Events for October 5, 2023 - September 7, 2023

Distinguished Lecture Series – Erin & Ben Napier

The JF Maddox Foundation and University of the Southwest are pleased to welcome Ben Napier and Erin Napier, hosts of “Home Town” on HGTV, as the next speakers in the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture is scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 22 at R.N. Tydings Auditorium on the Hobbs High School campus. After the lecture, Ben and Erin Napier will host a book signing in the lobby of the auditorium. Ticket information for the event can be found by visiting jfmaddox.org or by calling 575-492-2141. Both Ben and Erin Napier share a passion for small-town revitalization. Ben Napier is a woodworker, author, and entrepreneur with a degree in history, founder of Scotsman Co. and co-owner of Laurel Mercantile Co. He is also a past president of Laurel’s Main Street America chapter dedicated to promoting the rebirth of their historic downtown district. Erin Napier is a designer, author, and entrepreneur with a fine arts degree who started her career in corporate graphic design before founding her own international stationery company, Lucky Luxe, and is a founding co-owner of Laurel Mercantile Co. They live in Laurel, Mississippi with their infant daughter, Helen, where they restore homes on HGTV’s Home Town. “Ben and Erin are both dynamic individuals and their focus on community pride, revitalization, and economic development will be valuable for Lea County,” said David Reed, Chief Operating Officer at the JF Maddox Foundation. “We are grateful that they share the Foundation’s vision of using creativity, authenticity, and imagination to make progress for communities and we look forward to having them share their message with our guests.” Since 1989, the JF Maddox Foundation and University of the Southwest have partnered to host the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series. The series aims to contribute to the quality of life in Lea County, New Mexico, and the surrounding area by providing nationally recognized speakers for intellectual stimulation and entertainment. Past speakers from the lecture series include Former First Lady Laura Bush, Mike Rowe, and General Colin Powell. For additional information on the Jack Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series, please visit jfmaddox.org or call 575-492-2141.

Evening Lecture

Melody Groves and Before Billy the Kid: The Boy Behind the Legendary Outlaw Author Melody Groves joins us for an exciting discussion about Billy the Kid, before he was Billy the Kid. How history would have changed if he'd followed his passion for music... Before Billy the Kid Many stories have been written about the exploits of Billy the Kid, the charismatic outlaw of the Old West. Some have been pure fiction, designed to entertain and excite. Purple prose writers began chronicling the exploits of Billy as early as the late 1870s. Others have been biographical, researched by historians or recorded by those who knew him, including his murderer, Sheriff Pat Garrett. But there was once a different side to the famous gunfighter, a softer more artistic side that seems at odds with Billy’s reputation for shooting, killing, and robbing. Born Henry McCarty, he was also known by the names Henry Antrim, Kid Antrim, and William H. Bonney. He didn’t shoot twenty-one men, as has been claimed. Four is a more likely number, three in self-defense. In Before Billy the Kid, author Melody Groves explores the early life of the infamous outlaw, the teenage boy who loved to sing and dance. The young man who was polite, educated, and popular. A boy who had the bad luck to be orphaned at fifteen and left with no one to guide him through life. How different history might have been if Billy had pursued his love of music instead of a life of crime. Copies of the books will be available to purchase during the event. Melody Groves Melody was born and raised in Las Cruces, southern New Mexico, but spent a few years "growing up" on Guam and in the Philippines. A graduate of New Mexico State University (B.S. Education), she is also a graduate of the University of New Mexico (M.A. Education). Melody taught in Albuquerque until leaving the classroom to become a full-time freelance writer. A deep love of anything cowboy and Old West creates a fertile playground for her imagination. After spending ten years with the New Mexico Gunfighters Association, she learned what it feels like going toe to toe with a revolver-wielding sheriff. Being both "good guy" and "bad guy" gives her a firsthand feel for what her western characters experience. Melody is a contributing editor for Round Up magazine for Western Writers of America. She is also a contributing writer for "American Westward Expansion," a collegiate history encyclopedia. She also writes for Wild West, True West, New Mexico and other magazines. When not writing, she's busy playing rhythm guitar with the Jammy Time Band.

Family Fun Day

We are celebrating the final weekend of Snoopy Soars with NASA and Horse Tales. Join us for a fall festival with face painting, games, activities and so much more. This event is FREE and appropriate for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to wear a family friendly costume if they wish!

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Join us for a viewing of the cult-classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This happens on our back patio (outside, so dress accordingly). You are encouraged to dress up and bring props (not required)! Be advised that this is for adults only and there is NO alcohol permitted. This event is FREE!

3rd Annual Lea County Tricks & Treats

Haunted House. Carnival Games. Costume Contest. Trick or Treat. Food Vendors. Live Music.  4-H Clubs & local non-profit carnival games will cost $.25 to $1.00 per game.

71st Annual NM NAACP State Conference

Theme:  This is Power.  Banquet Keynote Speaker: Josetta Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Diversity, Inclusion and Ombuds. Prayer Breakfast at the Baymont Hotel - 7:00 am - $15 at 2510 Central Dr., Hobbs, NM.  Luncheon and Banquet will be held at Hobbs High School Common Building, 1401 E Sanger, Hobbs, NM.  Conference Luncheon - $40.  Conference Banquet - $50.  For more information email hobbsnaacp@gmail.com. To reserve tickets, call Joe Cotton (575) 602-5949 or Evelyn Rising (575) 602-1317.

71st Annual NM NAACP State Conference

Theme:  This is Power.  Banquet Keynote Speaker: Josetta Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Diversity, Inclusion and Ombuds. Prayer Breakfast at the Baymont Hotel - 7:00 am - $15 at 2510 Central Dr., Hobbs, NM.  Luncheon and Banquet will be held at Hobbs High School Common Building, 1401 E Sanger, Hobbs, NM.  Conference Luncheon - $40.  Conference Banquet - $50.  For more information email hobbsnaacp@gmail.com. To reserve tickets, call Joe Cotton (575) 602-5949 or Evelyn Rising (575) 602-1317.

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