Photo by Linda Meacher

Wild horses standing on a hill in Sundance Mesa show their ribs—
a sorry sign of a long, barren winter and drought-ridden spring.¬

Droughts, floods, and freezes

The Friends of Coronado State Monument is sponsoring a presentation by Dr. Carla Van West, director of preservation research at SRI Foundation, on “Droughts, Floods, Freezes: The Role of Climate in the Human History of the Southwest,” on Sunday, June 25, at 2:00 p.m. The program will be held at Coronado State Monument, on U.S. 550, about one mile west of I-25.

With the current drought situation in New Mexico, Dr. Van West's perspective and knowledge of climate impact on the Southwest over time promises to be interesting and educational.
As space is limited, reservations are suggested. Please call Gordon, at 771-3464, or e-mail your reservation to fcsm_reservations@yahoo.com. Admission is $5 per person; free for members of Friends of Coronado State Monument.

Bernalillo Growers’ Market opens July 7

Friday, July 7, is the opening date for the Bernalillo Growers’ Market according to the market’s management team. The market already has paid applications for ten of its “old-timer” vendor spaces, and is looking forward to adding additional vendors, some of whom are first-timers for this market.

One of the first-timers, for example, will be selling farm-fresh eggs from the Flying E Ranch. Other early offerings will be local fruits and vegetables, baked goods, jams and honey, natiave herbs and plants, and usually a few surprises.

Prospective customers should remember that locally grown food is fresher—it tastes great! Samples are often available at the market. Not only are you likely to be buying from neighbors, but you may have taste experiences you’ve never had before—with commentary to go along with it. There is also real diversity, with items that are likely to be traditional and particularly well suited to New Mexico growing conditions.

Not only will you be keeping your family healthy but you’ll be helping to keep local communities healthy. Consider, too, the amount of expensive fuel used to transport the produce we buy from as far away as South America, Australia, and our own West Coast.

The Bernalillo Market is continuing its relationship with Zia Pueblo, which owns the land where the market is situated, just south of U.S. 550 on Camino del Pueblo (Bernalillo’s main street), between Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the Dollar Store. There is ample parking.

Vendors begin setting up after 3:00 p.m. but customers will not be served until 4:00 p.m. The market ends when vendors are sold out, or at 7:00 p.m. You are urged to come and join your neighbors and make new acquaintances.

Geologist will lead tour of Mid Rio Puerco Valley

The Friends of Coronado State Monument is sponsoring a historical tour of the Middle Rio Puerco Valley, led by geologist Dirk Van Hart, on Saturday, June 10. In order to carpool to the valley for the tour, attendees will meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Coronado State Monument, on U.S. 550, about one mile west of I-25. Participants should pack a lunch and bring drinking water.

The tour is open to the public, but reservations are suggested, as the number of participants is limited. Please call Gordon, at 771-3464, or e-mail your reservation to fcsm_reservations@yahoo.com. Participation is $5 per person, free for members of Friends of Coronado State Monument.

Photo caption:
Historical society presents art by Geraldine Brussels, concert
The Sandoval County Historical Society will meet June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Delavy House Museum, off Highway 550 west of Bernalillo, between Coronado State Monument and the Star Casino.

Otilio Ruiz and Chuey Martinez, playing harp and guitar, will present a summer outdoor concert. Also featured will be the work of graphic artist Geraldine Brussels. Refreshments will be served.

Please note the change of time (for this meeting only). The program is free and open to the public.

Procession of the Feast of Saint Anthony through Placitas in 2005

Feast of Saint Anthony to be celebrated in Placitas

The San Antonio Catholic Mission in Placitas will celebrate its patron saint’s feast day on June 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The celebration will include a traditional procession along the village roads with the mission’s santo of Saint Anthony of Padua, accompanied by mayordomos and santos of the Bernalillo Our Lady of Sorrows Church, the Algodones San Jose Mission, and the Bernalillo Sanctuario de San Lorenzo.

Father Virgil Furfaro, escorted by the Knights of Columbus honor guard, will officiate at the ceremonies.

San Antonio Mission’s mayordomos Valentina and Arsenio Duran will carry Saint Anthony as the procession stops at homes in the village for brief ceremonies. The choirs of the San Antonio Mission and the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church will be joined by the traveling choir of the Alameda Guitar Ensemble and trumpeter Bruce Canale for the celebration.

Refreshments will be served at the mission social center at the conclusion of the ceremonies.

El Rinconcito español

Gato escaldado, del agua fría huye.
A scalded cat flees even from cold water.

No hay cuesta arriba sin cuesta abajo.
There’s no uphill without a downhill.

Si quieres ser estafado, paga por adelantado.
If you want to be swindled, pay in advance.

SOS-panyol, Placitas—Spanish instruction that focuses
on oral communication skills, www.sospanyol.com.

Amanda LaPrelle

Clinics offered for 2007 State Fair Queen contestants

New Mexico State Fair will host regional queen clinics to prepare and encourage county participation in the 2007 NMSF Queen Contest. Mary Darnell, coordinator of the annual competition, announced that with the help of Amanda LaPrelle, 2006 NMSF Queen, and other volunteer former NMSF queens, five clinics around the state are being planned.

The clinics are free; however, advance registration is suggested. If your schedule does not allow you to attend the clinic at the time designated for your region, future contestants may attend a clinic in another region.

Bring your own lunch, horse, tack, water, tub, and feed. Feel free to bring queen clothes to exchange or barter. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Horsemanship and personality sessions will be held at each clinic. Young ladies sixteen to twenty-three years of age are encouraged to participate.

The dates and locations below are planned for the clinics (call for registration and other information).

Central New Mexico: June 5, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds, Albuquerque. Call Jan LaPrelle, 505-867-3281.

Northwestern New Mexico: June 7, McGee Park, Farmington. Call Temple Palamara, 505-565-2572.

Northeastern New Mexico: June 12, Piojo Ranch, Watrous. Call Mary Darnell, 505-459-3972.

Southwestern New Mexico: June 14, NMSU Equestrian Arena. Call Janet Clark, 505-859-1155.

Southeastern New Mexico: June 16, Stallings Ranch, Clovis. Call Kathy Duffy, 505-265-1791, extension 379.