PREWITT, N.M. – Lonnie Gingrich is a first-grade teacher and coach for Baca/Dlo’Ay Azhi Community School and the Prewitt, New Mexico community. He has been a part of the school staff for almost 17 years. Gingrich came from Las Cruces, N.M., to accept the job and started out as a physical education teacher. Now, he is working with first graders in the classroom, virtually these days, and then with K-6 age groups for both basketball and soccer – and loving every minute of it.

Title: “Enchantment and Exploitation: The Life and Hard Times of a New Mexico Mountain Range” Author: William deBuys Published: 1985; revised edition issued 2015 Paperback: 362 pages; nine-inch-by six-inch with 73 black and white photos Publisher: University of New Mexico Press, unmpress.com Author William deBuys provides a detailed analysis of the relationship between the natural ecosystem and human activity in northern New Mexico. His historical perspective reflects centuries of interactions between people and the physical environment.

Question: What are your favorite garden-related items that would make great holiday gifts? Mary Jo L., Albuquerque Answer: As part of our ongoing “Ready, Set, GROW!” webinar series, we offered a session on this exact topic on Wednesday, December 2. Don’t worry if you missed it—I’ve included highlights in this week’s column.

GRANTS, N.M. - Every year, Grants MainStreet Project Inc. hosts the annual Light Parade that makes its way through the downtown area on Santa Fe Avenue. This year should have been the 24th year for the event.

The Cibola Citizen welcomes announcements about community events. Please include contact information: phone number, email address or website.

Much like the holidays that preceded it in 2020, Thanksgiving figures to be different this year. An ongoing pandemic has changed the way much of the world lives their lives, including how holidays are celebrated. As the novel coronavirus COVID-19 spread across the globe beginning in the winter of 2019-20, the World Health Organization recommended a host of behaviors designed to prevent the spread of the virus and protect those who are most vulnerable to it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also noted the importance of keeping distance from others, especially for those who are most likely to get seriously ill if they’re exposed to COVID-19, such as the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. The WHO and the CDC continue to recommend social distancing, which means Thanksgiving in 2020 will be unlike any other. Families must make their own decisions about getting together this holiday season but hosts who intend to welcome guests into their homes this Thanksgiving can take certain steps to keep everyone as safe as possible.

While there are no laws governing which dishes must appear on Thanksgiving dinner tables, for many the fourth Thursday of November simply would not be complete without turkey. Turkey can be cooked in various ways, but roasting might be the most popular method used by Thanksgiving celebrants. This recipe for “Herb-Roasted Turkey” from Yolanda Banks’ Cooking for Your Man (Broadway Books) produces a mouth-watering bird that’s sure to make a lasting impression this Thanksgiving. Herb-Roasted Turkey Serves 10.

The Cibola Citizen welcomes announcements about community events. Please include contact information: phone number, email address or website. There is no charge for publishing calendar announcements. Contact the Cibola Citizen at editor@cibolacitizen.com, call 505-287-3840 or 505-604-4347, or stop by 200 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Question: Why did some plants in my garden handle the first freeze fine, and others died back completely? Jane P., Albuquerque Answer: Last year I was in Las Cruces when we got our first two freezes in Los Lunas. Luckily, my poor houseplants on the patio did not freeze hard enough— or for long enough—to cause permanent damage.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization gives a sizable donation to the Grants Community Pantry in hopes of helping the community during these tough times. According to VFW Commander Tyrra Saavadra (right), the VFW is a private, non-profit entity that includes veterans from foreign wars or their family members. They often get involved in the community by hosting events like Coats for Kids, Warrior Hike, the ROTC fundraiser, and food drives. The most recent food drive was held on Oct. 17 and that is where they received the food for this donation.