BILLY
THE KID OUTLAW GANG
May,
2006 Newsletter
BILLY
THE KID 2006 CAMPOUT
July
20th to 24th
The predictions for the Cedar Creek Campsite being available this coming July are admittedly discouraging. The forests are currently closed at this time for most activities, so there is a Plan “A” and a Plan “B” to insure that - come what may - we have a Campsite for July. (This has been the driest year since 1903 for New Mexico!)
updated June 28th, 2006
"Plan A" is will be in effect, since the forest will reopen on July 1, 2006. Keep checking back on this website for updates or call the Bear District ranger Station in Ruidoso, at 505-257-4095.
PLAN
“A”
Cedar
Creek Campground #2
Directions for getting to the Campground near Ruidoso.
PLAN
“B”
Valley
of Fires Recreation Area
Directions for getting to this Campground near Carrizozo.
(Reservations for two different sites place a strain on financial resources!
Please
do not miss our “Special Recognition” section explaining how you can receive
a Billy The Kid Bolo Tie -- and give our treasury a transfusion!)
REGISTRATION
AND NAMETAGS
Each
vehicle will be assessed a one time Registration Fee of $20 per
car.
This
fee entitles the occupants of that car to participate in all BTKOG sponsored
Immediately after Registering and paying the $20 per car fee, you will be
Participation in the activities requires that you wear your nametag. (The
nametag must be worn to enter the games, enjoy the Free Coffee and Donut
Mornings, the Potluck Dinner on Friday and the BTKOG Furnished Dinner Saturday
night. Registration is also required to enter bids in the Silent Auction.)
BTKOG
MEMBERSHIP
Membership now runs from July to July. Since the Campout is the Main
As you register for the Campout you can also renew your membership or
When you pay annual your dues they cover you for one year. Dues paid at
the 2006 Campout will cover you until the 2007 Campout. To receive the News-
Annual
BTKOG MEMBERSHIP FEES
Within the U.S.
Individual
Dues
$25
Per Couple or Family Dues $30
Outside U.S.
Individual Dues
$30
Per Couple or Family Dues $35
CAMPOUT
ACTIVITIES
Those who have been to past Campouts know what to expect. We’ll review the
activities for those who may be first time attendees. We welcome everyone
who is looking for a relaxing, fun filled and educational experience. Family
participation is encouraged – and we do have many loyal families who have been
coming for years! What follows is a narrative review of what happens and when.
THURSDAY,
JULY 20
This is the Early Bird arrival time. Most of those showing up on Thursday are
those who will be those responsible for setting up the Camp; but all are
welcome! Signs are posted to help those arriving know where to find the Camp-site.
Meals are on your own for Thursday.
FRIDAY,
21 JULY
This is the day that we put up the tarps for shade; set up the tables for
registration, membership, the name tag factory, trophies, silent auction, photos
& literature handouts; set up the kitchen and eating areas; set up porta-potties
if needed; set up generators if needed. A busy day!
You will be able to make contributions for the Silent Auction Table on Friday
and on Saturday morning. From what the rumor mill has been reporting, there will
be some mighty enticing items offered this year!! The deadline for bidding
Friday is the time to renew old friendships and begin new ones. If you love
Billy the Kid stories or want to discuss any event in his life you’ll find
like minded individuals all around you. If you don’t agree with a person’s
views, it’s not to worry!! There are bound to be those that agree with you –
whatever your opinion. If you wish to explore the gamut of theories of Billy’s
life, you are in the right place!
To
quote one of our wise Past President’s words, “It is perfectly permissible
to attack an Idea. NEVER is it permissible to launch a personal attack against
the individual who holds to that Idea.” That credo will insure a peaceful
campout!!
And -- speaking of a peaceful Campout: NO LOADED WEAPONS (OR OUT OF CONTROL
TEMPERS) ARE PERMITTED AT THE CAMPOUT!!!
Friday morning the gang will furnish coffee and donuts. (It is “cowboy”
coffee and can stand on its own, without a cup – according to Joe Hesseling.
There
will be options for those wanting sissy coffee!)
The Friday noon meal is an “on your own” deal. Friday evening is the famous
Pot Luck dinner where each family brings a contribution. We have been blessed
with some mighty tasty eating experiences. Somehow the pot luck combinations
always seem to work. If you are looking for suggestions, you can
call
the Billy the Kid number listed at the end of the Newsletter or call Peggy
Friday evening has been traditionally a campfire get-together where we exchange
stories, tell lies, sing and just plain relax. This year it may well be that a
campfire will not be permitted at either site “A” or site “B”. That
won’t stop the
stories,
lies, or singing!!
SATURDAY,
22 JULY
BREAKFAST
AND THE GAMES
This is the Big Day! And it will be inaugurated with the free coffee and donut
exercise! The traditional BTKOG games will begin in the morning. There will be a
break for lunch.
NOON
MEAL
At noon there will be a concession stand where you can purchase hotdogs, nachos.
frito pies, chips, beans, soft drinks etc. if you wish.
AFTERNOON
GAMES AND THE SPEAKERS
The games will wind up after lunch and before the scheduled speakers begin their
programs. Each speaker will have 30 minutes and a short Q & A session. There
will be two or three speakers.
THE
GAMES ON TAP THIS YEAR ARE:
1. Cowchip Toss
2. Steer Roping
3. Bean Bag Toss
(There will be winners in the girls and boys and the women and men
categories for all of the above games.)
SPECIAL BILLY THE KID PLAQUES WILL BE AWARDED FOR:
1. The Outlaw who traveled the greatest distance to attend.
2. The Young Billy look-a-like.
3. Best Western Attire.
(Man, Woman, Boy, Girl)
4. Ugliest Outlaw.
5. Name Tag Champion.
(Female, Male)
6. Champion Liar.
(Female, Male)
There are many plaques – so enter those games and contests!
SILENT
AUCTION
The bidding for THE SILENT AUCTION items will end before the
Speakers do their thing. (As mentioned earlier, items for the
Auction will be gratefully accepted all day
Friday and on Saturday morning.) This year we will be shooting for an
auction with fewer offerings – and all will be marked with a minimum bid. In
place of a young peoples auction there will be a special store – with set
prices. (Last year the arbiters of the auction results almost missed their
evening meal and the evening entertainment as they tried to untangle the puzzle
– and not lose their sanity!)
Winners of the Auction will be announced after the evening meal. The winning
bidders, or their representatives, must be present.
ATTITUDE
ADJUSTMENT HOUR
After
the strenuous battles for plaques and the quest for enlightenment, a cooling off
period is a necessity! As the games and speakers quietly fade into the sunset
(almost sunset?) each BTKOGer will probably create their favorite relaxing
medicine
– whatever that may be. During this period the well paid (or bribed) Judges
will determine the winners of all the games and the Silent Auction high
bidders
will be determined.
SATURDAY
EVENING MEAL
This meal is provided by the BTKOG. You can relax and eat!
The meal will feature Bar-B-Que Chicken, baked potatoes, chopped salad,
potato
salad, rolls, lemonade, and desert. (At least that is what is planned at this
date. The usual caveat is issued. The menu may change.) What won’t change is
the
assurance that with Cookie Allen at the helm, it is bound to be a meal to
savor!!
(There
is even a rumor that Bill “Cookie” Allen may be persuaded to make some
home-made donuts for the morning coffee and donut exercise!)
As for beverages with the meal, a sure way not to go away disappointed is --
SPECIAL
RECOGNITION
Previously
a reference was made to a SPECIAL RECOGNITION SECTION.
As the Club has grown and accumulated the necessary gear to hold a yearly
The
solution was:
THE
BTKOG TRAILER!!
Our President, Joe Hesseling, was fortunate in finding a top grade trailer that
exactly fits the bill -- and at a bargain price, payable over time! You’ll see
the trailer at the Campout decked out in its newly painted splendor. There will
be no doubt in anybody’s mind about which group owns it!
Chris and Robyn Jones found the art studio which will do the art work. Julian
and Trudy Leyba are personal friends of the Jones family and have very
generously undertaken the task. They do business as Peralta Signs. Their
address is Box 494, Peralta NM 87042. Phone number is (505)866-0852. We hope
they will be able to make the Campout as our guests! Be sure to meet them and
thank them!
BTKOG
BILLY BOLOS
To encourage donations, Billy the Kid Bolo ties have been created as a reward to
those who help. There are several types. The background is either
copper
or brass. The lead free pewter Billy figure is either three dimensional or in
silhouette. For each $50 donation a Billy Bolo will be forthcoming. There
are a limited number of bolos available. (We hope that you will make it
necessary to make more.) There is one Bolo with an 18K Gold Billy and Sterling
Silver background that Doc made for his wife, Peggy. (I think that one goes for
$1100 and is truly a one of a kind. Doc could probably be persuaded to make
another one – for a $1100 donation!!!)
SATURDAY
NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Joe Hesseling has been able to get Walt and Sherri Evans and Bryan Brassell
and
Mike Sinkovitz to return to give us the musical entertainment for Saturday
Evening! All those who have had the pleasure of hearing these talented
performers in the past know we are in for a wonderful hour or so.
Rumor has it that Lucas Speer and his fiancée will make it to the Campout this
year! Those who were campers in the ‘90s will remember Lucas and his music. He
composed his own songs!! We’ll be twisting his arm give us a trip down memory
lane.
And as aside and in keeping with that trip down memory lane, Don and Kathy
McAlavy just might make the scene! Never heard Don sing, but I’ll bet he can!
SUNDAY,
23 JULY
Sunday will begin with the traditional Coffee and Donuts. The rest of the meals
on Sunday are a do-it-yourself exercise.
This is the morning for the general membership meeting. If you have suggestions
or questions or just wish to comment this is the place for you. The
past
year will be reviewed and planning for the BTKOG 20th Anniversary
Campout for 2007 will begin. The Board of Directors will hold a short meeting
after the General Membership Meeting.
In the olden days we were required to clear the Campground at Cedar Creek by
2:00 P.M. Sunday. This lead to some frantic pulling down tarps and tents and
Kiosks;
trying to repack vehicles and trailers and fitting myriads of items into the
correct containers.
A chance to say a leisurely good bye and reminisce about the
Campout
were not in the cards because it was rush, rush, rush!
With the extra day tacked on it has made a world of difference. It was
especially welcomed by Ron Hadley who always brought so many needed items for
the Campout that it was a case of everyone but Ron ready to leave at 2:00 P.M.
(In fact we call the extra Monday the “Hadley Day”). Ron has yet been able
to attend a
MONDAY,
24 JULY
On Monday all those who have not yet cleared the campground will leisurely pack
and fade out into the landscape.
DIRECTIONS
TO & INFORMATION CONCERNING
THE
CAMPGROUNDS
Plan
“A”, Cedar Creek Campground #2
Directions for getting to the Campground near Ruidoso.
This campground is located in the Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso. There is
a pavilion, a coed outhouse, a spigot for water. There are no RV hookups.
Campers
must provide their own lodging. (Trailers, motor homes, or tents.) Some
prefer
to stay in commercial motels or trailer parks. For information call
We have had so many Campouts here that it does seem like “Going home”
After you get on the Cedar Creek Road at the US Forest Service Office
This is bear country. Bring bear-proof containers for your food!
(Especially if you are camping in a tent!)
Plan
“B”, Valley of Fires National Monument
This
will be the first time we have had this Campground as an option.
The area is four miles west of Carrizozo and it sits on the northern tip of a
lava flow that stretches up to five miles wide, 44 miles long and 165 feet
thick. There was not an actual volcano that created the lava flow. Instead the
lava escaped through vents, flowed south and covered everything in its path
except for some sandstone hills. The black lava covered area is called the
Malpais. There will not
The flora and fauna across these badlands are amazingly diverse. A bird-watchers
paradise! A constant breeze is said to lessen the annoyance of flying insects.
Well marked nature trails with interpretive displays lead into the lava
To get to The Valley of Fires you will drive west for four miles on NM 380 from
its junction with US 54 in Carrizozo. If you are coming by I-10, you will turn
East on NM 380 at San Antonio and go for 61 miles before coming to the Valley of
Fires. The Campsite is on the south of the highway which runs East - West. You
will turn South into the park. Our Pavilion is the last one to the south. There
will be BTKOG signs posted.
The Campground does have toilets -- and even a shower room – for the campers
within the confines of the National Monument! There will be no electricity
We
would appreciate campers bringing tables and chairs if we go to the Valley
For those not wishing to camp, CARRIZOZO has FOUR MOTELS
1.
Chaparral
(505) 648-1196 $35
to $45 per night.
2.
Sands (505) 648-2989 $35
to $40 per night.
$55 to $65 per night for
the suite $10
per night for RV space with full
3.
Four Winds
(505) 648-2356 $40
per night.
4.
Rainbow
(505) 648-4006
??
Capitan is about 20 miles to the East of Carrizozo on NM 380.
Lincoln is about 32 miles East of Carrizozo on NM 380.
Ruidoso is about 37 miles to the Southeast of Carrizozo via NM 380 & 37.
White Oaks has developed into an artist’s colony and it is only about 13 miles to the Northeast. Billy made a number of visits to White Oaks.
There will be many points of interest within easy driving distance.
Last
December the BTKOG was contacted by Kathy Cheshire, a researcher
the
next several months numerous e-mails were exchanged and in January a Dead
Famous
TV crew came to Lincoln. On Saturday, 14 January, they filmed at the Ellis Store
and at the Block Ranch north of Capitan. Joe Hesseling was on his trusty
horse with full cowboy gear. We haven’t seen the program, but after it is
shown on American TV, we have been promised a copy. Working with their very
professional crew was a pleasant experience. Kathy did send a message to
Governor Richardson thanking the BTKOG for their help in promoting the Beautiful
State of New Mexico.
WE
hope to see you at the Campout!!
IF
YOU WISH TO CONTACT US:
Mailing
Address:
Joe
and Carol Hesseling
P.O.
Box 1881
Capitan,
NM 88310
e-Mail
address:
billythekid_outlawgang@yahoo.com
(A
quick note.
When the little man inside the computer prints out an
The
Billy the Kid Outlaw Gang Historical Society is incorporated by
Donations are Tax Deductible.