Events plentiful this weekend

In a world that feels increasingly R-rated due to violence and language, I am especially grateful that Eastern New Mexico University has lined up a bevy of family-friendly festivities this weekend to celebrate its 2017 homecoming.

This is the first alumni gathering since the Blackwater Draw museum underwent a major facelift and moved in May to the north wing of Lea Hall, at South Avenue K and West 15th Street.

Curator Jenna Domeischel and her staff have created a real gem at this new location with engaging exhibits and several touch-friendly items.

The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The $3 admission fee ($2 for seniors, $1 for military and children 6-15, and free to kids under 6) also gains you entrance to the Blackwater Draw dig site at 508 NM 467.

Kids of all ages (and especially word-nerds like me) will enjoy the homecoming musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” which opens on the main stage at the University Theater Center at 7 p.m. today. Additional show times are 3 p.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The $7 general admission tickets are a bargain for this clever production. Call 575-562-2711 for reservations.

ENMU will be honoring one of its own — longtime faculty member Thurman Elder — by affixing his name to the Dr. Thurman Elder Hall of Mathematical Sciences on the second floor of the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts building in a ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday.

Elder’s association with Eastern has passed the half-century mark, from his first two degrees as a student in the 1960s, to more than 30 years as a faculty member, including serving as math department chair from 1981-1997. I know I’m not the only one delighted to see such a good man honored by a school he loves dearly.

Jeff and Edwina Elwell — Eastern’s new president and first lady — are hosting a free backyard barbecue at 6 p.m. Friday at their 1600 W. Cherry St. home, a beautiful place to eat and visit ahead of the bonfire and pep rally scheduled for 7-10 p.m. at the stadium.

Dust off your candy-catcher mitts for the annual homecoming parade from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday along its traditional U.S. 70 route from Third and Abilene to South Avenue O.

If you’re a football fan (or even if you only go to games to watch the band and see Eastern’s greyhound mascots Vic and Tory in action), arrive plenty early for the 7 p.m. Saturday game. The Greyhound Sound marching band lines up outside the west front of the stadium at 6:10 p.m. for some spirit-lifting tunes.

If you’ve got energy left come Sunday, you can catch the ENMU women’s soccer team in action at 1 p.m. at the stadium.

It’s a great weekend to be a Greyhound.

Betty Williamson is feeling green and silver. You may reach her at: [email protected]