Ripples

The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation

 

November 2022

 

The President’s Corner

D’Ann Waters

Fall is in full swing, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. Right after Thanksgiving we all seem to go into the holiday mode and before we know it Christmas and the New Year celebrations are upon us. Our holiday kickoff, Riverglo, is right after Thanksgiving so mark your calendar for Friday, December 2nd! More information on that event is in the Riverglo article.

The San Juan Citizens Alliance group has a new river keeper, Sara Burch. She is also a new member of the River Reach Foundation, and we welcome her to our group and are excited to start working with her. Her introductory article is included in this edition of Ripples.

The River Reach Foundation is seeking to hire a part time Office Administrator to help with event planning and event operations. The
applicant should have some prior experience working with events and other non-profit organizations. There is a more complete article outlining the duties and requirements here in this newsletter and your resume or questions can be sent to river.reach.foundation@outlook.com  You will also find an application form on both our River Reach Foundation web site and on our Riverfest web site.

Finally, as many of you may have noticed, our “Riverfest” Facebook page was removed. We are not sure why this has happened, but we will soon have a new Facebook page. Follow us on “Riverfestnewmexico” as information about Riverfest 2023 will start appearing in January. Another newsworthy event is that we are now advertising on the Local NEWS Network here in Farmington. You might see the ads at local restaurants and some of the hotels. In April we will also be on their network in the Durango, Telluride, and Montezuma areas advertising Riverfest.

Animas River Jam 2022

Our 2nd Animas River Jam took place on the 8th of October. Not only was the weather beautiful but so was the music and a common comment that I heard from many people was that the event was so relaxing. We added something new this year and that was a food truck war. Patrons were invited to vote on which food truck was their favorite and the winner was the “Goody Wagon” that sold hot dogs, nachos, and sandwiches. The “Goody Wagon” will receive a free spot in our May 2023 Riverfest event.

Putting on this event was a little challenging as there were many other events going on in Farmington that same day, but we feel that although it was small, it was successful. So now our question to everyone is do you think we should continue this event and keep it small, and if so, is October a good month to hold it? We would appreciate any feedback you may have.

Riverglo 2022

Riverglo 2022 will be held on Friday, December 2nd between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. Discover Farmington’s holiday spirit along the Animas River! Join us on the River Reach Terrace at Berg Park for the annual Riverglo event. This is a free, family friendly music venue composed of local carolers. Walk along the trail and terrace lined by luminaries between Archway Court and the Little pavilion.

Purchase hot chocolate, hot apple cider, popcorn and holiday trinkets. Visit Santa Claus, the Grinch, and visit a live nativity scene presented by the Northside Church. Choral groups are from both Farmington and Piedra Vista High Schools along with Ladera and Country Club Elementary schools. This is a wonderful way to start our Christmas holiday season!

Introducing the Animas Riverkeeper

Meet the new Animas Riverkeeper, Sara Burch! Sara works for the San Juan Citizens Alliance located in Durango, CO and is a member of the River Reach Foundation. She is excited to work with communities along the Animas River to advocate for healthy ecosystems, clean water quality, and enhanced recreation opportunities for all.

A long-term goal for Sara is to work in partnership with the River Reach Foundation to increase river recreation opportunities between southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Animas River flows through scenic landscapes and hosts incredible riparian habitat along the stretch before its confluence with the San Juan River just below Farmington. In the future, she hopes to collaborate with partner organizations, land owners, and management agencies to identify areas where river access may be constructed in an effort to better connect our communities with our waterways, and each other. Sara is also interested in advocating for multi-recreational opportunities along the Animas River, including identifying areas where river trails may be extended, and continuing efforts to install educational interpretive signs.

Above all, Sara is looking forward to connecting with people interested in learning more about the Animas Watershed. She hopes to connect with people throughout the watershed to listen to unique perspectives on the Animas River, and better understand ways to serve the community. Sara is excited to enjoy the trails and parks along the Animas River in Aztec and Farmington this winter, as well as enjoy floating the river reaches throughout northern New Mexico this coming spring and summer! If you have any questions for Sara, please feel free to reach out to her at sara@sanjuancitizens.org She is looking forward to speaking with you!

Getting to Know our Board Members

D'Ann Waters

D'Ann Waters

President

D'Ann Waters joined the River Reach Foundation in 2017. She was the vice-president last year and is the newly elected president. D'Ann is a retired Travel Consultant and Real Estate Broker. She is a firm believer in continual learning and has recently completed two courses in accounting and is looking forward to finding another less complicated course to take.

Karen Lupton

Karen Lupton

Past President

Karen serves as the Immediate Past President of the River Reach Foundation. She enjoys looking for ways to connect people with the beautiful rivers here in Farmington and working to put on events that bring people down to the river!

Monica Smith

Monica Smith

Vice President

Monica serves as the current vice president of the foundation. Monica was born and raised in Farmington. And has served on the foundation for the past three years. Monica enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and fishing.

Debbie Braff

Debbie Braff

Treasurer

Debbie Braff joined the River Reach Foundation in 2003 and currently serves as the Treasurer. She is a retired Farmington school principal. Her hobbies include photography, landscape gardening, and walking or hiking her golden retrievers at the River or up on Hood Mesa.

Chris Troyer

Chris Troyer

Secretary

Chris Troyer, River Reach Member since 2017. Moved to Farmington in 2013 with ConocoPhillips. Currently retired. I enjoy walking my dog Chester, hiking, playing Pickle ball, traveling to see my grandchildren in Texas and Washington and volunteering. Currently board member at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Volunteered with the City to inventory all items in the museum collection.

Bob Lehmer

Bob Lehmer

Co Chairman of the PRCA Riverine Task Force in 1984. Became a founding member of the River Reach Foundation in 1986 and its first President. Has continued since as a member of the Board of Directors. Started the first Riverfest (1987)and Riverglo (1998).

Gloria Lehmer

Gloria Lehmer

Gloria Lehmer has been participating in the events and trails on our Rivers since she moved back from College in the late 80’s. She’s been a River Reach Foundation Board Member for a number of years, and currently serves as the Goal Team #1.

Cody Dudgeon

Cody Dudgeon

Cody Dudgeon is a teacher at Piedra Vista High School who grew up in Flora Vista beside the Animas River. He and his wife have been whitewater raft guides in Montana and Idaho and appreciate the beauty and quality of life that rivers provide the communities on their banks. After moving back to New Mexico in 2015 Cody joined the River Reach foundation to help promote the protection, and advocate for the sustainable use, of our local rivers. Beginning this spring Cody and his wife's new venture Desert River Guides will be offering river raft trips on the Animas and San Juan rivers. As a community member who walks the trails with his daughter and a small business owner starting a company based on river recreation, Cody believes that the River Reach Foundation is an essential part of the future of Farmington.

Gary Hanson

Gary Hanson

Gary Hanson is a retired lawyer.  He and his wife, Jeanne, moved to Farmington in 2018 as an "adventure" destination and love their new home.  Gary's interests include hiking, biking, exploring the Four Corners, and spending time with good friends (both two and four-legged).

Rick Page

Rick Page

I joined the Board in the mid 90’s as near as I can remember, no one I’ve talked to has any specific records. I was both Board president and Riverfest chairman in 2003 and 2004. My hobbies include my grandkids, rafting, hiking, camping, fishing and cooking. During my time one the Board, I’ve been involved in numerous river projects including boat launches, Animas / San Juan river guide, bank stabilization projects, Penny Lane Dam reconstruction, Rocky Reach rapid construction and reconstruction modification.

Evan Noel

Evan Noel

Born In Farmington. Graduated From FHS 2001. BA in business administration UNM. Former ABO Certified Optician in Albuquerque/Santa Fe area. Moved back to Farmington to worked for the Family business, Noel’s Inc. for 14 years. Secretary, Rotary Club of Farmington. Commissioner Farmington PRCA. Board Member San Juan big Brothers Big Sisters. 4-time Fantasy Football Champion. Yoga enthusiast. Father of Two wonderful Boys.

Ryan Merrion

Ryan Merrion

James Neidhart

James Neidhart

My wife and I moved to Farmington in 1996 in no small part because of the River Walk and community spirit.  I joined the River Reach Foundation board in 2021.  Now about four years retired, I enjoy family, farming, fishing, reading, gardening, and horses.

James Luther

James Luther

Doug Abe

Doug Abe

Join the River Reach Foundation

Help the Foundation meet its goals by becoming a member today!

As a member, you are entitled to voting privileges in Foundation matters. Members are encouraged to attend the Foundation's meetings which occur on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Farmington Civic Center. If you have any questions or concerns, please call (505) 716-4405.

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Buy a Custom Brick Paver

Purchase your engraved custom memorial, family, or business concrete paver to show your support for the river trails.  Your paver will be located in a highly visible location at the River Reach Terrace for all river walk visitors to see and enjoy every day for years to come.

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