Ask A Local
About Cosetta Lewis
How long have you lived here?
Moved here in 1998 with my husband and 3 boys.
What do you love most about your hometown?
The view from my back deck looking right at Dragon Ridge.
What’s your favorite scenic spot or viewpoint?
Dragon Ridge in the Florida Mountains. Dragon Ridge is beautiful all year round. In the spring it is covered in poppies. In the winter we have snow on the peaks that sparkles against our desert backdrop. Even dust storms make the ridge appear magical. I photographed amazing star filled nights and shooting stars over Dragon Ridge. The view of our dark skies is something people dream about seeing but never get the chance to experience. Seeing the Ibex on Dragon Ridge is also an experience found only in Luna County.
Are there any historical sites locals are especially proud of?
I love the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum housed in the old armory
building, built in 1916. There is an amazing collection of Historical artifacts from the Mimbres Indian pottery, Fort Cummings, the Pancho Villa Raid, and Camp Cody when Deming was a WWII training base.What’s something quirky or unusual about Luna County?
Luna County is the only place in the US that have free range herds of Ibex. Fifteen Persian Ibex were released in 1970 and 27 more soon after.
About Rebecca Perez Hughes
Executive Director of Deming Main Street
How long have you lived here?
I grew up in Deming. I lived here off and on until 2023 when we moved here
permanently.What do you love most about your hometown?
I love that the whole town is kind of like the TV show Cheers. Everyone knows your name! The majority of the people in Deming are kind and willing to help someone in need or to jump in and lend a helping hand. Anyone who wants to make a positive impact on our community, and who is willing to put in the work, can accomplish their goal. The community is eager to support those who work to make a difference.
Is there a place in Luna County that feels especially meaningful to you?
Many places, but 2 places stand out. The Deming Cowboy Park Arena, which was the Deming Saddle Club when I was growing up. I have so many great memories from competing in horse events there and making lifelong friends. I have kept up with many of them over the years even though many are far away.
The other place is Courthouse Park. The annual Klobase is dear to me. The whole family worked together for its success for many years. The smallest kid to the oldest adult all had a place to make a great event. And the years that the Butterfield Trail Days was held there. The pet parade was a favorite. I often took a doggie calf and won most unusual pet!Can you share something about the community that visitors might not expect?
We have a deep and rich history, known as “Little Chicago” in the late 1800’s. This was the true wild west settled by many European families. The Klobase was brought to life by Czech families. Many of their stories can be found at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, dubbed the Little Smithsonian of the Southwest.
Who are the people or groups that make Luna County special in your eyes?
The people that grew up in Deming and the moved away, found success in other parts of the world, and came back are so important to our community. The have great memories of growing up here and want others to have the same experience. The knowledge they bring back with them helps us move forward in a positive way. And they truly love Deming, that makes all the difference in the world!
