FOUNDATION FOR LAS CRUCES MUSEUMS SUPPORTS MUSEUMS WITH RAT ON A STICK

“Oh, rats!” That’s not a curse, that’s what we’re serving. This weekend, November 6 and 7, members of the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums again head to the Renaissance Arts Faire at Young Park to hawk Rat on a Stick and Rat’s Nests as one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.

 OK, we’re not really selling rats, but don’t tell the kids that! Our booth, one of many operated by local non-profit organizations, is offering teriyaki chicken on a stick and vegetarian fried rice. With the fun tie-in to the “ratapault” operated on the other side of the park, this booth is perennially popular. The joke is that we caught the rats tossed by Bob Diven’s catapult and brought them to our booth to prepare for lunch. The truth is that our delicious “rats” and “rat’s nests” are carefully prepared by a local restaurant partner. All this work is coordinated by our chairperson, Marianne Talamonti, and supported by numerous volunteers. Thank you to everyone who works at the booth - and those who make it a success by coming by to enjoy some “rat” and rice.

This is just one of the activities performed by the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums and our friends organization in support of the City of Las Cruces’ four museums: Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, Railroad Museum and Branigan Cultural Center. We are also partnering with Historical Publications, Inc. to produce a quality coffee-table book on the history of Las Cruces and the Mesilla Valley.

Another of our goals is to provide special activities for our Friends. Those who join the Friends receive invitations to events such as advance openings of special exhibits as well as a variety of other Friends-only events. One is coming up soon, so if you have considered joining the Friends and haven’t done so yet, now is the time. You can find out more about our activities and download a membership form on our website: www.flcm.blogspot.com.

Our board is made up of dedicated people who are committed to the museums. They are deserving of thanks and acknowledgement for all they do, so allow me to do so publicly. Along with myself, our treasurer, Bud Russo, has served on the board the longest. Bud has put in hundreds of hours in volunteer time and is always there when we need him, whether it is to sell rats or count donation box money. Our other board members are newer, but no less valuable or appreciated. My sincere thanks go to Secretary Carol Vennes, Communications chair Ellen Castello, Development chair Amy Bassford Johnson, Membership chair Susan Van Frank, Museum of Natural History representative Ann Carlson and Museum of Art representative Dick Drabeck. Kudos also to our recently retired Gift Shop chair, Jan Snyder. In addition, Director of Museums Will Ticknor is always there to support us.

We are seeking additional board members to fill some vacancies. If you would like to join this dedicated group, contact us at friendsoflcm@gmail.com. We’d be happy to discuss the opportunities with you. Or stop by and chat with us while we’re slinging rats at RenFaire!

Archive