One farewell image as we welcome spring Image Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius
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The Abiquiu News is brought to you by Carol and Brian Bondy
Image Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius.
judithlaniusphotographer.com
Image Courtesy of Judith Hidden Lanius.
judithlaniusphotographer.com
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March 28, 2025
In Gratitude
We thank our friends at Dar al Islam for renewing their sponsorship. Dar al Islam is a Platinum sponsor!
Since 1980 Dar al Islam, Abiquiu’s mosque, retreat, and educational facility, has been a proud addition to the region’s many attractions. From its modest beginning on a mesa overlooking the Chama River, Dar al Islam has grown into a complex that has hosted events for more than forty-five years. Many of the early employees were drawn from the local Abiquiu community and helped build the mosque by working with adobe bricks purchased from both Hispanic and indigenous brick makers in the area.
Did you know that Dar al Islam once owned the Abiquiu Inn, and there was a laundromat on the site? There was a time when the madressah housed an elementary school that taught the children of forty Muslim families living in the area. This commitment to education continued through the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute, a summer program that hosted more than 600 public school educators who left the campus with a better understanding of how to present Islam within their classrooms and libraries. Today, programs continue to bring visitors from around the world to learn about Islamic art, faith, history, religious practice, or simply to join a retreat that gathers together family and friends.
Since 1980 Dar al Islam, Abiquiu’s mosque, retreat, and educational facility, has been a proud addition to the region’s many attractions. From its modest beginning on a mesa overlooking the Chama River, Dar al Islam has grown into a complex that has hosted events for more than forty-five years. Many of the early employees were drawn from the local Abiquiu community and helped build the mosque by working with adobe bricks purchased from both Hispanic and indigenous brick makers in the area.
Did you know that Dar al Islam once owned the Abiquiu Inn, and there was a laundromat on the site? There was a time when the madressah housed an elementary school that taught the children of forty Muslim families living in the area. This commitment to education continued through the Dar al Islam Teachers’ Institute, a summer program that hosted more than 600 public school educators who left the campus with a better understanding of how to present Islam within their classrooms and libraries. Today, programs continue to bring visitors from around the world to learn about Islamic art, faith, history, religious practice, or simply to join a retreat that gathers together family and friends.
Photo property of Dar al Islam
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Retreat participants. Lanterna Institute 2024. Photo: Property of Dar al Islam
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The Dar al Islam property includes the famed Plaza Blanca, or White City, made famous by the paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe. These fragile sandstone formations, as well as their majestic surroundings, lie beyond a coded gate. To visit, you can register for a code via the Dar al Islam website here.
If you’d like additional information about the history of Dar al Islam, you can turn to several former issues of Abiquiu News. The story of its construction begins with the Feb. 7 article, In Search of a Different Path. Visit the home page of our website at https://daralislam.org/ to learn more.
If you’d like additional information about the history of Dar al Islam, you can turn to several former issues of Abiquiu News. The story of its construction begins with the Feb. 7 article, In Search of a Different Path. Visit the home page of our website at https://daralislam.org/ to learn more.
Photo property of Dar al Islam
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The current campus. Photo property of Dar al Islam
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Thank you Contributors and Paid SubscribersKaty B
Alex B Edward S Zoe R
News and Features
The 60-day New Mexico legislative session came to an end Saturday, with controversy over lawmakers’ urgency to pass public safety bills. A shooting in Las Cruces on the last day of the session prompted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to inform lawmakers that there will likely be a special legislative session later in the year. Lujan Grisham has signed 22 bills into law so far this year, with more awaiting her signature. Here’s a look at the outcome of some of the bills NM Political Report has been covering.
People with outstanding bench warrants from any magistrate court in New Mexico can safely surrender at the Rio Arriba Magistrate Court, 1127 Santa Clara Peak Road in Española on Friday, April 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Los Luceros Historic Site is hosting its annual Sheep Shearing Day the first Sunday in April, offering people of all ages a great opportunity to see the flock of Navajo-Churro sheep up close and learn more about them.
Hilda Maria Joy nee Unger, 89 passed away on March 5, 2025 in San Diego California.
Born on January 18, 1936, on the Southside of Chicago, Hilda was the daughter of Robert Unger and Maria (Mary) Unger nee Janisch who emigrated from Burgenland, Austria in the 1920s and raised their family and owned a grocery store in the Fuller Park neighborhood.
The first Cat Dispatch from a Dog Man
In times of crisis, we learn who we really are—and what really matters most. I, for instance, appear to value my snacks above even the rule of law and my own domestic bliss put together.
Official 'firewise' landscape recommendations are truly becoming something to take more urgent action on. From simply removing flammable debris piles and putting safe space between material hazards, to reorganizing relationships between home, landscape, and garden elements, sources everywhere emphasize that the condition of areas immediately surrounding building structures are a significant factor in losses to wildfire.
There are so many scams involving texts and emails. Between Carol and I, we get something every day. I get more texts from mysterious people asking how I’m doing, or wanting to get together as it’s been a long time. I have no idea what that’s about, I just delete them an select report as junk.
Previous News and Features
Colcheras de Abiquiu will meet Sunday, March 30, at the Abiquiu Library. This group is dedicated in learning and doing the Spanish Colonial embroidery art of COLCHA. All are welcome to attend and learn
The New Mexico Acequia Association is accepting applications through March 31st to its Youth Leadership Program, for ages 14~19, that will take place May to August, 2025. Click here for more details and to apply.
The library has teamed with Driving Tests, an online resource for learning and practice tests for driver's licenses. The library is now part of the Smith's Inspiring Donations program. Scroll to the bottom of the Donate page for information. It's that time of year again: State of New Mexico Income Tax Packets are available at the Library.
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Abiquiu News needs you. If you are interested in providing local news for the Abiquiu News on a regular basis, drop us a line. Let's talk!
If you have a story to tell, send it in. If you want, interview your friend, relative, teacher, co-worker. If you think it would be interesting, I bet other people would too. Give it a try and send something in to us. Carol Bondy Scene Around Abiquiu
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Art, Music, Film and Books
https://abiquiuartistsmarket.com/shop/karen-butts-photography-studio/
El Rito Artists
Just to let you know: While the El Rito Art Association is changing its event plans this year, a group of artists is planning a studio tour. We are planning it for September 27,28 this fall. If you are interested in participating in the tour and helping out, please let us know and we'll keep you informed. You can contact Paul Roberts directly at pwroberts1949@gmail.com and otherwise, watch for developments on the association website: https://www.elritoartassociation.org/ 
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www.espanolahumane.org 505-753-8662 
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505-901-6208 
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