It has been a busy (frantic) year for Bandelier rangers.   Even so, events have gone well with their celebration of Bandelier’s 90^th   (Bandelier National Monument was established in 1916.) and the rangers are well satisfied with their efforts.   Several years ago, the Park Service sent a directive to all units to become more visible in their local communities. Bandelier began outreach following the Cerro Grande Fire of 2000, so it was well prepared to comply.   For the 90^th, the rangers partnered with several Los Alamos groups: the Pajarito Environmental Education Center for Earth Day activities, lectures jointly with the Los Alamos Historical Society, an art show with the Art Center at Fuller Lodge, and Bandelier was the theme for the Los Alamos County Fair.

As for Friends projects in 2006, the limited edition Pendleton blankets sold out in July, less than a year after we first advertised them.   Net profit was over $32,500; that truly represents success for a small group such as ours!!

 

Our biggest grant to Bandelier this year is for restoration and conservation of works of New Mexico artist Pablita Velarde in Bandelier's collection—the largest in the world.   Chief of Interpretation Lynne Dominy sent out the most critical pieces early in the year.   When it became apparent that blanket sales were going well, she sent out the remaining Velardes that needed work. Bills are beginning to trickle in.   In September, Bandelier held a big celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Antiquities Act with many invited dignitaries.   Archivist Gary Roybal proudly showed Congressman Tom Udall several restored and framed Velardes (and I pointed out that the Friends paid).   The restored works will be on loan to the New Mexico Museum of Indian Arts and Culture for their big retrospective exhibit of Pablita's work beginning in February 2007.   We'll send you more details later, with sincere hopes that you can attend the exhibition.

 

Our second grant in 2006 was for acquisition of modern puebloan works for the Bandelier collection.   Lynne is in contact with affiliated pueblos, but feels more time is needed to make to these important decisions.   The chosen pieces will represent the cultures for posterity.   Lynne's primary objective is to show continuity with and differences between modern pieces and works in the collection dating back to 1150.   We expect requests for funding to be delayed until 2007.

 

The monument requested $5,000 from the Friends to help with their celebration of Bandelier’s 90^th anniversary. We've had to increase the amount to about $5,500 thus far, with more reserved for the Fiesta on Oct 1.   One reason for the increase was the popularity of the bread-baking demonstrations. The rangers doubled the number of demonstrations from once to twice a month.   It's great fun to be around when the bread comes out of the oven and visitors swarm in from every direction.   We hope you can go on a bread-baking weekend.   To date, we've also funded the 90^th Anniversary banners hanging around the parking lot, the February 12 Anniversary cake, the Green Chili Jam Band for Earth Day in partnership with PEEC, live animal demonstrations in partnership with the Santa Fe Raptor Center, invitation and sticker printing, and Antiquities Act celebration items.

 

Bandelier held their 90^th Anniversary Fall Fiesta on Sunday, October 1. It was the first fiesta ever; no one knew how it would be received.   The parking lot was already full by 10:45; some people waited up to an hour.   Ranger Chris Judson said it was a wonderful success.   The rangers had invited all the pueblo demonstrators; the part Chris liked best was how they all enjoyed chatting with each other.   Many had never met before.

It’s rather sad for me to announce that Glo Sawtell resigned from the board when she was assured that we had such excellent candidates.   Glo joined the board in 1989.   She managed our highly successful Special Nightwalks.   Glo has much experience with boards in Santa Fe and I always appreciated her advice.   Her dear husband Bill died recently and she must adjust to a new life.   The board sends her our thanks and very, very best wishes