The following is a recap of local events for this time period throughout history.
A single thread has tied Navajo families together in the Two Grey Hills region, a thread which has been passed down through the generations. The single strand defines art and a way of life in this area of the Navajo reservation. A spirit line is found in almost every Two Grey Hills rug, many of which line the walls of the vault at the Toadlena Trading Post for a first-time museum-style art exhibit of the longtime family tradition. Three hundred rugs created by weavers from 45 families make up the Generations 200 exhibit. The rugs, collected specifically for the exhibit, are from weavers who live within a 12-mile radius of the trading post. “There’s over 300 weavers that can be traced back to 45 grandmothers,” said Toadlena Trading Post owner Mark Winter, who fell in love with Navajo rugs in the 1970s.
The Daily Times
He was a cute little bear, the visitor that holed up in the garage attic on the Gene Hottell farm six miles northeast of Aztec on the Durango Highway Sunday. But the game wardens who were called to the scene had to keep reminding onlookers that a cute little bear weighing some 60 pounds in powerful enough to bite a man’s arm off or tear out his entrails if it becomes scared or enraged. The Sunday visitor was a black bear, which didn’t prevent him, or it, from being cinnamon in color. The neighbors in the area discovered the bear when the local dogs set up a barking uproar. The attic space in the garage gave the bear safety from the dogs, although it could have handled its tormentors easily, according to game warden Larry Turner. Imogene Hottell phoned the Review reporter and when he arrived with camera, Linda Peebles was feeding the cute little animal bread and honey off a dish. The bear was quite tame, so it seemed, but warnings from the wardens were to the effect that bears are not to be trusted. When the food runs out they have been known to keep right on coming, looking for more.
Aztec Independent Review
Mrs. Oscar Manol, secretary for the local chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, has received an appeal from the national organization for wool blankets. In cooperation with the appeal, Mrs. Manol had installed a big chest in the office of the Home Furnishings Co. where blankets may be deposited in this drive. The foundation wants all the wool blankets, they must be 60% wool or more, they can get to carry on their work. Check over your blankets now and if you can spare one or more, donate it now to this worthy cause.
Aztec Independent Review
“World’s Best” Navajo Blankets: The Navajo Indians number about 35,000, are wholly self-supporting, largely through the industry of the women who in most cases own the sheep, shear, wash, dye, card and spin the wool which they deftly weave into wonderful rugs of beautiful color, design and quality. No two are alike nor can a rug be duplicated as the women work from mental pictures alone. No Navajo weaver will copy another’s work. … The best of these rugs take months of patient toil to make and are so closely woven that they will outwear any other kind of rugs known and are virtually waterproof. – Willis Martin, Licensed Indian Trader, Navajo Indian Reservation
Farmington Times-Hustler
On next Sunday, June 20, a special train will leave Flora Vista about 7 a.m., Aztec 7:30, Rosing 8, Cedar Hill 8:30, Riverside 8:45. The round trip fare will be $2. The Durango Motor club has arranged a royal entertainment for all visitors. They will be taken to Trimble Spring in autos, given a plunge in the pool, a mountain trout dinner, music, and a ball game. In the evening a picture show and return home at about 10:30. Bloomfield, La Plata and Blanco are included. The train will be run rain or shine. You will not need a cent except railroad fare. Tickets may be bought on the train.
Aztec Independent
All those desiring my services should see me before the 15th of July, as I am contemplating a trip east for the remainder of the summer. I will be in Aztec for a few days following the 4th of July. – J.A. Duff, Surgeon-Dentist
Farmington Times-Hustler
This Week in Local History is compiled by Debi Tracy Olsen, local journalist and member of the Aztec Museum Board of Directors. The stories are pulled from newspaper archives and are reprinted as they appeared, errors and all.
