Catching Up; Yet again

Deen and Ham Underwood at the dedication of the new General Bravo

 

marker

Well it's another Saturday morning, and as usual I seem to be behind the power curve. 
For those that have not heard, our own Deen Underwood had a fall last week end and broke her hip.  Right there and then the Doc's replaced her hip, and she's recovering as well as can be expected.  From last I heard, Deen will be recovering for several weeks before they start rehab.  Our prayers and thoughts are with her.  There was some good news to go along with this though.  A friend of the Underwoods made a $1000.00 donation to their efforts to place and replace markers at Concordia Cemetery.  With the arrangements the Underwoods have made with Sonny Zambrano, that means at least 5 additional markers that can be set.  I do find it ironic that the Underwoods have done more to replace missing or destroyed markers at the cemetery than the Concordia Heritage Association in the past year.

Amongst other news, Had guests Tarna Blackhelm, and Billy Murray onboard this morning's OWEP-Radio show, discussion history and paranormal investigation.  Now folks might ask why I considered this.  Well.... Any good paranormal group researches the locations of their investigations, leanring as much as they possibly can prior to the actual "hunt".  And along the way, they build up a considerable data base of local history.  And after the little incident at Commissioners Court Monday, I thought it'd be a great idea to bring on the folks from GHOST-EP. 
Didn't hear about or see it?  Well GHOST-EP through Facility Manager Monique Aguirre went before Commissioners Court  seeking permission to conduct an investigation inside the court house after hours.  As the Commissioners were leaning towards denying permission, the lights in the court room, lobby and a good portion of the court house went out.  Once they realized it wasn't a joke or a trick, the request was approved unanimous.  That's when the light went back on.   I'm going to attempt to link the County's video archive here for those that wanna watch.  Is kinds trippy!

So for the time being, Take care, may God Bless, and Keep your powder dry!

Catching Up

As some of you may have noticed, I haven't been keeping up with this lately.  There's good reason.  I have been busier that a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.  Earlier this month I received word that I was needed to do the regular monthly Shakespeare Ghost Town tours.  So looks as iffn I'll be heading to Lordsburg once a month for at least this summer. 
Easter Week end was the first Living History week end at Shakespeare.  Had over 125 folks come visit and take the tour.  This marked the opening of the dance studio for the first time.  Kay Shannon conducted that part of the tour, with yours truly leading the folks the rest of the way. 
This after noon sees the premier of issue 5 of "Hell Paso: The Dallas Stoudenmire Story" from Jimmy Daze Comics.  Jimmy Portillo and his crew will be on hand at the El Paso Museum of History to talk about the series, and to autograph copies of the comics.
Also this week, the first two video clips for Old West El Paso Video were posted on You Tube.  They are rough, but hey, it's the first editing I have done since 1979.  There are more to follow as I collect footage and find time to edit and post the clips.  I am shooting at 5 minute clips, covering events and places connected to El Paso and Old West History.   Hopefully sometime this week I will be able to add the video page to the website.

So for now, you all take care, may God bless, and keep your powder dry....
Between two trips to Shakespeare, and school, I have to admit I am one pooped Lil Cowboy. 

Labor Day Weekend 2010

 I was clearing out the posts and found this one in the archives that I hadn't published.  Figured iffn it was worth keepin', it was worth postin'.

Well, Hell must have frozen over this year. For the first time since 1996 I will be here in El Paso for Labor Day Week end. Due to financial considerations, and home issues, I had to cancel my annual pilgrimage to the "Town Too Tough to Die." Dave and Millie Cookson, and Marilyn Weaver of the Paso del Norte Pistoleros willl be heading down to judge the parade. Dangerous Dave will fill in for me as Judge.

This will be the 29th annual Rendevouz of Gunfighters. I am proud to say I have attended most of them. In the beginning the costuming was blah to say the least. My running joke was that when the "dance hall girls" asked if you wanted to see their "plums", they had to lift their skirts. In the six years I have been judging the parade on Sunday, the attire has improved dramatically.  Every once in awhile I see a throw back to the "Bad old Days", but not very often.

I have met some wonderful people there over the years as well.  The Traywicks have always been gracious and supportive.

I'm gonna miss it.  But come Hell or High Water I'm gonna make it next year!!!!!

The website, the website, the website

After much cussing, swearing, and sweat I got the improvements on OldWestElPaso.Com posted this evening. All to early this morning I thought I had it nailed down, but on review online, found the links for the calendar and Plaza Classic page wouldn't work. I fitzed around for a couple of hours this evening and got it fixed, and all seems to be working well for now.

The first big changes folks are going to notice and the links page, and the gunfight page. I like the new format for the links page, and with maybe one or two tweaks, don't plan to change it much again.

I made the Gunfight Section it's own page. It makes for easier access to the stories. Once I get some operating capital again, I want to purchase the rights to use the fantastic photos and maps available here in town, to illustrate the stories.

I have plans to rewrite the Shakespeare Ghost Town page. There are more photos to gather and sort, before I begin that project.

Well that's all for now folks. Take care, Keep your powder dry.