In the midst of all my work (and looming deadlines) I received this unexpected gem in the mail and wanted to share it. A gentleman in Madrid, NM had discovered the remnants of the 36 ft wooden statue of Jesus my grandfather, Pierre Ménager built for the Christmas light show in Madrid, New Mexico in the late 30’s and early 40s. He sent me a photo of some of what he salvaged in making a new wall around his house. Since I have never seen this piece in color, it is pretty astonishing. (You can see more of the Christmas Light Show photographs from the 30’s here…including this one of the statue here and here. )
MIDORI; WOW, THIS WAS QUITE A FIND IN REGARDS TO THE PICTURE OF JESUS THAT YOUR GRAND-FATHER MADE FOR THE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AT MADRID, NM. I HAD NOT READ THE ENTIRE PIECE, TILL I STOPPED AND REALIZED THAT YOUR FAMILY ALSO HAD HELPED WITH THE DECORATIONS AT MADRID. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE SEARCH OF FAMILY, ETC. I TOO SAW A TRUCK DRIVER WHO HAULS FREIGHT FROM THE EAST COAST, AND HE RECOGNIZED ME FROM WHERE BOTH OF WERE ON THE USS WASP, THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN 1959. THIS WAS WHEN I WAS A POLICEMAN HERE IN STOCKTON A FEW YEARS AGO….
Hi Jerry,
Yes! My grandfather is the reason I first became interested in Madrid — he built and painted many of the Christmas decorations. And I love it when one re-meets someone from long ago very unexpectedly. That’s really cool.
MIDORI; THANKS AGAIN FOR GIVING MY E-MAIL ADDRESS TO “PAM GARCIA” WHO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HER GRAND-FATHER JOHNNY GARCIA WHO PLAYED FOR THE MADRID MINERS MANY YEARS AGO….”AND THE BEAT GOES ON”……JERRY D.
Hi Jerry — oh you are welcome!! You are an important link for so many people with the old days of Madrid and their ancestors!!