Latest news with #LynnAustin
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Listening in on a Talk to Me oral history session in Las Cruces
Lynn Austin, a Las Cruces senior, recorded an oral history at Munson Senior Center Thursday, May 8 with the Aging and Long-Term Services Department. (Photo by Leah Romero / Source NM) When Lynn Austin sat down with a microphone on his lapel and stories at the ready Thursday, he joined a statewide program of collecting oral history from New Mexico seniors. After a brief introduction, Austin talked about his move from Kansas to New Mexico. When asked about what brought him to the Land of Enchantment, he paused for a beat and replied wryly, 'My car.' He laughed and went on to talk about his education at New Mexico State University and the motto he has lived by most of his life. 'Just go for it,' he said. 'Don't hold back.' The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department unveiled the 'Talk to Me' program in October 2024 at the Annual Conference on Aging in Albuquerque. Brian Garcia, a contractor working with the ALTSD, told Source NM that the program has since expanded and he and his team have spent the last several months traveling to senior centers across the state to connect with older New Mexicans. They were in Las Cruces the week of May 6, and have also recently visited Farmington and Clovis. Seniors sign up for a time slot online and then spend about 15 to 20 minutes sharing stories from their lives. Garcia has flash cards with prompts to encourage a conversation, with questions such as: 'What has given you purpose in your life? What gives you hope? What advice would you give to your younger self?' Participants can also talk about whatever they want. The conversations are recorded, formatted and then sent back to contributors or their families several weeks later. If you or a loved one are interested in contributing to the state's oral history project, check upcoming recording locations online at Next session: May 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Isleta Elder Center, 1005 Tribal Rd. 140, Isleta Village Proper, NM 87022 'We're really trying to give senior New Mexicans around the state a platform to voice their stories and experiences,' Garcia said. Austin told Source NM that he was interested in recording some of his stories because he likes to write short vignettes about people he's met throughout his life and this project aligned with his interests. 'There's two reasons I came here. The one is to just fulfill the requirement, come and chitchat,' he said. 'But the other one is… I write different things, I write what I call vignettes of life.' Garcia added that the Talk to Me program is also a way to connect older New Mexicans with the senior centers in their communities and the services they provide for free, such as in-person meals, delivered meals, homemaking services, transportation, social events and more. Garcia said the plan is to return to towns later in the year to collect and record more stories as people become more aware of the program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Western NC county lands Massachusetts energy solutions company
BURNSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Yancey County will soon be home to Paradigm Energy and Storage LLC. The Yancey County Board of Commissioners says Paradigm is an innovative producer of energy solutions, that's set to revolutionize the energy sector in North Carolina. The headquarters, currently in Somerville, Massachusetts, will be located on 87 acres west of Burnsville on US 19 East. Popular Boone concert hall, Legends, to be demolished after Helene damage Commissioners made the announcement in conjunction with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina The company's services include solar energy production, battery storage, and renewable energy transport. Its mission is to reduce dependency on the inefficient grid delivery system, enabling customers to increase energy reliability while protecting the environment. Paradigm is expected to create 150 jobs and invest $175 million in their Burnsville headquarters. 'This is a momentous announcement for Yancey County, and we wholeheartedly welcome Paradigm Energy and Storage LLC to Yancey County,' said Yancey County Manager Lynn Austin. The company will be a boon to the community that was hard-hit by Hurricane Helene. 'We're excited about the announcement of this wonderful company coming into Yancey County and our future relationship with Paradigm Energy and Storage LLC as the newest member of our business community,' aid Jeff Whitson, Yancey County Commission Chair. 'We are pleased that our community is home to this new business endeavor and excited for the positive impact it will have on our county.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
