In New Mexico, shadows of a former haven for troubled priests
Rick Ruggles
JEMEZ SPRINGS - What remains of the Servants of the Paraclete here is a wisp of the Catholic order that thrived in this mountain town a few decades ago.
The ministry that drew hundreds of priests to Jemez Springs for nearly 50 years, treating them for problems ranging from alcoholism to pedophilia, shows hints of its old self. But its history is inescapable as the Archdiocese of Santa Fe continues to raise money to settle lawsuits filed by dozens of people who say they were sexually abused by priests.
Plein air artists brave the elements to create.
From April 17 through April 22, dozens of artists set up easels in Fenton Lake, Battleship Rock, Soda Dam, Bandelier National Monument, Gilman Tunnels, the Jemez Historic site, numerous fishing and picnic areas along the Jemez river, the Valles Caldera, Jemez Falls and San Ysidro to take part in a paint out sponsored by the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM).
The pieces made during the six days will be on exhibit at the Jemez Fine Art Gallery through May 7.
Wendy Ahlm paints using oils at Ponderosa Winery. (Courtesy of Plein Air Painters of New Mexico)
Valles Caldera National Preserve Added To List Of Parks With ‘Significant Thermal Features’ Under Geothermal Steam Act - 10:55 am
Sulphur Springs in VCNP contains volcanic features like sulfuric-acid hot springs, volcanic fumaroles and steaming mud-pots, and supports a range of ‘extremophile’ algae and bacteria living in the high-temperature acidic pool and stream environments. Courtesy/Seth Gayner
NPS:
JEMEZ SPRINGS – The National Park Service has added Valles Caldera National Preserve to the list of parks with “significant thermal features” under the Geothermal Steam Act.
The Preserve is only the 17th park unit to make the nationwide list.
Valles Caldera was nominated for recognition in 2016, and following a public review and comment period, received nearly unanimous public and tribal support.
Catches of the week
Carlos Orona, of Las Cruces, caught an 18-inch 4-pound rainbow trout at Alto Lake using a fly April 15.
Kobie Jojola, of Carlsbad, caught a 3.5-pound largemouth bass at Bataan Lake using a plastic jig April 10.
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Robert B., of Albuquerque, caught a 5-pound largemouth bass using a black and blue 5-inch stick worm at Caballo Lake on April 5.
Mitchell Curtis, of Santa Fe, caught a 40-inch pike using a lipless crankbait at Cochiti Lake on April 16.
At Eagle Nest Lake, Renee Baird, of Rio Rancho, caught a 20-inch, 4-pound rainbow trout using a nightcrawler April 12. Jon Conklin, of Cedar Crest, caught a 47-inch, 24.3-pound pike using a Kokanee salmon rig April 13. Kelly Byars, of Albuquerque, caught a 20-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait on April 10. Ron Santi, of Albuquerque, caught a 23-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait on April 10. Rio Cordova, 9, of Arroyo Seco, caught a 23-inch rainbow trout using PowerBait on April 5.
The pandemic has left many bruised mentally and emotionally.
Even if someone didn’t lose a job, or worse, a loved one, the stress of being locked down for more than a year has probably taken its toll.
With the availability of the vaccine, people are slowly starting to move around and continue their pre-COVID-19 activities, including dining out, attending family gatherings, going to church services in person and taking in live music.
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But as people emerge from their cocoons, they might find things don’t feel exactly as they did before after a year of following different social norms and rules.