The Terlingua Moon
July 28, 2015 ~ Volume 26 ~ # 30
by South County Mud Clowns
Sweating Moon – Smug Sun
I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing. ~ Socrates
It’s too danged hot – which is normal for this time of year. Many Moon editors are off to cooler climes and the rest just don’t want to leave the house. So, Summer Moons are circulated via email and Face Book. However, the Quicksilver Branch of West Texas National Bank will kindly provide locals with a copy of the current Terlingua Moon. Just stop in and ask, and be sure to thank them from us all.
Only three weeks left to request a booth for the 2nd Annual Tolbert-Fowler Chili Cook-off Artfest on November 7! See the Terlingua Visual Arts facebook page, email Mary Diesel at spottedslinky55@gmail.com, or call Mary at 371-2999, Dani at 405-795-3905 or Molly at 707-294-4303 to get started. The booth fee is only $10! We'd love to spend the day with you and your artwork.
Terlingua Area NO TRANS-PECOS PIPELINE meeting this Thursday, 7/30, at the Boathouse at 7:00 pm (on the back porch). Information, updates, posters, etc. For more information email Betsy at bblaydes@gmail.com or call 371-3311.
Becoming Fine Art and Mechanic Shop The average age of a car in America reached an all-time high this year of 10.8 years, That means a lot of us will be facing needed repairs. Call us at Becoming for help with your auto repairs. 432 371 2694 We are also do furniture refinishing and painting give Deb a call.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Will Conduct an Environmental Assessment for the Trans-Pecos Pipeline Project! Citizen Input made the day. Everyone who took the time to comment to FERC played a role in this positive outcome. With that in mind, we have a tremendous amount of work left to do. "Watch this space" - we will need to be responsive to FERC during the EA comment period, and again once the EA is published, in the review period before it goes to the Commission with recommendation for a decision. The next stage of the campaign will be crucial to the outcome on the proposed Trans-Pecos Pipeline. It's Not A Done Deal! bigbendconservationalliance.org
Cone-Nose Beetle aka Kissing Bugs, are back with a vengeance. Rachel Curtis, PhD student, Hamer Lab at Texas A&M requests that the residents of Terlingua the bugs and send them to her to study. These bugs will be answering questions about kissing bugs and Chagas disease in Texas for a long time. I would be able to send out a stack of printed pamphlets, if you would be able to pass them out and/or leave them in a store or other location where residents would be able to pick them up. Contact: Rachel Curtis, PhD Student, NSF Graduate Research Fellow | CVM Merit Scholar Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences | College of Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University | College Station, TX 77843 OR at < KissingBug@cvm.tamu.edu>
The Big Bend Episcopal Mission (St. James, Alpine and Santa Inez, Terlingua Ghostown) welcomes their new priest, The Rev. Kay Jennings, with a festive Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. on Aug. 2 at St. James. Jennings, a native of South Dakota, has recently retired from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Sturgis, South Dakota, and begins her duties in Alpine and South County on August 1. Prior to her ordination, Jennings worked in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her late husband, Dana Jennings, as part of an organization serving rural communities. She earned a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and worked in this field for 12 years in Wyoming. Jennings received her Master of Divinity from the School of Theology, The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee in 2007. That same year she was ordained priest in South Dakota and subsequently served five mission churches on the Yankton Sioux Reservation and the eastern Rosebud for two years. Following the death of her husband in 2009, Jennings served St. Thomas, Sturgis for five years. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Jennings looks forward to hiking the Big Bend mountain trails, camping on the South Rim and learning about life in this part of the west. “It seems like heaven,” Jennings remarked on a recent brilliant blue afternoon. “I’m looking forward to many years here.” St. James is located at Ave. A and N. 6th St. in Alpine. A potluck lunch follows this Sunday’s Eucharist and all are welcome.
The Boathouse - Wed. - Open Mic #28 hosted by Jeffro Greasewood. Note our new time for the summer: 8:00 p.m. - 11 p.m. Everyone welcome - area residents and visitors. Sign up sheet at the front of the stage. Fri. - Stay tuned for Menu Special. Carlos Maxwell plays 7 – 10 p.m. Sat. - Jim Keaveny. 8 - 11. Jim's just returned from tour and this promises to be a great show. Come see our new and improved Boathouse - beautiful deck; flagstone entrance and more. We open every day at 5 and close at Midnight (Saturday 1 a.m.). Dinner 5 - 9:30 Tuesday through Saturday.
TORETTO is a sweet, big fella – a yellow lab through and through. He loves water, toys, dogs, and people. He’s about 3 years old, and at least 75 pounds of fun. His tail mostly never stops wagging, though he’s great at resting, too. Do you have a soft bed and a fun family for TORETTO? Toretto came into the shelter one month ago, along with SUKKI (a shepherd mix) and MARLEY (a retriever mix), who are also available. The Alpine Animal Shelter is open M-F from 10am to 6pm(closed 1-2pm), located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. TORETTO (and all AAS animals) is on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelter_id=TX1202 For more info, email heatherthemule@gmail.com
TERLINGUA TOOL RENTALS 371-2621 ~
ORDER RESTRICTING OUTDOOR BURNING ~ WHEREAS, the Commissioners Court finds that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of the county create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Brewster County that outdoor burning of trash, debris, and brush is prohibited in the unincorporated area of the county for 90 days from the date of adoption of this Order, unless the restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by the Commissioners Court based on a determination that the circumstances that required the Order no longer exist. Should circumstances improve to where a determination that the Order be rescinded in the time between regularly scheduled meetings of the Commissioners Court of Brewster County, the County Judge has the authority to rescind the Order.
This Order is adopted pursuant to Local Government Code §352.081, and other applicable statutes. This Order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for: (1) firefighter training; (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; (3) planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or, (4) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Natural Resources Code §153.048 and meet the standards of Natural Resources Code §153.047. This Order does not prohibit outdoor cooking fires but does require campfires to be contained within a fire pit or a fire ring. All cooking fires and campfires shall be extinguished completely prior to the user(s) leaving.
In accordance with Local Government Code §352.081(h), a violation of the Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00.
APPROVED this 28th day of July, 2015, by the Brewster County Commissioners Court. Eleazar Cano, County judge
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The Terlingua Moon
July 20, 2015 ~ VOL. 26 #29
by
La Catrina
“Not one cent for scenery” Reportedly said by a US Senator in 1910 as Roosevelt was trying to start the Forest Service
This week at The Boathouse!
One Day at a Time in Terlingua AA is not affiliated with any religious organization but is grateful to the Big Bend Church (north of the post office) for allowing us to meet there. Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m. (Closed Discussion). Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking or remain sober is welcome. Literature is available in our local library. Carpooling may be available to Alpine AA (Wednesdays) and Al-Anon (Thursdays) meetings. Contact phone numbers are posted on the church doors.
10 Best: Nighttime adventures in parks and refuges;
Stargaze Big Bend National Park, Texas
On a clear night, you can see more than 2,000 stars in this isolated west Texas park, certified as an International Dark Sky site due to its low light pollution. "The entire sky is just a blanket of stars. It's one of best places in the Lower 48 to go stargazing," Weiner says. But you might want to skip visiting during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 120 degrees. 432-477-2251; nps.gov/bibe
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2015/07/17/national-parks--night/30234517/
(Thanks again to Jim Milburn)
,
The Reverend Mel la Follette, (Father Mell’s) Memorial will be at Santa Inez church, here in the Ghost Town, on Thursday, July 23rd, at 10 am
Please contact TerlinguaMoon@gmail.com for next week’s submissions. Send them in before noon on Monday for best results. Andale Pues…..
July 20, 2015 ~ VOL. 26 #29
by
La Catrina
“Not one cent for scenery” Reportedly said by a US Senator in 1910 as Roosevelt was trying to start the Forest Service
This week at The Boathouse!
Wednesday, July 22 - Open Mic #27 hosted by Jeffro Greasewood. Music starts at 7. Everyone welcome!
Friday, July 24 - Trevor Hickle and Pat O'Bryan. Music starts at 7. Come join us for music and our Friday Night Menu Special!
We are open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. with a full bar. Tuesday through Saturday, our Grille is open 5:30 - 9:30. We close at midnight every night but Saturday (1 a.m.).
We also have a great campground with showers and bathroom. Call us at The Boathouse for more information. Be sure to tell your friends and family, too! (432) 371-2219 Come rock The Boat!
The Paisano Farm Stand on Hwy 118 has free-range eggs for sale in the cooler marked ‘EGGS’. Please pay at the honor box if no one is in the building. COMING SOON: Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly! Please follow our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PaisanoFarmStand) for the latest information on eggs & jelly.
Alpine Animal Shelter Adoption Opportunity: This sweet and mellow fellow is in need of a real home, because he's been at the shelter since April. He's only 2-3 years old but he's calm like an older dog. During walks, he's right by his walker's side - perfectly behaved on a leash and seems like he'd stick around off-leash too. During play, he mills around calmly with all the other dogs but doesn’t ever cause trouble or bark, though he will try to sneak that ball away… He’s got a knack for giving sweet, melty, brown-eyed looks. JETHRO seems like he's probably had some great human affection in the past but somehow got it taken away, so he is a little reserved before he commits to loving again. This dog is going to heap rewards of sweetness on the one who can rescue him and bring him into their family forever. AAS is open M-F from 10am to 6pm (closed 1-2pm), located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. JETHRO (and all) AAS animals are on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/pet
search?shelter_id=TX1202
For more info, email heatherthemule@gmail.com
Shot Time Liquor
Shiner Closeout! We need to make room for new items. Shiner Black, Shiner Cheer and Shiner Family packs are now closeout priced at $7.42. We have new items throughout the store. Come check it out! Open as long as the law allows, Mon-Sat 10-9.
Betty Reed is receiving good medical care and is recovering. She looks forward to coming back home to Terlingua in the fall.
All Energies A pre-wired & fully tested Schneider CONEXT 120/240VAC SW 4024 Inverter/Charger with a networked Schneider 60A MPPT solar charge controller starts at just $3250. Email casey@allenergies.net or call 371-2950 for more info!
TERLINGUA TOOL RENTALS Jimmy Taylor owner 371-2621. Beginning Saturday the 25th, Bryan Klein will be the Tool Guy for 6 days. Our shop will be locked, but please call Bryan if you need to rent or return tools. His cell is 713-907-5259, and land line 371-2287. Thank you very much for your business.
Cycletek is your best source for backup generator power. Factory trained in sales, installation, service, and warranty. Licensed electricians. We still have a few portables that we are selling at or below cost. Call for details. 371-2569.
Friday, July 24 - Trevor Hickle and Pat O'Bryan. Music starts at 7. Come join us for music and our Friday Night Menu Special!
We are open 7 days a week at 5 p.m. with a full bar. Tuesday through Saturday, our Grille is open 5:30 - 9:30. We close at midnight every night but Saturday (1 a.m.).
We also have a great campground with showers and bathroom. Call us at The Boathouse for more information. Be sure to tell your friends and family, too! (432) 371-2219 Come rock The Boat!
The Paisano Farm Stand on Hwy 118 has free-range eggs for sale in the cooler marked ‘EGGS’. Please pay at the honor box if no one is in the building. COMING SOON: Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly! Please follow our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PaisanoFarmStand) for the latest information on eggs & jelly.
Alpine Animal Shelter Adoption Opportunity: This sweet and mellow fellow is in need of a real home, because he's been at the shelter since April. He's only 2-3 years old but he's calm like an older dog. During walks, he's right by his walker's side - perfectly behaved on a leash and seems like he'd stick around off-leash too. During play, he mills around calmly with all the other dogs but doesn’t ever cause trouble or bark, though he will try to sneak that ball away… He’s got a knack for giving sweet, melty, brown-eyed looks. JETHRO seems like he's probably had some great human affection in the past but somehow got it taken away, so he is a little reserved before he commits to loving again. This dog is going to heap rewards of sweetness on the one who can rescue him and bring him into their family forever. AAS is open M-F from 10am to 6pm (closed 1-2pm), located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. JETHRO (and all) AAS animals are on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/pet
search?shelter_id=TX1202
For more info, email heatherthemule@gmail.com
Shot Time Liquor
Shiner Closeout! We need to make room for new items. Shiner Black, Shiner Cheer and Shiner Family packs are now closeout priced at $7.42. We have new items throughout the store. Come check it out! Open as long as the law allows, Mon-Sat 10-9.
Betty Reed is receiving good medical care and is recovering. She looks forward to coming back home to Terlingua in the fall.
All Energies A pre-wired & fully tested Schneider CONEXT 120/240VAC SW 4024 Inverter/Charger with a networked Schneider 60A MPPT solar charge controller starts at just $3250. Email casey@allenergies.net or call 371-2950 for more info!
TERLINGUA TOOL RENTALS Jimmy Taylor owner 371-2621. Beginning Saturday the 25th, Bryan Klein will be the Tool Guy for 6 days. Our shop will be locked, but please call Bryan if you need to rent or return tools. His cell is 713-907-5259, and land line 371-2287. Thank you very much for your business.
Cycletek is your best source for backup generator power. Factory trained in sales, installation, service, and warranty. Licensed electricians. We still have a few portables that we are selling at or below cost. Call for details. 371-2569.
One Day at a Time in Terlingua AA is not affiliated with any religious organization but is grateful to the Big Bend Church (north of the post office) for allowing us to meet there. Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m. (Closed Discussion). Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking or remain sober is welcome. Literature is available in our local library. Carpooling may be available to Alpine AA (Wednesdays) and Al-Anon (Thursdays) meetings. Contact phone numbers are posted on the church doors.
10 Best: Nighttime adventures in parks and refuges;
Stargaze Big Bend National Park, Texas
On a clear night, you can see more than 2,000 stars in this isolated west Texas park, certified as an International Dark Sky site due to its low light pollution. "The entire sky is just a blanket of stars. It's one of best places in the Lower 48 to go stargazing," Weiner says. But you might want to skip visiting during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 120 degrees. 432-477-2251; nps.gov/bibe
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2015/07/17/national-parks--night/30234517/
(Thanks again to Jim Milburn)
,
The Reverend Mel la Follette, (Father Mell’s) Memorial will be at Santa Inez church, here in the Ghost Town, on Thursday, July 23rd, at 10 am
Please contact TerlinguaMoon@gmail.com for next week’s submissions. Send them in before noon on Monday for best results. Andale Pues…..
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
The Terlingua MOON
Vol. 26, No. 28
July 14, 2015
By MaeWestern
"To
those devoid of imagination a blank place on the map is a useless
waste; to others, the most valuable part." --- Aldo Leopold
Remembering Father Mel
Missionary,
poet, and novelist, The Reverend Melvin W. LaFollette of Redford, TX
passed away July 4. Funeral services will be July 23 at 10 am at Santa
Inez in the Terlingua Ghost Town. Padre Mel served the Episcopal Diocese
of the Rio Grande in the Big Bend since 1984 and was a community
organizer and social activist for residents of both sides of the border.
He was 85. A lengthy obituary follows at the end of this Moon (next
pgs).
School Board meeting Friday
Terlingua
CSD School Board meeting is at 7:30 AM Friday morning at Big Bend High
School. They sure do appreciate community participation. Come show
your support.
Espresso ... y Poco Mas
Located at La Posada Milagro in the Ghostown
Noemi and Glenda are back to work :) :) !!!
Serving the best coffee and breakfast!!
Open Daily 7:30-2pm
WIFI available
Fresh local eggs!
The
Paisano Farm Stand on Hwy 118 has fresh, brown eggs for sale from our
free-range flock. Boxes are in a cooler marked ‘EGGS’ and you can pay at
the honor box if no one is at the All Energies workshop. Please follow
our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PaisanoFarmStand) to be notified when the eggs have been restocked.
All Energies
All
Energies is here to help you with all your alternative energy
questions. Solar power, wind power, geothermal & solar thermal
systems are our specialty. Give us a call at 371-2950 or email Casey@allenergies.net for more info.
Terlingua Tool Rentals
Jimmy Taylor, owner 371-2621, Call or come by to find your construction needs.
One Day at a Time
AA
is not affiliated with any religious organization but is grateful to
the Big Bend Church (north of the post office) for allowing us to meet
there. Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m. (Closed Discussion). Anyone who has a
desire to stop drinking or remain sober is welcome. Literature is
available in our local library. Carpooling may be available to Alpine AA
(Wednesdays) and Al-Anon (Thursdays) meetings. Contact phone numbers
are posted on the church doors.
CALL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
Announcing
the 2nd Annual Tolbert-Fowler Chili Cook-off Artfest, to be held on
Saturday, Nov. 7, during the cook-off behind the Terlingua Store.
Artists may show and sell any original artwork except jewelry (due to a
prior contract). You may request the guidelines and information about
getting a booth with one of these methods:
Visit the
Terlingua Visual Arts Facebook page: Join that page to keep posted of
new information and other arts news in the area. Email Mary Paloma
Diesel at: spottedslinky55@gmail.com.
Call
to request the guidelines and booth information: Mary at 432-371-2999;
Dani at 405-795-3905; Molly at 707-294-4303. Space will be limited,
and local area artists will be given preference. The deadline for
requesting a booth is Saturday, August 15.
Sophie needs a forever home
SOPHIE
was featured in the Terlingua Moon three months ago but the timing
wasn’t right, since she is still available for adoption. She remains
perhaps the sweetest, softest and gentlest gal there. SOPHIE is a mostly
white 3-year-old lab/heeler mix with floppy ears and soulful brown
eyes. She is very intimidated at the shelter but opens up much more when
out of that scene. She wants nothing more than a leisurely life in a
real home with lots of love. SOPHIE will reward her owner with devotion
and a very special bond. SOPHIE is good with other dogs and will gain
confidence away from the shelter. She loves to take walks and is happy
to keep it mellow. AAS is open M-F from 10am to 6pm (closed 1-2pm),
located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. SOPHIE (and all
the dogs at AAS) is on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31701709
For more info, email heatherthemule@gmail.com
UPDATE
ON ROCKY (featured in last week’s Moon): Rocky was adopted to a family
in Terlingua on Friday and is doing well. This is great for Rocky but
also for the Shelter which had a dog in every available kennel.
Water & Septic Grant
Study
Butte Water Supply Corporation is applying for a grant through Brewster
County. If awarded, the grant will provide first time water and septic
to person(s) who own, have a contract for deed, or a lifelong lease on
property within our service area. If you are interested in receiving a
water membership and/or septic, with all fees and installation paid for
through this grant, please contact Study Butte Water Supply Corporation
at 432.371.2933.
Complete obituary for Father Mel:
The
Rev. Melvin Walker La Follette was born In Evansville, Indiana, on
September 7, 1930. He lived all of childhood in Ridgeville, Indiana. His
father, Melvin Lester La Follette, was an electrician for the local
telephone company who lost his job during the Great Depression. Because
of this, his mother, Genevieve Farr La Follette, found employment as the
first grade teacher at the Grant County Elementary School. For many
years, her guidance shaped young Melvin.
After
graduating high school in 1948, he then served his summers in the U.S.
Forestry Service. He became frustrated with his mother when she refused
to grant him permission to join an elite band of men known as the smoke
jumpers. He had to compromise with her and remain part of the ground
crew. He assisted in the Mann Gulch Montana fire of 1948 where 13 smoke
jumpers suffered a terrible tragedy. He reconciled with mother shortly
after that event.
The same year he was accepted to Purdue
University until the Korean War broke out, and he enlisted in the U.S.
Navy and served as a member of the medical corps. He served in a
recovery ward for men wounded overseas.
After
leaving the Navy, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the
University of Washington. He then returned to graduate school where he
attended the University of Iowa’s Writing Project. He received a
Master’s Degree in Literature and Creative Writing. It was there that he
was instructed by the poet John Berryman, who became an important
influence in his decision to become a professional writer.
To
support his writing, he accepted a position at the University of
British Columbia. There he was sought out by Dylan Thomas, a fellow
poet, to be his guide in the Columbian Rockies. La Follette continued
writing short stories and poems that appeared in Poetry Magazine, the
Beloit Poetry Review. Dame Marianne Moore encouraged his modernist
style, although some critics disliked his adherence to formal styles
like the sonnet and the ballad, but he himself considered his work
surrealistic because most of his poetry had deeper dreamlike imagery
mingled with adherence to traditional writing styles. He believed that
poets should not abandon tradition just for the sake of modernity.
In
1957, he accepted a teaching position at the Oregon State University.
It was there that he courted and married Alice Louise Simpson in 1958,
with whom he shared 26 years of marriage.
He
then moved to San Jose, California, where he continued writing poetry
and co-founded a small short-lived publishing company, The Spensarian
Press.
While an
instructor at San Jose State University, he attended The University of
California doctoral program. There he had a close personal friendship
with fellow poet Allen Ginsburg. He enjoyed listening to beatnik poetry
on occasion, but La Follette preferred a formal style of verse for his
own writing. He was also dismayed by the abuse of drugs that was passed
off as part of the creative process. For this he penned Elegy To A
Beatnik, a precautionary poem in free verse.
In
1962, his son Stephen was born. At that same time, he felt a tremendous
calling from God to do more for his fellow man. After being examined
and accepted by a committee led by Bishop James Pike, he left the
University of California without receiving his doctorate, vacated his
seat at San Jose State University and moved his growing family to New
Haven, Connecticut.
To
support himself during seminary, he taught undergraduate courses at
Yale and also worked as a hotel clerk. He also continued writing poetry
and prose, although the majority of his time was spent studying in
seminary. While at seminary, a second child Joseph was born in 1964.
After
being ordained a deacon in 1966 and later a priest in 1967, he was
assigned as a curate at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Auburn, New
York. His duties included a prison ministry and chaplaincy at the local
hospital.
During most of
his adult life, he was a member of the civil rights movement and worked
to end discrimination against minorities. He joined in many anti-war
and civil rights marches in Washington, D.C., while still a seminarian.
He
then returned to California where he accepted a position as associate
rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church in San Jose. While participating
in his duties, he came across ancient manuscript that had an intriguing
story of a heroic enchanted wolf. He decided to write an adaptation,
which he worked on whenever his creative juices were flowing.
In
1971, he accepted the challenge of turning a storefront mission into a
full-fledged church. He became the Vicar of St. Patrick’s Episcopal
Church in Santa Rosa, California. Unfortunately, this position was
plagued with obstacles, but despite these he was true to his word and
secured land and financing for the growing parish.
He
tried to include an Hispanic congregation and seriously learned Spanish
to start a ministry. Unfortunately, his diocesan leadership didn’t see
eye to eye with him. He then considered a position in Ecuador, but he
could not convince Alice to leave the United States. Meanwhile, after
years of reworking his manuscript, he found to his dismay that his
literary agent could not get any publishers interested in his unique
manuscript. He was offered many writing jobs, but he was an artist and
turned them down.
At the
same time, he had a falling out with his bishop and left active ministry
in 1978, but not before finalizing plans to build the church.
Being
a talented educator, he secured a dream job at Chapman University as a
PACE Professor for the U.S. Navy. While instructing sailors aboard ship,
he travelled the Pacific and Indian oceans. Although he was not active
duty he was awarded an expeditionary medal for his work on the USS
Midway during the Iran Hostage Crisis. He recounted that Iranian fighter
planes tested the ship’s defenses, and at one point a rescue operation
failed when it was shot down over Iran.
In
the 1983, he left his teaching job at Chapman University to be closer
to his elderly father in Roswell, New Mexico, while he finalized his
divorce to his wife, Alice. She finally had had enough of his
absenteeism and when he offered to once again settle down, she recanted
until she discovered it meant moving to the Philippines.
While
in Roswell he began attending St. Stephen’s, he began to rediscover his
love of the ministry. The people of that parish gave him encouragement
to seek another position in the Episcopal Church.
Soon
after he took a job at University of Texas at El Paso and began helping
out in the Hispanic Ministry at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Clement. He
was offered the opportunity to fill in for his friend Father William
Muniz.
For Father Mel,
the community that he served, the distances he had to travel, and the
tremendous obstacles that he faced were all fair game.
In
1984, he was installed as the Reverend Canon of the Trans Pecos. With
that he became the circuit-riding priest of the Rio Grande. He enjoyed
serving at St. Paul’s in Marfa, St. James in Alpine, and he especially
enjoyed the parish of Saint Jude’s in Terlingua Ranch. He felt at home
whether in an air conditioned parish hall or a tiny chapel crammed with
sweating but happy people waving their paperback Prayer Books to keep
cool.
He also worked
with the Diocese of Northern Mexico and provided opportunities to
seminarians from Monterey to assist in Vacation Bible School. He held
VBS in Ojinaga, Palomas, Lajitas and Boquillas Del Carmen.
Every
Christmas he provided a fiesta for the children of each and every
parish, which included gift bags of fresh fruits and nuts, toys,
household goods, clothing and a piƱata hand stuffed by himself. When his
white truck came down the road during Christmas time, there was a dash
to the mission. He would get home early in the morning and then do it
again.
For a while he
even rode a horse to some out of the way places, although he preferred
riding in a rowboat. He had a growing ministry that had the rhythm of a
living poem.
Starting in
1985, he compiled a collection of poems titled, Tales From The Indian
Ocean about life on a ship during the Iran Conflict. Once again, he
encountered friends lost under tragic circumstances and sought to
preserve a part of their memory in poems.
In
1988, he purchased a small travel agency in Presidio. He hoped to grow
the business into a pathway for active retirement. But to his dismay,
the way people book vacations was rapidly changing.
In
1990, Texas A&M named him rural minister of the year. He was
interviewed in many news articles and was the subject of two episodes of
the Texas Country Reporter.
In
1992, he tried to expand his role to rural development and helped a
group of local farmers try to make a dairy goat cooperative. Father Mel
was completely heartbroken when young shepherd Esequiel Hernandez was
shot by U.S. Marines while tending goats. He traveled to Washington,
D.C. one last time to demand Justice.
In
1998, weakness from the early stages of heart disease and arthritis
prevented him from a more active role, so the cooperative was dissolved.
He
retired to his trailer on a small tract of land. Some of his hobbies
included poultry husbandry, bird-watching and horticulture. He continued
to travel throughout the Caribbean in a small sailboat and second class
train in South America.
He continued part time in the ministry mainly serving the chapel of St. Mary and St Joseph in Lajitas, Texas.
In
later years he spent a significant amount of time writing an historical
novel set in the era of the Republic of Texas. He insisted on finishing
his book with a feverish pace because he knew he had congestive heart
disease. Just weeks after finishing his manuscript, he called the
paramedics when he no longer could tolerate his untreated condition.
He
passed away on July 4th, 2015, in Odessa Texas of heart failure. He is
survived by his brother James (Ruth), sons Stephen and Joseph (Erica),
and seven grandchildren, Christopher, Christin, Jacob, Jason, Josiah,
Leila and Leslie.
A funeral
service for Canon LaFollette will be held at 10 a.m., July 23 at the
Church of Santa Inez in the Terlingua Ghostown. The church is located on
top of the hill behind the Terlingua porch in the Ghostown.
Memorial
contribution may be made to San Miguel Arcangel Episcopal Church, 907
Adams Ave., Odessa, TX 79761, The Rev. Alberto Moreno, Vicar. Fr.
Alberto tended Fr. Mel in his last days and San Miguel Arcangel is a
mission church where many of Fr. Mel’s former church members from the
border now worship.
THERE WILL BE NO PAPER DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MOON. PLEASE PRINT AND GIVE TO NEIGHBORS.
Have
some news you want included in the Moon? Send your submissions to the
Terlingua Moon by Monday noon to be included in that week’s edition.
Email to terlinguamoon@gmail.com. Next week’s Moon by La Catrina!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
The Terlingua Moon
July 7, 2015--Vol. 39, #27
Next Moon: Mae Western
Study Butte Water Supply Corporation is applying for a grant through Brewster County. If awarded, the grant will provide first time water and septic to person(s) who own, have a contract for deed, or a lifelong lease on property within our service area. If you are interested in receiving a water membership and/or septic, with all fees and installation paid for through this grant, please contact Study Butte Water Supply Corporation at 432.371.2933.
CALL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
Announcing the 2nd Annual Tolbert-Fowler Chili Cook-off Artfest, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, during the cook-off behind the Terlingua Store. Artists may show and sell any original artwork except jewelry (due to a prior contract). You may request the guidelines and information about getting a booth with one of these methods:
Visit the Terlingua Visual Arts Facebook page: Join that page to keep posted of new information and other arts news in the area. Email Mary Paloma Diesel at: spottedslinky55@gmail.com.
Call to request the guidelines and booth information: Mary at 432-371-2999; Dani at 405-795-3905; Molly at 707-294-4303. Space will be limited, and local area artists will be given preference. The deadline for requesting a booth is Saturday, August 15.
link: http://pub.lucidpress.com/TerlinguaArtfest/
This week at The Boathouse!
Wednesday Night - Open Mic hosted by Jeffro Greasewood. 7-10 pm. Musicians' tips going to the Terlingua Food Bank. Everyone welcome!
Friday - Shrimp and Salmon special. That's right - one of our favorite musicians, Bruce Salmon, is back. 7-10 pm. And our Friday menu special is Shrimp Diablo, Parmesan Polenta and Salad. Dinner served from 5-9:30. It's going to be a good one folks!! We open every day at 5pm with a full bar and dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9:30. Saturday we close at 1 am and midnight the rest of the week.
Come join us and enjoy the great food, music, drinks and friends plus a glorious view of the Chisos from our outside patio.
Artists! ~~ Request for Art Submisions
Big Bend Arts Council (BBAC) is hosting the R3 Art Show August 13 through October 6, 2015. Selected works will be displayed in the Gallery on the Square (GOTS) at 115 West Holland Avenue, Alpine. All other works submitted will be displayed at various installation sites located along West 100 block of Holland Avenue and 100 block of Murphy Street the weekend of Sept 4th.
Some Basic Requirements: 1) Recycled or repurposed/reused items or found items must comprise no less than 70% of the completed project. 2) Items submitted must be available for sale – no pre-sales. Other requirements and additional information is at: http://www.bigbendartscouncil.org/r3-call-for-art Register and upload photos by July 15 at https://podio.com/webforms/12152127/835329 For further assistance contact: Lori Griffin 432-386-7393, gaitscience@gmail.com or Jan Moeller 432-294-3050, janmoeller@bigbend.net
Starlight Theatre This Week:
Fri --7/10 -- Moses & Brandi
Sat --7/11 --TBA
Mon --7/13 --Burger Night with Ted Arbogast
ROCKY NEEDS a Forever Home!
This sweet and happy big guy loves to play fetch, or at least walk around wagging his tail with a ball in his mouth. ROCKY is always overlooked at the shelter and we don’t know why. ROCKY is a black lab mix but he's definitely not all lab. Maybe greyhound or something else that's tall and skinny and very short-haired. He'd love to be a desert hiking buddy but once he has had a little exercise, he is just as happy laying on a couch. ROCKY loves affection, does not jump up on people, and would be happy to join a family with another dog. He has been at the shelter for 8 months and is desperate for a home of his own! AAS is open M-F from 10am to 6pm (closed 1-2pm), located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. ROCKY (and all) AAS animals are on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31196679/ For more info email: heatherthemule@gmail.com
July 7, 2015--Vol. 39, #27
Next Moon: Mae Western
Study Butte Water Supply Corporation is applying for a grant through Brewster County. If awarded, the grant will provide first time water and septic to person(s) who own, have a contract for deed, or a lifelong lease on property within our service area. If you are interested in receiving a water membership and/or septic, with all fees and installation paid for through this grant, please contact Study Butte Water Supply Corporation at 432.371.2933.
CALL FOR VISUAL ARTISTS
Announcing the 2nd Annual Tolbert-Fowler Chili Cook-off Artfest, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, during the cook-off behind the Terlingua Store. Artists may show and sell any original artwork except jewelry (due to a prior contract). You may request the guidelines and information about getting a booth with one of these methods:
Visit the Terlingua Visual Arts Facebook page: Join that page to keep posted of new information and other arts news in the area. Email Mary Paloma Diesel at: spottedslinky55@gmail.com.
Call to request the guidelines and booth information: Mary at 432-371-2999; Dani at 405-795-3905; Molly at 707-294-4303. Space will be limited, and local area artists will be given preference. The deadline for requesting a booth is Saturday, August 15.
link: http://pub.lucidpress.com/TerlinguaArtfest/
This week at The Boathouse!
Wednesday Night - Open Mic hosted by Jeffro Greasewood. 7-10 pm. Musicians' tips going to the Terlingua Food Bank. Everyone welcome!
Friday - Shrimp and Salmon special. That's right - one of our favorite musicians, Bruce Salmon, is back. 7-10 pm. And our Friday menu special is Shrimp Diablo, Parmesan Polenta and Salad. Dinner served from 5-9:30. It's going to be a good one folks!! We open every day at 5pm with a full bar and dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9:30. Saturday we close at 1 am and midnight the rest of the week.
Come join us and enjoy the great food, music, drinks and friends plus a glorious view of the Chisos from our outside patio.
Artists! ~~ Request for Art Submisions
Big Bend Arts Council (BBAC) is hosting the R3 Art Show August 13 through October 6, 2015. Selected works will be displayed in the Gallery on the Square (GOTS) at 115 West Holland Avenue, Alpine. All other works submitted will be displayed at various installation sites located along West 100 block of Holland Avenue and 100 block of Murphy Street the weekend of Sept 4th.
Some Basic Requirements: 1) Recycled or repurposed/reused items or found items must comprise no less than 70% of the completed project. 2) Items submitted must be available for sale – no pre-sales. Other requirements and additional information is at: http://www.bigbendartscouncil.org/r3-call-for-art Register and upload photos by July 15 at https://podio.com/webforms/12152127/835329 For further assistance contact: Lori Griffin 432-386-7393, gaitscience@gmail.com or Jan Moeller 432-294-3050, janmoeller@bigbend.net
Starlight Theatre This Week:
Fri --7/10 -- Moses & Brandi
Sat --7/11 --TBA
Mon --7/13 --Burger Night with Ted Arbogast
ROCKY NEEDS a Forever Home!
This sweet and happy big guy loves to play fetch, or at least walk around wagging his tail with a ball in his mouth. ROCKY is always overlooked at the shelter and we don’t know why. ROCKY is a black lab mix but he's definitely not all lab. Maybe greyhound or something else that's tall and skinny and very short-haired. He'd love to be a desert hiking buddy but once he has had a little exercise, he is just as happy laying on a couch. ROCKY loves affection, does not jump up on people, and would be happy to join a family with another dog. He has been at the shelter for 8 months and is desperate for a home of his own! AAS is open M-F from 10am to 6pm (closed 1-2pm), located on the east side of Alpine on Old Marathon Road. ROCKY (and all) AAS animals are on Petfinder at: https://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/31196679/ For more info email: heatherthemule@gmail.com
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