 Shirley with other NMBA Board Members: (L to R) Dan Fallon, Anna Sochocky, Miguel De La Cruz, Jordan Jones, Me In late August, a record turnout – eighty NMBA members and guests – enjoyed complimentary drinks and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres on the patio of Las Campanas Santa Fe, overlooking vistas of rolling hills. Playing in the background was New Mexico Platinum Award winner guitarist Nacha Mendez.
As NMBA Co-President, I kicked off the program with highlights of NMBA’s 30-year history, citing its unusual founding and its mission, which remains intact today: To preserve and perpetuate the BOOK as a repository of the wisdom of the past, the essence of the present, and a guide to the future. After I delivered NMBA’s annual report of accomplishments, my co-president, Miguel De La Cruz, emceed the Southwest Book Design and Production Awards (SWBDA). This year’s awards – in thirteen categories – judged by a panel of book industry experts, recognized creativity and quality in book design and production.
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 Frank’s 70th college reunion was not a blip on his radar. “Why go?” he asked. “All of my roommates are gone.” One of them, Sigurd Sandzen, a retired hand surgeon with a big personality had been at our wedding thirteen years earlier. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to Frank in years!” he said when we first met. “Believe me, I know. I’ve met them all!” I understood Frank’s reluctance to fly east . . . until he recognized three names on the list of attendees. “I’d like to see them,” he said.
I made the flight reservations, completely oblivious that we would be landing at La Guardia on Friday afternoon of Memorial Day Weekend. After waiting two hours in a line that snaked through Budget’s office out under a searing sun, we were handed the keys to a woeful looking rental car. “Do you hear that sound?” Frank asked as he sped into bumper-to-bumper traffic headed for the Connecticut Freeway. “Yes! What do you think it is?” I asked. “Probably threadbare tires! This clunker has 63,000 miles on it.” |
Author BLOG
I'm Shirley Melis. You may know me as Shirley M. Nagelschmidt, Shirley M. Bessey and now, Shirley M. Hirsch. Each reflects a particular phase of my life. Banged-Up Heart is a slice of my life's journey and in telling my story, I'm giving voice to my long silent "M" by reclaiming my maiden name, Shirley Melis. Archives
December 2024
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