Texas pictographs subject of Rotary talk

Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce President Jeanette Pauer surprised Tehachapi Rotarians at their Jan. 19 meeting by only touching on the upcoming events planned by the Chamber of Commerce before launching into a fascinating program on a subject dear to her heart: Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center in Comstock, Texas.

Pauer explained the difference between the petroglyphs (rock carvings) that can be found locally in Ridgecrest and pictographs (rock paintings) that were found at the Texas site. Pauer has been part of the research team at Shumla that have been studying, documenting and working to save the colorful rock paintings located along the Lower Pecos River in Texas. Part of their research has been a study of the elements in the paint that have allowed it to last for 2,000 to 4,000 years.

The paintings are now endangered by water projects along the Lower Pecos River, and the Shumla team including Jeanette Pauer are trying to document the paintings before they are lost. The project has earned Pauer the nickname "Indiana J" with friends. Pauer is an artist who has exhibited her paintings locally and studied art all over the world. She became President of the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce following the death of Ida Perkins in 2021.

The Rotary Club of Tehachapi is a volunteer service organization with the motto, "Service Above Self." The club meets on Thursdays at noon. For more information about Rotary Club, you can visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofTehachapi/ or contact club President Judy Trujillo, (661) 699-5851.