Page 39 - 2005 DT 12 Issues

the band to the game at Ely,” she says. then I saw her dressed up in her Helldo- experts. Ask them what they remember
“I was brokenhearted.” rado costume—gaudy short skirt, mesh about their childhood and what they
The girls mostly remember the high stockings, makeup. I couldn’t believe remember when they first came to
school dances. After the dance the kids my teacher could look like a casino Las Vegas . . . .”
would pile into cars and head for the showgirl!” So prepare yourself for questions
Green Shack, where the standard order The old-timers’ reminiscences from the family’s kids and that pesty
was fried chicken and Coke. Loretta of childhood are part of the history kid next door. Never mind that you’ve
recalls the big thrill of the War years. “It museum’s traveling exhibits for children been a Las Vegan only a few years.
was when my parents said, yes, we could to celebrate the city’s centennial. The You have memories to share. “Why I
go to dances when the USO opened for museum says about Las Vegas’ history remember when there was only desert
the boys at the gunnery school.” after World War II: west of Decatur . . . You could drive into
Helldorado was the big event in Las “We thought you—our school Brownstone Canyon . . . .”
Vegas for almost half a century—for children—would be a better choice In Las Vegas, you become an old-
kids and adults. It was a week of Western for learning about growing up in those timer in no time at all. ❏
hijinks in which the entire population years. Ask your grandparents, parents,
joined in. “I used to think of my teacher aunts and uncles, neighbors . . . a
as an old Plain Jane,” says Loretta “and whole cast of living, breathing history Desert Trumpet
Editor
Barbara Wolin
Blameless Blue
by Edita Zacharr Contributing Writers
Louis C. Kleber
Blameless blue Jack Ryan
this morning in Pine Creek, Barbara Wolin
blameless blue H. Dan Wray
wherever the eyes seek,
Publishers
but mercilessly windy. Whipping, whipping,
my body and face, wind bending the globemallow. Norm Kresge
Its orange lace just below my knees. Undeterred, Barbara Wolin
forward I go, my sight caressing the familiar path.
Intern
Tender growth making it all anew. Wild rhubarb Norman Wolin
resisting the force of the wind, beckons. Its large
leaves rippling, brick-red plume embroidering the The Desert Trumpet is published
blameless blue.
monthly by and for FORRC members. State-
ments, opinions and points of view expressed
Bouldering across water cascading by writers are their own and do not necessar-

down, down, down. Green fiddleheads ily reflect those of FORRC. Please submit

of ferns cradle the rocks, evoking spiky frocks all articles, photos and artwork NLT the15th
of netherworldly gown, gown, gown. of each month by calling 515-5350. If you
are interested in becoming part of the Desert
A blackened limestone wall weeping, weeping, Trumpet staff, contact Editor at 256-8043 or
tears that trickle into the delicate FORRC News @cox.net
maiden hair. The enchanting world
now sheltering the enchanted traveler from FORRC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3)
organization dedicated solely to the welfare
walloping currents of the air. Absorbing of the Red Rock Canyon National Conser-
hungrily the rich rewards, each scramble, vation Area. FORRC provides volunteers
each wading opens a new landscape under the and funding for projects including envi-
blameless blue. ronmental education, teacher workshops,
natural resource protection, cultural resource
The canyon closes in, my eye is traveling monitoring, hike programs and other ser-
to a waterfall, gushing over a moss covered wall. vices. Annual individual membership is
A rainbow kissing its veil just before $25.00 General meetings are held four times
the swelling pool embraces the spray. a year; Board meetings are held on the sec-
ond Tuesday of each month at the Red Rock
Canyon Visitor Center, unless otherwise
Deep green posted. Messages may be left at 255-8743.
Mirrors the world there. Visit our website at www.friendsofredrock-
A scrub oak boulders me canyon.org
and the blameless blue.

FORRC/May 2005 Page 7