Hoist A Cold One!

       This is the title of a new book, by Melody Groves, and recently published by the University of New Mexico Press.

       I haven't read the book yet, but I read about it in this article, "Belly Up To This New Book About Historic Bars," written by T. S. Last and published on August 31 at the website of El Defensor Chieftain, the newspaper of record in Socorro County, New Mexico, where two of the historic bars are located.

       Last October, I got to hoist a cold one at the Capitol Bar in Socorro, in the company of friends and fellow alumni of New Mexico Tech, some of whom I had not seen in, oh, quite a few years.  Good friends, good memories, and good local music.  Blessings on them all.

       The old stories about the "historic bars" are interesting.

       And the one about the Owl Bar in San Antonio, New Mexico, is especially fun.  If Conrad Hilton is the father of the Hilton Hotels, then the Owl Bar was owned by their grandfather.  I had not heard the story of the bar being moved by the "prospectors."  And they didn't mention the parts of the walls and ceiling that were -- are? -- generously papered with autographed dollar bills.  But I've had more than one green chili cheeseburger there.

       If you ever have the pleasure of being in Socorro County, you may want to check them out.  Thank you, Melody Groves, for taking the time to tell us of our interesting history.

       And maybe someone will comment about what is available in Magdalena.