Ripples

The Official Newsletter of the River Reach Foundation

Sep 2025

The President’s Corner

The River Reach Foundation’s annual election meeting will be held on Thursday, October 2 at 6pm at the Civic Center. I hope all members can make it to the meeting as we will be voting in our new officers and directors, along with approving by-law changes.

Your annual dues are due in January. Remember, we have a variety of ways you can join so check that out. The dues’ structure can be found on our Membership page.

We are already starting to work on Riverfest 2026 and would love to have you become involved in both the planning and production of Riverfest. We are applying to have a military band and flyover to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary and the city’s 125th. our Riverfest Facebook and Foundation pages are in the process of being updated so be sure and follow them and share with your friends and acquaintances.

Riverfest 2025, while successful, did not raise as much money as anticipated. We are happy with the results of changes that were made, such as new activities and new venues for classic activities. A new shuttle bus route between the parks was a great addition and will be expanded next year to make getting from one side of the park to the other easier for all residents that need assistance with mobility.

River Reach Foundation Annual Meeting

October 2, 2025
6:00 pm
Farmington Civic Center

All members of the River Reach Foundation along with anyone interested in joining the Foundation or just learning more about it are encouraged to attend.

Voting on the 2026 directors’ and officers’ positions will take place at this meeting.

The slate for officer positions are as follows:

Directors – 3-year terms:
- Director: Cody Dudgeon
- Director: Evan Noel
- Director: Earleen Dudley
- Other directors have additional years before expiring
Officers – 1-year term:
- Vice President: Gary Hanson
- Treasurer: Evan Noel
- Secretary: OPEN
- President: D’Ann Waters has one more year

Annual Dues Reminder
Annual dues are now due. Please join to make your payment before January 1st, either by mailing your payment or be visiting our Membership page to pay online. Please visit our Membership page to see the dues structure.

Other News

RIVERFEST 2026

Mark your calendars and plan to attend a fun-filled Riverfest from May 22nd through May 24th, 2026!

It may be just the end of September, but the Riverfest committee is already hard at work, coming up with a theme that will reflect our country’s 250th anniversary along with our city’s 125th anniversary. Hopefully we will also be able to secure a military band along with an Air Force flyover. We welcome theme suggestions from the community – please email us at river.reach.foundation@outlook.com

The Joe Tohonnie, Jr. White Mountain Apache Dancers were moved to the Animas Park rocky Reach Landing in 2025, and will be there next year too. We are working with Red Apple Transit on a bus to take people from the Red Barn in Animas Park to the bridge at Willits Ditch, right next to Rocky Reach Landing.

2026 RIVER REACH FOUNDATION EVENTS & PROJECTS

The River Reach Foundation has scheduled several new projects for this year. Some of our projects are the same as in the past – such as trail clean-up and maintenance. The Foundation plans to hold at least two park and trail clean-up events along with wrapping our threes with wire again to prevent beaver damage. We will again focus on the removal of dangerous concrete debris and old tires in both the Animas and San Juan rivers during these events. Our Animas River Jam has been cancelled for 2025, but we hope to bring it back in Spring 2026 with the possibility of working with the Animas River Surfers to educate and train people on surfing the new river wave at the Museum.

Project Update: Cottonwood Landing Improvements
Our latest project is the installation of three permanent shade structures at Cottonwood Landing – two larger structures and one smaller one. These additions will make the area a more versatile and comfortable venue for the community to enjoy a wide variety of events. Installation is expected to be completed by the end of December 2025.

Upcoming Events – Save the Dates!

The 2nd annual Fishing Derby will be held on October 18th at the Veterans Memorial Park and Cottonwood Landing. Fishing licenses are required as this is not a free fishing weekend.
Riverglo will take place December 5th at Berg Park on the River Reach Terrace.
Riverfest 2026 takes place May 22nd – May 24th. Ideas for the theme are welcomed and volunteers are needed both for the planning and the event itself. Meetings will be held the third Tuesday of every month starting in October at 6pm at the Civic Center.
Trail clean-ups will be held in the spring and fall as well as the tree-wrapping – dates to be announced.

Getting to Know our Board Members

Bernadette Alarid

Sarah Burch

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.

Earleen Dudley

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).

Elvin Keeswood

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.

James Luther

Ryan Merrion

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.

Joseph Pope

Natalie Spruell

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.

Brian Turner

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.

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.

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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