The Guestbook at Chucksville is CLOSED

Curtis Delk Rose

i wish i had remembered to state this in the first place... As Joe and i were getting a acquainted with each other, maybe the 3rd or 4th time i attended his "Owls Nest" poetry reading in Nashville , as he called me to the 'open mic' he said "Curtis Rooooose", as he always did, and the he said "Here comes the Purple Poet!". i had just started wearing at least a Purple shirt everyday recently; and he could not have known ut i had wanted a nickname since i had been a child, but never could get one, a few times i tried to strat one for myself. But after Joe called me the Purple Poet one time, it caught on and really stuck. i was about 50 then... and i still appreciate that i had a chane to be a friend of his. He was a great guy.

Curtis Delk Rose

Chuck, i had the opportunity to be a friend to Joe Speer for the several years we shared in the Nashville TN area. He really was a master of the spoken word, and Your tribute for him was exceptional.

Victoria Tomlinson

Chuck~ I just wanted to say thank you for your tribute to Joe. What a great writer you yourself Chuck. You pieced & blended your story together beautifully. It was a pleasure to re-meet you & share A bit of conversation at Joe's service. You asked me how I knew Joe & I shared that I had met Joe when I was 8yrs old attending Alameda Elementary school & Joe lived at the end of Thomas Lane also known as the Speer Music Ranch. I told you I had remembered you from the few times I accompanied Joe to UNM on a couple occasions when worked in the copy dept. You shared that you would donate a lot of the copies towards the cause or as Joe would say "work for art" & eventually copy dept was running a little lean is the finance area... I look forward to seeing you again sometime Chuck as it was an enjoyable time & best of all Joe approved of the way he went out in style. We all definitely had his blessing. I hope you don't mind Chuck but, for your reading pleasure you will find the poem I penned for Joe below. I gave my email address in signing your Guestbook Chuck & if for any reason you want to correspond please feel free. Peace, Prayers & Blessings Victoria ~


Written By Victoria In Loving Memory Of Joe~

You don't have to remember the name as long as you remember the ink…
Liquid thoughts spilled upon sheets…
Flowing Emotions… Poetic Passion…Rhyme Devotion
Lifelines plugged into my mind…
My get high words ~ bouncing off cloud nine
You don't have to remember the name…Just the effect
We’re Connecting through & Eyes Connected too,
Visualizing truths…
Holding your soul with only my words…
Delivering your spirit all it deserves…
Love & passion beyond satisfaction…
Giving your heart all of what it’s asking,
See… the effect is longer lasting…
Sharing thoughts with a unique & original style,
The names not important upon the profile,
That sweet escape beyond a little while,
Without boundaries or limits to the destination…
Just simply poetic stimulation…
Mere expressions of word celebration.

Publishing Pamela Hirst

Dear Chuck, you have been a great friend and immense support. Thank you for helping me keep Beatlick Joe alive. Beatlick Pamela

Ian Gallon

Hi Chuck,

I have read your Tar Beach collection--very impressive! I then came across Empire My Prince. My name probably doesn't mean much to you as I haven't written many notes, and in any case not for some time. However I met Carl around 1978 when he visited Aldermaston. when I was a relatively junior researcher.

My first published paper I presented at EMC Rotterdam. To my consternation I found Carl was the chairman of my session( he had a reputation for not suffering fools---) However I received a prize paper award. Two years later at Zurich I gave a paper on electrode polarisation.

During the question time I was asked one of those questions you don't expect, which would require repeating the lecture or suggesting that not sleeping through the lecture would have helped his understanding. While I pondered which approach to take, Carl took over with the second option!

The next and subsequent visits to the UK were to visit me. I visited Carl 3 or 4 times and on one trip he escorted me on the Trestle Marx Elevator. I don't suppose many Brits have had that honour! You mentioned Carl's idea for a Bond film based on an EMP bomb. I was co-chairman of a committee looking into the possibility of such a device.

A few years later there was a staff contraction and I was informed that I would be interviewed for a job in Nuclear Safety. This coincided with a visit from Carl, and he was duly consolatory. Two days later I was summoned to the Deputy Directors Office. Carl had gone to London, marched into his office and told him my work was too important for me to be moved!! And I wasn't!

I don't think Carl had many friends, but I'd like to think I was one of them.

Regards,
Ian

Jennifer Hix

I love this piece on Joe Speer and your friendship with him. The mass funeral/grave is so apt and you tie it all together beautifully.

Jay Rodecap

Very nice memorial. The world is full of individuals who inspire. Blessings

Shelly Reuben

Dear Chucky ~
What a lovely memorial tribute to your friend Joe. But good grief! What a scary story for your sister (the fire investigator) to hear about your car!
Thank heavens you're safe! Love, Shelly

Linda

Your story was gave great background information on an amazing project to beautify, memorialize and vivify a fascinating remnant of train history.

Faya Causey

What a wonderful writer you are, Chuckie! And the photos bring me back to the day. Great work, you.

Jeanette Lamb

This is so cool. I am Jo Ann Merrill's daughter. I remember my grandpa, uncles and aunt playing music together and singing in Ramah.

PRISCILLA ORR

VERY NICELY DONE!! MY DAD IS PLAYING THE BANJO!

Anna Nicoll

This was interesting to me because you played our RAMAH music. I read on to learn more about you & why you recorded the music. I found it all well worth reading. Thank you for your interest in NEW MEXICO history. My grandmother used to tell me stories about Billy the Kid visiting them at their mountain home above Ramah. It's good to see that history goes on. Thanks, Anna

Adventurer Rich

Good stuff, Chuck! Obviously, you are a real writer. Of the posts I've read so far, "Lots of Latkes" is my favorite. That one had me smiling ear to ear, and even occasionally LingOL :)

David Koury

Excellent piece of work !!! Thank you.
In addition to being a close colleaque when I worked for the US NAvy and NATO/SHAPE Dr Baum was also a lifelong personal friend of my wife and I. In fact he visited us here in Belgium in September 2010 for the last time just before his death in December 2010.
His contributions to the EMP programs at both the US Navy and NATO/SHAPE were invaluable.
He semed most relaxed when discussing music and danse with my ballerina wife.

Andy

Is the DH Lawrence Ranch accessible at all? Any tours available from UNM continuing education. Would love a tour

Linda

Your new website is living proof that there is no end to loveliness!!!

William Beaudry

I might be moveing to Ramah soon

Jake Bottero

Fantastic. A very nice history.

Isis M.

Shout out to Chuck! I finally made it to your site.

Angie Birdsall

Very informative.. I was told to check our your article by the editor of River Country Journal. I just contributed an aricle that involved finding 'hidden treasures' in an old 1840's store in downtown Constantine, Michigan.. lol

jason m barenchi

my wife and i just bought a claim nere there and we cant wait to come and see everything. looks realy cool. i would like to find a home there also.

hal bailey

Looking to visit Ramah tomorrow.

Jane

Thanks for pointing out how fascinating history can be. Wish I went with you!

OZELLA "CONNER" VINCE

I am Cassie's niece, My Mother was Lena Hobbs and she married Gene Conner, the made their home in Arkansas City, Kansas. Earl Hobbs was her brother, who was married to Aunt Cassie. I have 3 siblings, Wes Conner, Viola Richardson and Naomi Pappan. I am always amazed when I remember Aunt Cassie making clothes, furniture and I will always remember her Self-Portrait, she was Beautiful. I would like to bring my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to see the things she made she made and where the Grandma Lena was born.

Happy New Year,

Ozella Vince

Valerie

My grandparents, Ed and Remelda Kotula, built much of Big Rock. I spent the month of July at the resort in my youth. I have so many wonderful memories. I am glad others have found Big Rock to be wonderful place.

derek walker

Thanks for asking the great questions at the Motion conference! I really appreciate it!!

thank you, derek walker

Mike Rutkowski

Stumbled across your website, I spent some time on the Cloh Chin Toh ranch back in 1974 when Kevein Christopher and his sister lived there. It was a great time, horseback riding up to the creek and riding the range. It was like living back in the 1800's. Memories I'll always cherish

Paul Young

Wonderful piece on Gunther, and beautifully illustrated, thank you.

Elaine Goodman

I love the Aron's and especially enjoy their Sunday Morning brunches in their Park Plaza patio. Anything about them attests to their 'tikkun olam'. Las Vegas cemetery clean-up, neuter program support for dogs/cats of low income etc. Great people and good atheists.

Judy Prisoc

I have known Gunther and Geri Aron since about 2005 when I was introduced to them by their dog, Penny. Over the years I have gradually discovered that these two people have both led extraordinary lives. Did you know that Geri was the first woman ever hired by the telephone company in Illinois as a “draftsman?” Back in Illinois she rode horses and motorcycles too. I seem to recall that she also took a bicycle trip across Europe a few years ago.
Geri is one of the people who helped create Animal Protection of New Mexico (she continues to be a formidable advocate for all animals).
Thank you for publishing this story on Gunther. I would like to see one on Geri too!

ken brandis

I lived with Gunther and Geri in the Old Schoolhouse in the 70's. His accent is German(Berlin) from his home-
land, British from his England years studying and
working, and Chicago Midwest from living in OldTown.I grew up in a family of Holocaust survivors from Germany, born and raised in Chicago

Mary Beth Shymkus

Gunther and Geri are great friends...both so talented and delightful company. We had lox and bagels at their home recently.

geri & gunther aron

we just enjoyed reading your story on Cloride. Very interesting. It is nice that you get around our wonderful & interesting state and then write about it. geri & gunther

Linda

Congratulations on the purchase of your beautiful menorah. It has found a home where it will be displayed, treasured, and protected. May it bring you light on many, many Chanukahs to come.

Selma Holo

In my world of art museums there has often been a clear firewall between so-called decorative art and high art. Long before artists today breached that firewall Gunther Aron was making scuptural objects that were technically functional menorahs. As ritual objects they beg to be looked at, stroked, lighted, treasured, but also discussed in a way usually reserved to the kind of art we call "fine". I should disclose that I own one of these menorahs in my personal "wunderkammer". They are, plain and simply: beautiful. Congratulations, Brother Chucky on your purchase of one of Gunther's masterpieces.
Your Sister, Selma

geri & gunther aron

Well, finally! we once again touch base! We will enjoy Chucksville - I can see that! See you someday in the not too distant future. Stay cool, geri

Ken Leonard

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Chucksville! loved the old-timey music and Dr. baum's compositions, as well.
I read many of your stories and will be back for more! Have you done the Durango to Silverton rail trip? It is spectacular!

Lloyd Lewis

On your Ramah pages, from #19 that is my dad talking and playing the tenor banjo on the banjo cuts. I used to play music with these folks when I was a kid before I left Ramah. Still go down once in a while for reunions. Lloyd Jr.

Kaaren

Fascination to read about Dr. Baum and the Trestle.
I enjoyed listening to some of his music, too. Thanks!
You & I met at Pasadena Highlands when we were each visiting our mothers.

Linda

Chucky,

I loved your latest story about your trip out East. You had me chuckling all the way through.

Rosalinda Fiocchi

Writing to you from the middle of Leech Lake
What a wonderful day The Good Lord did make!
Your poetry attracted our first muskey we did land
Cheers to you, Chuckers! You deserve a hand!
So glad our ships passed once again....
Am already looking forward to the next time-

Jim Van Drunen

Re: Stolen steam locomotive parts... I should have mentioned that details of the reward are at their site... www.nmslrhs.org Thanks!!!

Jim Van Drunen

Your articles about the New Mexico Steam Locomotive and Railway Historical Society and steam loco 2926 are great. Thanks!! Did you know that they have suffered a break-in? Several VERY difficult to replace pieces of iron were stolen (for scrap value!!!). They are offering a reward... and I'm sure would appreciate any publicity to get the word out about the reward. Thanks for any help! Jim

Jonah

Wanted to stop by to wish you all the best! Great site!

Ethan B

Amazing article on the trestle. This article got me an A* on my course work and was a very interesting read. I enjoy your other articles too but the trestle is a firm favourite.

Rob Spiegel

I enjoyed meeting you at the writer's conference. All the best to you in your writing.

Ben M. Gomez

My brother forwarded me your article "Scouts' Fire" recently. I enjoyed reading particularly that my father is mentioned in the article and it's quite possible that I was in his troop during the article. It was a pleasant surprise to revisit my youth and memories of Camp Frank Rand. Thanks for posting this on you blog.

Rodney Wilkinson

I got to see Big Crow Trestel and I bought the last office trailer so I,ll allways have a souvener of my trip.

joedurantjr

hey chucky boy stories great, lets talk about JEMEZ