Amigos Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon, October 23, 2008

The Amigos Quarterly Luncheon was attended by 45 members. After plenty of time to visit with friends and former co-workers, the attendees were given an update on the current news with the Southwestern Region.

Gilbert Zepeda, Deputy Regional Forester for R3, presented the update on Forest Service news. The FS continues to work on the transformation program. Several functional staffs at the WO level have presented their plans to the National Leadership Council. At this time, little change is expected at the RO level. Transformation will lead to more formalized sharing of specialized areas across regional boundaries.

The FS has started looking into their impact on climate change. Honeywell has been contracted to survey FS facilities to see where the FS can reduce their environmental footprint.

Currently there is no approved budget for FY 2009. The continuing resolution the government is working under has been approved through March 2009.

After Gilbert's update, Pat Jackson, Amigos Communications Chair, talked about the cost of the Amigos quarterly newsletter. This is the biggest expense our group has each year. The cost of printing and mailing the newsletter to our members runs about $3,000 each year--almost what the group collects in our yearly dues. As a way to cut back on this cost, Pat is proposing the Amigos try emailing the newsletter to members willing to received it through their email. If you would like to have the newsletter emailed to you, please send Pat a message at Amigos_Communications@yahoo.com and he will add you to the list. The January 2009 issue of the Amigos newsletter will be the first issue to be emailed.

It is also time to start thinking about new officiers for 2009. If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Amigos board in 2009, contact Fred Fuchs at Amigos_President@yahoo.com.

Amigos Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon, July 24, 2008

The Amigos Quarterly Luncheon was attended by 38 members. On top of visiting with old friends, attendees were given a summary of the Quemado Roundup 2008 and were updated on the current happenings at the Forest Service.

The Transformation effort is still underway with the Forest Service. One recent study showed that the Forest Service's fixed costs (salaries) will exceed the total agency budget with a few years with the way things are presently going. The Transformation effort will help make the Forest Service more efficient. The current effort is towards centralizing expertise and then sharing among regions. This effort is centered on the WO and RO levels.

A recent Ninth Circuit Court decision was in the favor of the Forest Service. The appealants in this case were saying the FS was not looking at all the scientific data before making a decision. The courts agreed with the FS this time.

Bob Armstrong, acting Wagon Master, gave a brief update on the 2008 Quemado Roundup. The Roundup was another great success, with 100 attendees all having a great time. Everyone pitched in to make sure all the usual activities were enjoyed by all. The 2009 Quemado Roundup will be May 11-May 14, 2009.

Lou Romero reminded everyone of the last two planned day trips for the year--the Taos trip and the Cumbres Toltec trip. Click here for more information on these trips.

The quarterly luncheons are a great time for everyone to get caught up on all the news and gossip. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger image.

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Quemado Roundup 2008

The Quemado Roundup 2008 was another outstanding success--even though there was no Wagon Master to orchestra the event. Everyone pitched in to help make sure all the normal events of the Roundup came off without any glitches. Even the weather cooperated this year. If you were not able to make this year, there is always next year.

Chuck Williams provided the following pictures (click on the image to see a larger view).

	The Roundup attendees enjoying one of the many potlucks during the week.			Attendees gather around the campfire to hear one of the evening events.
	One of the highlights of the Roundup is the Pancake supper.			Art Maynard was this year's winner of the Roundup's fishing contest.
	Dick Markley, Forest Supervisor of the Gila NF, talks with Dave Jolly and Bill Leonard.			Roger Hobbs was the winner of the pasture golf tournament. Dow Bond presents Roger with his trophy--a plate of cow chips.
	A new game, Blongo Ball, was introduced this year.			Jim Hickman receives one of Phil Smith's "Horseshoe Awards".
	Jim Hickman was the program MC for all the events.			Fred Fuchs, the Amigos President for 2008, takes the microphone.

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Amigos Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon, April 24, 2008

The Amigos Quarterly Luncheon was attended by 45 members. On top of visiting with old friends, this meeting was also to approve the changes to the Amigos' Bylaws.

Mary Jo Lovick, Amigos Past President, opened the meeting with questions and/or comments from the members present on the proposed changes to the bylaws. After all the questions were answered, Jane Westenberger made the motion to approve the changes as presented. After being seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

Faye Krueger, Deputy Regional Forester for R3, was the guest speaker for the luncheon. Faye's current with the Forest Service started in 1980 as a seasonal employee. Her career has taken her to regions 10, 9, 1, 4 and now 3.

At the RO, Faye will oversee the Range, Forestry and Appeals staffs. Gilbert Zepeda, the other DRF for R3, will handled Fire/Aviation, Recreation, Lands & Minerals, and Wildlife Staffs. Both Faye and Gilbert will split the overseeing of the ASC. Corbin Newman, the new RF for R3, will handle PAO and Civil Rights.

Other highlights Faye mentioned were:

Faye Krueger, DRF for R3, gives an update on FS happenings.

 

Members attending the quarterly luncheons always have a great time visiting with old friends.

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Amigos members visiting the Quarai Pueblo.

Amigos members visiting the Gran Quivira Pueblo

Twenty one members and friends of the Amigos met March 15 for a tour of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Momument. The day was warm, although a bit windy, for the bus ride and tour. Salinas Pueblo Missions are located in the Mountainair area, south of Albuquerque about 70 miles. The momument is split into three separate areas and the group toured two of the areas--Quarai and Gran Quivira. At both sites the group had tour guides to explain the history of the area--Ranger Leroy at Quarai and Ranger Bob at Gran Quivira.

The Salinas Pueblos were part of the Anasazi culture and were a major trading center of the Pueblo world. The Salinas Pueblos were located on the major trade routes connecting the Pueblos of the Rio Grande Valley with the plains tribes located to the east. The Salinas Pueblos were both producers of goods and middlemen in trading.

The Spanish explorers entered the area in the 16th century. After the explorers failed to find the riches they were looking for, they left but the Franciscan missionaries stayed. With the demands on the Pueblo Indians to build the Christian missions, there was less time to spend raising the food used to survive and to trade. About the same time a drought hit the area causing even more problems raising food. With the food shortages, the plains tribes started to raid the pueblos. With all this, the Salinas Pueblos were finally abandoned by the latter part of the 17th century.

For more information of the history of the Salinas Pueblos and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, check out the following web sites:

Everyone on the tour had a great time and were appreciative of the great work Lou Romero did in arranging the tour.

	Amigos members and friends tour the Quarai site with Ranger Leroy leading the tour.		After lunch the Amigos proceeded on to the Gran Quivira site. Our tour guide for this portion was Ranger Bob.
	Amigos members walking through the remains of the mission church at Quarai.		Amigos members standing in the mission church at Gran Quivira.
	Members standing in the convento area beside the mission church at Quarai.		Looking over the pueblo ruins at Gran Quivira towards the mission church.
	Lunch on Saturday was at the historic Shafer Hotel in Mountainair, NM.		Ranger Bob explaining conditions that existed at the Gran Quivira site at the time the pueblo was occupied.

(Click on any of the above images to view a larger format of the picture.)

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The Amigos January Luncheon meeting was attended by 48 members and friends. This meeting was also the annual business meeting and annual elections for the new board members.

(Click on any of the above images to view a larger format of the picture.)

Amigos Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon, October 25, 2007

The Amigos October Luncheon meeting was attended by 38 members and guests. The luncheon is always a good time to catch up on the latest news of friends and co-workers and to remember the "good ole times."

After the update by John, an overview of the Amigos webpage was presented by the Pat Jackson, webmaster for the Amigos. Pat explained how the webpage was to be used as both a recruiting tool and a tool for keeping the members informed of the latest news and happenings for the group.

Below are pictures of some of the members present at the luncheon. See any familiar faces?

			Click on any image to see a larger format of the picture.

Amigos Quarterly Meeting/Luncheon, April 27, 2007

Approximately 50 members and guests attended the April meeting and luncheon.  Everyone had a great time getting caught up with the latest news from friends and former co-workers.

Below are pictures of members present at the luncheon. Click on the image to see a larger picture. Recognize any friends?

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Quemado Roundup 2007 Even a little rain can't keep the Amigos from having a great time. This year 101 members attended the some or all of the weeks festivities. The Wagon Masters for the year, Steve and Andrea Sams and Mike and Mary King, did an outstanding job in planning and coordinating the Roundup. Wagon Masters for 2007 -- Mike & Mary King, Steve and Andrea Sams Potluck time at the Roundup. Even a little rain couldn't dampen the spirits at the Roundup--especially during the potluck. Participates in the Cow Pasture Golf Tournament receiving their last minute instructions. Winner of the Cow Pasture Golf Tournament--Dow Bond--receiving his Meadow Muffin award from Mike King. Members birdwatching at the Roundup. This year 60 different species of birds were observed around Quemado Lake area. Phil Smith displaying some of his catch. The fishing contest was won by Phil again this year. Even though the bus trip to the Roundup had to be cancelled, 4 members did make the trek over to the Roundup for the day--Ken Knarr, Bob Partido, Bill Phillips and Dave Gillio. Bill Leonard getting in a little horseshoe practice. For more pictures and summaries of the 2007 Quemado Roundup, check out the July 2007 issue of the Amigos Newsletter.   Click here to return to top of the page

Banner picture: Left - Camping on the Santa Fe NF circa 1925. Photo by USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Click here to see a larger image.

Last updated: December 10, 2008