The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services has launched a program called Operation Holiday Cheer to bring season’s greetings to residents and staff of the New Mexico State Veterans Home, which is located in Truth or Consequences. This is New Mexico’s only nursing facility for our country’s veterans.
The cards need only be addressed with “Dear Veteran,” and contain a short message of appreciation for the military service of the veteran. Cards for staff can be addressed, “Frontline Hero,” along with a brief message of appreciation for providing care for the home’s residents.
Cards should be mailed to:
The New Mexico State Veterans Home, 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901, Attn: Operation Holiday Cheer
This program is another great way to reach out to individuals this year. As a reminder, our library is also conducting a program to submit letters to local seniors. You can drop those letters off at the library. There are COVID practices in place.
The library also has a “Letters to Santa” program. If you have a letter for Saint Nick, stop by the library any time between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. before Dec. 23 and they’ll take care of the letter. The Carlsbad Public Library also has put together “Family Movie Night” activity kits and has developed a “Genre of the Month” reading program. December’s genre is Christian Fiction. If you read ten novels of that genre, you will win a prize. The library is also currently running its amateur photography contest. Thank you to Sarah Jones and everyone with the Carlsbad Public Library for coming up with so many creative ideas this year.
Speaking of creativity, Carlsbad MainStreet and Pearl of the Pecos are sponsoring a Christmas Window Decorating Contest. Businesses downtown are participating in this event, with photos posted on MainStreet’s Facebook page. The MainStreet and Pearl of the Pecos directors will pick the overall winners, but there will also be a “People’s Choice” award running through Dec. 18. For more information, please contact Kat at Director@pearlofthepecos.org or Ashly at Carlsbadmainstreet@gmail.com
More ways to make this year’s Christmas special: There is now a Snowman and Snowwoman set up in the small gazebo on the back side of the Pecos River Village Conference Center. This is one of the most beautiful Christmas settings ever for memorable photos. You also may have also seen the Grinch around town a bit lately, stopping to pose for photos here and there. Thank you to local resident Katherine Allmon Kindopp who has been serving as agent for “the Grinch” and arranging his appearances across town.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway