Drafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one.

Do not feel obliged to include cause of death While acquaintances who first learn of a person’s death via an obituary may be curious about cause of death, loved ones of the deceased do not have to include such information if they are uncomfortable doing so. Many obituaries never include such information, so readers likely won’t expect it.

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

GRANTS, N.M. – With Red Ribbon Week coming up, lasting October 23 through October 31, Grants Cibola County Schools are beginning to prepare small events and assemblies to encourage students to live a drug-free life and be all that they can be. This year’s national Red Ribbon Week theme is “Drug Free Looks Like Me,” according to https://www.redribbon.org.

GRANTS, N.M. – Local 17-year-old rap artist Ivan Garcia started creating his own music about two years ago and has been working hard to put his name out there ever since. The young artist’s inspiration to pursue music started long before that, however.

The past Saturday, October 2, the fourth annual Mt. Taylor Vintage Bronco Round-up was held, starting at The Fire and Ice Park on Santa Fe Avenue in Grants. N.M., again sponsored by Roger and Evelyn Siegmann. Here, enthusiasts of some of the near half- century old Ford fourwheel drive sport vehicles would start the yearly trek over the majestic Mount Taylor seen waiting in the background dressed in a new white blanket of snow. The previous 2 days of rain and a couple of inches of fresh snow along with unplanned last minute scheduled changes and vehicle hiccups reduced the entourage to two families, appropriately dressed for the cool weather that may be encountered.

Question: What do you recommend for winter care of fruit trees? – Bette A., Albuquerque Answer: Last week, we addressed this question by learning about cold-hardiness and how to avoid drought stress in the dormant season by irrigating properly and using mulch. Another major way to support your fruit trees during winter is to protect the trunks and branches from winter sunscald (aka southwest injury).

SANTA FE, N.M. – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement on Monday in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day: “Today, we celebrate in solidarity with indigenous peoples and honor the rich culture and history of New Mexico’s first citizens.

ALBUQUERQUE N.M.- Bruce Young-Candelaria, president of the Hispanic-American Institute, is the recipient of the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for assisting the Albuquerque FBI Division with its investigation of a "Zoom bombing" incident during which child sexual abuse material was displayed.

Cibola General Hospital vaccinated 1,060 people at the drive through flu shot clinic on October 8. This line of cars waited patiently to receive the shot, which will help keep vaccinated residents out of the hospital in the now unlikely event they catch the flu. Courtesy CGH