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Dear Jardineros Members,
Here we are in June – halfway through our 60th Anniversary Year and looking forward to more exciting events like the Game Night Trivia we enjoyed on May 15th! The evening of trivia presented by Brain Gang Trivia at the Range bar was filled with cheering and laughter! Obviously, a good time was had by all! Many thanks to Kelli Ballengee and the folks in the Game Night Interest Group for organizing this fun event.
Our summer will start with our June meeting on Wednesday, June 4th at the Las Placitas Presbyterian Church with gathering and treats starting at 9:00 AM before our meeting begins at 9:30. We are in for a very special treat this month as our program will explore a Front Row Seat to History with Eric Draper, the longest-serving Chief White House Photographer. Eric now lives in Albuquerque but was formerly President George W. Bush’s personal White House photographer and was named Special Assistant to the President. He has also covered significant events as a photographer for the Associated Press and various U.S. newspapers. You won’t want to miss this program!
After the presentation, we will break for more visiting and food before we conclude with our business meeting. At our business meeting this month we will be discussing the potential recipients of our budgeted benevolence funds. This year we have $8000 to spend and we will share the committee’s ideas based on requests we have received. You will have the opportunity to suggest additional recipients before the final decisions voted on by the membership. We anticipate releasing the proposed list of 2025 benevolence recipients for an electronic vote shortly after the June meeting.
The June Community Service Collection will be for Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Watermelon Ranch is New Mexico’s largest no-kill shelter established in 1996. They receive no government funding and rely on generous financial supporters to continue making a difference in the lives of animals in their care. Jacque Moise is the liaison for this collection and will be passing the basket for cash and check donations. Please make checks payable to Watermelon Mountain Ranch and write “Jardineros donation” on the memo line. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you can mail a check to Watermelon Mountain Ranch, 1380 Rio Rancho Blvd. SE, Ste. 374, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Online donations can be made at Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Please note “Jardineros de Placitas” in the “I want my donation to be dedicated” box and check the Acknowledgement box.
It is going to be a busy summer, so mark your calendars now and plan to attend some or all of the Diamond Jubilee Year of Celebrations in the coming months:
- On Thursday June 19th, the Trippers Interest Group has planned the History Mystery Road Rally. Participants will start from the Placitas Community Library parking lot at 10-10:30 AM where they will receive clues and directions for the Road Rally. Teams of 2 to 6 will then drive the outlined course and take pictures of sites as directed by the clues meeting back at the library no later than 1:00 PM for prizes. The event will conclude with an optional get-together/lunch on the second-floor level at Bosque Brewery on Highway 550 in Bernalillo. Positive RSVPs should be sent to Kathy Hays or Linda Lockett More details are available at You’re Invited to the History Mystery Road Rally!
- On July 4th join us for the Annual 4th of July Parade. Come to the parade to find out what Lee Iacocca and Jardineros have in common. And there may be other special surprises as well – so come start your day of festivities by joining us!
- On Thursday August 14th the Out to Lunch Bunch Interest Group has planned a delightful Luncheon at the Santa Ana Café at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort located at 1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo. Watch for more details on this exciting event in the coming weeks.
Just a couple reminders – Be sure and bring your 2025 Yearbook to all events you attend so the event organizer can initial your book. Those members with the most events attended will be entered into a special prize drawing at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration at the Prairie Star restaurant on December 7, 2025. And please note there is a donation box at those events where the sponsoring group incurred expenses. There are no budgeted funds for these events so your generosity is appreciated.
Enjoy the start of the summer season and hope to see you at our meeting and all the exciting 60th Anniversary Year events!
Cheers,
Janice
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