekend in May, with the location and hostess being passed along each time. Martha Stafford, Barbara Cole Taylor and Bernadette Devine have each provided us a unique place to gather to share and build memories. There are so very many talented and caring women in our Big Bend and this annual gathering has given us space and time to share. The invitation enticed. "The Big Bend country is a hotbed of spendiferous Goddess Energy! Let Terlingua Goddesses gather together to celebrate once more. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones." Despite all the busy schedules getting there was a priority for me and many others. With memories of past gatherings, the magic is hard to resist. Bearing gifts of our finest tasty treats we ascended to Casa del Corazones, the dream home of Reine Wonite, a magnificent work still in progress. Though the road was rough and rocky, determined Goddesses arrived, not in limousines, but jeeps, 4 x 4's, trucks, street cars and even a 4 wheeler. The wide spot in the road became a parking lot with a short steep hike to the most magnificent views. This is one gathering where deserts outnumber entrees by a wide margin. Jane Brown added the musical accompaniment. Five hours passed like a minute and suddenly the spell was broken and we all departed - with gratitude for a most amazing place shared with new friends and old. Next year, the plan is to meet at the Rock House on the first Sunday in May. You might arrive the night before and you're welcome to stay the night after as a few hours on a sunny May day isn't nearly enough. Pam Ware has agreed to be our hostess. What will you bring to share, fellow Terlingua Goddesses? Lots more pictures from sunup to sundown here |
No better food or conversation anywhere! (Photo by Terri Baker)
The view from Casa del Corrazones (photo by Keith Godwin)
Reine shares her vast knowledge of the mountains and the valleys surrounding her home.
Preparing the special potion
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Many of you know that I also share some of our joyful events at
http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/ I do love checking their page for news of our Big Bend almost every day. Maybe you'll like it too. Here's the story my husband Paul wrote about the Chihuahua Races: http://alpinedailyplanet.typepad.com/alpine-daily-planet/2013/04/things-really-go-to-the-dogs-at-desert-chihuahua-races-in-terlingua.html |
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The 2013 Terlingua Green Scene, the 5th annual, was held Saturday, April 6, in Terlingua Ghost Town.
Few would have believed the dream Zoey Sexton and Shannon Carter dreamed in the dry desert town of Terlingua. Green. But dream they did, and they made believers one person at a time. Asking just a little from this person and that, they grew a group of doubters into a gang of dedicated workers. It’s easy to believe in it now. This Green Scene, an annual affair of sustainability and creativity, is sponsored by the Terlingua Community Garden, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The goal of year-round food production using rainwater garners great support from the community. An informal gathering of members provide locally grown organic food, desert gardening education and a Saturday Farmers’ Market for the community. Founded in 2008, the Terlingua Community Garden’s lofty goal is to be the first of its kind in this part of the country to use rainwater for year-round food production by 2014. Last year the Garden was able to buy a 3,000-gallon tank and to erect a 50x25-foot shade structure with the proceeds of the annual Green Scene fundraising celebration. In response to this community generosity, another individual donated a second tank. This year’s goal is lofty — to raise the $10,000 that will be needed to build a three-tank water catchment system at the Ghost Town’s Terlingua Trading Post and Starlight Theatre to catch and transfer water to the garden. Almost every member of the community contributed talents of one kind or another to this huge fest. There were singers and dancers and artists and educators and filmmakers. There was music, dancing and storytelling donated by a varying group of talented musicians. There was an auction of items donated by community members. Neighbors shared their knowledge of green living and building in several seminars. The finale for the daylong activities was a screening of 9 videos presented by their filmmakers. Music and merriment rang late into the night. |
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Willie Nelson once recorded a song which begins, “They all went to Mexico...” and today for the first time in 11 years that was true for the small Coahuila village of Boquillas del Carmen.
The new United States-Mexico border crossing at Boquillas, which lies across the river and border from Big Bend National Park opened Wednesday, April 10, at 9 a.m. A vanguard of U.S. officials from the National Park Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and others waded the shallow Rio Grande to meet and greet their Mexican counterparts even before the boat to cross the river began ferrying local residents and tourists to the southern bank. The informal crossing at Boquillas and numerous other such crossings were closed 11 years ago in the aftermath of the tragic terrorist attack on 9/11/2001. Today, after several years of planning and negotiations, the new automated Class B crossing opened. A 16-foot flat-bottom rowboat ferried passengers who were met on the Mexican riverbank by some of the remaining 100 or so residents of Boquillas. Horses and a few pickup trucks were available to transport people the approximate one-mile, semicircular route to the village. Several longtime residents from South Brewster County had emotional reunions with friends from Boquillas, for some for the first time in many years. Border officials from both countries were ready for the on-again, off-again, on-again, off again opening of Boquillas Crossing. The local residents of Boquillas worked tirelessly to catch up with the flood of people who took advantage of the opening to go to Boquillas on the first day of its resurrection. The economy of the village had depended heavily on tourism from Big Bend National Park for many years. The closing of the border devastated the village’s economy and caused two-thirds of Boquillas’ residents to leave over the years following the closing. With the reopening of the border, the village is beginning to open stores, a cantina, one or more restaurants, and a visitor center with a marketplace for locally made craft items, recently only available on a clandestine basis along the trails and overlooks in Big Bend National Park. Within a few months, they expect to have the ability to host overnight guests in homestays. We were among the first to ride the boat across the Rio Grande, but when we arrived at the village and found where food was available, we encountered eight U.S. Border Patrol officers already seated and eating breakfast. The official process to enter Mexico and return to the United States was straightforward. At the village, the Mexican Government has a facility where visitors fill out a simple entry form and also check out when departing the village. On the U.S. side, the National Park Service and Department of Homeland Security jointly operate a visitor center and entry station. A park ranger is on duty, but the formal re-entry into the U.S. is handled at automated kiosks where a passport or border identity passport card, which is required, is scanned and where the person entering the U.S. may talk by telephone to an Immigration and Customs official in El Paso. Because Murphy’s Law almost always applies in such circumstances, one of the two kiosks was out of order. The crossing will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. It remains illegal to cross the border at any time the crossing is not open. We were pleased to take part in the first organized tour of Boquillas, during which we were shown some remnants of early mining, a residential area which was flooded in 2008, some new housing built following the 2008 flood, and the commercial area which is now able to come back to life. It was a festive day in Boquillas and the entire village was full of smiling faces, handshakes, hugs and a few tears of joy, too. |
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March, 20, 2013
Wednesday evening, the Patio of The Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend National Park was the setting for a most entertaining gathering. Local authors, Elizabeth A. Garcia, Rawles Williams, and Thomas Alex talked about their love for this area and the books they had written. They graciously signed personal dedications as book lovers listened to the folk music of Trevor Hickle and Charlotte Teer. With the backdrop of the Window the sunny and cool evening was capped by a glowing golden sunset. To make it all finer Big Bend Brewing Company beer was plentiful! Rawles Williams authored, "Boquillas Crossing." With a little help from his friends, life just past the turn of the century comes alive in this fictional but historically based view into the Big Bend of Texas. You'll want to read this so you're ready for his next, as Rawles is now hot on the trail of a sequel. Thomas Alex, is the author of "Images of America: Big Bend National Park and Vicinity." His writing is as precious as his historic photographs. "Many who come to Big Bend have difficulty accepting the seemingly harsh face of the desert with its thorny scrub brush, cactus, and apparent desolation. But those seeking deeply with their inner being can begin to touch the occult mystery of the desert that slowly unfolds like a blossom on a prickly pear." Elizabeth A. Garcia debuted "The Beautiful Bones", the second of the Deputy Ricos series. "It had been a glittering fairyland when the sun began its climb over the mountains in the east. Three hours later, the ice had become big, wet droplets, unable to maintain its grip in a face off with the sun." She really "gets" our Big Bend region and her storytelling will keep you riveted until the finish! Front Street Books in Alpine carries all of the books as does the Trading Post in the Ghostown and The Chisos Mountain Lodge gift shop. |
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March 3, 2013
So, pretend you are a guide. You and your guests have just passed through Santa Elena or Boquillas Canyon and have pulled onto the bank to spend the night. Or you just rode in with your hungry city slickers. You need to have a dessert. You have no electricity, propane, gasoline, or battery power to use in preparing your dessert. What is a guide to do? Thus began the Terlingua Cookie Chill Off. So once again the Umteenth Annual Cookie Chill Off was held at the Boathouse Bar in the Terlingua Ghost Town on Sunday afternoon, March 3. Desserts were prepared in accordance with the no electricity, no gas, no battery power cooking rules. There were distinct divisions for Guides, Restaurant Cooks, and Sweet-Toothy Neighbors. Categories included Cookies/Candy, Ice Cream/Sorbet, Pie, and Sugar Free (the sugar free category could be any of the three). The judges were forewarned not to have eaten lunch. Hosted by Trevor Hickle, the musicians jammed all afternoon with drop by performances by Charlotte Teer, Nick Cooper, The Rocky Top Alien Breeding Experiment, Moses Martinez, Michael Combs, Maria Moss and Jon Hogan. Winners? Lots of them. In the Candy/Cookie Division, Debby Dickle. Ice Cream, George Womack. Restaurant Ice Cream - Avacado boys. Pie, Pam Ware. Sugar Free, Pam Ware. Best of Show, George Womack's Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream. And People's Choice, Pam Ware's Sugar Free Chocolate Almond Swirl. More great prizes, donated by most all of our local merchants, were won in the silent auction and raffles. And in Viking Chess and Petanque? All of the participants! |
Click here for lots more Photos
All funds raised went to help our Last Minute Low Budget Productions’ dream of building our Mercury Center for the Performing Arts. We really appreciate the community support! 
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Terlingua's 4th Annual Funky Junk Art Show kicked off at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghostown on Saturday evening, March 2. The Funky Junk Art Show is billed as "wonderfully warped" and the show is living up to its billing. The majority of the pieces entered in the show are constructed or conceived from old stuff found lying around the house, the shed, or the desert. Sculpture pieces welded together, paintings framed with old artifacts, and photographs mounted in unusual ways formed the core of the show. The opening of the show was a party for the artists and patrons alike, with a theme of "white trash" and most excellent hors d' oeuvres. The art will continue to be on display at the Starlight Theater in the Ghost Town until the end of March, except for pieces sold to out-of-towners who need to take their purchases home with them when they leave. To see the best of the best, patrons are urged to come early in March.
Lots more pictures here |
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February 15, 2013
Remember the Model A I told you about? Click this link to learn what happened when it arrived in Terlingua. Photo and Story by Carlton Leatherwood |
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January 30, 2013
I was disappointed to find that the crossing to Boquillas really didn't open - AGAIN - today. But the BLUEBONNETS at Terlingua Post Office cheered me up once more. Although the local park people are doing all they can, we have to be patient and hope the new government in Mexico will see its importance. |
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Wednesday, February 6 2012
Amidst the many “offs” in Terlingua — the Chili Cook Off, New Years Day Pea Off, Dutch Oven Cook Off and Menudo Cook Off — Saturday, January 26, was the date for a more literary rather than culinary “off.” The 18th annual Terlingua Word Off was held at the Starlight Theatre in the Ghost Town. The Word Off is an evening for readings of short prose or poetry and for storytelling. Each presenter was limited to 5 minutes for his or her presentation. There were over 40 presenters to entertain the crowd that evening. Many of the readings were original works written by the presenters. The readings included several tributes to friends passed. Some of the works were somber and serious, while others were downright funny. The Starlight Theatre was full of presenters and a crowd of listeners. Some were locals; many were from faraway places including New York, Alaska and Michigan, and even foreign countries like Canada (Quebec province). The Word Off is an annual event, and it is never too early to plan to present a reading or a story next year. As January again approaches, you will certainly be able to read about the upcoming 2014 Word Off in the Alpine Daily Planet. Lots more pictures here: And Paul Glaves’ contribution is online here: |
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Photo courtesy of Mimi Webb Miller
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Thursday, January 30, 2013
THIS BEAUTY is the 1930 Model A that picked up the Terlingua school kids in those years...from all over south Brewster County and brought them to the Perry School in the Ghostown. I am still learning the history. Juan Manuel Casas and his family have donated this to Terlingua Ghostown and this area. It will be held by all the Terlingua School kids and Mimi Webb Miller for us to love and take good care of. It is running and we will use it for parades and photos and more. We will be building a permanent structure to house it and would appreciate any Metal Poles and tin if anyone has some to donate. We are working on some glass for siding protection (at some point). On Sunday, February 10th and again on Monday for the school kids, Down at the La Posada Milagro's Espresso y Poco Mas, we will have the Casas family here and lots of good stories. Juan Casas wrote the "Mexican's Tale of Terlingua" (he will also be signing books and they are available at the Terlingua Trading Company). His family ran the old Study Butte Store in those old days with a large amount of Terlingua Ranch in their holdings. His family is buried in our cemetery in the Ghostown. |
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January 19, 2013
The new Terlingua Moon is here:
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BREAKING NEWS! HOLD THE PRESSES!
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January 12, 2013
A Bluebonnet getting ready to bloom sighted in the parking lot of the Terlingua Post Office. Spring is just around the corner. Make your plans to see the desert in full glory. Coming soon! |
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Looking back to New Year's Day
New Years Day Tribute to Townes Van Zandt at Terlingua's Starlight Theatre In 1972 a young Texas singer-songwriter recorded a song about a bandit and his enigmatic sidekick in Mexico. Only a few took notice. In 1977 an emerging female vocal artist recorded the song again. It received more notice but wasn't a resounding hit. But six years later Emmylou Harris' version of "Poncho and Lefty" was covered by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and the song took off, reaching number one on the charts in both the United States and Canada. That songwriter, Townes Van Zandt, is considered by many to be among the best of the very best Texas songwriters. In 1981 Emmylou Harris and Don Williams released their recording of Van Zandt's "If I needed You" which promptly reached number three in the United States and topped the charts in Canada. Townes Van Zandt led a life troubled by manic depression, medication, and substance abuse. He died at the too-young age of 52 on January 1, 1997. Beginning New Years Day, 1998 and every year thereafter there has been a tribute to Townes Van Zandt at the Old Quarter Acoustic Club in Galveston attended by his friends and fans. On New Years Day at the Terlingua Starlight Theatre the Second Annual Townes Van Zandt Tribute was hosted by musicians Jon Hogan and Maria Moss. Hogan and Moss were joined by a host of talented musicians to delight the packed crowd at the Starlight. The evening opened with Hogan and Moss being joined by Nick Tesauro Young on guitar, Marfa's Jalapeno Schwartz on keyboard, and Terlingua's Mark "Eyeball" Kneeskern on the washtub base with a soulful rendition of Poncho and Lefty. Soon they were joined by famed Texas singer songwriter Butch Hancock and his son Rory. As the evening progressed groups and individuals including Canada's Emilie Clepper and locals Hank Woji, Chris Baker and David Shane Duke took the stage to perform one or two Townes Van Zandt songs or to tell Townes Van Zandt stories. As midnight approached the previous performers were joined by several more to perform the finale, a rousing rendition of Van Zandt's "White Freightliner". The crowd at the Starlight Theater had barely thinned when the stage went silent. |
The Cake Walk is grand fun for kids of all ages!
Our local businesses donated lots of really great stuff for a Hot Date. Raffle tickets sold quickly.
Pam Ware presents Glen Felts, the winner of the Black Eyed PeaOff, with the trophy!
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January 1, 2013
For twenty three years in a row, Terlingua has been the scene for the New Years Day Black Eyed Pea Off, once again on the "porch" at the Trading Post and Starlight Theatre. This annual community event has become the largest local event of the year for Terlingua, second in size only to the nationwide and international appeal of the famed Terlingua Chili Cookoff. Organized for the 23rd time by Pam Ware it was again a huge success.
This year the Pea Off served as a fund raiser for the Last Minute Low Budget Productions Mercury Performing Arts Center building fund. In addition to enjoying more than thirty variations of fine black eyed peas, the crowd witnessed Brewster County Sheriff Ronnie Dotson personally lock up Catfish Calloway in the old Terlingua jail. Donations to bail Catfish out of jail seriously lagged behind the donations made to keep him locked up. But eventually sufficient bail was raised and Catfish again became a free man. All of the cookoff entries were judged by a panel of judges. Four time winner Robert Hill was awarded third place. His other batch of peas was also selected as second place. The first place trophy was awarded to Glen Felts, the proprietor of La Kiva in Terlingua. To keep things lively music on the porch was organized and the open mike was hosted by Trevor Hickle. While the competitive cake walk was open to children and adults alike, it seemed like the kids were winning most of the cakes. The event was broadly supported by local businesses and the "Hot Date Raffle" was a huge success with lucky winners taking home certificates for lodging, meals, and adventure trips. Hot Date Raffle prizes, good for accommodations and dinner for two were donated by Lajitas Resort, Big Bend Resort and Adventures, Ivy and Ivy Properties and the Starlight, Eldorado Hotel and High Sierra Bar and Grill, Easter Egg Valley and LaKiva and La Posada Milagro and Espresso y poco mas , and 1/2 day adventures were donated by Big Bend Stables, Big Bend River Tours and Far Flung Adventures. Cakes for the cake walk were donated by local bakers. |
December 14, 2012
The Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghost Town was the perfect setting for the birth of the first Terlingua Community Christmas CD. Friday evening festivities were opened by the Terlingua Community Choir. The songs of the season lent a festive cheer to the assembled guests who came from far and near to celebrate the release of the CD. Many of the local singer/songwriters who donated their talents to raise money for our Community Garden performed live. Executive producers Jeff Haislip and Anna Oakley conceived of the CD, but it was the performers and Ted Arbogast at Studio Butte who brought it to life. Special thanks to the Starlight Theater for hosting us all!
You can purchase your copy at the Farmers Market in the Ghost Town, the Starlight Theater, the Cottonwood Store, or
online at http://ilovetexasmusic.net/store/products/merry-texas-christmas.
For lots more pictures, click here.
online at http://ilovetexasmusic.net/store/products/merry-texas-christmas.
For lots more pictures, click here.
November 2, 2012
“El Día de los
Muertos,” Day of the Dead, continues to be celebrated in the cemetery at
Terlingua Ghost Town.
This year on Friday, Nov. 2, a calm and temperate scene greeted local residents and quite a few Chiliheads when they arrived to participate in this annual celebration. |
Click the picture for lots more pictures of this event.
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As the sun set low, a
votive candle or two was set on each of the graves — some elaborate, but
many bare — to honor those buried there.
The tradition is that it’s a time to joyfully remember the lives of those we miss with favorite foods, drinks, songs and stories. A community altar is rebuilt each year and mementos are placed to honor loved ones.
A community potluck was headlined with tamales and chili. And this year, with the burn ban lifted, a roaring bonfire lit the sky and friends stayed late into the night to reminisce.
And, always in Terlingua, music!
The tradition is that it’s a time to joyfully remember the lives of those we miss with favorite foods, drinks, songs and stories. A community altar is rebuilt each year and mementos are placed to honor loved ones.
A community potluck was headlined with tamales and chili. And this year, with the burn ban lifted, a roaring bonfire lit the sky and friends stayed late into the night to reminisce.
And, always in Terlingua, music!
Click the picture for lots more images of the day.
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October 29, 2012 The second of the Lajitas Fall Concert Series took place last night under an almost full moon. On deck were even more than just the eight singer/songwriters that were promised. With the gorgeous stage of the Lajitas Amphitheater, the crowd was entertained by hugely talented performers with a connection to our Big Bend. Next up is another night of singer/songwriters, this time of the feminine variety.
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What did you miss? Just Jeff Haislip,
George Goss, Jim Keaveny, Trevor Riechman, Laird Considine, Brent
Lovelady, Trevor Hickle, Hank Woji, Greg Grimes, Sian D. Ferris and the
Whitmores, Marti and Alex. (pictured above)
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The Sangregado Gallery at the Lajitas Resort opened a showing of Crystal Allbright's work at a gala on Saturday, October 6th from 4 to 8 PM with wine, cheese and live music. Surprise guest was Blair Pittman, former National Geographic photographer and author. Her paintings, pastel drawings and photography will continue to be displayed through November 30, 2012.
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October 7, 2012 - We're Back!
After months of travel we've arrived back home at our Adobe home. There is no place like home! I have lots to share because Terlingua is a place like no other. So, soon, updates on what's been happening in our favorite place. Voni |
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One of the BEST sources of news about the Big Bend is a website called the Alpine Daily Planet. It's a volunteer effort by Mike Perry that brings almost daily updates on what's happening in our Big Bend. Most recently he published my article about The Cookie ChillOff. |
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And in the evening we found belly dancers, a fire dancer, musical entertainment, an art auction and film festival at the Starlight Theater in Terlingua Ghost Town. Lots more pictures here: Click here
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In celebration of our community garden and all things green, the first weekend in April Terlingua is the place to be. Wonderful seminars with new information about using solar power, cob building, water harvesting, and heritage seeds and more and lots of our local musicians join in the fun. There's vendors and food and even a parade.
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Carlton Leatherwood, a retired Houston journalist who lives in Big Bend, has begun writing a weekly column about people of the Big Bend for the Daily Planet. His first column features Ring Huggins rock Merchant.
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One of my favorite plants is the Ocotillo, and with our recent rains blooms
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are appearing here and there, though I've only seen one with green leaves in BBNP at the Rio Grande Village Visitors' Center. One of the best places to read about our desert plants is this blog by Gary Nored who is a volunteer at Big Bend State Park. An Eye For Texas
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Rain Brings Spring to the Big Bend Area
Unofficially we've had close to a half inch of rain over the last week in the Big Bend. Bluebonnets are showing up in surprising places and the green is coming. If you've been waiting for Spring I need to tell you it's coming full glory right now in the Big Bend.
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The Terlingua Home Tour happens every year the last weekend in January. Locals volunteer their unique homes for guests to tour and our own Last Minute Low Budget Productions benefits. That support is especially crucial this year as the local arts group is hoping to build a new home, the Mercury Theater on the site of the old EMS location.
To top it all off there's a wine and cheese reception at Posada Milagro. This year, Steve Harper and Judy Brinkerhoff, Carmen and Thomas Drinkard, Ruth Ann Cisneros and Bill Ivey, Marcy and Reagan Reed, and Sandy Smith opened their properties to 103 guests!.
For lots of pictures, click here: Home Tour Pictures
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An Annual night of literary fun at the Starlight Theater, the Terlingua WordOff brings poetry, prose and storytelling to life. Anyone with an idea gets 5 minutes to share their best. Lots more pictures here: Terlingua Wordoff
My husband, Paul, told a tale of Javelina: Watch it here
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Marfa Public Radio's Talk at 10 is always most interesting to our Big Bend area. January 23rd Rawles Williams discussed his new book Boquillas Crossing, a novel available in March. Particularly interesting is his description of 1915 Terlingua. Click here: 1915 Terlingua
More at his website http://www.rawleswilliams.com/Boquillas_Crossing.html
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The January weather in South Brewster County has been so amazingly warm that it's even fooled the Yucca into thinking it is SPRING!
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Many locals and visitors to our region are quick to snap up the Cenizo Journal when it arrives at multiple locations around Big Bend. The free journal is supported by many local businesses and is eagerly read cover to cover. One of the nicest features lately is its availability on the web. Just click on the link and you'll be transported to some of the best writing, poetry, photography and just all around great reporting we're finding here. I especially loved the story about the Starlight! Enjoy!
http://cenizojournal.com/
http://cenizojournal.com/
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Saturdays in Terlingua are busy with Otra Vez, the Farmer's Market, and a flea market at the no longer open KKKK site, in addition to all the usual businesses. Otra Vez, a ministry of the Big Bend Episcopal Mission, is a resale store where great bargains are always found. Our Farmer's Market near the Cemetery vies for variety with big cities, but has a much more homey feel. The Flea Market always has surprises. And our January weather continue to be great with cool mornings and warm afternoons !
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January 13, 2012 -
Click on image to enlarge it.
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Friday night will be the gala grand opening of a new Last Minute Low Budget Production play, TRUE WEST. Terlinguans will dress in their finest.
Doors open at 7. Play starts at 8. |
The Terlingua Moon, a locally produced weekly newsletter, helps our community know what's going on. The latest issue is posted here:
http://www.drdougs.com/Moon.html |
Voni Glaves of Terlingua First Documented Million Mile Rider
 Ouray, Colorado Red Mountain Overlook
on the Million Dollar Highway |
August 30, 2011 -
Voni Glaves and Ardys Kellerman became the first two women in North America to document riding one million miles on BMW motorcycles. As they approached these accomplishments they arranged to meet in Ouray, Colorado to ride their one-millionth miles together on U.S. Highway 550, the “Million Dollar Highway. They reached this milestone at Red Mountain Overlook between Ouray and Silverton, Colorado the morning of August 30, 2011. |
Dealership documentation of their achievements has been
sent to BMW Motorrad U.S.A. and to the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America,
each of which provides mileage awards at 100,000 mile intervals.
Glaves, 64, is a retired teacher who resides in the Texas Big Bend just north of Big Bend National Park. Kellerman, 79, is a retired electronics technician who resides in Lexington, Texas. Both have been riding BMW motorcycles for many years. Kellerman bought her first BMW in 1985. Glaves first BMW was her Mother’s Day present in 1977. Glaves accumulated the million miles on 15 different BMWs over the years since then. Her highest mileage on a single motorcycle was 357,658 miles on a 1993 R1100RS, which she still owns. Kellerman has owned 16 BMWs including a 1999 R1100RT with 170,000 miles.
Both Kellerman and Glaves are experienced long distance endurance riders. Glaves finished the 11-day Iron Butt Rally in 2003. Kellerman completed the biennial 11-day Iron Butt Rally four times.
For additional information contact Paul Glaves at: paul.glaves@bigbend.net
Glaves, 64, is a retired teacher who resides in the Texas Big Bend just north of Big Bend National Park. Kellerman, 79, is a retired electronics technician who resides in Lexington, Texas. Both have been riding BMW motorcycles for many years. Kellerman bought her first BMW in 1985. Glaves first BMW was her Mother’s Day present in 1977. Glaves accumulated the million miles on 15 different BMWs over the years since then. Her highest mileage on a single motorcycle was 357,658 miles on a 1993 R1100RS, which she still owns. Kellerman has owned 16 BMWs including a 1999 R1100RT with 170,000 miles.
Both Kellerman and Glaves are experienced long distance endurance riders. Glaves finished the 11-day Iron Butt Rally in 2003. Kellerman completed the biennial 11-day Iron Butt Rally four times.
For additional information contact Paul Glaves at: paul.glaves@bigbend.net
Thu, Mar 24, 2011
Marfa, Texas has been growing its reputation as an art center for several decades. There are several foundations in Marfa such as Ballroom Marfa, Chinati Foundation, International Women's Foundation, Judd Foundation and even more art galleries including Arber & Son Editions, Ayn Founation, Baxter Gallery, Etherington Fine Art, exhibitions 2d, Galleri Urbane, Greasewood Gallery in the Paisano Hotel, Inde/jacobs gallery, LeAna Clifton Photography, Mimi Litschauer, Marfa Studio of Arts, and Second Floor.
But now there is a project to extend Marfa into the Austin art scene as "Marfita." This proposed "Little Marfa" will be installed at the Co-Lab art space in Austin, TX in October 2011.
But now there is a project to extend Marfa into the Austin art scene as "Marfita." This proposed "Little Marfa" will be installed at the Co-Lab art space in Austin, TX in October 2011.
 Josh T. Franco
view this video to see what the Marfita project is all about be aware we rate the video "X" |
Florentino "Tino" Franco, who was born and raised in Terlingua has a grandson, Josh Franco, who grew up in Odessa, Texas but currently teaches Chicano Art at Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY where he completed an MA in Philosophy, Interpretation, and Culture and is currently working on a PhD in Art History with a focus on art by Chicana/os at
the same place. Josh has a project that caught our attention.
Marfa has developed a reputation for itself over the last several decades as a center of art that has to be taken seriously as a "destination." Josh has conceived a project to bring yet another perspective to this art scene. Josh and his friends Alison Kuo and Joshua Saunders have a project called "Marfita" that will install at Co-Lab artspace in Austin, TX on October 2011 an artistic representation of the artistic landscape of Marfa. They are in the process of raising funds to have this project
realized. We recommend that you watch their video below (rated X) and
visit their fundraising website.
You may make your pledge at the Kickstart fundraising website. This project will only be funded if at least $5,000 is pledged by Thursday Apr 7, 4:53pm EDT. If you pledge and their goal is not reached, you will not be charged for your pledge. Familias de Terlingua is proud to say we have contributed. |
Voni and Paul Glaves, current Terlingua residents, wish us all a Merry Christmas
 Voni Glaves, accomplished motorcyclist and photographer. |
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Four photos taken by Voni Glaves
on December 23, 2010
to wish the viewers of Familias de Terlingua a Merry Christmas
Click on them to enlarge them.
on December 23, 2010
to wish the viewers of Familias de Terlingua a Merry Christmas
Click on them to enlarge them.
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These earlier pictures also seem to fit the mood.
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