majestic living winter 2014
DESCRIPTION
Celebrating the Lifestyle, Community and Culture of the Four Corners!TRANSCRIPT
-
($%(&&&$#"
!"" #'& !#
!"""##
$"#&%!"($##!"(! !"("
$
&"#$
##$("!%
("! !("!
"
"!(
'# "&(%$
""!
#! $&&&
##"
"
-
4 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
-
WINTER 2014 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 5
-
6 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Comments
Cover photoMajestic living welcomes story ideas and comments from readers.E-mail story ideas and comments to [email protected].
Celebrating the lifestyle, Communityand Culture of the Four Corners
MAGAZINE
publisher Don Vaughan
editor Cindy Cowan Thiele
designer Suzanne Thurman
writers Dorothy Nobis, Margaret Cheasebro,
Vicky Ramakka, Gail Vanik
photographers
Josh Bishop, Whitney Howle
sales staff
Shelly Acosta, Clint Alexander
Aimee Velasquez
For advertising information
Call 505.516.1230
by Vicky ramakka
Vol. 7, No. 1 2014 by Majestic Media. Majestic Living is a quarterly publication. Material herein may not be reprintedwithout expressed written consent of thepublisher. If you receive a copy that is torn or damaged call 505.516.1230.
Follow us on @MajesticMediaUSmajesticmediaUSA
contributorsMarGarEt ChEasEbro has been a freelancewriter for over 30 years. her articles have appeared in many magazines across the country.she was a correspondent for the albuquerqueJournal and worked for several local newspapers. she has four published books ofchildrens puppet scripts. a former elementaryschool counselor, she is a reiki Master and practices several alternative healing techniques.she enjoys playing table tennis.
ViCky raMakka is retired from san Juan Collegewhere she directed programs and taught teachereducation courses. Vicky and her husband residenorth of aztec, where she does free-lance technical writing. Vicky says she meets the mostfascinating people in the Four Corners area, andfinds them always willing to share their expertiseduring interviews. she enjoys photographing theflora and fauna that reside in her backyard whichshe considers any place within a mile walk. she ison the board of Directors of the aztec Museumand volunteers with the citizens steering committee to raise funds for a new animal shelter.
Josh bishoP is a graduate of san Juan College with an associate degree in DigitalMedia arts and Design. he currently worksat Majestic Media as a video producer and photographer.
WhitNEy hoWlE was born and raised in Farmington and is proud to call san Juan Countyhome. the richness of the landscape and the diverse people, culture and traditions are a photographers dream. Whitney has his ba in Visual Communication from Collins College intempe, ariz. he is a co-owner of howle Designand Photographya family owned studio offering graphic design, photography, market research and consulting.
Gail VaNik holds a ba in English and a Master's in international relations but was sidetracked from thosecareer choices when she moved to the Four Corners region 16 years ago from lancaster, Pa. she and herhusband, Vic, own Four seasons Greenhouse and Nursery in Dolores, but writing remains an interest anda passion. she has been a contributing writer for the telluride Watch, the Cortez Journal, and boomersand beyond, covering topics ranging from gardeningadvice to feature articles. Gail is also a regular contributor to industry specific publications such astoday's Garden Center Magazine and lawn and Gardenretailer, where she writes about topics such as inventory management and point of sale systems.
Dorothy Nobis has been a writer and editor formore than 25 years. she authored a travel guide,the insiders Guide to the Four Corners, published by Globe Pequot Press, and has been a frequent contributor to New Mexico Magazine .
-
8 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
winterfeatures:
They sat side by side, close together, on
the sofa in this comfortable home. They
shared stories and memories, often fin-
ished each others sentences and read
each others thoughts.
By Dorothy Nobis
True Partners10
On a snowy day in the middle of January, a little girl bites into a
vine-ripened tomato. Juice dribbling down her chin, she tells her
mom, These are better than candy!
By Gail Vanik
The Vaniks are taking it personally16
The lure of foreign
countries on his mind
and with the desire to
see new places, meet
new people and explore
the world, Shaun
Connolly decided to
make his dream of
overseas travel come
true.
By Dorothy Nobis
Traveling
the World34City of Farmington
Municipal Judge
Bill Liese is folksy,
laid back, and
comfortable with
himself. That may be
why hes been so
successful at
improving the
operation, accessibility and effectiveness of the
municipal court.
By Margaret Cheasebro
A chance at a better future42
Durangos winter wonders24Small town Colorado Christmas28Holiday events32HAPPENINGS
HolidayFOUR CORNERS
-
WINTER 2014 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 9
The art form, Zentangles, intrigues
16-year-old Ashley Parker. Shes so
good at it that she won the national
poster contest, Lights on Afterschool,
with the technique.
By Margaret Cheasebro
Zentangles intrigue48
Explorers and traders following the Old Spanish Trail during the early
1800s would have passed through Largo Canyon on their way from
Santa Fe to Los Angeles.
By Vicky Ramakka
Gentling wild horses54
With seven children and another one on the
way, things are never dull in the Brandy and
Matthew James household.
By Dorothy Nobis
Living, loving
and laughing in bulk60
In a quiet voice, quivering with emotion, Jinx Boli talked about
losing six of her best friends. Im one of those people who
feel like animals are people with little hairy disguises.
By Dorothy Nobis
Its hard to say goodbye66
When Brian Astwood looks
at the Parachuting Magazine
to which hes subscribed since
1973, he relives the thrill of
sky diving. He participated in
the sprot from 1969-1979 in
Australia, Austria, Canada and
the United States.
By Margaret Cheasebro
Ballet in the sky72
-
They sat side by side, close together,
on the sofa in their comfortable home.
They shared stories and memories, often
finished each others sentences and read
each others thoughts. They giggled at
private jokes and there were subtle,
affectionate pats on the leg.
Tonya Farrow and Scott Eckstein just
about didnt date, let alone get married.
While they knew each other Scott was
on the Bloomfield High School Wrestling
Team and Tonya was an Aztec High
School cheerleader their lives crossed
paths, but never connected until after
high school.
After graduating from high school,
Tonya went to Las Cruces to attend New
Mexico State University. Scott, two years
older, had completed his training at the
police academy in Santa Fe and was a
law enforcement officer with the Bloom-
field Police Department. One summer,
when Tonya was home from college, the
two met up at a local restaurant.
I recognized her and I struck up a
conversation, Scott remembered.
I gave him my phone number and I
wanted him to call me, Tonya said.
Scott called and left messages, but
Tonya never got them. Tonya decided
there was one way to find out what Scott
was doing she drove above the speed
limit, but even that ploy didn't work.
Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Whitney Howle
true partners
Scott and Tonyas life path paved with trust, love and friendship
-
HOME, The Best Place To Be!IN-HOME CARE SERVICES AT AFFORDABLE RATES
CompanionshipHome Cooked MealsLight HousekeepingErrands/Transportation
-Grocery Shopping-Doctor Appts.-Hair Appts. & More
Chaplain on Sta.
2 Hrs up to 24 Hr. CareRespite Care or
Family ReliefDementia/Alzheimers CarePhilips Lifeline Services
-Fall Detection-MedicationDispensing
One on One CarePersonal Care
-Toileting-Bathing-Transferring
End of Life CarePrivate Duty
Nursing Available
Caring For San Juan County Since 2002
BACKGROUND CHECKS CONTINUING EDUCATION BONDED INSURED
Like us on Facebookfacebook.com/partnerassistedliving 505-325-9600
Partners Assisted Living Services
12 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
We both thought we had blown each other
off, Tonya said. I called the office and left
him a message. It was then that she discov-
ered Scott had been transferred to the detec-
tive unit. Scott received that message and they
had their first date just before Thanksgiving.
By Christmas, we knew we were meant for
each other, Scott said, and we wanted to get
married.
Tonya was in nursing school at NMSU and
transferred to San Juan College to complete
her degree. Nursing wasnt her first career
choice, however. I majored in Crop and Soil
Sciences, and I worked at the BHP Billiton
Mine (west of Farmington) in the summer, she
said. But when my sister was in an automobile
accident and in the hospital, I sat with her so
the nurses wouldnt restrain her because of
her head injury, and Id talk to the nurses at
night.
In spite of her other desire to be a diesel
mechanic (I had junk cars I worked on all the
time, she explained), God knew thats (nurs-
ing) what I needed to do.
Tonya was 22 and Scott was 24 when they
got married on August 11, 1990. Weve been
married now for 24 years, Scott said, adding
with a grin and its taken us that long to get
to know each other.
The couple said they argued more as a
young couple. We were both learning how
not to be single and where our place in the
marriage was, Scott said. The longer youre
married, the stuff that bothered you at the
first of the marriage goes away. You become
dependent on each other. I need her (Tonya)
to get by. We really truly have a partnership.
As time goes on, weve become more of a
couple and less as individuals.
Shes very thoughtful, Scott said of his
wife, patting her knee. Every night on her
way home, she calls to see if I need anything.
Tonyas my best friend. Shes very thoughtful,
shes sweet and she really does her best to
take care of me and the family.
And, he added with a loving glance at his
wife, she does a good job with it.
Scotts my partner and hes so depend-
able, Tonya said. I know what to expect
from him. Hes caring and hes a God loving
man. I know he loves God and thats one of
the things that attracted me to him and it was
a prerequisite.
And he was hot and good looking and
godly as a bonus, she added with a laugh.
The couple attributes their solid marriage
not just to good, but to great, communication.
They discuss everything, they bounce ideas off
each other and they share their professional
worlds with each other.
And these days, they have a lot to talk
about. In 1994, Scott was still working for the
Bloomfield Police Department. We got these
new cars and they were Tauruses, he said. I
asked the police chief how come we got them
and he said they were what the (Bloomfield
City) Council decided on. So I decided, at
some point, to run for City Council so we
could get some good cars.
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |13
-
14 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
In 1995, Scott left the Bloomfield Police
Department and began working for the San
Juan County Sheriffs Office. In 2004, he
asked then Sheriff Bob Melton if he could run
for the Bloomfield City Council, and when
told he could, he did run and was elected.
In 2006, the Bloomfield mayor decided
not to seek re-election and Scott decided that
would be his next political move. He ran and
was elected.
In 2008, Scott, now retired from the Sher-
iffs office, was asked by the then Chair of the
San Juan County Republican Party, Rod Mon-
toya, to run for the San Juan County Commis-
sion. I had the desire to continue serving the
public and I was retired, so I had the time to
devote to it (the County Commission) he said.
He was elected and is in his second term as a
commissioner.
For almost six years, Scott served as Bloom-
fields mayor and as a County Commissioner.
There was just one time that I had to abstain
from a vote when the Commission voted on
Bloomfield annexing county land, he said,
adding that Bloomfield and county residents in
his district often comment on his ability to be
fair and do whats best for the city and the
county.
I vote my conscience, and I cant be bullied
(into voting one way or another), he said
proudly. There are pressures and there are is-
sues. And Im not afraid to stand alone (in a
vote). It can be stressful doing what I believe in
and doing the right thing.
But it isnt just Scott whos been pulled into
the political arena. As his wife and his part-
ner Tonya is also involved. I never dreamed
this would be my fate, Tonya said. When I
married Scott those many years ago, I had no
idea the path our lives would take.
Tonya has worked for San Juan Regional
Medical Center for 23 years and loves her ca-
reer. And while she is busy, she enjoys the re-
sponsibilities that come with being a
mayor/commissioners wife.
Scott has gotten me into a lot of stuff,
Tonya said with a huge grin at her husband.
Ive gotten in on (the) Get Pinked (campaign)
and Im an ambassador for Get Pinked. I be-
lieve in it and theyll have a hard time ever get-
ting rid of me!
In addition to the Get Pinked campaign,
Tonya is always by her husbands side at as
many events as she can. They attend functions
(some of them are after Tonyas nursing shift,
when she goes to the restroom dressed as a
nurse and comes out in party clothes) and this
year, worked with the city staff and volunteers
to host Bloomfields Family Fourth celebration.
Scott hedges when asked what hell do when
his second term as County Commissioner ends
in 2017. Being mayor and a County Commis-
sioner has opened doors for him, Scott said,
and if an opportunity presents itself to seek
Weve been married now for 24 years, and its taken us that
long to get to know each other. Scott Eckstein
-
Ladies & Juniors Boutique
"& "' !
DeNaes
%$! #
WINTER 2014 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 15
another elected position, he would likely take
advantage of it. However, he is quick to say,
he would never attempt to unseat an incum-
bent who has done a good job. Thats selfish
and self-serving, he said.
For Tonya, its all about what makes her
partner and husband happy. Although, she ad-
mitted, it would be nice to actually use that
big motorhome that sits by the garage, and the
pool they havent used much but hopefully,
some day we will.
First came love, then marriage, then the
baby carriage (three times) and then, in the
midst of it all, a political career that has em-
braced them both. They continue to seek the
best for the citizens of Bloomfield and the cit-
izens of San Juan County.
Politics isnt a job, Scott said. Its a
lifestyle. Its not a 9 to 5 job, and thats what
Im here for. And with his wife, his partner
and his best friend by his side, theyll be
here together.
-
On a snowy day in the middle of January,
a little girl bites into a vine-ripened tomato.
Juice dribbling down her chin, she tells her
mom, These are better than candy! A few
feet away, someone is sampling home-baked
goods. In another corner, a couple is buying
the fresh greens for their dinner. And its all
in your backyard at the newest offering on
the local food scene the Winter Farmers
Market at Four Seasons Greenhouse and
Nursery in Dolores.
For many people, the initiative to get in-
volved in the local food movement comes
from a personal experience. For Four Sea-
sons Greenhouse and Nursery, the journey
into producing top quality, healthy, nutri-
tious food has not only been a personal
one, but its become a passion. It began in
the fall of 2011.
Vic Vanik, owner of Four Seasons, went
for a routine checkup, and during the
course of that exam the doctor ordered
routine blood work. When the results came
back, it was discovered that his cholesterol
was way above 200 much higher than it
should have been. The immediate response
was to prescribe statins for him. Vic and his
wife Gail talked about it, called the doctor
back and said, Wed like to try a different
direction. Wed like to try to control this
16 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Story and photos by Gail Vanik
Routine checkup paves the way for Winter Farmers Market
The Vaniks
are Taking
iT personally
-
through diet. The doctor agreed, based on
the fact that he leads an active, physical
lifestyle, but she warned him not to expect
much more than a 10 percent drop in the num-
bers. She said that it was probably hereditary
and most of the time thats the best you can
expect from diet alone, but agreed that it
couldnt hurt to try for a while. They agreed
that he would return for a checkup in six
months.
Vic went on a diet and Gail shares that As
someone who has never had to watch his
weight or who has never had any other health
concerns, it wasnt a fun time at our house. In
fact, it got so bad that my folks at Four Sea-
sons asked if they could just be laid off for the
winter until he got through it. I told them,
Sorry, but no. If I have to suffer, so do you!
She continued, We added lots of greens to
our general diet. He gave up coffee, soft
drinks, ice cream, chips all of the things he
shouldnt have been eating anyway. Air popped
popcorn, herbal tea, lean meat, and nuts be-
came the staples in our house. With our son
off to college, it was easy simply not to bring
home the things that would be a temptation.
She added, Although I am not a nutritionist, I
was gestationally diabetic when I was pregnant
and was able to control that through diet, so I
had some sense of what we needed to do.
Four Seasons had been growing baby sun-
flower greens for several years and they
ramped up that program and started playing
with growing lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and a
few other things in the greenhouse. Gail laughs,
I have to tell you, as much as he hated the
diet, he loved eating vine-ripened tomatoes in
the dead of winter! Vic laughed, The prob-
lem came when we were trying all of this
people would come in to buy a poinsettia and
show great interest in the produce and want to
buy that as well. I told them, No, you cant
have that thats my dinner!
When he went back to the doctor in Febru-
ary for his follow-up blood work, his LDL cho-
lesterol had dropped to an amazing 91. The
doctor called and said shed never seen any-
thing like it and no medication was indicated at
this time. But the Vaniks thought they might be
on to something. With an increased interest in
having a good, safe, local food supply, and
with many people beginning to have health
concerns, they thought it might be time to ex-
pand their business model.
Vic has been a grower since 1972 and Gail
says shes rarely seen him as excited about a
greenhouse project as he has been about this
one. Last fall, Vic retrofitted many of their
back growing greenhouses in order to grow
more produce. The project took off and most
of the nearly one acre that is under glass is full
of produce this year. Several are now 18 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |19
completely full of lettuce. Another holds other
leafy cold crops. There are about 275 tomatoes
planted. Spinach is ready for harvest, as are
kale, Swiss chard, micro greens, and arugula.
They have cucumbers, peppers, beet greens,
broccoli, cabbage, and many other fresh, healthy
offerings. If things continue as they have, I be-
lieve well be maxed out on space by next year,
Vic said.
In addition to their own customers, Four Sea-
sons supplies restaurants, local organic grocery
stores, and four school districts, including Du-
rango, with fresh produce to help to encourage
children to eat healthier from a younger age.
LiveWell Montezuma was instrumental in putting
the pieces of that together by connecting them
with the school districts. Vic says, Its a labor of
love, but its also a great feeling knowing that we
can help in feeding our community. You can call
ahead any day and well have it ready for you, or
just show up. If what you want isnt in the fridge,
you can go along while we pick. You cant get it
any fresher than that!
Perhaps the most exciting thing to come out
of the Vaniks venture into produce was the cre-
ation of a Winter Farmers Market. The original
concept came from a friend of theirs who owns a
garden center in New Hampshire and, with the
addition of their own produce, it seemed to be
the right time and a perfect fit. On Saturday
mornings, from November through mid-March,
the Winter Farmers Market at Four Seasons is a
busy, bustling place. Its now in its third year.
The first year we tried it and we got the local
producers and vendors involved at an early stage.
At first we werent sure it was going to take off.
At the first meeting, we only had one person
show up! Vic laughs. For the first meeting this
year, we already had all of the spots filled and
now have a waiting list for January when we can
open up more space once the Christmas shop
-
20 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
has been taken down. He continued, Saturday
mornings get chaotic in a crazy, fun way. Many
people come for breakfast, relax and read the
paper in the warmth of the garden center, do
their weekly produce shopping, then stay for
lunch.
Producers throughout the area come together
each week to sell their fresh produce, eggs, meat,
home-baked goods, crafts and more. Some of the
faces are favorites from the summer market, but
others are new. Cecelia Berto sells her locally
raised fresh USDA pork. Mitch and Joyce Periman
have coffee and baked goods. Mary Beth Gentry,
from Eagle Tree Farms, has fresh produce and
eggs. W Lazy D Bison Company sells bison meat.
Gerri Goodall from Bountiful Ridge Farm brings
produce and baked goods. Sweet Water Gypsies
bring their wood stove and make wood fired piz-
zas to order. Dragonfly Farms has fresh produce,
tea and honey. Suzan Clifford makes savory soups,
chili and breads. Gail Darling brings herbal prod-
ucts. Each market offers a variety of items with
virtually something for anyone looking for fresh,
local produce, meats and craft items.
-
WINTER 2014 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 21
Vic says, We are so excited about
the Winter Market. For many of our
vendors, it was a way to help support
themselves and their families through
the winter, while offering quality
local products to the area. We really
did end up with the perfect storm.
For the Vaniks, the Winter Market
and produce expansion isnt just an-
other garden center offering. In-
stead, its the story of a personal
journey. Gail cautions, Im not sug-
gesting in any way that what we did
would work for you that would be
up to you and your doctor to de-
cide. But if youre facing some of the
same issues we have, a radical change
in diet helped us. It certainly isnt
going to hurt, and to be able to get
the freshest local food in the dead
of a Colorado winter, well, thats
something pretty special.
-
HAPPENINGSHolidayFOUR CORNERS
-
From the unique colors to the time-honored traditions, Christmas in the Southwest is special culturally and spiritually.
With a blend of Native American spirituality, Hispanic tradition, Cowboy tradition, snow sports and desert fun, Christmastime oers luminarias/farilitos, red or green chilies, tamales, live nativity scenes and other unique food, colors, traditions and activities that you wont nd anywhere across the U.S.
In the following pages weve given you a guide to all the sights and sounds our area has to oer.
FROM ALL OF US AT MAJESTIC MEDIA
-
24 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Durangos
winter wondersA blanket of fresh powder cloaks the rugged mountains in
Southwestern Colorado for Durangos magical winter season! In addition to skiing and winter sports, our charming Coloradomountain town boasts a vibrant arts scene, relaxing natural hotsprings, five craft breweries, scrumptious locally inspired cuisines,unique winter festivals, and more all set in a quintessential Old West mountain town. With over a Dozen Vacations in One Destination, start planning your Colorado winter vacation at www.durango.org.
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |25
Durango Mountain ResortWhether you choose to ski, snowboard,
snowshoe, tube, sleigh or simply relax, Du-
rango Mountain Resort (DMR) has it all. Re-
cently named Top 3 Livable Ski Towns and
Best Ski Value in North America for two
years in a row, DMR knows how to create
fun-filled winter adventures. With 88 trails
across 1,360 skiable acres, the mountain of-
fers prime skiing and snowboarding for begin-
ners and advanced alike. New this year: The
Burton Riglet Park, a terrain-based learning
center in the base area, allows the youngest
snowboarders, ages 3 through 6, to experi-
ence sliding on the snow. Lodging and lift
value packages offer deep savings. From fam-
ily-friendly events to beer tastings, DMR hosts
entertaining festivities throughout the season.
Steampunk SnowdownJanuary 28- February 1Now in its 37th year, Snowdown is a long-
time Durango tradition that brings locals and
visitors together for a winter celebration
guaranteed to chase away the winter blues.
Parades, competitions, adults-only and chil-
dren-friendly events combine to create a zany
weeklong winter festival.
Winter wonders aboard the Durango
& Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
www.durangotrain.com
From Nov. 2014 Jan. 2015, take a ride
on the Polar Express. Based on the award-
winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, this win-
ter ride is a magical journey for everyone on
board. Sip hot cocoa while theatrical staff
read the Polar Express, keep your eye open
for The North Pole, reindeer and Santa Claus!
Experience the wonder of the wilderness
in winter on the Cascade Canyon Train.
Enjoy brunch, live music and desserts on
the New Years Train, Romance on the Rails
on the Valentines Day Train, or practice your
photography skills on breathtaking snow-
capped wilderness aboard the Winter Photog-
raphers Train.
-
26 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Winter watersUnder snowy or sunshine skies, relax in a
natural geothermal mineral bath at Trimble
Spa & Natural Hot Springs. Take a hike along
the Animas River Trail or try fly-fishing in the
crisp waters of the Animas River. If you prefer
to take it indoors, visit the Durango Rec
Centers indoor water park and pools.
Let the dogs be your guideWhisk through winter on a dog-powered
exploration of the snowy peaks of Southwest
Colorado. Durango Dog Ranch and Durango
Mountain Resort offer dog sledding adven-
tures and events all winter long. If youre up
for it, you will get a chance to drive the sled!
Sprinkle your winter holiday with historyWhether your visit is a week, a night, an
evening or a tour, be sure to visit the beauti-
ful and historic lodgings in downtown Du-
rango. The Strater Hotel, built in 1887, is
decorated with period decor, beautiful hand-
crafted woodwork, and the largest collection
of American Victorian walnut antiques. It re-
cently received the prestigious Historic Ho-
tels of America Legendary Family Historic
Hoteliers of the Year Award. The Rochester
Hotel and Leland House, built in 1927 and
1892 respectively, have been renovated by a
mother and son team. The dcor boasts origi-
nal antiques and woodwork, as well as West-
ern-movie themed rooms. The General
Palmer, built in 1898, blends the comforts of
modern living with Victorian charm in the
heart of the historic downtown.
Arts in winterTake in Durangos vibrant art scene during
the holidays and winter season with the
monthly First Thursday Art Walk, live perform-
ances at the Strater Theatre and Community
Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, live music
at restaurants and local theater at the Du-
rango Arts Center. The Durango Film cele-
brates a decade of independent film festivals
in March of 2015.
A hidden jewel in the arts and cultural
world, Durango boasts over a dozen galleries
that carry treasures from American Indians,
Contemporary Western and Southwestern
works of museum-quality art represented with
sculptures, pottery, baskets, fine art photog-
raphy and home furnishings.
Holiday festivities 2014 Local artisans gather every year for the an-
nual Noel Night a downtown evening of
local delights, unique shopping, refreshments,
free gift-wrapping, carolers, music and more.
Mesa Verde decorates with luminarias for
their Holiday Open House. For a complete
list of Durangos holiday events please visit
our event calendar.
Durango Area Tourism OfficeThe Durango Area Tourism Office is a not-
for-profit organization operating with the mis-
sion to promote Durango and La Plata
Countys multitude of tourism attractions,
events and services. For more information, visit
www.durango.org or call 970.247.3500.
-
$"$("$
$ " %"# $!(%!! '&
&"
&&'%"$%"
SShhoopp uuss ffoorr tthhee gguuaarraanntteeeedd lloowweesstt pprriicceess iinn tthhee FFoouurr CCoorrnneerrss!!
-
28 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Financing Options Available Blueprints with estimates (not guesstimates)
505-327-75253005 Northridge Drive, Suite Kwww.basinelectricnm.com
Residential Projects Commerical Projects
Industrial Projects
New Construction
RemodelingAdditions
Service Calls
Repair &Replacement
SPECIALIZINGIN
Their knowledge and service exceeded my expectations. I really appreciated the new technology they always inform me with.
Sam R. Todd, RE/MAX of Farmington
Their concern and sense of urgency not only got the job done rightbut also on time.
Joel Jurkins, President Octopus Car Wash
We are so grateful for Audies knowledge, patience and expertisein planning the electrical work in our home.
K. Trilli of Farmington
A short drive away from the Farmington area
is a place where Christmas magic abounds.
From music to mesas to picturesque mountain
towns, if you are looking for jolly holiday
events, you may not have to look any further
than your own backyard this season. Mon-
tezuma County is full of the spirit of the sea-
son!
Tucked away into the Four Corners region,
the towns of Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos
offer something for everyone throughout the
months of November and December.
Dolores Shops LocalReminiscent of the mountain towns that
helped build the state of Colorado, the charm-
ing town of Dolores will remind you of the
true meaning of the word local. Their Shop
Local promotion kicks the season off Nov. 29
and runs through Dec. 20. The Community
Center hosts the Christmas Bazaar from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, where
youll find all kinds of gifts and goodies for
your holiday giving. If fine arts are more your
small town
Colorado ChristmasThe Southwestern holiday style of Dolores, Mancos and Cortez
Story by Gail Vanik | Courtesy photos
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |29
style, wander over to the Dolores River Brew-
ery. They hold a Fine Arts and Crafts Show on
the same days and during the same times.
On Saturday, Dec. 12, at 5:30 p.m. at the
Galloping Goose Museum on Railroad Avenue,
Santa will light the lights for their Yule Log
Bonfire, and pass out cocoa, cookies and
candy for the children. The lights will be up on
the south side of the mountains surrounding
the town and they are a festive and spectacular
sight when viewed from Dolores. More infor-
mation on the events in the Dolores area can
be found on the Chamber of Commerce web-
site at www.doloreschamber.com or by calling
970.882.4018.
Mancos has Christmas for CowboysIf you have never been to Mancos, be pre-
pared to find a small town full of all the charm
of yesteryear. If Christmas for cowboys is what
you are seeking, then Mancos is the right place
to find it. The Mancos Olde Fashioned Christ-
mas celebration begins on Friday, Dec. 5,
starting with the 6th Annual Christmas on the
Trail and 4th Annual Night of the Cowboy
western gear show and sale at the Goodnight
Gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. The Rockin W Chuck
Wagon sets up in front of the gallery offering
homemade chili, sopapillas and coffee. Inside
youll find the work of Nathaniels a western
hatmaker Ann Schwarting western contem-
porary jewelry, and Steve Williams of Cowboy
Forge. A custom spur maker, leather worker,
and saddle maker join the artists on display.
This event is entertaining, free, and open to
the public. Its the Goodnight Gallerys way of
thanking everyone for their support throughout
the year.
At 6 p.m. join the locals for the Rudolph
Run a two-mile fun run around downtown.
Its open to all ages. Costumes are encouraged
for this fun-filled event, and its a great way to
work off the chili and sopapillas!
Add in a Christmas Cookie Contest at the
Columbine Bar at 6:30 p.m. and an old-fash-
ioned tree lighting, complete with a visit from
Santa, at Pioneer Park at 7 p.m. Following the
tree lighting, finish with a holiday movie at the
Community Center, complete with treats, and
youve got the perfect recipe for a fun-filled
holiday evening.
If Christmas music is what the holidays mean
to you, enjoy the Mancos Valley Chorus at
3:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 13, and again at 7 p.m.
-
30 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
&
&
&
&
&
&
&&&
&
&
& & & & & & & & &
& & & & & & & & &
&&& $ "#"%!$!
!$#% $!""# # $! !!" !%!"
on Dec. 12 at the Mancos Valley United
Methodist Church. This group has been singing
together for a number of years and has be-
come a holiday fixture in the community. They
also will lift their voices in the spirit of the sea-
son in Cortez at the Cortez United Methodist
Church at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9. Additional infor-
mation on the holiday events in Mancos can be
found on the Chambers website at www.man-
coscolorado.com or by calling 970.533.7725.
Cortez decorates Main Street and lights up Mesa Verde
Not to be outdone, Cortez holds a host of
events in the weeks leading up to the holidays.
The Parade of Lights is the epitome of small
town holiday charm. Imagine Main Street in any
small town during the holiday season. The store
windows are gaily decorated. Decorations hang
from the street lights. Theres a chill in the air.
Then imagine the street completely dark except
for the floats coming down the middle of the
street, and youll have a good idea of what the
Parade of Lights is like. Sponsored by the
Board of Realtors, a new theme is chosen each
year and many of the businesses, civic groups,
churches and youth groups in town participate.
Prizes are given, so its a fun-filled and festive
competition as each tries to outdo the other in
their interpretation of that years theme. Each
year is a delightful surprise as the floats are
funny, religious, bright and bold, and some-
times outrageous. Some carry bands who lend
their music to this festive celebration of the
season. Some arent even floats, as horses, fire
trucks, motorcycles and other modes of trans-
portation even reindeer have been known
to journey down Main Street during the Pa-
rade. This years Parade of Lights will be held
on Saturday, Dec. 6, down Main Street in
Cortez and the theme this year is Rockin
Around the Christmas Tree. The Parade kicks
off at 6 p.m., but a word to the wise get
there long before that. People come early just
to save the best spaces.
If all of this doesnt put you in the mood
for the holiday season, there are two other
events which have become holiday traditions in
the area and arent to be missed. The first is
the Luminaria Holiday Open House at Mesa
Verde National Park. Held this year on
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |31
Thursday, Dec. 4, the staff at the park hosts this
yearly event from 4 to 9 p.m. All are invited to
visit during the celebration which features spe-
cial tours, musical entertainment and refresh-
ments. However, the big draw is the luminaria
display which lights up the pathways in the Park
and Spruce Tree House. Serene is perhaps the
best word to describe glowing luminarias in the
winter air. The Chapin Mesa Archaeological Mu-
seum remains open until 9 p.m. and there is mu-
sical entertainment in the auditorium there
throughout the evening. The Museum bookstore
is open and admittance is free. Dress warmly
and bring a flashlight if you plan to walk the
paths. No Park admission fee is charged after 4
p.m. and more information can be obtained by
calling the park at 970.529.4465.
If you dont care to drive the road up to
the Park, there is an additional opportunity to
enjoy the Southwestern luminaria tradition in
the area. Luminaria Night at Four Seasons
Greenhouse and Nursery, located halfway be-
tween Cortez and Dolores, is the most magical
night of the year. Beginning at 5 p.m. on Dec.
13, enjoy over 1,000 luminarias, live musical
entertainment by local community groups rang-
ing from childrens choirs to the Four Corners
Community Band, Santa, and refreshments. This
annual evening is a popular attraction among
many in the region and is free as a thank-you
to all.
Cortez, Dolores, and Mancos offer a number
of wonderful hotels, bed and breakfasts, and
motels in case the drive home after a days fes-
tivities seems a little daunting, or if the weather
doesnt cooperate. There is also a wide range of
wonderful restaurants offering everything from
steak to sushi.
Whether its a Cowboy Christmas or the
grace and quiet beauty of luminarias, theres
something for everyone in the Southwestern
style in the Four Corners this holiday season.
Enjoy the beauty found right in your own back-
yard and the local, friendly fun that comes from
these small towns and the holiday mountain tra-
ditions surrounding them.
-
HOLIDAY EVENTS
32 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
DECEMBER 3 - 6
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Holiday entertainment presented by Presbyte-rian Medical Services. Come enjoy special eventsincluding Teddy Bear Tea, Storytelling, Fashionsat the Festival luncheon, family night and muchmore, all at the Farmington Civic Center. Explorea winter wonderland amid an indoor forest of art-fully decorated Christmas trees.
Information: 505.599.1148
DECEMBER 4
FARMINGTON CHRISTMAS PARADE
This annual lighted Christmas parade starts at5:45 p.m. Parade route runs through HistoricDowntown Farmington along Main Street. For pa-rade applications and theme, call the FarmingtonChamber of Commerce.
Information: 505.325.0279
DECEMBER 5
RIVERGLO
Looking for holiday cheer? Bundle up yourfamily or invite that special someone for an unfor-gettable evening along the Animas River! Take inthe beauty of hundreds of luminarias lighting thetrails along the Animas River. Stop along the trailto enjoy carolers, musical performances, bonfires,a live nativity and, of course, Santa! This annualFarmington event takes place along the trails ofBerg Park, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
DECEMBER 6
SAN JUAN COLLEGE LUMINARIAS
Take part in a beautiful New Mexico traditionand walk or drive through one of the largest lumi-
naria displays in northwest New Mexico. Enjoythe luminarias, holiday music, carolers, hotchocolate, a star gaze and live nativity. Display il-luminates the campus of San Juan College withthousands of candlelit paper sacks. San JuanCollege is located at 4601 College Blvd., Farm-ington. Red Apple Transit provides bus servicethrough the display; call for details.
Information: 505.566.3403
DECEMBER 6
SALMON RUINS HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
Salmon Ruins brings together artisans fromthroughout the Four Corners to display and selltheir wares at McGee Park off Hwy. 64, betweenFarmington and Bloomfield, N.M.
Information: 505.632.2013
DECEMBER 6
HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT WORKSHOP
The holidays are coming! Bring yourself oryour whole family to the Farmington RecreationCenter, 1101 Fairgrounds Road, and spend themorning from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. creating funand simple Christmas holiday cards, decorations,and gifts! Refreshments will be served and spe-cial door prizes will be given. Register no laterthan Thursday, December 5. Cost is $5.
Information: 505.599.1184
DECEMBER 8
BLOOMFIELD CHRISTMAS PARADE
Bloomfield, hosts the 7th annual lighted Christ-mas parade beginning at 6:30 p.m. Route startsat the Bloomfield High School.
Information: 505.632.0880 OR www.bloom-fieldchamber.info
DECEMBER 8 JANUARY 2, 2015
BLOOMFIELD CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
Lighted Christmas displays create a wonderfulwinter wonderland at Salmon Park in Bloomfield,N.M., 501 N. 5th Street. The official lighting of thedisplays will be immediately after the BloomfieldChristmas parade.
Information: 505.632.0880 or www.bloomfield-chamber.info
DECEMBER 11
EVENING OF LIGHTS
AT AZTEC RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Wander through 2,000 luminarias lighting thehistoric Aztec Ruins National Park Visitor Centerdistrict from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Friends of AztecRuins will serve cookies and hot cocoa. Thebookstore will stay open late and offer a 15 per-cent discount for holiday shopping. This event isfree.
505.334.6174 or www.nps.gov/azru
DECEMBER 12
HOLIDAY ART WALK
Come walk through Historic Downtown Farm-ington, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and celebrate theseason with art receptions and open houses atmany downtown locations. A wide variety of artfrom regional artists will be showcased through-out many of the downtown shops, galleries andrestaurants. Art Walk maps will be available atparticipating locations. The Art Walk is coordi-nated by the Farmington Downtown Associationand sponsored by Parks, Recreation, and CulturalAffairs.
Information: 505.599.1419
-
!
!
!!0805*#6'$'--8(#4
#2&4+.'34+%,+/)7+4*#&+'4
425))-'7+4*(00&&+%4+0/3
!05-&805-+,'.02''/'2)8
!#/430-54+0/3(02%*20/+%1#+/
2024+#8,'3
#+/42''4777*#2.0/8/#12#1#4*+%%0.777&238,'3%-5$2'&5%'%0.
!""!
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |33
DECEMBER 13
CHRISTMAS ARTS & CRAFTS
Enjoy shopping for unique and handmade
arts and crafts at the Farmington Indian Center.
The sale is open to all vendors and buyers
alike. This is an opportunity to meet with
friends, find a little creative inspiration and wrap
up holiday shopping or in most cases, get
started!
Information: 505.327.6296
DECEMBER 16
BLOOMFIELD SANTA IN THE PARK
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Salmon Park in
Bloomfield, N.M., visit with Santa Claus and re-
ceive a free picture with Santa and his elves.
Refreshments will take the chill off and lumi-
naria to light the way round out this holiday
event. Information: 505.632.0880
DECEMBER 20
REINDEER ROMP
Join us for a little holiday cheer and partici-
pate in the 5K Reindeer Romp or the 2-mile
North Pole Stroll! Held at Orchard Plaza in His-
toric Downtown Farmington from 4 p.m. to 6
p.m., this is a family friendly event with chil-
drens winter carnival games, live holiday
music, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, holiday
cookies, and a chance to see Santa!
Information: 505.599.1184
DECEMBER 21
WINTER SOLSTICE
The Farmington Public Library has hosted
the annual Winter Solstice Celebration for the
Four Corners area since 2003, making use of
the librarys architectural features which include
solstice markers that were carefully calibrated
and carved into the sandstone floor. Informa-
tion: 505.599.1270 or www.infoway.org
DECEMBER 23
LIVE NAVAJO NATIVITY
This annual live nativity uses traditional
Navajo clothing and live animals. The Nativity
scene is presented entirely by children at the
Four Corners Home for Children, 2103 W. Main
St., in Farmington, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Information: 505.325.0255, 888.325.0255 or
www.navajoministries.org
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |35
The lure of foreign countries on his mind,
and with the desire to see new places, meet
new people and explore the world, Shaun
Connolly decided to make his dream of over-
seas travel come true.
Connolly wanted to begin his travels before
he graduated from Michigan State College, but
his father offered a suggestion he couldnt turn
down. He said if Id wait until I graduated,
hed buy my plane ticket, Connolly said. Con-
nolly also took advantage of a yearlong work
visa that would allow him to work in New
Zealand. His dads gift of a flight to New
Zealand, where Connolly planned to begin his
adventure, was changed, however, when he de-
cided first to spend some time in the Cook Is-
lands and Fiji.
With just $700 in his pocket, this adventure
wasnt going to include first class hotels or ex-
pensive meals. What it would provide, however,
was the beginning of the trip of a lifetime.
I worked on a sugar cane plantation in Fiji,
Connolly said. I was traveling on a shoestring
and I didnt have a lot of financial resources,
so I needed to work. I worked for room and
board for a month, and then went to the Cook
Islands.
TRAVELINGTHE
WORLDStory by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop and Courtesy photos
The hardest part of the journey is the first step out the door
-
36 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |37
In the Cook Islands, Connolly discov-
ered white sands, crystal clear water and
a peace that comes from being in a re-
mote area. With winter in New Zealand
ending, Connolly continued his journey
and discovered Russell, New Zealand, in
the Bay of Islands, where a couple was
building a resort.
The resort was to be a very high-
end boutique resort, Connolly ex-
plained, and the couple needed
people to help build it from the ground
up.
Hired as a bartender, Connolly
quickly moved into the position of man-
ager for the resorts wine cellar, the
third largest in New Zealand. But it was-
nt just the opportunity to be part of an
amazing project that captured Con-
nollys interest. It was a pretty brunette
who was the general manager of the re-
sorts restaurant.
Kereth Ellison, a graduate of Auck-
land University in New Zealand, was
also interested in travel. She had just
returned from spending several years
in London and was part of the young
group who was working for the Ka-
makura Resort in its early stages.
The couple who owned the resort
took a liking to Connolly and Ellison,
Kereth said, because, They saw us as
a young version of themselves.
Minus the extreme wealth (the
older couple had), Connolly chimed
in with a laugh.
It didnt take Connolly long to
move beyond his bartending duties.
We saved our pennies and we went to Australia,Southeast Asia, India
and Europe. Kereth Connolly
-
Our building has changed.Our dedication remains the same.The new Farmington Community Health Center is now open.Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) has cared for our community for more than 30 years.Were excited to announce the grand opening of our new, state-of-the-art facility.
With 36 exam rooms, were able to care for even more patients of all ages. We provide one-stop access to primary care, pediatrics, dental services, psychiatric care, behavioral health, labs, pharmacy services, and veteran services.
Learn how PMS is improving care in San Juan County at pmsnm.org.
Farmington Community Health Center
1001 West Broadway Avenue, Suite E, Farmington, NM 87401 | 505-327-4796 | pmsnm.orgHOURS: Monday-Friday, 7am-6pm . Additional Primary Care hours, Saturday, 7am-5pm.
Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurances and a sliding fee scale for those who qualify.
!"$('$(%
38 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
He took over the financials of the $25,000
a night resort, while Ellison continued managing
the restaurant. The friendship between the two
grew and they decided it was time to continue
Connollys journey together.
Determined to make it around the world,
we headed west, Ellison said. We saved our
pennies and we went to Australia, Southeast
Asia, India and Europe.
June 14, 2002, found the couple in Viet-
nam. Shaun proposed to me on a beach in
Vietnam on Flag Day, Ellison said.
With the adventure and the year ending,
the couple decided to go home to Detroit for
their wedding. The couples wedding registry
was a bit unusual, they both said with smiles.
We came back to the states with nothing,
Shaun said. We had a lot of paper products
on our registry.
Connolly went to work for HSBC bank, but
he and Ellison grew weary of the cold weather
in Michigan. We decided we wanted to live in
the Southwest, Shaun said. When the reces-
sion hit in 2006, we knew we needed to get
away from the economic slide and the
weather.
Shaun monitored the openings HSBC posted
-
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |39
-.%)1,(%)#.*)1
,%''"/,!-1"! $" &-/(+","+' "(").-1%,"$%)-(*,"
,.-)!",0% "
and when a position opened in Farmington,
N.M., we didnt want to miss an opportunity
to go to our target region.
In 2009, the financial crisis hit and HSBC
laid off 12,000 people in one day. I wanted
to go out on my own, Shaun explained. We
loved Farmington and we loved the opportu-
nity to start a business of our own.
Connolly Financial was formed in that same
year, and the Connolly family had grown by
two sons, Jameson, now 9, Griffin, now 7.
We thought about moving back to New
Zealand, Shaun said. But we love the quality
of life in New Mexico. We love the weather, we
love to hike, camp, fish and golf. We love the
variety of different things to do here and all
the things we can do in three hours the
changes of topography, geography and
weather.
Connolly Financial has been successful and
the couple has never regretted their decision
to move to Farmington and stay. Keeping their
sons in touch with their grandparents in New
Zealand is a priority, however.
The hardest thing (about traveling) is to walk
out the front door.Theres never been a shortage of excuses of why not to travel.
Shaun Connolly
-
40 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
We went back to New Zealand last sum-
mer, Kereth said. The kids and I stayed all
summer and Shaun came for two weeks. My
family loves it when were there.
We want our kids to know the wonderful
quality of life in New Zealand, Shaun added.
Its wonderful for them to travel internation-
ally at a young age, and we want them to iden-
tify with both cultures and countries.
Living in their dream location of Farmington,
the Connollys still get bitten by the travel bug.
All the time, Shaun said with a laugh, about
the lure of traveling.
Because of the people they met and the
things they saw and did, the Connollys encour-
age everyone who dreams of seeing the world
to make that dream come true.
We wouldnt change it (the travel) for the
world, Shaun said. We traveled as far as we
could and its part of what we are. The oppor-
tunity to travel through an undeveloped world
was very endearing for us. We want our kids to
know that as well.
The memories they have of the places they
traveled are extensive. We saw Cambodia by
motorcycle, we crossed the Strait of Malacca
-
!
Open Fridays5-8pm
until Chrismas!
Jae-Geos Bridal & Tuxedo
Thank you for recognizing us againas the Readers Choice Best Bridal Store.
Thank you for 26wonderful years of business!Designer Gowns Bridesmaids Tuxedos - Same Day Service
Owner - Jeannette K. Vigil
505-326-5240www.jaegeosformalwear.com
302 W. Main St., Farmington, NM
SHOPDOWNTOWN
by boat to Sumatra, and we visited Varanasi, the
most sacred place in the Hindu faith, which is on
the River Ganges, Shaun said.
There were minor instances that left less than
great memories, however. We were lucky,
Kereth said of their travels. We ran into some
difficult situations, but youll find trouble, and
trouble can find you, anywhere.
The hardest thing (about traveling) is to walk
out the front door, Shaun said. Theres never
been a shortage of excuses of why not to travel.
For us, there was a golden moment of opportu-
nity in life after we graduated from college, and
we took it.
Dont treat life as a great sprint, Shaun
added. Create a lifestyle (for yourself) that pro-
vides a foundation of passion that lasts through-
out your lifetime.
While their youthful journey took them to
places most people just dream about, Kereth and
Shaun Connolly are thankful that their journey
together brought them home to Farmington.
Were so happy to live here, Shaun said,
while Kereth nodded her head in agreement.
And while we hope to travel and see new places
throughout our lives, no matter where we go,
well always come home to Farmington.
-
City of Farmington Municipal Judge Bill
Liese is folksy, laid back, and comfortable
with himself. That may be why hes been so
successful at improving the operation,
accessibility and effectiveness of the munici-
pal court.
Judge Liese is probably one of the most
capable, knowledgeable municipal judges in
New Mexico, said part-time Municipal Judge
and former Farmington Mayor Bill Standley.
Hes very apt on knowledge of state law and
city ordinances. He has such integrity, and he
knows the nuances of the judicial system. He
takes the job seriously. He wants to make
sure that when he sits on the bench, the
decisions he makes follow the law and serve
the individual and the community well.
Tough but fairAfter Liese was elected municipal judge in
1994 on a platform of being tough but fair,
he oversaw the creation of the Farmington
Municipal Probation System, which creates
incentives for people to improve their lives. In
2000, he started the Minor Substance Abuse
Prevention Program (MSAPP) aimed at helping
people ages 18-20 not get their first DWI. In
July 2013 he began working with Totah Behav-
ioral Health and the Farmington Police De-
partment to target chronic substance abusers
who live on the streets. Their efforts are part
of the Joint Intervention Program that
provides help for the chronically addicted.
After he was reelected in March 2014, he
and his court staff made plans to become a
paperless court and improve communication
among the Farmington Police Department,
the court, attorneys and people who appear
in court.
Liese has the skills to help people work
together and make changes. I didnt realize I
had that ability, but I guess I do, he said.
42 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
Story by Margaret Cheasebro | Photos by Whitney Howle
Bill Liese enjoys helping peoplemake positive changes in their lives
better future
A chAnce at a
-
Grew up on small farmThose skills were honed early on the small
farm where he grew up outside of Ignacio, Colo.
His family raised sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits,
geese, ducks, and a few head of cattle. They also
grew hay, oats, barley, and vegetables, and culti-
vated an orchard.
Most of what we raised was for our own con-
sumption, he said. We seldom had to go to the
grocery store for anything. If we had a problem,
we had to solve it with the resources we had.
Born the second of four boys, Liese and his
older brother often hunted and fished to supple-
ment the familys diet. His mother was a home-
maker, and his father owned an auto mechanic
shop in Ignacio.
Enlisted in NavyAfter graduating from Ignacio High School in
1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to avoid being
drafted. He went to aviation technician school in
Jacksonville, Fla. Assigned to the Fleet Air Recon-
naissance squadron (VQ1), he was sent to Atsugi,
Japan, to repair airplane electronics. He rotated
between there and home bases in the Philippines
and Danang, Vietnam. When he left the Navy in
1968, he wanted to settle in Durango, work part
time, and attend Fort Lewis College, but he
couldnt find work. So he applied at several
places in Farmington, including the Farmington
Police Department.
Lo and behold, less than two weeks later I
was a police officer, he said. I hadnt consid-
ered a law enforcement career until I saw the job
opening.
Became patrol officerHe began as a patrol officer in 1968. When
he retired in 1989, he was deputy chief. It
wasnt in the back of my mind when I got hired
that someday I would be the number two guy
in the police department, he said.
His starting salary was $450 a month, so he
took a second job to support his wife and two
children. He worked part time as a yard hand
and delivery person for Construction Supply and
attended San Juan College, then the San Juan
Branch of New Mexico State University, to earn
an associate degree in police science.
He credits the police department with sharp-
ening his people skills. We had to manage the
police department through tough economic
times, he said. In this community, its either
boom or bust. Being an administrator in the po-
lice department during the bust times, you had
to find creative ways to get the job done with
fewer resources. You did that by team building,
by convincing your team that youve got to
buckle down and do more with less. You also
have to network within the community to get
their support to leverage your Council and your
state government to get the resources you need.
Thought about being a judgeHe became good friends with Calvin Shields,
who retired as chief of police. They often talked
about someday becoming judges.
Time and time again we saw judges being
elected who, during their campaign time, would
promise to be tough on crime, especially on
DWIs, said Liese. But when they got elected, it
was business as usual.
When he retired from the police department,
then Governor Garrey Carruthers appointed
Liese as magistrate judge because Ellen Holloway
retired with two years remaining in her term.
After he unsuccessfully ran for the office in
1990, he became a regional drug enforcement
coordinator for San Juan, McKinley and Cibola
counties. During that time he was appointed as
alternate municipal judge.
He enjoyed it so much that when Municipal
Judge Johnnie Byrd didnt run again, he sought
the office and won in 1994. Hes been municipal
judge ever since.
Helps DWI offendersWhen the San Juan County DWI Facility
opened at 1006 Municipal Drive in 1994, Liese
saw an opportunity to help DWI offenders im-
prove their lives.
When it first opened, it was just a treatment
facility, Liese explained. I wrangled with the
city to have DWI offenders who were convicted
of DWI housed at the Farmington jail and walked
over to the facility to get treatment during the
day. That eventually led to dormitory space44 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
-
being allocated at the facility for male prisoners.
Later, the DWI facility expanded to include
dormitory space for both men and women, and
the program has expanded to cover other sub-
stance abuse issues. The facility has a high success
rate with less than 12 percent of its graduates get-
ting another DWI.
Starts probation programTo help the municipal court be more success-
ful, Liese thought it needed a probation
program, which it didnt have when he was
elected. Instead, it operated with fines or jail
time, neither of which were very successful at re-
ducing crime.
To be more effective, he thought there also
needed to be accountability in the form of pro-
bation at the municipal court level. So Liese
began working within the court system to obtain
grants, the city of Farmingtons cooperation, and
some extra money to establish the Farmington
Municipal Probation System.
We started out with DWIs, he said. Now we
do any number of serious misdemeanors such as
DWI, child abuse or neglect, and repeat shop lift-
ing, all of them misdemeanor crimes with a signifi-
cant impact on the community.
The three-pronged approach of punishment,
education and probation worked. We were ex-
periencing an extremely low recidivism rate with
DWIs compared to national figures, Liese said.
Nationally, theres about a 40 percent recidivism
rate, and we were experiencing less than 10 per-
cent after we started the probation program. Now
were at about 12 percent, which is still way bet-
ter than the national average.
Helps young people succeedThat made him wonder what else the court
could do to help people choose a better
lifestyle. Someone in the probation department
suggested helping people not get that first DWI
charge. So he and his staff brainstormed. They
identified their target group as people ages 18
through 20 who already have a substance abuse
conviction such as shop lifting alcohol or possess-
ing marijuana or paraphernalia. Research showed
that people in that age range whove already
committed a substance abuse crime have a 78
percent chance of earning a DWI conviction by
the time theyre 25.
In 2000 they developed MSAPP modeled
after the Drug Court program. People in the 18
through 20 age group who appeared in court
with a first-time substance abuse conviction would
go into the program. Theyd spend six months in
training, and if they successfully finished it and
stayed clean, their conviction would be wiped
from their record.
High success rateThe program has a high success rate. Only
about 20 percent of the people who successfully
complete the program will go on to get a DWI,
Liese said. Its a one-of-a-kind program. We cre-
ated it out of the blue, and it continues to be
successful. Time and time again, youngsters who
go through the program come back and thank us
for sending them to it. They realize its a good
thing we did for them.
Rob Mitchell, Deputy Director of Juvenile Jus-
tice Services for the state of New Mexico, has
known Liese for many years. Judge Liese is one
of the most conscientious, community focused
judges I have ever known, Mitchell said. He re-
ally wants people to get well.
Focuses on street inebriatesThough the court was having good success with
the 18 through 20 age group, they werent so
successful with inebriates who lived on the streets
instead of going home, where family members
were tired or scared of their drunken behavior. In
an attempt to reach street inebriates, the munici-
pal court began working with Totah Behavioral
Health (TBH), part of Presbyterian Medical Serv-
ices, and the Farmington Police Department
through the Joint Intervention Program (JIP). To-
gether, they target chronic substance abusers who
live on the street. San Juan Regional Medical Cen-
ter is JIPs fiscal agent, and the city of Farmington
and San Juan County both help to fund it.
People convicted of a substance abuse go
through Totah Behavioral Health, and while
theyre in that program theyre also on probation
with us, Liese said. Between the two of us,
were trying to modify their behavior. But with
the chronically addicted its going to take a long
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |45
-
time, if ever, to change that behavior.
The court staff and TBH hope to start a similar
project with the Navajo Nation through the De-
partment of Behavioral Health in Shiprock.
The hope is that eventually the money that it
costs to fund the program will be offset by sav-
ings from emergency room visits and jail time,
Liese said. He also hopes the state legislature will
someday approve a liquor excise tax that would
go directly to TBH.
Creating paperless courtAfter Liese was reelected this March, he and
his staff made plans to create a paperless court.
Were working with the police department so all
the citations and other documents are submitted
to the court electronically, he said.
When a person is issued a ticket on the street,
they will get a paper similar to a grocery store re-
ceipt. On it will be all the information they need,
including when to appear in court. Attorneys also
will submit their reports electronically to the
court, and people will have access to information
thats for public view.
I hope in a year well have the start of the in-
formation flow going, and in the next three years
well have it completed, Liese said. Were creat-
ing a new animal. Were doing it to make the
court more accessible.
Loves mountain JeepingOver the years, Liese has enjoyed mentoring
ten new municipal judges. Hes also an avid out-
doorsman.
I love the mountains. I love backpacking,
fishing and hunting, he said. But my greatest
love is Jeeping. Ive had a Jeep for close to 40
years. I enjoy the back roads of Colorado to the
point that some people have jumped out of my
Jeep because they swear I cant do what I think I
can. I havent lost one yet.
He looks forward to his next three-and-a-half
years as municipal judge. He feels good when
people make positive changes in their lives.
Every time you have somebody in court, you
hope this is the one youre going to have an im-
pact on, he said. When they make good
changes in their lives, that makes my job reward-
ing.
&(!%"&'(!%" #%" $(
"(!"*#$$#$#)))
46 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
-
!!" !#
$$
" !
"
" $
#"
-
The art form, Zentangles, intrigues
16-year-old Ashley Parker. Shes so good at it
that she won the national poster contest,
Lights on Afterschool, with the technique.
Zentangles is similar to doodling, but more
intricate. It requires a specified series of steps
to complete. Its structured, repetitive, elegant
patterns help to increase focus and creativity
and promote relaxation.
A high school junior, Ashley is
homeschooled by her
mother,
Susan Parker, but she takes art lessons from
retired interior designer, Barbara Uttz of
Aztec, who teaches art to several homeschool-
ers. Ashley has far exceeded what I can do
with Zentangles, Barbara said.
Homeschooled since first gradeAshley first learned about the Lights on
Afterschool contest from her mother, who has
homeschooled her since Ashley was in first
grade. Ashleys dad is Kevin Parker, pastor of
the First Baptist Church in Aztec.
One of the nice things about homeschool
is I can choose curriculums that work well with
her creativity, Susan said. Ashley has always
wanted to be an artist.
Ashley is one of four siblings, and Susan has
homeschooled them all. Anna is a high school
senior, Sarah attends college, and Stephen is a
civil engineer.
No obstacle can stop Ashley Parkers passion for drawing
Story by Margaret Cheasebro | Photos by Josh Bishop
-
50 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
To help Ashley plan for her future, Susan sug-
gested she enter art contests. She needed to
learn the process to move her art forward and
make a living with it if she was truly
interested in pursuing it, Susan explained.
Library helps Ashley find contestShe looked for a contest that Ashley could
enter. With help from Farmington Public
Library staff she found Lights on Afterschool.
We looked at a bunch of other contests, and
they hadnt matched with what I like to do,
Ashley said. I dont do a lot of
watercolors, and there are lots of watercolor
contests. The Lights on Afterschool contest
wanted you to use bright colors and things like
pens, markers and crayons instead of
pastels and watercolors. I pretty much use all
Sharpies. This contest really matched with what I
do, so I decided to go for it.
We laugh, because in her purse she carried a
lot of Sharpies, Susan said. Ashley grinned as
she displayed a tan cloth bag bulging with
Sharpies.
She keeps a book of her art filled with
bright, cheerful, elaborate designs. Her work is
intricate, detailed and colorful.
Spends time at libraryWhen Farmington Public Library personnel en-
couraged her to enter the Lights on Afterschool
contest, Ashley felt even more motivated. She
spends a lot of time at the library, partly be-
cause shes involved with Blended Zine, a maga-
zine written, drawn and produced by teenagers
with help from the Farmington Library, and pub-
lished by local philanthropic organizations.
The library staff really wanted to have a win-
ner from New Mexico, Susan noted.
Part of the Afterschool Alliance program,
Lights on Afterschool celebrates afterschool pro-
grams and their important role in the lives of
children, families and communities. In this area,
its based at the Farmington Public
Library, where Youth Services Coordinator Flo
Trujillo encourages teens to enter national con-
tests. Ashley is the first teen to win the
national Lights on Afterschool contest from this
area.
Shes lights on BroadwayI think winning that is the ultimate, Flo said.
This is something Ive been chasing for awhile.
When I saw Ashleys artwork, I could see the
marquee. Shes lights on Broadway to me right
now. Shes the ultimate.
To Flo, Ashleys entry appeared unique, and
contest judges were seeking a different look.
When they realized it was a teen who drew it,
they wanted to go that way, Flo said. Its very
modern. They saw something in her art.
During the New Mexico AfterSchool
Alliance conference Oct. 24 and 25 in
Albuquerque, Ashley was recognized as the
poster contests national winner.
Didnt think she would winI really didnt think I was going to win, she
said, so I forgot about the contest. After awhile
I started looking for the date that they notify
you if you win. I looked through the contest
rules, and they said, Please do not use neon
markers. I was like, oh, no, this is bad, because I
used almost neon markers.
While she waited to hear the results, a prob-
lem flared up with her eyes that she thought had
been resolved. Three-and-a-half years earlier,
Ashley lost a large amount of vision in her left
eye. After consulting with many doctors, the fam-
ily discovered she had an autoimmune issue in
which her body is attacking her retina and possi-
bly her optic nerve.
She was stable all that time until last fall,
Susan explained. Doctors tried steroid treat-
ments, and one injection helped for a short
time. A second injection followed but caused
complications. Now, Ashley has glaucoma in her
left eye.
Finally, doctors, who have tried valiantly to
help Ashley, gave her two chemotherapy treat-
ments to suppress her immune system so it would
stop attacking her eye. When doctors learn the
chemotherapy results, they will create a
treatment plan for Ashley.
Learns she won while in hospitalThe family was at the University of New
Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque this July where
Ashley was about to get her first chemotherapy
-
treatment when her dads cell phone rang. It
was Anna. Someone from the Farmington
Library wanted to contact Ashley and her
parents, and she wondered what number to
give them.
My mom and I got very excited because we
knew it was going to be about the contest,
Ashley said. My dad was like, Maybe its not.
You shouldnt jump to conclusions too fast.
A few minutes later, Kevins phone rang, and
library personnel told him Ashley had won the
national contest.
They had it on speaker phone, so all of the
people in the hospital admissions office were
congratulating me, Ashley said. I have a mini
fan club there.
Two weeks later when they returned to
Albuquerque for the second chemotherapy
treatment, the hospital admissions staff
recognized her. We walked into the office,
Ashley recalled, and they said, Theres the
art winner!
Eye challenges dont stop herThough Ashleys eye condition makes it hard
for her to see 3-D movie effects, it hasnt kept
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |51
-
22
22
%#!$,).(-,+!!,-$'-!,
!+,0*!+$!(!
)( ! (,.+! !+/$(#&&)"(.().(-1
52 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
her from learning to drive. Nor has it affected her
artwork, which still features intricate drawings that
havent lost any of their detail.
I can do really tiny stuff, Ashley said. Ive
always liked the look of things being smaller. I com-
pensate with my right eye. Ive always loved draw-
ing, so I just keep drawing.
She draws most of her work in black and white
and then adds color.
She used to sit in the car with her drawings on
the way to Albuquerque, Susan said.
Shed be quiet back there. By the time wed get
to Albuquerque, shed have her picture
finished, or be ready to put color in it.
Blended Zine production teamAshley continues to pursue her art full force.
Shes taking a sketching class at San Juan College,
and this fall she became a member of the Blended
Zine production team.
We design the layout for the magazine, the
cover and how the pieces are put together
inside, Ashley said. Theres poems and art work.
Then we sift through all the submissions and
select the art work and poems and put it all
together.
Ashley knows what its like to submit work to the
magazine. She entered some art a year or two ago,
but it wasnt selected. She decided to submit four
pieces for the May 2014 issue, and two were pub-
lished in the magazine. One was selected as the
Teens Choice Award and is on display in Lieutenant
Governor John Sanchezs office in Santa Fe.
Blended Zine features county youthThe first Blended Zine magazine was first pub-
lished in January 2008, and its been published
twice a year ever since. Its goal is to be an artistic
outlet to enlighten, enrich and change lives by pro-
viding innovative, optimistic, and constructive influ-
ences for adolescents, according to the Blended
Zine website. Its name was inspired by the diversity
of San Juan County cultures and the many talented
people here.
Blended Zine developed its own format and con-
tent. Its a full-color magazine that accepts original
submissions only from people ages 13 to 19 who
live in San Juan County. Its production staff is made
up of teenagers from area high schools and San Juan
-
"""!
!"!!$!!&
&
# "!%&&
$!
#
WINTER2014| MAJESTIC LIVING |53
College. Its funded by local and state organ-
izations.
Learning the technological and computer
side of art will be very helpful, Ashley said
of her work with Blended Zine. If I decide
to go into some sort of digital media degree,
the experience will help me understand how
it all works.
Organizes her time wellIn addition to Blended Zine, Ashley plays
the flute in the San Juan College Community
Band. She learned to organize her time well
through her homeschool experience.
I give them a weekly schedule, Susan ex-
plained, but I dont micromanage it. If you
dont do your literature today, then you have
two days of literature to do tomorrow. By
the end of the week you need to be where
you need to be. That works for everything
except math. Everybody does math every day
because its too easy to let that slide.
The planning model has worked well, and
Stephen credits it with his college success. When
some college students floundered because theyd
never learned to manage their time, Stephen
thrived.
Dedicated to her passionDespite her success, Ashley remains hum-
ble and dedicated to her passion.
Ashley is dynamic, Flo said. She is
strong. I know she has a little bit of a hand-
icap with her eyesight, but that inspires me
so much more. I think it should inspire our
teens more. It shouldnt stop you if you
have a passion.
Ashley isnt sure what she will do once
she graduates from high school, but she and
her family are checking out colleges. She
loves working with children, and shes open
to considering a career that will combine
art and kids.
Id love to see her be an art teacher,
said Barbara. Shes a very gentle, loving
girl. I think she can go quite a ways with it.
Her family supports Ashley in whatever
she wants to do. Ashley is an awesome,
amazing girl, said her mother. She is very
positive. You see it in her art. Its happy and
joyful.
-
Explorers and traders following the Old Spanish Trail during
the early 1800s would have passed through Largo Canyon on
their way from Santa Fe to Los Angeles. Todays travelers on
Highway 550 between Bernalillo and Farmington bypass the
Largo Canyon road that begins at Counselor Trading Post
and comes out north of Blanco on Highway 64.
Now only a few ranchers and oil and gas field hands are likely
to be driving the bumpy County Road 4450. And when they
see the zebra A ZEBRA!?! no doubt they shake their heads
and wonder if they are hallucinating. But not to worry, theyve
just reached Mustang Camp.
Sargent Spotticus is the most photographed zebra in the
Four Corners, says Mustang Camp owner and head trainer
Patricia Irick. Spot, as she calls him, lives with assorted mustangs
under the care of Patricia and John Irick. The Iricks established
Mustang Camp in 2009 to gentle wild horses with the aim
of increasing successful wild horse adoptions and promoting
modern training methods.
Mustang Camp, as proclaimed on their brochure, is located
in the middle of nowhere. Approaching from the north, it is
26 miles from a paved highway; from the south its 24 miles.
It once functioned as Largo School serving families that lived
in the oil and gas camps scattered around remote areas during
the early boom years in the San Juan Basin.
The school operated from the mid-1950s until it closed in
Patricia and John Irick train mustangs for adoption
Story and photos by Vicky Ramakka
Patricia Irick rewarding Sargent Spotticus.
54 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
GentlinGwild horses
-
Mustang showing freeze mark.
-
56 | MAJESTIC LIVING | WINTER 2014
1983. The defunct gym, classroom buildings and
dorm area gained new life when the Iricks pur-
chased the property in 1998.
The old school became a Southwest style re-
treat center. When Patricia got involved with mus-
tang training, they added stalls, pens, corrals and
hay sheds. Now they contract with the U.S. Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management to gen-
tle and train wild horses rounded up on federal
lands managed by the Carson National Forest and
BLM Farmington Resource Area.
Mustang Camp works through the Mustang
Heritage Foundations Trainer Incentive Program
to gentle horses to the stage that they are halter
broken. Based in Georgetown, Texas, the Mus-
tang Heritage Foundation helps promote the Bu-
reau of Land Managements National Wild Horse
and Burro Program to increase the number of
successful adoptions. The BLMs Adopt-A-Horse
or Burro Program was initiated in 1973 and
allows qualified people to take ownership of wild
horses and burros. To qualify, potential owners
need to certify they have adequate space and fa-
cilities to keep a horse and pay the $125 adop-
tion fee. They must properly care for and
maintain the horse for one year before receiving
final ownership.
The day I visited Mustang Camp, I walked
among the 21 current residents. Contrary to
images of wild horses, panicking and kicking up
dust, being rounded up by helicopters and cow-
boys, these mustangs barely noticed my presence.
This pleases Patricia, as one of her main objec-
tives in gentling her charges is that they come to-
ward a potential owner, not run away. Each one
sported a freeze mark along the left side of the
neck, the permanent, painless way that BLM uses
to identify each horse. The mark contains a code
for the state where the animal was captured, its
year of birth and its registration number.
Most of these horses will be on their way to
new homes within two or three months of arriv-
ing at Mustang Camp. We try to have the horses
trained in 45 days, Patricia says. But its vari-
able. Since we take whole herd gathers, we have
everything from the foals to the elderly animals.
The young horses are easier to train, up to age 4.
The older ones are a lot more challenging.
We train until they get adopted, she says.
The training is that you can touch them all over,
can lift up their feet back feet are hardest
can lead and tie them and put them in a horse
trailer. This foundation allows the person
adopting the horse to continue training it to ride,
pack or just be an amiable family companion.
Daily training sessions are about 15 minutes
long. You can go longer, Patricia says, but
you get a lot farther if every day they really look
forward to the next training session, because
thats when we get to play a game, get out the
Cassandra Mohr with Sundance.
-
Animas Credit Union membership is open to anyone living or working in San Juan County.
(505) 326-7701www.AnimasCU.com
Three convenient locations to serve you!
2101 E. 20th Street & 3850 E. Main Street Farmington405 W. Broadway Inside Farmers Market Bloomfield
Yes! Same rate for purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers. Theres a grace period on purchases. There are gift and travel bonus points. Its the best VISA card around.
No! No annual fee