Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Visitors Guide 2014, Mountain View Telegraph
Citation preview
THE EAST MOUNTAINS AND ESTANCIA VALLEY
2014-15
EXPLORE!VISITORS GUIDE
Turner Inn and RV Park303 E. Hwy. 60505-847-0248www.turnerinnandrvpark.com
The Shaffer Hotel & Dining103 W. Main Street505-847-2888www.shafferhotel.com
The Rock Motel901 Highway 60505-847-2577 or 847-0082Email: [email protected]
Two Ponyz RanchHC 66 Box 566505-847-0024www.twoponyzranch.com
Casa Manzano103 Frost Rd 321 Tajique, NM 87016505-384-9767Email: [email protected]
Gateway to Ancient CitiesMountainair
Cibola Arts Gallery217 Broadway505-847-0324www.cibolaarts.com
Fine Art by Linda MarieRte. 60 and Limit Ave505-847-3195www.FineArtbyLindaMarie.com
Alpine Alley Coffee Shop210 North Summit (NM 55N)505-847-2478
B-Street Market204 W. Broadway505-847-2223
Jerry’s Ancient Cities Cafe605 W. Hwy 60505-847-2368
Hair Enchantment118 Broadway505-847-2374
Mountainair Meds & More111 West Broadway505-847-0242
My Bank & ATM307 W. Broadway505-864-3301
Gustin Hardware117 W. Broadway505-847-2261
Presbyterian Medical ServicesFamily Health Center105 Pinon St505-847-2271
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop207 W. Broadway505-847-0167
H60
60
14
337
41
217
542
55
55
344
165
314
314
47
6
47
Santa Fe
Rio Rancho
AlbuquerqueEdgewood
Moriarty
Estancia
Mountainair
Tijeras
EscobosaChilili
Tajique
ManzanoQuarai
Belen
Gran Quivera
Abo
Ambercare CorporationCentral New Mexico Electrical CoopClaunch-Pinto Soil and Conservation DistrictDeer Canyon Preserve HomeownersDenise Roberts, CPAHistory & Ghost Tours of Old TownThe Independent NewspaperJobs for ProgressManzano Mountain Arts CouncilMountain View TelegraphMountainair Public SchoolsMountainair Rodeo CommitteeMountainair Rotary ClubSmall Business Development CenterTorrance County Senior ProgramsTown of MountainairUSDA Forest ServiceWells Insurance Agency
This page sponsored by the Mountainr Chamber of Commerce. See our website atwww.DiscoverMountainairNM.com
Photo by Madeline Gutwein.
Home of the Salinas Pueblo MissionsNational Monument and Visitor Center
www.nps.gov/sapu
A Trip Advisor Five-Star Attraction!
THE EAST MOUNTAINS AND ESTANCIA VALLEY
2014-15
EXPLORE!VISITORS GUIDE
Cover designbyNicole Lujan
4
INSIDEHannett's Joke
Salt Missions Trail
Single Action Shooting Society
Chuckwagon Dinner
Wildlife West Nature Park
Moriarty Airport
Pinto Bean Fiesta
Tijeras Pueblo
Salinas Pueblo Missions
Manzano Mountains
Rodeo
Mountain Villages
Mountainair Arts
Sunflower Festival
Tinkertown
Paa-Ko Ridge Golf
Sandia Mountains
Sandia Peak Ski Area
Turquoise Trail
Madrid
Farming Tradition
Flying Pumpkins
Estancia
Route 66 Communities
Plenty to See, Plenty to Do
On the Web
5
6
8
10
11
12
13
14
16
18
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
30
32
34
36
37
38
40
42
45
Hannett's Joke Becomes Route 66
When Gov. A. T. Hannett lost his bid for re-election to
the New Mexico Statehouse in November 1926, he was furious, so much so (or so the story goes), that he immediately set out to seek revenge.
At the time, Route 66 had not been built in central New Mexico, but plans called for an alignment that followed the Old Pecos Trail north from Santa Rosa to Santa Fe, then looping south over La Bajada and down into Albuquerque. The governor, to get back at Santa Fe politicians who he felt had betrayed him,
reportedly drew a straight line on the map from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque and decreed that was where and how the road would be built. Not only would
the new path cut 90 miles off the east-west drive, it would free motorists from the perils of the notoriously dangerous La Bajada. But perhaps more importantly,
it would also deprive the Santa Fe business allies of those damnable state politi-cians of any and all money travelers might spend.
That winter, in the two months between the elec-tion and the swearing-in of the new governor, Hannett managed to build an entire new stretch of road between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque, leaving Santa Fe and its politicians high and dry.
Although the road was essentially a dirt trail, just as the recently designated Route 66 road that curled up to Santa Fe, people trying to save time getting to Albu-querque started using the new road.
In 1937, when the federal government was looking
Route 66 alignment came about through political maneuvers
Midway Trading Post between Moriarty and Edgewood may not be open, but the building has been cleaned up for visitors to stop and take a photo.
See ROUTE 66 on Page 6
Sedillo HillRt. 66 Travel Center
I-40 Exit 181Easy Off and On Ramps
Historic Rt. 66Sandia Crest / Tram RideTurquoise TrailManzano State ParkSalinas Pueblo National MonumentCibola National Forest TrailsSpanish Land Grant VillagesFounder’s Ranch - SASSGran Quivira Pueblo Missions
World Class Golfing & Skiing in seasonTijeras Village & Pueblo RuinsGas / DieselBeer, Wine, SpiritsSunday Liquor Sales 12 noon to closingIce, Drinks & SnacksStore Open day light hoursPumps open 24/7 with approved cardsEasy RV Turn Around
Historic Rt. 66Sandia Crest/Tram RideTurquoise TrailManzano State ParkSalinas Pueblo National MonumentCibola National Forest TrailsSpanish Land Grant VillagesFounder’s Ranch - SASSGran Quivira Pueblo MissionsWorld Class Golfing & Skiing in seasonTijeras Village & Pueblo RuinsGas/DieselBeer, Wine, SpiritsSunday Liquor Sales 12 noon to closingIce, Drinks & SnacksStore Open daylight hoursPumps open 24/7 with approved cardsEasy RV Turn Around
Gateway To:
Sedillo HillRt.66 Travel Center
I-40 Exit 181Easy Off and On Ramps
THE EAST MOUNTAINS AND ESTANCIA VALLEY
2014-15
EXPLORE!VISITORS GUIDE
Cover designbyNicole Lujan
4
INSIDEHannett's Joke
Salt Missions Trail
Single Action Shooting Society
Chuckwagon Dinner
Wildlife West Nature Park
Moriarty Airport
Pinto Bean Fiesta
Tijeras Pueblo
Salinas Pueblo Missions
Manzano Mountains
Rodeo
Mountain Villages
Mountainair Arts
Sunflower Festival
Tinkertown
Paa-Ko Ridge Golf
Sandia Mountains
Sandia Peak Ski Area
Turquoise Trail
Madrid
Farming Tradition
Flying Pumpkins
Estancia
Route 66 Communities
Plenty to See, Plenty to Do
On the Web
5
6
8
10
11
12
13
14
16
18
20
21
22
23
26
27
28
30
32
34
36
37
38
40
42
45
Hannett's Joke Becomes Route 66
When Gov. A. T. Hannett lost his bid for re-election to
the New Mexico Statehouse in November 1926, he was furious, so much so (or so the story goes), that he immediately set out to seek revenge.
At the time, Route 66 had not been built in central New Mexico, but plans called for an alignment that followed the Old Pecos Trail north from Santa Rosa to Santa Fe, then looping south over La Bajada and down into Albuquerque. The governor, to get back at Santa Fe politicians who he felt had betrayed him,
reportedly drew a straight line on the map from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque and decreed that was where and how the road would be built. Not only would
the new path cut 90 miles off the east-west drive, it would free motorists from the perils of the notoriously dangerous La Bajada. But perhaps more importantly,
it would also deprive the Santa Fe business allies of those damnable state politi-cians of any and all money travelers might spend.
That winter, in the two months between the elec-tion and the swearing-in of the new governor, Hannett managed to build an entire new stretch of road between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque, leaving Santa Fe and its politicians high and dry.
Although the road was essentially a dirt trail, just as the recently designated Route 66 road that curled up to Santa Fe, people trying to save time getting to Albu-querque started using the new road.
In 1937, when the federal government was looking
Route 66 alignment came about through political maneuvers
Midway Trading Post between Moriarty and Edgewood may not be open, but the building has been cleaned up for visitors to stop and take a photo.
See ROUTE 66 on Page 6
to put down asphalt on the unpaved portions of Route 66 in New Mexico, Hannett’s hastily constructed road had the higher use, and thus the Mother Road was realigned through the Estancia Valley and East Moun-tains.
It took more than a decade, but Hannett finally had the last laugh.
For more than 40 years, Route 66 winded through the area and became a legend celebrated in books, movies, songs and television shows
The road lost its designation in the 1970s when Interstate 40 was built along much of the same path. Now, Old Route 66 serves as an alternative road into Albuquerque and as a free-way frontage road.
A group of local business owners, government officials and individuals, though, are working at restoring the road. The first step was to brand the leg of Route 66 through the Estancia
Valley and East Mountains as Retri-bution Road.
“This leg of Route 66 is very well known and garners a lot of interest among the enthusiasts,” said Kaisa Barthuli of the National Park Ser-vice’s Route 66 Preservation Program.
The community group, RETRO — Revitalize the Road, has already taken on several projects to revitalize the Mother Road through the Estancia Valley and East Mountains. Grants were acquired to spruce up the Whit-ing Bros. Gas Station signs in Moriar-ty and have several murals painted on local businesses as well as cleaned up and painted the old Midway Trading Post between Moriarty and Edgewood. The group also is well underway on creating a Route 66 Arts Alliance.
If you are a visitor to our area we encourage you to stay awhile, wander a bit from Route 66 and see some of the many reasons why we call the Estancia Valley and East Mountains home.
Route 66 Also Known as Retribution Road
A grant helped pay for several Route 66-themed murals in Moriarty. This one at Lisa’s Truck Stop was completed in 2013.
From Page 5
6
Salt Missions Trail
Although you can’t see the dry salt lakes from N.M. 41, you can almost sense that they lie to the east. On an especially
windy day, the salt dust kicks up and you can taste it in the air.The salt lakes were important from
the time that humans first made New Mexico home. The Indians of the early pueblos used to make long pilgrim-ages to the lakes on foot as a religious ceremony. The Tigua Indians did not consider the salt as property of any one tribe but the divine gift of Salt Old Woman (the salt mother) who gave herself freely to the Indians who came to seek salt.When the Spanish arrived, the lakes
continued to give its bounty freely. Salt was important to these early people, especially as a preservative, but also for uses in mining.
See SALT Page 7
When you visit the communities on the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway, you will be sure to eventually see a wonderful sunset. But that isn’t the only attraction that makes the Byway scenic. Make sure to explore the area.
505-281-000012042 N. Highway 14
Cedar Crest, NM 87008
Mountains
More!&
The Team of Annette & Bobbi have been in theEast Mountains for 22 years each as
TOP AGENT REALTORS
Our years of service combined withHonesty, Integrity, and Care of both our
Buyers & Sellers,
Make us your team for allyour Real Estate Needs!
Eventually, though, claims were made to the salt lakes and mining of the mineral went into production, Several companies made good money in the lakes, but by the 1970s, production of salt had moved elsewhere. What we have left is the Salt Missions Trails, a series of
roads used throughout history to move the salt. From the lakes north and south is now N.M. 41. On the north, the road meets with Old Route 66 and took salt both east and west, but mostly toward Albuquerque in the west.To the south, N.M. 41 meets with U.S. 60, a route to Moun-
tainair, Abo and Belen. At Mountainair, N.M. 337 goes north to Tijeras, where traders took salt to the mountain communities and missions.The Salt Missions Trails were named a New Mexico
Scenic and Historic Byway in 1994 and today, visitors can travel the 140 mile loop to visit pueblo missions, old farm-ing towns and the “Mother of all roads.”And while salt doesn’t have the importance it once did,
the Salt Missions Trails still offer an unequaled beauty to residents and visitors alike. It offers sweeping plains and forested mountains. Brilliant sunsets and joyous sunrises.And it offers a look at what we used to be and what we are
now.For more information on the Salt Missions Trail, go on-
line to www.mrcog-nm.gov/special-studies/salt-missions-trail.
Salt Missions TrailFrom Page 6
When you are driving around the Estancia Valley and East Mountains, keep a lookout for the Salt Missions Trail Scenic Byway signs.
SASS Celebrates the Old West with End Of Trail
The Single Action Shooting Society will hold its annual End of Trail event from June 27 through June 30 at Founders
Ranch.The event will feature competitors from
all over the world.The public is invited to attend.
Cost is $5 with children under age 12 free.
For directions to Founders Ranch or more information, call 877-411-SASS or go
online to www.sassnet.com.
Members of the Single Action Shooting Society earn a badge and a Western name when they sign up. After 27
years, the organization dedicated to the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting and the preservation of the ideals of the Old West issued its 100,001th badge in February.
SASS, headquartered in Edgewood, began issuing badges in 1987, starting with Judge Roy Bean, SASS No. 1.
The love of the Old West along with the allure of the Old West fantasy many of us had as youngsters where we helped Roy, Gene, and Hoppy make the West safe for God-fearin’ families on the silver screen continues to en-tice folks to become Old West cowboys in the 21st Century.
SASS is proud to be a member of the Edgewood community and makes its shooting facilities available free of charge to law enforcement personnel in all three surrounding counties for practice and qualification shooting. SASS also provides its facilities to lo-cal 4-H organizations for their archery and shooting programs.
But it’s the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting, called End Of Trail, held at Founders Ranch every June that gets the most atten-tion. Competitors from all around the world come to participate for bragging rights and to showcase their home shooting programs.
The public is invited Friday and Sat-urday, June 27 and 28. Entertainment, Cowboy Action Shooting, mounted shooting, food, and Old West shopping are all available.
Entertainment will include per-formances by bluegrass and folk trio The Anslovers, the Echoes of the Wild West Medicine Show, exhibi-tion shooter Bill Oglesby as well as costume contests.
This is the 33rd year for End Of
Trail, which is modeled after a cow-boy party - what could have been the celebration at the end of a cattle drive in the late 1800s. Founders Ranch is a sprawling 480-acre property whose most prominent features are its clap-board storefronts and the gun-toting
cowboys committed to the fantasy.Getting there takes a short drive
down a hilly, rural road outside of Edgewood, a few turns and a descent into a bowl that shuts out the mod-ern world for more than 1,000 par-ticipants, most of them in authentic Western gear from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Stepping into another world is certainly part of the draw for Travis Boggus of Moriarty.
Every week or two, Boggus slings guns and knocks down targets, pitting his fast draw against the abilities of others in timed shooting matches.
Boggus said he also steps into the character of “Boggus Deal,” a man from the Wild West who likes to dress in fine clothes and has been known to play cards on occasion.
Single Action Shooting Soci-ety promotes Cowboy Action Shooting, Old West
Single Action Shooting Society members are issued badges when they gain member-ship. The organization reached more than 100,000 world-wide members in 2014.
See SASS Page 9
8
SASS Celebrates the Old West with End Of Trail
The Single Action Shooting Society will hold its annual End of Trail event from June 27 through June 30 at Founders
Ranch.The event will feature competitors from
all over the world.The public is invited to attend.
Cost is $5 with children under age 12 free.
For directions to Founders Ranch or more information, call 877-411-SASS or go
online to www.sassnet.com.
Members of the Single Action Shooting Society earn a badge and a Western name when they sign up. After 27
years, the organization dedicated to the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting and the preservation of the ideals of the Old West issued its 100,001th badge in February.
SASS, headquartered in Edgewood, began issuing badges in 1987, starting with Judge Roy Bean, SASS No. 1.
The love of the Old West along with the allure of the Old West fantasy many of us had as youngsters where we helped Roy, Gene, and Hoppy make the West safe for God-fearin’ families on the silver screen continues to en-tice folks to become Old West cowboys in the 21st Century.
SASS is proud to be a member of the Edgewood community and makes its shooting facilities available free of charge to law enforcement personnel in all three surrounding counties for practice and qualification shooting. SASS also provides its facilities to lo-cal 4-H organizations for their archery and shooting programs.
But it’s the World Championship of Cowboy Action Shooting, called End Of Trail, held at Founders Ranch every June that gets the most atten-tion. Competitors from all around the world come to participate for bragging rights and to showcase their home shooting programs.
The public is invited Friday and Sat-urday, June 27 and 28. Entertainment, Cowboy Action Shooting, mounted shooting, food, and Old West shopping are all available.
Entertainment will include per-formances by bluegrass and folk trio The Anslovers, the Echoes of the Wild West Medicine Show, exhibi-tion shooter Bill Oglesby as well as costume contests.
This is the 33rd year for End Of
Trail, which is modeled after a cow-boy party - what could have been the celebration at the end of a cattle drive in the late 1800s. Founders Ranch is a sprawling 480-acre property whose most prominent features are its clap-board storefronts and the gun-toting
cowboys committed to the fantasy.Getting there takes a short drive
down a hilly, rural road outside of Edgewood, a few turns and a descent into a bowl that shuts out the mod-ern world for more than 1,000 par-ticipants, most of them in authentic Western gear from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Stepping into another world is certainly part of the draw for Travis Boggus of Moriarty.
Every week or two, Boggus slings guns and knocks down targets, pitting his fast draw against the abilities of others in timed shooting matches.
Boggus said he also steps into the character of “Boggus Deal,” a man from the Wild West who likes to dress in fine clothes and has been known to play cards on occasion.
Single Action Shooting Soci-ety promotes Cowboy Action Shooting, Old West
Single Action Shooting Society members are issued badges when they gain member-ship. The organization reached more than 100,000 world-wide members in 2014.
See SASS Page 9
8
SASS: Preserving the Old West, Promoting Cowboy Action Shooting
Boggus has been a cowboy shooter for eight years, he said, and is still building up his alter-ego.
“I get all dressed up,” he said. “It’s a fantasy game that we play. It’s a great way to get out of the daily grind.”
He also has a working cowboy costume — something simple for most of the shooting matches or a buffalo chip toss, one of the shooting society’s more colorful side events — but he seems to favor his fancy, Victorian gambler duds and top hat.
His costuming is mild compared with some, though.
“I’m more about the shooting,” he said.
The event will be held at Founder’s Ranch, which is southwest of Edge-wood. To get there, take Old Route 66 to N.M. 217 and go south. Turn east on Juan Tomas Road and go to Barton Road, then follow the signs. For more information, go to www.sassnet.com or call Misty “Misty Moonshine” Miller at 505-843-1320.
From Page 8
Costumes are a big part of the Single Action Shooting Society. End of Trail will fea-ture several costume contests in 2014.
Orrin McLeod, D.O.John Bray-Morris, M.D.
Hal Messec, M.D.Effie Medford, M.D.
Linda Agnes, C.F.N.P.Sandy Wilson, C.F.N.P.
Monique Keulen-Nolet, C.N.P.J. Marc Beverly, P.A.-C.Melissa Fowler, P.A.-C
Mikal Smoker, P.A.-CHarry Burger, D.O.
Jennifer Como, M.D.Kathleen Kraft, C.N.P.John Panter, P.A.-C.Ethan Adler, C.N.P.Vivian Prinz, C.N.P.Brad Moseley, M.D. Moriarty
832-4434EdgEwood
286-2396CEdar CrEst
281-2460
Who wants to drive to Albuquerque when you’re sick?If you are sick, injured or chronically ill, we can help - and you don’t have to drive far. We com-bine the most advanced medical care with the most advanced diagnostics and treatments. Thedoctors at McLeod Medical Center have helped thousands of people recover faster and closer tohome. Why go to Albuquerque when you can get the results you want right here. Call us today.
WE CAN MAKE IT ALL BETTER• Urgent Care • Auto & Personal Injury • Pediatric Care• Dermatologic Surgery • Family Practice • On-Site X-rays• Chronic Pain Relief • Internal Medicine • Natural Hormone Balancing• On Site Allergy Testing & Treatment
SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS• Lovelace • Lovelace Senior Plan • Presbyterian• United Health Care • Blue Cross/Blue Shield • HMO New Mexico• AETNA • Mutual of Omaha • Medicare and Medicaid• Lovelace and Presbyterian Saluds and most other insurance plans
The People Who Put You First
We Can Save Your LifeAnd Save You Some Time Edgewood Office
open 7 days a week
On Site X-rays
All the care you need,close to home.
Entertainment With An Old West Swagger
Most people try to get to the Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood at
least an hour before the Chuckwagon dinner show begins. The extra time provides a chance to explore the zoo.
The the summer-long, Saturday night Chuckwag-on festivities get underway about 6 p.m. with a show on raptors presented by Tom Smylie, a man who knows all there is to know about falcons and owls, eagles and hawks. He passes on a smidgen of his great store of bird knowledge in what turns out to be an interest-ing, even fascinating form, with live birds and demon-strations. Smylie, you see, is full of wisdom, and just by sitting, watching and listening for a spell you can learn a lot.
“Whether you’re looking at a hummingbird or an eagle,” he starts off, “you’re looking at a living dino-saur.”
He then goes on to explain that the physical structure of both animals is virtually the same, and that Steven Spielberg used the chicken as a model when he created his Jurassic Park predators.
But getting back to rap-tors, Smylie tells his listen-ers that falconry is a sport that dates back more than 4,000 years; that both Geng-his Khan and Henry VIII shared a love of falconry; that raptors — indeed, very few birds — have a sense
of smell; that owls capture millions of cats every year; that the peregrine falcon is the world’s fastest animal.
After the show, as the sun begins to go down over the mountains to the west, it’s time to get ready for din-ner. The chuckwagon is a popular event that attracts hundreds of people each week, which is why reserva-tions are required. Then the dinner bell rings and some-one shouts, “Come an’ git it.” Fortunately, the chow lines move quickly, and the food is hot and not bad at all. The menu includes barbecued beef, chicken, beans, applesauce, dinner rolls and a cookie for des-
sert. Vegetarian meals are also available, with salad replacing the meat.
Did we say it was pretty good? And that there was more than enough to go around?
After dinner, there was a brief puppet show for the younger children in the audience. Then it’s time for the rousing music of Holy Water & Whisky, a local band specializing in down-to-earth cowboy songs, such as “Ghost Riders in the Sky.” Several couples make it an opportunity for danc-ing under the stars.
Roger Alink, founder of Wildlife West, says chuck wagon dinners are a true western tradition, going back to the earliest days of cattle drives. “Out on the prairie,” he says knowingly,
“they had wagons with a chuckbox where Cookie kept flour and stuff to pre-pare the meal.” So Wildlife West continues that long and delicious tradition.
We recommend that you call before venturing out for a Chuckwagon, as the scheduling and prices and entertainment may vary. Anyway, you have to call to make reservations. The number is 505-281-7655. The cost for admission to the park and dinner and enter-tainment was $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $12 for kids aged 5 to 11, and no charge for kids 4 and under. Take the Edgewood exit off I-40 to get to Wildlife West Na-ture Park, which is on the northern shoulder of the highway, west of the exit.
Wildlife West Nature comes alive with music and entertainment when the sun goes down
Chuckwagon dinner shows at Wildlife West provided visitors with great entertainment and food and a lot of fun.
10
Wildlife West In Tune With Nature
Wildlife West Nature Park is a high-desert animal preserve and music hot spot along Route 66 in
Edgewood.It’s the central New Mexico home
of rescued native wildlife, a venue for summer music festivals and 122 acres of accessible nature trails that lead visitors on a fun and educational adventure.
Twenty-four species of wildlife and raptors call Wildlife West Nature Park their home — cougars, wolves, a black bear, fox, pronghorn, javelina, hawks and more.
They all have names and they all have stories. Hobo, an American kestrel, was found living with a home-less man; Forrest, a grey fox, lost his parents and was found in a boxcar along railroad tracks in southern New Mexico.
Other animals that have joined the Wildlife West family include a grey fox, two crested caracaras (Mexico’s national bird seen occasionally in
New Mexico), a bear and a coati, which is a relative of the raccoon and is sometimes known as a snookum bear.
If you are more into the feline than the canine, the park also has couple of big cougars.
Animals are the main attraction at the park, but it also plays host to many other activities.
In addition to the sometimes regal, mostly furry and often entertaining creatures at Wildlife West, the park hosts a regular calendar of events including sunset barbecue chuckwag-on dinners, western music concerts, bluegrass festivals, melodrama and play performances, junior zookeeper day camps, hayrides, disk golf course and more. All events take place at the park’s large all-weather amphitheater or in the restored western barn.
Winter, summer, spring or fall, Wildlife West Nature Park changes with the seasons, but remains beauti-ful year ‘round with picnic areas, free dry camping and the covered amphi-theater available for family events and company parties.
Park admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for students and free for children ages 5 and under.
For more information go to www.wildlifewest.org.
Wildlife West Nature Park has more than 24 species of animals at the zoo.
One of only two automotive shops in the country to receivethe Master-Elite of Shop Management award by Manage-ment Success! in Business Management, Public Relations,and other areas. Owner David Saline has in fact scored inthe top 30 Diesel techs in the entire U.S.
Check us out atwww.2ndtononeservice.com
as well as on facebook and twitter.
5010 JEFFERSON NEALBUQUERQUE, NM
TWO LOCATIONS:
14 PUMPKIN PATCH RD.MORIARTY, NM
4.5 MILES SOUTH OFMORIARTY ON HWY. 41AND
ASE CERTIFIED MECHANICS • AUTOMOTIVE, TRUCK, BUS, FARM EQUIPMENTTIRE REPAIR ON WEEKENDS! • NEW AND USED CAR TIRE AVAILABLE
505-832-9090
Giving Awaya Vehicle Yearly
to a deserving personin the community
Moriarty Airport Gives a Lift to Sailplanes
The Estancia Valley is known around New Mexico for its pinto beans, pumpkins and friendly folks.
But the area has a much wider rep-utation for something else: soaring.
A convergence of factors has made the valley, and Moriarty in particular, an internationally known center for this pastime.
All day long in the summer, and often for much of the rest of the year, tow planes can be heard pulling the silent aircraft into the sky. When local residents hear this, they often look skyward and wait for the quiet birds to be released on the long and wind-
ing trip back to Earth.The cool nights and warm days in
the valley create a desert thermal that gives anything with wings a nice lift.
The Moriarty Municipal Airport serves as the base for glider enthusi-asts from far and wide. On nearly any day visitors can ride out to the airport and watch as the gliders line up for their turn to be towed aloft.
With the construction of a new crosswinds runway, the airport is see-ing more activity.
Steve Hill, chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee and a pilot, said the Moriarty airport has gained a reputation among glider pilots who regularly compete in the Online Con-test, a world-wide year-long competi-tion made possible by the Internet and GPS.
In fact, pilots flying out of Moriarty
ranking 10th in the world in 2013 for the number of miles in flown, ninth in the world and first in the U.S. for miles-per-flight and second in the world for speed, .
“Moriarty is arguably the best place to fly gliders in the U.S., placing number 1 for the past three years and in the top 3 for the past 5 years,” Hill said. “Many pilots specifically come to Moriarty to fly out of our airport.”
Sundance Aviation at the Moriarty Airport offers glider rides to the public.
Folks who have been soaring over the area in gliders for the past 30 years thought Moriarty would also be the perfect place for a museum celebrating free flight, and they set out to build it.
The Southwest Soaring Museum opened its doors at the Moriarty Mu-nicipal Airport in 1996.
The Moriarty-based Albuquerque Soaring Club started working on a museum in 1990 but didn’t get much support from the Soaring Society of America, which has a museum in New York. In 1996, the national Soaring So-ciety decided it was time to consider opening a museum in the West, and Moriarty was at the top of the list.
The museum collection includes several rare sailplanes such as a Hummingbird motorglider designed and built by noted aircraft designer Ted Nelson in 1954. The glider, which Applebay said is a progenitor of mod-ern gliders, is one of only about 20 Nelson built.
One goal of the museum is showing people — and especially children — the progression of glider technology over the last 100 years.
In addition to the planes, volunteers have amassed a collection of photo-graphs, literature and documents relating to glider planes throughout the years.
For more information, contact the museum at 832-9222 or 832-0755, or visit the Web site at www.swsoaring-museum.org.
Sailplane pilots from throughout the world come to Moriarty to fly
The air currents in the Estancia Valley make Moriarty an ideal place for soaring.
12
Moriarty Celebrates the Humble Pinto Bean
If you’ve never been to Moriarty in the fall, you don’t know beans.
Residents of the Estancia Val-ley do. Pinto beans were a huge
cash crop for the valley in the early 20th century, and Mountainair was known as the Pinto Bean Capital of the World.
Bean crops in the Estancia Valley aren’t as extensive today as they once were. Seventy years ago, beans were planted on dozens of farms from Stan-ley to Claunch. Now, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures, less than 1,000 acres in New Mexico are dedicated to growing pinto beans — most of that in the Estancia Valley.
Residents from throughout the valley and beyond come together in Moriarty each fall to celebrate the area’s relationship with the local legume at the annual Moriarty Pinto Bean Fiesta.
The bean fiesta will take place on Sept. 20 in 2014.
Festivities start with a pancake breakfast at the City Park and gener-
ally include fun runs, a pinto bean cookoff, music, games, a rodeo and a parade — all to remind everyone of the important role the pinto bean has played in the valley.
A large grassy area at City Park is ringed with booths selling everything from arts and crafts to food as a day-long lineup of bands entertains the traditionally large crowds. Children can enjoy the new playground area, and nearby ballfields are usually in use too.
The Estancia Valley was the pri-mary pinto bean source for the rest of the country before drought and a falling market nearly destroyed bean farming in the valley during the 1950s.
Local farmers say Estancia Val-ley pinto beans are higher in quality that most other pinto beans because of New Mexico’s dry climate and the high altitude.
Because of those qualities, lo-cal farmers say they don’t have to go looking for a market to sell their beans — the market comes to them,
and usually during the Pinto Bean Fiesta.
For more information on the Pinto Bean Fiesta, contact the Moriarty City Hall at 832-4406.
New Mexicans know that when you want pinto beans, you come to the an-nual Pinto Bean Fiesta to stock up for the year.
Ancient Pueblo Thrived in Tijeras
Because of its location between two mountain ranges, Tijeras has long been at a crossroads.
Tijeras Pueblo was one of a handful of destinations for thousands of pueb-lo dwellers when they mysteriously deserted the sophisticated pueblo cit-ies of the Four Corners region, such as Mesa Verde.
Tijeras Pueblo was inhabited from about 1300 to about 1425 A.D., and probably had hundreds of residents at its peak.
There is evidence of a block of 300 rooms, a great kiva and a smaller one with a mosaic floor, both for ceremo-nial purposes.
Tijeras Pueblo is considered a rare example of a Classic Period settle-ment. The architecture and layout of the village are considered pure, uncompromised by development from periods after it was abandoned, including the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.
Because of its largely undisturbed state, Tijeras Pueblo is considered by the National Park Service to be of the highest level of national signifi-cance to understanding prehistory in the United States. Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
These days, the site is tended by the park service and a group of dedicated volunteers, the Friends of the Tijeras Pueblo. An interpretive center was added to the site and the organization sponsors a monthly lecture series.
In addition, the pueblo brags a gar-den that was planted using the tech-niques employed by ancient settlers. Now, the Friends use the garden and the center as part of their education program, which includes guided site tours, classroom outreach, lectures, field trips, summer workshops and demonstrations and participation in
Friends of the Tijeras Pueblo run interpretive center, maintain garden and sponsor lectures
The Friends of the Tijeras Pueblo sponsor numerous events thoughout the year, such as this flint-building workshop. The Friends invite guest lecturers to come to the Pueblo for monthly presentations.See FRIENDS Page15
14
Friends of Pueblo Teach Vistitors About Ancient Residents
community events.Archaeological evidence indicates that Tijeras Pueblo
was partially abandoned after A.D. 1368. Many families left the community, and for about 20 years the pueblo remained relatively empty. A second phase of construc-tion began in 1390. By A.D. 1425, the people of Tijeras had moved on.
Some pieces of the Tijeras Pueblo puzzle were solved during excavations conducted over the years by the state of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Archaeological Soci-ety.
The University of New Mexico Archaeological Field School returned to Tijeras Pueblo to conduct extensive excavations from 1971 to 1976.
Today a large grass-covered mound is the only visible evidence of the 200-plus-room pueblo. After excavation, the ruins were reburied to protect the site from destruction by wind, rain and other forces.
Tijeras Pueblo is located behind the Sandia Ranger Dis-trict office on N.M. 337, a half-mile south of Interstate 40 in Tijeras.
The trail begins at the ranger station and is approxi-mately one-third of a mile long. It is an easy trail and is mostly accessible to wheelchairs.
The Friends of Tijeras Pueblo also has a Web site at www.friendsoftijeraspueblo.org.
From Page 14
The Tijeras Pueblo was inhabited from about 1300 to 1425. Although the pueblo was excavated and reburied, there is a model at the site as to what the pueblo would have looked.
High-Speed WirelessInternet Service
www.higherspeed.net
CALL ABOUT OUR SPECIALS505-867-3298
Checkout our newaddition with fiveTV’s, a fireplace,
draft beer and More!
Great forParties,
Banquets &Meetings!
Come See What’s New at Pizza Barn!Try one of our 20 Specialty PizzasCalzones • Personal 10” PizzasOver 30 Varieties of Beer,Including 25 on DraftOffering Direct TV andNFL Package
286-2700pizzabarn.comin Edgewood 11 Plaza Loop(next to Rich Ford)Open 7 Days a WeekHours 11:00am - 8:00pmWeekday Lunch Specials11:00am - 3:30pm
Salinas Pueblo Missions Provide Glimpse into the Past
Exploring the magnificent pueblo ruins and impressive stone
mission churches of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a highlight of any tour of the Estancia Valley.
The ruins at Quarai, Abo and Gran Quivira have stood abandoned for more than three centuries. Each site is administered by the National Park Service as a separate unit of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, which was declared a national monu-ment in 1909.
HistoryThe roots of the Sali-
nas Pueblos trace back centuries to two ancient Southwestern cultures that overlapped in the Salinas Valley.
Until the 10th century, the Mogollon culture was dominant. Inhabitants lived in pit houses and later in adobe-plastered pole dwell-ings. By the late 1100s, Ana-sazi cultural influence was apparent in the contiguous stone and adobe homes.
An estimated 10,000 people inhabited the area by the 1600s. They traded valuable salt from the Las Salinas Valley, and maize, piñon nuts, beans, squash and cotton goods from the Rio Grande Villages, for buffalo meat, hides, flints and shells from the Plains Indians to the east.
In 1598, Juan de Oñate accepted formal submis-sion to the Spanish king from the area’s Indians. Relations with the Indians soured when soldiers at-tempted to collect tribute to the crown; Philip II,
charged by the pope with Christianizing the natives, maintained the colony.
By the late 1670s, the Sali-nas villages were deserted. The pueblos and their missions seem to have been abandoned very suddenly, causing them to be known as the “cities that died of fear.”
QuaraiThe smallest of the three
monuments, Quarai dates back to about 1300. Its early Indian dwellers were farm-ers and traders. The village consisted of compact apartment complexes built around kivas.
AboLocated on a pass opening
into the Rio Grande Valley, Abo was a major trading center. Mogollon pit-house builders congregated in Abo around 1159; their gray paste pottery dominated un-til it was replaced, around 1350, by the glazed painted pottery of the Anasazi.
Gran QuiviraGran Quivira, the Pueblo
de las Humanas, was an important trade center for many years. It is the most extensive pueblo and mission ruins in the monu-ment. The early pueblos (1200-1400) were concen-tric circles with excellent masonry and mortar work. The later pueblo (1550-1670) was built on top of the earlier rooms; its rock work and masonry are decidedly inferior.
Monument headquarters, on U.S. 60 in Mountainair, serves as the information center, museum and book-store. Staffed visitor centers at all three ruins sites have trail maps, books, displays,
restrooms (with some handicapped facilities) and picnic areas. The headquar-
ters and ruins are open daily except Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Area’s first residents lived at three sites in the Valley; made a national monument in 1909
Quarai, the smallest of the Salinas Pueblo Missions, was built in the 1300s. Now the monument plays host to numerous events throughout the year.
EXPLORE!
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument was orginally Gran Quivira National Monument, established
in 1909.The Monument has regular events scheduled through-
out the year. Whether it is bird watching, lectures, concerts or star parties, there is plenty to explore.
The Monument's headquarters are located in Moun-tainair on U.S. 60. Visitors can drop by for maps and
information or go online to www. nps.gov/sapu
16
Visit us for conversation in atheologically diverse community.
Sunday Service at 10:00am
Children Welcome
1 Deanna Ln. at Dinkle Rd.
Edgewood
(505) 884-1801
A Liberal Religious Communityin the East Mountains
UnitarianUniversalistCongregation
4 Penny Lane, Cedar Crest 281-5117www.mountainsidemethodist.org
Mountainside UnitedMethodist Church
Sunday Worship at 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
New Beginnings Community ChurchSunday Morning - 10:00am
Pastor: John Moffitt200 Eunice, Moriarty, New Mexico
Everyone could use an opportunityfor a “New Beginning.”
Estancia Valley Catholic ParishOur Lady of Mount Carmel • 215 Girard, Moriarty
Saints Peter and Paul • 101 S. Ninth, Estancia
San Antonio • 8566 Hwy. 55, Tajique
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton • 85 Hwy. 344, Edgewood
Please call the Parish Office at 832-6655 for the Mass schedule and the time of Reconciliation.The Parish Office is located at 1400 Third Street South, Moriarty
Stanley Union ChurchNon-DenominationalA Bible Believing Churchwww.stanleyunion.blogspot.com
Pastor John Nash& Ginger Nash14 Kinsell Avenue WestStanley, New Mexico 87056505-832-2517 • 505-832-4325Sunday School 10 a.m. • Worship Service 11 a.m.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Manzano Mountains: Full of Possibilities
The leaves tell the story: Either the Great Bear has been killed, or nighttime temperatures have approached
freezing in the Manzano and Sandia mountain ranges, painting their trees for fall.
American Indian lore says some leaves turn red when celestial hunters kill the Great Bear and its blood drips from the sky. The bear’s fat, splatter-ing from the kettle cooking the meat, turns other leaves yellow.
Scientists say chemical processes in the trees, combined with just the right weather conditions, bring on the transformation.
Whichever you believe, both cause and effect are miraculous and well worth a day of hiking, whether it’s fall or not.
Forest rangers and longtime resi-dents say the best places to see fall foliage in the East Mountains are on trails near the Fourth of July Canyon campground in the Manzano Moun-tains. (Specifically, the Fourth of July Canyon Trail, Albuquerque Trail, Spring Loop and Crimson Maple Trail are recommended.)
Along the crest of the Sandias, as well as on trails such as 10K and Ellis. Their trailheads are marked with signs along N.M. 536, the road to the crest.
Each mountain range is its own box of crayons.
The Manzanos are famous for the fiery orange and crimson canopies of
the big-tooth maples, not found in the Sandias.
The Manzanos officially start west of Chilili and stretch 20 miles south to Mountainair. Lower, rounded peaks called the Manzanitas, just south of Tijeras Canyon, are mostly within the boundaries of Kirtland Air Force Base and Isleta Pueblo.
Camping is allowed in the Manza-nos at Fourth of July, Bosque Trail Head, along FR 55 south of Fourth of July and Red Canyon. Dispersed camping is also permitted in areas not closed for emergency fire rehabilita-tion. Manzano State Park is also open for camping.
Three major fires raged through the Manzanos in 2008, burning 25,000 acres of forest. As a result, many trails and campgrounds were under full or partial closings. The Ranger District is working hard to re-open as many trails as possible so it’s best to contact the Mountainair Ranger District before setting out.
Although there are plenty of simi-larities between the Sandias and Man-zanos, the Manzanos’ flora is more varied and exotic than that of the Sandias; the trails leading up to the long, flat Manzano ridgeline tend to be shorter and gentler than comparable routes in the Sandias; and once you’re on a Manzano trail, more often than not you will find you have the whole mountain to yourself.
You’re unlikely to find any wild apple trees growing along the trails in the Manzanos, but the name manzano comes from the Spanish word for apple.
At their peak, the colors are so vivid that a hiker could almost hear the pop and sizzle of a fireworks display, for which Fourth of July is surely named.
Manzano hikesMore than a dozen excellent trails
climb from both sides of the Manzano Mountain range and connect with the Crest Trail. Three good ones to try
Trails and recreation sites of-fer plenty opportunities to see fall colors
The Manzano Mountains offer lots of opportunities to watch and photograph birds. See MANZANO Page 19
18
Manzano Mountains Full of Stunning Visions, Great Trails
are Fourth of July Canyon, Albuqer-que Trail in the Northern Manzanos, which ties into 4th of July Trail, and the Comanche Trail on the west side.
Most people associate 4th of July Canyon with Forest Road 55, the popu-lar fall-color driving loop. But three excellent short trails start on the road and end at the Crest Trail.
The middle trail is Bosque Trail 174. This 2.2-mile route climbs to ver-dant meadows near 9,549-foot North Bosque Peak via a series of gentle switchbacks.
In the spring Fourth of July Canyon is awash in new foliage, making it a great place to seek out wildflowers. You might even spot a patch of snow still lingering in the shadows. The Maple Trees were not burned in the fires, so the vibrant colors will return in full force.
If you’re looking for a challeng-ing workout and stunning views, the 5.5-mile trip up Pine Shadow Trail to Manzano Peak the highest in the
range is the way to go. The trail was closed due to fire, but trail crews worked every week to re-open it.
You start in cholla- and pinon-cov-ered flats below the range’s southern tip, then ascend a rocky, bone-dry ridge all the way to the peak. Hardy desert flora reaches far up the moun-tainside, and if you hike in the late spring you’ll see numerous cactus and agave blooms.
But on top is the true reward: the best 360-degree view in the state.
From Page 18
EXPLORE!
For information about open trails, contact the Mountainair
Ranger District located in Mountainair. Call 505-847-
2990 for details or go online to www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola.
A deer pauses as if to look at fall colors in the Manzano Mountains.
JamesRetzeR,
General Dentistryfor the East
Mountain Area
North hiGhwAy 14, CEDAr CrEstwww.eastmountaindentist.com
Fridays By Appointment
For Appointments,Call
281-2622
HOURsMonday thru
thursday8-6
DDs
Natural GasThe “Earth-Friendly” Fuel
If you smell gas... Call 911Before you dig... Call 811
Reliable & Dependable Service forYour Home & Business
Stop By or GIve uS a Call!
po Box 118 * estancia * 384-2369Serving Torrance & Southern Santa Fe Counties
Rodeo Tradition Alive in the Area
Folks who live in New Mexico’s Estancia Valley and East Mountains — a good
number of them, anyway — like to rodeo, and they are pretty good at it.
Local cowpokes like Pro-fessional Bull Rider Travis Briscoe, former College National Finals bull-riding champion Tate Stratton, and LeighAnn Scribner, who won the New Mexico High School Rodeo Asso-ciation all-around cowgirl title in 2011, 2012 and 2013 who is gunning for a fourth straight state crown this summer, attest to the area’s proficiency in the sport of rodeo.
“We had a lot of interest in all things Western when I was growing up,” said Red Kingston, a long-time resident of Mountainair and former president of the Mountainair Rodeo Com-mittee. “My interests were about ranchin’ and farmin’, all things country. And it’s fun, too, although it can cost a lot of money.”
The committee oversees the upkeep of and the pursuit of improvements for the J.P. Helms Rodeo Grounds.
“The main thing nowa-days is to keep the Western heritage alive,” Kingston said. “It’s about who we were. I don’t want to see it go away.”
Lonnie and Patty Wright, owners of Rockin’ Horse Ranch Arena are cut from the same cloth.
The couple’s arena, the only indoor rodeo facility in Central New Mexico’s Estancia Valley and East Mountains, hosts numer-ous events that furthers the sport of rodeo.
“We’re sticking with it,” Lonnie Wright said in regards to the operation of the arena just before he hurried to close the build-ing’s big doors as a massive wall of dust bore down from the west. “We kind of enjoy it.”
Built in 1994, RHR Arena, together with its associ-ated outdoor arenas and fields of alfalfa and wheat, is a comparatively verdant
Shangri-la in juxtaposition to the surrounding parched landscape.
Rockin’ Horse will be the venue for New Mexico Cutting Horse Association competitions on May 30, 31 and June 1, July 4-6, Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1, and Sept. 27-28, and New Mexico Paint Horse Show Associa-tion Horse Shows on July 18-20 and Aug. 16-17.
In addition, RHR will be the site for a New Mexico Division Special Olympics event on Aug. 23. And the Wrights will host the Rockin’ Horse Ranch Race for the Trailer barrels com-petition on Sept. 19-21.
The Wrights and their arena were featured in the June 2012 edition of the Cowboy Times magazine in an article emblazoned with the headline “The Wright Spot.” The story highlighted the daughters earning “multiple accolades on horses started by Lonnie and brought along by Patty and the girls.”
For information, go online to www.rockin-horseranch.net.
There’s something for ev-eryone hereabouts, whether you just want to take a gan-der from the grandstand or you or your family want to participate. A few of the area’s rodeos or other related activities include:■ Mountainair Gymkhana Rodeo’s last four of its six-rodeo series will be held on June 1 and 15, July 13 and August 3. For info on these youth, family-oriented rodeos, email Tana Bailey, the MGR secretary, at [email protected].■ The Chilili Bull-A-Rama is on July 27. The Chilili Ro-deo Club will also hold two ranch-style rodeos on Aug. 24 and Sept. 7. Call Santos Garcia at 269-4442.■ There will be two rodeos at the Torrance County Fairgrounds this summer. The first will be for Old Timer’s Day in Estancia — it starts at 1 p.m. on July 26 and the other one will be on August 15 at 10 a.m. during the Torrance County Fair.
As of now, there is noth-ing scheduled at Moriarty’s Heritage Arena but keep your eyes open as some-thing may come up. Call 832-4406 for information.
Many dedicated to traditional western sport
Rodeo in the Estancia Valley and East Mountains is a way of life for many families and a favorite summer activity.
20
Mountain Villages Straddle Modern and Traditional Worlds
The old Spanish land grant villages of Chilili, Tajique, Torreon and
Manzano live on, but 17th-century Indian Pueblos and mission churches at Chilili and Tajique have vanished.■ Chilili: A settlement 20 miles south of Tijeras in the east Manzano Moun-tain foothills is one of the oldest place names in New Mexico. This Hispanic settlement was established in 1841 as a land grant.■ Escobosa: A settlement 16 miles south of Tijeras in the Manzano Mountain foothills. The name refers to grass residents used to make brooms.■ Manzano: This small His-
panic village takes its name from apples, (Spanish, manzanas). The settlement became a Spanish land grant in 1829.n Punta de Agua: The com-munity near Mountainair took its name from “point of water” from a spring when it was settled after 1850.■ Tajique: This was the first of several Spanish settlements in the Manzano Mountain foothills. It was abandoned due to Indian raids but resettled as a land grant in 1834.■ Torreon: Settlement established on the site of an Indian pueblo. The village received a land grant in 1841.
Traditional matachines are usually part of annual fiestas in the the villages of the East Mountains.
Celebrating 30 years of our family serving yours!
baincochran.comGB98 License No. 89732
BAIN cochranC O N S T R U C T I O N
From Ag To Arts, Mountainair Has It All
More than three centuries ago, soon after the Spanish began settling in New Mexico, a beautiful Spanish
nun who dressed in blue appeared again and again in visions to the Jumano Indians who lived at the three missions and ruin sites near Mountainair, according to legend.
Today, the location is known as the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Region around Moun-tainair.
The nun, who in actuality had never left Spain, is said to have exhorted the Indians to convert to Christian-ity. Versions of the same story would crop up in several historical accounts, helping keep the legend alive.
She was Sister Maria de Jesus de Agreda, a woman who lived her entire life in Spain, from 1602 to 1665.
Today, the “Lady in Blue” or “Blue Nun” or “Blue Lady of the Plains” is on a path to canonization, a slow process that began shortly after her death and may not end with Sister Maria de Agreda becoming Saint Ma-ria de Agreda. Only time will tell.
Nonetheless, because she is said to have appeared to Native Americans in New Mexico while she lived in a con-vent in northern Spain — a phenom-enon called “bilocation” — Maria de Agreda today remains a celebrity of sorts in and around Mountainair. Be-sides being seen as an historical figure and a holy woman, she is considered a potential economic boon for the town of Mountainair.
Anne Ravenstone, president of the Manzano Mountain Arts Council, is but one of many who subscribe to that view. She is also one of many who is pushing and planning for a new mural in Mountainair, a town already known for its murals.
“For years, many people have been
wondering how we can get the town to prosper,” she said.
Mountainair has long been known as a town where it hasn’t always been easy to make a go of things. Although the area has long had indigious settlements, it was the coming of the railroad in the late 1800s that set the community on its agricultural path.
Any farmer can tell you there are good years and bad years, and Moun-tainair has had both. In the 1990s, the town start to see artists moving and work at revitalizing the area.
Mountainair still celebrates its ag-ricultural roots, and had been accept-ing of its burgeoning role as an arts destination.
The Manzano Mountain Art Coun-cil, along with the Cibola Arts Gal-lery, has been the engine driving the renaissance. The council sponsors the town’s annual Sunflower Festival and its artists have spent the last decade
or so sprucing up local buildings with murals and tile mosiacs.
One of the group’s latest projects was a mural featuring the Blue Nun.
The mural to graces the west wall of the Abo Trading Co., at the inter-section of state Highways 55 and 60.
The central figure, of course, is Sister Maria de Agreda, but includes much more, especially a respectful picture of Native Americans “whose role in all this is obviously huge,” Ravenstone said.
Even before the first brush stroke or ceramic tile hit the wall, the mural was seen as a work of art that will attract tourists to the town and help create a strong, economic base.
Sor Maria de Agreda, as she is sometimes called, came out of a Fran-ciscan background and philosophy, Tomas Wolff said, one that believes in helping the community.
“So in some ways, what we’re doing exemplifies her life,” he said.
As a producer, facilitator and orga-nizer of the project, Wolff’s job was to get various artists to collaborate on the mural.
Even before moving to Mountainair six or seven years ago and working on the town’s murals, Wolff said, he helped organize at least 20 murals in eastern Pennsylvania.
Wolff is hoping work can get started on the mural within a month or so after the February meeting. It will consist of paint and mosaics and be completed on panels of Hardibacker, a commercial brand of cement board, allowing much of the work to be done indoors. Once they are finished, the panels will be attached to the outside wall, which at this point is “adobe fall-ing off of brick,” he said.
The work was completed late in 2013.
For more information on the Man-zano Mountain Art Council go online to www.manzanomountainartcoun-cil.org or the Cibola Arts Gallery at www.cibolaarts.com.
Farmers and ranchers live side by side with painters and sculpters
Blacksmith Leroy Simmons fashions a length of steel, the beginning of some-thing that might become a frog.
22
MAIL AND COPY
Business Center, Inc.
Copy Services•Document Prep
FAX•Notary•Shredding
Business Cards•Fliers
Custom Screen Printing
Mail Box Rentals
Bulk Mailing Services
Shipping Services
2 Marietta Ct, Suite A, Edgewood
505-281-2400 Fax 505-281-0300
Hours: M - F 8am - 6pm, Sat. 9am - 2 pmSome restrictions may apply, Cibola Internet not available in all areas,
Please call to confirm coverage
505-369-7979CONNECTING YOU TO THEWORLD
Flower Gets Its Day in the Sun
The Mountainair area is bright with sunflowers at the end of August, rains
willing.To celebrate the annual
appearance of the sunflow-ers, the Manzano Mountain Art Council will hold the 16th Annual Mountainair Sunflower Festival on Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Festival is based at the Dr. Saul Community Center, but spills out into the streets of the town.
Over past years, over a thousand people have at-tended.
The festival includes arts and crafts by local and regional artists, featuring for the fourth year, artists
from the Santa Fe Spanish Market.
One of these artists each year creates a sunflower retablo that serves as logo for the day.
Other events include a sunflower hat contest, street vendors, a silent auction and a raffle. In past years a sunflower quilt was raffled off.
The town is also alive with music including contemporary as well as traditional folk music and dance.
Local churches and civic groups along with local merchants join in the fun.
For more information email [email protected], call 505-384-9767 or go online to Moun-tainairSunflowerFestival.org. The Sunflower Festival in Mountainair features many events,
but the most fun might be the hat contest.
Mountainair throws an annual party fea-turing sunflowers
New Mexico Roadhouse CuisineGourmet Burgers, Handmade Pasta & Wagyu Steak
12 Beers on Tap & Full BarFresh Squeezed Margaritas
2846 Hwy 14 Madrid 505-473-0743 www.TheMineShaftTavern.com
THE
Outdoor Deck & Great Live Music Every Weekend!
Visit Madrid's Historic Roadhouse
Maggies DinerMovie set from Wild Hogs(now a store)
• Movie Memorabilia• Biker Gear• Gifts • Souvenirs505-471-7605
The Great MadridGift EmporiumThe best of southwestern jewelryincluding Cerrillos, Bisbee, Hachita,and other rare Turquoises. AlsoGaspeite, Sugilite and Spiny Oyster.
505-471-7605
Ghost Town TradingPost, Lodging & LoftNative American Pottery, JewelryStore and nightly/weeklyluxurious lodgings505-471-7605
Madrid New Mexico main streetwww.wildhogsmadridnm.com
Conley Studio Pottery
visitmadridnm.com
2870 Hwy 14 northmadrid, nm 87010505-438-0782
Gallery includesover 40 regionalartists & craftsmen.
Gifts &indian Jewelry
Since 2000
stoneware Pottery by Lisa conley
THE CRYSTALDRAGON
Custom Gold, Silver and Gemstone Jewelry andPhotography , Gems, Minerals, Crystals,
Native American Jewelry505-471-8888
www.thecrystaldragon.com
Johnsons of Madrid Gallerysince 1973 the biggest and best art gallery
between albuquerque and santa Fe.505-471-1054 www.visitmadridnm.com
Knitwear by Dean CheekJewelry & More!
505-471-3640 www.dcknits.com
Cindy Sheff, RealtorSanta Fe Properties
Focusing on Real Estate Salesalong the Turquoise Trail505-470-6114 cindysheff.com
From
MufflersTo
AutoGlass.....
A One-Stop Shop
For ALL
Your
Repairs!
SAME DAY SERVICE ONMOST JOBS
COMPLETE AUTO & TRUCK SERVICE INCLUDING:• Alignments • Mufflers & Custom Exhausts• Air Conditioning Service• Computer Diagnostics• Transmissions Light-Duty Diesel Truck Service• Machine Drums, Rotors and Flywheels
1913 OLD HWY 66, EDGEWOOD281-7309
ALL WORK GUARANTEED
Accepting MostMajor Insurances
IncludingPresbyterian,
BCBS& Lovelace
EdgewoodLocation:
1851 Old Hwy 66 Bldg BEdgewood NM 87015
505-200-9003www.footanklenm.com
Appointment Hotline:505-200-9003Northeast ABQ*:5111 Juan Tabo Blvd
Albuquerque, NM 87111505-271-9900
* All Physicians Board-Certified inreconstructive foot and ankle surgery
* Insurance Claims filed for Patients
* Flexible Appointment Scheduling
* Se Habla Espanol
* DIABETIC FOOT CARE
* Custom Bracing & Geriatric FallPrevention Bracing
Let us help free your feet from Pain
Dr. Steven Wrege Dr. Brent Frame
5 Locations to Serve You* Rio Rancho* Northwest ABQ* Edgewood* Grants* Tucumcari
www.footanklenm.com
��� ����� �� ��� ������������� �� ����
�����������������
������ �� ������ � � �� �������� ����� �� �������
DINE IN / TAKE OUT / DRIVE UP
�������� � ����� � ������ � �������
���������� ���� �������� �����
���������� ��� �� � ��
������ ������ �� � ��
������ �������
������ ����������������������������������������
����������
EDGEWOOD EQUIPMENT COMPANYEQUIPMENT & TOOL RENTALS
BOBCATS • BACKHOES • TRENCHERSWELDERS • TRACTORS • CHIPPERSPOST HOLE DIGGERS • COMPACTORSFLOOR SANDERS • BRICK, TILE &CONCRETE SAWS • HAMMER DRILLS
FOREST, GARDEN, &LAWN EQUIPMENT
281-14552083 Old Hwy 66
Monday - Saturday 8-5 • Closed Sundays1-1/2 mile E. of Edgewood
HUSQVARNA CHAINSAW SALES AND SERVICE
New Mexico's Smallest Town Famous Around the World
Attracting thousands of visitors from across the globe,
Tinkertown Museum in Sandia Park has displayed the enchanting work of Ross Ward for years.
Since Ward passed away in 2002 with Alzheimer’s disease, he has inspired many. His work, which originally began as a hobby in 1962, grew and expanded into the 22-room museum that it is today as a result of the amount of public inter-est it received.
The exhibits currently store all the woodcarv-ings and carnival paint-ings he created, as well as auctioned items collected during his trips. His widow, Carla Ward, has continued to keep up the museum for 31 years and is excited to meet those who visit this season.
Ward opened a few days earlier than the scheduled date of April 1 for an eager Iceland couple hoping for a tour. And that isn’t even the farthest place visitors have come to catch a glimpse of Ross’s creative works of art.
“One time, we had a group of visitors from Jor-dan, Switzerland and Bos-ton,” she said. “They were all friends and the most fun to talk with.”
Sightseers can mark their travels on the giant map by grabbing some pins from the gift shop and leave comments in the guest book. For some, it’s hard to believe that people would come from as far away as Russia and Australia to a seemingly small mu-seum nestled in the Sandia
Mountains. But that’s just to prove how monumental Ross’s work really is.
From fortune-telling and carnival rides to western folks strumming guitars, everyone has a different idea of what’s interesting, Ward said.
Various quotes and slo-gans are scattered through-out the exhibit rooms as well, written by inspira-tional individuals like Mark Twain, Mahatma Gandhi and Ross himself.
“As you wander, keep your sense of wonder.”
This particular quote is true for those visiting, and accurately describes the lifestyle Carla and her hus-band shared as avid explor-ers. They made their way
around the country, collect-ing a variety of eccentric items in rather surprising places. At an antique sale in Michigan, the two paid $150 — a great bargain — for a pair of giant shoes and pants worn by a 430-pound, 8-foot tall carnival worker in the late 1800s. The pieces turned out to be a perfect addition for Tinker-town. Even the trash can out front has a story of its own.
While at a fair in Dallas, Texas, in 1995, the couple discovered that a plastic lion was going to be thrown away and, according to Carla, her husband wasn’t about to leave empty-hand-ed.
“He told me, ‘We gotta have that for Tinkertown!’”
she said. After realizing it could be turned into some-thing useful, they placed the lion in the back of their jeep and took it home with them.
“The bears will knock it over, so I’ve been more vigilant about emptying it every night,” Carla said, with a laugh.
For stepson Jason Ward, growing up in Tinkertown was “an awesome experi-ence.” As current owner of Star Tattoo in Corrales, Jason Ward inherited much of Ross’s artistic talent and has been in the business for more than 20 years.
“He taught me to paint and draw,” he said. “His creativity is truly inspir-ing.”
Tinkertown was created 30 years ago by sign artist Ross Ward. It opened as an attraction on the Crest Highway in 1983.
26
World Class Links Among Idyllic Setting
Nestled on the eastern slope of the Sandia Mountains, Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club seems remote for national —
even worldwide — exposure. But the course has captured the imagination of golf publications such as Golf Digest magazine, and has consistently found itself ranked highly on most lists of the best public golf courses in the United States.
Soon after the course opened, Golf Digest awarded Paa-Ko Ridge a lofty ranking of 27th-best in the country among Best Affordable Public Courses in its annual report on America’s best and most affordable courses.
In the 2007 Zagat Survey, Paa-Ko ridge was the only course in the Southwest to be “top rated.”
“Links Magazine” recently named Paa-Ko one of the top 10 Best Course for the Money.
“Having Links Magazine recognize Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course for the incredible value we provide in addi-tion to all the other great accolades we
have received, for example we were ranked 29 on the Best Courses You Can Play list in 2011 by Golf Maga-zine, gives validation to our belief that we not only provide a fantastic venue, but an incredible value for the dollar as well,” said Rob Murray, Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Course general manager.
Designed by renowned course architect Ken Dye, known for creating Pinon Hills in Farmington, Paa-Ko Ridge is “easy on the eyes and on the wallet,” according to Golf Digest writer Ron Whitten.
The length of the season at Paa-Ko Ridge depends on the weather but can extend as late as Dec. 1. The course re-mained open until at least mid- to late November during its first five seasons. It usually reopens around March 1.
The course offers a resort feel, with computerized Global Positioning Sat-ellite golf carts that tell you how far you are from pins. There’s also bottled water in the carts, free balls on the driving range, a slick pro shop with a good selection and longer periods between tee times.
With greens fees ranging from $59 to $114 including a cart, Paa-Ko is more expensive than some public courses but less than joining a country club.
Paa-Ko Ridge also offers a “multi-play pass,” where players can pur-chase three, five or 10 rounds in advance at a reduced rate, as well as a punch-card program and other promotions.
For more information, call locally at 281-6000 or toll free at (866)898-5987; or go online to www.paakoridge.com.
Roll-off ServicesResidential/Commercial ServiceExclusive Waste Removal Hauler for Residents, Businesses and All
Roll Off Services in Moriarty, Estancia, Willard and Mountainair
• Prompt Reliable Service • Compactor Services and Rental• New Construction or Remodeling • Self Dumping Hopper Rentals• Debris Removal/Cleanup
Serving New Mexico for over 30 yearsEast Mountain owned and operated
505-832-9005 or 1-877-287-7148
Email: [email protected]
Sandia Mountains: Great Views, Many Possibilities
Hundreds of miles of hiking trails criss-cross the Cibola National Forest, which includes both the Sandia and
Manzano mountains.Two U.S. Forest Service ranger
districts manage this portion of the Cibola. The Mountainair Ranger District covers the southern portion that encompasses the Manzano Moun-tains, and the Sandia Ranger District in the northern part covers the Sandia Mountains.
Both ranges are part of the continu-ous fault-block system that forms the east side of the Rio Grande rift valley from Placitas to Socorro.
The Sandias and Manzanos were created when monolithic blocks of the Earth’s crust thrust upward about 20 million years ago. Ancient granite ex-posed along the steep west faces of the ranges forms the sides of the fault-blocks. The gradually sloping, heavily forested east faces — actually the tops of the blocks — are capped with much younger sedimentary layers.
The most prominent feature of the Sandia Mountains is probably Sandia Crest, which tops out at the 10,658 feet. From the visitors area at the Crest you can get a full view of much of cen-tral New Mexico, including a startling look at the city of Albuquerque to the west and the expansive Estancia Valley to the southwest. There is a gift shop at the Crest and plenty of trails for hiking.
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness, when it was established through the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978, was made up of 30,981 acres of the Sandia Ranger District’s total 100,555 acres. Acquisition of the Elena Gallegos Grant in 1981 increased it to 37,232 acres of wilderness.
More than 2 million people journey to the Sandias each year to hike the
Visitors can see for miles atop Sandia Peak, step back in time in the Sandia Man cave
The Crest Trail on Sandia Peak offers great views and a chance to see beautiful flora and fauna. There is a fee to park at the top of the mountain, but you can also get something to eat and drink at the gift shop.
EXPLORE!
For maps of all the trails in the Sandia Mountains, stop by the Sandia Ranger Station at 11776 N.M. 337 South, just south of the traffic light in Tijeras, or call 281-3304 or go
online to www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola/
See TAKE on Page 29
28
Take a Hike, See Most of New Mexico in the Sandia Mountains
roughly 117 miles of the district’s trails, according the Sandia Ranger District.
More than a dozen trails are available to choose from, with one scenic favorite being the Crest Trail — the longest trail in the Sandia Mountains with a total length of 28.2 miles. This trail is often thought of as two trails; the South Crest Trail, 16 miles long from the south trailhead at Canyon Estates in Tijeras Canyon to Sandia Crest; and the North Crest Trail, 12.2 miles long from the north trailhead at Tunnel Springs near Placitas to Sandia Crest.
One interesting side trip within the Sandia Mountains is to the Sandia Man Cave. The cave, discovered by an anthropology graduate student in 1936, was excavated by University of New Mexico archaeological teams between 1937 and 1941. It contained skeletal remains of such Ice Age beasts as the woolly mammoth and mastodon and giant sloth, as well as stone lance and arrow points, basket scraps and remnants of woven yucca moccasins.
The diggers found no human bones in the cave debris. To get to Sandia Man Cave, take the Crest Highway to
N.M. 165 and drive on a bumpy dirt road for about five miles. There is a short hike up the side of the mountain to get to the cave. Make sure to bring a flashlight and wear old clothes if you want to explore the cave.
A host of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to more strenuous uphill jaunts are accessible from the numer-
ous trailheads and picnic grounds along the Sandia Crest Highway (N.M. 536). Hikers can also park at the top of the Crest Highway and follow a portion of the Crest Trail to the upper terminal of the Sandia Peak Tramway, about 1.5 gentle miles away.
To get to the Sandia trails, take I-40 to the Tijeras exit. Head north on N.M. 14 until you come to a large intersec-tion (no stop light) with N.M. 536, where a blue sign points to the ski basin.
From Page 28
The Sandia Man Cave is a popular excursion in the Sandia Mountains.
Spring and Fall Tree sales alongwith technical services are
available from our partneringagency NRCS.
We are here to help with your soiland water conservation needsand questions. Come see what
programs we have to offer
(505)384-2272 ext. 5715 S. 5th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
www.EastTorranceSWCD.org
East TorranceSoil & Water
Conservation District
546 Hwy 333 E in TijerasOffice 281-6789 • Rick L. Howe 250-6969
ElectricPlumbing&WaterCommercial & Residential
FREE EstimatesLicensed *Bonded *Insured
TURQUOISETRAILServing new Mexico Since 1987
Visit ourWater Store
Ski and Snowboard at Sandia Peak Ski Area
East Mountains residents with an affinity for winter sports relish
the fact that the Sandia Mountains right in their backyard offer a wealth of recreation.
One of the highlights is the Sandia Peak Ski Area, and the world’s longest aerial tramway that reaches the top of the ski area from Albuquerque.
Sandia Peak Tramway’s story is about a group of Albuquerque ski enthusi-asts who had to drive to the green side of the mountain in the winter to ski. They would hike as far as pos-sible uphill and ski down.
After the U.S. Forest Ser-vice cleared a hill in 1936, the adventurers organized the Albuquerque Ski Club and in 1937 built a 1,500-foot ski tow. In 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared the slope that leads to the present-day ski lodge.
The ribbon cutting for the tram was May 7, 1966. The horizontal length of the longest tramway in the world is 14,657 feet or 2.7 miles with a vertical rise of 3,819 feet.
But the tram is only one passage to the top of the Sandia Mountain. Another is the drive to the top on the east side of the mountain. And a third is the chairlift
from the base of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, beginning at 8,650 feet rising to the peak at 10,378 feet. At the top, the view of 11,000 square miles of the Land of Enchant-ment boggles the mind.
The ski area’s winter season runs mid-Decem-ber through mid-March, although the season is sometimes shortened or lengthened depending on the snowfall. The vertical rise from base to the peak is 1,700 feet. The ski area offers 30 trails serviced by four chairlifts, a surface lift and a children’s mighty
mite. Ski patrol volun-teers are on duty daily. A cafeteria in the day lodge serves breakfast, lunch and snacks. The lodge is a large facility offering panoramic views of the ski area and the Estancia Valley to the east. A large network of cross-country ski trails is also available. The average snowfall in the ski area is 125 inches.
The summer season from Memorial Day through the second Sunday of October is open Thursdays through Sundays and holidays, and daily during Balloon Fiesta
in October. Chairlift riders enjoying the fresh air and breath-taking view also see mountain bike riders challenging the spectacular mountain bike trails.
Rental equipment for both seasons is available on site. For more information call the ski area at 505-242-9052 or go online to www.sandiapeak.com.
The entrance to the Sandia Peak Tramway is on Tramway Loop off Tram-way Boulevard in Albu-querque. For information call 505-856-6419.
Popular ski area easy to get to from east and west side of mountains
Sandia Peak Ski Area offers runs for just about every level of skier and snowboarder.
30
Ski and Snowboard at Sandia Peak Ski Area
East Mountains residents with an affinity for winter sports relish
the fact that the Sandia Mountains right in their backyard offer a wealth of recreation.
One of the highlights is the Sandia Peak Ski Area, and the world’s longest aerial tramway that reaches the top of the ski area from Albuquerque.
Sandia Peak Tramway’s story is about a group of Albuquerque ski enthusi-asts who had to drive to the green side of the mountain in the winter to ski. They would hike as far as pos-sible uphill and ski down.
After the U.S. Forest Ser-vice cleared a hill in 1936, the adventurers organized the Albuquerque Ski Club and in 1937 built a 1,500-foot ski tow. In 1938, the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared the slope that leads to the present-day ski lodge.
The ribbon cutting for the tram was May 7, 1966. The horizontal length of the longest tramway in the world is 14,657 feet or 2.7 miles with a vertical rise of 3,819 feet.
But the tram is only one passage to the top of the Sandia Mountain. Another is the drive to the top on the east side of the mountain. And a third is the chairlift
from the base of the Sandia Peak Ski Area, beginning at 8,650 feet rising to the peak at 10,378 feet. At the top, the view of 11,000 square miles of the Land of Enchant-ment boggles the mind.
The ski area’s winter season runs mid-Decem-ber through mid-March, although the season is sometimes shortened or lengthened depending on the snowfall. The vertical rise from base to the peak is 1,700 feet. The ski area offers 30 trails serviced by four chairlifts, a surface lift and a children’s mighty
mite. Ski patrol volun-teers are on duty daily. A cafeteria in the day lodge serves breakfast, lunch and snacks. The lodge is a large facility offering panoramic views of the ski area and the Estancia Valley to the east. A large network of cross-country ski trails is also available. The average snowfall in the ski area is 125 inches.
The summer season from Memorial Day through the second Sunday of October is open Thursdays through Sundays and holidays, and daily during Balloon Fiesta
in October. Chairlift riders enjoying the fresh air and breath-taking view also see mountain bike riders challenging the spectacular mountain bike trails.
Rental equipment for both seasons is available on site. For more information call the ski area at 505-242-9052 or go online to www.sandiapeak.com.
The entrance to the Sandia Peak Tramway is on Tramway Loop off Tram-way Boulevard in Albu-querque. For information call 505-856-6419.
Popular ski area easy to get to from east and west side of mountains
Sandia Peak Ski Area offers runs for just about every level of skier and snowboarder.
30
Making The World A Better Place
Family and individual therapy for children, teens, adults,seniors, couples and groups. Insurance plans and sliding
scale fee available based on household income.
95 State Road 344 North Suite #4(In the Edgewood Community Library building)
505-463-7923
Make your peace a priority:call today for a complimentaryconsultation appointment.
Today is a good dayto start your healing....
Resolve old wounds &change unwanted behavior.
Woodsend Family Services
In Edgewood on Old Rt 66(east of Smith’s)
(505) 459-2265Tues. - Sat. 10-4
BenefitingNew Mexico Horse Rescue Ranch at Walkin N Circles, Inc.
100’s of Items!!!Furniture, Clothes, Housewares, Toys,
Jewelry & Much More.
Donate
HUG A HORSE THRIFT SHOP
Shop
Open Mon-Sat 10-5Located on Hwy 41,1 mile south of Rt. 66in Moriartywww.Bethelstorehouse.org832-6642Proceeds helping ourneighbors in need for27 years!
Bethel Community StorehouseThrift Store
Clothing to Collectibles • Quality new and used items at discount prices
Wildlife FestivalSaturday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Free Flight Falcons Saturdaysand Chuckwagon Suppers &ShowsJune 14 - August 30, 6:00 p.m. Falcon ShowsSaturdays, June 14 - August 30, 6:00 p.m. Chuckwagon
World BlacksmithChampionshipFriday - Sunday, October 24, 25 & 26Harvest FestivalSat. & Sun., August 16 & 17, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
EdgEwood, NMPhone: 505-281-7655
Toll-Free: [email protected]
WildliFe WeStNature Park
12th annual WildlifeMusic FestivalFriday - Sunday, July 25 - 27, 2013
505-286-4494#2 Marrietta Ct., Edgewood, NM
Next to Mail & Copy Center
Full Set of Nails $25Facial Rejuvenation $35
We have your skin care needsTammy Winters, Kate Tapia, Sandy Manasco, Reva Case
The People’s Consignment Store
Unique Gifts & Collectibles
Hwy. 344 #7 Edgewood505-286-6289505-399-0626
We needVolunteers & Monetary Donations
www.SanctuaryZone.org505-384-0381
Sanctuary ZoneHelp
Stop the Violencef
f
Turquoise Trail: The Back Road to Santa Fe
The Turquoise Trail was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 2000, the result of the work of a
dedicated group of residents in the Turquoise Trail Association. Its history stretches back to the first settlers in the area.
The turquoise and other precious minerals found in the Sandia and Ortiz Mountains were valued by no-madic and pueblo Indians who made New Mexico home. The minerals in the hills attracted the Spanish and American settlers.
The 62-mile trail begins in Tijeras, which has long been a stopping point in the pass between the Manzano and Sandia Mountains.
Driving up N.M. 14 from Tijeras you will pass through the unincorporated communities of San Antonito, Cedar Crest, San Antonio and Sandia Park. The area is a mixture of old and new, with historic churches sitting next to modern grocery stores.
Before leaving the Sandia Moun-tains, the trail takes a detour up the Crest Highway up to the 10,687 foot Sandia Peak.
After your visit to Sandia Peak, continue up N.M. 14 where you will shortly come upon the mining com-munities of Golden, Madrid and Cerillos. Golden was so named for the gold found nearby. It’s a quiet little village, but if your timing is right, you can stop by the general store for a
soda pop.Madrid was founded as a coal min-
ing community, but is now probably one of the most eclectic little towns in New Mexico. There’s entertainment and plenty of shops lining the street selling the wares of the artist resi-dents of the town.
Next on to Cerillos, where the best turquoise in the southwest was once found.
As you travel up N.M. 14, you will eventually come to Santa Fe, the northern terminus for the trail. After your day in Santa Fe, you could take Interstate 25 back to Albuquerque, but the better thing to do would be to take the Turquoise Trail back and see all the things you missed.
The Turquoise Trail Trail from Tijeras to Santa Fe was designated as a scenic byway in 2000. Along the trail, travelers can find mission churches, beautiful views and electic personalities. The communities along the byway each have their own identity.
32
Turquoise Trail Communities
Winding along the east side of the Sandias, the Turquoise Trail follows N.M. 14 through Cedar Crest and three revived ghost towns.■ Cedar Crest: A settlement in the eastern foot-
hills of the Sandia Mountains was founded in 1922 by Carl Webb, who moved to the mountains for health reasons. He opened a trading post and operated the Cedar Crest Post Office.■ San Antonio: This small community one mile north of Tijeras was named for its patron saint. It was a trading place when ox carts made their way from Santa Fe.■ San Antonito: This community is probably named for its association with the older community, San Antonio.■ Sandia Park: Residential community named for its loca-tion in the east foothills of the Sandia Mountains.■ Golden: Gold was discovered in the Ortiz Mountains in 1839, and soon two small mining camps developed. Large mining companies moved in but hopes for mineral wealth quickly dwindled.■ Madrid: Coal mining began here in 1835 and peaked in 1920. When demand for coal dwindled after World War II, the entire town was offered for $250,000, but there were no takers. Art galleries and restaurants have replaced anthra-cite as a resource.■ Cerrillos: The settlement was a mining town of tur-quoise, silver, gold and then coal. The lovely town in the now-dormant mining hills has art galleries and eateries.
Kings Butane Co.Our Family Serving Your Family
• Auto Fill Delivery Service• Trained Service Technicians• Levelized Payment Plan• Free Pressure Test and System
Check on New Accounts
832-4273800 Howard Cavasos Blvd. North
Moriarty NM 87035
Madrid has a Little Something for Everyone
The village of Madrid is a lot of things to a lot of people.
Old timers remember the mining days, although the last
coal mine shut in the in 1950s.The new old timers see Madrid as
somewhat of an art colony nestled among the San Pedro Mountains.
Modern visitors may consider Ma-drid to be a movie set — the hit movie “Wild Hogs” in 2007 prominently featured the village.
The thing about Madrid is that it is all that and much more. It’s a great place to catch a melodrama, shop for art and jewelry, watch a softball game, listen to great live music, go
to a museum, drink a beer or grab a milkshake. It’s no wonder that the vil-lage is a hub of activity on most days.
It was high-quality anthracite coal that fueled Madrid’s founding, a com-modity that became even more valu-able with the arrival of the railroad in New Mexico in the 1880s.
The town was owned by the Albu-querque and Cerrillos Coal Co. in its heyday from the 1920s to 1940s and featured rows of company housing, a hospital, school, recreation center, ballpark and a Christmas light show so fantastic that early transcontinen-tal planes detoured over the town in December to take a look.
By the mid-1950s and the arrival of diesel fuel, the coal bubble burst and Madrid became a ghost town virtually overnight. Its most recent renais-
sance began in the 1970s when the owners sold every house and building in Madrid.
Craftspeople bought the proper-ties and stayed on, transforming the sleepy ghost town into an artists’ mecca that seems endearingly stuck in a time warp. It’s a mix of frontier life and hippiedom rolled into a singu-lar place.
The first stop — or last — for many visitors is the Mine Shaft Tavern, with its 40-foot-long lodgepole bar that dates from the bar’s opening in 1946.
Next door is the Old Coal Mine Museum, covering three outdoor acres of mining equipment, railroad relics, vintage vehicles and a Santa
Electic mountain village started as coal mining town
Maggie’s Diner in Madrid doesn’t sell anything to eat, but you can experience a little bit of the movie magic left over from the 2007 film “Wild Hogs.”
See A DAY Page 35
34
A Day in Madrid is Worth the Trip
Fe Railroad steam locomotive. The old Locomotive Repair Building, now known as the Engine House Theatre, offers classic melodramas every weekend from Memorial Day through mid-October.
The tavern and adjacent buildings in the complex were earmarked as one of eight endangered properties in the state by the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance.
Shops and galleries now form the economic backbone of the town, most in the weathered old homes and stores that flourished in a bygone era, and now, once again.
There is one new building on Madrid’s main road, though. The name on the outside says Maggie’s Diner, but you can’t get anything to eat there, said Honore Hacket, who owns the shop and the Great Madrid Gift Emporium next door with her husband Hugh.
The building was constructed as a set especially for “Wild Hogs” on an empty lot owned by the couple.
“Once they were done filming, they asked us if we wanted to keep the building,” Hacket said. “Of course we said yes.”
Although the shop still has a lot of chrome, a counter and diner stools, what you’ll find inside is a lot of movie and motorcycle souvenirs as well as T-shirts.
For more information about Madrid, go online to www.visitmadridnm.com.
From Page 34
The Old Coal Mine Museum in Madrid offers visitors a peak at the village’s past.
Available For Our Landowners:
Conservation Cost-Share Assistance Programs
Native Grass & Wildflower Seeds for Sale
Informational Literature Available
Weeds of the West Books
Seasonal Tree Sales
Visitus
Online At:
www.eswcd.org
On OurFacebook Page:
www.facebook.com
/EdgewoodSoiland
WaterConservationDistrict
EDGEWOOD SOIL & WATERCONSERVATION DISTRICT
2506 Route 66 • PO Box 1050Moriarty, NM 87035 (1 Mile West of Moriarty)
(505)832-1111
Light & heavy Duty towing
505-832-6497
P.O. Box 1789 Moriary, NM 87035
Towing &Recovery
TAVENNERSTAVENNERSTowing &Recovery
Tradition Starts on the Farm
Since the first settlers arrived in the Estancia Valley, agriculture has
been a major part of life.This is no different in
2014 as it was in 1914, the only difference being the diversity of agriculture which now part of the val-ley.
A century ago, farming was king. New immigrants arrived finding the valley fertile and rain abundant. Dry land farming was a good way to make a living and crops ranged from the might pinto bean to wheat and other grains.
But in a valley that has no rivers and a few springs, droughts hit hard. By the 1950s, true agricultural di-versity became imperative.
With that diversity came more livestock, which changed the character of the valley, but kept its agri-cultural roots alive.
Today, agriculture pays a huge role in the economy of the valley.
Ness Farms lies south of Estancia, west of N.M. 41. It was started more than 35 years ago by Eugene and Sandy Ness, and produces pinto beans, silage corn, pumpkins and alfalfa. Perhaps more important, according to the Ness website, “it provided a great place for raising … two sons and daughter who, through the years, have contributed their skills to the ongoing development of the farm.”
Today, the farm is largely run by the two brothers, Steven and Brady. Steven says he is too young to remember “the good old days” of bean farming in the valley, but he’s heard stories about trains coming through Estancia and pick-ing up boxcars of beans. “And there’s the old bean co-op on Main Street in Estancia, and one in Moun-tainair, and Edgewood, too,” he notes.
Last year, the majority of Ness Farms’ 900 planted acres are growing alfalfa and oats. “It varies,” Ness says, “but we call ourselves bean and pumpkin farm-
ers.” According to the USDA,
the market value of Tor-rance County products sold was more than $58 million in 2012, which was an 28 percent increase in value from 2007. Of that, about 60 percent of those sales came from livestock. For Santa Fe County, of which the north-ern third of the valley lies within, the market value of agricultural products was more than $12 million in 2012, with 75 percent of that coming from crop sales.
The top crops in each county?
Corn silage and hay.And although it counts
for only a fraction of the lo-cal crops, Torrance County is the top producer of sod in New Mexico.
Nearly 1.8 million acres of land within Torrance County is used for agricul-ture.
Agriculture education is a way of life in our commu-nities as well, with strong FFA clubs and hundreds of kids involved with 4-H.
For information on agri-culture in the valley, con-tact the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service office in Estancia at 505-246-4745 or go online to torranceexten-sion.nmsu.edu.
Farming and ranching is as important now as it was when the first settlers came to the Estancia Valley
Steven Ness of Ness Farms south of Estancia looks over a bean plant. Pinto beans have long been a product of the valley, but the area also produces corn silage, alfalfa and pumpkins.
36
Watch For Flying Pumpkins
The Estancia Valley is where Punkin Chunkin dreams are made, and it is home to a field where the annual gourd launch brings glory or shame to an elite group of cannon builders.
The great, yearly pumpkin launch has been going on for so long, it seems only natural that there would be a line of giant air cannons lined up at the field outside Estancia each year. Apparently, it takes a lot of time, ingenuity, money and work to make it happen though.
“It’s an expensive hobby,” said Raymond Dennis, who helped to spark local interest in the big, gourd-hurling guns about a decade ago.
The 2014 Pumpkinfest, sponsored by the Estancia Rotary Club and includes the annual Punkin Chunkin event, will be held Oct. 18 off N.M. 55 just east of Estancia.
Dennis designed and help build “El Launcho Grande,” the first big — really, really big — pumpkin gun in the valley. Prior to the arrival of his compressed air cannon, there were slings, a trebuchet or two and other types of pumpkin-launchers that Dennis figured he could beat.
To work up the design for the valley’s first big gun, Den-nis actually made a trip to Delaware, where the national competition is held each year.
When Dennis came back into town, he met with some of his employees and a few co-conspirators of his own in a restaurant in Moriarty. He drew up some sketches and
they went to work, trying to keep the idea under wraps.In October of 1999, the newly made El Launcho Grande
made its debut. And the cannon blew the competition away, winning with a recorded distance of 2,912 feet. That was before they extended the barrel to 65 feet.
Now retired, Dennis no longer takes part in the competi-tion, but he gets credit for getting the ball rolling.
Punkin chunkin is about the fun, but some people take it seri-ous. Some Estancia Valley folks made air cannons designed for only one thing — hurling a pumpkin.
Family owned and operated in the same locationfor over 45 years
Know your farmer and your food!BUY LOCAL - BUY FRESH - BUY NON-GMO
505-832-6171 www.schwebachfarm.com
“A Great Place to Grow”Sweet Corn • Potatoes • Vegetables
Pinto & Bolita Beans
Moriarty, NM 8703574 Acres (Over half the farm)in sub-surface drip irrigation
281-6833Pre-School through 8th • Low Student/Teacher Ratio •
Safe Environment • Certified Teachers • Extended Care ProgramALL FAITHS WELCOME
Education for Life....And Beyond!
Sunday Worship 9:00 amAdult Bible Study & Children’s Sunday School
10:30 am281-2430
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Prince of Peace Lutheran School
www.pop14.com12121 N Hwy. 14 Cedar Crest, NM
Missouri Synod
Take Time to Relax in Estancia
Estancia has been know as a resting place long before it got its name.
The small town, which celebrated 100 years as a municipality in 2009, was a way station for early Indi-ans making the trip from their homes in the moun-tains to the salt lake east of the town. A small spring fed a pond that was good for taking a sip of water and relaxing before continuing on your journey.
The pond is still there, but now people relax by throwing in a fishing line or feeding the ducks and geese.
There were fewer than 1,000 people living in the Es-tancia Valley in 1900, but by the time Estancia became a town there would be more than 10,000.
The valley’s growth ex-plosion was brought about by two things — homestead-ers and the railroad.
Most of the Estancia Val-ley south of McIntosh was granted to Bartolome Baca in 1819 by the last Span-ish governor. But in 1845, the last Mexican governor granted the same land to Antonio Sandoval. The northern part of the valley was considered public land and was opened to home-steading in 1889.
The Baca grant eventual-ly ended up in the hands of the Otero family, while the Sandoval claim was sold to a rich Boston family named Whitney.
Both families were trying to run ranching operations
in the area. In August 1883 James Whitney sent a mes-sage to Manuel Otero ask-ing him to meet Whitney in Estancia to see whether they could settle their dis-pute over the land.
The conversation be-tween the two men started with a handshake and ended with gunshots. Both Whitney and Otero were wounded. Otero’s friends started to take him to Los Lunas but he died before reaching Abo Pass. Whitney was taken to Santa Fe and was arrested on a charge of murder several weeks later. The next year, Whitney was acquitted.
But the dispute over the
land continued in court the U.S. Supreme Court made both claims invalid in 1897, declaring the valley public land and open to homesteading. Three years later, the Santa Fe Central Railway Co. was given the charter to build a railroad from Lamy to Torrance, in the south end of the valley about 30 miles southeast of Willard.
The line was opened for operations in 1903 and im-migrants from all over the world came to the Estancia Valley to farm and ranch.
Each July, Estancia cele-brates its agricultural roots and its modest beginnings with Old Timers Day. On
even-numbered years the town holds its all classes reunion, inviting everyone who went to Estancia High School to come home for a weekend.
Old Timers Day is just one of the town has on tap for this summer.
A big priority of the local government is to help with smaller events. The town’s pool — the only public pool in the valley — will debut a new solar heater this year, making for fun pool parties and other events.
For more information on town events, go online to www.townofestancia.com.
Spring in the Torrance County seat was once a stopping place for weary travelers
Estancia’s Arthur Park is usually the place to be during the summer, especially for the fishing derby held each Fourth of July.
38
thirft Store
HEY MAVIS! IT’S A THRIFT STORE
(AND MORE)12216 N. HYW. 14CEDAR CREST NM
281-9512IN THE TORQUOISE TRAILER
FEATURING OLD TUBE RADIOS THAT WORK!
PURSUIT of
Whoever named New Mexico “The Land of Enchantment” must have
been sitting on the balcony of Elaine’s
Serving the East Mountains and all of New Mexico for 25 years!505.281.2467 • 1-800-821-3092 • wwwelainesbnb.com
ELAINE’SA BED AND BREAKFAST
Mother Road Connects CommunitiesOld Route 66 crosses the Estancia Valley and East Mountains from east to west. Three communities along the road have had a symbiotic relationship to the road and each other since the first settlers needed to find a way into Albuquerque.
MoriartyMoriarty has been around in one
form or another for about 110 years, but in November 1953, residents voted to incorporate.
At the time, the state was work-ing on incorporating hundreds of small school districts and Moriarty’s schools were in danger of becoming part of another district because it wasn’t within a town. Area residents leapt into action, and the city was incorporated in an election in Novem-ber 1953.
The only question was what the name of the new community would be.
Among the names being bandied about 60 years ago were Buford, Cal-vert and, of course, Moriarty.
The winning name, though, was Moriarty, which came from Michael Moriarty, one of the area’s first set-tlers at the beginning of the 1900s.
Folks in the area were content without an official town until 1952, when the state decided it was going to change the alignment of school districts.
Since then, the city has seen a few changes, including the pulling up of the railroad and the construction of Interstate 40. In 2014, the city made international news when Google bought Titan Aerospace, located at the Moriarty Municipal Airport.
EdgewoodLike its sisters to the east and west
on Route 66, Edgewood became a mu-nicipality because its residents didn’t feel they were being represented. It just took Edgewood longer than either Tijeras or Moriarty — mostly because the town’s residents were so spread out.
The town will celebrate its 15th birthday in 2014, but people have been living in the area for at least a cen-tury.
It was the 1937 rerouting of Route 66 that caused much of the growth of Edgewood. In what is currently Edge-wood, though, was once three small communities — Edgewood, Venus and Barton.
Through much of the 1990s, Edge-wood made several attempts at incorporation. In January 1999, 165 residents voted 136-29 for incorpora-tion. Operations of the town started on July 1 and the town soon annexed more than 5,000 acres into the fold.
The town has taken a proactive stance in attracting new business to the Estancia Valley.
Business along Route 66, a quarter-mile south of Interstate 40, and N.M. 344 include a supermarket, drug store, restaurants, a 100-unit RV park, local crafts and a car dealership. North of the freeway, a Walmart Superstore was built several years ago.
TijerasThe Tijeras passage, between the
Sandia and Manzano Mountains, was the Anasazi gateway to the Rio Grande Valley.
In 1819, Albuquerque families settled in the area, and by the mid 1930s, Tijeras was one of the primary population centers on the east side of the Sandia Mountains.
The village of Tijeras was incorpo-rated in 1973.
There’s no denying that the village experienced a sort of renaissance when it incorporated as a municipal-ity in 1973.
Incorporation came about when Interstate 40 was being built through the community. When the stakes for the freeway were laid out, many people found they would be moved out of their homes.
It was the impersonal aloofness of the county that prompted the move for incorporation.
Tijeras is the location for many of the services for residents through-out the East Mountains. Los Vecinos Coummunity Center, the James McGrane Public Safety Complex, the East Mountain Library and the Tijeras Senior Center are all located in the village. In addition, the village dedicated a Veterans’ Memorial at its park next to the library several years ago.
40
GotRustic?
FurnitureConnection
We’re Stepping It Up...So Step On Over!
286-47765 Linnie Ct.
Off Old Rt. 66 in Edgewoodwww.FurnitureConnectionNM.com
TWO LOCATIONS TOSERVE YOU
Insurance Accepted • Open Weekends
Dentistry for a Lifetime
DR. GAYLINA REAChI, DDS
Albuquerque505-293-8011
Tijeras505-281-2030
We are the Delta Dental preferred providerPlease visit us today, we look forward to meeting you.
ABQDentist.com
READYTO BUY OR
SELL?What is the #1 way real estateis found by buyers today?
THE INTERNETWho has the #1 rated website ofall real estate franchises?
UNITED COUNTRYVIST US AT ucfarmhomerealty.com
OR unitedcountry.com
Myra Oden(505) 410-9951
Cherie Wallin(505) 553-3504
No One Knows The Country Like We Do®
Next door toOden & Associates
(505) 832-7008
Plenty To See, Plenty To Do
There is plenty to explore in the East Mountains and Estancia Valley,
here are some things that shouldn’t be forgotten:
WILDLIFE WEST NATURE PARK In addition to the zoo, the park hosts many events throughout the year. For 2014 events include:■ Wildlife Festival, Sat-urday, June 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Join the celebration of wildlife in New Mexico. Wildlife West is one of the few places where people can be close to and observe Mexican Wolves in their natural habitat and get behind the scenes tours of Koshari, a 500 pound black bear. Representatives from wildlife and environmental organizations will present information about New Mexico’s wildlife and wil-derness areas. Other pre-senters include Elke Duerr, Albuquerque filmmaker and conservationist; Doug Scott, author of Waterfalls in New Mexico; and Chris-tian Meuli, permacultural-ist. Visitors will also see a monarch butterfly demon-stration.■ 12th Annual Wildlife Music Festival, Friday - Sunday, July 25 - 27. Friday Barn Dance, 7 p.m.; Satur-day, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This year’s headliners in-clude Hot Club of Cowtown
The Henhouse Prowlers, Katie Glassman and Snap-shot, JeeZ LaWeeZ, Higher Ground, Greg Daigle Band, Eastside Ramblers, Ameri-can JEM and Holy Water and Whiskey.■ Harvest Festival, Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.■ World Blacksmith Cham-pionship, Friday - Sunday, October 24 - 26. More thanr 40 blacksmiths from all over the world will compete at
the 5th annual World Black-smith Championships. Visitors will experience the vintage art form of black-smithing as the profession-al farriers compete for the World Championship. Go online to www.worldcham-pionshipblacksmiths.com for more information.■ Dirty Dash, Aug. 23. Run-ners challenge themselves and the mud on a course that winds through the park. Go online to www.
thedirtydash.com/race/new-mexico for more infor-mation.
Get information on all the events at Wildlife West Nature Park online at www.wildlifewest.org or by call-ing 505-281-7655.
MAGS INDOOR SHOOT-ING Opened in 2013, the indoor shooting range offers free shooting most days as well as competitions
There is never a lack of events and places to visit in the Estan-cia Valley and East Mountains
See Page 44
42
@
832-5500 • 1009 Old Hwy 66, Moriarty
BreakfastSpecials M-F
$499 Friday NightCatfish Special$1095 (After 5:00)
Shorty’s Bar-Be-Cue
• Bar-B-Cue By The Pound (Heavy.. Man!)• Applewood Smoked Beef, Pork, and Chicken (Did You Say Smoked??)• Home-made Italian Pizza, Pasta and Bread (Home-made you say.)• Soft-Serve Ice Cream (Something to finish off a HOT Meal.)
& Broasted Fried Chicken1202 Main St.
Moriaty, NM 87035505-832-0400
Summer Hours Tue-Sat 11am to 9pm • Winter Hours Tue-Sat 11am 8pm
Restaurant832-5505
Monday-Saturday 11am - 8 pm904 Rt 66, Moriarty, N.M.
• Ready-Mixed Concrete • Septic Filter Rock• Crushed Rock of all Sizes • Driveway Base Course• Landscape Rock • Engineered Fill
SERVING THE EAST MOUNTAINS WITH QUALITY AND SERVICE
FOR ALL YOUR CONCRETE, SAND & GRAVEL NEEDS
For orders Call 832-4739500 Saiz Rd. - Moriarty
FOR 30 YEARS
DaviD R. StevenS DDS.
GeneRaL DentiStRY
832-5556by appointment
2005-A Highway 66 West in Moriarty
Accepting New Patients
See you along the waySuper8.com
1611 West Central, Moriarty
(505) 832-6730Free Cable TV
(HBO • CNN • ESPN)
High Speed Internet • WiFi
Free Super Start Breakfast and24-Hour Coffee
Free Local Calls
Non Smoking Rooms
Free Cable TV (HBO • CNN • ESPN)High Speed Internet • WiFi
Free Super Start Breakfast and24-Hour Coffee
Delux Rooms AvailableNon Smoking RoomsAAA & AARP Rates
Kids Under 12 Stay Free
1316 Route 66,West Moriarty(505) 832-4457
Large Vehicle Parking • Family Environment • Easy Access
Plenty To See, Plenty To Doand guns safety classes. If you are in the mood to shoot a couple of rounds or get your rifle sighted for hunting season, this indoor range in the Moriarty In-dustrial park can help you out. Call 505-338-2222.
OLD TIMERS DAY Es-tancia celebrates its old timers — and young ones, too — on the last Saturday in July. The event includes a parade, dances, a rodeo and class reunions.
TORRANCE COUNTY FAIR Held each August at the Torrance County Fair Grounds in Estancia.
FIBER FARM TOUR Come get an up-close look at some operating farms special-izing in fiber-producing animals. The annual tour is a great event for families. This year’s tour will take place May 31 and June 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, go online to www.hollywickfarms.com.
MADRID Take a drive
up the Turquoise Trail to Madrid and explore this electic little town. Once a coal town, the village now boasts art galleries and en-tertainment. Annual events include the Crawdaddy Festival in May and be sure to visit during the month of December with the whole town is decorated for the holidays. For info, go to www.visitmadridnm.com.
MANZANO MOUNTAIN RETREAT AND APPLE FARM Each fall, the re-treat’s apple store opens for a couple of weeks to sell the best apples in the state of New Mexico. The retreat also is ideal for corporate get-aways and conferences. For info, go to www.manza-noretreat.com.
MCCALL'S PUMPKIN PATCH Boasting a corn maze acres in size, two haunted houses and a giant pumpkin patch, McCall’s of-fers something for everyone each fall in Moriarty. Go to mccallpumpkinpatch.com for more information.
MEMORIAL OF PER-PETUAL TEARS Located on the north freeway front-age road in Moriarty, the field of headstones was conceived as memorial for victims of DWI. For info, go to www.dwimemorialofper-petualtears.org.
BICYCLING Whether it’s thrashing on the trails of Cibola National Forest or time trials in the Estancia Valley, bicyclists can find just about any terrain to enjoy. Several competitions are held throughout the year. The Paula Higgins Me-morial Time Trials are held
each Labor Day weekend south of Moriarty pitting riders against the clock. Several world records have been broken during the event. Go to nmcycling.com for more info.
FOURTH OF JULY CEL-EBRATIONS Fourth of July is always a special time in the mountains and valley. Moriarty has its parade and rodeo, Estancia puts on a full-day of events including a fishing derby and usually a horseshoe competition, and Tijeras usually holds a ceremony at its Veteran’s Memorial.
RUN, RALLY AND ROCK Edgewood’s annual birth-day party will be held in August in 2014. Go to edge-woodchambernm.com for more info.
MORIARTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. within the Moriarty Civic Center at
From Page 42
See Page 46
44
Find Us On the WebGOVERNMENTCity of Moriarty - www.cityofmoriarty.orgTown of Estancia - www.townofestancia.comTorrance County - www.torrancecountynm.comTown of Edgewood - www.edgewood-nm.gov.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCEMountainair Chamber of Com-merce - mountainairchamber.com.East Mountain Chamber of Com-merce - www.eastmountainchamber.com.Edgewood Chamber of Com-merce - www.edgewoodcham-bernm.com.
Moriarty Chamber of Commerce - www.moriartychamber.com.Estancia Valley Economic Develop-ment Association - www.evedanm.com.
SOMETHING TO DONew Mexico Route 66 Association - www.rt66nm.org.Rockin - Horse Ranch - www.rockinhorseranch.netWildlife West Nature Park - www.wildlifewest.org.Tinkertown - www.tinkertown.com.Single Action Shooting Society - www.sassnet.org.New Mexico Mountain Climbing - mountainproject.org.Salinas Mission National Monument - www.nps.gov/sapu.
Cibola National Forest - www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola.Southwest Soaring Museum - www.swsoaringmuseum.org.McCalls Pumpkin Patch - www.mccallpumpkinpatch.com.Sandia Peak Ski Area - www.sandiapeak.com.Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway - www.turquoisetrail.org.Albuquerque Experimental Air-craft Association - www.eaa179.com.Land of Enchantment Fly In - www.landofenchantmentflyin.org.
And keep up with all the news in the Estancia Valley and East Mountains at
MoriartyConoCo ExprEss
505-832-6835Your Local Convenience Store!
• Propane Exchange • E-liquids & Vapors • Souvenirs • Maps • Lottery
Diesel Fuel In the MoriartyShopping Center
®
We support victims of Driving While Impaired (DWI) crashesEducation ~ Prevention ~ Advocacy
I-40 Exit 196 Moriarty NMW Abrahames & Valley Irrigation1 block west of Pilot Truck Stop
505-832-4495Visitor Center Hours:9 - 5 Monday thru Friday10 - 2 Saturday (May - October)
www.dwimemorialofperpetualtears.orgNM National DWI Memorial of Perpetual Tears
Plenty To See, Plenty To Do
202 Broadway. Go to www.moriartymuseum.org for more info.
LEWIS ANTIQUE AUTO & TOY MUSEUM Archie Lewis has been collecting cars and toys for years. Drop by the museum at 905 Old Route 66 in Moriarty and browse his collection of more than 6,000 toy cars, trucks and trains as well as more than 700 real cars and trucks. Open Monday through Sat-urday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Wednesday, when the museum closes at 1 p.m. Call 505-832-6131.
SANDIA NATURAL HIS-TORY CENTER The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is a joint project between the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and Albuquer-que Public Schools that offers educational tours and lectures. The center, located in Cedar Crest, is not open to the public except for spe-cial scheduled events. Go to sites.google.com/a/aps.edu/smnhc/home for more information.
WATERMELON GALLERY Located at 12220 N.M. 14 in Cedar Crest, the gallery always has a show and a fine stable of local artists. Gallery hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Satarday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Go to the-watermelongallery.com for more info.
OLD SCHOOLHOUSE GALLERY The gallery opened several years ago in a refurbished school house in San Antonito. New shows
are on display every month. Located at 12504 N.M. 14, go to www.theoldschool-housegallery.com for more information.
CIBOLA ARTS GALLERY This cooperative gallery on U.S. 60 in Mountainair usu-ally holds a monthly show featuring member artists. Contact the gallery at 505-847-0324.
SANDIA MX If you want to catch some hot moto-cross action, head to the track on Martin Road, just off Old Route 66 west of Moriarty. The track hosts
practice and racing every month through October. In addition, Sandia MX will host a Mud-n-Color 5k Run on June 28 and Mud Bogs on July 26, Aug. 9 and Sept. 6. For more information, go online to sandiamx.com.
VETERANS MEMORIAL IN TIJERAS Dedicated in 2010, the Tijeras Veterans Memorial pays homage to local men and women who served in the military. The memorial is located just west of the East Mountain Library.
SHAFFER HOTEL Built
in 1923, the hotel and din-ing room boasts a Pueblo-Deco facade, a delicious menu and some say a ghost or two. Located in Mountainair, go to www.shafferhotel.com for more information.
SANDIA CREST SNOW-SHOE RACE is held every January at Sandia Peak. Racers run a 5k race in snowshoes. For more infor-mation on the 2015 event, go online to www.sandiasnow-shoe.com.
From Page 44
46
WesternMercantile
Full Service Feed Store
Farm & Ranch Supplies
Animal Products
Rodeo Gear & Western Wear
5 locations
500 Hwy 66, Tijeras505-281-0664
South Valley, 111 Rio BravoAlbuquerque 505-877-1504
3469 Hwy 47Los Lunas 505-865-1515
Las Cruces848 N. Valley Dr,
575-523-9351
902 N CaliforniaSocorro 575-835-1155
On HWY N. 14 in Cedar Crest505.286.9611Open Daily: 10am - 5pmwww.talkingtalons.net/talonsthriftwww.facebook.com/talonsthrift
Big Bargains.Great Cause.
Talking Talons Thrift Store
Easy Drive.(See you soon!)
50% Off Special Items Every Day! Inspiring tomorrow
’senvironmentallea
ders
, tod
ay
.
Renew, Reuse,Recycle Furniture
Decor!
AlwaysAccepting NewConsignments
12147 North Hwy. 14, Cedar Crest281-8283 • Tuesday thru Saturday 11-5
CONTEMPORARYS O U T H W E S T
by Grazier, Ltd.
MOUNTAIN DESIGN STUDIOCustom Designers & Builders of Premium Solid Wood Furniture
6 Sandia Crest Road, Sandia ParkM-F 7:30 am - 5pm • Sat 9 am-2 pm
286-1299 • 800-659-2049www.ContemporarySouthwest.com
Featuring ProductsMade in America:
Pendleton Bedding
Serta I Comfort Sets
Upholstery Fabricsand Fine Art
NESSPINTO BEANS
FARMFRESH
For retail locationsvisit nessfarms.netLike us on
