NEW MEXICO'S CENTENNIAL BALL

 January 6, 2012, and New Mexico is celebrating 100 years of statehood, and I am excited to be a volunteer at the Grand Centennial Ball.......

 So on this cold afternoon, with a residual of snow on the ground, I don my black "volunteer" attire.....

 And proceed to the Santa Fe Community Convention Center where all the preparations have been made.....
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 And the Bienvenidos members have joined others in assisting in the celebrations....

 Miss Donna has a beaming smile as she greets the volunteers at the sign-in table.....

 Not everybody else is so accommodating........

 Jeanne is here......

 And Helen....

 And Olinda.....

 And dear Gracie.....

And Fabiola too............

Everybody is getting ready to put our best foot forward...........

 Elle and Gracie will be among the "Greeters"........

 The ballroom looks great, and each table has it's own farolito.............

 A bevy of friendly faces..............

 And the Romeros are spiffing up..........

 Judy and Hubby are the official door openers..........

 And Gracie is guarding that beautiful cake...........

 The guest start arriving.........

Including sexy VIPs...................................................

 Gracie and I team up for the evening......

 While these ladies work the VIP entrance--escorting them to their pre-ball activity in a very special area......

 Old friends reunite............

 Some folks were dressed elegantly enough for the Oscars.........

 And we got to enjoy seeing all the elegant evening ware--some period style from the 1912 era, some glitzy, and some just plain local color...........

 More guarding--but yes, the cake did eventually get eaten...........

 More guests from the Entertainment Industry--well, OUR entertainment anyway.....

 Local color?...............

 Gracie knows a handsome man when she sees one................

 More of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL..........

 The Chavezes are ready for Andy Warhol's Black and White Ball.....

 My turn with the cake.............

 Miss New Mexico--crown and all!....

 Gracie with our hardworking County Commissioner, Virginia.........

 My former students make a dashing appearance..........

 This "volunteer" job has been nothing but fun..................

 Fortunately, Scott has two arms and I don't have to mud-wrestle Helen for one..........

 Good luck to Carol in her upcoming political race...........

 This beautiful santera is taking a night off to dance all her worries away........

 It's the Battle of the Vixens on the dance floor..............

 And who wouldn't only have eyes for..........

THE BELLE OF THE BALL!  And a GRAND time was had by all!!!..........

 Back home, I reminisce about the events of the evening.......

And along with all my fellow New Mexicans wish our fair state a Happy Birthday and many blessings in the years to come..............