Ripples
The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation
Oct 2023
It’s time for . . .
Animas River Jam
Oct 14, 2023
Farmington, NM
The 3rd Annual Animas River Jam, a free family friendly event, will be held Saturday, October 14th at Boyd Park from 11:00 to 5:30pm. Come enjoy the beauty of Fall’s colors along the Animas River. Live music, kid’s activities, food vendors, and a beer and wine garden will begin at 11am. But come early and experience the Annular solar eclipse as Farmington is one of the prime viewing sites in our state. The eclipse begins as the moon touches the Sun’s edge at 9:13 am and the full eclipse will be at 10:36am when the moon is closest to the center of the sun and ending at 12:04pm. We will have a limited amount of solar eclipse glasses available for sale. Come early and experience the “Ring of Fire”! Bring your chair and join in the fun on…
Saturday, October 14th
at
BOYD Park
700 S. Miller Ave.
The President’s Corner
Summer is behind us, school is back in session, our temperature is more comfortable, and soon we will be seeing the trees changing colors. Riverfest 2023 was a huge success even though we had to change everything around at the last minute for safety reasons along the river trails because of the water levels. This summer we had several volunteers help with wrapping many of the trees along the trails to prevent beaver damage. This is a project that will be ongoing as there are many more trees that need to be wrapped. We are now in the middle of preparing for our 3rd annual “Animas River Jam” that will be held on Saturday, October 14th at Boyd Park. More information on that is in this newsletter. As you read this newsletter, we will have held our semi-annual board retreat on Saturday September 30th. This was a little different from past retreats as we held it while rafting down the San Juan River between McGee Park and Westland Park. We knew we could have a productive retreat while having fun and enjoying our beautiful river corridor.
Riverglo 2023
Riverglo 2023 will be held this year on Friday, December 1st at Berg Park. Shamrock Foods is sponsoring the event this year. There will be music at the Little Pavilion, Santa Claus, the Grinch, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, and popcorn for sale along with trinkets for the children all located along the River Reach Terrace. The live Nativity set will be at the Riverbend Overlook and additional music at the Archway Court and Courtyard by Marriott Terrace. Mark your calendar to kick off the Holiday season at this free family friendly event!
Other News
2024 CALENDAR
The photos have been collected thanks to Debbie Braff who provided most of them. The calendar has gone to print and will be available for sale for $10 each at the “Animas River Jam” event on October 14th at Berg Park.
OUTDOOR RECREATION TRAILS + GRANT
In November 2021 the River Reach Foundation was awarded a $19,074.00 grant to promote a network of recreational and economic opportunities through signage along the Animas and San Juan River trails. The signage would define river information and rules, clarify river miles between access points, recreational skill levels and hazard zones and rapids. The COVID pandemic caused a disruption in supply trains, but the project is slated to be completed by the end of November this year. Soon after that the public will begin to see the signage at the put ins and take out areas.
TREE CARVING PROJECT
Last month the River Reach Foundation in partnership with the City of Farmington awarded Mr. Harry Benally the tree carving contract. Harry has already stripped the tree of its bark and has begun carving. The tree is an old cottonwood trunk that is north of the Cottonwood Bridge on the south side of the river and trail. Mr. Benally will be carving a deer and a fawn so stop by and watch him work. He estimates the process will take about 3 months.
Getting to Know our Board Members
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
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!
Gary Hanson
Vice President
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).
Evan Noel
Treasurer
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.
Cody Dudgeon
Secretary
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.
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 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.
Chris Troyer
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.
Monica Smith
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.
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.
Debbie Braff
Debbie Braff joined the River Reach Foundation in 2003. 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.
Ryan Merrion
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
Doug Abe
Bernadette Alarid
Sarah Burch
Earleen Dudley
Elvin Keeswood
Joseph Pope
Page Saylor
Natalie Spruell
Brian Turner
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.
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.
Latest Newsletters
Sep 2024 Newsletter
Ripples The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation Sep 2024 The President's Corner First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone for the flowers, food, and notes of sympathy you gave me for the loss of my husband earlier this month. I so...
May 2023 Newsletter
Ripples The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation May 2023 It's time for . . . Riverfest May 26, 27, 28, 2023Farmington, NM https://riverfestnewmexico.com/ Mark your calendar! Riverfest is almost upon us, and we are in full swing getting...
January 2023 Newsletter
Ripples The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation January 2023 The River Reach Foundation Annual Meeting February 2, 2023 - 6:00pmFarmington Civic Center The River Reach Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at...
PROTECT
PROMOTE
ENHANCE
GET INVOLVED
River Reach Foundation · P.O. Box 2056 · Farmington, NM 87499-2056 · 505.716.4405 · river.reach.foundation@outlook.com