Calendar

March 26 4 pm – flag the orchard April 16 Orchard Planting day 20 Board Meeting May 16 Board Meeting 21 adobe making - plastering in phase 1 - orchard planting - Spring planting June 15 Board Meeting 18 clean up the house and yard area - make adobes August 17 Board Meeting 20 trail creation - adobe making - beginning harvest September 17 adobe making, plastering Phase 2 - harvesting 21 Board Meeting October 15 adobe making - harvesting and putting the gardens to bed 19 Board Meeting November 16 Board Meeting December 14 Board Meeting

We have much in place and much to be done! I will outline the activities here in general. Please contact the people listed directly to participate in any and all activities. Your suggestions for additional activities are welcome as well. The New Board and slate of offices took their seats in December and began an ambitious work plan for the year. You will see that work reflected throughout this newsletter. - We have the revised Bylaws in effect. - The Strategic Plan has been reviewed and gives foundation to the work for this year and the years beyond. - The working relationships with Bernalillo County and Cornerstones are solid with monthly meetings set up for plan reviews throughout the year. - The work days calendar has been set for the year. Please check to see which you can attend! - The committees all have chairs and are actively soliciting participation - your participation! - The rehabilitation of the house is in full swing with twelve Youth Conservation Corps members and four County staff members full time on the house - The plans for the electrical and mechanical work are completed and approved for the house. - Board meetings are held every third Wednesday evening - 7 PM - 131 Adams NE - Workdays will be every third Saturday of the month from May to October starting at 9 am - 6039 Isleta Blvd. SW - We will be farming the 8 acres this year planting alfalfa in the south filed, sorghum and oats in the middle field and tomatoes and chili in the north field. Look for fresh produce days in the fall!

More Details

While the rehabilitation will need some help from us throughout the year there are other activities we can do while the construction zone is in force. These will keep us well occupied for the better part of this year. In addition to the House there are 8 acres at the Hubbell Property. This is divided for management into farm land, future nature trail, heritage orchard, house grounds and demonstration gardens. We will be farming the land actively as well as working on the edges.

Specific areas of interest where you can help include:
a). Jim Sais will coordinate the development of the Heritage Orchard on the property. He will need some help! Some of the workdays for 2005 will help with the establishment of this orchard. The plants are already grafted and some will be ready for planting. Land needs clearing and grading and plants need planting and tending.

b). Board member Brett Myrick will coordinate work with New Mexico Volunteers for the outdoors to create a nature trail around the property. This will include the clearing of the brush, graveling of the trail for good footing and some sign posting and description of what the walker will find on the trail. We will also delineate the distances to encourage community walking or jogging around the property. Some of the workday activity for this year involves the trail.

c). We will work with Audubon Society and the Rio Grande Nature Center to create a bird list of the species to be found at the Hubbell Property. Marjorie Hlava will work with these groups to create the bird list.

d). Marion Isidoro is lining up volunteers for the docent program. We will create a docent program to give tours of the property and explain what was done locally by the farming and sheep ranching families of the area. Training begins Feb 24.

e) Fundraising and grant writing will be coordinated by Lawrence Lane. We need to raise another $500,000 to complete the rehabilitation of the house. Additional monies will be needed to develop the trail, orchard and gardens

f.) We will host the Hubbell Family Historical Society for a dinner on June 30, 2005 during their biennial reunion. Carol Chapman will coordinate the dinner - and of course she needs a team too.
g) Carol is also keeping an eye on the rehabilitation efforts at the house. Asking questions, reviewing plans etc.

h) Irene Kersting is working on events and partnerships.

i) Lorenzo Hubbell is keeping the books straight with the help of Jennifer Cantrell

j) Lorenzo is also doing publicity and public relations for the Hubbell House Alliance.

k) Juan Carrillo will be leading the effort to farm the 8 acres and is looking after the land on our behalf.

So our plate is full but not overflowing. We are truly excited for this coming years plans! We welcome - cry out for your help. Please call me at 265-4178 if you have questions, want to help or have suggestions.

Marjorie M.K. Hlava, President, Hubbell House Alliance