Elephant Butte
By Art Pasley
While the Elephant Butte, New Mexico Area Reclamation Office celebrated its 6th year as a C.A.S.T. event host, it was a first time event for me as the Eastern Director. I could only imagine what an event in New Mexico would be like. It's an area covered in cactus and rocks. Not far from Elephant Butte is Roswell, a place thought to have been a landing site for beings from another world. From a Southwest Airlines jet, it's not hard to see how a Martian would confuse New Mexico with the Moon or Mars.
But on this day Elephant Butte would be invaded by 44 disabled and disadvantaged children from the surrounding area. As the morning began a feeling of something grand was in the air. Children assisted by parents and friends made their way down the long walkway at Marina Del Sur, as volunteers followed with plans for another great event. "We are going to have fish painting and sand painting" stated Brent Tanzy, long time event host and member of the Reclamation Team. "That's a new one on me", I replied, but it wasn't long until I witnessed first hand what fish painting is. It's really neat to see how it's done and the kids loved it.
As the boaters checked in, the children were instructed on the fine art of fishing and fun and were soon boarding the boats with their Captains for a fun day at the lake. I was provided an opportunity to visit the Elephant Butte Dam by water, with the help of the local State Park Lake Patrol. Now that was fun! Elephant Butte Dam, controlling water from the Rio Grande to Mexico and El Paso, was completed in 1916 and is quite a site to see. There is a volcanic feature rising above the water upstream from the Dam which is where the name Elephant Butte originated. It looks just like an elephant looking over the water. Very Impressive!
As everyone returned to the Marina, fish painting, sand painting and tattooing gave the kids plenty to do while the lunch was in its final stages of preparation. Being on the marina dock limits the amount of space you have for a group this size but everyone managed to enjoy all the additional activities provided by several of the ladies. Thanks to the many donations to the event, additional awards were provided to the kids for the most fish and largest fish, in addition to the C.A.S.T. plaques received by all the participants.
Every volunteer was important in making this a great event, but there was one lady working with a young boy who actually did not plan on being there as a volunteer. Her name is Stephanie Bason. Stephanie has three children who participated in the event. She planned on dropping them off on her way to work and then coming back to pick them up at noon. Stephanie decided to stay when she noticed that a young boy didn't want to get on a boat and go out with the rest of the kids. She put work aside and sat down with him on the edge of the dock and patiently taught him how to fish. They caught several small bluegills and enjoyed the rest of the morning together. Folks, that's the true meaning of a "Special Thrill Maker". Ms. Bason is a gentle, soft spoken lady with a huge heart filled with love for children. She may have very well changed that child's life forever.
As the day came to an end, Brent thanked all the volunteers and participants for spending the morning with him and the Reclamation staff. "We couldn't have done this event without Chris and Helen Bolen and all the volunteers from the community" stated Tanzy. "Neal Brown, from Marina Del Sur, provided the north end of the dock as well as a pontoon boat. The Browns have supported this event for the past five years. From the Reclamation office Pat Finney and her husband Russ, James and Angelina Powell, Bill Neely and his son Billy, Klarene Rich, Mike McAdams, Ed Rodriquez and his wife Becky, Craig Weisner for his help as our photographer, Mary Wagner and my wife Debbie. Thank you all" he concluded and as everyone left the area, I could only wonder if aliens really have been in New Mexico because I know for a fact, "Special Thrill Makers" have.
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