Gallup’s Octavia Fellin Public Library is one of New Mexico’s numerous seed libraries distributing fruit, vegetable, and flower seeds to participating gardeners. One does not have to possess a library card to check out seeds.

“It will encourage, hopefully, more gardeners and they will start turning in more seeds, more heirloom seeds,” OFPL Deputy Director Betty Martin said.

What is a seed lending library? Seed lending libraries stock collections of seeds that are shared, traded, and lent to gardeners. A beneficial long-term effect of seed libraries is the preservation of heirloom and quality seeds that have adapted to the climate, plant diseases, and insects within a local...

It was Christmastime 1992. Wreath maker Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine found he had some extra wreaths. Instead of simply getting rid of them, Worcester remembered his visit to Arlington National Cemetery as a young boy. He decided to donate the wreaths, placing them on graves of fallen soldiers.

This became a tradition that continued for years, with organizations and volunteers partnering with Worcester each holiday season to transport and distribute the wreaths at Arlington. In 2005, a picture of the decorated graves ended up on the internet. Suddenly, people across America wanted to honor veterans with these wreaths. The tribute continued to grow, and in 2007, the Worcester...

Día de Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a 3000 year old Mexican holiday celebrated annually on November 1st by thousands of New Mexicans. It is a day of remembrance for loved ones passed, recalled in both memory and spirit through beautifully designed table displays referred to as altars.

The sugar skull is a representation of those passed. Historically, altars had actual skulls placed on them. But, as the Spanish missionaries imposed their beliefs on the indigenous people of Mexico, they would assimilate some local customs, merging with existing Catholic traditions. The use of creating shaped sugar treats with icing accents was learned by the missionaries in Europe, creating...