Meeting of Copper CowBelles for March 17, 2026
When we arrived for this meeting, Lori Nell Reed greeted us with a lovely meal of slider sandwiches, fresh fruit/cheese trays and yummy Rice Krispy treats! The spring décor was festive and we all felt we must be Irish to be so lucky today! Thank you so very much, Lori Nell! We were blessed.
President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon with 11 members present. Alena’s handsome sons were also present, boosting our total to 13. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed. Lori Nell Reed read the prayer.
Minutes from our February 17th meeting had been distributed electronically for all to review. Minutes approved.
Treasurer report submitted. Misty is resigning from her Treasurer position as of July 1st due to her move to Arizona. Her shoes will be tough to fill, as she has been doing an amazing job.
Leslie Crumbley shared a thank you note from Brennan Shock. He is grateful for our scholarship support as he begins his studies for a career in the field of HVAC. He will make us proud as he serves Grant County!
Pat Hunt had a visit with Tom Shelley, who stated that the Federal Wildlife Depredation Contract will be discussed at the Grant County Commissioners Meeting in June. Hopefully many ranchers and AG interested folks will attend.
Michelle Greeman told us that FFA Alumni Assoc. is hosting a pie auction fundraiser on April 17th. She also let us know about the Food Preservation classes at the Extension Office once a month.
Kathy Davis reported that Heritage Waters is still alive and well, fighting for our precious water rights. Martin Heinrich seems driven to control them and continues to pursue a route to get what he wants. We were encouraged to join Heritage Waters and support this fight. Kathy also encouraged us to take our AG related issues to our representatives NOW. USFS and BLM may be more open to our needs now, rather than later. Yvette Harrell is another good ear. We were reminded that our phone calls, letters and txt messages REALLY DO HELP.
Michelle Greeman has sent out a survey, looking for our feedback in regard to how to make our meetings more doable for the most members. The results will help us to build our own membership and also to better engage with and encourage struggling locals.
CowBelle District Meeting will be held May 8th and 9th in Socorro. This will be a statewide activity this time with lots of educational opportunity and social interaction.
The Mid Year Meeting is again happening in Ruidoso, June 7th thru 9th, with our CowBelle Meeting on June 8th. The Beef Ambassador interviews will take place then, so please alert any young people who may be interested in trying out. Check the newmexicocowbelles.org website for more information.
Kathy Davis has received 4 new brands to be added to the new CowBelle signs on US180. She has also contacted a welding business who is interested in bidding on the project when we are ready.
McKeen Ranch Days is planned for April 28th and 29th. This may be the last time this event will be held on the beautiful McKeen Ranch, as the family have it listed for sale. Margie McKeen wants to enable this event to touch the lives of as many school children as possible THIS YEAR. If you know of any home school groups or teachers who may bring their students, please contact Margie. Let’s all be a part of making this “last hurrah” reachable to as many children as possible. The Frisco Belles are making plans to continue this Agriculture experience at some other location in the future. Contact Pat Hunt or Michelle Greeman to sign up.
We will assemble another CCB Scholarship Gift Basket to raffle off at a future date. This basket could possibly provide funding for one scholarship and is well worth the work! Bring your additions to our next meeting or gathering. Then we need to get busy selling tickets.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. (Next CowBelle Meeting is Tuesday, May 19th, 2026)
By Carol Crosley
UPCOMING EVENTS: RANCH DAYS – April 28th & 29th at McKeen Ranch in Alma NM
ZOOM MEETING – Tuesday April 14th at 7:00 p.m.
DISTRICT MEETING – May 8th & 9th in Socorro
MID YEAR MEETING – June 7th thru 9th (CowBelle June 8th ) in Ruidoso
February 2026 Copper Report
President Cyndi Donovan called the February 17 meeting to order at noon. Joan Dewbre and Carol Crosley decorated with a Mardi Gras theme and cookies for all. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed as a group and Carol Crosley brought the prayer.
Minutes for the meeting of January 20th had been distributed. No Treasurer’s report. Funds for 20 memberships sent to NMCB.
Under “Dear to Our Hearts” we learned that several families had a death or illness. We will keep these folks in our prayers.
Kathy Davis has received no new brand applications for the CowBelle signs on US180 since our last meeting. She is looking for more committee members to help with the project.
Michelle Greeman updated us on NMCB. The next state Zoom Meeting is on March 12th at 7pm. Brittany Lardner is the new editor of The Wrangler. Michelle will be putting out the survey for members, looking for meeting times that would possibly allow more members to attend. Plans are under way for a NMCB District Meeting in May and the Extension Office will be involved as well. The Mid Year Meeting will be held in Ruidoso NM June 7th through 9th, with the CowBelle meeting scheduled for June 8th!
Copper awarded a scholarship to Brennan Shock, who plans to attend NMSU. He is seeking a career in HVAC installation and repair. Congratulation Brennan!
Cyndi Donovan suggested a committee to head up outreach to our sister locals, especially Frisco Belles, Border Belles and Tabosa Belles. We would all benefit from getting to know and encourage each other. More to come soon.
McKeen Ranch Days will happen again this year on April 28th and 29th! CCB members will again provide the popular chuck wagon and butter making demos. Let’s fully support this event with our time. So worthwhile!
The Extension is providing some great learning opportunities: calving workshop and canning classes are in the works. The monthly Food Preservation Class is a huge hit but space is limited, so be sure to sign up in advance. Cost for the Food Preservation Class is $25 and reportedly well worth it! Master Canner Josey Ross teaches it. Next class is Monday Feb 23rd. To sign up, call 388-1559 for the Extension Office.
The family of former Copper CowBelle Carol Baumgartner (who passed away some time back) has offering some of their artwork collection to us for use as a fundraiser. Our thanks to them for this sweet donation in Carol’s honor.
By Carol Crosley
UPCOMING EVENTS:
NMCB Zoom Meeting – Thursday Mar 12 @ 7pm
Ranch Days – April 28 – 29th
Mid-Year Meeting – In Ruidoso, June 7th thru 9th
Copper Cowbelles Award Scholarship to Cliff High Graduate Brennan Shock
The Copper Cowbelles are pleased to announce that Brennan Shock, a graduating senior from Cliff High School, has been selected as a recipient of Copper Cowbelles Trade Scholarship. Brennan will be pursuing training in the HVAC/Plumbing trade at the New Mexico State University Dona Ana Campus beginning this fall. Along with this training he will also be taking classes in general business to help prepare him in his endeavors.
The Copper Cowbelles are proud to support students like Brennan who choose to develop valuable skills that benefit our community. Brennan’s commitment to a career in the skilled trades reflects the values of hard work and dedication that we need in our area. He states that during COVID he and his friends “offered construction services” to help out. During this experience he recognized a need, and states that he plans to “serve New Mexico and offer affordable but quality HVAC and plumbing services.”
The Copper Cowbelles congratulate Brennan Shock on his achievements and look forward to seeing his future contributions in the HVAC and plumbing fields.
CowBelles is a non-profit organization whose purpose is providing educational information about the beef industry and preserving the heritage of the West. We offer these scholarships to encourage the continuation of our western heritage in all areas of agriculture and rural life. “We believe that supporting education in the trades is essential for the future of our rural communities,” said a spokesperson for the Copper Cowbelles. “We wish Brennan all the best as he begins his journey at NMSU Dona Ana Campus.”
January 2026 Copper Report
Copper CowBelle Meeting of January 20, 2026
President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon. There were 14 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed. Cyndi Donovan brought the prayer.
Minutes for November were approved and the Treasurer’s report submitted for audit.
Pat Hunt shared the nice note from Shirley Franks, relating her good memories as a CowBelle member. Michelle Greeman mentioned that Owassa Hyman will turn 100 years old soon and family would love it if she could receive lots of birthday cards.
Carol Crosley wrote up a short piece reviewing the club’s past year for inclusion in the Jingle Jangle corner of the NM Stockman magazine.
Kathy Davis is working on selling brand spots on our two CowBelle signs on U.S.180. She and her committee have sold 37 spots on the Cliff sign and 42 on the Tyrone sign. Now they will be engaging a welder to complete the project. Our thanks to Kathy, Rhonda, Misty, Lori Nell and Joanne for time served on this committee.
Cyndi encouraged us to reach out to get our friends to consider joining our club. Michelle Greeman said that this is a statewide need that NMCB has also addressed. We discussed a questionnaire to our members who can’t often attend, asking what time slot would better allow them to attend. More hands make for lighter work! Michelle reminded us of the monthly NMCB Zoom Meeting at 7p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month, next meeting being on 2/12/26.
Kathy Davis brought a flyer advertising “The Rhinestone Gala” on Saturday, Feb. 28th at the Las Cruces Convention Center. This event boasts dinner, dancing and live music, featuring Dzaki Sukarno of America’s Got Talent fame. The event is a fundraiser for Saddle up with Hope, providing young girls with hope, confidence and resilience through working with horses.
We talked about the possibility of hosting a joint meeting with other local Cowbelle clubs and building relationship with other members.
We again discussed our hope to host a fundraiser for the purpose of supporting our scholarship program and to provide a fun social activity for our community. We are looking at late May, early June or even a fall date, however, there is much to do and we may have started too late for this year. Information is being gathered and the subject was tabled until our next meeting.
At the conclusion of the meeting, our 2026 officers were installed: President Cyndi Donovan, Vice President Leslie Crumbley, Secretary Carol Crosley and Treasurer Misty Pugmire. Then we all enjoyed a pot-luck meal together.
Our next meeting will be on February 17th. Joan Dewbre and Carol Crosley will be our hostesses.
By Carol Crosley
November 2025 CCB Report
President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on November 19, 2025. There were 11 ladies present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag, the prayer, and the CowBelle Creed.
All current Officers are willing to continue serving for 2026. Pat Hunt made a motion that we maintain our current officers in 2026. Michelle Greeman seconded the motion, all agreed and the motion passed. We will hold our installation of officers at our next meeting on January 20th. This will be a potluck lunch and Kathy Davis will take care of decorations.
Pat was contacted by Shannon Lewis, wife of Evelyn Yate’s grandson, who was seeking to purchase several of our past cookbooks that contained Evelyn’s recipes to share with the family, she will see to it. Pat suggested that we send a condensed version of what we are doing at our CowBelle meetings to Janet Witte at The Stockman for inclusion in Jingle Jangle. Carol Crosley will do that. Pat also thought we might submit our favorite beef recipes to Patty Waid for her “For the Love of Beef” column in The Stockman.
Dissussion of CowBelle sign updates. Kathy Davis has worked hard and already has sold at least 30 brand spots on each of the signs. The signs will include the logos of Copper CowBelles, Cattle Growers and Freeport McMoran. Please be thinking about who else may want their brand on the signs.
Pat Hunt mentioned that we all might attend a Silver Consolidated School Board meeting to see how well the meetings are run and how Roberts Rules of Order help a meeting work well. Michelle Greeman let us know that the Team Reach App is available to all of us and is how the NM CowBelles are staying in touch and in step with each other. She is happy to answer any questions. Also a reminder that our NMCB Zoom meetings are held 2nd Thurs of each month.
We had a lively discussion re: planning a much needed fundraiser (shindig?) Ft. Bayard Theater was mentioned as a possible venue and info will be gathered and shared. A band and auctioneer are being sought. It appears a date late in April or early May will work best. Stay tuned for more news.
The CowBelle portion of the Annual Meeting will be held December 12th at Hotel Albuquerque. Sign up on line a Newmexicocowbelles.org/event. Each local will bring a door prize to be awarded. Membership renewals were due Oct. 1st.
Thanks to our meeting hostesses: Julie Mehan and Misty Pugmire!
By Carol Crosley
Dates to Remember:
December 12, Annual Meeting @ Hotel Albuquerque. Register at Newmexicocowbelles.org/events
Our Next Meeting – January 20th (Potluck and Installation of Officers for 2026)
October 2025 CCB Report
President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on October 21, 2025. There were 11 ladies present, including our guest, Mackie Irwin. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed. Julie Mehan read the prayer. Minutes for the August 19th meeting had been distributed electronically.
Shirley Franks sent a note expressing her continuing interest in CowBelles, but she regrets not being able to attend meetings these days. She appreciates being kept in the loop. Mackey Irwin told us about her new career with Agri-RFC Farm and Ranch Consulting supporting farmers and ranchers by helping them with the time sensitive paperwork, dealing with records and government forms, etc.
Pat Hunt gave a review of our Fair booth and Ag Days. Attendance seemed down this year, but folks did utilize our photo backdrop and lots of activity with our corn-hole game. We distributed beef recipes, lollipops and beef jerky left over from last year. We sold 2 CowBelle Cookbooks, 2 packages of brand napkins and 9 Beef license plates. We held the drawing for winner of Claudia Toenies beautiful quilts and our lucky winners were Leslie Crumbley and JoA nn Miller. They brought in funds to be added to our Scholarship Fund. Thanks to Claudia for her very generous donation!
Kathy Davis reported she is having success selling brand spots on our new CowBelle signs for $50 each. She has sold 25 spots on the Tyrone sign and 27 on the Gila sign. Freeport McMoran has donated toward this project. We are grateful for their support.
Membership renewals are due now, so get your renewal to Misty Pugmire soon. Please visit with your friends and neighbors about joining us.
We discussed appointing a committee to come up with a slate of potential officers for 2026. However, this year it appears that the current officers are willing to continue their responsibilities for another year. This will be discussed again next meeting.
Michelle Greeman was our hostess for today. The fall theme was timely and the chocolate she put out is, of course, always timely! Thanks Michelle. Hostesses for our next meeting will be Julie Mehan and Misty Pugmire.
By Carol Crosley
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Next CCB meeting – Nov. 18th
Annual CowBelles Meeting, December 12th @ Hotel Albuquerque. Register now at Newmexicowbelles.org/events
2026 Quilt Winners: Scholarship Fundraiser
The Copper CowBelles drew the winning tickets for our scholarship raffle during our recent meeting.
Leslie Crumbley is the winner of the larger southwest quilt and JoAnn Miller won the wall hanging.
The quilts were designed and sewn by Claudia Toenies who donated them for our fundraiser. We thank her for her generosity and also the many people who purchased chances on the quilts.
Copper gives scholarships to local students pursuing academic degrees and students receiving training in fields of trade careers.
Contact us if you are interested in applying.
We Are Updating Our Highway Signs!
The Copper CowBelles will be replacing and updating our Brand Signs with brands located in Southwest New Mexico. Signs are located along HWY 180coming from Cliff/Gila and HWY 90 coming from Tyrone.
The replacement material will be expanded metal and metal brands in hopes these signs won’t be blown down. There is limited space on the Highway Brand Signs, if you would like to have your Brand on these signs, please fill in the form and return with payment. $50 per sign, and you can chose one or both.
Offer ends this Fall!
2025 CCB Brand Sign Form here!
Thank you!
PS: Plans are underway to repaint the brands on the Deming Highway sign as well.
2025 Grant County Fair Booth
The CowBells had a great time at the Grant County Fair. Thank you to all of our volunteers, and to ChairBell, Pat Hunt!
August 2025 CCB Report
President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on August 19. There were 11 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag, the CowBelle Creed and read the prayer. Minutes for the June 17th meeting were approved. The Treasurer’s Report will be submitted for audit.
Trey Greeman sent a note thanking us for our CCB Scholarship! We wish him well!
Under “Dear to Our Heart,” Several local men have been ill. One with a serious infection and another with a snake bite. A camping group Cyndi was sitting with were nearly hit by a random lightning strike while out camping. God was faithful in all of these situations and we are very grateful!
The sign committee is making good progress attaining new CowBelle signs on Hwy 180 near Cliff and on SR90 near Tyrone. We were all encouraged to contact cattlemen, offering them opportunity to display their brand on our signs. The fee is $50 per brand and Kathy has sold 27 spots so far. Freeport-McMoRan Corp. is willing to provide us with a grant. This is an amazing opportunity for us and thanks to Kathy Davis and Misty Pugmire for their hard work on the project.
The Silver City Museum folks are grateful for our contributions of cakes for their 4th of July Ice Cream Social. We labeled our cakes with the CCB labels that Michelle Greeman provided and hopefully made some new friends!
Leslie Crumbley reminded us of the ongoing quilt raffle to support our Scholarship Fund. Sell your tickets ladies! The winners will be drawn at the Fair in September. Kathy Davis brought some neat (lightly used) western garment bags to be used for future scholarship fund raisers.
We discussed our plans for the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair Sept. 17th – 21st. We will again occupy our corner location next to the Grant County Extension Office and will help cover their booth. All hands on deck with CCB Members needed! Please contact Pat Hunt and let her know when you can work. Lots of help is needed for Ag Days on Friday. CowBelles will present the Beef By-Products display and possibly Brands as well. We can distribute beef jerky, sell raffle tickets and license plates.
There was a discussion whether to provide burritos to livestock exhibitors and their families as we did last year. Some key members will not be in town on Wed. this year, which will leave us shorthanded. A decision was made to table the burrito distribution for this year. However, the Committee Chair (Pat Hunt) will make the final decision.
Anyone interested in helping with Happy Hour in the Ag Pavilion at the NM State Fair should contact Liz Roche at the Beef Council. Volunteers will receive free admission and parking pass. This is apparently quite a cool event highlighting NM Cattlegrowers, NM Wine Growers and of course NM CowBelles.
The NMCB will raise membership fees in 2026. We discussed whether or not to raise our own CCB dues this year. Our 2026 dues will remain at $40, which includes the State dues of $30.
NMCB is having a drive to sell Associate Memberships to businesses, etc. The CowBelle local selling the most memberships will receive $100 in merchandise credit (i.e. $100 worth of BEEF license plates or other merchandise.) The business joining CowBelles as an associate member will receive a certificate to display in their business and will receive news and updates.
It is time to nominate the New Mexico CowBelle of the Year! It is also time to speak up if you are interested in serving in a state office!
Michelle Greeman demonstrated how to download the new Team Reach APP to help us all receive info updates and stay in better touch. Michelle will probably assist you if you encounter any problems!
Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm.
Thank you to our creative hostesses, Pat Hunt and Kim Clark! The Dolly Parton theme was fun and very sparkly! The cookies were great!
By Carol Crosley
DATES TO REMEMBER:
NM Beef Council Meeting during the NM State Fair – Sept 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th
Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair – Sept. 17th thru 21st (Ag Day – Fri. Sept 19th)
NMCB Associate Membership Drive – Now thru October 1st.
YOUR COWBELLE DUES ARE DUE OCTOBER 1ST
State CowBelle of the Year Award Nominees Due – October 15th
Grant County Copper CowBelles 