Spring is in the Air - Ghost Ranch Newsletter

Photo by Rufus Billie

Spring is in the Air

We start a new year with hope, expectant for all that is to come at Ghost Ranch this year. Please enjoy these highlights from our team. We look forward to seeing you around the ranch soon!

A Morning Greeting By Eric Garcia, Ghost Ranch Facilities Director

As we drive onto the Ranch and crest the hill by Curly's cabin, a herd of 100 or so elk are grazing. A handful keep a watchful eye and give us a stern look with a slight exhale that is clear in the frigid air. All we can do is smile and tip our heads to say good morning. Like the herd of elk, we gather for a brief chat and head out for ranch beautification and improvements. As you visit the ranch, you’ll see that improvements are full speed ahead. If you are lucky, as we were that morning, you'll also see the herd. The elk are just one part of the vast, diverse, and fragile ecosystem around Ghost Ranch, which is our privilege to steward. We hope to welcome you to the ranch soon.   Elk photo by Prescilla Tafoya

New Tours to Enjoy In 2022 a few new tours were added to our offerings; we plan to offer these in 2023 as well. As an alternative to the popular Walk in O’Keeffe’s Footsteps (about 3 miles) we now have a Light Walk in O’Keeffe’s Footsteps, which combines time on the tour bus with a half-mile round trip walk to look over the gate at Georgia O’Keeffe’s house. The Evening Stroll and Ghost Tour is a walk at sunset out the west road in the painted desert. Along the way we tell the La Llorona story and other spooky tales from the southwest. This winter we are working on a new movie tour tentatively titled The Other Ghost Ranch. Highlights will be the City Slickers cabin and corral, the road to nowhere across the highway, and the red rock area called Ladron. The movie locations are fascinating, and the tour will provide unique views of the Ghost Ranch landscape. Once the winter grazing cattle herd have gone home this spring, we’ll roll out the new movie tour. Yee-haw! Plan your next tour at Ghost Ranch.

In Honor of John Camp Reverend John Camp is a retired Presbyterian minister and longtime Ghost Ranch guest who moved to Alamogordo, NM about 15 years ago. John was diagnosed with cancer and learned this winter that his condition has been worsening. His hope is that his family will enjoy a quiet retreat together at Casa del Sol at Ghost Ranch after he passes, and to that end he has visited this past year with each of his daughters. On his most recent visit during JanTerm, John brought along half a dozen pairs of binoculars. John has gifted them to the ranch so that more guests can easily view our incredible night skies. One night during his visit, the sky was very clear, and a dozen people gathered in the alfalfa field to see Sirius over Orphan Mesa (it looked like a disco ball) as well as Jupiter. John also donated several maps of the sky to help identify constellations. The ranch plans to use these binoculars on a regular basis with programs, youth groups, and staff. In a 2007 class, John helped to build the heart-shaped labyrinth at Casa del Sol. So as we meditate on the beautiful night sky or walk the labyrinth, we give thanks and remember John Camp. Learn more about Casa del Sol and our other lodging options.

College Staff is a vital part of our summer programming

Program Highlights

2023 started with a small but dedicated JanTerm. Approximately two dozen participants and instructors created art, beautified the ranch, and had a great deal of fun together for almost three weeks. Plans for JanTerm 2024 are already underway; if you know of any colleges who might want to join us, email us.

Bluegrass Camp (May 10–14) is one of the highlights of spring, along with the 31st anniversary of Literally Letters (June 4–10). If you want to try your hand at a stringed instrument or calligraphy, the ranch is the place to play. We are excited to welcome back Stained Glass and Woodcarving to Ghost Ranch this summer, along with many other workshops old and new. We’re also welcoming another Youth Week (June 25–30). This year’s theme is ‘Attitude in Altitude’ and we’re excited to have Pastor Loye Troxler and the Zehnder Brothers join us. There is room for a few more youth groups, so if you know of any looking to share a week of community and communion in an exceptional place, now’s the time to sign up. In order for ranch summers to work as well as they do, we need lots of help. One of the things we depend on most is College Staff—those spirited and intrepid young adults we appreciate working in the kitchen, laundry room, museums, and helping Summer Venture and Senior High Initiative guests have the time of their lives. We welcome applications from college-age workers here on our website.

Events at Ghost Ranch

Attendees at the Rio Chama Congreso at Ghost Ranch

8th Annual Rio Chama Congreso San Juan–Chama Watershed Partnership: Water After Wildfire We recently hosted the 8th Annual Rio Chama Congreso "Water After Wildfire" at the ranch with the following special guests:

Featured keynote speaker Paula Garcia, Executive Director of the New Mexico Acequia Association Dr. Neilia W. Dunbar, Director and State Geologist of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Attended by the San Juan Watershed Alliance and the Rio Arriba and Chama Valley Soil & Water Districts Sponsored by Chama Peak Land Alliance, Trout Unlimited, and Forest Guild You can find a free copy of the Water & Climate Report here.   Pictured: Dr. Neilia W. Dunbar, Director and State Geologist, New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

Valentine's Day Dinner Our very own Chef Patrick Gharrity (yes, formerly at Santa Fe's La Casa Sena and Dr. Field Good's Food Truck) put together a very lovely menu for the Valentine's program Hold Me Tight. We're already making plans for the 2024 event—plan to join us next year at Ghost Ranch for Valentine's Day!   Pictured: Marissa Cosio & Rufus Billie

Tie the Knot at Ghost Ranch Ghost Ranch is a renowned destination for all types of events, from weddings and reunions to workshops and business retreats. The beautiful photos you see here are from one couple’s magical and untraditional ceremony at Ghost Ranch. Do you have your eyes on the ranch for an event in 2023 or 2024? Spots are filling up fast. Contact our events coordinator Shannon at shannonb@ghostranch.org.

Embracing the Gift of New Life The cottonwood love story by Diane Arenberg, co- founder of the Artist Residency Program, Estudio de Corazón, is one example of the many ways that Ghost Ranch is strengthened and profoundly uplifted with you by our side. Like everyone at Ghost Ranch, Diane was devastated by the sudden loss of our beloved tree. She took some branches, made some cuttings and, “Lo and behold, they took root—some even have green shoots coming up!” We’ll be sure to keep you updated with the cottonwood twig’s progress as we steward its safekeeping and planting. Join us on Facebook to share your name ideas for our twig!

Tree Care The New Mexico Home Builders Association will be visiting Ghost Ranch this July to work on a tree replacement project with our landscape artist, Richard Thompson. We are very excited to be a part of this experience and continue establishing a safe, sustainable environment at Ghost Ranch.

The Chimney Rock Society In 1995, the National Ghost Ranch Foundation created a planned giving society to ensure the future of Ghost Ranch. It was named after Chimney Rock to convey the beauty and permanence of the transformational landscape. Chimney Rock Society members have included Ghost Ranch in their estate planning and may designate gifts for capital or annual operating costs, restricted funds, or the foundation’s Permanent Endowment Fund. Please consult a legal and/or tax professional about planned gifts. We also ask that you notify us of your planned giving intentions in advance. For more information, please reach out to Lorenza Marcais, Annual Giving Manager, at donations@ghostranch.org or 505.685.1005.

Community Corner We’re very grateful for our returning volunteers who helped during JanTerm: medical volunteer coordinator Jean Mason (pictured), wellness coach and instructor Amy Brandley, and Art Myers who leads the Adult Service Corps. We were also blessed in January with two new volunteers from Williams College, Rebecca Gross and Elka Longstreth.

In mid-February we’ll welcome a new volunteer, David Gandle. David will assist Graham Burke in the museums and library until the end of March. Ghost Ranchers and longtime volunteers Don and Debbie Herron are back volunteering in the museum and ranch. Ghost Ranch provides many volunteer opportunities, all year long! Please contact Anne Ditzler, Ghost Ranch Volunteer Coordinator at anned@ghostranch.org for more information regarding the volunteer program or to obtain an application. Thank you, volunteers, for your amazing generosity and dedication. You are awesome!   New shade structure built by volunteers: Debbie Herron, Don Herron, and Art Myers

Stewarding Ghost Ranch Ghost Ranch stewards a place of great beauty to nurture the human spirit and mind, discover the sacred, and care for creation. Every gift supports and strengthens the Ghost Ranch experience for all who enter our gates. Here are some ways you can support The National Ghost Ranch Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization: Secure online gifts Gifts of appreciated security such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds Donor-advised funds Distributions from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) Employer-matched gifts Honorary or memorial tribute gifts For a personal conversation about your gift, please contact donations@ghostranch.org or call Lorenza Marcais, Annual Giving Manager at 505.685.1005.

Heart-shaped Labyrinth at Casa del Sol Architect Designer: Margee Iddings Program Workshop 2007, Volunteer: John Camp

Get in Touch We'd like to hear from you! Send your Ghost Ranch stories, photos, and memories to us at info@ghostranch.org. Thank you for the many ways you support Ghost Ranch. We are looking forward to your next visit!

Ghost Ranch Education & Retreat Center 280 Private Drive 1708 Abiquiu, New Mexico 87510 United States (505) 685-1000