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April/May 2003 Articles
Dear Readers,
I guess I could/should/would/might apologize for the front cover of Steppin Out’s last issue (Feb./March). I could – but I’d rather explain my reasons for printing it. I realize the picture, Ladies Sign the Blues, by Gary Eklund is shocking: it’s visual impact is strong, the subject matter(s) delicate.
When I first saw the painting, I felt as if I’d been hit by that proverbial brick, or something. Of course, I did have the benefit of the artist’s explanation of the painting, which, had it been an oil painting would not have yet been dry.
“These are gals who, maybe they didn’t move North with the rest, but stayed in the South. They’re… past the best of the years, not much to look forward to, life’s tolls are showing. But here, they forget all that. She’s belting out the best of the blues …”
Don’t you see it? The singer (I call her Dorothy; I donna know why) is, in the moment of the picture, transported beyond the ordinary, beyond the less-than-perfect of her life and those of her close buddies.
It doesn’t matter that her belly is bulging and gravity’s taking its toll on the rest of the body; Dorothy’s heart and soul are poured into the moment.
And that’s the deal, to me: We all strive to “live in the moment” – to live in that sense/space/time where peace is supreme and the Great Spirit/God/Goddess/Goodness is supreme and we’re part of it.
Well, baby, in my mind, Dorothy is there.
And that gives me hope, as a young crone.
So, I apologize to any who truly were offended. Actually, my own reaction to the first viewing was: Wow.
And, “That could never be a Steppin Out cover.”
It’s about an hour’s drive from ‘Zozo to Socorro, so I had plenty of time to think. But that picture kept popping up in my mind.
Gary Eklund is an amazing artist: Think about it, if you can. He uses colored pens which means no mistakes – not correctable. One shot, that’s it or you start over. And what he paints is snap-shots, if you will, stills of moments, which show everyday people …. Being people.
I realized, when printing it, that Ladies Sing the Blues was way more controversial than anything Steppin’ Out had put on the cover before. But I really didn’t consider it indecent, I mean, everyone (who has a tv) sees people with A LOT fewer clothes on that these gals, doing A LOT worse things J
SO I was prepared for some negative comments.
I was not prepared for the extent of those negative feelings, at least in one community in which the mag is distributed. But all’s well that ends well, as they say, and to add to that my own humble addition: And sometimes you get a good story out of it.
You see, pengwen reached new heights in notoriety this year; she added a notch on her belt of accomplishments on her resume of publishing. For now, pengwen can say she was “almost banned” as in banned in Boston (but not quite.)
Last month’s cover was, apparently, so offensive to a few people that they attempted to clear an entire community of Steppin Outs. To give credit where due, these folks did go to a local judge, as I understand it (it all being about fifth hand when this got to me…) with a petition, a honored right of U.S. Americans.
The judge, as I was told, refused to consider it, for which I am totally grateful. That one act saved Steppin Out and pengwen a whole lot of time and effort and emotional stress and aggravation and worry and travel time and legal schmegle and (the bottom line) expense.
So, your honor, whoever you are, if we meet and you care to divulge yourself, I shall buy you a cup of the best coffee in town! As my way of thanking you.
As we all know, small communities in the West (and probably elsewhere, can’t speak to that) have an active grapevine system. Within hours, I am told, signs began appearing in various locations decrying attempts at censorship.
Indeed, as the story spread, it elicited many, I believe I’m not exaggerating to say this, conversations about censorship, and about freedom of speech. One women noted she practiced censorship by not allowing a certain newsmagazine in her home while her children were young after it ran a particularly graphic picture of violence on its cover.
I , too, am practicing censorship personally by refusing to listen to or watch any news about the current US led military action in Iraq. Both of these, of course, are personnal and come under that other very vague freedom of privacy.
Which all, of course, ties in so very closely to the national debate about curtailing Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms during times of war, a debate in which I was actively involved in Soorro. (The Socorro City Council passed the resolution reaffirming our Bill of Rights. Thank you council and mayor!)
It also, to me, reaffirms my experience that everything, everything, is open to interpretation. Many artists create with the idea that everyone will see something different in their work. I’ve worked mostly with written words, since that median seems more concrete, less open to interpretation. Yet, even written words can be misinterpreted and one’s meaning misunderstood.
So please don’t misunderstand me when I crow about
(almost) being Banned in Boston. (That’s the high point, the low one remains
the notorious headlineJ)
I’m only making fun of myself and laughing about life.
So, while everyone sees things differently and thus
everyone’s reality is a bit different, isn’t that grand! Variety, as they
say, spices life. I donno about you, but if I only had other pengwens to look at
and interact with, I’d be crazy within moments! Modern USA people fling around
the word “diversity” as if it were limited to Caucasian, Black, Hispanic and
Chinese. And yet, in nature, no flower is exactly the same, every sunrise is
different.
And so, dear readers, here it is Spring again, the renewal, the dying-and-rebirth, the miracle of the cycle of life. pengwen urges each of you to live in the moment, each moment granted us by the Spirit, what ever name you give it. Practice senseless acts of beauty and random acts of kindness. The world will be better for it.
Peace.
Pengwen
Socorro – “We were dirt poor but we didn’t know it. We were happy and made our own fun.” That’s how homesteader Doris Caudill describes life in Pie Town, New Mexico during the Great Depression. The community, west of Magdalena on Hwy. 60, was extensively documented in 1940 by Farm Security Administration (FSA) photographer Russell Lee, and in the 1990s by contemporary photographer Joan Myers.
These images are blended together in the exhibition Pie Town Woman: Photographs by Russell Lee and Joan Myers opening at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center.
More than 80 black and white photographs present a
then-and-now portrait of Pie Town and tell the story of Doris Caudill, one of
the women photographed by Lee. Pie Town Woman features 40 photographs by Russell Lee taken in 1940
of Pie Town and the Caudill Family, 20 family snapshots preserved by Doris
Caudill and her family and 22 photographs by Joan Myers of Doris and Pie Town as
they appear today. The captions for
the images include Doris’ memories of life as a homesteader, as well as
comments by Russell Lee about his experience photographing the community
Socorro – Women of the West were a hardy lot Their contributions to their communities were often ignored in the history books but their influences have made important differences in our quality of life today.
The Women of the West Club of Zimmerly Elementary School each year researches the lives of women who in various ways have contributed to the community. With teachers Theresa Apodaca and Kathe McLaren, these fourth and fifth graders hope to help document the contributions of women in their yearly Women of the West History Parade.
The event begins on Friday, May 23 with a reception at 6:30 at Macey Center.
This year’s designees will be honored during the evening.
Also that evening is the opening reception for Pietown Photographs by Russell Lee and Joan Myers (see accompanying story.)
Women of the West club members will e dressed in period clothing and will have exhibits featuring various time periods in the history of the West.
Honorees reflect the diversity of cultures in central New Mexico.
Honorees are:
Virginia Johns, Born in Des Moines, Iowa, 1927, farming has been the central activity of her life since she married and come to New Mexico at age 19. A retired school teacher, Virginia Johnson still farms.
Andres Gonzales de Valles. Born Nov. 30, 1896 in Pueblito, and passed away 1956. Andrea was a pillar in her community and church.
Matilda Trujilllo and Pricilla Wolf. Grandmother and granddaughter share their Apache heritage. Pricilla, taught by Matilda, seems to be the reincarnation of her family’s Apache ancestors.
Frances Senn. Born Aug. 5, 1926 in Socorro. A community volunteer for many years, Frances is a patient and kind woman who has served her family and community well.
Agnes Morley Cleveland, writer of “No Life for A Lady.”
Rufina Vigil Gonzales. Born Nov. 30, 1891 in Socorro and passed away on Oct. 22, 1985. She was a dedicated wife and mother who loved unconditionally. Fina was a pioneer, hard worker and she never complained.
Angela Naranjo. Born My 6, 1926 in Socorro. She is a loving and caring mother who was a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. She later received her nursing license and helped open the new Socorro General Hospital in 1957.
Florencia Jaramillo has lived in San Antonio for over 65 years. She has touched many lives with her beauty and indescribable charisma.
Bella Montoya was born on Oct. 23, 1930 in Socorro. She continues to work and to be active in the community.
Mary Aguilar. A native Socorroan, Mary went to work for the District Attorney’s office in 1968 as a legal secretary, remaining there until her retirement in 1988 as administrative secretary.
Adela Romero, born in Tokay (east of San Antonio), Adela helped care for ailing family members as well as holding several jobs around Socorro. She was an artist and well known for her sweet bread “moyetes.”
Agnes Dill, Isleta, a dedicated volunteer in education, social services, Indian Health and cultural awareness, she was honored by the Commission on the Status of Women in 2001.
Betty Pound, Box Canyon.
White Oaks – This once bustling gold-mining town north of Carrizozo will spring back to life during the 8th annual Miner’s Day, on Saturday, June 7. Activities abound from 9 am until 8 pm to celebrate the colorful history of this area.
The event offers its own postal stamp cancellation, a new design approved each year by the US Postal Service which attracts interest from stamp collectors world wide.
Several theatrical performances will be offered. Nisha Hoffman will perform as Susan McSween, New Mexico’s Cattle Queen and former resident of White Oaks. The performance is sponsored by the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities and the New Mexico Office of Cultural Affairs.
Ruth Birdsong, whose vision re-created White Oaks and started Miner’s Day, will once again don her lady-of-the-evening attire to perform “Madam Varnish.”
And contestants will vie for the new title of Madam Varnish for the year.
Voices From the Past, a portrayal of early settlers who were laid to rest in the town’s little cemetery, will be presented at a replica of the Cedarvale cemetery.
Covered wagon tours will be offered by the Lincoln County Overland Stage Co. and you can try your hand a gold panning.
The town boasts three museums which will be open: The Miner’s Home Museum, the Miner’s Tool Shed Museum and the Schoolhouse Museum.
And, for those interested in history, Mary Diecker will tell fun and fascinating stories about the Land of Enchantment.
An old west ‘Shoot-out” is scheduled at high noon at the post office, performed by the Paso del Norte Pistoleros.
There are special activities for kids and children are urged to dress in period costumes and enter the parade, with prizes awarded for best costume. Other activities include a petting zoo along with Tuk the Camel; a dog and trick horse performance; and the famous stinkbug races (BYOSB) .
Bring your letters to be canceled with the US Post Office official pictorial cancellation stamp, designed by local artist Ruth Birdsong. White Oaks Station Post Office mail is routed through historic Fort Stanton P.O., the oldest post office in Lincoln County.
Arts and crafts booths and food booths round out a fun-filled day which ends with a free dance and live music from 5-8 pm.
White Oaks Miners Day is funded by Birdsong’s Gift Shop, White Oaks; Historic Lincoln Museum, Lincoln County Lodger’s Tax, New Mexico State Monuments, New Mexico Department of Tourism and REDTT.
To get to White Oaks, drive 3 miles north on Highway 54 from Carrizozo to St. Highway 349. Turn east. White Oaks is 9 miles east from the turnoff.
For more information, call 648-2363.
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