Statement from the family of Taylor Patterson Crane 

Editors’ note: Taylor Patterson Crane, a teenage American on community service with Mexican children, died tragically in Pozos in late July. Atención received the following letter from his parents. 

The family of Taylor Patterson Crane, the 16-year-old American who died at the Cinco Señores mine in Pozos, would like to express their deep appreciation to the Mexican people, especially to residents of Pozos and San Miguel de Allende for their kindness and compassion in helping us through this difficult time. Since arriving here, we have been overwhelmed by the enormous community effort to recover our son’s body, and we have been deeply touched by countless Mexicans who shared our tears and eased our pain. We will always remember the many rescue workers who contributed to the recovery effort, especially those who risked their own lives to locate Taylor and bring peace to our family. In Mexico, we felt loved by a larger Mexican family.

Initial press reports left the impression that Taylor intentionally tried to jump over a mineshaft. However, both Mexican and American eyewitnesses stated that they believed that Taylor had no idea that an open shaft was in the immediate area. He lost his balance after jumping onto a short wall next to the hidden shaft, and jumped only in an effort to save his own life. Taylor did not die as a result of reckless teenage behavior. Many factors led to his death; his recklessness was not one.

Since arriving in Mexico to recover our son’s body, we have tried to understand the factors that caused Taylor’s death. We are keenly aware that tragedy such as this often serves as the impetus for change that protects others in the future. We have talked with many people: officials, both elected and appointed; witnesses of the accident; people familiar with the tourist attraction where Taylor died; and many people connected with the travel program that brought Taylor to Mexico—all this in an effort to understand what changes could protect others in the future. We are troubled by some of the things that we have been told: that change comes slowly in Mexico, that hands are tied, that there are complex cultural and legal roadblocks to eliminating overtly dangerous tourist areas. However, we are also encouraged by some things that we have been told: that the Mexican and American communities here are outraged that unmarked mineshafts exist at this well-known tourist destination, that this tragedy could possibly summon the will of the people to effect needed change.

Taylor was a well-traveled young man. He understood, as does his family, that Mexico is not the United States, that there are many cultural differences and that travelers have a duty to be aware of, and respect, such differences. However, those who host travelers have duties as well. The act of welcoming someone into one’s home brings with it the commonly understood responsibility of looking out for one’s guest—which is to say, if you know of some hazard that is unfamiliar to your guests—a short doorway where one might bump one’s head, a veranda that is slippery in the rain—common courtesy demands that such things be brought to their attention.

And so it is with tourism. Local people may know that there are open mineshafts around Pozos, but other Mexicans and North Americans would never expect such a condition to exist. The host has a duty to inform. Especially in areas advertised as tourist attractions, the duty to inform should be clear. It seems to us that Mexican officials should consider legislation that acknowledges the need to protect unsuspecting guests from known hazards, instituting minimum safety standards where tourists are encouraged to travel.

We can say from firsthand experience that the Mexican people are warm and wonderful, that they are filled with a sense of decency and compassion for others. It is our hope that Mexican officials can work to ensure that Mexican laws more fully embody the generous, considerate nature of its people, so that a tragedy like this never happens again.

Taylor Patterson Crane died on a mission to help the children of Mexico. We will be forever proud of our son and brother.

Christopher Crane, Susan Patterson and Colin Patterson Crane

School children fly
By Bill Munro

Peering from the school windows early one morning, students from the Escuela Revolucion de 1910 watched as a large hot air balloon slowly descended to earth a short distance from their school. Little did the students know that soon many of them would experience their first hot air balloon ride. As the balloon’s basket touched gently to the ground, some 200 students emptied from the school and surrounded El Globo, chattering excitedly. The balloon pilot knew just what to do in response to so many eager, smiling faces. With permission from the school’s Director Diogences Lezama Mendoza and teachers Martha V Rodriguez Macias and Maria Leticia Salazar Vazquez, the balloon ground crew quickly attached a strong rope from the balloon basket to a parked truck. Rigged now for a tether operation, the balloon crew loaded student after student into the large basket for a short balloon flight. Limited by the length of the rope, no one flew far, but each student experienced the essence of hot air balloon flight: the slow c
limb as the balloon leaves the ground, the bird’s-eye view of their school and the surrounding countryside from above, and then the slow descent back to earth. The basket of the balloon was able to fit some 10 to 15 students on each trip. Almost all who wanted a flight were able, while a few determined ones managed to fly more than once. After five or six trips, the wind came up, as it always does mid-morning around San Miguel, signaling the need to cease operations. But not before the students of La Escuela de Revolucion 1910 were able to say: “Vivimos El Globo esta manaña”, and for some: “Si, yo volaba.”

Feed the Hungry’s board thanks outgoing president Mary Murrell
By Dianne W. Hart

Mary Murrell has resigned from her position as President of Feed the Hungry’s Board of Trustees. She began working for Feed the Hungry as a volunteer running a strategic planning project in September of 2003, then became Deputy Executive Director in 2004.

From there she took on the responsibilities of Executive Director in 2005, and in January 2007 she was named the President of the Board of Trustees.

Mary Murrell, with a degree from the Wharton School of Business and 20 years as a consultant to senior executives of Fortune 500 corporations, ran Feed the Hungry with an innovative business-like manner, and yet with a personal touch.

Under her leadership, the organization has grown to feed over 3,500 school children on a daily basis through more than 30 kitchens, all of which are attached to schools. Two cooks are hired for each kitchen, often the only stable employment available in the rural ranchos. In order to provide professional advancement for the cooks, Feed the Hungry has recently developed a team of kitchen supervisors which has been promoted from the ranks of cooks.

As Feed the Hungry has expanded, so have the programs. Jackie Donnelly, Chad Payne and Mary Murrell headed a program to teach English at the school in Los Ricos de Abajo that will continue in 2008. Volunteer architect Lis Bisgaard has remodeled several new kitchens and also constructed the large bodega at Feed the Hungry’s headquarters. Another volunteer and board member, Duane Eriksmoen, organized the bodega operation and also manages the volunteer drivers, who make a substantial contribution of their time and vehicles to deliver food on a weekly basis to the kitchens.

Architect José Alvarado Briones developed a new design used in the remote kitchens, Chris Peeters computerized the operation to, among other things, facilitate control of kitchen supplies, and Julio Edgar Méndez collaborated on upgrading the website.

As Feed the Hungry looks to the future, it faces the challenges of all large programs that are being run by volunteers…the need to consider paid professionals. Fortunately, Olivia Muñiz Rodríguez, who has worked with Feed the Hungry for 12 years, continues as director and will continue to be in charge of day-to-day operations.

It takes many people to run a corporation as large and complex as Feed the Hungry, but one person stands above the rest: Mary Murrell. Murrell was the genius behind fundraising endeavors, from organizing large events to taking donors to the ranchos, and her managerial skills sent Feed the Hungry in the strong direction it is now. The board would like to recognize her and also thank her for her vision, energy and years of dedication to the children of San Miguel and its environs. 

Dianne W. Hart is a member of the board of trustees of Feed the Hungry, a nonprofit corporation in the US and Mexico. Contributions are tax deductible. Contact information: feedthehungrysma.org. 

August Mujeres en Cambio luncheon
By Joan Strouse

PHOTO CAPTION: Mujeres en Cambio students PHOTO CREDIT: Benjie Nelson

Mujeres en Cambio luncheon
Thurs, Aug 23, 2pm
Hacienda de las Flores
Hospicio 16
Entry by ticket only
120 pesos


Mujeres en Cambio luncheons

9/27 Luncheon at Patsy’s Place in Atotonilco



11/1 Day of the Dead Afternoon Tea at Casa de la Cuesta



11/15 Luncheon at Hacienda de las Flores



12/13 Holiday Luncheon at Hacienda de las Flores

Mujeres en Cambio is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization providing scholarships to young rural Mexican women since 1995. As these young women of Mexico continue their education—strengthening their self-sufficiency, self-esteem and self-respect—they discover that they have more choices in life.

Mujeres en Cambio provides scholarships to nearly 150 girls and young women from several of the rural communities surrounding San Miguel. Scholarships are given to deserving young women who are recommended by their school’s principal and teachers. Continued receipt of a scholarship is dependent upon maintaining strong academic standing. Many of our students graduate from high school and continue on to college, technical school, or a university. Mujeres en Cambio provides modest financial support to these students to help them attain their educational goals.

Primary education in Mexico is free, but the family still needs to come up with the funds for school and physical education uniforms, transportation and school supplies. This sum is prohibitive for many families and they too often are forced to make the tough decision to have their daughters leave school. Middle school, high school and educational opportunities beyond high school are not free and are out of reach for most families. Lack of education prevents women from accessing and learning about pregnancy, health issues and employment. The Mujeres en Cambio scholarship money given to each girl helps her stay in school so that she has improved economic opportunities in her life. 

Mujeres en Cambio core members have been meeting with some of the scholarship recipients and their teachers out in the ranchos surrounding San Miguel. We have learned a great deal about what the scholarship money means to the young women and their families. The scholarship money is used primarily to buy school uniforms, books, materials and supplies for specialized tasks like chemistry projects. Some girls use the money to help cover the cost of transportation to and from school. Scholarship money helps to ensure that these young women can remain in school.

A solid example of the positive difference these scholarships make is the fact that over 90 percent of Mujeres en Cambio scholarship students in one community high school were the first in their family to have the opportunity to study beyond elementary school. These young women are thrilled to be role models for others. By paving the way for their younger siblings, these girls are showing others that attending and succeeding in school is possible. The need is great and there are many young women who could be helped by having scholarships so that they are able to continue their schooling.

We hope to see you at our next luncheon on Thursday, August 23. The guest chef will be Swiss-trained culinary wizard Dilshan Madwala from Dila’s Restaurant. He will be preparing a scrumptious tandoori chicken. A wide selection of delicious salads and mouth-watering desserts will be prepared by the core members of Mujeres en Cambio. Join us in a beautiful environment, share a superb meal, meet some very interesting people and learn more about our programs. Everyone is welcome! Mark your calendars for this event.

Seating for the August luncheon is limited to 50 people and is by pre-sold ticket only. Tickets are 120 pesos and are on sale now at Casa de Papel, Mesones 57A (the China Palace building). 

For more information visit our website mujeresencambio.com, or call Joan Strouse at 152-2820 (please, no phone reservations).

San Miguel Community Foundation announces new board member

The San Miguel Community Foundation (SMCF), formerly San Miguel Educational Foundation (SMEF), elected Claudia Escalante Kay as Vice President at the July meeting. Claudia joins President Dennis Hart, Treasurer John Schnakenberg, Secretary Donna Foudray, Legal Counsel Roger Brosnahan, Mexican Legal Counsel Mary Ann Ramirez, Director Pam Knoles, and Administrator Araceli de los R. Cerritos C. SMCF’s volunteer board was selected because of their record of previous service with charitable organizations in their home country and Mexico.

Founded in 1976, SMCF uses its own earnings and nondesignated donations to underwrite community projects not undertaken by specific organizations. SMCF offers grants to new and established organizations twice a year to purchase equipment or to expand or enhance their programs.

Recent grants funded by SMCF were received by Mexiquitos, Salvemos al Rio Laja Educational Program, Expresión en Corto, PEASMA Environmental and Summer Camp, Apoyo A Gente Emprendedora, Esc. Prim. URB. No.3 Fragua de la Independencia, Esc. Sec. General Fuego Nuevo, Hogar de los Ángeles and Hospice San Miguel.

SMCF provides you the opportunity to support a local San Miguel charity by making a US tax-deductible contribution. A full 98 percent of donations go directly to the charity. Contributions may be made to a specific charity or made as a nondesignated contribution, in which case the board will decide where best to use these funds.

For information, contact any one of the board members or Araceli de los R. Cerritos C., Bilingual Administrator at araceli_cc@hotmail.com  or at 152-7447.

The SMCF is located at Prolongacion de Pila Seca 91A; hours are 10am–(N)2pm, Monday through Friday.

House & Garden Tour thank you

The House & Garden Tour was honored to have the La Jolla Symphony Chorus, who performed recently at the Teatro Angela Peralta, join them for their tour on July 29th. To everyone’s surprise and delight, the group gathered in the patio and sang two beautiful capellas.

What a treat and honor for everyone present on what started out to be a cloudy and wet morning! We hope they and their angelic voices will return to San Miguel soon!