April 30, 1974
MRS. MARGARET PAXTON is as busy as she was in 1929 when she and her late husband, Walter, arrived in Socorro to take over the management of the Val Verde Hotel. Perhaps back in 1929 Mrs. Paxton might have considered herself to be middle-aged at 43. But age has never had any drawbacks to her appearance. She has always been a beautiful woman. But back 45 years ago, she probably would never have believed that on the weekend of her 88th birthday she would still be actively managing the hotel and preparing for an influx of guests due to a special weekend of events in Socorro. The Paxton’s came from Kansas to Socorro. The death of her sister’s husband, manager of the Val Verde, was the reason for the Paxton’s to leave Kansas for Socorro. While there was no special celebration for her 88th birthday, Mrs. Paxton enjoyed seeing all the family at Easter. Obviously remaining actively managing the Val Verde for all these years is really what she likes to do-and it keeps her young in spirit.

April 30, 1974
CORRINA CHAVEZ, a senior at Socorro High School, was recently notified that she is to be featured in the 8th annual Edition of Who’s Who Among American High School Students, 1973-74. Corrina is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rumaldo Chavez. She is active in Child Development Occupations program and has been a member of the German Club. She plans to attend New Mexico State University.

April 28, 1999
YOU CAN CHECK out a new library while you check out a book or two. The Baldwin Cabin public library in Datil officially opened Saturday. The library opens with close to 1,600 books, most of which were donations from Catron and Socorro County residents. The library will have fiction, mystery, Southwest and juvenile sections and is in the progress of compiling a nonfiction section. Some videos are available for takeout. The library will be open with regular hours. Baldwin Cabin was made available by the U.S. Forest Service.

May 1, 1999
MUSIC MAKERS were treated to pizza party and a movie after receiving honors at the District Six Large Group Festival. Four area youth bands, three from Sarracino Middle School and the Socorro High School concert bank, all under the direction of Jon Licha, participated in the festival. All three middle school bands received awards in what is considered one of the toughest competitions they have participated in. As part of the event, the bands played concert selections in front of the panel of judges. Then each band entered a sight-reading room where they performed a selection on the spot which both the students and director have never played before. They had eight minutes to discuss the piece but were not allowed to play any notes on their instruments. After their discussion the students performed the piece for a judge and received a rating on a scale of one to five, one being the best rating. The Sarracino beginning band received a division one rating the performance segment. The Sarracino Intermediate and advanced received a division one award for sight reading.

May 1, 2014
THE NEW MEXICO TECH chapter of Engineers without Borders organized a massive fundraiser campaign that culminated in almost 100 people gathering to assemble 500 NoVo Packs to be given to homeless people in the Southwest. The Engineers without Borders chapter enlisted the help of eight other clubs, each of which organized fundraisers through the school year. The money raised helped purchase various necessities to be donated. The packs contained canned food, toothbrushes, toothpaste, chapstick, deodorant, soap, toilet paper, disposable razors, and a can opener. The finished packages were donated to the Socorro homeless shelter, Puerto Seguro.

Denise Ortega