Phyllis Eileen Banks is both writer and artist.Her articles have appeared in Southern New Mexico Magazine, FYI, Vision Magazine, Roswell Daily Record, New Mexico Magazine, Ranger Rick, Concern, Anchorage Daily News, and other periodicals. In addition, with Cynthia Smith she authored The Anchorage Fun Book.
Much of her experience has been as an editor.Her editorial experience includes The Alaska Presbyterian, The Alaska Heart, newsletter of the Alaska Heart Association, the book COCAHINIA (Consultation on Church and Human Need in Alaska), and Roaming Southern New Mexico.
"I have invisible antennae that 'vibrate' when something doesn't seem right.Of course editing someone else's work is easier than editing one's own," she says.
People stories, historical pieces, and travel writing are her favorites.She and her husband, Hal, moved to New Mexico from Alaska.
"New Mexico has some of the same mystic of Alaska – wide open spaces, different cultures.The transition was easy," says Eileen."It is truly The Land of Enchantment and no matter where you reside you carry it with you."
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Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, universally called T or C, is the third name for that city. When it was first settled it was called Palomas Springs, so named because of the large number of doves (palomas) residing in the cottonwood trees along the Rio Grande.
In the early 1800s the area west of the river was considered a neutral place where all Indian tribes could bring their sick or wounded to soak in the healing springs. At that time, the springs were actually mud bogs. The original springs are located next to the Geronimo Springs Museum, named for the famed Apache leader who visited. Bath houses are located in several places within the community for those who want to test the healing waters now.
The post office was opened in 1911 as Palomas Springs but was changed to Hot Springs in 1914. That name was kept until Ralph Edwards, the master of ceremonies of the radio show "Truth or Consequences," offered to host an annual celebration and nationwide broadcast to any city willing to change its name to Truth or Consequences. The Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce spread the news of the offer to advertise the city free of charge. No longer would it be confused with Hot Springs, Arkansas, or all the others throughout the United States.
A special city election was held, and the vote was to change the name to Truth or Consequences. However, a protest was filed by 295 area residents, so there was another election. This time the "yes" vote won by an even greater margin. The town became Truth or Consequences on March 31, 1950, although the post office was not changed until a year later.
Ralph Edwards kept his promise and aired the first live, coast-to-coast broadcast of "Truth or Consequences" from the city of Truth or Consequences.
But 1950 was not the end of elections regarding the name change. In January, 1964, the question went before the people again. The "yes "vote majority once more retained the unusual name.
Yet again on August 18, 1967, another majority voted to keep the name Truth or Consequences. Now there is a Ralph Edwards Park and a Ralph Edwards room in the Geronimo Museum.
Each year the city honors Ralph Edwards, and he honors them with a return visit to the city that accepted his challenge.