June 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Helen Keller
June at Maturango Museum is a busy place with activities and visitors. With our local schools out at the end of May, many people are planning to travel for a day or even longer. It is always fun to meet the people coming our way and people returning for a visit. For many, the Maturango Museum holds a place in their memories and they are happy to revisit! When stopping by the Museum it’s also a good time to get some advice on great day trips. I had the pleasure of going to Manzanar for a day trip this last month and am always deeply touched by the place and the history of it. It does help to check on open days and road advice and we try to provide this for our travelers. This month we are beginning our 4th Annual Matching Funds fundraiser. Please watch for the information in the mailer and the website. The drive will begin on June 15 and continue through July 31 (On June 15, the amount in the matching fund pot will be announced). We have some amazing donors so please match their funds as you can! Double the Impact! Thank you to our supporters who funded the new roof on the older part of the Museum. The possible storms of Summer won’t cause quite so many worries! Many thanks to C&L Construction for their work and their support of the Museum. We still have the “buy a brick fundraiser” as well. They will continue to be a part of the new pathways through the Gladys Merrick Garden. They are a part of making our history! Forms can be found in the Gift Store or our website.
Enjoy seeing the desert and remember to hydrate and listen for the birds. If out and about, use care and enjoy the coolness of the evening as the sun sinks in the west. Be well.
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May 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
"We make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill
April was such a busy month - it went by far too quickly! May is beginning in much the same fashion. To make it through April I want to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the Maturango Museum staff and volunteers!!! I THANK them for all of their help in everything at the Museum and Janet’s Estate Sale while having the best attitudes possible! Thanks also to Gary from the USO, Sandy, Jerry and Julie and others from the Friends of the Library for your help with books. Also, Red Rock Books and the people with big trucks and friendships. A BIG THANKS to Shane at Equipment Share; He and his workers did the heaviest and biggest of the heavy lifting. Many thanks from us all. I am officially dedicating this month, MAY, to VOLUNTEERS! So many of our local non-profits depend on them and they can really make things happen. Do you want to be one? Just ask! All of the local Museums love and need volunteers and they train the help. Come see us. Soon will be our Matching Funds Drive; keep your eyes open - It’s a chance to double your impact!
Take care and keep a light jacket around for these sudden cool spells. Be Well.
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April 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn their back on life – Eleanor Roosevelt
This year is moving ahead quickly, with Spring already in the basket and the Summer sun attempting to push its way in. Curious times. In March we had a Conservation Day and so many people came and took part in it that we are reminded of our need to stay current with what it takes to grow plants, trees and even what flowers will survive our desert climate. We appreciate everyone who put this together and all of the families that came. Thank you!
The work is moving ahead in the “Pollinator Garden”. It’s fun to watch it taking shape with some blooms on various plantings. Our thanks to the Oasis Garden Club, Hyla Nursery and Bernie’s Landscaping for their time and expertise. A beautiful garden with a purpose is good for all! Another addition to the garden is the Rotary International-funded “Music Garden”. The Howard McCauley family installed it and we can’t wait for our visitors to enjoy it; It’s fun for all ages!
On April 17, 18 & 19 we will be holding an estate sale with all proceeds going to the museum. The week of the event we will be posting the address on Facebook and sending out via Mailchimp. We will also be posting some photos of a lifetime of travel collectables and so much more!
Please be safe in the heat, respect the critters and carry water with you! Enjoy the flowers! Be Well
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2025 Annual Report
Maturango Museum 2026 Annual Meeting
2025 Report
You can find the entire 2025 Report
March 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
Stars spill without end, Moon drapes silver on the mountain rims, Stillness guards the dark March begins that shift towards Spring and the concept of what we see as comfort. This winter seems to be a bit chillier at the Museum as we, much like everyone else, have been in some unsteady weather patterns. We look forward to what we know will be more sun-warmed days though still cool at night. A perfect time for wildflowers to make their showing as only they can. Those warmer days in February, before the storm, started a Spring cycle. The many creatures of the desert will be warming as well so our eyes and ears will be more alert to their existence. It’s an enlivening time. With our new garden area, we will be preparing for planting and a “music area”! Make sure to keep watching for continuing work by our volunteers.
We hope to see many of you at some of our events this month. All of them being a pleasant return to some of what we enjoy the most! A meeting with the membership, a Searles Museum field trip, Free Saturday with the docents and Children’s Hour. Hope to see many of you and the pleasure of saying hello! Enjoy the shift of the seasons, the time change and please continue to Be well!
Download March Newsletter!! --->Click Here
February 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
“Love is the whole and more than all” e.e. cummings
When looking back through my notes of January and February weather, I see words hinting at the confusion between the light frosts in the night with pleasant days and the years where we were held in ice for a time. Once again, waist-high mustard plants with their thick stalks and dark rich leaves are joining with
mallow to create a lush jungle. Stickers and grasses cover the ground and are keeping the Museum’s volunteer garden team very busy. It’s all very interesting and we are optimistic for the wildflowers! A great job was done on the last clean-up and the help is always appreciated! We are looking forward to further progress in the Pollinator garden. The layout and work done by Bernie’s Landscaping was amazing and truly opened up a new view in the garden. Many thanks to everyone who is making this happen! This is an active time of year when we start planning more outside tours and activities. Please watch our website and check our events. If you’re planning some outings of your own and would like some ideas on where to go, we have information and books in the Gift Store as well as some great advice. Make sure to have your photo-taking device charged and ready! There is so much to see! The hills are green and some flowers are popping up.
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January 2026 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
January is that transition from one numerical year to the next. As such, it is a time to reflect on the joys and sorrows that a year holds within its moments. We face life with the optimism of what the new year will
bring but also the reflections of the places and people we have had to let go of in the physical sense. As time goes by, the list seems long but the memories become part of a story that grows for each of us. The kindnesses and support shown by many to the Museum as a whole and to its individuals are creating a mural of sorts that is part of the Maturango narrative. Many thanks for our past and to our future! Many thanks to the Staff at the Museum who give more of their time and creative thoughts than one could imagine. A heartfelt thanks also to each person who donates monetary support, their time and often endless energies, skills and thoughts. You make a difference in making the Maturango Museum a place to bring families, friends and those needing a place to feel the beauty of what has been created in the past for the future. Keep an eye on the gardens for some new transformative activities!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year with pages to fill of your journey through it.
Take Care and Be Well!
Download January Newsletter!! ---> Click Here
December 2025 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
December is that time where we celebrate our journey through another calendar year and our friends and family. After we celebrate the Winter Solstice our days will begin to lengthen again. Because of our recent rains the desert is greening and we are actively pulling sticker weeds and hoping for flowers in the Spring. We have so many things to celebrate at the Museum! We celebrate our Members and the Volunteers who make so much possible. If you are wondering what to give for gifts, think about memberships for those who might like the gentle push to belong; and the membership comes with a Gift Store discount all year long! We celebrate everyone who makes a difference. Our members and volunteers make a difference in the culture of Ridgecrest and we welcome those who want to contribute not only to the Maturango Museum but to Ridgecrest and its neighbors. If you have some time to donate, come see us - we are all better together! We are enjoying our monthly events. Free 2 nd Saturday continues to be a great opportunity for families to come to the Museum. The Docents continue to be the best source of fun information for the kids. Keep an eye on our events calendar for our activities! The monthly newsletter also lists activities and events at the Museum; see www.maturango.org to sign up for the newsletter or come in to the gift store. We have a campaign for our Fundraising Bricks; buy your own piece of history as a gift for yourself or your people!
Have a great December, please be safe as you explore our desert and its beauty.
Take Care and Be Well!
Download December Newsletter!! ---> Click Here
November 2025 Newsletter
Museum Director’s Notes
By Debbie Benson, Director
November is one of the months that hold a bit of nostalgic sweetness, with the morning waiting and the evening coming earlier. The hum of conditioned air silent as the outside is often comfortable and preferred to being inside. A time for walks and investigating the gardens in preparation for colder days. November is a month where we celebrate being thankful, and we have much to be thankful for. After holding our yearly fundraising dinner and auction, I am always grateful and pleased by each person who comes to join the fun and our sponsors; Hyla Nursery, AltaOne FCU, Desert Valleys FCU, Meith Operational Solutions, Firequick Products, Inc., Spot, Desert Artists League, Diane Foucher and all of our “No Frills” supporters! You’re the best! Thanks to Casey’s and our volunteers who make everything come together and people glad to share time with friends. Thank you to James Bell for pulling it all together for the benefit of the Maturango Museum and the Ridgecrest Community.
Thank you All and Be well!