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Image courtesy of Mario Manzo
The Abiquiu News is brought to you by Carol and Brian Bondy
Image Courtesy of Mario Manzo
See Mario's work here.
Image Courtesy of Mario Manzo
See Mario's work here.
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June 6, 2025
In GratitudeIf you are interested in becoming a sponsor either at a basic or platinum level get in touch and find out how we can support your business. Email
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News and Features
When I interviewed MariaElena Jaramillo in February, she told me about the Matachines Dances being revived in El Pueblo de Abiquiú, and later suggested that I get in touch with Maximiño Manzanares if I wanted to learn more. Several other people in Abiquiú mentioned the name – in connection with teaching music and art at the elementary school, for example, or: “what a kind, community-oriented person this is”, I heard. The perfect subject for an interview, I thought, and when Maximiño was kind enough to set aside some time for a conversation, we met at the Abiquiú Inn to talk.
Options Being Considered as Enrollment Continues to Decline Throughout the District
As many as five elementary schools in the Española school district may close in the coming years as it faces an enrollment decline and financial struggles.
Albuquerque, NM – Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced settlements with two major insulin manufacturers—Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Novo Nordisk Inc.—that will dramatically reduce the cost of insulin for tens of thousands of New Mexicans. The agreements represent a major step toward ensuring affordable, equitable access to life-saving medication for individuals managing diabetes.
A state lawmaker is asking the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico to reopen a case that allowed the American government to take millions of acres of commonly owned land promised to New Mexicans in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
As conservationists know, these clever dam-building rodents are a boon to recovering wetlands. But they can also contribute to flooding that causes catastrophic damage to acequias, which are crucial to traditional farmers in villages like Chimayó, New Mexico
Even though the Republican tax and spend bill that cleared the United States House of Representatives last month no longer authorizes the sale of thousands acres of public land, state lawmakers in New Mexico say they will continue to monitor how the federal government’s actions toward public lands could impact Native nations.
Santa Fe, N.M. — The Food Depot is excited to announce the launch of their largest
fundraiser, Neighbor to Neighbor. Groups across Northern New Mexico are invited to donate and learn more about the friendly fundraising competition at thefooddepot.org/n2n
I know that AI is all the rage. I know. But I speak as someone who doesn’t fully understand AI: I don’t trust it. Why not? Well, I was thinking about writing about the toad that my dog pursued around the back yard the other night. I didn’t realize at first that he was pursuing a toad—the night was, as nights tend to be, dark outside, and the toad was hard to see. I thought he was interested in a particularly animated clump of grass.
Found in dry meadows, slopes, dry coniferous forests
Seen blooming in late May by FS Rd 137, Carson NF
May has been a very positive month for stock markets here, and in Europe as well. But headlines about tariffs are still roiling equities and even bonds. It’s amazing to me that the wars in Gaza and Ukraine are not causing more difficulties for markets.
Note: Brian often recommends Malwarebytes to folks, and we have used it ourselves for years, but we often get questions on the free vs trial version of the program. Read this helpful tech tip from Rick Rouse.
Previous News and Features
Due to declining flows along the Rio Chama and pursuant to NMAC 19.25.13.7.C(4) and the Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Local Settlement Agreement, the Office of the State Engineer will begin implementing the Rio Chama Water Sharing Agreement. During this time, Water Masters may reduce or limit diversions to Acequias/Ditches and individual users in accordance with the water sharing agreement. For more information or to obtain a copy of the sharing agreement, please contact: Lorraine Garcia (Upper Chama) 506-827-6155, or Joe Piña (Lower Chama) 506-795-0358
*The date is subject to change due to precipitation events within the basin. 
Abiquiu Farmers Market Opens at the Rural Events Center
We will miss our sweet spot under the trees, across from Bode’s and near the Frosty Cow, but I am pleased and much relieved to report that opening day of Abiquiu Farmers Market in its new location was a huge success!
Thank you to our vendors and all our community supporters/shoppers who joined us for opening day. Thank you to Donald Martinez for the warm welcome. But mostly, thank you to Andrew and Lupita for keeping this dream alive. The new Rural Events Center location is a work in progress, rough around the edges for now, but with enormous potential for growth and improvement. I am very optimistic about the future of our market. (We could use a little music next week. Anyone willing?) With a heart full of gratitude for our wonderful community, Jen Harrington, for Luciente, Inc. The Abiquiu Farmers Market is open every Tuesday, 4 to 6 PM, June through October. For information about becoming a vendor, call Andrew at 575 638-1000. The market is a program of Luciente, Inc. We are grateful for your support. lucienteinc.org An ABeeQ Story
Here is Stan with the swarm
By Marilyn Phillips
Image Courtesy of Marilyn Phillips Last week a loud buzzing sound led us to discover a huge swarm of honeybees in a New Mexico privet not 50 feet from the house. I googled ‘abiquiu beekeeper’ and the first link that came up was to Jessica Rath’s article for the Abiquiu News about Stan Bader so I called Stan at Las Parras de Abiquiu. Stan soon arrived with all his beekeeping gear and estimated there were about 7,000 bees. He expertly dropped the swarm into a hive and left the bees to settle down for the night. Early next morning he was back to take the bees to their new home at Las Parras.
Rio Arriba County 4-H youth are looking to raise $6,000 more for their national convention trip to Washington coming up in June 2025. The teens have already raised $19,000, but need to reach their $25,000 goal. The sponsorship will provide hands-on opportunity to learn and practice skills that promote "Better citizens today. Better leaders tomorrow."
Donations may be payable to Rio Arriba County 4-H and dropped off at the Rio Arriba County Extension Office on State Road 554 in Abiquiu. Council contact is Lucinda Montano. Thank you! 
Rio Arriba County Groundwater Study
Looking to sample deeper wells in the Abiquiu and Mendanales area! As part of the groundwater study for Rio Arriba County we have been sampling wells in the Abiquiu and Mendanales area. We would like to further characterize the deeper aquifer in these locations. We are looking for volunteers that have wells in non-irrigated lands including the areas off Hwy 554, the mesa above Mendanales and the Plaza Blanca area above County Road 155. If you have a well in these areas and would like to volunteer, please contact Jessica Johnston at 575-770-8585 or email aguasnortenas@gmail.com. The sampling will include measuring the water depth in your well and a water quality test. You will be provided with a copy of the results. Please reach out if you have any questions. Community Café
The Community Café is open to the Abiquiu community. Come meet your neighbors. Come to discuss local issues and creative programming. Be a part of the solution. We also support other local organizations.
Presently, we are working with the DOT to lower the speed limit from the Dollar Store to Bodes. We had hoped to get more art and music in elementary school and magically Max Manzanares taught a full month of classes at the school recently. There is “Art Play” with Iren Schio and Mimi, and Science classes at the Abiquiu Library on Saturdays. We are planning an open Potluck (late summer) at the Rural Events Center to support the 4H Club and Northern Youth Project. It’s a fun way to connect with each other. We are looking ahead to the fall and winter to see how we can support foods insecurity and/or firewood needs. As they say, “it takes a village”. The more people that want to be involved, the more we can help one another. Please join us: Date: The 2nd Thursday of every month (next meeting: June 12) Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm Location: Rural Events Center We Get Letters
Do you have a story to tell, a history to share?Whether you have been here ten years or your family hundreds of years, you have a story to tell about your connection to Abiquiu. Email us
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 AbiquiúVideo taken 6/4/2025 Courtesy of Becca Fisher
Send us your local images! Send to AbiquiuNewsImages@gmail.com. Please send images under 1mb. My inbox will thank you. ~Carol Art, Music, Film, and BooksVisit our Arts sponsor page
The workshop will be housed at historic Casa del Sol, amid the spectacular Ghost Ranch landscape made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe. We’ll luxuriate in the peacefulness of our morning workspace, under the shady portals of the courtyard. Afternoons will offer free time. Evenings will bring us together again for camaraderie and star-gazing. Join us!
For more info, visit the Ghost Ranch web page. Visit Helen’s website to see examples of her work. Call 505.685.4881 or 505.685.1019 to register. 
Visit abiquiuartscouncil.org for more info!
The Locals’ Picks Book List
Zach Hively Casa Urraca Press has created a place for locals in our area to recommend books to each other, and a place to find book suggestions with a personal touch.
Have a book to recommend? Send it to Zach at casaurracaltd@gmail.com – title, author, and the reason you suggest it.
The full Locals’ Picks list is available to view here on Bookshop. A purchase from Casa Urraca's link helps support independent bookstores. Abiquiu’s Casa Urraca Press earns a commission from every shopping trip that starts with the above Bookshop link—you can shop the entire Bookshop site in addition to the locals' picks. Plus, a percentage of every book (at least 10%) goes straight to independent bookstores. This is an opportunity to support small businesses with the same convenience as large online retailers. Local Library NewsPueblo de Abiquiú Library & Cultural Center
Abiquiu Book Club
The group has compiled the list of books they plan to read for 2025. Check this out and mark your calendar if you wish to join in the discussions.
July - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (5) August - The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin (5) September - Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey by Kathleen Rooney (4) October - James: by Percival Everett (4) November - All Fours by Miranda July (4) December - Anthropology of Turquoise by Ellen Meloy (4) January '26 - Eventide by Kent Haruf The group meets the last Tuesday of each month at the Abiquiu Library. Books are recommended by the members. All are welcome to join. Please call Analinda 927-6220 if you have questions El Rito Library
For the BirdsLooking for lodging near Abiquiú?
EventsPlease remember, events will go in for a maximum of three Fridays before the event. Send text, word or publisher file and a separate image, please keep images below 1 mb and send to info@abiquiunews.com. Vertical PDFs or JPGs will be edited for space. Send by Wednesday Noon for inclusion in that Friday's News.
Eid-al-Adha RSVP HERE
Anyone can fish for free in public fishing waters throughout the state on both days, but everyone must observe bag limits and all other rules and regulations. For more information, please visit the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s website.
“Free Fishing Weekend is a great opportunity for families to come together and take part in an activity that they can enjoy for a lifetime,” Department director Mike Sloane said. The Department is excited to take part in several events across the state as part of Free Fishing Weekend, with staff and Department volunteers helping to introduce New Mexico youth to fishing.
Announcements and ClassesVisit our Classes & Activities sponsor page
To make an appointment for an Akashic Record reading at Nest: magoon007@gmail.com
To register for a Reiki session at Ghost Ranch, click here, and scroll to bottom of page. 
Northern New Mexico College El Rito Campus
Continuing Education Opportunities 
Basic Residential Wiring, Hands-On Course
June 9 - 10, 2025 • 9:00 am-3:00 pm Fee: $189 •NNMC El Rito Campus • See details below!
For more info: Virginia Cata • (505) 747.5477 • virginia_c@nnmc.edu 
2 Tai Chi classes to choose from at Northern's El Rito campus!
Introduction to Tai Chi June 11- July 18, 2025 • Wednesday & Friday • 10-11 am El Rito Campus, Alumni Hall • 6-week class, $40 • See details below!
June 11- July 18, 2025 • Wednesday & Friday • 11 am-12 pm El Rito Campus, Alumni Hall • 6-week class, $40 • See details below!
For more info: Virginia Cata • (505) 747.5477 • virginia_c@nnmc.edu 
Take your pick: Instant Piano or Instant Guitar! Both for hopelessly busy people
In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment! Classes are online over Zoom and are partly hands-on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+. Fees include the online book, online recorded follow-up lessons, a recording of the class, and an optional live periodic Q&A session. Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People Monday, July 14, 2025 6:30pm- 9:30pm | Fee: $69 | Online Class Learn to play piano the way professionals do- using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People Tuesday, July 15, 2025 6:30pm- 9:00pm | Fee: $69 | Online Class You won't have to take private lessons! This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favourite songs right away. To register: https://nnmc.edu/community/continuing-education.html Click the "REGISTER" red box. For more info: Virginia Cata • (505) 747.5477 • virginia_c@nnmc.edu 
Join us for immersive workshops at Ghost Ranch:
June Community Camp 1 | June 16-19 Church Youth Week with Loye Troxler and Connie B. Burkhart | June 22-27 Painting the Ghost Ranch Desert at Casa del Sol with Michelle Chrisman | June 22-28 Be Still, My Soul: Sabbath Rest & Wonder with Larry Goleman and Carol Bechtel | June 23-28 Mindful Birding with Holly Thomas | June 27-29 Contemplative Astronomy with Wayne Hicks | June 27-29 “Look Closer” Watercolor Cloudscapes & Botanical with Jean Cate | June 27-29 Earth Body: Movement for All with Rulan Tangen | June 27-29 Meditation in Motion: Mindful Hiking with Laurie Magoon | June 27-29 Family Week | June 29 - July 4 Exploring C.S. Lewis “Mere Christianity” with J.D. Miller | June 29 - July 4 July Centering: On and Off the Pottery Wheel with Barbara Campbell | July 4-12 Introduction to Southwest Silversmithing with Jamie Halpern and Susie Sawin | July 6-12 Teen Venture: Arts and Adventure! with Chauncey Foster | July 6-12 Painting: Still Life and Landscape with KB Jones | July 6-12 Ghost Ranch Tin Types: Wet Plate in the West with Will Wilson | July 6-12 Journaling through Watercolor with Antonio Darden | July 6-12 Fire It Up! Art Welding with Connie B. Burkhart and David Kadlec | July 6-12 Ghost Ranch Chorale with Adam Waite, Leena Waite and Barbara Hulac | July 6-12 Plain Weave in Multiples with Sarah Noggle | July 6-12 Adult Service Corps with Martha Murchison and Art Myers | July 6-12 Intro to Stained Glass with Michelle Levy | July 6-12 Summer Venture | July 6-12 Tuning to the Desert with Brandon Wert and Cameron Newell | July 6-12 Stone, Shell, and Silver: Lapidary Jewelry with Jamie Halpern and Susie Sawin | July 13-19 Quilting Under the Cottonwoods with Rogene Ashford | July 13-19 Painting: Still Life and Landscapes with KB Jones | July 13-19 Coiling: Ancient Basketry Technique with Robin Przybysz | July 13-19 Fire It Up! Art Welding with Connie B. Burkhart and David Kadlec | July 13-19 The Art of Making Children’s Books with Colter Jackson | July 13-19 Figure Drawing and Portraiture with Helen Byers | July 13-19 Two Shuttle Shuffle with Sarah Noggle | July 13-19 Printed, Stitched and Bound with Alanna Austin | July 13-19 Adult Service Corps with Martha Murchison and Art Myers | July 13-19 TruGreen Pottery with Barbara Campbell | July 13-19 What’s Your Trail Name? with Brandon Wert | July 13-19 Summer Venture | July 13-19 Teen Venture: Nature, Adventure, and the Arts with Laurie Magoon | July 13-19 A Comprehensive Approach to Landscape in Watercolor with Sean Hudson | July 13-19 Beginning Silversmithing/Open Studio with Jamie Halpern and Susie Sawin | July 20-26 Welcome Quilts for Asylum Seekers with Rogene Ashford | July 20-26 Introduction to Watercolor with Patsy Welch | July 20-26 Pastels in the Painted Desert with Juliana Crownover | July 20-26 Fire It Up! Art Welding with Connie B. Burkhart and David Kadlec | July 20-26 Ghost Ranch Gospel Music - Heart and Soul with Todd O’Neal and Nathaniel Best | July 20-26 Summer Venture | July 20-26 Creating Beauty in Kilns with Fused Glass with Katrina Jameson | July 20-26 From Prompt to Poetry: Write! with Anita Skeen | July 20-26 Teen Venture: Birds and Beyond with Holly Thomas and Holly Merker | July 20-26 Dare to Lead: Values and Courage with Tasnim “Taz” McCormick Benhalim | July 20-26 Citizen Paleontology with Randy Irmis and Nathan Smith | July 20-26 Dust on the Page: Narratives of the Southwest with Irina Ruvinsky | July 20-26 Land is Body: Held in Gravity with Brad Stoller | July 20-26 Drawn to Clay: Exploring the Threw and Through with Misty Mawn | July 20-26 Community Camp 2 | July 28-31 August Color and Composition with Sean Hudson | August 8-10 On the Path Home with Dr. Richard Diamond | August 8-10 Five Stories to Rewrite Together with Ellen Petry Leanse | August 8-10 A Preacher’s Retreat with Working Preachers with Matthew Skinner, Karoline Lewis and Joy J. Moore | August 11-15 Living the Lord’s Prayer: God’s Revolution on Earth with San Williams | August 15-17 Ghost Ranch Community ASL Weekend with Joi Holsapple | August 15-17 Meditation in Motion: Mindful Hiking with Laurie Magoon | August 15-17 Indigenous Poetry featuring An Evening with Joy Harjo and Dg Nanouk Okpik | August 17-19 Writers Roundup with Lesley Poling-Kempes and Robin McLean | August 17-23 Painting the Ghost Ranch Landscape in Late Summer with Michelle Chrisman | August 24-30 Living with Hearing Loss with Dean Olson | August 25-29 Mindful Birding with Holly Thomas | August 29-31 Self-Discovery through Memoir with Deborah Taffa | August 29-31 Become a Great Storyteller with Judith Fein and Paul Ross | August 29 - September 1 |
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Missing Dog - Miles
Please help us get the story out there to help bring Miles home. Miles was last seen in rural Abiquiú, New Mexico — but could now be anywhere in NM or southern Colorado.
Miles isn’t just any dog — he’s a rescued survivor. This 4-year-old beagle was saved through the Beagle Freedom Project, an organization known for liberating animals from laboratory testing. After surviving a traumatic start to life, Miles finally found love, safety, and a home. But now he’s missing — and his family is desperate to find him. He vanished in the rugged, expansive terrain of Abiquiú, NM, and may have traveled a great distance or been picked up by someone unaware of his story. His family fears he may be lost, scared, or in need of care. Miles is:
We urgently ask media outlets, community networks, newspapers, and community networks to help amplify his story. With your reach, Miles could be found. A hiker, a truck driver, a small-town vet—anyone might be the key to bringing him home. Monetary compensation is being offered for information leading to his safe return. Contact Immediately With Any Information: Jessica Ourisman 📧 jgourisman@gmail.com 📞 510-381-9302 Miles survived the unimaginable once. With your help, he can come home again. Please share his story — every moment matters. 
RussRuss is scragglemuffin love on four paws. This 6yo gentleman isn’t just a cat… he’s THE cat. The one who greets you at the door like you’ve been gone for years, follows you from room to room like your fluffy little shadow, and turns any couch into cuddle headquarters the second you sit down. He lives for scritches, smooches, and slow blinks of adoration. His ideal day? In your lap. His ideal night? Still in your lap.
He does have a skin condition that makes him a little extra scruffy around the edges, but honestly? It just adds to his “charming wizard in a fuzzy bathrobe” aesthetic. And it doesn’t slow him down one bit — this guy is all purr, no pause. Looking for a loyal, loving, lap-warming best friend with soulful eyes and a snuggle game that’s second to none? Russ is sooooo your guy. Come meet Russ. Bring a lap. Leave with a best friend. We are open to walk-in adopters Monday-Saturday 11am-4:30pm with extended hours on Fridays ‘til 6pm. 
MaggieBlood donor. Life saver. Absolute queen. Maggie is a 7-year-old Rottweiler mix with the soul of a saint, the heart of a lion… and okay, maybe a few extra cookies in her belly. Just days ago, a tiny, poisoned Chihuahua puppy was clinging to life. Her only hope? An emergency blood transfusion. Maggie stepped up without fuss, no hesitation, and because of this gift, the puppy now has a fighting chance. Maggie didn’t wear a cape. She didn’t ask for applause. She just gave what she had to give — because that’s who she is. Loyal. Loving. Life-saving. Beyond her heroics, she’s the kind of dog that makes life easier just by being in it. Chill at adoption events. Gentle with everyone she meets, including kids. Volunteers call her “easy peasy.” We call her perfect. espanolahumane.org
Puppy in search of a young family to play with and be a part of! Australian Cattle Dog, male, 11 weeks old, blue merle coloring. Call or Text
505-901-6208 
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