We proudly celebrate the same small town charm people have loved for more than a century. Come see what all the fuss is about.
Where UTE MOUNTAIN beckons
e goods that make a home
BRINGING THE LEGACY TO LIFE
The 2+ acre campus of Couse-Sharp Historic Site in the heart of Taos features the former homes, studios, and gardens of E. I. Couse and J. H. Sharp, two of the founders of the Taos Society of Artists (TSA). The well-preserved— and charming—complex of 19th and early 20th century buildings with original furnishings, ephemera, and art collections orients visitors to the remarkable con uence of creativity Taos represents.
We offer an exhibition gallery open five afternoons a week, in-depth docent-led site tours by appointment, a unique research center for the study of early Taos art and its cultural context, and frequent special events
The Virginia Walker Couse Heritage Garden, one of the rst decorative gardens in Taos, lies on terraces outside the Couse Home and Studio
CSHS-DISCOVER TAOS, 1/2 pg horiz, Spring2025
ARTS & CULTURE
Initial speculation that the Alters stole from the art museums strictly to keep the works for themselves morphed into theories by amateur investigators that the couple were professional art thieves. They traveled internationally and domestically several times each year, living beyond their means.
A photo shown in the 2022 documentary film
“The Thief Collector” shows both Taos Society of Artists paintings on a cozy-looking wall beneath which Jerry Alter is seated playing a clarinet while reading sheet music.
The Higgins and Sharp paintings were among the items donated to the humble Town and Country Garden Club Thrift Store. The nonprofit behind the store ultimately sold the works through the Scottsdale Art Auction in 2018 for $93,600 and $52,650, respectfully. The shop closed in 2021.
In 2024, true crime writer Lou Schachter did some sleuthing to uncover the stolen Taos paintings, writing in a series of articles published by Medium, “In the movie, a garden club volunteer describes the auctioned works and mentions their artists: Joseph Henry Sharp, Victor Higgins, and R.C. Gorman.”
BELOW: A still from the 2022 documentary film
“The Thief Collector” shows a photograph of Jerry Alter playing his clarinet beneath the two stolen Harwood Museum of Art paintings by Joseph Henry Sharp and Victor Higgins.
COURTESY PHOTO
LEFT : David Witt, former curator at the Harwood Museum when the paintings were stolen in 1985, demonstrates to the Taos News how the paintings were likely taken out of the museum as one of the alleged thieves, Jerry Alter, hid the painting in his trench coat, as seen April 2024.
P.J. Garoutte
See our Paintings at Wilder Nightingale Fine Arts (Taos), Legacy (Santa Fe) and Manitou
Galleries (Santa Fe)
“Peaceful Beginning of a New Day” 15x30 0/c
“Kit Carson House” 16x20 o/c
Don Brackett
In these playful, sunlit photo shoots that capture the spirit of Taos fashion, models Savannah Mae Cisneros and Ruthann McCarthy bring effortless charm and bold local style to life, highlighting standout looks from beloved local boutiques.
Local fashionistas flaunt their faves ABOUT SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH MAE CISNEROS is a New Mexico native with deep roots in Taos, where her creative spirit and passion for fashion began to flourish. Since her
PHOTOS BY DANIEL PEARSON / TAOS NEWS
teen years, Savannah has used style as a powerful form of self-expression. As a teen, she says, “I started putting outfits together and posing in my room taking pictures of myself when i was bored.”
Inspired by childhood dreams of modeling, she finds joy in transforming herself like a
video game character — each look telling a story. She loves experimenting with different looks and posing for photos that reflect her evolving identity. With a natural presence in front of the camera, Savannah is eager to explore opportunities in fashion, modeling and creative expression.
Savannah looks ready for summer in a block printed dress from India, from Michelle's Boutique on Paseo.
ABOUT MICHELLE'S BOUTIQUE
MICHELLE'S , a vibrant, woman-owned boutique located in the heart of downtown Taos, offers a carefully curated mix of clothing, jewelry and gifts. Specializing in fair-trade, handmade and locally crafted items, Michelle’s showcases one-of-a-kind treasures from both local and international artists. Founder Michelle McIntosh brings decades of fashion retail experience and a deep passion for style, individuality, and community. She’s known for creating a warm, welcoming space where every shopper feels seen and celebrated. Reflecting on the female body, Michelle says, “There are so many stores out there that only cater to one size demographic and I think that is unacceptable. Human beings are beautiful in every size they come in.”
136 Paseo Del Pueblo Norte #D, Taos | 575-751-3450
This striped cropped sweater from Michelle's Boutique is the perfect style for spring. Modeled by Savannah Mae Cisneros. 92
RETAIL
Ruthann models a slim fit tee from bamboo tee with B.E.E.Spoke’s logo (block printed by Wilde.Ink of Taos) with faded striped pants and a lightweight cardigan (both from Miou Muse), an O’Keefe-style rancher hat and Western-chic elastic belt.
ABOUT RUTHANN
RUTHANN MCCARTHY is a dedicated local business owner with deep roots in the community dating back to 1904. As part of the McCarthy family legacy, she has continued the tradition of service and stewardship through her work at Casa Benavides Inn, Legacy Café and the revitalization of McCarthy Plaza. A passionate community advocate, Ruthann founded the Taos Roundtable, a weekly gathering focused on preserving and supporting the heart of Taos. Known for her warmth, tenacity and commitment to honoring family heritage, Ruthann’s leadership continues to reflect the values instilled by generations of McCarthys who helped shape Taos.
Ruthann sports a cute Miou Muse knit tank dress in black, Aztec Ruana Shawl, Michael Vincent Michaud teal cast glass and bronze necklace with a tan bolero hat from B.E.E.Spoke on Bent Street.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
I’m here to talk with Gilkyson about her new album, “Dark Ages.” At 74, she’s lived through other dark times and moments of rebellion. The album is filled with songs that guide today’s listeners through the political and environmental upheaval of our current reality in 2025. But it also reflects who Gilkyson is — deeply caring, with a profound love for the planet, humanity and the people in her life.
She’s a person with decades of lived experience and a seasoned musician who understands the difference between a powerful lyric and a powerful crescendo. Not everyone can see the shadows of political unrest and the climate crisis clearly without being consumed by the darkness. Gilkyson has found a balance, much like the way the moon casts its light on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that rise above her home: It’s not a blinding flood of light, but a soft, steady presence.
There is simple acuity to Gilkyson, but that doesn’t mean life is simpler now.
“When I was a hippie, living gig to gig, two keys on my keychain — that was a simpler life,” she explains. “Having kids changed some of that, but even then, it was simpler than now. Back then, we had a feeling we had a future. But now, the life of our planet is threatened. We’ve come through dark times — worse than this — but we’ve never seen a climate crisis like this before.”
“Dark Ages” captures both Gilkyson’s self-described “apoplectic” mindset and the love and peace she embodies.
“My job is to make sure people continue to care,” she says of the songs on her new album.
“I don’t want to live in a world where people don’t care.”
Music, she says, keeps her young.
“I full-on care, but you can’t live in a state of constant grief. We don’t know what’s coming, but I will continue to show up as a sentient being.” She describes being “gob smacked” that people voted for Project 2025. “The songs started coming out after the election, and one of them was a song I wrote more than 50 years ago. It has an innocence to it.”
The album begins, as she describes, “from a place of light,” with “Song to You” — soft, sincere and serene. The song feels like a hug. The album guides the listener through emotions that are ripe and raw now.
ELIZA GILKYSON
DANIEL PEARSON / TAOS NEWS
My
“job is to make sure people continue to care. I don’t want to live in a world where people don’t care.
Eliza Gilkyson Singer, musician, songwriter
There are only a couple moles, one from the “Fiesta Fare” cookbook (1956), featuring raisins, pumpkin seeds and Mexican chocolate. However, under the heading “Sauces,” we move from chile caribe to BBQ sauces to chile sauces from everyone’s mother: I would try each one for variety. Also, the 33 ways to make chile rellenos! Numerous tamale tips and savory chile pies abound, and how about that dazzling Chilizza Pie (sautéed peppers and pepperoni, stewed tomatoes and Parmesan), created by Mrs. Barney Gardner of Albuquerque in “Great Southwest Cooking Classic”?
“Breads” cover a vast swath of yeasty delights, such as empanaditas, biscuits, buñuelos, fritters, sopaipillas and fry bread. For the last item, Mrs. Pappan, “cherished cook at the Albuquerque Indian School,” and of Pawnee heritage, offers her Navajo fried bread from “Fiesta Fare.” Everything corn dominates the bread section, naturally, boasting a dozen kinds of cornbread and tortillas (also blue corn). Varieties of biscochitos mark the “Desserts” section, crammed with other beloved concoctions that carry their luscious original Spanish names: almendrado (nutty almond), capirotada (bread pudding), sopa de borracho (you can guess), chongos (custards), jericalla (like a flan), natillas (boiled custard), panocha (sprouted wheat pudding) and marquesote (sponge cake), among many others. There’s even a “Pickled” chapter to keep us weeping.
Charmingly, if somewhat frustratingly, the recipes are not edited for consistency or currentness. For example, Chile Verde Tomas is still gunning for an addition of “2 tablespoons monosodium glutamate” (“Green Chile Recipe Fiesta,” 1973). But these recipes are precious throwbacks to Nana’s kitchen, and who can resist trying John Sena’s Balloon Rally Posole or even — gulp — Bowl of the Wife of Kit Carson?
To learn more and order a copy, visit the official website at newmexicancookbook.com
center at the heart of El Monte Sagrado Resort.
You can take a tour down the hallways and the things that happened in this place are amazing. There’s still bullet holes in the ceiling of the saloon, so just the history of it is crazy.
Cha d Mantz
St. James co-owner
Cimarron’s St. James Hotel
New o wners revive ‘a beautiful part of history’
BY OLIVIA LEWIS
When the St. James Hotel in Cimarron shuttered last fall, the future appeared uncertain for one of the most storied lodges of the Old West era.
By winter, however, the hotel had reopened under two new owners: Red River-based father-daughter duo Chad and Alyse Mantz, CEO and director of operations, respectively, for M Vacation Properties & Resorts, a rental and property management company with multiple properties in Taos and Red River.
“For me, the St. James is a beautiful part of history,” Alyse says. “I was so excited to have the opportunity to keep it going and make sure it’s preserved. I’m a little bit of a history nerd, so this has been awesome.”
Between its rugged antiques, ghostly reputation and 26 bullet holes in the bar’s tin ceiling, the St. James Hotel has been part of Cimarron’s heritage for more than a century.
The hotel was built in 1872 by Henri “Henry” Lambert, a former personal chef of President Abraham Lincoln, during the heyday of the Santa Fe Trail.
The 24 hotel rooms are named for the famous lawmen, outlaws and sharpshooters who stayed there: Buffalo Bill Cody, Doc Holliday, Annie Oakley, Wyatt Earp, Jessie James, Clay Allison, Black Jack Ketchum, and Billy the Kid, to name a few.
The hotel closed Sept. 16 after it was announced that Bob Funk, the hotel’s owner since 2009, would be retiring due to health reasons.
“It was different from any kind of transaction I’ve had before because the Funk family is very passionate about this,” Chad says. “They wanted to make sure that it was being passed on to someone who would maintain the rich Western history ….”
Cimarron and the hotel were a well-trodden stop on the Santa Fe Trail for travelers. More recently, the nearby Philmont Boy Scout Ranch today brings thousands of visitors to the area each summer, many celebrating at the St. James Hotel after their treks.
Near Halloween, the hotel sees upticks in visitors seeking paranormal experiences.
“You can take a tour down the hallways and the things that happened in this place are amazing,” Chad said of their interest in the hotel’s history. “There’s still bullet holes in the ceiling of the saloon, so just the history of it is crazy.”
The St. James Hotel in Cimarron, originally built in 1872, was a stomping ground for such Wild West icons as Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Clay Allison, Black Jack Ketchum and Billy the Kid. GABRIELA CAMPOS/THE NEW MEXICAN
Chad and Alyse Mantz, new co-owners of the St. James Hotel and father-daughter duo, inside the hotel in Cimarron. COURTESY PHOTO
Climb aboard the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad which operates in the scenic landscapes of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Journey back in time experiencing the Old West as it was in 1880, as you venture over the highest mountain pass reached by rail, cross gorges and trestles, blast through tunnels, and chug across alpine meadows and high deserts. Depart from Antonito, Colorado or Chama, New Mexico for a ride of a lifetime!
VINCI 5
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
Questa Lumber & Hardware Co.
Questa Lumber
Questa
& Hardware Co.
Lumber & Hardware Co.
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
Questa Lumber & Hardware Co.
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
Questa
Questa
575-586-0414
575-586-0414
575-586-0414
575-586-0414
575-586-0561
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Lumber & Hardware Co.
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard Opening Soon!
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard at 2349 St. Hwy 522 (Next to Family Dollar)
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard Opening Soon!
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard at 2349 St. Hwy 522 (Next to Family Dollar)
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard
Lumber & Hardware Co.
QuestaLumber &HardwareCo.
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores.
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard
575-586-1440
575-586-0419
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575-586-0561
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575-586-0419 575-586-1440
575-586-1440
575-586-0419
575-586-1440
575-586-0419
575-586-1440
575-586-1440
575-586-1440
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores.
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard Opening Soon!
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard at 2349 St. Hwy 522 (Next to Family Dollar)
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard Opening Soon!
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard at 2349 St. Hwy 522 (Next to Family Dollar)
Look for our new full service Hardware store and Lumber yard Opening Soon!
Opening Soon!
Personalized service is our number one priority!
Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores.
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores.
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores.
2349 St. Hwy 522
Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
2349 St. Hwy 522
Visit us for all your hard-to- nd seasonal, contracting, and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family of stores. Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
(Next to Family Dollar)
(Next to Family Dollar)
Personalized service is our number one priority!
Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
Visit us for all your hard-tofind seasonal, contracting and home repair needs. We have the experience to get the job done with our family ofstores: QuestaLumber& Hardware Co., Northstar Tire Center, CarQuesta, and Questa Small Engine Works Personalized service is our number one priority!
Giacomo
Giuseppe
Adrift A Dream Photography for the Santa Fe Opera
Adrift A Dream Photography for the Santa Fe Opera
