Rotary Club of Ruidoso

06/05/2026

A few glimpses from a lovely evening in support of Bethel Orphanage - Juarez, Mexico on Saturday, May 30th. To Chef Mashon at Rainmakers Resort and Club and everyone from Ruidoso and beyond who joined and supported us, thank you, thank you, thank you! Together, we raised over $8,000 for children in need!

05/28/2026

Ruidoso Rotarians heard from Brandon Burling, General Manager of Casa Auto Group, on Tuesday about how regional businesses and service clubs can work together to strengthen communities across Lincoln and Otero counties.

Brandon, a fellow Rotarian from Alamogordo and Paul Harris Award recipient, highlighted Casa’s commitment to serving families across our area and celebrated Alamogordo’s recent ALTUS award, noting how recognitions like this reflect the hard work of local leaders, businesses, and volunteers who show up for their neighbors.

We also heard about the teams from Holloman Air Force Base who’ve been rolling up their sleeves on service projects in both Alamogordo and Ruidoso—another great example of people of action helping make our communities better places to live and work.

We appreciate Brandon’s commitment to service and his willingness to trek up the hill to spend time with our club and share how Casa Auto Group is investing in our region.

If you’re interested in supporting local families and hearing from community leaders who are helping shape our collective future, consider visiting a Rotary Club of Ruidoso meeting or joining us at a future service project.

For those who like to put faces with names, the photos accompanying this post show Brandon in his element—speaking to the club and with Treasurer/Secretary Brad Treptow (left) and President‑Elect Mike Garretson (center) in front of our Four‑Way Test banner.

05/24/2026

Rotary Club Member Spotlight – Richard Cintron

Age: 73

Where from: I grew up in the projects in New York City's Lower East Side of Manhattan. In the mid-1990s I moved to Los Angeles.

Where you live now: Ruidoso

Family: Married with adult twin sons.

Occupation: Retired

What made you get involved with Rotary and what other community activities are you involved with?

I enjoy volunteering. I was interested in being involved with a group like the Rotary Club of Ruidoso that also likes to volunteer in the community.

Three times a week, I lead an exercise class for seniors called "Move It Or Lose It" at the Ruidoso Community Center. Twice a month, I also host a film class, with a PowerPoint presentation, at ENMU-Ruidoso. It's called “Classic Cinema: Movies from the 1920s through the 1960s.” The movie is free, the snacks are free and the drinks are free.

What are some things you get out of being part of Rotary?

Getting to know each other, working on events together.

How have you been impacted by serving the community with Rotary?

Yes, being part of the Rotary Club has made me more aware about what is happening in the community.

What are some of your favorite events to take part in?

The Enchilada Dinner and Bingo night and the Pack the Bus events

Have there been any moments that really stand out from your time in the club?

Making new friends.

05/12/2026

Today at K‑Bob’s, the Rotary Club of Ruidoso heard from Julie Mader Cintron and Susan Finch about Peace Village Kids Camp in Alto, an annual camp at High Mesa Healing Center where local kids, ages 6–13, learn how to handle conflict without violence, grow in respect for others, and care for the world around them.

Through games, nature time, hands‑on projects, and activities like yoga, music, and art, campers practice real‑life skills: resolving disagreements, thinking carefully about what they see in the media, and choosing healthier ways to live and treat each other. In a time when so many kids are surrounded by stress and division, Peace Village’s staff, teen leaders, and volunteers are committed to building stronger, more resilient young neighbors right here in Lincoln County.

As Rotarians, we care deeply about practical opportunities to make the world a better place, and we commend Peace Village Kids Camp for their investments in future generations here in our area.

Want to learn more or share this opportunity with a family you know?

Read more about the camp and scholarship options through First Christian Church Ruidoso: https://fccruidoso.com/ministries-and-missions/peace-village/ (no child is turned away for financial reasons).

You can also follow Peace Village Kids Camp on Facebook at Peace Village Kids Camp.

Thank you, Julie and Susan, for making time to be with us today and share your work!

05/07/2026

Ruidoso Rotarians gathered Tuesday at Teepee Lounge at Ruidoso High School - Official to share lunch and hear from local students and Rotarian Charles Centilli, Director of Spencer Theater, Alto/Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Celebrating Local Scholars

The meeting kicked off with introductions to the graduating seniors the Rotary Club of Ruidoso will be supporting with scholarships next year: Cade Holland, Titus Rust, Rachel Baudo, Cassidy Byrd, and Madison Lutterman. As part of their introductions, the students shared their college and career plans in areas like healthcare, entrepreneurship, and kinesiology. They also offered thoughtful reflections on what they’d do differently if they could redo high school, showing wisdom beyond their years.

Spencer Theater Summer Preview

We then heard from longtime club member Charles Centilli about the goings‑on at Spencer Theater. Charles previewed a full summer season at the Spencer—from Brass Transit playing the music of Chicago on May 30 to country legend Suzy Bogguss on June 27, plus youth workshops and the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of Cinderella—and reminded everyone to purchase tickets only through SpencerTheater.com or the box office to avoid third‑party ticket scams that overcharge and confuse patrons.

We’re grateful to Charles for updating us on all things Spencer Theater. We also appreciate Cade, Titus, Rachel, Cassidy, and Madison joining us for the meeting and can’t wait to see where their studies and careers take them in the years ahead. Pictured below are each of the scholarship recipients alongside Charles Centilli.

If you’re interested in supporting local students and hearing about upcoming events and service opportunities in the Ruidoso area, consider visiting a Rotary Club of Ruidoso meeting or joining us at a future service project.

04/29/2026

Lauren Swangstu with the PIECE Coalition of Lincoln County (Partners in Early Childhood Education) spoke at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting about the group and its work in Lincoln County.

The group was established in 1999 and works to increase family and community engagement involving early childhood education and care for children.

PIECE also works to register home child care centers and offers outreach and education for all things related to early childhood services. Swangstu said the group actively works to partner with local businesses, school districts, and other community groups to serve the county’s children and families.

Rotarians learned about the group’s work in the community and how they can possibly get involved.

04/25/2026

Thank you Rotary District 5520 for spotlighting our record-setting Enchilada Dinner & Bingo Night. For more information on how the March event turned out, check out the article below.

A record crowd at the biannual Rotary Club of Ruidoso Enchilada Dinner & Bingo Night When the Rotary Club of Ruidoso fired up the serving line for its biannual Enchilada Dinner & Bingo Night, organizers had a problem most nonprofits would envy: too many people wanted to come. So they moved to a bigg...

04/23/2026

The Rotary Club of Ruidoso is proud to continue investing in youth leadership in our community.

On Tuesday at K‑Bob’s, we welcomed Erin Connelly, President‑Elect of the Rotary Club of Santa Fe and Chair of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for Rotary District 5520.

RYLA is a one‑week, overnight leadership camp for rising high school seniors held at Manzano Mountain Retreat, focused on hands‑on leadership skills, teamwork, and Rotary’s Four‑Way Test in action.

Erin walked us through the camp’s full schedule—from team challenges and ropes courses to life skills like changing a tire and financial literacy—along with powerful stories of how the experience has transformed students’ confidence and futures. During Erin’s presentation, club members reminisced about our involvement with RYLA over the years and shared enthusiasm for building on that tradition.

In that spirit, our club agreed to sponsor two students for RYLA in 2026, one boy and one girl, to help grow the next generation of community‑minded leaders.

If you know a current high school junior who would benefit from an intensive leadership camp experience next summer, have them visit https://rotary5520.org/page/rotary-youth-leadership-award for more information about RYLA and guidance on the application process. Feel free to reach out here with questions as well.

A huge thank‑you to Erin for driving down to share her passion for RYLA in person—and for bringing her mom along to share in the day!

04/17/2026

Rotary Member Feature – Gina Massey

A quick look at one of the Rotary Club or Ruidoso's newest members.

Age: 57

Where from: El Paso

Where you live now: Alto

Family: Blended family with five children with my husband, Glen Parry

Occupation: "Owner and esthetician of “Facetyme with Gina.” I perform relaxing and corrective facials and help cultivate a skincare regimen that addresses your skin goals, lifestyle and budget. I received my bachelor’s of science in dietetics from the University of New Mexico and worked as a registered dietitian for 10 years. I also worked in human resources for 17 years before becoming an esthetician."

What year did you join Rotary and what made you get involved?

"I joined in 2025 to meet other business owners and collaborate to serve our community."

What are some things you get out of being part of the group?

"I think serving together with other Rotarians is my favorite part. I had no idea of the need in this community and it's heartwarming to see people come together to help others. And honestly, I enjoy the meetings as well because I always learn something and meet new people. I love this community we live in, I love learning more about it, and I love helping make it better. And I've enjoyed getting to know other Rotarians."

How have you been impacted by serving the community with Rotary?

"I honestly did not realize what Rotary does, nor did I realize the number of organizations in Ruidoso that help so many people. I am always encouraged by our community's kindness and generosity."

What are some of your favorite events to take part in?

"I have only been in the club for less than a year but I've enjoyed every service opportunity I've participated in. The Bingo & Enchilada Dinner requires a lot of work, but it's fun being with other Rotarians serving our community – who are always grateful for our efforts."

Have there been any moments that really stand out from your time in the club?

"I think if you are interested in making a difference through service, this is a wonderful group to join."

04/16/2026

Normally, the Rotary Club of Ruidoso welcomes speakers to our weekly meetings at K-Bob's Steakhouse Ruidoso NM. This week, Edward Tinsley, owner and operator of K-Bob’s Ruidoso, welcomed us.

Edward “came bearing gifts” in the form of K‑Bob’s gift cards and shared a candid story of his path from growing up in his family’s restaurants to practicing mergers‑and‑acquisitions law in New York and London. He then talked about feeling called home to continue his father's work with K-Bob's and the family's Capitan ranch. His aim? Honor his dad’s legacy and continue serving Lincoln County, which his parents first discovered as teenagers on the slopes at Sierra Blanca.

Edward shared that he checks in on our meetings during weekly management calls to make sure our experience is as nice as possible. He then went on to describe what K‑Bob’s means to the community today.

The restaurant is one of Ruidoso’s significant private employers and sales tax contributors. It also serves ranch‑sourced Black Angus beef from the family’s Capitan operation with a “pasture to plate” commitment—scratch‑made recipes and no microwaves in the kitchen. In addition, Edward highlighted the K‑Bob’s Care Fund, which adds a small, optional donation to each ticket that K‑Bob’s matches. Together, those donations help raise more than $250,000 a year for local organizations, including LEAD Therapeutic Riding across from the racetrack.

Our club is grateful to Edward, the Tinsley family, and the entire K‑Bob’s team for the welcoming space they provide each week and the steady way they help fuel good work throughout Lincoln County.

Pictured here are Edward Tinsley (center) with Ruidoso Rotarians Steve Frierson (left) and Steve Tally (right).