Copper Cowbelles Met September 15th, 2020

2020 Officers – Pat Hunt President- Judy O’Loughlin VP- Jeanette Hamilton Secretary- Tenisha Fell Treasurer
Pledge, Creed and Prayer lead by Pat.

Last meeting was June 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A budget for 2020 which will be revised to be a ’20-’21 budget and submitted for review at October meeting.
Lori Nell Reed obtained a donation to the organization from NM Gas Company.

Memorial donation of $50 each to honor Patsy Eby and Bar Wilson, past Copper CowBelles, who passed earlier this year.

Three scholarship applications were received and reviewed. Scholarships were awarded to Seth Neal (trade), Kurstyn Johnson (trade) and Cursten Blanton (academic) for this year and for last year (her application was mistakenly overlooked for eligibility last year).

Lucy Whitmarsh requested that we be involved with restoring the brand mural in the Murray Hotel downtown Silver City. They are still looking for a photo of the mural that includes the bottom right hand corner that has been damaged.

Jason Dobrinski has given permission for the brand sign on Hwy 180 West to be restored on his property. It was damaged beyond repair in a recent storm. We need to get out and remove the remains of the sign and set up a committee to start researching how to build a new one and finance it.

Nominating Committee and will make phone calls to see who is willing to run for office for the ’20-’21 year.

Discussion of the Wild and Scenic Act. It is important to support the Heritage Waters movement in rebuttal to the M.H. Dutch Salmon Wild and Scenic Act, which affects 5 SW NM counties. The Gila isn’t a free-flowing river, it is being utilized by farmers and ranchers, and the Gila doesn’t flow naturally year round. It is not a true recreational river but instead is a working river.

Submitted by Jeannette Hamilton (with help from Pat Hunt)

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met June 16th, with lots of social distancing, on the back patio of a member’s house.  It was, needless to say wonderful to see each other.  The scholarship committee submitted the revised applications for our academic and new trade career categories.  Copper recognizes the need for welders, electricians, linemen etc in rural communities.  Everyone was encouraged to help publicize this new scholarship offering.  The Grant County Fair was discussed with the hope that the Exhibit Building will be allowed to be open.  Copper always has a booth with Beef giveaways, recipes and information about  the nutritional values of beef and how to safely handle and cook it.  Kathy Davis reported about heritagewaters.org a local group formed to fight proposed legislation to designate the Gila and San Francisco Rivers as Wild and Scenic.  This proposal could devastate the farming community of Gila and impact the mining business in Grant County.  Desserts were shared after the Treasurer’s Report was made and the Dear to Our Hearts Committee reported health news on members who have been ill recently.

Submitted by Pat Hunt, President

We shared two really popular posts on our page www.facebook.com/coppercowbelles in April.

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met January 21^st.  President Pat Hunt conducted the meeting.  The Pledge of Allegiance, CowBelles Creed and Prayer were read.

Guest Ty Bays was present to discuss the upcoming Cowboy Cash Party which Copper will again participate in and help to organize.  It is scheduled for April 25^th.  

There was much discussion about this year’s committees such as scholarships and marketing.  Emphasis will be placed on funding to students pursuing careers in trades needed in rural areas and the marketing committee will develop several beef promotion giveaways.  One of the local high school Home Economic teachers has requested in-class instruction about beef and ranching and a committee was formed for that effort. A budget and audit committee will review the books as soon as possible due to the change in Treasurer.

The Grant County Cattlegrowers is planning a meeting next month and a motion was made to present the new President with a “We love USA Beef” apron along with a check for the county fair steer purchase project this Fall. The steer is processed and the meat is distributed to local Home Ec teachers free of charge for use in the classrooms.

 Submitted by Pat Hunt

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met on December 17^th    for the annual Christmas luncheon.   President Annette George installed the 2020 Officers as the only official business to be conducted:  President, Patricia Hunt; Vice President, Judy O’Loughlin; Secretary, Jeannette Hamilton; and Treasurer, Tenisha Fell.  Annette announced the CowBelle of the Year with co-winners:  Cyndi Donovan and Jeannette Hamilton and thanked them both for all their hard work during the year.

A potluck was held with brisket prepared by the Fells and a Santa gift exchange was held. Decorations for the party were provided by Carlie Gatlin of the Grant County Extension Service.  The first meeting of 2020 will be held on January 21^st at 11:30 in the conference room of the Extension Service.

Submitted by Pat Hunt

From the 2006 Copper CowBelle Cookbook, pg 93

• 1 lb lean pork meat cubed
• 2½ c water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ c raisins (if dry, soak in hot water)

Pie Crust

• 1½ c flour
• ½ c Crisco
• ½ tsp salt
• 4-5 Tbs ice water

1. Boil meat slowly until tender. Grind it with juice.
2. Return to pan and add sugar, cinnamon and raisins.
3. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add water if necessary, but always keep meat juicy.
4. Mix pie dough.
5. Mold dough and keep in refrigerator until chilled.
6. Shape into small balls as for empanadas.
7. Roll to 1/8-inch thickness.
8. Put pork mixture on half of dough.
9. Fold over and press edges together with a fork.
10. Fry in deep fat or bake in oven until browned nicely.

The Copper CowBelles held our last meeting of the year yesterday. We installed the 2020 officers: Pat Hunt, President, Judy O’Loughlin, Vice President, Jeanette Hamilton, Secretary and Tenisha Fell as Treasurer. The meeting was a Christmas gathering with brisket smoked by the Fell’s, decorations by Carlie Gatlin, all the Belles took a gift and side dish. We thank those who served this year and look forward to a prosperous 2020!

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Congratulations to Cyndi Dunn Donovan and Jeanette Hamilton, our 2019 Copper CowBelles of the Year! President Annette stated that when she thought about the award, two Belles stood out. Cyndi was always ready to get to work when something needed done and Jeanette did a great job with the minutes. Congratulations to both of these deserving CowBelles!

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met on November 19^th.  President Annette George requested the approval of the October minutes which included discussion of National Farm to School Month (designated by Congressional Act H.R. 1655, 2010).  The Grant County Commissioners issued a Proclamation to celebrate this declaration and Annette accepted on behalf of Copper. It was announced that Family Shindig dance was a success with good attendance and an excellent band.  The Nominating Committee presented a slate of officers to be published and voted on.

The slate of officers was approved for 2020:  Pat Hunt, President; Judy O’Loughlin, Vice President; Jeanette Hamilton, Secretary and Tenisha Fell, Treasurer.  A motion was passed to make a donation to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship in memory of Lynda Delk Cox.

Guest speaker Erin Griffith of the Silver City Museum gave an update on the exhibit Ranching in Grant County.  It is one of the Museum’s best attended and appreciated displays. Copper’s display case at the Silver City Library has also been well received.  It will be up for the month of November in the lobby.

The December meeting will be a Christmas luncheon and installation of Officers.

Submitted by Pat Hunt

We are so grateful for the Silver City Public Library for inviting the Copper CowBelles to have our information in the display case in November.

  Thank you to all that helped install this great exhibit!