NORA December 2019

enchantment The Voice of New Mexico's Rural Electric Cooperatives

Northern RĂ­o Arriba Electric Cooperative December 2019

Comfort from a Quilt

2

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

enchantment

December 1, 2019 • Vol. 71, No. 12 USPS 175-880 • ISSN 0046-1946 Circulation 89,507 enchantment (ISSN 0046-1946) is published monthly by the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 614 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87505. enchantment provides reliable, helpful information on rural living and energy use to electric cooperative members and customers.

Over 89,000 families and businesses receive enchantment Magazine as electric cooperative members. Non-member subscriptions are available at $12 per year or $18 for two years, payable to NMRECA. Allow four to eight weeks for delivery.

Periodical Postage paid at Santa Fe, NM 87501-9998 and additional mailing offices.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

CONTENT

26

Postmaster: Send address changes to 614 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87505-4428. Readers who receive the publication through their electric cooperative membership should report address changes to their local electric cooperative office.

THE NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

provides legislative and educational services to the cooperatives who are members of the Association that deliver electric power to New Mexico’s rural areas and small communities. The mission of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association is to strengthen, support, unify, and represent Cooperative member interests at the local, state, and national levels. Each cooperative has a representative on the association’s board of directors, which controls the editorial content and advertising policy of enchantment through its Publications Committee.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Charles Pinson, President, Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Artesia Tim Morrow, Vice President, Springer Electric Cooperative, Springer Duane Frost, Secretary-Treasurer, Central New Mexico Electric Cooperative, Mountainair BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Martinez, Columbus Electric Cooperative, Deming Keith Gottlieb, Continental Divide Electric Cooperative, Grants Lance R. Adkins, Farmers’ Electric Cooperative, Clovis Robert Caudle, Lea County Electric Cooperative, Lovington Robert Quintana, Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Mora Thomas G. Rivas, Northern Río Arriba Electric Cooperative, Chama Preston Stone, Otero County Electric Cooperative, Cloudcroft Antonio Sanchez, Jr., Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative, Portales George Biel, Sierra Electric Cooperative, Elephant Butte Joseph Herrera, Socorro Electric Cooperative, Socorro Travis Sullivan, Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Clayton Wayne Connell, Tri-State G&T Association, Westminster, Colorado Charles G. Wagner, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Oklahoma

07

Electronic Gift Guide Tech-savvy gifts for family and friends.

10

New Mexico Tech Hurricane Hunters Collecting data from storms.

12

Science that Sparks An opportunity for educators to learn about energy.

14

Comfort from a Quilt Embracing veterans with quilts.

22

Holiday Tree Safety Tips Good-to-know tips as you put up your Christmas tree.

26

Choo, Choo! A Train Ride for a Good Cause Collecting toys and food for those in need.

10

DEPARTMENTS 04

Current News

05

View from enchantment

06

Hale to the Stars

06

Enchanted Journeys

08

Energy Sense

16

On the Menu

18

Book Chat

NATIONAL DIRECTOR

David Spradlin, Springer Electric Cooperative, Springer MEMBERS OF THE PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE

Thomas G. Rivas, Chair, Northern Río Arriba Electric Cooperative Chris Martinez, Columbus Electric Cooperative Robert Caudle, Lea County Electric Cooperative Joseph Herrera, Socorro Electric Cooperative Wayne Connell, Tri-State G&T Association NEW MEXICO RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

614 Don Gaspar Avenue Phone: 505-982-4671 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Fax: 505-982-0153 www.nmelectric.coop www.enchantment.coop Keven J. Groenewold, CEO, kgroenewold@nmelectric.coop Susan M. Espinoza, Editor, sespinoza@nmelectric.coop Tom Condit, Assistant Editor, tcondit@nmelectric.coop

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DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Rates available upon request. Cooperative members and New Mexico display advertisers email Shaylyn at enchantmentads@nmelectric.coop or call 505-2522540. National representative: American MainStreet Publications, 800-626-1181.

Advertisements in enchantment are paid solicitations and are not endorsed by the publisher or the electric cooperatives that are members of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association. PRODUCT SATISFACTION AND DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY LIE SOLELY WITH THE ADVERTISER. Copyright ©2019, New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. Reproduction prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

On the Cover A patriotic quilt from the Southwestern New Mexico (SWNM) Quilter’s Guild in Silver City. Photo courtesy of the SWNM Quilter's Guild.

20 Vecinos 23

The Market Place

26

Youth Art

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Your Electric Co-op enchantment.coop • December 2019

3

current news I research • trends • letters

Governor and U.S. Forest Chief Sign Shared Stewardship Agreement

O

n November 14, 2019, at the Randall Davey Audubon Center on the outskirts of Santa Fe, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Vicki Christiansen, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, signed the “Shared Stewardship Agreement” between the State of New Mexico and the U.S. Forest Service.

The agreement establishes the framework to strengthen existing state and federal partnerships that are focused on improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and benefiting local communities.

New Mexico became the ninth state to sign the shared stewardship agreement.

“The agreement arrives amid a local standoff between the federal judiciary and U.S. forest managers related to tree cutting, wildfire threats and the fate of the threatened Mexican spotted owl.”

“The U.S. Forest Service is asking a judge to reconsider an order that has halted commercial tree-cutting across five national forests in New Mexico and one in Arizona.”

In the latest federal Farm Bill, money is appropriated to add rural electric cooperatives in vegetation management. The cooperatives are working with the State Forestry Division and the U.S. Forest Service on a pilot project in highly vulnerable areas to help reduce wildfire risk.

Congratulations to this month’s photo winner: Theresa Romero who is surrounded by autumn cheer and smiling pumpkins as she reads the October 2019 enchantment.

Her granddaughter, Cruzita Vigil, took the colorful photograph.

They are members of Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative.

They win $20!

4

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Photo, left to right: George Valdez, Systems Operations Manager, and Les W.J. Montoya, General Manager, Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative; Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham; Sarah Cottrell Propst, Cabinet Secretary, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD); Laura McCarthy, State Forester, EMNRD State Forestry Division; and Lindsey Quam, Deputy Director of Forests, EMNRD State Forestry Division.

Happy Holidays from our co-op family to yours!

A New Year, a new enchantment coming your way!

enchantment

monthly photo win ner Take a photo of you holding YOUR MAGAZINE AND WIN! Simply take a photo of you or someone with the magazine and email it with a few words about the photo. Include your name, mailing address, and co-op name, send to: enchantment@nmelectric.coop

One lucky member will win $20. Submitting your photo(s) gives us permission to publish the photo(s) in enchantment, Facebook, and other media outlets.

How to Contact enchantment Phone 505-982-4671 Email enchantment@nmelectric.coop Facebook facebook.com/enchantmentnmreca Mail 614 Don Gaspar Avenue Santa Fe, NM 87505 Community Events events@nmelectric.coop Display Ads enchantmentads@nmelectric.coop Book Chat Inquiries enchantment@nmelectric.coop

view from I enchantment

Co-op members are valued every day of the year

Warm Wishes This Holiday Season

D Have a blessed holiday and a happy new year. See you in 2020.

ecember is a quiet month for rural electric cooperatives. Annual meetings are concluded, trustee elections are over, and it’s time to settle into the business of powering Christmas lights and keeping the winter home cozy. Of course, we deliver reliable electricity the rest of the year, too.

Like any other electric utility, we answer customers phone calls, connect new customers, respond to outage calls, maintain the electric system, and plan for the future needs of our members. With justifiable pride, we work hard to provide reliable, affordable power to rural members both here in New Mexico and across the country.

Other electric utilities claim the same commitment, although it may not include rural customers. The industry generally keeps the lights on without charging too much for its product—after all, no one is going to stay in business with expensive, unreliable power.

However, that is not good enough if you are a cooperative. We have standards that go beyond power lines and electric meters. These standards—the cooperative principles—define the values that guide our work, our relationship with our members, and our relationship with the communities we serve.

Our values are simple enough. We are memberowned businesses. Any consumer can be a member, and members control their co-op through their vote.

Members have an economic stake in the business and are rewarded through a patronage allocation. Co-ops operate independently on behalf of the members. We provide members with honest and transparent information about the operations of the cooperative. We cooperate with other cooperatives to better serve our members, and we work to improve our communities.

While simple, these values make us different from any other type of electric company. Investor-owned utilities are accountable to their shareholders. They

operate to maximize shareholder profits. Municipal utilities are accountable to local government entities.

They operate to serve the needs and goals of the mayor or council. Each of them has a filter between the business and the customer.

Cooperatives don’t have that filter. Our members, our owners, and our neighbors are one and the same person. We are governed by trustees who are members, elected by their neighbors to guide the operations of the cooperative. The members vote at annual meetings or district elections. Any member can run for the board if they fulfill the requirements of the co-op’s bylaws.

The members convene once a year at the annual meeting to approve or disapprove the cooperative’s actions. The rest of the year, they can call their elected trustee if they have a question about the cooperative’s operations or programs. In fact, trustees frequently hear about outages or other service problems before the co-op itself.

There are 42 million people who are part of this cooperative business model. They live in 47 states from Maine to Hawaii and from Alaska to Florida. They come from all walks of life and backgrounds imaginable. They have one thing in common, however. They are all members and owners of their electric service provider. No one else can make that claim.

So, as you settle down with that eggnog and a warm blanket, hopefully, you can take comfort that the electric co-op you own is working for you.

By Keven J. Groenewold. P.E. Chief Executive Officer New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association

enchantment.coop • December 2019

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hale to the stars I by alan hale

Comet Borisov

J

upiter has been a prominent fixture in our evening sky the past few months, but it takes its leave of us in December. It can still be seen low in the southwest during dusk early in the month, but disappears into the twilight within a few weeks. Saturn follows along about an hour and a half later; early in December, it is still in the southwest after dusk, but it, too, disappears into twilight by month’s end.

Going in the opposite direction, meanwhile, is Venus, which has been climbing higher into our evening sky since about mid-October. Venus passed close to Jupiter late last month and will be close to Saturn on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the 10th and the 11th. Afterwards, as Saturn continues to drop lower to the horizon, Venus climbs higher and higher, and will blaze brilliantly in our evening skies for the first few months of next year.

Over in the morning sky, Mars rises an hour to an hour and a half before the beginning of dawn. It

will continue to rise earlier, and grow brighter, as we head into the new year. Mercury is also visible low in the east around the beginning of twilight at the start of December but disappears into the dawn by around mid-month.

December usually brings the Geminid meteor shower, which peaks around the 13th and 14th and often exhibits 100 or more meteors per hour.

Unfortunately, full moon this year is on December 12, so much of the shower will be washed out in the bright moonlight. Skywatchers who are willing to brave the moonlight and the cold temperatures may nevertheless still see up to 30 or 40 meteors per hour, and unlike some meteor showers, the Geminids are often well seen during the evening hours.

Our skies have an unusual visitor this month: a comet discovered by an amateur astronomer in Crimea, Gennady Borisov, back at the end of August, that turns out to be the first confirmed example of a

An image of the interstellar Comet Borisov taken by Alan Hale on October 8, 2019, with the Las Cumbres Observatory facility at Haleakala, Hawaii. Courtesy Las Cumbres Observatory/Earthrise Institute. comet arriving from interstellar space and passing through our solar system before heading back out. It is closest to the sun (187 million miles) on December 8 and passes closest to Earth (180 million miles) on December 28, and sky-watchers with large backyard telescopes may possibly be able to glimpse it as it travels south-southeastward through the constellations of Crater and Hydra in the morning sky.

enchanted journeys: Submit your community event to: events@nmelectric.coop December 6-8 • Lovington Spirit of the Season Marketplace & Festival Lea County Fairgrounds • 575-396-5311

December 7 • Cloudcroft Tree Lighting & Parade Cloudcroft High School • 575-682-2733

December 7 • Salinas Pueblo Luminaria de Abo • Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument • 505-847-2585

December 14 • Deming Luminarias Night Rockhound State Park • 575-546-6182

December 6 • Aztec Evening of Lights • Aztec Ruins National Monument • 505-334-6174

December 7 • Clovis Christmas Light Parade Along Main Street • 575-309-8370

December 7 • Socorro Holiday Electric Light Parade California Street • 575-835-0240

December 14 • Ribera Arts and Crafts Fair • Community Cultural Center • 575-421-3114

December 7 • Alamogordo Ranch House Tour • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park • 575-437-6120

December 7 • Hillsboro Christmas in the Foothills Community Center • 575-895-5117

December 7 • Tucumcari 2019 Christmas Light Parade Route 66 Boulevard • 575-461-1694

December 24 • Tome Luminaria Tour Tome Plaza • 505-514-1797

December 7 • Bernal Arts and Craft Fair Community Center • 575-421-0423

December 7 • Mountainair Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair • Dr. Saul Community Building • 505-847-0973

December 7-8 • Chama Santa Trains • Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad • 888-286-2737

December 28 • Gallup Downtown Night Out Coal Avenue • 505-863-1227

December 7 • Capitan 20th Annual Holiday Bazaar Capitan Public Library • 575-354-3035

December 7 • Portales Holiday Happening • Campus Union Building Ballroom-ENMU • 575-607-6201

December 7-8, 14-15 • Monticello Holiday Store & Lunch 388 Calle Del Norte • 575-743-0200

December 31 • Red River New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade Red River Ski Area • 575-754-2223

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December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Electronic Gift Guide

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This holiday season, give the gift of tech!

If you’re searching for the latest gadgets and electronics to gift but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of ideas for your techsavvy friends and family members: Gifts for the chef: Every foodie knows that temperature matters when mastering the perfect cut of meat. A Bluetooth-connected thermometer can help your chef ensure a delicious (and safe-to-eat) meal. Just download the associated app and keep an eye on the grill right from your smart phone or tablet.

A digital kitchen scale is a must for any culinary pro. No more guessing—the easy-to-read digital screen ensures the exact weight or amount required for that perfect dish.

Gifts for the pet owner: Pet owners would be lost without their fur babies. Luckily, pet tracking products continue to advance, so pet owners can always keep a watchful eye on their furry friends. Most trackers simply attach to your pet’s collar. You can also purchase surveillance cameras for real-time monitoring. Some cameras include a microphone (so you can talk to your pets) and the ability to snap a photo or take video from your smart phone.

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enchantment.coop • December 2019

7

energy sense I by patrick keegan and brad thiessen

Bright Ideas for Smart Home Lighting Dear Pat and Brad: I’ve heard a lot about smart lighting for the home. What is it, and will it save energy? —Julian.

Dear Julian: It seems like every device is getting smarter these days. Since smart-home lighting is so new, many of us could use a little introduction.

At its heart, smart lighting covers a range of bulbs, controls, and lighting systems that are programmable through an app on a mobile device, computer, or smart speaker. Smart lighting can do more than turn on and off at the right time. Some smart lighting systems can dim at various times.

Some can be connected to a sensor or motion detector so that a light goes on when a door is opened, or someone enters a room. Some smart lighting systems can change color so you can set up a holiday light show indoors or outdoors. It can also be practical, providing lighting that matches sunlight during the day and is more relaxing in the evening. You may even be able to play music directly from the bulb!

In most cases, you control smart lighting through your home Wi-Fi. You can communicate to individual smart bulbs or to a hub that, in turn, controls individual bulbs. In some cases, you can use Bluetooth® on your phone to control smart lighting, but you’ll need to be within range of the bulb or hub. Smart lighting can also be used outdoors, but the range of your control device could limit this approach.

If the smart bulbs are the type that connect through a hub or connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, you should be able to control them via smart speakers like Google Home, Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod, and remotely through the internet or smartphone. While a hub-based system is more expensive, it allows lights to be grouped by floor or room, and also uses less bandwidth on your network than running many separate bulbs. Some hub kits also allow you to use regular bulbs instead of requiring more-expensive smart bulbs, which could save you money.

8

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Smart lighting systems that run through a hub, like the Philips Hue shown here, can control lighting inside and outside your home. Photo Credit: Philips.

Wall-mounted smart tile lights, like the ones from Lifx shown here, can add mood lighting to your room. Photo Credit: Lifx.

Will smart lighting save energy? That depends on how you light your home and control your lighting now, and on how you would control the smart lighting you install in the future.

If you use smart lighting to turn lights off when they aren’t needed, like when rooms are empty or no one’s home, or to reduce the wattage, you will save energy.

How much energy can you save? Lighting accounts for about 6 percent of electricity use in the average home, which means your total cost for all the lighting in your home might only be $100 per year. If you have some high wattage bulbs that are on for long periods of time every day, your lighting use could be significantly higher than average.

Investments in smart lighting are not likely to pay back as quickly as some energy efficiency measures that control heating or air conditioning.

Smart bulbs are more expensive than typical LED bulbs, ranging from $15 to $80, and a hub can cost up to $125, so it could take a long time to make your money back. Chances are, you’re better off investing in smart lighting for the features than the energy savings.

Many smart lighting systems can be controlled through smart speakers like the Amazon Echo shown here. Photo Credit: Amazon.

One alternative to smart lighting is smart wall outlets or wall switches. For example, you can plug a lamp with a standard bulb into a smart wall outlet, or you can have several lights wired to one smart switch. The downside to smart switches and outlets is that installation could be more challenging, and you may not have as many options and features that come with smart lighting.

Another strategy for smart lighting that has been around for a long time and is reasonably priced is to use occupancy sensors, motion sensors, or timers as control devices.

The wide number of options and costs makes it difficult to select the best smart lighting for your situation. We suggest you do the research to make sure it’s worth your time and money to make the change.

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New Mexico Tech Hurricane Hunters

By Chris Eboch

I

t all started with beer. Zeljka Fuchs-Stone met her former advisor, Dave Raymond, for drinks. Fuchs-Stone complained about a lack of challenges. Raymond, a physics professor at New Mexico Tech, suggested they do an international field project.

Over the next couple of hours, they came up with The Organization of Tropical East Pacific Convection (OTREC). Now, the organization is funded by the National Science Foundation for $5.4 million.

This past summer, they led a research project in Costa Rica to collect data. The team hoped to improve our knowledge of storm behavior in the Eastern Pacific and Southwestern Caribbean.

“Those two areas have different sea surface temperatures and different mechanisms that develop storms. How different and why, is something we hope we will be able to answer,” Fuchs-Stone says.

To forecast the weather, scientists need to understand the physics of the atmosphere. Then they need data, measurements of what’s happening now.

She likens the science to a combination of puzzles.

If we had all the data for the whole planet, we could accurately predict the weather. However, we are missing a lot of the data for the tropics. What’s happening there affects the weather worldwide.

“The weather doesn’t know borders,” she says. “It’s connected, it flows together.”

Predicting the weather isn’t merely a nice way to plan your activities for the day. Farmers depend on the weather for growing food. Extreme weather can kill people. “Our economy and health depend on weather and climate forecasts,” says Fuchs-Stone.

The team of more than 30 people included researchers and students from the United States, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and the United 10

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Photos, top to bottom: Dave Raymond and Zeljka Fuchs-Stone, principle investigators from New Mexico Tech, with the plane crew after a flight. Zeljka Fuchs-Stone stands next to the research aircraft before a take-off. Photos courtesy of Zeljka Fuchs-Stone.

Kingdom. Members of the group made 22 research flights, for a total of 127 flight research hours.

Flying into storms is risky. The flights are bound to hit turbulence, which may be severe. They have to avoid lightning. “Commercial flights try to avoid weather, while we go and look for some,” FuchsStone says.

An average research day started by waking up at 4:00 a.m. They looked at the satellite images and planned the day’s flight. They took off around 6:00 a.m., heading for the area of interest.

For some flights, they took a Gulfstream V plane, which can fly as high as 47,000 feet. The planes crammed full of equipment look more like science labs than a means of transportation. “I was able to go on two flights,” says Nick Jensen, a New Mexico Tech senior. “You are able to walk around the aircraft a few minutes after takeoff and even talk to the pilots when they aren’t busy. When in the sky, you get to watch the clouds in real-time. It’s very different than looking at experimental data long after the fact.”

The researchers dropped 655 instruments called sondes to collect data on the different stages of storms. As they fall towards the ocean, the sondes record the temperature, humidity, pressure, and winds. For each flight, the team members spent four to five hours dropping the sondes, trying to make a tidy grid.

Team members on the ground launched balloons to collect additional data. All that information is available to every agency that runs weather models.

They’re trying to understand why some storms turn

into hurricanes, and some don’t. It’s “one of the greatest puzzles in the world,” Fuchs-Stone says.

Fuchs-Stone got interested in weather forecasting as an undergraduate student in physics. “I saw for the first time the equations that describe our atmosphere, the ones that inspired chaos theory. I was totally hooked.”

At Tri-State

Stipo Sentic, Zeljka Fuchs-Stone and Ana Juracic aboard the research aircraft. Photo courtesy of Zeljka Fuchs-Stone.

As a graduate student, she made her first research flight. She got to see what she was studying, instead of sitting in an office working on equations on paper.

“Participating in field projects can totally change the way one sees their job,” Fuchs-Stone says. “That’s exactly what happened to me.” That’s one reason it’s important for OTREC to include student researchers. “Who knows, maybe in one of the next field projects, they will be running the show.”

As a PhD student, Fuchs-Stone participated in a field project where Dave Raymond was one of the principal investigators. “Seeing the storms day after day, analyzing collected data, and trying to come up with better physics for our models, is a beautiful challenge for me,” Fuchs-Stone says. Now a research professor and the director of New Mexico Tech’s Climate and Water Consortium in Socorro, she believes she has the best job in the world. She loves physics and math, and weather science combines those. “There isn’t anything that I would rather do,” she says.

That’s good for her students, and for the rest of us, who benefit from a better understanding of tropical storms.

Our cooperative approach to a clean grid starts now.

Learn how we’re transforming with our Responsible Energy Plan. www.tristate.coop/responsibleenergyplan

Learn more about OTREC:

https://www.eol.ucar.edu/field_projects/otrec

enchantment.coop • December 2019

11

Attention Educators Opportunity to learn how Science Sparks The 2020 NEED Conference • June 23-25, 2020 Tri-State G&T Association • Westminster, CO Apply online at www.tristate.coop/NEEDapplication Educators interested in all aspects of energy have an opportunity to spark their interest about energy next summer during The National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project Conference.

The NEED Conference is available to 4th through 12th grade teachers who are electric co-op members or teach electric co-op members. Educators attending the conference in Westminster, CO, on June 23-25, 2020, receive the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy:

SCIENCE THAT SPARKS: Learn the aspects of energy • Science of Energy: Learn about the different forms of energy and explore inquiry activities designed to teach these concepts.

• Story Behind the Switch: Participate in this hair-raising electric safety program that can be facilitated in your very own classroom.

• Energy Roundup: Explore properties and characteristics of the 10 major sources of energy.

• Electric Connections: Understanding the electricity generation mix in the United States.

• Exploring Wind and Solar: Explore the generation of electricity using wind and solar power.

• Introduction to Energy Efficiency and Conservation: Understand the simple, low-cost ways to reduce energy consumption and the science behind energy efficiency.

• Energy House: Learn about efficiency, conservation and economic returns by building and insulating a cardboard house.

Educators receive Hands-on Science of Energy kit ($300 value) for the classroom; professional development credit; STEM curriculum regarding the science of energy, sources of energy, electricity, efficiency, and more; and assistance meeting math and language arts Common Core Standards.

All conference expenses and most travel expenses including lodging, meals and transportation are covered by Tri-State and its member systems. The program is sponsored in cooperation with the National Energy Education Development Project, which works with the education community to promote an energy conscious and educated society by helping deliver multi-sided energy education programs.

For more information on this educational opportunity, contact Michelle Pastor at Tri-State G&T Association at mpastor@tristategt.org 12

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

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The Southwestern New Mexico Quilter's Guild promoted its organization by displaying rows of patriotic quilts on a float during the Fourth of July parade in Silver City this year. Photo courtesy of the Southwestern New Mexico Quilter's Guild.

Comfort from a Quilt

By Debb Johnson

In 2003, Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed to Iraq, had a dream. Vividly in the dream, she saw “a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over, overcome with despair. She could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, she saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and wellbeing.”

The quilt had created this dramatic change. The message of her dream was: Quilts = Healing.

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December 2019 • enchantment.coop

F

rom that dream, Roberts founded the Quilts of Valor program. Later that year, the first quilt was awarded to a veteran at Walter Reed Hospital. Since that first presentation, over 230,000 quilts have been awarded to veterans across the country.

Quilts of Valor Foundation is a non-profit organization. Its mission is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”

The organization has blossomed into a nationwide network of volunteer quilters in every state who donate their time and materials to make quilts for veterans. Through word of mouth and the internet, the Quilts of Valor program became a team concept.

Members of the “team” consist of the topper, the quilter, a binder, and points of contact who nominate veterans and service members to be recipients.

There is an ongoing need for volunteer quilters as the foundation gets more and more exposure, and more requests for quilts are received. An active quilting group about 50 miles from the Columbus Electric Cooperative in Deming, is the Southwestern New Mexico (SWNM) Quilter’s Guild in Silver City.

This group of dedicated ladies work individually on quilts at their own pace in their own homes.

They get together about once a month for a sewing day or to make a presentation to veterans in Grant County. Since their first presentation in October 2014, they have awarded 176 quilts. Some of the ladies make entire quilts on their own, while others work on squares, some assemble, and others quilt.

The quilts are a wonderful way to “show thanks to veterans for their service, sacrifice and valor.”

The ladies who donate their time and materials to this wonderful cause all agree the “appreciation Anyone can request a quilt for a veteran or active service member. For details, visit the Quilts of Valor website or contact the state coordinators.

Quilts of Valor Foundation

www.qovf.org Priscilla Andrews, New Mexico Coordinator priscilla.andrews@QOVF.org Jennifer Wilson, Arizona Coordinator jennifer.wilson@QOVF.org

Army Veterans Receive Quilts

This past September, the Southwestern New Mexico Quilter’s Guild presented quilts to a father and son who served our country in the Army. "Each of these tiny stitches is a hug from the quilter.” This is what was eloquently said to father and son Mascario and Michael Lopez by Jude Casco at a presentation of Quilts of Valor in Silver City. It was a moving experience for the recipients, the quilt presenters and those in attendance at the Disabled American Veterans meeting. Mascario said he was “proud of his service, and honored” to receive his quilt. The Lopez family has four generations of military service.

Army veterans Michael Lopez (son) and Mascario Lopez (father), with their quilts during a Quilts of Valor presentation in Silver City in September. Judy Casco, quilter, wraps Michael Lopez in his quilt. Photos by Debb Johnson. from the veteran recipients is their reward” for their hours of work on their beautiful creations. The quilts all have a patriotic theme. Some are very elaborate, others plain, but all have hugs sewn into every stitch.

To promote the organization to the community, the SWNM Quilter’s Guild had a float in the Fourth of July parade this year in Silver City. All the quilts highlighted a patriotic theme.

Quilting clubs or individuals with no affiliation to a quilting guild are welcome to become members and donate squares or entire quilts. There is also an ongoing need for volunteers who have longarm quilting machines. A longarm is a large sewing machine used to sew together a quilt top, quilt batting and quilt backing into a finished quilt.

Longarms can complete the assembly of a quilt much faster than a smaller home sewing machine.

There are a limited number of longarmers across the country who volunteer their longarms with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Priscilla Andrews, the New Mexico coordinator, is an Air Force veteran and a quilter. She became involved after a friend was awarded a quilt for his service to our country. She thought, “it was such a touching and wonderful idea” that she was inspired

to become a member. At that time, New Mexico did not have a state coordinator, so she volunteered to take the position. She encourages and welcomes new volunteers from around the state.

In neighboring Arizona, Jennifer Wilson is a veteran of the Army Nurse Corps. Though she had heard of Quilts of Valor, it wasn’t until she received one that she “appreciated the very special feeling of that quilt wrapped around her.” She was compelled to join Quilts of Valor shortly after receiving her quilt and became the Arizona coordinator. She travels all over the state making presentations and says, “making and presenting a quilt to another veteran is a real joy.” One thing she always says when wrapping a Vietnam veteran in a quilt is a sincere “welcome home.”

There are quilting guilds and clubs all over New Mexico and Arizona, and many are involved with the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Contact information for these groups can be found on the Quilts of Valor Foundation website. It is the hope of this story to encourage more volunteer quilters and nominations for quilt awards to the many veterans who deserve appreciation for their service to our great country. enchantment.coop • December 2019

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on the menu I by sue hutchison

Simply Delicious Gift Giving Goodies New Mexican Biscochitos 2 cups lard or shortening 1½ cups sugar 3 tsps. anise seed 3 eggs 6 cups flour 3 tsps. baking powder 1 tsp. salt ½ cup brandy or sweet wine ½ cup water Cinnamon and sugar mixture: 1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar

Welcoming the advent of the holiday season brings expectations, warm family gatherings, and special treats. There is, however, that one on our list who has simply everything, making gift-giving rather challenging. Homemade treats are a very thoughtful answer, providing not only delicious surprises, but a personal touch. The following recipes are simple or uniquely New Mexican.

Not only are pecans the number one commercial crop in the state, but since 1989, the biscochito has been New Mexico’s official state cookie. Thought to have been brought to our state centuries ago

by Spanish colonists, various biscochito recipes have been adapted and influenced by local and indigenous customs. The recipe is modified from a recipe found in the collection of the family of Toney Anaya who served as New Mexico's governor from 1983 to 1987.

Happy gift giving!

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December 2019 • enchantment.coop

1. Preheat oven to 375⁰ 2. Cream lard/shortening with sugar until fluffy.

3. Add anise seed and eggs until blended.

4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.

5. In another bowl, blend brandy and water.

6. Alternate mixing into shortening/sugar mixture the flour blend and brandy blend until dough is completely mixed.

7. Cover and refrigerate dough until firm.

Note: dough may be mixed a day in advance and kept in refrigerator until used.

8. On a lightly floured surface, roll sections of dough until approximately ¹�3 inch thick.

9. Cut into desired shapes, and place on foil covered baking sheet.

10. Dust with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

11. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes to desired consistency.

12. Remove from baking sheet, cooling on parchment paper.

Candied Pecans with a Kick ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ 4 3

cup sugar tsp. ground cayenne pepper tsp. salt tsp. ground nutmeg tsp. ground cinnamon Tbs. water cups pecan halves

1. Preheat oven to 350⁰ 2. Cover large, rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty foil. Set aside.

3. Place sugar, spices and water in saucepan. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly.

4. Stop stirring and boil mixture two minutes.

5. Remove from heat and add pecans, stirring to coat.

6. Spread coated pecans on baking sheet in a single layer, separating as much as possible.

7. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until lightly browned. While baking, prepare parchment paper for cooling, once pecans are baked.

8. After baking, immediately transfer pecans to parchment sheet to cool, separating as much as possible. Note: baked pecans will begin to set immediately upon removal from oven. Immediate transfer is crucial.

Salted Caramel-Peanut Crock Clusters Candy: 1 16 oz. jar dry roasted, unsalted peanuts 1 16 oz. jar dry roasted, salted peanuts 1 12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 4 oz. German Chocolate bar 2 24 oz. pkgs. White candy coating, such as Almond Bark®

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Topping: 1 11 oz. pkg. caramel bits 2 Tbs. half and half Sea salt

Candy: 1. Turn 4-5 quart slow cooker to Low. 2. Place candy ingredients in cooker in the order listed above and cover.

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4. After time has expired, turn off cooker and stir candy mixture until blended. Allow to cool 10 minutes.

5. Drop by rounded teaspoonful on parchment or waxed paper to set.

6. While setting, prepare topping.

Topping: 1. Melt caramel bits along with half and half in microwave, stirring until smooth.

2. Dollop melted caramel on cooled candy in batches of a dozen, lightly sprinkling with sea salt. If caramel becomes too firm, microwave for 15 seconds and stir.

3. Cool completed candy until caramel is set. Package as desired.

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enchantment.coop • December 2019

17

book chat I by phaedra greenwood Visit your local community bookstores to purchase books.

Ghosts of the San Juan

By Donald Willerton • Terra Nova Press www.terranovabooks.com

This action-oriented mystery is a riveting adventure woven around the tale of four men who were lost on a rafting trip down the San Juan River, their bodies never found.

Willerton’s characters spring to life on the page. Our hero, Mogi, is “fourteen and tall for his age, but his muscles had not caught up with his bones, so he was gangly and spindly and a little awkward …” His sister Jennifer, a year older, joins the rafting adventure, which begins when a hooded figure shows up in one of Mogi’s photos on the edge of a cliff above a waterfall. Below the falls the teens find a handful of semi-precious stones. Mogi can’t shake the feeling that the lost rafters and the semi-precious stones are connected. Learn about Navajo beliefs and traditions and the vital skills of river rafting in an ancient canyon with petroglyphs and Anasazi ruins. Great description and facts about Utah’s geography and geology near Mexican Hat. Five stars.

Road to Nowhere and Other New Stories from the Southwest Edited By D. Seth Horton and Brett Garcia Myhren University of New Mexico Press 800-848-6224 • www.unmpress.com

This staccato portrait of the modern Southwest is a collage of human struggles painted over seething layers of history, culture, and violence. These fully-realized short stories, gleaned by two hard-working, editors from almost 400 journals and magazines, read like mythological maps to invisible destinations that seem strangely familiar, haunted by “a man wearing a shadow, a gorilla costume, the night sky like a secret skin,” (“Trust” by Paula McLain). Some of the better-known authors are Ron Carlson, Lara Furman, and Don Waters. In “Alba”

by Kent Nelson, an illegal Mexican immigrant hitches a ride lying flat on top of a camper. A story set in Lubbock reiterates, reiterates, reiterates like a rocking camper in a crazy wind as “We drove all night, me and Allison, with Clive dead in the trunk.” In Sally Bingham’s story about dancing lessons, when the cha cha cha was over, was the teacher sleeping with his students? Gay? Or just on cocaine? A compelling read.

Five stars.

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December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Images of America: Taos

By Lyn Bleiler • Arcadia Publishing 844-882-1651 • www.arcadiapublishing.com

Bleiler has gathered dozens of historic photos from the archives of Taos Historic Museums, the Southwest Research Center, Yale University, Millicent Rogers Museum, and private sources to portray the flow of history and a rich cultural mix that includes Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglos who once joined together in the annual Taos Fiesta parade. Early Taos Pueblo photos carry a spiritual resonance and sense of connection to the land. The Taos Society of Artists includes Bert Phillips, who posed Native Americans with horses and Plains Indian headdresses as archetypal figures in his paintings.

Follow the photographic evolution of Taos plaza from horses and wagons to gas stations and the Montaner Theater. Enjoy some fine photos of Georgia O’Keefe, Mable Dodge Lujan and Tony Lujan, the Fechins, and Doc Martin. “While still just a remote mountain village, Taos was infused with an astonishing number of artistic, literary, and intellectual thinkers of the day,” reads the Introduction. “Fortunately, this phenomenon is still true today.” A historical treasure trove.

Mail your book with contact information and where to order to: enchantment Book Chat, 614 Don Gaspar Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

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December • enchantment.coop Include name and

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vecinos I by ariana kramer

Cultural Advocate and Poet Works for “La Vida Buena y Sana” “When you watch somebody open the compuerta (headgate) to the acequia, and the water comes running—that’s poetry. … When you inherit seeds from an elder, and you plant them, and you have a very beautiful harvest of corn that year—that’s poetry.” ~Olivia Romo.

O

livia Romo grew up on the Acequia del Monte de Rio Chiquito in Ranchos de Taos. She comes from many generations of ranchers and farmers, with deep roots nourished by the land and water of Northern New Mexico. She is the only child of Raymond and Priscilla Romo.

Coming from a rural lifestyle, Romo was interested in education that would allow her to stay connected with her community. She left Taos County to attend the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and earned a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Chicana/o Studies.

“When I left for my education, I really was trying to find a career path and do research that would deepen my understanding of my community and history so I could come back and provide insight and support and be a resource,” says Romo.

After graduation, Romo began working for the New Mexico Acequia Association (NMAA) as the outreach coordinator.

Through this work, Romo was able to connect with people and acequias across New Mexico.

Acequias are the centuries-old, life-giving, hand-dug irrigation ditches that divert water from New Mexico’s rivers and streams into fields, orchards and gardens. Romo says she felt a calling to be of service and “to be an advocate for the Hispaño people and all landbased people in Northern New Mexico.”

She worked for NMAA from 2015 to 2019 until she was offered a position with Santa Fe County as a Constituent Services Liaison for District 5. In her new position, she frequently meets with mutual domestic water associations, homeowners associations, and 20

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

people having issues with roads, domestic water systems, sewage systems, and more.

“I’ve definitely taken this position to broaden my advocacy…to work with policymakers to ensure…that our people have a seat at the decision-making table, always,” says Romo.

In addition to her community work, Romo is an accomplished poet and storyteller. She is a 2011 New Mexico State Champion for Slam Poetry and has been a featured poet at the National Cowboy Poetry Festival in Elko, Nevada. Romo recently took the stage at the Taos Storytelling Festival, alongside national storyteller Antonio Rocha and regional storyteller Cisco Guevara. Her poetry and stories are inspired by the people and landscapes she knows so well.

“Growing up in Taos, I’ve never really had to go looking far for good stories or for something to write about,” says Romo.

These days Romo says she is writing short stories that focus on magical realism because she believes what happens in communities can often be expressed most clearly through metaphor. “I really believe in the spiritual aspects of our life—to me it’s very magical,” says Romo.

Romo currently lives in the Pojoaque Pueblo. In closing, Romo talked about her hopes for the future.“I hope that I can serve my community well,” Romo says. “My hope is we can continue to live in this beautiful way, with our waters flowing, with our corn growing, with our children having safe water to drink, safe places to live and to thrive. And, that we can reclaim our culture and who we are—la vida buena y sana, the good and the healthy life. That’s all we want.”

Mueller_NM_Roofing-Great-Looks_OL2.indd 1

3/29/19 5:08 PM

enchantment.coop • December 2019

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December 2019 • enchantment.coop

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OVERHEAD FEED BINS. 1 to 4 compartment, 12 to 48 tons. Any size free standing cattle guards, no footing needed. Contact Emery Welding in Clayton, New Mexico at 575-374-2320 or 575207-7402 or by email: eweld98@yahoo.com

Great Finds

NEW MEXICO DRINKING WATER Storage Tanks, Heavy Duty Black Poly. Fittings customized to your needs NRCS and EQUIP approved. High Specific Gravity, Heavy Weight, Long Warranty, Algae Resistant, Black NRCS Water Tanks. Call 1-800-603-8272 or 575-682-2308.

HOMEMADE QUILTS AND down-filled denim patchwork throw pillows for sale.

Professionally quilted and hand-sewed binding.

Very durable. Good prices. Call 505-470-9003 or email to: jadiamante1@gmail.com for pictures.

MINIATURE DONKEYS: 3-YEAR old bred jenny, 3-year old jack, baby jenny (available for adoption December). Gentle, small. Call 575-7993990, Portales, NM.

HOLIDAY STUDIO SALE and Inventory Clearance: 40% off handwoven garments (except Mobiuses), handpainted yarns & roving, dichroic glass buttons. December 13 & 14, 10am to 4pm.

Edgewood. Email robin@perfectbuttons.com for directions, or call 505-286-1783.

RABBITS AT THE BUNNY FARM-All ages for sale. For pets, show, fancier, meat and fur. Can make custom-built cages in Jamestown. Call Maddie and Gene at 505-906-1291, leave voice message. All calls will be answered and returned.

Equipment 2010 KUBOTA 4400 Tractor. Excellent condition. Hydrostatic transmission, 4-wheel drive. Has connections for rearend hydraulics. Will deliver up to 200 miles. $1,200 OBO. Call 575-436-2646.

DRINKING WATER STORAGE TANKS, Heavy Duty Black Poly, proven algae resistant. 125 to 11,000 gallons, NRCS and EQUIP approved. Please give us a chance to serve you!

MasterCard or Visa accepted. Call 575-682-2308 or 1-800-603-8272.

WOOD CHIPPER FOR Sale. Paid $2,249, asking $1,900. Will chip 5-1/2 diameter, minimum 20 HP tractor, PTO driven. Call 505-3065001 cell, 505-873-4522 home.

SOLAR WATER PUMPS at an affordable price. NRCS compliant. Call 575-742-8050 or contact: solutions4u@yucca.net or visit website at www.solutions4u.info

KEEP AN EYE out for the January 2020 enchantment. We're leaping into some wonderful changes! Let us know your thoughts at our email: enchantment@nmelectric.coop PACIFIC HYDROSTAR SHALLOW well pump plus parts pump, $100. England’s Wood Stove heats 1200 square feet with glass door and blower, $400. Mikasa gas engine tamper/ rammer, $200. Oxy-Propane tanks on cart with cutting torch/welder, $100. Tow chains, 3/8” (various lengths), $1/foot and 7/16” chain 24’, $3/foot. Truck toolbox, HD cross bed, $50. Call 575-895-5150.

WANTED: NEW MEXICO Motorcycle License Plates, 1912-1959. Paying $100-$500 each.

Also buying some New Mexico car plates 19001923. Visit NMplates.com for history and 3,500 photographs of NM plates. Bill Johnston, Box 1, Organ, NM 88052-0001. Telephone 575-382-7804 or email: Bill@NMplates.com GRASSFED BEEF: NEW Mexico 100% Grassfed beef. No hormones, No growth stimulants. Processed to your specifications. From $2.85 per pound plus processing. Mention this ad for a discount. Edgewood/Cedar Grove, NM, 505286-0286. www.moonbeamranch.com

BACK FROM NEBRASKA, we have a truckload of items new to Rough Rider Antiques: Dinette sets, chests of drawers, stools, benches, farm cupboards and more formal pieces. Old tools, tractor seats, license plates, pocket knives, coins, vinyl records and sheet music, enamelware, red-handle utensils, sterling silver pieces, Fiesta, beautiful antique oil lamps. Coffee pots, cozy quilts, western books, mid-Century, Native American jewelry and art. Sewing machine drawers and model train parts. For the man cave: barware, Bud-Lite, Marlboro man and other signs, iron cookware. More patterns of oilcloth; 100 Little Golden Books, while they last. You never know what you’ll find. Bring the truck.

Open every day, 501 Railroad Avenue. Across the street from the Castañeda Hotel, now open for food and refreshment. 505-454-8063 Las Vegas.

COFFINS, CASKETS & URNS. Individually handcrafted of solid wood. SIMPLE. Natural.

Unique. Quality Craftsmanship. Go to www. theoldpinebox.com or call 505-286-9410 for FREE funeral information. Proudly serving New Mexico since 2004.

BUYING OLD STUFF: Gas Pumps and parts 1960’s or earlier, advertising signs, neon clocks, old car parts in original boxes, motor oil cans, license plate collections, Route 66 items, old metal road signs, odd and weird stuff. Fair prices paid. Have pickup, will travel. Gas Guy in Embudo, 505-852-2995.

FOR SALE: WARNOCK Hersey Wood Burning Stove with blower. Model #FW300007.

Call 575-356-8063.

“You’ll Love Local Grass-Fed Beef” - Robin Dunn, RancHer Humanely raised with no hormones or antibiotics at the Gran Quivira Ranch. Whole and halves available, processed to your specifications.

Reserve now to eat STEAK at hamburger prices.

BQA certified and SWGLA member.

vagabond cattle co. 575.420.5868 Mention this ad for free delivery to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

To Place a Classified Ad 1. Visit www.enchantment.coop/classifieds and complete form. You will be contacted with price and to pay by credit card (5% processing fee).

2. Or, complete form and select category.

3. Write ad on another sheet of paper.

4. Price: $20 up to first 40 words per ad, per category, per month. After 40 words, each word is 50 cents. Add $5 for small graphics such as cattle brands. Phone numbers, emails and websites count as one word.

To Send and Pay Your Classified Ad 1. Mail ad and payment (Payable to NMRECA) NMRECA • 614 Don Gaspar Avenue Santa Fe, NM 87505

Deadline

1. Due the 9th, one month prior.

Ex: Ads due February 9 for the March issue.

Good to Know 1. Only members of New Mexico electric co-ops may place ads.

2. We reserve the right to reject any ad.

3. Questions: Call 505-982-4671.

4. Advertisements in enchantment are paid solicitations and are not endorsed by the publisher or the electric cooperatives of New Mexico. PRODUCT SATISFACTION AND DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITY LIE SOLELY WITH THE ADVERTISER. Name:________________________ ___________________________ Address:_______________________ ___________________________ City:_________________________ State:_________ ZIP:_____________ Phone:________________________ Cooperative:____________________ Select Category Below

Animals

Great Finds

Business

Real Estate

Equipment

Vehicles

enchantment.coop • December 2019

23

BUYING. COMPLETE OR Partial Antique Estates. Advertising items, Native American items, Antique Collections and more. Large or small collections. Call Kent at 505-362-1288.

WANTED: VW VOLKSWAGEN Bus or Pickup 1967 or older, any condition, to restore or for parts but will consider any other older VW. Or any bus parts. Call or text 575-544-5999.

RAILROAD ITEMS WANTED: Kerosene Lanterns, Brass locks, keys, badges, uniforms, bells, whistles, and pre-1950 employee timetables. Always seeking items from any early New Mexico railroad, especially D&RG, C&S, EP&NE, EP&SW, AT&SF, SP or Rock Island. Call Randy Dunson at 575-760-3341 or 575-356-6919. $CASH REWARD$ PRE-1950 Fishing Tackle, Lures, Reels, Rods, Catalogs. Collector paying “TOP” prices. Call 575-354-0365. Email photos and info to: tacklechaser@aol.com HEADSTONES (I.E. CEMETERY MONUMENTS) is our business. Over 1,000 designs. An eternal memory of a loved one. TAOS MOUNTAIN HERITAGE. Call 575-770-2507 or email: taos_mt_heritage@msn.com.

Website: www.taosmountainheritage.com

Real Estate REDUCED $70,000 TO $165,000. Attention: Contractor Investors. 13.8 developable acres, 7 miles south of Las Vegas, NM. 78 Roadrunner Road. 2-story Santa Fe stucco, 2-two car garages.

AS IS needs upgrade work. Excellent private well underground utilities. All appliances. Widow must sell! Call 505-426-7053.

MELROSE, NM PROPERTY for sale. Use Google Earth to view property, 901 East Denby.

Highway frontage, building and lots. Main building good condition, garages need repair. Taking bids until January 1, 2020. Opening bid-$50,000.

Call 575-760-5275 for more information.

24

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

LAS PALOMAS, WILLIAMSBURG, NM: 2 fenced acres. 1 bedroom, 1 bath with potential for expansion. 800 square feet. 3 sheds, pergola, pecan trees, drip system, full RV hookup, barn, corral, greenhouse. 3 acre feet water rights. $148,900. Call 575-952-0201. Riomesarealestate.com CONCHAS, 00 BOAT Dock Drive. Vacant land just over 1/2 acre. Water accessible. $35,000.

Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. Visit: www.bigmesarealty.com CONCHAS, 000 BOAT Dock Drive. Vacant land just over 1/2 acre. Water accessible. $32,000.

Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. Visit: www.bigmesarealty.com CONCHAS, 0000 BOAT Dock Drive. Vacant land just over 1/2 acre. Water accessible. $32,000.

Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. Visit www.bigmesarealty.com CONCHAS, 107 CAMP Circle. 2 bedroom, 1 bath mobile home on .68 acres. Community water. $39,500. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000.

Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com CONCHAS, TBD 1, 2 and 3 Big Mesa Avenue.

PRICE REDUCED. Water accessible lots. TBD 1 is 4.4206 acres, $60,000. TBD 2 is 1.231 acres, $20,000. And TBD 3 is 0.908 acres, $20,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. Visit website: www.bigmesarealty.com CONCHAS, 631 CONCHAS Drive. 3 bedroom, 2 bath manufactured home on 1.02 acres (3 lots). Detached garage/shop, front and rear covered decks. Community water. $149,900. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. Visit website: www.bigmesarealty.com HAPPY HOLIDAYS enchantment readers.

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR: WATER WELL • WINDMILL SOLAR • ELECTRICAL 575.895.3306 10849 HWY 152, HILLSBORO, NM 88042

Installations • Repairs and Supplies

BUYING

Old Indian Items (303) 888-2103

carnold21@gmail.com CUERVO, 0 MESITA Pass Road, 148.13 acres in Mesita Ranch Subdivision. Beautiful mesa views, perfect for homesite and or livestock. $85,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com FENCE LAKE, 295 Pine Hill Road. 2 bedroom, 3 bath home on just over 60 acres, well, outbuildings, corrals, abundant wildlife, scenic views. $295,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com GRADY, 300 MARSHALL. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, two-story home. Horse corrals and outbuildings, Village water, $59,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com TUCUMCARI, 1601 8TH Street. 3 bedroom, 1 bath home with attached carport on 50x142 foot lot. Opportunity for starter home or rental property. $47,500. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000.

Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com ELEPHANT BUTTE, 208 Pinto Trail. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with large front porch, shop, carport, pine trees, just over 1 acre. RV hookups.

Recent flooring upgrades. $198,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com CLOVIS, 209 PLAZA. PRICE REDUCED. Motivated Seller! 3 bedroom, 1 bath, refurbished with new appliances, HVAC system and flooring. $89,900. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com SUMNER LAKE, 0 and 00 River Ranches Road (At intersection with State Road 203). Two lots just over 20 acres each, scenic views just west of lake. $18,900 PER LOT. Big Mesa Realty, 575-4562000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-7605461. www.bigmesarealty.com SUMNER LAKE, TBD State Road 203, lot in River Ranches Estate, highway frontage just over 20 acres. Scenic views just west of lake. $25,000.

Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com

SAN ANTONIO, NM. 0 Zanja Road, 4.66 acres irrigated farmland in Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District with water rights. Produces alfalfa and grass hay crops. Utilities nearby. $69,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com PIE TOWN, 142 Webb Ranch Road, lot in Wild Horse Ranch Subdivision. Just over 20 acres with well and electricity. Small cabin and horse corral, pen. $75,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000.

Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com LAS VEGAS/ROMEROVILLESHERIDAN. PRICE REDUCED. Motivated Seller! 78 Roadrunner Drive. 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with garage and detached garage/workshop, well, rainwater collection system. Just over 13 acres with room for outbuildings or another home. Great potential and scenic views. Close to I-25. $213,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000.

Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.bigmesarealty.com

WATER DOWSING AND CONSULTING. Proven success. 43 years experience. In Lincoln County, will travel. Call Elliot Topper at 575-9372722 or 575-354-2984.

2 MOUNTAIN CABINS, 25+ acres at 8000 feet, Wildhorse Ranch Subdivision, Pie Town, NM. Well on stream with 5000 storage tank and fire hydrant. New Mexico Hunting unit 13.

Contact Dave, ddh1972ff@gmail.com for a DVD with pictures.

HISTORIC STONE HOME For Sale: 28 acres with completely remodeled 1600 square foot, two-story house with nine rooms in Ramah, NM. Five minute walk to picturesque Ramah Lake.

One of original six homes built in the 1880’s. All woodwork in native Aspen and Juniper. Water rights. Move-in condition. Price negotiable.

505-470-0450.

A NEW LOOK, a new feel. Check your mail boxes in December for the enchantment January issue.

OLD RAMAH POST OFFICE For Sale Or Lease: Located on Highway 53 in Ramah, NM. Heart of Indian Country. Has been used commercially as a trading post, Native American lapidary shop, real RIBERA, 340 CR B41E, 32.674 acres with 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with custom accents, hay- estate office and food cooperative. Six rooms and barn, two detached garages. Just over 20 of those includes an 8x30 container storage unit. Move-in condition. 505-470-0450. acres are in alfalfa and grass hay production.

Pecos River frontage. Scenic views and close to SOCORRO: 11.3 ORGANIC irrigated acres, I-25. $695,000. Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. new cement ditches, all water rights, direct Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. access to Rio Grande, 360° mountain views, new www.bigmesarealty.com 30 million levy, miles of parks, horses, hiking.

WANTED! FAMILY FARMS and Ranches to 2 homes, can split property. All for $290,000 or $150,000 for half. Owner, 505-550-3123. list and sell. Broker has over 45 years of experience working on a family farm in New Mexico THANK YOU ADVERTISERS for your buisness. and has been an owner and operator since 1988.

Big Mesa Realty, 575-456-2000. Paul Stout, Broker, NMREL 17843, 575-760-5461. www.

Vehicles bigmesarealty.com NICE MOBILE HOME/NICE lot. Three months free-exchange work on property. You pay utilities with credit check. Responsible ONLY reply. realmofpossibility@gmail.com

2017 SUBURU OUTBACK 2.5i/HDB,Twilight Blue Metallic, very good condition, $18,500. New Michelin tires. Fuel economy 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Call 575-686-8338.

2011 RAV4 SPORT, 4 cylinder, 4 WD. 103,000 mostly highway miles, new shocks, struts, brakes and sway bar bushings. Clean Carfax and Title.

Very good condition and well maintained with records. $9,950 OBO. Call Doug, 505-918-8868.

Can text photos, etc.

28’ 1993 FIRAN Telstar class C motor home.

Hasn’t been started in 8 years. Ford 460 engine.

Needs TLC. Newer (2005) rebuilt transmission.

Must be towed. $1,500. Call 575-740-2541 or email: Ivanazima57@gmail.com in Williamsburg, NM. Pictures available.

WINTER LORE: When the first snowflakes are large, the snowstorm will be a lasting one. When they are small, the storm will be a short one.

2017 JAYCO FLIGHT Travel Trailer, 28 foot with 13 foot slide out. In excellent condition!

Queen bedroom, kitchen, spacious bathroom with shower, two entries/exits and sleeps 6. $20,000. Call or text for pictures, 575-686-8338.

1965 BUICK WILDCAT Convertible, $18,000.

Purchased new at Socorro Motors. Same family since 1965. Runs. Seats and top redone in 1998.

155,000 miles. Buick mag wheels. Original books.

Minor blemishes. Call 928-963-6577. Email 65buick@beyondsw.com for pictures. Deming, NM.

enchantment.coop • December 2019

25

youth art Alanda Rougemont • Age 7 Grants

Alianna Gallegos • Age 8 Santa Rosa

Carson Sandy • Age 8 Zuni

Kinley Gleaton • Age 10 Clovis

Nathan Herndon • Age 7 Ramah

Tahniqua Apachito • Age 10 Magdalena

Photos by Roger Hogan

Choo, Choo! A Train Ride for a Good Cause

T

o help make the holiday season a little brighter for those in need, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TSRR) will once again run holiday trains to collect food and toys to distribute in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. The one-hour rides are free for children and only $10 for adults (ages 13+). A donation of either a non-perishable food item or a new boxed toy is required per person.

Train riders can ride the C&TSRR Santa Trains either from Chama on December 7 or 8; or from Antonito, Colorado on December 14 or 15. Train rides start at 10:00 a.m., with the last train departing at 4:00 p.m. Hourly trips can be for either weekend. Ticket reservations must be made in advance.

All food and toy donations are distributed to the Toys for Tots program from Antonito and the local food bank. Food and toy donations in Chama are distributed locally by the Chama Fire Department and the local Rio Arriba County Food Bank.

Over the past few years, the railroad has collected tens of thousands of new toys and cans of food, which have been distributed in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and Northern New Mexico to benefit local residents and children.

The highest and longest narrow gauge steam railroad in America is owned jointly by the states of Colorado and New Mexico with stations in Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico.

Reservations Required: How to make your reservations Online: Visit www.cumbrestoltec.com and click on the Santa Train link.

Call: The train depot at 888-286-2737.

26

December 2019 • enchantment.coop

Mitten Tree Day

Deadline

Santa will keep his hands warm after he sees these colorful mittens.

Submit your drawing by the 9th, one month prior to publication.

January's Topic: Youth Artist Choice

Hooray! You Get Paid!

This is your month to draw anything of your choice. Have fun!

February's Topic: Leap Day February 29 is Leap Day. An extra day added to the 2020 calendar. So let's draw leaping frogs or kangaroos!

Send Drawing by Mail or Email Mail: Youth Editor 614 Don Gaspar Avenue Santa Fe, NM 87505 Email: enchantment@nmelectric.coop

Each published artist receives $15.

Have a Youth Art Topic?

Mail or email your suggestion to us at enchantment@nmelectric.coop or with your current entry. Or, call us at 505-982-4671.

Include on the back of your drawing:

Name:________________________ Address:_______________________ ___________________________ City:_________________________ State:_______ ZIP:_______________ Phone:__________________ Age:___ Cooperative:____________________ Accept artwork up to age 13.

Tune to ESPN

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Local channels included!

Smart HD DVR Included | 2-Year TV Price Guarantee All offers require credit qualification, 2-year commitment with early termination fee, and eAutoPay. Prices include Hopper Duo for qualifying customers.

Hopper, Hopper w/Sling, or Hopper 3 $5/mo. more. Upfront fees may apply based on credit qualification. Fees apply for additional TVs: Hopper $15/mo., Joey $5/mo., Super Joey $10/mo.

FREE HD for Life®

FREE Standard Professional Installation

enchantment.coop • December 2019

27

Strategic Planning at NORA Fuels Positive Results

Trustees Elected

A

Three positions within NORA’s Board of Trustees were up for election this fall. The Nominating Committee, found the following candidates to be in good standing:

t NORA’s 69th Annual Meeting, Board of Trustees President, Steve Rendon, addressed members’ concerns including the recent termination of former General Manager, Abran Romero, and the disgruntled property owners in the Chama area tree trimming project. However, he wanted to make sure that these concerns did not overshadow the many positive accomplishments of the co-op that have taken place in the last year.

He cited that the progress experienced by NORA has been a direct reflection of the strategic plan; Strategic planning provides an opportunity for the Board and management to achieve consensus on the goals to be focused on in the year ahead. In March 2019, a strategic planning session was held, and three goals were agreed upon for the 2019/2020 year:

1. Safety: For NORA employees and members 2. Provide a reliable transmission and distribution system 3. Ensure sound financial management of the cooperative Rendon also recognized the rapidly changing electric industry that once relied heavily on coal and other fossil fuels that now leans toward more renewable resources. Technology continues to evolve, and it impacts every part of our lives.

In closing, he assured members that the Board of Trustees is committed to following the strategic plan and that any decisions made would be carefully considered to meet the volatile demands of the electric industry.

Seven Cooperative Principles President Rendon also spoke about the Seven Cooperative Principles and how important they are to the structure and success of a cooperative. NORA is dedicated to upholding these imperative values:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Open and Voluntary Membership Democratic Member Control Members’ Economic Participation Autonomy and Independence Education, Training, and Information Cooperation Among Cooperatives Concern for Community

Representing District 1: Incumbent Michael

Gomez was nominated unopposed.

Representing District 3: Incumbent Gilbert

Martinez was nominated along with newcomer Debbie F. Manzanares.

Representing District 4: Incumbent David Martinez was nominated unopposed.

Since they were running unopposed, Michael Gomez and David Martinez were reelected to their respective positions through acclamation.

Following the member vote for District 3, Debbie F. Manzanares defeated incumbent Gilbert Martinez, who was also serving as the Board Secretary, by a margin of 44 to 35. President Steve Rendon expressed his gratitude toward Martinez for his tenure and dedication in the many years he served on NORA’s Board of Trustees and his work as Secretary. Paul Cordova, also representing District 3 was selected as the new Board Secretary.

Holiday Efficiency Tips Electric bills can increase in the winter for various reasons—holiday gatherings, house guests and shorter days and longer nights. Small measures can help control energy costs. Curb space heater usage and turn down thermostats, whenever possible. Decorate your home with LED lighting. Remember, every time you open the oven door, the oven temperature can decrease as much as  degrees.

Electric Space Heater SafetyTips: • Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in

We will be CLOSED Tuesday, December 24 & Wednesday, December 25.

Merry Christmas

good working condition.

• Purchase only space heaters that have been safety tested and UL approved. Make sure the unit is equipped with an emergency tip-over shut-off feature and heating element guards. Read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care.

• Place space heaters out of high-traffic areas and on level, hard, non-flammable floor surfaces.

Board of Trustees Steve Rendon President Chama District  Thomas G. Rivas Vice President Chama District  Paul Cordova Secretary Tierra Amarilla District  Leroy Martinez Treasurer Canjilon District  Michael Gomez Trustee Lumberton District  Deborah F. Manzanares Trustee Tierra Amarilla District  David M. Martinez Trustee Canjilon District  Board Meeting The board of trustees meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at : p.m. in the cooperative boardroom.