Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Terlingua Moon   Vol. 37   No. 35


September 1  2026

Please no PDFs or fancy fonts!  (We like it easy.)  

On the web at: theterlinguamoon.blogspot.com

For 37 years, THE source for news in South Brewster County.  

Updated every Tuesday. Or Monday Or

Million sMiles

We are what you share. 


Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. 

Everyday, I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. But by sitting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill. 

Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right. 

~Søren Kierkegaard



Last Minute Low Budget Theatre is gearing up for the 2026-27 season and is in

need of sponsorship for the variety of entertainment we hope to bring to the stage. If you have any

interest in donating or joining the sponsorship team, please contact Farmer for more

information: crfarm@gmail.com

Notice: Tri-County Voter Promoters  Voter Registration in Terlingua Thursday, September 3rd, 10am to 1pm, Terlingua Post Office 

Big Bend Public Library   Our Big Bend Mobile Library trailer will be reopening again soon, stay tuned for details!  Join us for a volunteer day to help tidy up and get the trailer ready for another season of bookmobile fun! We'll be meeting at 10am on September 3rd at the Library Trailer at Canyon View Community Park(next to the school), come to help or hang out!


Last Outpost #653 September 19, 2026 - Flea Market and Betty Breakfast, together! Set up for the flea market 7-8 am in the North Lot, leave the South lot for customer parking. Enjoy breakfast starting at 9am until 11am. If you have questions, please speak to Shannon Andrews or Patti Mason ! Flea Market & Betty Breakfast!


ARE YOU READY TO CATCH THE NEXT RAINFALL?

We can help - Call: TANKS A LOT TERLINGUA

Water Catchment Tanks, Pumps, Filters and Installation

Locally owned - located near the Terlingua Ranch Lodge.

Call Mark or Michelle: 432-371-3096 (home/office) or 806-781-7814 (cell)


Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend

Is now a Community Partner

In the Texas HHSC system.

We are now working with the State of Texas helping those in this community apply for state benefits through the Community Partner Program.

By appointment only – please call   432-371-3147

Mondays: 1 to 3 pm - Mike

Tuesdays: 1 to 3 pm – Deb


CALLING ALL ARTISTS, MAKERS & CRAFTY HUMANS!

The High Sierra Bar & Grill is opening up some space out front for local artists, craftspeople, makers, and general creative weirdos who want to set up a tent or booth and show off what you’ve been making!

Got paintings? Jewelry? Woodwork? Metalwork? Handmade goods? Something we’ve never even heard of? BRING IT!

And here's the best part...

THERE'S NO SET-UP FEE!

No booth fee. No tent fee. No “pay us to stand here” fee.


TERLINGUA RANCH PROPERTY OWNERS’ POTLUCK:  There will not be a potluck in September.  The next property owner potluck will be held Thursday, October 1st.  For more information call Marilynn at 512.484.1409.


ALL YOU NEED TO ATTEND AN AA MEETING IS A DESIRE TO QUIT.  If you have, or think you might have, a drinking problem, we meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the Big Bend Church, just north of the post office.


First Saturday of the month has arrived,  so that means free set up for Saturday Community Market vendors, a thank you to regular vendors and a welcome to new vendors

Come see us at the Saturday Community Market, open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Located in the Ghost Town, down in the Community Garden, we're here every Saturday with happy vendors offering an array of locally produced goods and other items.

Local art, handcrafted textile goods, fresh eggs, sour dough bread, jelly, pickles, all natural lip balms and skin care products, all natural essential oil fragrances, beard oil and massage oils, handcrafted, creative jewelry, resin creations, practical and artistic items made of reclaimed steel and more -- you never know just what or who you'll find here. 

Flea market items are also welcome. After all, reusing and up-cycling already existing items is smart and green. We ask a $10 donation to the Community Garden to set up, helping us to continue to improve this space and experience for all of us. 

We welcome new vendors. To make it easy for new vendors to try our market and to show our appreciation to our regular vendors, we waive set-up fees on the first Saturday of the month, offering free set-up on that day.

For more information, text or call 432.213.1863 or pop in at the market for a chat. Prepared food vendors must display current food handling licence. (A quick, easy and affordable online course can provide that).

Please help keep our market space safe and comfortable for all, two-legged and four, by keeping all dogs leashed and under control. We look forward to seeing you there.


Terlingua Trash Pickup - weekly trash pickup for residential and business.

We do JUNK REMOVAL too: wood piles, tires, house clean outs, mattresses, appliances, and more!

Details and pricing here: www.terlinguatrash.com.

Have a great day! -Jimmy (432) 201 -5638."


Paisano Post from Terlingua School

Labor Day Weekend is around the corner. Reminder: No School on Monday, September 7th.  Ms. A’s Yearbook Staff hosted a Yearbook Signing Party on Friday.  Cross Country junior high and high school teams continue to practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6:45am. Go Paisanos!


Big Bend Episcopal Mission 

Weekly church services on Saturdays at 5pm in Lajitas at Sts. Mary and Joseph's Chapel w/ Father Mike Wallens. All are welcome.

Otra Vez Thrift Shop: Wednesdays starting in September at 5:30pm-6:30pm & Saturdays(except the 12th) from 9am-12pm. All of September will be $1 Bag Sales too. Thank you for your support.


Espresso ...y poco mas

Ghost Town's go to seven days a week for home cooked breakfasts, lunches and the best coffee in the area. Smoothies and iced drinks. Great seating with fantastic views, strong wifi, and newspapers.  432 371 3044 for to go orders.  


Taqueria El Milagro

Celebrate the holiday weekend with our authentic Mexican food and more in the Ghost Town.   Serving  Mexican recipes from street tacos to steaks and huge side dishes. Great food, great setting.  BYOB and make a party.Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3 pm until 9 pm. 432 371-2060 for take out via our drive through window.


Good news folks,

DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ will reopen on Monday Sept. 7th serving up that delicious bbq. Hours will be 11am-9pm +-. See yall soon.


Brewster County Regular Commissioners Court Meeting - September 8, 2026


The Earth and Fire Gallery would like to welcome Kathleen Griffith as our September guest artist. We will have an artist reception for her this Saturday Sept 5th from 5pm u til 8pm at the gallery.


KEEP BIG BEND WILD!

DHS is on the defensive, and federal courts are unimpressed with either their legal arguments or their transparency.  Excellent news came out last week from the People of La Junta for Preservation et al. lawsuit that “the pause” will be extended until at least 9/15.  We hope to double down on that at the evidentiary hearing this Thursday in the parallel lawsuit (Friends of Ruidosa Church et al.). The Court accepted an Amicus (Friend of the Court) brief from KBBW, and we expect to be asked to testify by plaintiff counsel, as the data showing just how low the border apprehensions are in the national park came from us.  

 If indeed DHS pulls back on some of their plans for the national park, what would we find acceptable? KBBW supports a strong border, and like the sheriffs and many others, want to see DHS rely on technology and people, and not infrastructure.  But let’s dig a bit deeper.

 Technology: there are already hundreds of wireless sensors in and around the national park, operated collaboratively by the Border Patrol, the Sheriffs’ Offices, and the National Park Service. They don’t need to be connected to the notoriously unreliable power grid, as they are all powered by batteries and/or solar energy.  They are also intentionally hidden from view, rarely seen by anyone except park rangers and border patrol agents.  Additional surveillance technology that is as unobtrusive and low impact as what’s already in place is fine – but new power lines, new communication lines that will quickly be technologically obsolete, and the poles or trenches or power relay stations that would mar the landscape – NO.  High altitude drones that are virtually undetectable by people on the ground, no problem.

Roads: We’re hearing rumblings that CBP now says they may use existing roads rather than build any new ones.  Great! But “using” existing roads still leaves carte blanche as to how they will modify those roads.  Not only do we not want to see their sensors, we do not want to see existing road corridors widened.  Much of what makes the Big Bend experience so special is that the backcountry is quiet, lightly travelled, and many of the 181 miles of unpaved national park roads offer unique challenges that don’t exist elsewhere in Texas.  Several years ago the Border Patrol unilaterally ceased funding NPS road maintenance on many of those roads; coupled with the staff cuts the park has suffered, that’s why those roads are in such bad shape and it takes so long to repair them after storms.   

KBBW has no issue if CBP improves some unpaved roads to the standard agreed upon years ago with the NPS – and then provides adequate funding for the NPS to keep them that way.  But paving River Road and other unpaved roads in the park would require bridges, shoulders, altering natural drainage in flood-prone areas, and far more long term costs to maintain.  The visceral attraction of being able to bring more tourists into the backcountry also comes with a myriad of impacts to NPS operations as well as changes to visitor patterns in the park – none of which have been discussed, assessed, or are likely to be funded.  And can we look forward to DHS’ plans to rehab the damage they’ve already done? 

A big thank you to everyone, especially local businesses, that have added your names to the Keep Big Bend Wild supporter list at keepbigbendwild.org/become-a-supporter.  While donations are helpful and appreciated (we're financially sponsored by the El Paso Community Foundation, a 501c3),  your names as supporters are even more valuable.  Local business supporters are especially important, and appreciated.  Elected officials see the growing number of real people and real businesses from real places that want to see Texas’ Gift to the Nation protected from destruction.  Keep Big Bend Wild’s goal remains permanent, legislative protection, including a rollback of the authority DHS has to operate at will without accountability.  With enough support, and enough voices, we will make it happen.

               Bob Krumenaker Chair, Keep Big Bend Wild  bob.krumenaker@keepbigbendwild.org


WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THE TERLINGUA MOON?


Send submissions by Monday noon to terlinguamoon@gmail.com  


You can also subscribe to our email list by emailing us to add you!

Monday, August 24, 2026

Terlingua Moon   Vol. 37   No. 34


August 25  2026

Please no PDFs or fancy fonts!  (We like it easy.)  

On the web at: theterlinguamoon.blogspot.com

For 37 years, THE source for news in South Brewster County.  

Updated every Tuesday. Or Monday 

Million sMiles

We are what you share. 


Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it,

all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you.

 But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end

can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water.

If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. 

Water does.—Margaret Atwood


Espresso ...y poco mas

Ghost Town's go to seven days a week for home cooked breakfasts, lunches and the best coffee in the area. Smoothies and iced drinks. great seating with fantastic views, strong wifi, and newspapers.  432 371 3044 for to go orders. 



Taqueria El Milagro

We're back from summer break  and open with our authentic Mexican food and more in the Ghost Town.   Serving  Mexican recipes from street tacos to steaks and huge side dishes. Great food, great setting.  BYOB. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3 pm until 9 pm. 432 371-2060 for take out via our drive through window.


Big Bend Health presents

Back to School Health Fair

Join us for free school vaccinations and dental sealants

(for students who qualify)  August 26, 2026  10 AM to 3 PM

Red Patillo Community Center  201 Rex Ivy Road, Terlingua 


Free Sports Physicals August 28 10 AM to 2 PM

(for students who qualify)  Terlingua School District


Earth and Fire Gallery

Jewelry is a must-see! 

Come see our beautiful collection of handcrafted jewelry imported from Mexico. Each piece features incredible craftsmanship, intricate details, and a style all its own.  These are truly special pieces you’ll want to see in person!


One Tail at a Time- West Texas - Pet Food Pantry 

Friday And Saturday August 28th and 29th 

10 am - 4 pm 

We are teaming up with Alpine Humane Society during their Spay/Neuter Clinic to help provide FREE food for our South County Pets.  

Where:  Red Patillo Community Center

Cost:  FREE   When:  Friday 28th 10 am - 4 pm (during Alpine Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter Clinic)

Saturday 29th 10 am - 4 pm (while supplies last)

What:  Pet food is NOT CHEAP.  We understand that these are tough economic times and our goal is to get pet food to our communities in Rural West Texas. Just here to help out our neighbors with 4 legged friends. 

How:  Just drive up and let us know what you need.  No forms to fill out. No questions asked. 

*Supplies are limited.  When it’s gone….it’s gone.*

This program is made possible by the generous support of the Borderland Rescue Fund, a project of El Paso Community Foundation.


Come see us at the Saturday Community Market, open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Located in the Ghost Town, down in the Community Garden,  we're here every Saturday with happy vendors offering an array of locally produced goods and other items.

Local art, handcrafted textile goods, fresh eggs, sour dough bread, jelly, pickles, all natural lip balms and skin care products, all natural essential oil fragrances, beard oil and massage oils, handcrafted, creative jewelry, resin creations, practical and artistic items made of reclaimed steel and more -- you never know just what or who you'll find here. 

Flea market items are also welcome. After all, reusing and up-cycling already existing items is smart and green. We ask a $10 donation to the Community Garden to set up, helping us to continue to improve this space and experience for all of us. 

We welcome new vendors. To make it easy for new vendors to try our market and to show our appreciation to our regular vendors, we waive set-up fees on the first Saturday of the month, offering free set-up on that day.

For more information, text or call 432.213.1863 or pop in at the market for a chat. Prepared food vendors must display current food handling licence. (A quick, easy and affordable online course can provide that).

Please help keep our market space safe and comfortable for all, two-legged and four, by keeping all dogs leashed and under control. We look forward to seeing you there.


During these difficult days we're going through a helpful reminder is a good thing. Texas Law, and the proper application of Purple Paint 

The placement of identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property, provided that the marks are: 

(i) vertical lines of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width; 

(ii) placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet from the ground or more than five feet from the ground; and 

(iii) placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than: 

(a) 100 feet apart on forest land; or 

(b) 1,000 feet apart on land other than forest land; 


BREWSTER COUNTY ELECTIONS OPEN HOUSE, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 1-6 p.m., Judge Val Clark Beard Office Complex, 203 N 7th Street, Alpine, TX

Meet your county elections officials

Register to Vote

Information on Voting by mail

Apply to be an election worker

Learn about the election process and how we work to ensure your vote counts

All about the upcoming general election


Hi everyone – it’s just under 2 months until the 31st Annual Terlingua Music Bash (October 15-18).  The Bash is hosted by Cabin 10, Inc. (a 501 (c)(3) and funds the Mark Kneeskern Memorial Art Scholarship which is awarded to a graduating senior of Terlingua High School each year. For the school year ending in May 2026, a scholarship was awarded to 2 individuals. One was awarded to graduating senior, Ervey Sotelo, of the class of 2026.  The second scholarship was a renewal of the Scholarship presented last year to Caitlin Staib. 

The scholarship funds are raised by way of a silent auction. This year’s auction will take place on the 17th of October. If you would be able to once again donate an item to the auction (or for the first time), we would be most appreciative. Artwork, in-kind items, weekend rentals, professional services, etc. are most welcome. Please email cabin10org@gmail.com or call 512/ 739-2212.


ALL YOU NEED TO ATTEND AN AA MEETING IS A DESIRE TO QUIT.  If you have, or think you might have, a drinking problem, we meet at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the Big Bend Church, just north of the post office.


Jim Hines Memorial

TFEMS has established a scholarship fund In memory of Jim.  Donations may be made to TFEMS, P.O Box 290, Terlingua, Texas  79852.  Please call TFEMS at 432-371-2536 if you have questions regarding donations.


MILKY WAY TREATS 

ice cream trailer will be open this weekend, Sat-Mon, 4-9pm! We’ll have our creamy, dreamy chocolate and vanilla soft serve! Lots of homemade pints to-go and fun sundaes, too. Stop by and treat yourself. Gracias, Terlingua!


Terlingua Trash Pickup - weekly trash pickup for residential and business.

We do JUNK REMOVAL too: wood piles, tires, house clean outs, mattresses, appliances, and more!  Details and pricing here: www.terlinguatrash.com

Have a great day! -Jimmy (432) 201 -5638.


BBAC

We have a show that is all about food coming up in September!

"Delicious, all about food" opens on September 10...Bring entries in by September 8th. Take-In Entry Deadline: September 8  Reception: Friday September 11

   We had a great showing for the Plein Air Painters' group.  There were lots of opportunities to paint at ranches, homes, State parks, etc.  Thank you Liz for organizing this event!

  The Big Bend Community Chorale begins rehearsals this Monday-6pm in the Choir Room, second floor of the Fine Arts Building at SRSU.

We will restart our monthly BBAC members' meetings in September.


Terlingua Crisis Center

Assorted fruits at the Crisis Center.   Come help yourself. Watermelons are on the side of the building. The rest is on the porch.


Brewster County Commissioners Court meeting

Tuesday, August 25 at 9:30 AM in Alpine at the Courthouse


KEEP BIG BEND WILD!

The “pause,” we are told, will extend at least through 8/31/26.  We hear the Commissioner is considering abandoning construction of all new roads in the national park, and that everything is negotiable.  Glad to hear it – and we will be delighted if CBP’s actions match their words.  We’ll remain positive, but even if they stick to existing roads, until their plans are transparent and public input is sought and considered before the dozers and excavators return, there’s still tremendous damage that can be done as long as the legal waiver remains in place.  Like you, we will stay vigilant, and do everything we can do to keep the light shining on Big Bend.  It’s what has gotten us to this point.

 

We are not pausing, even if the contractors are.  But it is a good time to put the current crisis into context and discuss long-term strategy.  Keep Big Bend Wild formed in 2021 as a partnership between citizens who love the park and the NPS, to resurrect interest and support to see most of the undeveloped lands of the park outside of road corridors permanently protected from additional development other than possible hiking trails. While a wilderness designation with carefully drawn boundaries would preserve every existing legal visitor use in the park, many were skeptical that it 

was worth the political challenge of trying to get a bill through Congress, when the park was already well-protected.  If you haven’t looked at our 5-minute video, it’s worth a look.  Go to our home page and scroll down:keepbigbendwild.org


That calm debate seems like a hundred years ago.  We live in a different world now.  The threats to Big Bend have generated bipartisan national outrage, and I hope it’s clear to local Moon readers that whatever differences or skepticism they may have once had with park leadership, we are all on the same side now.  Keep Big Bend Wild is in the fight for the same reason you are – to protect the park that we thought was already protected.

 

So let’s look beyond the pause.  The need for legislation has never been greater, and there will be a new Congress in 2027 with a likely different dynamic.  KBBW is in discussion with key Capitol Hill offices interested in legislation that would:

Bestow most of the remaining undeveloped areas of the park – recognizing that the boundaries could have to be shrunk somewhat pending what damage DHS does – with a wilderness protection overlay, mandating that the NPS manage them to protect the opportunities for visitors to enjoy their wild character in perpetuity.

Rescind the DHS-imposed waiver of federal laws in the entire park – and beyond, if we can get enough support – and prohibit any laws from ever being waived there in the future without explicit, site-specific legislation by a future Congress. Any future border security infrastructure construction would be subject to normal environmental and cultural review, and meaningful opportunities for public involvement.

Cancel any  outstanding contracts and mandate that CBP fund the restoration of any destruction they have caused in Big Bend National Park, subject to coordination and oversight by the NPS.

 

This is not a pipe dream.  We intend to also work on the appropriations front, to be discussed in another post.  We can do this – we urge everyone who opposes what is being done to the park, and desires that its resources, values, and opportunities be guaranteed to be preserved for our grandchildren, and theirs, please support us if you’ve not already done so (keepbigbendwild.org/become-a-supporter)  and work with us to make that a reality. Local people, local businesses, and local governments are essential to show elected reps of both parties that Texans are united, and we expect them to act, not just talk, to protect Big Bend in perpetuity.  

 

KBBW is a strategic partner in the No Big Bend Wall Coalition.  

#keepbigbendwild

Bob Krumenaker

Chair, Keep Big Bend Wild

bob.krumenaker@keepbigbendwild.org

www.keepbigbendwild.org


 

              WANT TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THE TERLINGUA MOON?

              Send submissions by Monday noon to terlinguamoon@gmail.com  


You can also subscribe to our email list by emailing us to add you!