Majestic Living Magazine Spring 2015 by Majestic Media

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contributors MarGarEt ChEasEbro has been a freelance writer for over 30 years. her articles have appeared in many magazines across the country. she was a correspondent for the albuquerque journal and worked for several local newspapers. she has four published books of children’s puppet scripts. a former elementary school counselor, she is a reiki Master and practices several alternative healing techniques. she enjoys playing table tennis.

Dorothy Nobis has been a writer and editor for more than 25 years. she authored a travel guide, the insiders Guide to the Four Corners, published by Globe Pequot Press, and has been a frequent contributor to New Mexico Magazine.

Gail VaNik holds a ba in English and a Master's in international relations but was sidetracked from those career choices when she moved to the Four Corners region 16 years ago from lancaster, Pa. she and her husband, Vic, own Four seasons Greenhouse and Nursery in Dolores, but writing remains an interest and a passion. she has been a contributing writer for the telluride Watch, the Cortez journal, and boomers and beyond, covering topics ranging from gardening advice to feature articles. Gail is also a regular contributor to industry specific publications such as today's Garden Center Magazine and lawn and Garden retailer, where she writes about topics such as inventory management and point of sale systems.

ElizabEth PEttyjohN-brotEN is a local freelance grant writer and resource Development Coordinator for the Four Corners Foundation. she enjoys cooking and traveling with her husband, Matt, raising her beautiful children, and while walking her yorkie, Nigel, contemplating life’s existential dilemmas.

josh bishoP is a graduate of san juan College with an associate degree in Digital Media arts and Design. he currently works at Majestic Media as a video producer and photographer.

WhitNEy hoWlE was born and raised in Farmington and is proud to call san juan County home. the richness of the landscape and the diverse people, culture and traditions are a photographers dream. Whitney has his ba in Visual Communication from Collins College in tempe, ariz. he is a co-owner of howle Design and Photography—a family owned studio offering graphic design, photography, market research and consulting.

photographers

publisher Don Vaughan

Josh Bishop, Whitney Howle

editor Cindy Cowan Thiele

sales staff

designer Suzanne Thurman writers Dorothy Nobis, Margaret Cheasebro,

MAGAZINE Celebrating the lifestyle, Community and Culture of the Four Corners Vol. 7, No. 2 ©2015 by Majestic Media. Majestic Living is a quarterly publication. Material herein may not be reprinted without expressed written consent of the publisher. If you receive a copy that is torn or damaged call 505.516.1230. 6 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Elizabeth Pettyjohn-Broten, Gail Vanik

Cover photo Comments Follow us on

Shelly Acosta, Clint Alexander Aimee Velasquez For advertising information

Call 505.516.1230 by Whitney howle.

Majestic living welcomes story ideas and comments from readers. E-mail story ideas and comments to editor@majesticmediausa.com.

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springfeatures:

You’re family at TJ’s

Nathan Hill loves Tj’s Downtown Diner. He loves his customers, he loves preparing their favorite dishes, and he loves the work. But most of all, Hill loves the memories.

Returning Vet

When Cory Farrell enlisted in the Air Force in April 2010, he joined that branch of the military because he wanted to be a dog handler. By Margaret Cheasebro

By Dorothy Nobis

From Farmington to Fashion Week

Raised on a ranch in Huerfano, New Mexico, and educated as a psychologist, 28-year-old Jolonzo Goldtooth suppressed his artistic side for many years. By Margaret Cheasebro

You’ll dig it

A shout of “Look what I found’ rings out across the excavation site. A summer camp participant has found a pottery shard, complete with the fingerprints of the potter still intact. By Gail Vanik

Connectivity

To retired attorney Damon Weems, life is about connection. From the time he was a boy, his connections with people, the river and bluegrass music have helped him find success and happiness. By Margaret Cheasebro 8 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Documenting the past for future generations

When Edward Kotyk began working at the city of Aztec in 1999, the city didn’t have a website. He helped to create one. By Margaret Cheasebro

52 48

Labor of love goes viral

Seven years of just plane fun

About seven years ago, Bruce Bowen bought an airplane kit. The kit Bowen purchased was $14,000 and isn’t the kind you’ll find at a hobby store. By Dorothy Nobis

Ken Triplett has had many goals in his life. Being an Internet sensation has never been one of them. By Dorothy Nobis

Cherise Lukow: An extraordinary gift to the world

Everyone is born with a unique talent, but not every talent is destined to receive international acclaim or to be showcased on the world’s stage. By Elizabeth Pettyjohn-Broten

Making a Difference

When Jenny Lambert walks into a classroom at the San Juan College Adult Basic Education, or ABE, program, she sees more than just the faces of the students. By Dorothy Nobis SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 9

You’re family at TJ’s Great food, friendly people and familiar faces on the daily menu Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Whitney Howle Nathan Hill loves TJ’s Downtown Diner. He loves his customers, he loves preparing their favorite dishes, and he loves the work. But most of all, Hill loves the memories. Hill’s dad, Jim Arganas, opened Pancake Alley in 1963. In 1979, Arganas sold the business, but kept the building at 119 E. Main St. Arganas stayed in the restaurant business and opened Argies restaurant at 2001 Bloomfield Highway in 1983, remaining at that location for about six years. In 1989, Arganas returned to the building downtown and named it TJ’s – the T for Terry, Hill’s mother, and the J for Jim. Arganas remodeled the building and in June of 1989 TJ’s opened its doors.

Hill has been part of the restaurant since he was about 7 years old. “By then, I could reach the griddle and I’d cook pancakes. My brother bussed tables,” Hill said. In 1979, Hill left the kitchen at TJ’s and went to work for the Farmington Fire Department. He retired from the department in 2002, but stayed on part time until 2007. It was then that Hill returned to TJ’s and the kitchen. As the new manager/owner, one of the first things Hill did as the new boss was to fire a longtime employee – his own mother. “I told her it was time to retire and enjoy her golden years,” Hill said. Retire, she did, and Hill began his mission of carrying on the family tradition, created by

his dad, of serving up great food in good portions, in a family friendly environment at prices families could afford – just as his dad did. “At first, I was here all the time,” Hill said with a slight shake of his head. “That first full year, after I took over, business was up 33 percent.” Unfortunately, 2008 and 2009 were not good years for businesses. The recession hit and TJ’s, like other businesses, felt it. “In 2009, though, we were only down 6 percent, while everyone else (in business) was down in the double digits,” Hill said. Things got better. “This last year – 2014, was the biggest grossing year in TJ’s history,” Hill said proudly. SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 11

While the business continues to be successful under his direction, Hill is quick to credit Arganas for instilling in him the same work ethic his dad had. “When I took over full time, I ran it the very same way Dad did. I cook the same sauces and everything here is still homemade. We have some different menu items, but the ‘machito,’ a little burro (burrito) that Dad invented, is still a mainstay on the menu.” Homemade soup is still made every morning. “On Mondays, we make Dad’s chicken noodle soup,” Hill said, adding that the restaurant is full of customers enjoying that soup each Monday. With an extensive lunch menu – TJ’s is open from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Fridays and from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays – that offers up those homemade dishes, most of which were created by his dad, it is breakfast that brings in the customers. The Two Car Pile Up starts with two fresh, homemade biscuits that are split in half and topped with hash brown potatoes, diced bacon or sausage and two eggs. Then, it is all covered with a rich cream gravy and topped with a green chili sauce and cheese. It is one of the most popular breakfast items. For those with a “lighter” appetite, the One Car Pile Up can be ordered with just one biscuit. Hill said 70 percent of the restaurant’s business comes from breakfast. But not all of TJ’s customers are looking for a heavy breakfast, Hill added. “Jim Easley has been coming to the restaurant for years and he always orders a bowl of oatmeal,” Hill said with a laugh. In fact, Jim Easley has been enjoying break12 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

fast, coffee and lunch with the Arganas family for more than 46 years. “When it (TJ’s) was the Pancake Alley, I was working for Farmington Lumber,” Easley said. “I worked there for 24 years and I had quite a few meals there. I’d have breakfast there and sometimes, I’d stop to get a cup of coffee.” Easley enjoyed Jim Arganas, and when Arganas moved from downtown Farmington, Easley followed him. By then, Easley was working for another company, and he and his wife shared many meals there. Arganas eventually went to work for Greenlawn Cemetery, and by then Arganas had moved back downtown to its current location. “I guess you could say I’ve been a customer for many years,” Easley said, with a laugh. Easley admitted that oatmeal is his breakfast of choice, but it wasn’t always that way. “I loved their pancakes and eggs when I worked hard,” he explained. “But now I enjoy oatmeal because it’s what keeps people alive,” he added. But it isn’t just the food that keeps Easley coming back most mornings for all those years. It’s the people. While many of the men with whom he used to enjoy coffee and breakfast are gone, Easley said he has made new friends. “They’re all ex-pilots,” he said with a laugh, “and I’m learning all about airplanes.” Over the years, Easley has enjoyed the people who work at TJ’s as much as his old – and new – friends. “They have wonderful people working there and I’m always giving them fits about something,” he admitted with a grin.

Good food, good service and the memory of Arganas aren’t the only things that make TJ’s a popular eatery in Farmington, however. “We have the same old cronies (come in) every day and they’re the mainstay of our business. We couldn’t stay in business without them. TJ’s is a destination spot. People come here from all over town.” “I attribute all of my success to the way Dad did it,” Hill added. Hill’s love and admiration for Arganas is evident in how he runs TJ’s and how he speaks of his dad, who was not his biological father. “In 1966, Daddy came into my life,” Hill said. “He was a great father and he treated me like his own kid. He taught me that people will come back for the atmosphere and the food. He also opened up the kitchen to everyone. People can come through the back door (of the restaurant) and walk through the kitchen (to the dining room) and see that it’s clean – and it’s clean all the time. I continue to operate under that premise.” With new restaurants opening regularly in Farmington, Hill said he’s not concerned about the competition. “My wife and I try new restaurants, just like everybody else,” he said. “I like knowing what my competition is, but I don’t worry about it. We give people good food and good portions and they keep coming back. We have a great location and people enjoy it.”

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Ugly Concrete?

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Hill works hard at maintaining the quality of food, the customer service and the family atmosphere his dad created. All that work, however, comes at a price. He gets up at 3:30 every morning to be at the restaurant at 4:15. If all goes well and his staff of 10 has everything under control, Hill heads for home about 1 p.m. “It’s all good and I really enjoy it, but vacations don’t happen,” he added. On nice days, after work, Hill will take his radio-controlled airplanes out to “play.” “I have a shop that is totally dedicated to my RC airplanes,” he said with a laugh. “There’s an RC park off the Bisti Highway and I go there to fly. I have small airplanes and three that have a 109-inch wingspan.” If it’s not his radio controlled airplanes he’s enjoying, it’s his motorcycle. “I have a love affair with my Harley,” Hill admitted. “My wife, Sandy, and I went to Sturgis one year via Milwaukee and we were gone for 10 days, riding 4,500 miles on the Harley and I really enjoyed it.” Those trips, he explained were possible because of his own kids, who took over while he was gone. Hill’s son Christopher has worked in the restaurant and daughter Cassy still works there, but it is the regular customers who have become Hill’s extended family. He knows their families, hears their stories, shares their joys and their sorrows, and knows their favorite dishes. Many of those customers have been coming to TJ’s for years and they, like the mother he fired, are in their golden years. Hill said while many of his customers have retired, or are close to retirement, he has no plans to join them. “I’ll keep going as long as I can,” he said. “I’m 53 (years old) and I still have a lot of years left in me.” When and if retirement comes for Hill, he and Sandy will travel and see the country. Until then, however, Hill plans to continue to honor the restaurant his dad established, enjoy the customers who have become friends and family, and – on a windless day – enjoy his radio controlled airplanes.

“I’ll keep going as long as I can. I’m 53 (years old) and I still have a lot of years left in me.” — Nathan Hill

SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 15

16 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Tico’s military service ended but his bond with Cory Farrell will last forever Story by Margaret Cheasebro | Photos by Whitney Howle

Now he and Tico, a Belgian Malinois, are almost inseparable. They live in Albuquerque, where Cory is stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. He handles a different dog now, and Tico enjoys a well-deserved life as a pampered pet in the off-base town house Cory shares with his brother, Brian. “We’ve decided the reason Cory and Tico bonded so well is they have the same personality,” said Cory’s dad, Joe Farrell, a bookkeeper at Farmington Iron and Metal. Both are laid back, a lot of fun and a little lazy when they’re relaxed, Joe explained, but on duty they take their work seriously and are focused, intense, and skilled. Boy Scout experience Cory’s interest in dogs began in high school when his Boy Scout troop traveled from Farmington to Kirtland Air Force base to watch a demonstration in which a military working dog ran after a “bad guy” and took him to the ground. “That was really cool,” Cory said. “I thought I’d like to do that one day.” For his senior project at Piedra Vista High School, Cory shadowed Jason Solomon, a member of the Farmington Police Department’s SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team, and he fell in love with police work. “He was one of my oldest son’s best friends in high school,” said Solomon, now an FPD detective. “He was a bright-eyed, excited kid with tons of potential. He ate up everything we talked about when he was job shadowing me. I was very proud to be part of that.”

Became community service officer After graduating from Piedra Vista, Cory became a community service officer and volunteered to help with the FPD canine unit at their training meetings. “Every time they held training, I would go and watch and be part of it as much as I could,” Cory said. From police officers, he learned that his best option for becoming a dog handler was to join the military, where he could get certified as a handler. Officers told him the certification would provide many job opportunities once he left the military. So Cory enlisted in the Air Force, which heads the entire military working dog program for the Department of Defense. That’s how he met Tico. Tico born at Lackland AFB Tico was born at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, on March 21, 2006. He spent about a year with a foster family until he was old enough to be trained as a military working dog. After 180 days of training, during which he learned how to do patrol work and locate narcotics by smell, Tico was sent to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. After Cory completed basic and technical training at Lackland, where he learned basic law enforcement work, he too was sent to Kadena Air Base. “I worked there as a straight leg,” Cory said. “I was a basic security force member, checking IDs, doing basic law enforcement work.” Two years later, he had the chance to become a dog handler and returned to Lackland for an 11-week training course. After earning

his dog handler certification, he returned to Kadena, where Tico became his first military working dog. They worked together for a year. Tico helps Cory through sad time “I was his 11th handler,” Cory said. At the time, Cory’s marriage was ending. To help him through that rough time, Cory sometimes took Tico out of his kennel when he was off-duty, settled under a tree, and told Tico about his troubles. “Dogs can’t talk back, but they can certainly listen,” Cory said. “The funny thing with him is when he’s not working he’s extremely lazy. He loves to just sleep. But when I would

talk to him, he would stay awake, like he was actually listening to me. We had an emotional bond.” When they worked together, Tico was his partner, going with him everywhere. “If I went inside a building, he went inside a building,” Cory said. “Literally, he followed me around. That was his job. He protected me.” Tico has top notch skills Besides doing basic police work, sometimes handlers held demonstrations to show people how well trained Tico and other military working dogs were. “We want people to know what these dogs are capable of,” Cory said. “Tico’s really fast. He can jump high. We’d do demonstrations where we’d roll down the back window of our Chevy 1500 truck and put a bad guy in the back with a bite top on. I’d tell Tico to get him. He’d jump through the window and pull him out.” Every 30 days Tico completed odor training so he could stay certified as a dog who could 18 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

sniff out narcotics. “We tested the dogs to see if they could find what they were trained to find,” Cory said. “Tico was always 100 percent.” He wore a collar that said, “Don’t touch. I bite,” in both English and Japanese, because Japanese people wanted to pet him. They didn’t understand the danger of petting a dog who had been trained to be aggressive. Tico still wears that collar. Cory adopts Tico Eventually, Cory moved on to another assignment, and Tico was paired with his 12th handler. Cory and his new military working dog, Rreese (the double “r” means he was a puppy program dog), were about to be deployed to Southwest Asia in 2014, when Cory’s friends at Kadena told him that Tico was being retired for medical reasons. Tico had developed a urinary tract infection and enteritis, an inflammation of the small intestines. His condition required surgery, and

Tico must take two medications for the rest of his life. Cory filled out the paperwork necessary to adopt Tico, but he couldn’t pick him up because he was headed for a six-month stint in Southwest Asia. Transporting a dog from Japan to the States would have cost about $1,500, which was hard for Cory to afford. A staff sergeant and good friend of Cory’s was going from Japan to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a vacation. He offered to take Tico on the plane with him. “It’s only like $300 for a plane ticket,” Cory said. “He got to ride up in the cabin,” explained Cory’s mom, Beverly, who works for the city of Farmington as an administrative aide at the Animas Power Plant. “We have a picture of Tico taking up two seats and sprawled out with his head on a pillow.” Tico big but friendly Cory’s parents hired a pet moving service to bring Tico from Las Vegas to Albuquerque, where Brian lives and works for Honeywell. Brian kept him for two weeks until Joe and Bev could get a kennel ready at their Farmington home. “I’ve always been afraid of dogs, so a dog the size of Tico was very intimidating to me,” Joe said. “I was worried about having a big military dog come stay with us, but Brian called to reassure me. He said, ‘You’ll be fine, Dad. You’ll love him. He’s a great dog.’”

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Brian quizzed Cory about what command words not to use that could set Tico off, but Tico never became aggressive. Off duty, he’s a lazy, happy dog. However, he had a way of clamping his mouth around things that Joe and Bev didn’t always want him to have. “I’d say, ‘Let go. Let me have it,’” Joe recalled. “I’d fight with him, but I couldn’t get it out of his mouth. Well, come to find out, all we had to do was say, ‘Out,’ and Tico would have dropped it. We didn’t know that until Cory got back, and I saw him do it.”

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Adjusting to non-military life Bev watched Joe interact with Tico during the six months Cory was out of the country. “He’d get up during the night to check on Tico,” she recalled. “He would take him out first thing and feed him. Everything was like clockwork for Tico. Joe took his job serious. Nothing was going to happen to Tico on his watch.” When Tico got sick and didn’t eat for several days, they took him to a Farmington vet, who pored over his thick military medical file and provided the treatment that helped Tico improve. At first, Tico didn’t know he was retired. He paced all the time and was on constant alert. “If I took him out at night and he’d see something, he’d go into military mode,” Joe said. “Sometimes it gave me the creeps because I didn’t know what he was looking at out there. But the longer we had him, the more he mellowed.” Walking Tico a challenge Walking Tico was a learning experience. “When we first got him, I was trying to find ways to keep him entertained,” Joe said. “I thought I’d take him up around Farmington Lake for a walk. He dragged me from smell to smell to smell. I found out that this was not going to work. It was not about walking. It was about smelling everything. Once a police helicopter flew near their house, and Tico became excited and agitated. He paced around. “You could tell that it must have triggered something in him,” Joe said. Even today if someone comes near Joe and Bev, Tico will place himself between the Farrells and the visitor. “That’s his instinct, to protect his handler,” Joe explained.

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“Tico spent his entire life serving our country, so we took it very serious that he needed to be treated with respect.” — Joe Farrell When Cory returned from Southwest Asia, he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, and Tico went to Albuquerque to stay with Cory and Brian. There he lives a life of luxury. But that doesn’t including eating table scraps. Tico has never eaten people food. He’s on a special diet of high protein and low fat dog food, which is kept in a special container just for him. Special bond Though Cory and his new military working dog, Rreese, have a good relationship, his bond with Tico is extra special. Cory’s parents honor that bond, and they loved taking care of Tico while Cory was deployed. “We took taking care of him very serious,” Joe said. “Men and women come home from the military, and they serve. Well, the animals do, as well. Tico spent his entire life serving our country, so we took it very serious that he needed to be treated with respect.”

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Takes team with him He took a team of 15 models, photographers, accessory creators, designers, marketers, and hair and makeup artists with him to New York, not only to assist him, but to help them pursue their dreams. They had several fund-raising activities for the trip, the last one a fashion gala at the Three Rivers Banquet Hall in Farmington, where Jolonzo showcased some of his designs. “The concept we put forth on that New York runway is that Native Americans are still here,” he said. “We are not stuck in tepees. We are a very developed culture. We’re in New York City doing New York City Fashion Week alongside international, well-noted people.” Because Jolonzo has always used American Indians to model his designs, he asked PLITZS founder Wayne Shields if he could bring his own models. Models find success “He said they would have to audition,” 24 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Jolonzo related. “A lot of them couldn’t make it to New York because they live on their respective reservations or other places. So I put it out on Facebook that if they wanted to walk for the New York City Fashion Week and with me, JG Indie, to contact me.” He gave auditioning outlines to the 35 American Indian models who responded. Eight of them were picked to model for PLITZS New York City Fashion Week. “I have six female and two male Native American models who got accepted by the agency in New York,” he said. “They walked in that fashion show not only for me but for notable designers from China, United Kingdom, France – everywhere. I’m really excited for them.” Shows 25 looks Jolonzo showed 25 designs, or looks, at fashion week, the most he was allowed. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “I wanted to show my versatility, all the things I

can do, because I want to make a living at this.” He divided his 25 looks into three sections: masquerade, bathing suits, and couture including dresses and an off-the-shoulder wedding gown with some three-dimensional protruding fabric. “Jolonzo is phenomenal,” said Sherrie Chenault of Farmington, who owns the marketing business, Root for Us. “His spirit shows through his designs. We have the same view that you can start from anywhere, come from anywhere. If you have a dream and you believe it and pursue it, you will find success.” Some locals go with him Sherrie’s daughter, Kyler Brooke Chenault, models for Jolonzo. Sherrie and Kyler both went to New York City Fashion Week with him. Some others who accompanied him were Kino Benally of Shiprock, who put the music together for his presentations; Goldie Tom of

Gallup, who was recruited by the PLITZS Foundation as part of the make-up team for the entire event; Stephanie, a native of the Klamath Tribe from the state of Washington, who creates shoes for his designs; and April Ledford of the Lumbe Tribe from Colorado Springs, who designs accessories for his garments. Teams are important to Jolonzo. “It’s been my experience,” he said, “that even in photo shoots and creating concepts, it takes an entire village to put a look together. The reason why someone looks so good in a magazine is that 15 to 20 people behind the scenes made them look that good.” He is up-and-coming Michael Billie, a Web technition with Capacity Builders in Farmington, is helping Jolonzo look good on the Internet by working with him to build a website. “He is up-andcoming,” Michael said. “There’s an earthy quality in his work. It’s contemporary with a

Native American influence.” Jolonzo credits his family with helping him find success. He lives with his grandparents on a ranch in Huerfano, where he’s employed to help manage 300 head of cattle and some sheep and goats. His grandmothers and aunts taught him to sew. His Aunt Elizabeth once worked as a seamstress for a Durango skiing and snowboarding company. “She brought back a lot of material, and she had several sewing machines around,” Jolonzo recalled. “If any of us kids were bored, they’d say, ‘Cut out some of these patterns.’ They quilted, so I learned how to quilt first. There was a machine and a needle. It intrigued me. I’m a very visual learner, and it was easy for me to pick up.” Graduated from PVHS He graduated from Piedra Vista High School in 2005 and wanted to go to college, though none of his relatives had a college degree. He chose the University of New Mexico

SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 25

because it offered him enough scholarships to be affordable. Before starting his undergraduate work, he was accepted into the American Indian Summer Bridge Program at UNM that built a curricular bridge between high school and college. “That was my first step to leaving Farmington,” he said. “I’d been born and raised here in northwest New Mexico. I’m not an experienced traveler, so Albuquerque was a cultural shock for me.” Majored in psychology He majored in psychology, minored in American Indian studies and joined Beta Sigma Epsilon, an American Indian fraternity. He became director of the Student Lobby Committee. “I convened the students, and we came up with issues we wanted to put up at the state Legislature,” he said. “I went there and lobbied for such things as continuing the lottery scholarship and requesting funding to help the university be more energy efficient.” While at UNM, he began modeling for the Na-

26 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

psychology. That would have led to studying for his master’s degree, but he couldn’t find grants or scholarships.

tive Model Studio and met many artists in the local fashion industry. “I surrounded myself with artistic people at the university,” he said. “I’d always had an artistic side to myself, but I suppressed it because I had this upbringing that said I needed to put food on the table, so how am I going to survive as an artist?” After he graduated from UNM, he went to Fort Lewis College in Durango to do an internship in

Decided to sew “After my internship in 2012, I went home broke and pretty much bored,” Jolonzo recalled. “I decided ‘I know how to sew, so why don’t I put something together?’” He wasn’t used to being idle. He had worked ever since he was 13, doing such things as ranching, working at Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, in a restaurant, as a fashion show coordinator, and for the Navajo Tribe as a youth representative. He even worked for Native Max, an online magazine based in Denver, helping to create photo shoot concepts. His mother had several sewing machines, and his sister had some fabric she was going to throw away, so Jolonzo used it to make an obi belt, a type of Japanese belt used for traditional dresses. He made it in the Harajuku style, a street fashion in Tokyo.

Intrigued with Asian culture “I was intrigued with the Asian culture,” he said. “Maybe it’s something psychological, because there’s a strong connection between indigenous people of North America and Asia. Many of us look Asian. The people attracted me to the culture.” Nature also gives him design ideas. He loves to run and often sees salt willow as he jogs. That inspired him to design a dress with salt willow branches on the front. While he created several garments that summer, a friend from UNM called to say he was looking for a designer to attend the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise fashion show during the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock in August 2012. Jolonzo only had eight looks, but he agreed to go. Fair intimidated him The fair intimidated him. “I’m Navajo from the Eastern Agency, which is here in Farmington,” he said. We’re assimilated into the modern culture. It’s very different than the central or western Navajo Nation. They’re more traditional. A lot of designers there were showing contemporary and traditional Navajo regalia. Here I was with my interpretation of Harajuku, so I was very different than everybody else.” It was his first fashion show, and his obi design proved popular. Soon after that, he returned to Albuquerque, where he

SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 27

hoped to establish himself and get his master’s degree in psychology. There, he reestablished contact with native artist friends, including an accessories designer who asked if he wanted to make garments for the accessories she planned to show at the Santa Fe Fashion Week that November. He said yes and started designing in earnest.

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Meets PVHS friend at fashion week During that fashion week, he connected with an old friend, Sarah Blueeyes. They had attended Piedra Vista High School together. Sarah graduated from Kent State University and was working in the fashion industry in New York. She interned with a designer who made a lot of dresses for celebrities, including a gown for First Lady Michelle Obama. She also helped a company put together fashion design catalogs. When she saw ads about the 2012 Santa Fe Fashion Week, she decided to go. “I saw Jolonzo’s collection coming out, and it caught my interest because I could see the Native American mixed with the modern,” she said. “He had Asian effects mixed with it, the Harajuku. Then I saw him coming out, and I thought, ‘Oh, wow, that’s Jolonzo!’ I had no idea he was interested in fashion. He had put together collages and collections with a story to it. That’s what I liked. He’s very outgoing, motivated and creative. Most designers don’t know who they are, but he knows exactly what he wants.” They’ve been in contact with each other ever since. Sarah went with him to New York Fashion Week to offer her technical and marketing expertise. Grandma offers fabric His family supports his dream. “My grandmother is always digging through her surplus of fabric,” he said. “She will walk into my room and say, ‘You want this?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah! I’ll

take it.’ So my inventory of fabric is growing.” In the spring of 2013, Jolonzo had a large photo shoot in Albuquerque. Later, he was hired as fashion coordinator for a 2014 festival in Farmington. Through that experience, he came in contact with Billie at Capacity Builders, a business that caters to native artists who are trying to build small businesses. Locals learn about him “He was surprised that nobody from Farmington knew who I was or what I was doing, and here I was going to the New York Fashion Week,” Jolonzo said. Billie called local media to spread the word about Jolonzo. With his help, people are learning about this up-andcoming designer who never went to design school. “I want to tell my story,” Jolonzo said. “I want my journey to be documented. I was born and raised in Farmington and the reservation. I take strong pride in that. You have to pursue your dreams, work your hardest. Stop thinking superficially and worrying about how you’ll be judged. You can be who you want to be.”

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You and your kids can be archaeologists at Crow Canyon Story by Gail Vanik | Photos courtesy Crow Canyon Archaeological Center A shout of “Look what I found” rings out across the excavation site. A summer camp participant has found a pottery shard, complete with the fingerprints of the potter still intact. It’s this journey of discovery and connection that makes Crow Canyon Archaeological Center a truly unique place to visit. Imagine being an archaeologist for a day, or a week, or longer. That’s the experience that Crow Canyon provides, not only to locals, but to participants from around the world. Nestled into a valley on Road K, just west of Cortez, Colorado, this non-profit center has been conducting archaeological research in the Mesa Verde

region for over 30 years. It’s not difficult to find, but once you discover it, it’s a difficult place to forget. What makes it so unique is that it invites the public to come each season and be part of the research on an actual, working archaeological excavation site. Participation levels can vary according to your interests but there is something for anyone aged 10 to 110. If you are not sure what it’s all about, new this year, you can get a brief introduction with their new campus drop in tour on Wednesday, Thursday or Fridays from 10 a.m. - 11 am, beginning in May. No reservations are necessary. Included in the hour will be a brief introduction to archaeology and Crow Canyon’s research, a tour of the campus and the pithouse classroom. This is a wonderful complement to a visit to Mesa Verde as well as a way to understand and put the archaeology of the Four Corners area in context on a different level. If you live in the area or have guests who have limited time, but want a better sense of what Crow Canyon can offer, the Day Tour is the perfect “day away” experience. Beginning in the morning with a hands-on lesson, you will have the opportunity to learn about the archaeology of this area, about ancestral Pueblo Indian history, and examine replicas of artifacts. A tour of the curation room and Crow Canyon’s lab will familiarize you with the methods used to analyze the artifacts and connect them to the history of the region. After a delicious lunch, you’ll head out to a working excavation site where you can observe the archaeologists at work. Depending on where they are digging, you may see pottery sherds scattered on the ground or watch as someone discovers a projectile point, or uncovers some other ancient tool. The Day Tour may also be customized and offers a great one-day escape as a program for small groups seeking an unusual destination experience. If the young person in your household is considering a career in archaeology, why not introduce them to it by attending a summer camp? Middle School Archaeology Camp, High School Archaeology Camp, and High School Field School are all hands-on, archaeological SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 31

excavation programs where the students work alongside Crow Canyon’s archaeologists to discover and piece together the mysteries of the ancient civilization which once inhabited this area. Unlike many other summer camps and programs, Crow Canyon puts their young students in the field for actively participation by doing actual research. Yes, they’re going to get dirty – and most love every minute of it. These programs range in length from one to three weeks and attract students from all over the United States, so not only is it a great way to learn the science of archaeology, but also is a great way to connect with others. In fact, participants often cite that feeling of “connecting” as one of the reasons they have enjoyed the camps. Connecting with other students who have similar interests. Connecting with working archaeologists. Connecting with someone from the past. Excavating and touching the thumb print of the potter in a shard that no one else may have touched for centuries but was once a part of daily life. If you have a thirst for exploration, Crow Canyon’s adult programs also expand opportunities for archaeology as a way to touch and connect with the past. At the current excavation sites, the Archaeology Lab Program and Archaeology Research Program offer ways to work either in the field excavating or in the lab cleaning and analyzing the artifacts of the area. Although work was completed this past year on the Dillard Site, a brand new site will be opened this summer and offers participants a chance to be one of the first to excavate at that location. What might you find? Beads, pottery shards, turquoise, and projectile points have all been found. When asked about the handling of these artifacts, Susan Ryan, Crow Canyon’s Director of Archaeology said, “When they get to the excavation site, they work alongside our archaeologists, so they have all the guidance

they need to feel comfortable with what they’re doing.” So have no fear; under the expert guidance of the professional archaeologists, you cannot damage anything. Even if you’re not aspiring to be the next Indiana Jones, the thrill of discovery is amazing and can be life changing for anyone involved in these programs. Some participants have come simply to be part of a single program and now return each season until an excavation at a particular site is completed. Teachers looking for a way to expand their knowledge and find interesting experiences to bring back to their students also enjoy Crow Canyon’s hospitality during the summer months.

Students from Shiprock High School in New Mexico learn how to coax a spark into a flame at the Pithouse Learning Center at Crow Canyon.

With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Crow Canyon offers summer programs for teachers of kindergarten through 12th grade classes. This summer, a three-week seminar includes visits to Mesa Verde, Santa Fe and beyond, as a way to help teachers learn from the questions they bring to the program, then develop a new curriculum and take those answers back to their classrooms. Finally, if the thought of another boring summer vacation this year doesn’t excite you, then look into Crow Canyon’s Cultural Explorations. These small group trips explore not only in the region, but also globally.

Photos on page 30. Top photo, this pottery shard was found by a participant in Crow Canyon's Archaeology Research Program. Bottom photo, participants in a program at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez, Colo., practice the ancestral Pueblo method of starting a fire. Photos on page 31. Top photo, a projectile point found in a Crow Canyon Archaeological Center excavation. Photo at left, at the Pithouse Learning Center, Crow Canyon educator Paul Ermigiotti teaches students skills that were essential to ancestral Pueblo people. 32 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Led by noted scholars and researchers, these are first class tours centered around a wide variety of archaeological topics which change each year. The groups truly are small, usually 20 or less, and provide an opportunity for an intimate experience with others who are engaged, well versed in the subject, or just have a thirst for knowledge revolving around a particular topic. This year’s trips include an exploration focused on the advent of agriculture of the Southwest and the changes it brought, another on archaeoastronomy in the Four Corners, and several which study American Indian art, culture and lifestyles of the region. Crow Canyon’s long established relationships with land management agencies across the area often allow them to gain access to places which would not be accessible or available to the general public and that makes these tours special as well. Melinda Elkin, a Cultural Explorations participant from Seattle said, “An archaeology trip with Crow Canyon is the best way to learn about SW archaeology and have a good vacation! The scholars are excellent, the accommodations are superb, the pace is comfortable, and the leaders are personable, flexible and efficient. There is always a diverse offering of trips–something for everyone with an interest in SW archaeology. The clientele is informed and always very interested in learning which makes for a stimulating experience.” On a global level, Mexico, Crete, and Guatemala are also on the itinerary for this year. In the past trips have gone to far away places such as Greece, Ireland, Egypt and Burma and offer a chance to learn something new and explore another region. That’s the beauty of these travel adventures. Although archaeology can be exciting anywhere, it’s often the chance to be immersed in the culture and study in-depth in a particular country in a one-on-one learning situation that keeps members returning over the years. No matter whether you dig the multitude of archaeological experiences available right here in the Four Corners, or seek to find them farther afield around the world, Crow Canyon has a way to connect with an adventure for you. For your own chance to get down and dig in the dirt this summer, or explore a new country or culture, contact the center by calling 1.800.422-8975 or visit their website at www.crowcanyon.org.

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Connectivity Damon Weems’ many interests have brought him a loving family, friends and community respect Story by Margaret Cheasebro | Photos by Josh Bishop To retired attorney Damon Weems, life is about connections. From the time he was a boy, his connections with people, the river and bluegrass music have helped him find success and happiness. “We’re all connected in one way or another,” he said. Weems had a successful law practice in Farmington for many years before he retired in 2007. His sons, Dathan and Derek, who are lawyers in Albuquerque, also practice in a Farmington branch office. “They continue my practice of law with my former legal assistant,” Weems said. “They share an office with Gary Risley, across from my old law office.” Gained community respect Weems has gained the community’s respect. “He’s a good lawyer, and he’s honest,” said former city of Farmington Mayor Bob Culpepper. When Weems started practicing law here in 1974, he knew he wanted to be a trial attorney, but he didn’t know what kind of cases to handle.

“Your specialty chooses you,” he said. “Over time I began to handle cases with people who were badly injured. I felt it was my mission that people who were badly injured would get a fair shake in life. I used to work for insurance companies that hired me to try cases for them. When I won the case, it didn’t feel good. Winning a case for somebody who was really hurt and needed a new chance on life – that really felt good.” Proud of his sons When his sons were little, over dinner he often talked about his cases. They caught his passion and followed in his footsteps. “I knew they would take care of people who were badly hurt, so I felt like I could retire,” he said. “I’m so proud of what they do.” David Pierce, who chaired the Citizens Bank Board of Directors before he retired, has great respect for Weems. “He’s a very unselfish fellow, and that really stands out these days,” Pierce said. Weems was 10 years old when his family moved here. Born in Memphis, Tenn., to a cot-

ton farmer and his wife, he went to school in Letanto, Ark. When he was in fourth grade, his dad decided to stop being a cotton farmer and headed west with his family. Arrives during oil boom “He had no idea where we were going,” Weems recalled. “We were staying in Denver during a rain storm so bad you couldn’t move your car. The fellow at the motel said if he was younger he would go to Farmington because there was an oil boom going on. It was 1956. So that’s what my dad did.” Weems, his parents and their cocker spaniel, Tippy, drove from Denver to Aztec, where they settled into a house near the Animas River. “I come from Arkansas where the rivers looked like lakes and moved slowly,” he said. “I went down to the Animas River and saw it running fast. Tippy and I hung out at the river a lot.” The family soon moved to Farmington, and Weems began fifth grade at Sacred Heart Catholic School. When he was 10-and-a-half, his younger brother, Tom, joined the family. SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 35

Works in dad’s scrap metal yard His dad owned a scrap metal yard in Farmington, and from the time he was 12 until he went to college, Weems worked for his dad. “I busted batteries and separated the copper from the brass,” he said. “I weighed the metal that people brought in and prepared their check for Dad to sign. I watched the office and did whatever Dad needed me to do.” Part of his dad’s scrap metal yard went down to the Animas River behind McDonald’s on Tucker Street. “I tried to work down there in that part of the junkyard so I could be near the river,” he recalled. Floats down river When he and his friends were in high school and wanted to run the river, they’d go down to Western Tire and Appliance owned by John Dean Sr., whom they called Big Daddy Dean because the big man statue once stood on top of that store before the building was torn down. “Big Daddy Dean would give us 10x20 truck tire tubes and over-inflate them so they’d float well on the river, and he never charged us a dime for them,” Weems said. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1964 and attended the University of New Mexico, majoring in economics. In 1965, the first summer he came home from college, he needed a job, and the late Marvin Baggett hired him to work in his law office. Lawyer mentors him “He taught me so much, trained me and encouraged me to be a lawyer,” Weems said. “He taught me how to do legal research. He would tell me to go to a law book and look on a particular page in the middle of the page, and there would be the quote he needed to put in his brief for the case he was handling right then.” Weems’ car broke down when it was time to return to UNM the fall of his sophomore year, so Baggett loaned him his brand new convertible. He kept it for a month until he could make other transportation arrangements. While 36 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

he attended UNM, some Farmington attorneys, including Baggett, hired him to do legal research because he had easy access to the UNM law school library. Joins National Guard When he graduated with a BA in economics in 1968, he joined the New Mexico Air National Guard. “They were advertising on the radio that they needed pilots,” Weems recalled. “As soon as I heard the ad, I joined. I had an interest in flying. My father had been a pilot all his adult life. My uncle was a pilot with the Arizona National Guard, called the Copperheads, and was inducted into the Arizona Air Museum Hall of Fame. I was inspired by him and wanted to pattern my career after him.” After he completed Air Force Basic Training, in 1969 he married Jann. “We got married as soon as I was commissioned an officer in the Air Force, because then I could begin to support her,” he said. He went off to pilot training in Laredo, Texas, then returned to Albuquerque in 1971, where he began attending law school at UNM. Friend provides law office When he graduated in 1974, he returned to Farmington to practice law. Bob Williams, the

father of a friend of his, made sure he had someplace to practice. “He said, ‘I’m going to give you an office, and you pay $85 a month rent, but if you can’t afford it you don’t have to pay it,’” Weems recalled. He never missed a month paying his rent. Late District Judge Byron Caton looked out for him. “He made sure I had a contract with the New Mexico Public Defenders so I wouldn’t starve,” Weems said. Other local attorneys helped too. “Every afternoon I had questions about how to handle a case,” Weems said. “And every afternoon I had five attorneys who were willing to meet with me and tell me how I should practice law and handle my case. It was the best mentorship a young man could have.” Plans subdivision About the time he retired, the family who owned a tract of land next to his office wanted to sell it to Weems. He bought it without any idea what to do with it. “I asked city planners what I should do with the land,” he said. “They told me, and I did exactly what they said.” They wanted him to create a subdivision similar to the Suntuoso Subdivision above Civitan Golf Course. It’s poised on a hilltop overlooking a valley, and the hillside remains undeveloped as open space. So on his gated community subdivision between Hutton and Cherry Hills, Weems planned for 35 residential lots on a hilltop overlooking a valley. The hillside below the houses is open space. So far, about half of the lots have been developed. When he asked Jann what to call the subdivision, she suggested Rabbitbrush because the hillside is covered with it. Realtor Valerie Usselman takes care of the Rabbitbrush Ridge Planned Unit Development for him. One of the many connections in his life, she’s the daughter of Bob Williams, who rented him an office when he graduated from law school. Passionate about the river Weems never forgot another connection, his passion for the river. He’s been active for many years as a board member on the River Reach Foundation.

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“A lot of my job has been to identify parcels of land along the river where we could acquire easements or buy land to extend the trail system,” he said. “We want to extend the trails along the river all through town. We’d like to have the trail follow the river all the way to Aztec and maybe all the way to Kirtland someday. Every time I’m down at the river, I see people riding their bikes, walking with their kids or grandkids along the river trail, wading or swimming in the river. There’s something magical about people being near water. They’ll stop and talk to total strangers if they’re walking on that river trail, and they get to know each other that way.” Loves bluegrass music Another connection in his life is bluegrass music. Bob Williams’ younger brother, Bert Williams, got him started playing the banjo when he was in junior high. He continues to play the banjo and guitar and has loved bluegrass music ever since. He’s been a quiet encourager of area bluegrass musicians, among them Tom Miller and

Trout Lake between Rico and Telluride at the top of Lizard Head Pass,” Weems said. He also enjoys skiing with his family, including his grandsons, ages 6 and 4.

Bob Ashley, two of the four musicians in Chokecherry Jam, a successful local bluegrass band. “Damon got me going to weekly bluegrass jams,” said Ashley. “That attracted me to the whole bluegrass network.” Weems also encouraged Miller to attend weekly jams. “That’s where my playing really took off,” Miller said. Weems’ sons love bluegrass music too. They play it when they’re not too busy practicing law and raising families. Dathan plays the guitar, and Derek strums the mandolin. “We play when the family’s up at our cabin at

Teaches guitar at church Weems taught the youth at St. John’s Episcopal Church how to play the guitar, and sometimes they present a guitar program at the church. In past years, he played hymns on the guitar during Mass. He has served on the vestry, and still serves on the foundation that handles the church’s financial investments. “I can’t imagine going through life without a church family,” he said. It’s another of his many connections. He makes time for his friends, who also keep him connected. “When my father took ill, he had dementia, and because of that we had a falling out –strictly due to the disease,” Pierce said. “Damon was so supportive of both of us and concerned for us. He’s a very compassionate guy.”

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Documenting the past for future generations Edward Kotyk creates comprehensive records of area Arches, ruins Story by Margaret Cheasebro When Edward Kotyk began working at the city of Aztec in 1999, the city didn’t have a website. He helped to create one. Today, it’s a resource for tourists from all over the world and for residents who want to explore arches, find archeological and recreation sites, and discover other outdoor activities available in and near the Four Corners area. “I’ve tried to make the Aztec tourism website very comprehensive so it’s a one-stop shop for any visitors or local people who want to know more,” Kotyk said. “They don’t have to spend so much time surfing because they can get all the information at one location.”

Photo by Whitney Howle

Archeology background Kotyk has an archeology background, and for 13 years he worked full time as an archeologist before becoming a computer technician for the city of Aztec. He learned about the job from a friend who worked at the city while he was earning his associate degree in computer technology from San Juan College in 1998. “She was the city’s IT director, and she was tasked with getting the city a website,” he said. “She didn’t know anything about designing a website. I always learn hands on. I get software. I’m self-taught. I experimented and played, and I helped set up and create the city’s first website. It was an ugly thing, but over time, my skills got better in Web page design.” Now he works in the projects management department. Part of his job involves developing long and short range plans, gathering and sharing data with other city departments, overseeing the use of the GIS (Geographic Information System), and developing and maintaining the city’s three websites, www.actecnm.com, which provides tourism information; www.actecnm.gov, which fo-

cuses on government related knowledge about the city; and www.azteclibrary.org, the Aztec Public Library’s site.

suggested day trip itineraries. Later he expanded the areas he visited to a 150-mile radius of Aztec. That information is on the website too.

Edward is amazing “Edward is just amazing. He is so good at what he does,” said Wilann Thomas, tourism and marketing supervisor for the city of Aztec. “He keeps the websites going steadily. The number of visitors to the sites continues to increase.” Kotyk and his wife, Neykar, spend many weekends and vacations exploring interesting sites in the Four Corners area. He takes photos, gets the GIS coordinates, includes information on the tourism website about how to get there, and provides links to other sites, such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and the Natural Arch and Bridge Society, which offer even more information. When he first began exploring what the area had to offer, he visited sites within a 50-mile radius of Aztec. He added information about them to the website, including how many miles each place is from Aztec. The website even includes

Warehouse of knowledge “If somebody gets to the website, they might say, ‘Wow! These people have a lot of information,’” he said. “We could be the warehouse of knowledge for what there is to do in the Four Corners area.” And people do visit the site. Kotyk met one of those visitors, a hiker, when he explored the Bisti Wilderness Area. He told him about the tourist information on the city’s website. “He periodically checks it,” Edward said. “The last time I saw him, he told me, ‘That’s a really cool website. I’m going to share it with my friends.’” Kotyk frequently updates the website’s photos and information. “I’ve found things in 2014 that I didn’t see in 2013,” he said. “The topography and terrain are always changing. The lighting and time of day, the seasons all make a difference. Things always change.”

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And he frequently learns new things from people he meets. Where are the Cracked Eggs? “This past summer I did a lot of trips to the Bisti,” he said. “There’s just not enough information out there about the Bisti in terms of hot spots. You get on the Web, and someone will say, ‘I saw this or that, I saw the Cracked Eggs.’ For years I went out there and didn’t know the Cracked Eggs were there. I bumped into someone a few years back when my wife and I were wandering around the Bisti, and he said, ‘Are you looking for the cracked eggs?’ I’m thinking dinosaur eggs or something. It piqued my interest. He was a foreigner. He’d come all this way to look for something that I didn’t know anything about.” So Kotyk researched the Cracked Eggs, also called the Alien Hatchery. One site gave the GPS coordinates, so he was able to find it at a place deeper in the Bisti than he’d ever gone. The eye catching shapes are made of sandstone and eroding bentonite clay. “The clay silty stuff around the sandstone eroded away and left almost a pedestal,” he explained. “A few of them look like eggs that have been cracked open.”

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Names unidentified sites As he continued to explore the Bisti, he found formations that had never been documented by anyone, so he named them and included GIS information on the Aztec website for how to find them. He calls two of them the Seal and the Ostrich. A well-known formation, the Bisti Arch, he likes to call Dragon’s Head because the arch looks to him like a dragon’s eye surrounded by the eyebrow and mouth. Another hiker in the Bisti told him about Lybrook Badlands, an area Kotyk had heard of but never explored. “He said the area would make a good photographic opportunity,” said Kotyk. “That made me want to visit it.” Wife encourages his interests His wife encourages his photography hobby. One year she bought him a fancier digital camera. It’s a single-lens reflex that lets him change SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 43

La Plata Canyon - Colorado

Goblin Valley - Utah

Bisti Wilderness - New Mexico

Calf Creek Falls - Utah

Francis Canyon Pueblito - New Mexico

Bisti Wilderness - New Mexico

Lybrook Badlands - New Mexico

Ditch Canyon - Octopus Arch

Bryce Canyon - Utah

the lenses. “She said I needed a manly camera, something bigger and better,” he said. Now he has a telephoto and a regular lens and hopes to buy a macro lens for close-up shots. More recently, his wife bought him a backpack to hold all his camera equipment. So Kotyk went prepared when he explored the Lybrook Badlands. “The Bisti has a lot of small petite hoodoos with caps on them,” he said, “but in Lybrook these things are huge. One hoodoo is 35 feet tall and about 10-12 feet in diameter.” Huge hoodoos One area of the Lybrook Badlands had spectacular formations and he couldn’t find any pictures of them on the Internet, so he called the area Hoodooville. “There are maybe 30 huge monolithic hoodoos in that location,” he said. “Many of them are 15 to 20 feet tall. They’re massive. It’s a different kind of erosion process.” Pointing to a picture on the website, he said, “This one I call the Globe or the Orb. It’s a perfectly round

“I don’t want anybody taking them,” he said. “What you see you leave there. You only take photographs.”

sandstone sitting on a formation that looks like a hand holding it.” He also hopes to explore the Angel Peak area. “It’s supposed to have interesting formations and dinosaur bones,” he said. He’s found dinosaur bones in the Bisti and Ah-shi-sle-pah Wilderness areas. Most are fragments. When he does find bones, he takes photos of them and includes a tape measure to document the size. But he doesn’t provide location information.

Documents arches He’s also been out to Largo Canyon, where there are many natural arches as well as some Dinetah pueblitos, which were refugee sites in northwest New Mexico built by Navajo and Pueblo people to protect themselves from Utes and Comanches in the 1600-1700s. Building on the work of other explorers who have found arches in 26 nearby canyons, Kotyk has documented a total of 304 arches on the Aztec tourism website. The largest number, 52, were found in Pump Canyon, while 40 were located in Caballo Canyon and 23 in Slane Canyon. The Cox Canyon Arch, about 35 feet tall with a 42-foot span, is featured on top of the tourism website along with the message, “Welcome to Aztec.” GPS coordinates for how to find each arch and aerial view maps are included on the website along with other facts. At the Aztec Visitors Center people can get maps that

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show where the arches are located in each canyon. Maps of the Bisti Wilderness are also available. People won’t get lost “We’re trying to make the information as comprehensive as possible so people won’t go out there and get lost or spend the entire day and not find the arch,” Kotyk said. Though he’s found tiny arches all over the place, he won’t put them on the website unless he can crawl through them. “It’s the big ones or the ones that are really unique to look at that are the ones you want people to see,” he said. “We’re looking for the wow factor because of the size, the way they’re shaped, or the way they look.” Among those are the Crab, Burro, Rooftop, Snake Head, Bridge of Wonder, Medusa Head, and Octopus arches, all named for what they resemble. Formal arch tours Community Development Director Bill Homka, who heads up the city’s tourism de-

“We need to provide visitors with the opportunity to have a good time, to enjoy their visit and come back again.” — Edward Kotyk partment, wants to develop formal arch tours. “I hope to have the tours on line this summer,” Homka said. “We’re coordinating with Ed and his knowledge of the arches and my business acumen so it will run as a business. Ed has taken his free time to find where these arches are. He’ll know where the best ones are. He’ll help us put together the actual narration, what the guides will say. We want to maximize the fact that the arches are here.” The tours, he said, could take four or five hours, and the hope is that tourists will stay an extra day in Aztec to enjoy other attractions such as the Aztec Ruins National Monument and fishing, hiking, and shopping. Once the tours are a viable operation,

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Homka would like a private business to step in and take over the arch tours from the city. “We don’t want to be the ones giving the tours forever,” he said. “I think it’s a two or three year process to see if it’s going to work.” Something for everyone Wilann has helped to develop pages on the tourism website that promote products such as local historian Marilu Waybourn’s book on abandoned communities and cemeteries. “Maybe the wife is interested in abandoned communities while her husband wants to fly fish,” Kotyk said. “We want a website that is very diverse and that offers all these things. We need to provide visitors with the opportunity to have a good time, to enjoy their visit and come back again. If we don’t provide that, people are just going to drive on through.” For Kotyk, the website is a labor of love. “There’s still a lot more exploring for me to do,” he said. “I like traveling, photography and promoting Aztec.”

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tudents are following their dreams at San Juan College. With a firefighter dad, Tyler White knew he wanted to be a part of the “family business.” He chose the Fire Science program at San Juan College and has landed his dream job with the Farmington Fire Department.

Your Dream

Tyler White’s father was a Hot Shot, a specifically trained fire fighter to respond to wildland fires in remote regions. White also has numerous cousins who are firefighters and he always had a dream to continue that legacy. “Growing up in a family full of fire fighters made it easy for me to decide what career I wanted for myself. I knew I wanted to be a firefighter from a very young age,” White said. “San Juan College helped me get my foot in the door and helped me land my dream job.”

Your Future

White is now a firefighter with the Farmington Fire Department at Station 4, where he gets the chance to work with one of his SJC instructors, Captain Mark Milne. “In classes, Tyler definitely made a positive introduction. He worked hard, he was motivated and he was one of the leaders of the class,” Milne said. “We have a lot of San Juan College graduates at Farmington Fire Department because they come into this job with a lot of knowledge and they are well-rounded especially where problem solving is concerned. That’s a good foundation to build on,” Engineer Mark Franklin, who also works at Station 4 said.

Our Focus

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Fire Science is designed to give students the essential education and hands-on training needed for a career in firefighting. Students will receive training in the basic concepts of firefighting and will participate in actual hands-on evolutions that will give them real experience in the firefighting career field. Courses are taught by current and former firefighters ready to pass on their knowledge. In addition, courses are offered in Emergency Medical Services. For more information about the Fire Science Program, call 505-566-3590 or visit sanjuancollege.edu/fire.

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Labor of love goes viral Ken Triplett’s gift to his granddaughter sets the Internet ablaze Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Josh Bishop Ken Triplett has had many goals in his life. Being an Internet sensation has never been one of them. The 84-year-old made a fire pit for his granddaughter, Jennifer Allison, for Christmas last year. Triplett had made a pit for his daughter – and Jennifer’s mother – Lori Allison, after Lori had seen a photo of one online. The fire pit was a hit with Triplett’s family, and Jennifer decided her own fire pit would make the per48 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

fect Christmas gift. Jennifer had seen photos of similar fire pits that looked like the Death Star, but she was convinced her grandfather could make the best one. “I told him he could totally make it and it would be so cool,” Jennifer said in a phone interview from her home in Oregon. “I figured he’d probably make (me) one, but he was very sneaky about it.” Jennifer’s boyfriend is a huge Star Wars fan, and “It’s (Star Wars) been a big

part of my life,” she explained. When her grandparents arrived at a family holiday gathering, the Death Star fire pit was in Triplett’s truck. Delighted with the Star Wars design, Jennifer took photos of it and uploaded them on Reddit, a popular site where “redditors” vote on which stories and discussions are important, the website states. The hottest stories rise to the top. “People were sharing the photo (of the Death Star fire pit),

and I figured it might be somewhat popular,” Jennifer said. It wasn’t long, Jennifer said, before more than 100 people had uploaded the photo. “We were happy with a hundred,” Jennifer said. “But we kept on checking it and it had grown to 1,000 and by the next day, almost 6,000 people had seen it.” Jennifer shared the growing interest of her grandfather’s work with her grandmother, who passed it along to her grandfather. “He has next to no idea about social media and its implications,” she said. It wasn’t long before 400 people had commented on the fire pit. A few days later, the site ThinkGeek posted a photo of the fire pit. The Death Star fire pit had gone viral – meaning something becomes very popular in a short amount of time. Requests for information about Triplett’s fire pits began coming in and Jennifer opened a “shop” for the pits on the popular online shopping site, Etsy. As the whirlwind of popularity and demand for the fire pits swirls around him, Triplett is 50 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

just enjoying the fact that people appreciate the art he calls a hobby. A welder by necessity – he worked for a family owned oil field drilling and production company in Kansas in 1958 – when the company’s one welder couldn’t keep up with the work in the boom days of the industry, Triplett was asked if he’d learn to weld.

“I’m a welder by default,” he said, sitting in a comfortable chair in his Farmington home. “It was a skilled trade and I didn’t have any skills.” When oil and gas lost some of its momentum in Kansas in 1968, Triplett and his wife, Ginger, moved their family to Farmington.

There was a big boom going on here and he became a contract welder. He went to work for Mo-Te where he found more than just work. “I enjoy working for Mo-Te,” he said. “They’ve used me ever since we moved here. Even when I leave to do work, they always ask me to come back.” “I’ve been there so long, I’m considered family,” Triplett added, with more than a touch of pride. It is Triplett’s welding skills – honed and perfected over the years – that help him create fire pits that are works of art, although Triplett is quick to say he’s not an artist. Ray Beyale provides the art for the pit designs. “All he needs is a photo of an idea and he draws it,” Triplett said. Beyale draws the designs on iron with white soapstone and Triplett cuts away everything in white. When Triplett’s daughter Lori and Jennifer’s mother, wanted a fire pit, there was no question as to the design. “Lori loves Disneyland and Ray drew pictures of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy,” Triplett said, adding that the designs are created in quarters and

on a round ball. The pits are made from ends of old propane bottles. Triplett puts two ends of the discarded bottles together to make a sphere. Twelve-inch pipes are used for the base for the pits, giving a six-inch clearance from the ground. The designs created by Beyale and finished by Triplett include a mountain scene, the Denver Broncos logo along with the famous white horse, NASCAR teams (one of Triplett’s daughters is a Dale Earnhardt Jr. fan) and a military design with two screaming eagles and a soldier, down on one knee, in prayer. Beyale can create the design from any photo, Triplett said, which makes the work enjoyable. The fire pits come in two sizes. The smaller one is 30 inches wide and 33 inches tall and sells for $1,400. The larger one is 37 ½ inches wide and 41 inches tall and sells for $1,600. The fire pits have drawn national and international interest. Inquiries have come from all over the U.S. and from Japan, France and “one of those Spanish-speaking countries,” Triplett said. He sold a pit to a Canadian; however, the cost of shipping was high and Triplett is working with the customer to share the shipping costs. It’s not the money the fire pits bring in that Triplett cares about. With his wife, Ginger, handling the bookkeeping and his granddaughter, Jennifer, taking care of the marketing, Triplett simply enjoys working with his friend to create the art. While there are many others creating similar fire pits, the thought, the time and the love Triplett puts into his pits makes each of them special – if only to him. “I have no idea where this is going to go from here,” Triplett said. “But I’ll do it as long as I can.” At the age of 84, with an idea that went viral and captured the interest of thousands, Triplett and his grandson John Moore will head to Phoenix for a NASCAR race in March or November, with fire pits designed for NASCAR fans. He plans to load his pickup with the fire pits and, he hopes, sell them. “My grandson said NASCAR fans will buy anything,” Triplett said with a laugh. “I guess I’ll find out.” SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 51

Seven years of just plane fun Bruce Bowen’s Spruce Broose is done and ready to fly Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Whitney Howle About seven years ago, Bruce Bowen bought an airplane kit. The kit Bowen purchased was $14,000 and isn’t the kind you’ll find at a hobby store. A licensed pilot since 1986, Bowen, who received his instrument rating in 2006, drove to Nampa, Idaho, and picked up his kit, which fit comfortably in the back of his pickup truck. “I always wanted my own airplane that I 52 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

could fly out of my own backyard,” Bowen said. The Ridge Runner kit he purchased came with the airframe prepared for folding wings, seat belt and shoulder harness, hardware, fabric and tapes, wheels and tires. “The engine, instruments and propeller were extra,” Bowen said with a laugh. The kit wasn’t the only thing Bowen brought home on that trip, however. A black and white

cat made friends with him as he loaded the kit. After several days on the road, Bowen got to his home in Bloomfield and lifted the hood of his truck – only to find the cat resting on the engine. “I named her ‘Purretta,’ and she allowed me to occupy her garage until I got the plane finished,” Bowen said with a laugh. Bowen’s wife was diagnosed with cancer shortly after, and Bowen became her full time

caregiver. The plane sat in his three-car garage for more than two years, taking a back seat to his wife’s needs. After she passed away, Bowen returned to his garage and his airplane, which helped him heal from the pain of losing his wife. The Ridge Runner is similar to a bush airplane, Bowen explained, which is often used to fly to remote areas and requires shorter landing strips than most airplanes. With just two seats in the plane – one for the pilot and one for a passenger – the seats are placed tandem style, in the middle of the cockpit, which gives the pilot a center view and, Bowen said, makes it easier to fly. The plane weighs about 500 pounds and took Bowen seven years to complete. The kit came with one fuel tank, but Bowen added three more, and he customized the protective paint on the plane, adding an additional three coats to the three suggested by the manufacturer. It was the flaps and ailerons that provided the most challenge, Bowen said. The flaps and ailerons are connected to the backside of the wings. The flaps hinge back and down to increase the surface of the wing area. They also tilt down to increase the curve of the wing. “I had to design and figure materials and how to do everything,” Bowen explained of the flaps and ailerons. “It took me as long to

build each one of them as it did each wing.” Bowen spent more than 2,000 hours putting the plane together. With much of the work now completed, he has moved into a hangar at the Aztec Airport, which he shares with a friend. And while the plane is ready to fly, the pilot – not so much. The airplane is a tail wheel plane, which has an aircraft undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel to support the tail. “A tail wheel airplane is different from other airplanes that have tricycle wheels,” Bowen explained. “Tricycle wheels naturally go straight, but a tail wheel plane wants to do anything but go straight.” Getting used to an airplane with two wheels in front and one “tail dragger” wheel in the rear takes time and patience, Bowen said. The plane can be challenging to control on the ground while taxing, and during takeoffs and landings, because the center of gravity wants the tail to go first, which can turn the airplane sideways, then backward. That maneuver is called a “groundloop”and can be dangerous as well as destructive. While the plane has been certified for its airworthiness, Bowen has no idea how the plane will fly once it’s in the air. “I’m excited to fly it, but I’m not in a hurry,” he admitted. “I want to fly it right when I do fly it.” Gordon Herra is a friend of Bowen’s as well

SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 53

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as a fan of experimental airplanes. Herra met Bowen in 1994, when Bowen attended a church Herra was pastoring. “I already had my Avid Mark IV experimental plane,” Herra said, adding it was the cost of flying commercially that prompted him to look at other options. “It was costly to fly (commercial) and to rent a plane was $100 an hour. By buying a plane, even though the initial cost is pricy, you make it up in maintenance and hangar fees.” Herra’s plane is a similar plane to Bowen’s Ridge Runner. “With a home-built plane, you can work on it yourself. I have a repair license from the FAA, which authorizes me to work on my own plane, so I don’t have mechanic fees.” If Bowen wanted an experimental plane to fly out of his backyard, Herra plans to do his takeoffs and landings from his driveway. “My driveway is 300 feet long and wide enough,” he said, adding that an experimental airplane allows you to take advantage of smaller runways – or, in his case, driveways. Those who are considering purchasing a home built/kit airplane should know there are advantages and disadvantages, Herra said. “You need enough space and you need an empty hangar. You’ll have pieces (of the plane) all over the place, and sometimes, just sticking with it when you’re not getting it done fast enough.” “And it can be tedious work,” Herra added.

“Nothing (on the plane) can be wrong – it all has to be right, because your life depends on it. And it always costs more than you think it will.” Because Bowen doesn’t know how his airplane will handle in the air, he spends much of his time maneuvering the plane around the airport, getting used to how the tail wheel feels. He has thought about finding a test pilot – one who has experience with this particular tail wheeled airplane – to take that first flight. “A test pilot would know what it’s supposed to do and feel like, and I don’t,” he said. Herra said he understands Bowen’s reluctance to put his plane in the air. “I ran up and down the runway for two-and-a-half to three hours,” he said. “Then I got sick and tired of keeping it on the ground. Once I lifted off the runway, there’s no staying on the ground anymore. I love the way it flies.” “It takes quite a bit of courage to lift off the first time,” Herra said. “You don’t know if it’s going to hold together, even though you’ve gone over it (the plane) 50,000 times.” In spite of the time he’s spent working on the airplane, Bowen’s bride of almost two years, Karen, is supportive of her husband’s passion for the plane. The couple had been dating for some time when Bowen suggested Karen take a look at his experimental airplane. “He said ‘I think we need to see if you fit’ in

“I’m excited to fly it, but I’m not in a hurry. — Bruce Bowen the passenger seat,” Karen said with a laugh. She did fit and, even though she’s a slightly built woman, her extra weight will increase the challenge when Bowen flies it, she added. As the plane neared completion, the couple decided to have a plane naming party with more than 55 of their closest friends. With some 50 suggested names coming from the partiers, they voted to name the plane the “Spruce Broose.” Bowen’s pride in The Spruce Broose is evident as he walks around the plane, testing hoses and checking for imperfections. The plane has the word “experimental” on one side window, a requirement by the Federal Aviation Administration, which also requires a certified

initial inspection of the plane. As the owner and manufacturer of the plane, in the future, Bowen will do annual inspections himself. If, however, he sells the plane or gives it away, the next owner will have to have an FAA inspector conduct the inspection. Building the Spruce Broose has been a labor

of love for Bowen. He encourages anyone who has the patience, the time and the determination to build an airplane subscribe to Kit Planes magazine, which lists all kits available. “It’s been lot more education than recreation,” Bowen said of his project. “But it’s worth it in the long run.”

SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 55

Unwavering courage, timeless beauty and a phenomenal voice takes Kirtland native on an amazing journey Story by Elizabeth Pettyjohn-Broten | Courtesy photos Everyone is born with a unique talent, but not every talent is destined to receive international acclaim or to be showcased on the world’s stage. Hers was. Cherise Lukow shares the gift of her spectacular voice with the world. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine becoming an opera singer. I always say opera chose me,” Lukow said. Indeed, who could have predicted this woman’s incredible destiny to sing soprano roles in operas, with an international career, performing on the world’s most famous and historic stages? Yet that is exactly what is happening for the 28-year-old who, for the past five years, has been living in France and performing around the globe. 56 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

Cherise’s rapid rise to the top of the opera world is the stuff of dreams and legends, but Cherise’s story begins here in the Four Corners. The daughter of a local school counselor and homemaker grew up in Kirtland in the 1990’s with three other siblings. Cherise had a typical, and happy, childhood. She was the archetype of an all-American girl – an excellent student and a talented athlete who exceled in high school sports including track, soccer and basketball. Cherise had that special something She may have been a hometown girl in those days, but those who knew her remember how there was something undeniable about Cherise. “She was just one of those special kids,” muses former voice coach Virginia Hircoch-Nick-

els. Nickels, choir director at Piedra Vista High School, remembers Cherise as a mature, determined student who knew what she wanted and invested the time and effort to achieve the goals she set for herself. Looking for a creative outlet, Cherise began private voice lessons as a junior. “She would come to lessons after soccer practice, hair in a sweaty ponytail and still wearing her shin guards,” recalls Nickels laughing. Cherise began developing her voice by learning soprano art songs and arias. “I would research online and check out books and musical scores at the library to teach myself new pieces,” she said. Her journey as a vocal performance artist had begun.

The difference between a musician and a singer is instrumental, meaning a musician perfects their ability to play an instrument; whereas, a singer’s voice is their instrument. “To pursue the higher levels of vocal performance arts, you must really like the sound of your own voice. Most people do not enjoy hearing even their speaking voices on a recording. A singer hears the truth about their voice and continues developing, strengthening, and perfecting it. Succeeding as a vocal artist requires a very solid self-confidence. Even as a teenager, Cherise had this gift,” Nickels said. Moved to Paris in 2010 After receiving a Bachelor’s of Music from University of Texas Austin, Cherise chose to continue her musical studies at Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and moved to France in 2010. Since then, she has trained with some of the most elite programs across Europe, including Austria, Italy, and Spain. Although she admits to being absolutely terrified to relocate halfway across the globe, she knew complete cultural immersion was the only course toward realizing her professional goals. As a person of faith, she trusted that each step of her journey was being guided from above. Cherise is now fluent in French and continues diligent study of the Italian and German languages for performances. In 2012, Cherise auditioned and won a coveted seat in a summer apprenticeship called The Stars of Tomorrow at the Santa Fe Opera. Santa Fe Opera is a formidable presence on the international opera scene, and the oldest opera training program in the Unites States. Interestingly, while the Santa Fe program accepts only the top students from around the world, Cherise is the only New Mexican to have been selected. David Holloway, director of the Apprenticeship Program at Santa Fe Opera, recalls Cherise. “Her voice was high, rich, and full of substance. She also had several special qualities which make her unique as an artist. She has an extraordinary stage presence, a very high repertoire, and a mature, business-minded approach

to her studies. The possibilities for Cherise are endless.” Royal College of Music in London Balancing a busy schedule of performances, Cherise also now attends the prestigious Royal College of Music in London studying for a Master’s of Performance. Founded in 1882 by the Prince of Wales, the Royal College of Music is one of the world’s most renowned musical conservatories, training gifted musicians for international careers as performers, conductors and composers. Cherise’s flourishing as an artist in Europe is evident in an impressive accumulation of accolades, awards, and scholarships. Her voice, praised by critics for its strength and timbre, has reached an unimaginable level of acclaim on the opera scene. With a vocal virtuosity ranging to G above high C, Cherise is considered a “coloratura soprano,” an elite vocal classification placing her in the hallowed company of opera legends such as Maria Callas. The physiology of the human vocal chords make a coloratura soprano’s voice the rarest – most one-in-a-million – combination of both agility and power. Yes, Cherise was born with raw natural talent. Unwavering courage Consider the following facts: She has sung classical music for only about 10 years. She learned to read sheet music only in college! Her first exposure to opera was not in her formidable childhood years of brain development, but later in adolescence. When asked what factors she believes were essential to her success, she says she was blessed with a good ear, and that living in our high elevation and being an athlete in her youth increased her lung and vocal capacities and muscle memory. Another obvious advantage contributing to her success is her exceptional beauty. Cherise has the voice and the face of an angel. One critic labeled her “the doll incarnate.” “It’s true, admits David Holloway, “her exotic looks make her extremely castable.”

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However, Cheriseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success is not merely due to natural talent, physical beauty, or luck, despite what Hollywood, the pop music industry, and our culture at large would have us believe. To pursue the top tiers of professional artistry, extraordinary natural talent is, of course, necessary. However, it is even more the unwavering courage to push past fear and personal insecurities. It is the almost ascetic self-discipline to accept the many sacrifices required along the way. It is having a passion so deep that a person is willing to dedicate the hours, days, and years of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifetime toward achieving artistic perfection. Few are willing to accept these terms, which is why the few who achieve greatness are so remarkable, so legendary, and so very fascinating to the rest of us. The description she gives for a typical day in the life of Cherise Lukow demonstrates the courage, discipline, and passion of a true artist. For her, learning a new piece is much as you might imagine an actor prepares for a role. Singing a part is playing a character. She does her homework and researches the historical components and significance of the piece. Knowing the

58 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

historical context is essential to understanding anything â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in art or in life. Most pieces have to be translated from the original; hence her study of language. An artist must analyze and deconstruct a character to begin understanding the psyche of a character and to be able to execute/perform on stage. She

must of course memorize the words of the piece/script. Her mind is freshest in the morning, she says, and best able to concentrate. An artist also must listen and consider separately the intentions and desires of both the composer of the music who has written the libretto and the poet of the operatic piece.

Lastly, an artist researches how the piece has traditionally been performed and makes the perilous decision of when/how/why to take any creative or artistic liberties. It is a fascinating process. Dyslexcia Cherise has another interesting advantage/disadvantage – depending upon how you choose to see the world. She is dyslexic, which requires her to be very intentional and deliberate when embarking upon a new piece. Turning possible disadvantages/setbacks into opportunities is yet another thing Cherise does well. When asked her if she has any stage fright or performance anxiety, she answers with a considered response. “I try to harness and transform any nervous body or nerve issues into positive energy. By the time it is time to perform, the hard work is done. The performance is the fun part of sharing my gift.” While art imitates life, art is also an escape from life. "As a vocal artist, I seek entry into the hearts of my audience. I wish to penetrate those walls that encase the human spirit. It is in those precious moments of performance that we trick the tumblers of natural law and perform miracles of knowing.” While visiting her family in 2011 and again in 2014, Cherise performed at the Christmas Eve Services at Piñon Hills Community Church. Community members who saw the performance can testify that her performances do indeed penetrate the hearts of her audience. “Cherise Lukow, along with her family, are part of the Piñon Hills Community Church family. We are so proud of her and honored that she shares her beautiful voice with us when she comes home. This year she gave a phenomenal performance,“ says Rachel Corley, Creative Arts Director at Piñon Hills Community Church. Cherise has also given performances at San Juan College’s Little Theatre. Despite her international success and ZIP code, she is still a hometown girl. We all have a destiny and a purpose. The story of Cherise’s gift should inspire us all to share our own gifts, big or small or whatever they may be, with the world. This is, perhaps, the most lingering legacy of a true artist.

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SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 59

Making a

difference

Jenny Lambert, college adult education classes improve people’s lives Story by Dorothy Nobis | Photos by Whitney Howle When Jenny Lambert walks into a classroom at the San Juan College Adult Basic Education, or ABE, program, she sees more than just the faces of the students. She sees anxiety, a lot of determination and a sense of hope. Estrella DeYapp is one of those students. DeYapp didn’t graduate from high school and decided in March of 2014, that it was time she got her GED ®. “I wanted to better my life for me and my children,” DeYapp explained. “It’s always been a goal of mine (to get a GED ®) and I decided it was time.” 60 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

With two young children at home, Alissa, 7, and Johnathon, 6, and the owner of Estrella’s Kitchen, DeYapp took on the challenges of going back to school. “I love it,” DeYapp said of ABE. “The teachers are wonderful and they’re very hands on.” Most of the students are like DeYapp, Lambert said, with many of them in their early to mid-20s, and getting into the program requires more than just showing up for class. While taking the GED ® program is free, students must commit themselves to studying to pass the final

exam, which costs about $120, Lambert explained. The New 2014 GED® Test consists of four tests – different tests – Language Arts/Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Math. The cost to take each test is $30. But it isn’t just the academics Lambert and her staff provide. “We treat them like adults,” she said, “and we care about them. We instill self-confidence in our students and we’re advocates for their academic skills and encourage them to pursue their dream of achieving high school credentials.”

DeYapp said she didn’t finish high school because the she felt the teachers weren’t as hands on and gave little one-on-one time. “I didn’t get everything I needed in high school,” DeYapp said. “But here (at ABE), the staff is very understanding and willing to help.” “It’s wonderful,” DeYapp said about the program. “We’re like a little community here and when someone’s gone, we really miss them.” Because of students such as DeYapp, and because of the hard work, effort and commitment Lambert and her staff give to the students in the program; the San Juan College Adult Basic Education Program was honored as the Outstanding Program of the Year by the New Mexico Higher Education Department in November of 2014. Frances Bannowsky, the state director of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, said the San Juan College program was selected for the honor because of its focus on strengthening student outcomes and for gaining momen-

tum moving through 2013-2014. The staff improved orientation in Adult Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL, piloted college prep courses in collaboration with San Juan College, and piloted distance learning. “The program is focusing on Professional Development, especially for teachers, with attention to the teaching shifts made necessary by new High School Equivalency tests,” Bannowksy said in presenting the award. Michelle Brandon is the senior director of the San Juan College Student Success Center and has high praise for Lambert and her staff. “In the two years since Jenny began leading the Adult Education program, wonderful things have happened, culminating in their recent statewide recognition as the Outstanding Program of the Year,” Brandon said. “Much of the program’s success reflects her (Lambert’s) inclusive leadership style. Jenny articulates a clear vision for her program and involves her team in developing strategies to support that vision.

!!! 62 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

She trusts the expertise of her team and their commitment to our students.” “At the same time,” Brandon continued, “she has invested wisely in personal and professional development opportunities for her staff to grow their skills and build the team’s capacity. As a result, the team has been able to improve program practices, take on new challenges – like the new College Prep program – and increase student success.” Lambert’s path to success at San Juan College was a long one. A native of Switzerland, Lambert was targeted by European schools to be a math and science teacher. Math and science, however, weren’t Lambert’s career choice. She moved to the United States as an exchange student and began her undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico. She transferred to San Diego State University to complete her degree because her husband (now deceased) was in the Navy. Later on, she received her master’s degree from a school based out of Pasadena, Calif. “I

started my undergraduate studies at UNM and transferred to San Diego State University to complete my degree since my now deceased husband was in the Navy. Later on, I pursued my master’s degree and obtained my graduate degree from a school based out of Pasadena, California. “Then my husband decided to enter pilot training and we came here (to Farmington),” she said with a laugh. “I came here for someone else’s education, and it turned out to be an amazing place for me, professionally.” From the mountainous beauty of the Swiss Alps to the desert beauty of New Mexico, Lambert said that, now, she can’t imagine living anywhere else – and there is no desire to return to Switzerland. “I love it here,” she said of Farmington. “I work with an incredible team (at ABE) and they’ve embraced my crazy ideas. This is my happy place and the people here believe in me.” “We really do amazing things with only five of

us (on staff) and we serve between 650-850 students,” Lambert added. “And all of us, as different as we all are – have the same vision and we make it work.” Pausing and reflecting for a few minutes, Lambert said, “I believe if I don’t make a difference in this world, I’ve missed something. And in this country, you can make a difference.” Estrella DeYapp is quick to say Lambert and her staff are, indeed, making a difference. The young teen who didn’t finish high school is now determined to get her high school certification for her children and herself. “My goal is to get my diploma and be an inspiration to my kids,” DeYapp said. “Because I’m going to school, they’re more into school themselves.” But it’s not just her children DeYapp hopes to inspire and to help. Her vision and her goals are as attainable as those of the instructors who teach her. “I want to have a food truck and work with the state and the homeless,” DeYapp said, “so nobody goes hungry.” SPRING 2015 | MAJESTIC LIVING | 63

M L

Coolest Things

Cool, like beauty, is in the eye and age of the beholder. Things we thought were cool as kids, many times are just plain silly now. Or, we’ve just not waited long enough for time to come full circle so that they become cool again. Except for toe socks, they are never cool or fun. The only theme running through our selections this time is that we want to buy them. Better yet, we want them as a gift!

Themeless Fun

NO, YOU’RE NOT JUST HOLDING A STICK IN THE AIR

The Air Umbrella www.amazon.com If it’s pouring rain and you don’t have a regular umbrella, your options were once only to grapple with a stranger who does own an umbrella or put your coat over your head and run. Now you have a third option that keeps your face dry in a more elegant fashion. The Air Umbrella is essentially a battery-powered fan that wafts away any pesky raindrops near your face. There are various sizes and prices available. You may get some weird looks from passersby who think you are either channeling Charlie Chaplin or you have completely lost your mind. $65 to $100 64 | MAJESTIC LIVING | SPRING 2015

ARE YOUR DOGS PLAYING POKER WHILE YOU’RE OUT?

4 MORE THAN JUST A PACIFIER

The Petcube www.amazon.com www. Fab.com

Pacif-i www. bluemaestro.com www.thegadgetflow.com

The Petcube is like a baby monitor for your pets – but better. The device has a built-in camera, a laser, and a speaker for engaging your pets. The device livestreams video of the room it’s in. When streaming video, if you interact with the touch screen of your smartphone, the built-in laser is activated and you can play with your pets as they follow the light around. If your pet is getting into mischief, the app also allows you to talk to them through the cube and tell them to cut it out. $199

The new Pacif-i looks like a regular pacifier, but is actually a smart device for infants and toddlers that measures a baby's temperature and transmits that data to a connected app for Android or iPhone using Bluetooth Low Energy. In the app, parents can add medication information such as type, dosage and when the medication was last given. The Pacif-i also has a built-in tracker, so we hope you'll never lose it. $40

FORGETFUL FOLKS REJOICE!

TrackR Bravo www.thetrackr.com The new TrackR Bravo helps locate your missing items with an easy-to-use iOS and Android app. The small tracking device attaches to your keys, purse, computer or even pet. The small hole at the top of the TrackR Bravo allows you to insert a key ring or string, but you can also stick it onto an item using an included adhesive sticker. At 3.5mm thin, it's as small as a tasteful souvenir keychain, and its sturdy aluminum exterior helps keep it protected. TrackRs are available in a variety of colors. Starts at $29

SPIES LIKE US

SnapCam www.engadget.com The new SnapCam is far smaller and lighter than previous versions, measuring 1.5 inches square and weighing a little more than an ounce. With just a swipe on the body, the camera kicks on, and with a single tap, captures an 8megapixel photo. Tap it twice and it starts recording 720p HD video at 30 frames per second, and another tap stops it. A triple tap starts it live-streaming video using its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The SnapCam comes in gunmetal gray, black or white for about $150.

YOU SAY TOMATO — I SAY YES PLEASE!

Rolling Self-Watering Tomato Planter With Tower www.plowhearth.com Now it's easier than ever to grow and enjoy luscious, homegrown tomatoes. This lightweight, portable tomato planter is self-watering with built-in overflow, so your tomatoes always get the proper amount of water. Included Tomato Tower provides sturdy steel support for heavy vines. Just add potting soil and Plant Food to the polypropylene tub. Roll the tub wherever it's convenient or where plants can get the most sun. Sizes vary. $19.99 to $59.95

THOU SHALT SIGNETH A MEMO

THIS ONE MEASURES UP!

Knight Pen Holder www.thinkgeek.com

All-in-One Kitchen Tool Set www.momastore.org

The Knight Pen Holder’s outstretched hands are sized to cradle a pen – included – so you simply set the quill back down after gracing your memo with your royal signature. It can, of course, take other pens, too, so if you’re not a fan of Cross Standard Ballpoint Refills (which is what the “royal pen” uses), you can compel the knight to offer you something else to sign royal decrees. Awesome present for medieval-loving coworkers, just sayin’. $29.99

Running out of kitchen storage space? Here’s your answer. The All-in-One Kitchen Tool Set has almost everything for your culinary needs. This clever kit contains a funnel, lemon juicer, spice grater, egg masher, cheese grater, a lid grip to loosen jar tops, an egg separator and a 1 ¼ measuring cup. It is made from plastic and is only 3.25 inches wide and 12 inches high, just like my eldest son who never sees daylight. $40

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ADVERTISERS DIRECTORy Allstate Agents .........................................28 Viviana Aguirre 900 Sullivan Ave., Farmington 505-327-4888 B J Brown 3030 E Main St., Ste X9. Farmington, NM 505-324-0480 Kelly J. Berhost 1415 W. Aztec Blvd, Ste. 9, Aztec, NM 505-334-6177 Matt Lamoreux 4100 E. Main St., Farmington, NM 505-599-9047 Silvia Ramos 2400 E. 30th St., Farmington, NM 505-327-9667 American Dream Realty .............................67 505-566-9901 Animas Credit Union..................................37 2101 E. 20th St., 3850 E. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-326-7701 405 W. Broadway Inside Farmer’s Market Bloomfield, N.M. www.animascu.com Armstrong Coury Insurance.......................20 424 E. Main, Farmington, NM 505-327-5077 www.armstrongcouryinsurance.com Basin Electrical Contractors .......................42 3005 Northridge Dr., Suite K Farmington, NM 505-327-7525 www.basinelectricnm.com Beehive Homes.........................................21 400 N. Locke, 508 N. Airport Farmington, N.M. 505-427-3794 The Bridge ...............................................51 1091 West Murray Dr. Farmington, NM 505-324-6200 Budget Blinds.............................................2 825 N. Sullivan, Farmington, N.M. 505-324-2008 City of Farmington....................................29 Great Lakes Airlines Farmington, N.M. 1-800-554-5111 www.flygreatlakes.com Cornerstone Home Lending.......................27 4802 N. Butler Ave., Suite 13101 Farmington, N.M. 505-608-7020 www.farmingtonhouseloans.com DeNae’s Boutique.....................................57 3030 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-326-6025

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Dentless Image LLC...................................43 1509 Schofield Lane, Suite C Farmington, NM 505-592-2603 Desert Hills Dental Care ..............................5 2525 E. 30th St. Farmington, N.M. 505-327-4863 866-327-4863 www.deserthillsdental.com Employee Connections, Inc........................19 2901 E. 20th Street Farmington, NM 505-324-8877 Farmington Family Dentistry......................32 703 N. Dustin Ave. Farmington, NM 505-564-9700 www.myfarmingtondentist.com Four Corners Community Bank...................43 Six Convenient Locations Farmington • Aztec • Cortez NM 505-327-3222 CO 970-564-8421 www.TheBankForMe.com Harmony Naprapathic ...............................54 8100 E. Main St. Farmington, NM 505-0086 www.harmonynaprapathic.com Highlands University.................................38 505-566-3552 nmhu.edu/farmington Jack O. Smalley, DDS..................................37 2650 E. Pinon Frontage R., #300 Farmington, N.M. 505-327-3331 www.smile42day.com Kitchen and Bath Artworks ........................25 7525 E. Main St. Farmington, NM 505-860-8166 Le Petit Salon ...........................................25 406 Broadway, 5150 College Blvd. Farmington, N.M. 505-325-1214 Lujan Quality Carpet Cleaning ....................19 215-2188 Merle Norman ..........................................13 4337 E. Main St., Suite 202 Farmington, N.M. 505-326-9179 Morgan Stanley/Jim Loleit .........................45 4801 N. Butler Farmington, N.M. 505-326-9322 www.morganstanleyfa.com/hewettloleitpalmer

Naked Mobile .............................................7 1-844-BE NAKED (236-2533) www.mynakedmobile.com Next Level Home Audio & Video ................39 1510 E. 20th St., Suite A Farmington, N.M. 505-327-NEXT www.327NEXT.com Orthopedic Associates PA .........................15 2300 E. 30th St., D-10 Farmington, NM 505-327-1400 www.oa-pa.com Parker’s Inc. Office Products .....................13 714-C W. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8852 www.parkersinc.com Partners Assisted Living ...........................46 313 N. Locke Ave. Farmington, N.M. 505-325-9600 www.partnerassistedliving.com Pinon Hills Community Church ...................68 505-325-4541 www.pinonhillschurch.com Presbyterian Medical Services ...................59 1001 W. Broadway Ave., Suite E Farmington, NM 505-327-4796 www.pmsnm.org Quality Appliance......................................59 522 E. Broadway Farmington, N.M. 505-327-6271 R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating ....................55 Farmington, N.M. 505-327-7755 www.rabielplumbing.com Reliance Medical Group .............................33 3451 N. Butler Avenue Farmington, N.M. 505-566-1915 1409 West Aztec Blvd. Aztec, N.M. 505-334-1772 www.reliancemedicalgroup.com Red Brick Pizza.........................................36 5150 E. Main, Ste. 113 Farmington, NM 505-326-6222 ReMax of Farmington..................................3 108 N. Orchard Farmington, N.M. 505-327-4777 www.remax.com San Juan College ......................................47 505-326-3311 www.sanjuancollege.edu

San Juan Nurseries ...................................58 800 E. 20th St. Farmington, N.M. 505-326-0358 www.sanjuannurseries.com Sanchez and Sanchez Real Estate................4 4301 Largo St. Suite F Farmington, NM 87402 505-327-9039 Smiles 4 Kids............................................12 Farmington, N.M. 505-592-0226 Southwest Concrete Supply .......................14 2420 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-325-2333 www.swconcretesupply.com Southwest Obstetrics and Gynecology........26 634 West Pinon Farmington, NM 505-325-4898 www.Southwest-OBGYN.net Sun Glass .................................................53 602 West Main Street Farmington, N.M. 505-327-9677 Sunray Gaming .........................................14 On Hwy 64. Farmington, N.M. 505-566-1200 Tafoya Realty............................................33 5600 Mickey Dr. B&C Farmington, NM 505-599-0000 www.tafoyarealty.com Treadworks .............................................62 4227 E. Main St. Farmington, N.M. 505-327-0286 4215 Hwy. 64 Kirtland, N.M. 505-598-1055 www.treadworks.com Ziems Ford/Michelle Brown .......................51 5700 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-793-2352 www.ziemsfordcorners.com Ziems Ford ...............................................20 5700 E. Main Farmington, N.M. 505-325-8826