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 20^th. 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 2^nd 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 12^th 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. 1^st.

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 20^th   (Potluck and Installation of Officers for 2026)

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 19^th 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. 18^th

Annual CowBelles Meeting, December 12th @ Hotel Albuquerque. Register now at Newmexicowbelles.org/events    

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 17^th 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 4^th 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. 17^th – 21^st. 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, 12^th and 13^th

Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair  –  Sept. 17^th thru 21^st  (Ag Day – Fri. Sept 19^th)

NMCB Associate Membership Drive – Now thru October 1^st.

YOUR COWBELLE DUES ARE DUE OCTOBER 1ST

State CowBelle of the Year Award Nominees Due – October 15th

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on April 25.  There were 8 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance, Creed and Prayer.  Minutes and Treasurer’s report were submitted.

Pat submitted a note from the Biebelle family, thanking us for serving the meal at Joyce’s memorial service.  Our state officers sent us a note of thanks for hosting the Western District Workshop last week. Carol Crosley also sent a thank you note for CowBelle of the Year designation.

Kathy gave a report on the progress of our CowBelle sign on Hwy 180. The 8’X16’ sign will have 16 panels on which to advertise brands.  She will soon have stats so that we can sell brand spots to cattle growers.

We discussed our Western District Workshop this past Saturday. It was a successful and enjoyable day. Thirty-two meals were served and the venue worked out well. Next time we might arrange tables so that it’s easier to interact with other attendees. Our drawing was held for the CowBelle Scholarship basket and the winner was notified. Thanks to all who donated items for it!

Ranch Days are quickly approaching on Tues. April 29^th and Wed. April 30^th. Michelle will do the Beef By-products presentation and Cyndi and Leslie will do their Butter presentation. Pat will be working on providing biscuits for the butter! This is a fun day and there’s always to do, so let’s show up big time! We should be there by 8:00 a.m. so please know there is highway construction going on out there.  Add 30 minutes to your regular travel time to Alma!

Kathy encouraged us to build our membership numbers back up by inviting friends and folks we meet. Many ladies may not be able to attend meetings, but they can help our cause by responding to “Calls to Action” for or against legislation.  Our phone calls to legislators really do work!

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm. Thank you to Kathy, who somehow found the time to decorate the tables in a Spring/Easter theme and provide sweet treats!

By Carol Crosley

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, May 21, 2025

 COMING SOON:  Ranch Days – April 29^th & 30^th at McKeen Ranch, Alma NM

  W.A.L.C. Meeting:  Wed & Thurs, April 30^th – May 1^st in Ruidoso NM

Cliff/Gila Grant County Fair:  September 17^th – 20th   

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on March 18.  There were 10 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance, Creed and Prayer.

Minutes and Treasurer’s report were presented. Pat suggested a spread sheet be kept for expenditures made for Western District Workshop, so that we can stay aware.

Dear to Our Hearts discussion about a death in the family of a fellow Belle and recent passings of ranchers in our area.

Cyndi called for committee reports on our upcoming NMCB Western Districts Workshop on April 5^th. Michelle said that our 5 state officers will arrive on Friday, April 4^th. It was decided that a potluck welcome meal will be held Friday evening for the officers at Misty’s home.

We will convene early Saturday 4/5 to decorate the venue at Cross Point Church. CCB members will provide a light breakfast bar: yogurt, bagels n cream cheese, fruit tray, granola bars, etc. Coffee, tea and juice will be served.  Name tags and gift bags will be given to attendees at a registration table. A beef taco lunch will be served mid-day. During the day we will do our raffle for the CCB Scholarship Bucket. Members are asked to sell all of our tickets and turn in money and stubs that morning.  Door prizes brought by local clubs will be awarded during the day. This will be a fun and informative day!

McKeen Ranch Days will be presented on April 29^th & 30^th.  Lots of help needed. Michelle will do the Beef By-Products presentation. Cyndi and Leslie will do their butter presentation. (Always a kid favorite!)

NMCB still taking nominations  for the Diamond in the Rough award. If you have suggestions, please give her a call.

This meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

Thanks to Hostesses Joan and Carol for the Irish ambiance and Irish Shortbread cookies!

By Carol Crosley

Coming Events:

Next Copper CowBelle Meeting:  April 15, 2025

NM State CowBelles Western District Workshop: April 5, 2025 at Cross Point Church in Silver City

Ranch Days: Tues. April 29th and Wed. April 30^th.

WALC Convention: Wed. April 30th & Thurs. May 1st, 2025  

Registration is open for the NMCB Western Districts Workshop on April 5 in Silver City, hosted by the Copper CowBelles with the program presented by the NMCB Executive Officer Team. You can register online at the link below with the option to pay with card or in person with cash or check. https://newmexicocowbelles.wildapricot.org/event-6089850 You can also print and mail the attached form:  West District WS Reg Form1.docx Registration is open to all New Mexico CowBelle members. Please submit your registration by March 20. See you in Silver City!

President Pat Hunt called the meeting to order at noon on October 15. There were ten members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance and Pat Hunt read the CowBelle Creed. Carol Crosley gave the prayer.

Minutes of the August 20th meeting were approved. The Treasurer’s Report and it will be submitted for audit.

Pat Hunt received a note from Annette George, expressing her appreciation for keeping her in the loop.

We received thank you notes for serving the meal at Joyce Biebelle’s celebration of life: one from the Biebelle Family and another note from her daughter Marlene. We hope the family and her friends were blessed by our participation in honoring Joyce.

Special thanks to Lori Nell Reed for heading up the celebration of life for Mary Jo Hooker and to all the CowBelle members who provided food and served.

Leslie Crumbley reported that she has responded to several requests for CCB Scholarship Applications, but has not received any completed new applications as yet.

We discussed updating of the CCB highway signs on U.S. 180. Kathy Davis will chair this committee and asked that we share any ideas we have with her. She will set a committee meeting.

Many of us were able to participate in the NMCB Zoom meeting on Thurs. Oct. 10th. It is always interesting to “meet” members at the state level, even if just on line. Michelle Greeman caught us up on important dates coming up.

Members willing to serve as officers for 2025 are as follows: President, Cyndi Donovan, Vice President, Leslie Crumbley, Treasurer, Misty Pugmire and Secretary, Carol Crosley. Kathy Davis made a motion that we accept this roster of officers for Copper CowBelles 2025. Joan Dewbree seconded the motion, all present agreed and the motion passed.

Michelle Greeman passed a message to Pat Hunt from the Deming Main Street Project folks. They’ll be presenting “Old West Days” on November 16th & 17th at the Luna County Fairgrounds and hoped we’d be willing to do an educational booth. They will also have a barrel race, team sorting, team penning, a fashion show and a dinner. After discussion, we decided that a number of our members will plan to attend this event on Saturday 11/16 from 11am to 4pm, presenting a booth on Beef By-products and/or Brands. We will also bring our photo backdrop, the corn hold board and sell our scholarship raffle tickets at this event. This is a good opportunity to educate folks and to add to our scholarship funds.

We talked about the success of our CowBelle pursuits at the recent Grant County Fair. Our beef burritos were greatly appreciated by livestock show participants and crew. Thanks to Cliff School Home Ec Dept. teachers and students, who assembled the burritos! Thanks to Misty Pugmire for coordinating this well-received event and helping us purchase the supplies for this outreach and to Michelle Greeman for designing CCB labels to place on the burritos! Autumn Robertson’s Farm Bureau Ag Days was well received on Friday of Fair. Thanks to members who assisted her with special thanks to Cyndi, Alena, Jennifer and all of our members who worked the CCB Booth and covered the Grant County Extension Service booth! Thanks also to Vivian who sold an astounding number of NM Beef license plates!

Our congratulations to Gage Greeman, who won the NM Cattle Growers’ Heritage Buckle for Grant County with his essay on local Beef Marketing!

Pat distributed more raffle tickets for our scholarship bucket and chances to win Claudia Toenie’s beautiful quilts. We hope to “beef up” our scholarship fund.

2025 CCB dues are past due! Some of us paid dues at this meeting. Part of this $35 goes for NM CowBelle membership and includes a monthly copy of New Mexico Stockman magazine.

Jessica Swapp-Massengill noted that the Grant County Extension Service is currently interviewing for the position of FCS (Home Economist).

The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at 11:30.

Dates to Remember:

Old West Days at Luna County Fairgrounds, Deming – November 16th & 17th
NM State CowBelles/Cattlegrowers Annual Meeting – December 11th – 13th
Monthly State CowBelles Zoom Meeting: 2nd Thurs at 7pm. (11/14/2024)

By, Carol Crosley

Mackey Irwin from the Farm Service Agency speaking to the CowBelles at today’s meeting.