Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1997

Going-away party honors

long-time Pecos nurse

A going-away party was given in honor of a long-time Pecos resident,
school nurse and friend to many.

Ann Hicks was honored with a party held at the Pecos Nursing Home.

Hicks came to Pecos from Fort Worth during the Great Depression in
search of a job and found one at Camp Hospital as head nurse.

After devoting 17 years to Camp Hospital, Hicks found her services
needed at the schools, where she was head nurse for 30 years.

When she decided to retire, it really was a contradiction in terms. She
began delivering meals-on-wheels 14 years ago on every Monday - unless
she's needed another day also.

Her daily visits to the Pecos Nursing Home have touched countless people
who were in desperate need of some tender loving care.

In her spare time, she has devoted countless hours to the First Baptist
Church, either leading adult classes or delivering Bibles to the young
people of the community. All that she has done for Pecos has been out of
the love in her heart.

Hicks was honored with the "Hidden Hero Award" at the 1997 Chamber of
Commerce Banquet.

Museum names new executive director

WEST OF THE PECOS MUSEUM NEWS
By Genora B. Prewit

Preparing for a positive future of the West of the Pecos Museum, the
Board of Trustees is happy to announce the addition of Mrs. Brandy
Burner Owen as the new Executive Director. We are thankful that Brandy
has agreed to take on this very responsible endeavor. This decision was
made after several year's contemplation on the welfare and future of
this Museum. Brandy's major objective will be to concentrate on
increasing revenue, a vital necessity if the Museum is to continue
operating. She will also be in charge of the accounting/bookkeeping and
overall decisions, with the Board, on the operations and fund raising
for the Museum.

Brandy is married to Ray Owen, Vice-President of the Security State
Bank. Their children are Justin, 7, and Kylie, 5. She is the daughter of
Jess and Sudie Burner of El Paso and the granddaughter of Jess and
Virginia Burner who lived in Pecos some years ago. Raised in Tornillo,
Texas, she graduated from Texas Tech in 1987 with a degree in
Agriculture Economics/Finance, and is certified to teach at the High
School level.

A cowgirl at heart, she was raised to love country life, horseback
riding, livestock and the outdoors, therefore she appreciates our Museum
and what it stands for. Brandy is artistic, enjoys making western crafts
- her cinnamon wreaths and hangings are not only cute and useful, they
smell delicious.

Brandy and Ray are busy young parents who enjoy doing things and going
places with their children. Concerned with the children's education,
welfare and future, they involve themselves in school functions, the
community, Church activities and T-Ball. She has been President of the
Chamber of Commerce Women's Division this past year and Ray is President
of the West of the Pecos Rodeo Committee.

Dorinda Venegas Millan will continue as Curator of the West of the Pecos
Museum. She will be in charge of and working with the collections,
inventory of collections, exhibits, special cultural, educational and
art exhibits and programs. 1997 has been a tremendous year for Dorinda.
The daughter of Grace and Daniel Venegas, her Mother passed away this
past April. She married Jerry Millan in August; a lovely wedding and
reception, moved into their new home, and cares for her father and
nephew. Her sister is Sally Vickr of Odessa.

Dorinda graduated from Pecos High School in 1979, attended University of
Texas at El Paso three years and has continued her education through
courses from Odessa. She is now commuting to Odessa twice weekly to take
a course in Museum studies. For two weeks last November she attended a
Texas Historical Commission Seminar at Winedale, renown for its
educational and historical studies for museum personnel.

Dorinda has been with the Museum since 1976, working part-time as a high
school student. She and Curator Fay Duncan did it all - they cleaned the
Museum and registered visitors. Mr. Barney Hubbs, long-time President of
the Museum Board, was the boss. He and the Board made all the decisions.
The Museum was his pride and joy! In those days no records were kept;
there were no filing cabinets, no typewriter, no special exhibits or
programs, except for the annual Old Timer's Reunion which was Mr. Hubb's
baby - he even sent out the invitations, many area folks attended - and
still do each year on the first day of the Rodeo.

Dorinda's artistic ability has enabled us to do many special projects
and exhibits that would not have been possible without her expertise in
that area. Dorinda is a very special, caring person. She and I have
always worked well together- what one didn't think of, the other did.
When I suggested something, she would take it from there. She has always
been shy, quiet, reserved and private; I, on the other hand, am loud and
bossy, but she knew how to handle me!

We accomplished miracles at this Museum; of course, with the help of
many wonderful volunteers! I cannot forgive myself for dropping
everything in her lap when I retired in July of '96. I had to, those
eighteen hour days had caught up with me, but she, with the help of Mary
Barfield and Frank Mendoza, the Friends of the Museum and precious
volunteers, kept this Museum afloat, and of course with the help of the
Board. With no money to speak of, they managed to continue forward with
Museum activities.

The Board of Trustees of the West of the Pecos Museum are all volunteers
who are interested in the welfare of the Pecos Museum. One of the best
moves of the Board this past year was the selection of various
committees within the Board. One of the most active has been the
"Operating Policy and Fund Raising" Committee, Judy Tipton, Chairperson,
Brandy Owen and David Castillo. They have diligently pursued ideas, ways
and means of what is best for the Museum and the most logical and least
expensive way to operate the Museum for now, with the constant thought
of the future of our Museum.

Judy Tipton, secretary and right hand of Mike Burkholder for 20 years,
has been on the Board and serving as Secretary for several years. She
has been directly involved with the Museum and the Friends of the Museum
as a most dedicated volunteer. Judy gets things done! She has also been
a volunteer in the Women's Division of the Chamber and instrumental in
the organization and continued operation of the Pecos Tree Board,
unselfish in giving of her time, energy and expertise on many, many
committees, all for the betterment of our community.

She and David Tipton are the parents of seven year-old Katherine, Judy's
pride and joy. Judy is the daughter of Joe and Bea Lopez of Pecos. She
graduated from Pecos High School in 1977. We are lucky to have this
energetic, dedicated young lady involved with the Museum.

One of the newest members of the Board of Trustees is David Castillo.
David is proving to be a very good Board Member. As a businessman in
Pecos, he is vitally interested in Pecos and the Museum. La Nortena
Tortilla and Tamale Factory has been and continues to be a major
industry in Pecos and David has inherited the enthusiasm and dedication
of his parents, Miguel and Celia Castillo, who started the factory many
years ago. David has been in charge of the "Night in Old Pecos" Museum
Fiesta Food fund raiser the past two years and the recent "Chili 'n
Fixins" fundraiser. All have been successful events.

David and his wife, Barbara, have two children, Simon, 10 and Talia 4.
He graduated from Pecos High School in 1982 and from ASU with a degree
in business.

A few months ago I happily agreed to return to the Museum with the
understanding that an Executive Director would soon be added to the
Museum staff, because there is much work to be done. As the former
Curator and Executive who has loved this Museum for quite a few years, I
am now happy and content with the realization that I can be a volunteer
because there are younger folks who will also love the Museum and will
make sure it will not only survive, but will continue to grow and be a
major factor in the future of Pecos.

I have high expectations of Dorinda and Brandy working together to do
outstanding and wonderful things at our Museum. With the help and
dedication of the Board of Trustees and all the other volunteers, the
West of the Pecos Museum will continue to grow, leading the Pecos Valley
communities in preservation of the area history, prospering in the
educational and cultural resources, and an absolute delight for
travelers who "discover" this wondrous jewel in Pecos City, Texas.

Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail: news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP Materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing.

Copyright 1997 by Pecos Enterprise
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