On Stands Now
February 2024

Questa  •  Red River  •  Cerro  •  Costilla  •  Amalia  •  Lama  •  San Cristobal

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Photo by Claire Coté L to R: Councilwoman Katrina Gonzales and her two kids Zeke and Skarlet, Amalia Gonzalez, Robert (Robbie) Ortega and Kingston, and KC (Soupman) Eason at Questa Veteran’s Memorial Park for the 2022 clean-up

Honor Students will lead Questa clean-up April 20

On Thursday, April 20 from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., community members are invited to join Questa Junior-Senior Honor Society Students, Village of Questa Beautification Committee, LEAP and local churches in a community-wide clean-up and beautification effort. All are invited! Let’s come together in solidarity with thousands of other communities around the world to celebrate Community Connection and Earth Day.
Activities will include trash pick-up along Hwy 522, Hwy 38 and around Eagle Rock Lake, led by the Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society and members of the Questa Beautification Committee. The Committee will host regular clean-up days once a month throughout the summer and fall.


At the Questa Municipal Park there will be trash pick-up, invasive plant species removal and irrigation repair led by LEAP. Cleaning and beautifying our community is our goal, and equally important is staying safe, having fun, strengthening friendships, and coming together to shape the future we want for our community. This clean-up day is one of many local events and efforts organized by the Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society this spring. Hats off to Honor Society Sponsor, Santana Santistevan for consistently and successfully shepherding her students in community service.


Lunch for volunteers will be provided midday. Bring a water bottle, layers for weather, hat, and sun protection, and if you have them, work gloves, and yard cleaning tools. Additional tools will be provided, along with trash clean-up supplies.


The first Earth Day was celebrated 53 years ago on April 22, 1970. This holiday was created by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, to mark the importance of keeping our planet healthy and clean, and for people to renew their commitment to make positive changes in their communities.


Community Connection Days are collaborative, intergenerational days of community give-back and celebration, taking place in and around Questa. Each gathering is an opportunity to connect with friends and make new ones, to care for and improve our public spaces and envision together what we want for our community.


This effort is made possible by collaborators Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society, Village of Questa, Taos County Solid Waste, LEAP, Localogy, local churches, North Central Food Pantry, and many community volunteers. The Questa Junior-Senior High School Honor Society activities are sponsored by the LOR Foundation. LEAP’s clean-up and beautification efforts at the Questa Municipal Park are funded by Chevron Grants for Good through Taos Community Foundation as well as individual donors.


We look forward to beautifying Questa with you on Thursday, April 20th! Thanks to all involved for making this community effort possible. Next month, join in the May Community Connection Day in downtown Questa preparing the Questa Farmers Market, Visitor Center and Village Center for opening Memorial Day weekend.

Author

  • Claire Cote

    Claire holds a Bachelors in Fine Art and Cultural Anthropology from the University of New Mexico (summa cum laude, 2004) and a Masters in Art and Ecology from Dartington College of Arts in Devon, England (distinction, 2008). Claire's anthropological training and global travels inform her work. Her respect for the diversity of planetary ecology and the geo-socio-cultural particularities of Place are the basis for her commitment to environmental and social justice and life-long learning.