Terlingua Moon
Volume 37, No. 1January 6, 2026by FreeBird
Volume 37, No. 1
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning
but a going on, with all the wisdom thatexperience can instill in us.” — Hal Borland
“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginningbut a going on, with all the wisdom that
SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISER FOR TERLINGUA CARES!
The Big Bend Citizens Alliance would like to thank Kate Keenan for organizing the January 3rd musical event which raised more than $4500 for Terlingua Cares! A huge thank you to The Temple of The Bird, The Boathouse, and the countless local musicians who donated their space, talent, and time to help make this event happen. Thank you as well, to all of the residents and local businesses who donated items for the silent auction. It was an amazing event, this community is incredible!
We are still accepting donations online at https://givebutter.com/terlinguacares
PAISANO POST FROM TERLINGUA SCHOOL
Happy New Year! Before the Spring Semester kicks off, we want to give congratulations to the Junior High (6th-8th) UIL Academic participants that placed in the District Meet in early December in Balmorhea. Thank you to Mrs. Stech for being their Coordinator and Ms. Villa for her help coaching. Rey: 6th Calculator; Mairim: 6th Calculator; Killian: 6th Chess, 6th Number Sense; Fito: 3rd Chess; Alondra: 3rd Art; Spencer: 6th Art, 4th Social Studies; Mileydi: 1st Art, 4th Number Sense; Alexia: 3rd Art, 5th Calculator; Dafne: 6th Art; Isabel: 1st Art; Gianna: 4th Art, 5th Calculator; Daleyza: 4th Calculator; Melissa: 2nd Chess, 1st Dictionary, 6th Spelling; Lalo: 3rd Chess; Willow: 3rd Dictionary, 3rd Maps, Graphs, and Charts; Jose Manuel: 5th Dictionary, 6th Spelling; Aylynn: 2nd Dictionary, 4th Social Studies, 1st Spelling; Ellis: 3rd Dictionary, 3rd Social Studies; Alondra: 5th Social Studies; Tatum: 5th Spelling.
Way to go, Paisanos!
Upcoming Basketball Games: 1/6 Tuesday at Home at 6pm versus Balmorhea, 1/13 Tuesday at Home at 6pm versus Marfa, and 1/16 Friday at Home versus Dell City. All dates will have the Girls playing first and boys to follow. Free admission.
MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY IN TERLINGUA & ALPINE
Wed, Jan 14, 2026 - Terlingua Fire & EMS
Thurs/Fri, Jan 15-16, 2026 - Alpine Public Library
Call 888-204-9214 to schedule! Limited slots available, so call today!!!
Early detection of breast cancer saves lives.
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.
FLEA MARKET
The January Second Saturday Flea Market this Saturday the 10th at the Chili Pepper Café East parking lot. Free set-up, 9am - noonish. Bring your good stuff to sell or come out to shop!
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK CRITICAL WATER SHORTAGE
On December 23, 2025, the water pumps at Oak Spring failed completely. These pumps supply water to the Chisos Basin developed area from Oak Spring, the only water source for the Chisos Basin. The park immediately enacted Stage 2 water restrictions to conserve the water stored in the Chisos Basin water tanks. The back-up water pump was previously out of the park for repair and is not available. The park is urgently trying to expedite repair of the pumps, and there is no current timeline for when that repair will occur (but it is expected to take several weeks, at best). For more information and to read the entire press release, visit https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/news.
ESPRESSO … y POCO MAS
Open everyday for home-cooked breakfasts, lunches, the best coffee in the area. Located in the Ghost Town, great seating with fantastic views, strong wifi, and newspapers. 432 371 3044 for to-go orders. Open at 7:30 a.m.
TAQUERIA EL MILAGRO
We are here for your great street tacos, steaks and big side dishes from authentic Mexican recipes, all in a wonderful setting. We are BYOB. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3 pm until 9 pm. 432 371-2060 for takeout via our drive-through window.
THE BIG BEND MOBILE LIBRARY
§ Hours: The Library will be open on Thursday, January 8th, 2pm-5pm at Canyon View Community Park next to the school, and Saturday, January 10th, 10am-3pm at the Community Gardens in the Ghost Town.
§ FREE Spanish Classes: For the next 4 weeks there will be free “Introduction to Conversational Spanish” classes from 1pm-2pm on Saturdays at the Library Trailer in the Ghost Town. Classes are being led by the wonderful Wendy Weckesser and will be focused on the spoken language and pronunciation. Please bring your own chair and a pen/pencil and paper for note taking.
§ Crafternoons: Thursday afternoon at 4pm at the Library Trailer next to the school, we are having our first Children's Craft Time. We will be decorating wooden bookmarks, bring your kids (or just your childish friends) and come join the fun!
§ NEWS: We are looking for movers to help drive the mobile library on Saturdays and for special events. If you're interested please reach out to bigbendpubliclibrary@gmail.com for more information.
§ 24/7 Book Returns: Did you know we have a drop box for book returns at the entrance to the community gardens? This means you can return your books anytime, even if the library isn't open!
§ Library Tech Services: Do you have computer, printer, or internet needs? We have the fastest internet in town and a laptop that is available for check out hourly at the library. Dr. Gigabyte is also on hand to help with general questions on technology and communications in the Big Bend.
§ Exchange Box: The new and improved free porch! One person's trash is another person's treasure! Unless it's actually trash ... all donations must be approved by library staff. If you have large donations, please bring them on Thursdays.
Follow us @BigBendPublicLibrary on Facebook and Instagram for more updates!
BIG BEND EPISCOPAL MISSION & OTRA VEZ THRIFT SHOP JANUARY DATES
Sts. Mary & Joseph's Chapel-Lajitas: Holy Eucharist Service with Father Mike Wallens on January 24th, Saturday, at 5pm
Otra Vez Thrift Shop: Evening Hours, Open Wednesdays, 5:30pm-6:30pm ‑‑ 1/7, 1/14, and 1/21.
Bible Study @ the Otra Vez Thrift Shop with Father Mike: Last Wednesday of the Month, 1/31 starting at 5pm. All are welcome.
ENJOY OUR SATURDAY COMMUNITY MARKET
Come see us at the Saturday Community Market, open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Located at the Community Garden in the Ghost Town, we're here every Saturday with happy vendors offering an array of locally produced goods and other items. You'll also be able to enjoy our fabulous local mobile library and portable free ‘porch’, even consult with Dr. Gigabyte if you have a computer problem.
Local art, handcrafted textile goods, fresh eggs, sour dough bread, all natural lip balms and skin care products, all natural essential oil fragrances, beard oil and massage oils, handcrafted, creative jewelry, resin creations, block-printed textiles and vintage goods, both curated and up-cycled, 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 license. (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.
BIG BEND ARTS COUNCIL (BBAC)
The BBAC Affordable art Show comes down this Tuesday. That is also the entry deadline for the next BBAC show, “Way Out West and Wildlife.” Reception is at the Big Bend Gallery [Alpine] this Friday, January 9, 5-7 pm. Questions to: Shelly R (432-294-1538), Carol (432-294-1313) or Amanda (361-510-4888).
PIONEER REUNION 2026
Tickets are on sale now! The 2026 gathering promises to be one of our best yet, bringing together friends, colleagues, and Big Bend enthusiasts in a whole new location.
When: Saturday, February 7th, 2026, from 10:30 am - 4:45 pm.
Where: Espino Conference Center on the second floor of the Morgan University Center at Sul Ross University, Alpine, TX.
Speakers: Madeline Johnson, Rick Gupman, Mike Boren, Ronny Dodson, and Tom & Gary Osborn.
Ticket Prices: $25 each or $20 each for BBNHA members. Lunch included.
Call 432-477-2236 or stop by the Panther Junction Visitor Center in Big Bend National Park to purchase your tickets.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’ALL!
Send your MOON news and submissions by Monday NOON for that week’s MOON. Email to terlinguamoon@gmail.com. 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 (sometimes Monday).
