HÉROES Unsung
THIS YEA R MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY of The Taos News’ Unsung Heroes, a tradition begun in 2001 to honor the people who quietly make life better in Northern New Mexico. For a quarter of a century, we have shared the stories of those who rarely seek recognition, yet whose efforts ripple through our schools, churches, neighborhoods and organizations, shaping a stronger, more compassionate community.
Once again, a volunteer committee of community members nominated and selected our Unsung Heroes, while the Taos News management team chose the Citizen of the Year. Our 2025 Citizen of the Year, veterinarian Dr. Ted
2025 UNSUNG HEROES SELECTION COMMITTEE
We want to thank the members of our 2025 Unsung Heroes Selection Committee who nominated this year's Unsung Heroes and Citizen of the Year (l-r): Ernie Ortega, Elizabeth Crittenden Palacios, Ted Wiard, Barb Wiard, Marylin Farrow, Lisa Sutton, Ernestina Cordova, Mona Nozhackum, Larry Mapes and CJ Grace.
Schupbach, has cared for the pets — and people — of Taos for more than four decades. His service extends far beyond his clinic doors, reminding us
that true leadership is rooted in humility and care.
Our nine Unsung Heroes embody that
same spirit of generosity in ways as diverse as Taos itself: Abe Balsamo, Miles Bonny, Elizabeth Halley, Charlie Raskovics, Eleanor Romero, Andy Torres, Manuel “Manny” Vigil, Bill Waugh, and Guy and Marcia Wood. These are the friends and neighbors who show up, time and again, to meet the needs of others. They serve food at pantries, mentor youth, raise scholarship funds, build programs, and create opportunities for play, healing and community connection.
As we celebrate this silver anniversary, we invite you to be inspired by the lives featured in these pages. Taos is fortunate to be home to so many who give without asking, who remind us that real heroism lies not in accolades, but in the everyday acts of kindness that knit us together.
Ellen Miller-Goins Magazine Editor
Ellen Miller-Goins / TAOS NEWS
25 YEARS OF HEROES
To all the Unseen, that speak for those without voice...
To the Unheard, that help those who cannot help themselves...
To the Unsung Heroes that know, Mañana is today...
Thank you.
Growing up, it was very much the Christian teachings of helping the poor. “
of the YEAR
PHOTO
Dr. Ted
SCHUPBACH
A life of quiet service in Taos
BY ELLEN MILLER-GOINS
On any given weekday at the Taos Veterinary Clinic, you might find Dr. Ted Schupbach leaning over an exam table, listening closely — not just to a patient’s heartbeat, but to an anxious pet owner’s story. His gentle demeanor, quick smile and steadfast presence have comforted generations of Taoseños — both human and animal — since he opened the clinic in 1979.
FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, SCHUPBACH HAS QUIETLY SHAPED THE FABRIC OF THE TAOS COMMUNITY. A VETERINARIAN BY PROFESSION, HE IS, AT HEART, A SERVANT-LEADER: A MAN WHO LEADS BY EXAMPLE, LIFTS OTHERS WITHOUT SEEKING PRAISE AND BELIEVES DEEPLY IN GIVING BACK.
PHOTO BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
Making positive change, together!
When we work together, we have the power to create positive change in our communities! That is exactly what our members do when they opt into Nusenda Credit Union’s Community Rewards program. They help us fund grants that support the arts, community services, education, environment and wildlife, and healthcare.
Learn more at nusenda.org
In 2024, the Nusenda Foundation granted more than $700,000 in Community Rewards to 72 organizations in New Mexico and West Texas. Our members and employees are committed to being positive contributors in the places we call home. Showing up with your best
Because Heroes Do It Better
Localogy empowers passionate individuals and groups to focus their efforts on creating maximum impact. Their projects coalesce organically, and are led by members of the communities they serve. These grassroots initiatives are responsive to emergent needs and are most efficient in delivering authentic solutions. Localogy is a cross-sector collaboration of charitable initiatives serving both the Questa comunity and all of northern New Mexico.
TCF’s Philanthropist of the Year award recognizes an individual who has made an enduring commitment to our community. This individual’s vision of what’s possible shows up in actions and changes that touch people’s lives. This year’s recipient is Hank Friedman. Hank has dedicated more than 30 years to supporting the youth of our community both as a beloved soccer coach and through his work on TCF Scholarship Committees. Hank’s motto is one to live by: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
Where Community Feeds Cဩmunity
At Cid’s, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible individuals who make our store more than just a place to shop. Many of our dedicated team members, some with us for decades and part of multi-generational Taos families, embody the spirit and strength of our community every day. We take pride in celebrating and supporting these extraordinary people who enrich our local culture. Your dedication and passion make Cid’s a cornerstone of our community.
Schupbach was born in Cuba to American Baptist missionaries and raised in a home where education, faith and service were foundational. His father became a science teacher, his mother a Spanish teacher.
“Growing up, it was very much the Christian teachings of helping the poor,” he said. That ethos never left him.
Although he eventually found his calling in veterinary medicine, Schupbach first dreamed of becoming an architect. In high school he took architectural drafting classes and excelled at them, but the painstaking, pre-computer process proved too tedious. A job at a local veterinary clinic after his sophomore year changed everything.
“By the time I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to go to vet school,” he recalled
After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1977, he began his veterinary career in Los Alamos before moving to Taos in 1979 — drawn to Northern New Mexico’s rugged beauty after a Scouting adventure at Philmont Scout Ranch.
He first practiced both large and small animal medicine, responding to urgent calls for foaling mares, sick dairy cows and injured dogs alike.
“With large animals, you never knew when the calls would come,” he said. “Eventually, I had to focus mostly on cats and dogs. I never made money at large animals, but I did it as a community service — until I couldn’t afford to anymore.”
COMMUNITY MINDED
While Schupbach’s clinic now sees up to 100 patients a week and employs 10 to 12 staff members, his impact stretches far beyond veterinary care. He was part of the group that revived the Taos animal shelter in the 1980s, eventually helping launch what became Stray Hearts Animal Shelter.
“I was president of the board from 1986 to 1990,” he recalled. “Back then, the president did a lot of the things that the executive directors get paid to do now. We did it for free.”
Ernestina Cordova remembered his willingness to answer latenight calls to care for horses and dogs.
“He’s always there,” she said.
Larry Mapes, president of Valverde Energy, added Schupbach is the kind of vet who takes the time, carefully analyzing problems when others might give up. He recalled how Schupbach taught him to manage his cat’s diabetes — something another vet dismissed as hopeless.
“He taught me how to take blood test every day and give insulin shots. Actually, it wasn’t that bad.”
Schupbach is also a regular volunteer at Shared Table, a food distribution program run by El Pueblito United Methodist Church.
“That’s the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who don’t have an income to get enough food in town. People are even more grateful now than they used to be, because just with food prices, what they are — it’s helping people not go hungry.”
In 2024, he even turned a house concert — a gift from a favorite band — into a fundraiser for the program, donating all proceeds to Shared Table.
He also serves on the boards of the Millicent Rogers Museum and Oklahoma State University’s Doel Reed Center for the Arts in Taos. His ties to the center are personal.
“That was my alma mater — Martha Reed, who donated the property to Oklahoma State, was a client of mine,” he explained.
Closer to home, he supports the Taos High School culinary arts program, youth mountain bike teams, the FITaos initiative, and 4-H clubs in Taos and Questa.
“It’s important for any activities that help kids focus on things that are good,” he said. “A constructive, learning experience — places to put their energies.”
“
It’s always nice to be appreciated. But really, it’s about helping people and their pets live better lives. I can’t do everything. But I try to do as much as I can.
TEACHING by EXAMPLE
Schupbach takes pride in mentoring the staff at his clinic.
“What I hope they take away is compassion — not just for animals, but for the owners too,” he said. “Even if someone can’t afford the most expensive treatment, you can still treat them with dignity and do something to help.”
That empathy defines his work. “People care deeply about their pets — sometimes more than anything else — and being sensitive to that matters.”
Cordova summed it up at the annual “Unsung Heroes” focus group meeting: “He doesn’t seek recognition, but his presence is everywhere — at the food pantry, the museum, a local fundraiser. He reminds us what real service looks like.”
Now in his 70s, Schupbach still skis, snowshoes, hikes and walks his dogs after work. He believes in shopping locally and supporting small businesses.
“If we help each other — it’s not just one person you’re helping. You’re helping several families per business.”
He has weathered economic downturns, fires, a pandemic and 45 years of change in a mountain town that continues to evolve. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: his quiet commitment to care.
Over the years, he has been named Best Veterinarian by Taos News readers multiple times.
“This clinic is efficient, caring and competent — Good service then, good service now,” wrote longtime client Joy Stromberg in an online review.
Another reviewer, Annie Rowe, summed it up simply: “They are kind, helpful and can make you laugh at the worst of times — Dr. Ted made me feel like me and my dog count.”
But for Schupbach, the accolades are less important than the relationships he has built.
“It’s always nice to be appreciated,” he admitted. “But really, it’s about helping people and their pets live better lives. I can’t do everything. But I try to do as much as I can.”
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Lisa Sutton Qualifying Broker
Abe
BALSAMO
Pitching in for Taos, every day
BY BLYNN BELTRAN
be Balsamo grew up on the south side of Taos, where Ranchos meets Talpa. He remembers riding bikes everywhere and coming back when the streetlights turned on — a typical kid in the ’80s.
Balsamo attended local public schools and played baseball throughout, becoming a fiveyear varsity letterman for Taos High School. From eighth grade through his senior year, he played for the Tigers and built lifelong friendships along the way.
“We play fantasy baseball against each other now,” Balsamo said, laughing.
FAMILY ROOTED in MEDICINE
Both of Balsamo’s parents worked in the medical field as physician associates. His father served as a medic during the Vietnam War, while his mother was a nurse.
“I watched my parents do medicine forever,” Balsamo said. “We used to go to the ER and meet them there. They worked in clinics and ERs. We were pushing buttons on the X-ray machine in Red River when somebody broke their leg because it was only them in the clinic. Me and my twin brother, Sam, were exposed to medicine early. There was always talk at the table for sure — ‘Somebody has diverticulitis,’ and we’re like, ‘What the heck is that?’ I was always interested, especially in the science behind it.”
PHOTOS BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
¡Gracias, Taos!
Thank
I
I’m always
Photo: Sam Joseph Photography
“
It’s about creating a place where kids can grow, connect and dream. Baseball’s just the hook — the real goal is helping them believe in themselves.
FROM TAOS to the BIG LEAGUES
In high school, Balsamo played under head coach Raymond Valerio Sr. and junior varsity coach Ted Motzinger. Valerio focused on fundamentals and structure, while Motzinger emphasized having fun and being a good human being. Balsamo credits both for shaping his success.
After graduation, he pursued his dream of playing baseball at the University of Redlands in California. It was a small-town kid’s big-stage dream, but Balsamo joked he was “the smallest person in the state” when he arrived.
“It was a challenge,” Balsamo said. “You’re in a four-year school. Juniors and seniors have been there three or four years already, so you really have to prove yourself. You work harder than everybody else — you have to — while holding up your grades. Redlands held us to a high standard; we had to have a 3.0 to play.”
Balsamo played two years at second base and another two in left field, becoming an NCAA All-Conference player for two consecutive years. He used his scholarship to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology. Initially, he planned to work in biotech, but after spending long hours pipetting samples and “pulling stingers out of bees,” he realized it wasn’t his calling.
FINDING HIS TRUE PASSION
Balsamo spent some time in Switzerland playing baseball before returning to Taos in 2003 to teach. While he enjoyed working with kids, teaching math and science wasn’t the right fit. Instead, he found himself drawn back to medicine and coaching.
“You’re not bound by the expectations people have of you,” Balsamo said of his decision to switch paths. “I told my principal at the time, and when I told him, he said, ‘Yeah, right.’ Then I handed him my resignation letter.”
He attended the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, earning his degree as a general physician assistant before completing a master’s in emergency medicine.
Today, Balsamo is a physician associate and the co-owner and medical director of TaosMed, an S-corporation that provides correctional health, recovery, and rehabilitation services to the community. He also serves as a physician associate for the Taos County Jail and Colfax County Detention Center.
BUILDING the SCHOOL of BASEBALL
Even as his medical career flourished, Balsamo’s love of baseball never faded. Together with his wife, Gina, he founded the nonprofit School of Baseball, which helps kids, high school players and aspiring college athletes develop their skills.
Located at 814 Witt Road in Taos, the organization started with no space of its own but has since grown rapidly, now serving more than 1,000 youth. Clinics are held every Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m., where Balsamo and volunteer coaches teach fundamentals and provide personalized training.
The program is affiliated with Major League Baseball and Nike’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities initiative. With support from the LOR Foundation, the school also offers specialized coaching for high school athletes and recently hosted Recruiting 101 sessions where signed college athletes shared tips on securing scholarships.
QUIETLY CHANGING LIVES
Balsamo’s work extends far beyond the baseball field. Ted Wiard, who nominated him, praised his quiet impact on the community: “When I started calling around, I kept hearing how much he’s doing for young people and even adults facing serious challenges. He connects people with wraparound services — everything from veterans with PTSD to first responders in crisis. Abe has become a bridge for so many families in Taos.”
Balsamo downplays his role, preferring to focus on the work.
“It’s about creating a place where kids can grow, connect and dream,” he said. “Baseball’s just the hook — the real goal is helping them believe in themselves.”
PHOTOS
You gotta have a purpose. As an actuary, I saw that people without interests beyond work struggled when they retired. You can’t ski all day, regardless of what you think.
“ WAUGH Bill
Everybody wants to be like Bill when they grow up
BY STEPHANIE GATES
Bill Waugh has long been a quiet yet powerful force behind health care and education initiatives across Taos County. A U.S. veteran and dedicated member of the Lions Club, Waugh continues to launch new programs — even at 96 years old.
Waugh played a pivotal leadership role during the transition of Plaza de Retiro into Taos Retirement Village, serving as chairman of the residents’ council during its bankruptcy. He helped safeguard residents’ interests, secure critical financing and ensure the facility’s survival, leading to much-needed improvements and renewed stability for senior residents.
Waugh credited Lorry, his late wife of 75 years, for inspiring his deep commitment to health care education. The couple met during World War II, when she was a cadet nurse and he was her patient.
As a career actuary, Waugh saw firsthand the shortage of health care workers. High turnover, deportation and Medicaid cuts have created what he called a “perfect storm” threatening the local health care system.
“Every role in a hospital is important,” Waugh said.
For decades, he worked to remove barriers to education and create opportunities for those entering the health-care field. Over his 30 years in the Lions Club, Waugh developed programs that support students from grade school through professional training — from providing after-school enrichment and vision screenings to scholarships and mentoring for aspiring nurses, EMTs and CNAs.
“Bill is incredible at going out and getting money to support our students,” said Barb Wiard, who nominated him as one of this year’s Unsung Heroes. “Through the Lions, he’s raised funding for tuition, living expenses and travel so nursing, CNA and EMS students can continue their education. He never stops — I swear he’s on his computer 24/7 looking for grants.”
In 1990, Waugh helped launch the Kids Eye Program in Taos, bringing free eye exams, glasses fittings and eyewear directly to schoolage children throughout Taos County.
“He started most of the things that we do over the last 20 years,” said Lions Club President Mary Pencin. “He sees a need, and he makes it happen.”
At UNM-Taos, Bill's efforts have translated into meaningful support for future health care workers. Through Lions Club scholarships and other fundraising, Waugh has helped students stay in school and complete their training.
Nicole Scotto, now a pediatric hospice founder and UNM nursing instructor, received a Lions Club scholarship from Waugh while she was a new mother in nursing school.
“It really benefitted my family so I could continue my education without the added stress of financial hardship,” Scotto said. Now she and Waugh serve together on the UNM nursing advisory committee, and he greets her warmly, saying, “This was one of the best investments we ever made.”
Waugh became a caregiver for his wife at the end of her life and saw the urgent need for in-home support for elders and hospice patients.
“He was so devoted to his wife,” Pencin said. “That was a fabulous marriage. Five years ago, he was driving his wife around, showing her places. It inspired you that they were so devoted to each other for so long.”
While caring for his wife Waugh recognized the urgent need for in-home support
for elders and hospice patients. This year, he spearheaded the launch of a respite care registry and training program in Taos, creating a vetted network of caregivers to provide relief for families caring for loved ones recovering from illness, injury or surgery.
“He saw a gap in care and made it happen,” Wiard said. “Bill organized the funding, training and registry so families have trusted caregivers when they need a break. That’s just who he is — he sees a need and he finds a solution.”
So far, 30 families have received more than 480 hours per month of support through the new registry.
Waugh and Lorry also spent years on medical and building missions in South America and welcomed Boy Scout Explorer groups into their home, taking them on weeklong outdoor adventures. A lifelong musician, Waugh still performs weekly at Taos Enchanted Village, playing harmonica — an instrument he taught himself at age 7. You can catch his performances Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
When asked why he continues to work so hard into his 90s, Waugh smiled.
“You gotta have a purpose,” he said. “As an actuary, I saw that people without interests beyond work struggled when they retired. You can’t ski all day, regardless of what you think.”
For Waugh, purpose comes from giving back. Whether raising scholarships, building caregiver networks or playing music for his neighbors, his tireless energy has strengthened Taos’ health care system and enriched countless lives.
A Lions Club member Layne Rutherford put it best: “We make a joke in our club — we all want to be like him when we grow up.”
Guy&Marcia
WOOD
It’s not news — Couple keeps the Enchanted Circle connected
BY EMERY VEILLEUX
Though you’d never guess it, Guy and Marcia Wood admit they’re uncomfortable being interviewed. It’s not because they’re shy. The pair is warm and amiable, and talking to them feels like catching up with longtime family friends.
Their hesitation comes from a different place: For more than four decades, they’ve been the interviewers, not the subjects.
“Serving the
Southern
Rockies.”
– CREED OF THE SANGRE DE CHRISTO CHRONICLE
AS THE LONGTIME OWNERS AND PUBLISHERS OF THE SANGRE DE CRISTO CHRONICLE, the Woods have long been pillars of the Angel Fire community, blending journalism, service and philanthropy into a lasting legacy.
They committed their lives to community service through journalism — though neither originally planned to.
Marcia, a natural people person, set out to serve others as a nurse. Guy, a thirdgeneration newspaperman, intended to do anything but follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who worked in newspapers dating back to the 1890s. But to stretch an old saying, the newspaper never lands far from the door — especially when he had saved up for college by working as a paperboy.
After graduating from the University of Colorado — they met in journalism school — the couple cut their teeth at the Ann Arbor News in Michigan.
Eventually, feeling out of place in the flatlands, they returned to Colorado to work at Aspen Today, then purchased the Fremont County Sun in Canon City, Colo., and finally, the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle. A road trip brought them through the Moreno Vally, and they quickly fell in love.
Over two decades, the Woods transformed the Chronicle — a one-man operation founded by Joe Gallagher in his Eagle Nest log cabin — into a community cornerstone that kept the remote towns and villages of the Enchanted Circle connected.
The news business is not for the faint of heart. Its long hours, endless details and relentless deadlines demand grit and passion. The Woods brought both in spades — Guy himself undertook a “lifethreatening race to Taos every Tuesday” to get the paper to press in Albuquerque.
During that time, they also owned the Ouray County Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun in Colorado, but the Moreno Valley held a special place in their hearts.
“And we missed the green chile, we have to be honest,” Marcia said.
Through aggressive local watchdog journalism, they kept a pulse on the school board, local politicians and the resort. Guy was praised for his strong editorials. As publishers, the Woods championed transparency, highlighted local causes and fostered relationships across the Enchanted Circle.
Speaking truth to power in a small town can be awkward. But the community always knew what a treasure they had in the Woods.
“You’re always happy to see them, you know?” said Lisa Sutton, a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker who nominated the couple as Unsung Heroes.
In the remote villages of northeastern New Mexico, the Woods provided a vital hub for information and connection.
“It was such a good base that kept us all connected,” Sutton said. “They did such a great job of hitting
every aspect of a small town,” from political news to entertainment for full-time residents and second homeowners alike.
Why pursue such demanding work? Their people skills and communication talents naturally lent themselves to journalism — but their commitment runs deeper.
“We love the people,” Marcia said.
More than just covering news, they committed their platform to the community.
On the Chronicle’s Community Pages, they held fundraisers for local causes. After a drowning incident in Monte Verde Lake, the Community Pages helped raise $4,500 for ice rescue equipment.
A “We Love Judy” page dedicated to longtime local Judy Tuft raised $10,000 for a kidney transplant.
Angel Fire in the Chronicle’s early days was “loose” and “full of energy,” Marcia recalled — which meant intriguing times at the smalltown paper.
When the 1989 TV miniseries “Lonesome Dove” filmed in Black Lake and the Moreno Valley buzzed with Hollywood bigwigs, the Chronicle set out to cover the excitement — only to learn the press was barred from the set.
But they had a secret, rural New Mexico weapon: a stringer photographer from Springer.
“He grew up as a cowboy — he had the duster, he had the whole thing,” Guy recalled. “So we hooked him up.”
“He just rode his horse on set,” Marcia added, laughing. The stringer snapped a stealthy slew of photos, and the Chronicle ran an epic double-truck spread.
From their station behind the press, the Woods witnessed the Moreno Valley through changing eras, from resort developments to shifting populations. At its peak, the Chronicle circulated 500 to 700 copies locally, and nearly 2,000 to out-of-state addresses from Paris to Panama and every U.S. state.
That distribution painted a portrait of a community evolving alongside
UNSUNG HEROES UNSUNG HEROES Everyday Leaders. Extraordinary Impact.
Congratulations to the 2025 Unsung Heroes and LOR Project Champions—neighbors, volunteers, and local leaders whose everyday efforts are transforming life in Taos. For over 16 years, LOR has partnered with Taos residents to support more than 400 community-led projects, all rooted in homegrown insight and care.
Have an idea that could make life better in Taos? Funding might be closer than you think. When you work with LOR, there are no formal applications or grant cycles—just a simple conversation to get started. We’d love to hear from you!
sonya@lorfoundation.org (575) 770-8469 @LORFoundationTaos
PHOTOS BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
For 22 years, the Woods ran the Sangre de Cristo Chronicle in a manner deeply characteristic of Northern New Mexico: with grit, humility and unwavering commitment. That spirit echoed in the newspaper’s creed: “Serving the Southern Rockies.”
And serve they have. Even after retiring in 2006, their civic commitment has endured.
For two decades, the Woods helped with the Always Loving Mankind Food Pantry, the region’s only food pantry that delivers directly. They served on the ALM board, supported fundraising efforts and mail campaigns — and hand-delivered more than 100 bags of groceries biweekly to neighbors’ doors.
Every two weeks, the Woods would drive remote, winding Cimarron Canyon roads, battling high-mountain rain or snow, to deliver groceries to Cimarron residents in need.
“I did a little tally,” Marcia said. “In the next 12 months, they’re going to distribute 5,538 bags of groceries.”
More than food, the Woods provided genuine care and neighborly company to elders living in isolated corners of northeastern New Mexico.
“It’s an act of community, someone keeping eyes on them,” Sutton said.
Guy also served 15 years on the Angel Fire Community Foundation (now part of Taos Community Foundation). From community nonprofits to local government projects, he supported a range of initiatives, from outfitting the junior ski team with new jackets to remodeling the fire station, Girl Scout camp and Eagle Nest Village Hall.
“He was always looking for new and innovative ways to not only fundraise for the community foundation but also to deliver what the area really needs,” like a new vocational training program in school, Sutton said. “We’re a town of tradespeople,” she added.
The same skills — listening, attention to detail, and the doggedness to see things through — helped the Woods excel as both journalists and stewards of community.
“They both have very inquisitive minds, being in the newspaper industry,” Sutton said. “So I think more than most people, they go out and ask a lot of questions. They dig into those little questions to find the needs of people and say, ‘Oh, is there a need here? Let’s figure out how we approach that.’”
The Woods have remained involved in journalism, too, serving on the board of the New Mexico Press Association, with Marcia also serving as president of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors.
“It’s really that way of passing on the torch,” Marcia said.
That torch has stayed in the family. Chris Wood, their son, has worked as Taos News advertising director for 19 years.
“That poor kid,” Guy said, chuckling. “He’s got that ink in his blood.”
“They both have very inquisitive minds, being in the newspaper industry. So I think more than most people, they go out and ask a lot of questions. They dig into those little questions to find the needs of people and say, ‘Oh, is there a need here? Let’s figure out how we approach that.’
Lisa Sutton, Angel Fire Realtor
This week, we proudly shine a light on the true heroes of our schools: our principals. Their guidance, compassion, and dedication often take place behind the scenes, yet their impact resonates throughout our community every single day.
We are thrilled to celebrate these exemplary leaders of our schools:
Dr. Cherry Malaque – Taos Cyber Magnet
Emy Martinez DeHerrera – Taos High School
Linda Quintana Martinez – Taos Middle School
Dr. Anthony Medina – Arroyos del Norte Elementary
Dr. Madelyn Serna Mármol – Ranchos Elementary
Durell Spell – Enos Garcia Elementary
Thank you for your tireless commitment to our students, staff, and families. Your leadership inspires hope, fosters community, and empowers our students to grow into their brightest selves. Taos Municipal Schools is honored to call you our own.
The Taos Municipal School District
For decades, Denise has quietly shaped the Questa community through tireless volunteer work. As leader of the Questa Achievers 4-H group, a board member and rabbit superintendent of the Taos County Fair Association, she has mentored youth, promoted agriculture, and supported local conservation in Valle Vidal area. She even helped craft the 40th Anniversary quilt displayed at the Millicent Rogers Museum. A devoted wife of 35 years, loving mother of four, and grandmother of three, Denise enjoys time with her family, her four dogs, and raising rabbits. Her heart and hands are woven into the fabric of the quilt that is Questa.
PHOTO
Elizabeth
HALLEY
Sharing is simply a way of life
BY ELLEN MILLER-GOINS
Elizabeth Halley carries herself with quiet grace. She’s the kind of person who listens intently before she speaks. Perhaps what draws people to her most, though, is her radiant smile. It reveals an inner kindness that puts others instantly at ease.
That same spirit of generosity and steady joy has guided her life in Taos, where she has become a pillar of service at St. James Episcopal Church and beyond.
HALLEY WASN’T BORN WITH THE NAME SHE CARRIES TODAY. In the 1990s, she deliberately chose both a new first and last name. Inspired by the strength of “Elizabeth” — a name tied to queens — and by Halley’s Comet, she embraced a fresh identity that reflected her values and independence.
Raised in Washington state, Halley spent most of her career as a hairdresser in Seattle. But as retirement neared, she realized the city had grown too expensive. In 2007, she relocated to Taos, where her sister lived. She bought land in Carson Estates, part of a long-ago subdivision scheme, and set about creating a life off the grid.
“I bought a ’70s single-wide mobile home and rehabbed it,” she explained. “I set up rainwater collection with a 2,700-gallon underground cistern and another above ground. Part of my whole thing was living without raping the land.”
Though gardening in the alkaline soil proved difficult, she adapted.
“Now I just go to the grocery store like everybody else,” she said with a laugh. Still, her off-grid homestead reflects the same resilience and resourcefulness that mark her community service.
PHOTO BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
— MARYLIN FARROW, 2024 UNSUNG HERO
TAOS WINTER SPORTS TEAM
FINDING a MISSION at ST. JAMES
Halley’s faith journey began in Seattle, where she discovered the Episcopal Church.
“I found I lived two blocks from a small Episcopal mission, so I started going. Many of my friends in the neighborhood went there, and we worked with the homeless population,” she recalled.
That commitment followed her to Taos. After settling into her home, she began attending St. James Episcopal Church. Before long, she became deeply involved in its rummage ministry — a small but mighty operation that provides clothing, household goods, and essentials to the community at almost no cost.
“We have two annual rummage sales, one in the spring and one in the fall, plus the Christmas Bazaar,” Halley explained. “We probably make between $8,000 and $10,000 a year for the church, but for me, it’s not about the money. I want to make sure people have what they need.”
Her philosophy has transformed the ministry from a fundraiser into a mission. In addition to the big sales, Halley and her volunteers set out free clothing each Thursday during the food pantry pick-up, ensuring families can find what they need immediately.
For Halley, the rummage sale is about more than recycled goods. It is about dignity, compassion, and community. Plans are underway for a new church building that will include space to display items more like a store.
“When everything’s in boxes piled high, it’s hard for someone whose house just burned down to find what they need,” Halley explained.
Her approach stands out for its generosity.
Marilyn Farrow, who nominated Halley for the Unsung Heroes, reflected on her spirit of service.
“Anytime during the year that someone’s house burns or whatever happens, whatever she has in the way of household goods or personal items, she will give to that person,” Farrow said. “There’s never a charge on those emergency needs. At the rummage sale, things are 50 cents to $1 [or more]. That could be a quilt, a blanket — whatever someone needs is there.”
Farrow added, “Her commitment is extraordinary, but more important than that is her attitude toward the people who come to get things. It is with love and generosity.”
PHOTOS
BEYOND the RUMMAGE SALES
Halley has also served three terms on the vestry, the church’s governing board, helping guide St. James’ outreach efforts. She organizes the Christmas Bazaar, ensuring families can find affordable gifts. She supports collaborations with groups like the DreamTree Project, broadening the reach of St. James’ mission.
The church itself has become a hub for community life — hosting not only the food pantry, but also community groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and the Taos Youth Music School. Halley sees her work as part of this larger fabric of support.
“
“I feel I should talk more about the church, because people need to know what the church is doing,” she said.
Though her ministry centers on the church, Halley’s compassion extends into her daily life. In Carson Estates, she has befriended neighbors in difficult circumstances.
“Over the years, many of the people I knew were alcoholics, living in rough situations. Their health declined, and I was always available to get them to the doctor. When you get to know people, you love them despite what the situation is.”
That quiet, steady care defines her character.
“Most of us have way more than we need,” she reflected. “To not share that seems wasteful to me.”
Her commitment is extraordinary, but more important than that is her attitude toward the people who come to get things. It is with love and generosity.
— MARYLIN FARROW, 2024 UNSUNG HERO
A TRUE UNSUNG HERO
At nearly 79 years old, Halley is still sorting, mending and organizing every week. She shrugs off praise, but to those who know her, her humility is exactly what makes her remarkable.
“She has skills beyond anything I’ll ever imagine,” Farrow said. “And she’s done this for years, utterly selfless. We’re so grateful she’s there.”
For Halley, the Unsung Heroes recognition is humbling.
“It’s nice,” she said simply. “I’ve just always tended to have extra things, and if somebody needs them, I give them away. With the support of St. James, I’ve been able to do it on a broad scale.”
And that, in her quiet way, is how Elizabeth Halley has become one of Taos’ Unsung Heroes.
ROMERO Eleanor
Nurturing the whole child — and the whole community — by example
BY OLIVIA LEWIS
At 72, Eleanor Romero has lived many lives — as a mental health counselor, community schools advocate, jailer and Vietnam War-era activist. But ask anyone who attended her support groups as a child and they’ll tell you she’s first and foremost a healer — of grief, trauma and addiction.
Romero sat in the shade of an apricot tree at a childhood home in Taos. She peered up, her husband’s colorful papel picado fluttering in the breeze.
“That apricot tree was where I’d read my books,” Romero said. “I used to go to Harwood Library, get my seven books and come read them in the tree. That branch is long gone, but that’s my apricot tree.”
The apricot tree mirrors Romero’s legacy: decades of nurturing that still bear fruit across classrooms, food pantries and boardrooms today.
“I’ve always approached my life with an attitude of, ‘If other people can do it, I can too,’” she said. “I’m not special, I’m average, so if other average people can do it, I can.”
It’s Romero’s humble, can-do demeanor that earned her recognition from the 2025 Unsung Heroes nominating committee. As the youngest of 11 children in San Cristobal, Romero learned early what it meant to dream with so little.
“I grew up very poor in San Cristobal, so if we didn’t grow it, butcher it or make it, we probably didn’t have it,” she said. “We had no running water, and my mom made our mattresses out of lamb’s wool.”
Her siblings never discouraged her ambitions. In fifth grade, Romero proclaimed she wanted to be a pilot. Her brother didn’t tell her she couldn’t “because she’s a girl.” He bought her a book about becoming one.
Dr. Alfredo Vigil, her husband of 51 years, shares her hopeful ideals. They met and protested the Vietnam War together in college, then marched alongside César Chávez to support farmworkers.
“Meeting Chávez was one of the highlights of my life,” Romero said. “He was a short, humble, quiet little man, but he inspired a lot of people.”
‘I WAS A JAILER’
Romero’s path to counseling began in an unlikely place — behind the locked doors of the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. She took the job because she struggled to find work with history and sociology degrees from the University of New Mexico. When incarcerated girls sought her out for help, she had an epiphany.
“I was a jailer, essentially,” Romero said. “I was working with jailed adolescent females, and after a while, it dawned on me: They were coming to me with their problems. I thought, maybe this is something I could do.”
She spoke somberly of one girl whose baby had died at 8 months old while she was in jail.
“Everything that could happen to a young woman happened to these girls,” Romero said. That realization led to a career spanning nearly three decades at Taos Municipal Schools. Romero earned a master’s degree and became a mental health counselor there for 29 years, primarily working with elementary students.
“When I started as a counselor in 1981, elementary school counseling was only about 15 years old,” she said. “So I was pretty much able to make my job what I wanted. At that time, Taos Elementary alone had 600 kids. There were six teachers at each grade level.”
HEARTFELT PILLOWS
Every year, Romero led biweekly support groups called “Banana Splits,” where students split into classes on self-esteem, grief, divorce and alcoholism.
One project from Romero’s divorce group involved crafting pillows that traveled with students between homes. Students cut hearts out of felt, wrote down loved ones’ names, then stuffed them. The pillows became tokens of comfort amid sweeping life changes.
“The point of the pillow was that it was small enough to take to all of their houses, so if they went to Dad’s house, they could take their pillow with them,” Romero said. “They always had the people that mattered to them — with them.”
At the last meeting of the year, each child walked away with a banana split ice cream.
Most walked away with more.
“I took your class on making me feel good about myself,” a former student told Romero at a graduation in May. “I wanted to thank you and give you a hug.”
Another said, “I am who I am today because of you and everything you taught me in my self-esteem classes.”
One boy, bullied for coming to school dirty from the ash of his family’s wood-burning stove, became the springboard for a new kind of care.
“He didn’t have running water, so a special ed teacher and I decided we’d help him,” Romero said. “Every morning, I’d get him off the bus and take him to the special education bathroom. We had a kit for him where he could wash up, comb his hair and brush his teeth.”
“That’s the beginning — that’s a community school,” she said. “Schools should serve the whole child.”
‘SCHOOLS SHOULD SERVE THE WHOLE CHILD’
That philosophy was central to Romero helping establish the Community Schools Initiative in Taos. About seven years ago, Catherine Horsey asked her to join Taos School Zone, a nonprofit formed by the Taos Community Foundation.
“We were the ones that came up with and did the research on what kind of helpful system we could implement here in Taos,”
Romero said. “We came up with the community school model.”
The model is based on the belief that education thrives when children’s needs are met, both inside and outside the classroom. Once Enos Garcia Elementary became the first community school, the model caught on quickly.
In 2024, six entities struck a joint powers agreement pledging to implement community schools across Taos County. This led to the countywide Community Schools Coalition, where each site has a coordinator linking students to behavioral health, food, housing, transportation or medical care.
“I thought, ‘This is what I’ve been waiting for all of my life,’” Romero said. “We all know kids need a lot more than education. They need food, they need clothes and they need stability — to feel safe and loved.”
CJ Grace, CEO of the Taos Community Foundation, said Romero’s influence runs deep: “She’s worked across groups within Taos, built strong relationships with agencies that support children and families, and she’s bilingual — a Spanish speaker who helps kids and families feel seen and understood.”
A LEGACY OF SERVICE
Romero retired from Taos Municipal Schools in 2010 and is stepping down as governing council president of Vista Grande Charter High School. She continues serving on the boards of the Taos Community Foundation, Taos Mountain Home Health and the Harwood Museum education committee. She remains active in the Community Schools 100% Action Team.
She also helps coordinate appreciation breakfasts for more than 500 teachers through Taos Supports Educators, alongside Joan Malone, Julie Turner and Carol Reinhart. She manages food and coat drives in the Enos Garcia Elementary community room.
CJ Grace said Romero’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly impactful. “Even when we couldn’t gather, Eleanor helped make sure educators still felt appreciated. It wasn’t just a meal. It was a way of saying, ‘We see you. We care.’”
Romero dreams of more fairness, more funding and more services.
“I want community schools to become bigger and better,” she said. “Because we’re not done.”
I was a jailer, essentially. Romero said. I was working with jailed adolescent females, and after a while, it dawned on me: They were coming to me with their problems. I thought, maybe this is something I could do.
Miles
BONNY
Passion and persistence for youth and community health
BY LYNNE ROBINSON
Miles Bonny is an internationally known and well-regarded record producer, singersongwriter, trumpet player and DJ.
He was born in New York City to parents in the entertainment industry; his father, Francis Bonny, a trumpeter, was a Broadway musician. Music ran in the family. His grandmother, Helen Bonny, was a music therapist.
“I began to understand the connection between housing stability and drug abuse. Community health issues affect us all — it’s a web that’s interconnected.”
“My parents were from Kansas City, Missouri,” Bonny said, explaining his eventual move to the heartland. “They moved East because my father wanted to pursue his career as a trumpeter. I grew up in horn culture but was exposed to all the tones and harmonies of music, from Broadway to classical and hip-hop beats.”
In 1981, the Bonnys moved to Teaneck, New Jersey, where Miles attended Teaneck High School. Growing up near New York City exposed him to a wide spectrum of musical influences, but his father remained his earliest inspiration.
PHOTO BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
Bonny moved to his Midwestern roots, when he attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence in 1999. There, he began producing and creating his own hip-hop beats, and started the influential, regional hip-hop website lawrencehiphop.com. He founded the hip-hop group SoundsGood with rapper Joe Good in 2000. Bonny has released a number of solo albums, and has collaborated with numerous musicians, and won several awards.
In 2005, Bonny moved to Kansas City, Missouri, his family’s hometown, where he produced “Comin’ For You” for rap artist Reach and received international recognition in Scratch Magazine’s Hydrosonic section. The following year, he released his debut solo project, “Smell Smoke?” The Pitch praised its standout track, “Miles Gets Open,” as a “soulful, jazzy tune, on which Bonny himself plays trumpet, showcases his jazz upbringing in New Jersey, where his father used to work nights as a musician across the river in New York City.”
He has continued to release a prolific body of work, winning several awards and acclaim, along with underground, cult cred, and has toured internationally, which is how he met his wife, Shhor (Siobhan Bonny-O’Rourke), Tasmanian-born fellow musician, in Australia.
TURNING TOWARD COMMUNITY
In 2013, Bonny moved to Tres Piedras, where he and Siobhan handbuilt their home and began raising their children. Despite his impressive music career, Bonny is better known locally for his service to the community as a social worker and youth advocate.
“After Siobhan and I had kids, I worked at the Brewery, but I also started to work with the DreamTree Project,” Bonny said. “I had the overnight shift.”
DreamTree offers support services for youth, adults and families in crisis, including an emergency teen shelter, street outreach and transitional living programs. Through that work, Bonny gained a deeper understanding of the
hidden struggles faced by many in Taos County.
That experience led him to Taos Alive, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to reducing and preventing youth substance use. Invited by founder Julie Bau to join the organization, Bonny now serves as its director, bringing his energy, creativity and compassion to its mission.
“Miles is an advocate for young people, especially those in that vulnerable 16-to-20-year-old window,” said Ted Wiard, founder of Golden Willow Retreat, who nominated Bonny as an Unsung Hero. “He’s worked with so many programs that support youth, and more importantly, he always shows up. Whether it’s recoveryfriendly events in the park, behavioral health collaborations, or DJing at gatherings, Miles uses music as a bridge to connect and inspire.”
Taos Alive fosters healthier, more resilient communities by combining after-school programming, youth mentoring and public education. One of its most visible initiatives — the installation of prescription drug drop boxes in collaboration with Holy Cross Hospital — has helped reduce opioid misuse while strengthening community partnerships.
Bonny has also observed firsthand the relationship between housing insecurity and substance abuse.
“I began to understand the connection between housing stability and drug abuse,” he said. “Community health issues affect us all — it’s a web that’s interconnected.”
His work isn’t easy.
“Overdoses are higher right now,” Bonny said. “It’s not looking good.”
Even so, his optimism remains intact.
“Miles has this quiet persistence,” Wiard added. “He collaborates across programs, connects resources and uplifts everyone involved. He’s earned his place in Taos through dedication and heart.”
Bonny’s commitment to Taos, as a parent raising children in the community he loves, is unwavering. He’s in it to bring positive change alongside other like-minded members of this diverse and wonderful place he calls home. He is also hopeful, buoyed by community support from all factions.
“There is great generosity of heart in this community,” he said.
“
I grew up in horn culture but was exposed to all the tones and harmonies of music, from Broadway to classical and hip-hop beats.
PHOTOS BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS to the HEROES of
UPLIFTING YOUTH. STRENGTHENING CO UNITY.
Taos Ski Valley proudly celebrates local youth projects! In 2025, we launched the Uplift Youth Fund, awarding $150,000 to 23 organizations supporting youth-centered projects across Taos County.
– Scholarships for Youth Programs
Friends of Rio Grande del Norte National Monument – Youth Outdoor Education & Mentorship Programs
Habitat for Humanity of Taos – Youth in Construction: Habitat for Humanity + MC3 Partnership
Harwood Museum of Art – School Tour Program
Imagine Children’s Museum – Imagine Children’s
– Gear Up & Go: Expanding Access to Conservation
Taos Behavioral Health – Growing Strong: A Path to Resilience for Youth of Taos County
Taos Education Collaborative – Community Summer Camp
Taos High School Parent Teacher Student Organization – Flex Friday Internships
Taos MainStreet – Taos Youth Public Art Program
The School of Baseball – Group Clinics & Equipment
Trout Unlimited, Inc. – Indigenous & Hispanic Youth Fly Fishing Camps
Twirl, A Play & Discovery Space – Taos County Cumbre Kids
Working On Wellness – Taos Native Youth Mountain Access Program
Youth Heartline – Branches Outdoor Adventures
A heartfelt thank you to our Community Advisory Circle members, whose local insight ensures funding reflects the needs of Taos youth.
To learn more visit skitaos.com/community.
The 2026 Uplift Youth Fund cycle opens February 2026. Save the date: Winter Community Weekend - Dec. 20-21, 2025.
HEROES
Don’t Always Wear Capes. Sometimes, They Ship Your Art.
Now under new local ownership, we’re proud to continue the tradition of service that’s made us a Taos staple — while bringing fresh energy, new ideas, and an even stronger commitment to you.
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Great Customer Service!
Vista Grande High School wants to say a special
Thank You to the one and only Eleanor Romero, as well as all of the Unsung Heroes of 2025! Eleanor has been a Taos community contributor throughout her life, including serving on the Vista Grande High School Governing Council for over a decade, as well as her endless work as a school counselor in Taos Municipal Schools. We are beyond grateful to the support and work she’s put in as a volunteer to our school, and to all of the support and work you’ve put in as an educator and community member to the Taos community. Thanks for all you do, Eleanor! You truly are legendary!!
Vista Grande High School
“ Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington
710 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur Suite D Taos
U nsung HEROES
Andy
TORRES
Steadfast in faith, generous in spirit
BY GEOFFREY PLANT
ndy Torres’ dedication to helping others was forged by the community traditions in which he was raised.
Like many of the Unsung Heroes recognized in Tradiciones over the past 25 years, Torres won’t speak about his life of service — whether as an altar boy, career educator or hermano penitente — in any way that might seem prideful.
“Peñasco is still one of those communities small enough that we know and help everybody. It’s something you look forward to, being able to see your neighbors and help them out — if nothing else, just talking. Because that isn’t done anymore.”
“I thought about him because I know, in Peñasco, people all talk about ‘Andy, Andy — he is always helping us,’” said Ernestina Cordova, who nominated Torres for the award.
Born at the old Holy Cross Hospital in Taos to Fermin and Irene Torres, Andy was raised on a ranch in Arroyo Seco. His strength of character and inclination to serve were rooted in his experience growing up in a close-knit rural community where neighbors looked out for each other.
“I’d have to go herd the sheep out in the llano of Arroyo Seco,” he recalled. “There were very few houses at the time, and my brothers and I would spend hours out watching the sheep. We had about 200 sheep. That’s what my father inherited from his father, who had about 3,500 sheep.”
PHOTO BY NATHAN BURTON
e were constantly helping our uncles or neighbors bring in their hay,” he added, lamenting how Arroyo Seco has changed over time. He moved to Peñasco in 1983 to teach.
“Peñasco is still one of those communities small enough that we know and help everybody. It’s something you look forward to, being able to see your neighbors and help them out — if nothing else, just talking. Because that isn’t done anymore.”
His life of service began at Holy Trinity Church in Arroyo Seco, where he was an altar boy. Since 2002, he has served as an hermano penitente at the Nuestra Señora de Dolores morada in Peñasco.
“My parents — my mother especially — pushed [my siblings and me] into service, primarily at the church, when we were kids,” Torres said. “And of course we helped out the elderly around our community.”
That deep faith is a throughline in his life. In 2001, he helped establish the Knights of Columbus in Peñasco, and his commitment has only grown since. He helps fundraise for scholarships, funeral expenses, utility bills and more. He supports Fiesta queens, the
widowed, the orphaned and the ailing. He builds ramps and chops wood for elders. He also plays religious and traditional songs at weddings, funerals and community events.
“I belong to the choir at San Antonio de Padua Church in Peñasco,” Torres said. “Through music, I help out a lot for funerals and weddings — things of that nature.”
A skilled guitarist, he has led youth choirs at schools and churches and currently volunteers at Peñasco Elementary School, where he teaches music.
His brother, Larry Torres — an educator, linguist, Taos News columnist and 2017 Unsung Hero — is a deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos. He said their dedication to service was instilled by their parents.
“Both of them taught us from the very beginning to practice humility and do things without expecting payment, and the word will come to you later on from God Himself,” Larry said. “He led the church youth and adult choirs for many years for no payment at all, but was always able to come up with psalms and songs in both English and Spanish for the people to enjoy.”
Andy worked in three school districts, beginning as a fifth grade
“I always made sure that all my students knew the national anthem,” he said. “To me, it was very important that all of them know it.”
After seven years in the classroom, he became an administrator. He held positions including elementary school
principal, middle school assistant principal, associate superintendent and superintendent in the Pojoaque Valley, Mesa Vista and Peñasco school districts.
Around 2007, a friend encouraged Torres to apply for a volunteer seat on the Holy Cross Medical Center board of directors. He served nearly 12 years.
“I saw it as a way of representing the people in the southern part of the county, making sure there was fair representation,” he said, especially in hiring locals at the hospital “not just bringing in outsiders.”
His current projects include clearing brush around his church and helping clean up the former convent in Peñasco. He also continues to visit elders and homebound community members.
“I try to visit as many as I can,” he said. “A lot of people just want somebody there to acknowledge them — to know that they’re alive. I’m not doing anything particular, just sort of being there.”
From civic and educational service to spiritual and musical contributions, Andy Torres is a quiet but constant force in his community — always showing up, never seeking the spotlight.
teacher in Peñasco, where he helped introduce computer literacy classes. A musician at heart, he also emphasized music in the classroom.
PHOTOS
With experience at every level of government, I know Taos thrives when we work together. Iʼll unite Town, and County governments on housing, growth, and public safety, support what works, and offer real solutions—not extra programs. Iʼm here to serve, foster unity—and yes, bring back pancakes on the Plaza.
Manny’s kindness, dedication, and community spirit strengthen our campus and inspire our students His presence makes UNM–Taos a place where learning and community thrive.
“
You gotta have humor in life.
VIGIL Manuel
Brightening lives with a corny joke and a servant’s heart
BY GEOFFREY PLANT
Manuel “Manny” Vigil brings attention to detail to every aspect of his life — from the uniform and bearing he assumes as part of the Taos Valley Knights of Columbus Color Guard, to his job as custodian for UNM-Taos and his volunteer service as mayordomo at San Francisco de Asís Church.
But the first thing people notice about Vigil is his smile. It’s distinctive and sincere, and he’s always quick with a joke. His humor and positivity are as reliable as his work ethic, and his presence uplifts those around him. It’s been that way since he was a young man, through 15 years as a vehicle service technician, 11 years of janitorial work for Taos County, seven years as a custodian at UNM-Taos, and decades as a contract cleaner for local businesses and offices.
When he started at UNM-Taos, Vigil introduced himself to Barb Wiard, administrative assistant to the director of the school’s nursing program, by pointing to his head: “I’m man.” Then to his knee: “Knee. Manny.” He once told a student who was making tea, “Be careful, because that water’s going to be wet.” After a beat, she cracked up.
“You gotta have humor in life,” Vigil said.
“He has really corny jokes,” Wiard said fondly, with a tone usually reserved for administrators or professors. But Vigil is as much a part of the UNM-Taos team as any instructor. His kindness and custodial diligence reflect a deep sense of duty to the faculty and especially to students striving to better their lives and careers.
“If you’re a student at UNM, or even myself, when you’re going into a building, you want to smell the freshness. You want to be able to focus on what you’re doing and say, ‘Yeah, I want to be here,’” he said. “It’s the environment they need to learn.”
Vigil is invested in students’ education, especially those in the nursing, EMT and massage therapy programs at Rio Grande Hall. He understands UNM-Taos is an essential community resource.
“There’s nurses we need now,” he said, pointing to the region’s aging population. “There’s a new generation of elders.”
When she nominated him for the University of New Mexico Provost Committee Staff
Kindness Award in 2022, Wiard wrote that Vigil “is one of the kindest people we know,” and always “positive and in good humor.”
“It seems he is always in motion — fast speed — and never slows down,” she wrote.
Appropriately, Vigil’s childhood nickname was “Rabbit.” Whenever someone asks him to tackle a task outside his regular custodial duties, his answer is always the same: “Yes, I’ll do it.”
“Manny goes out of his way to support the students, faculty and staff,” Wiard wrote in her nominating petition. “We have seen him stop — for only a minute — to talk with the students, ask how they are doing and ask how their studies are going. Manny embodies the university values with his positivity, compassion, support and his desire to do an excellent job on whatever he is doing.”
The annual Kindness Award is given to just one university employee across all campuses.
Born at the old Holy Cross Hospital in Taos to Apolinario and Rose Vigil, Manny was raised in what is now the state-designated traditional historic community of Las Comunidades del Valle de los Ranchos. His family owned the Vigil torreón that remains a community landmark.
Vigil, who identifies as Genízaro — of mixed Native American and Hispanic descent — participates in one of the area’s most unique traditions: Los Comanches de la Serna. The group commemorates New Year’s Day as Emmanuel’s Day, dancing and singing from sunrise to sundown in honor of the birth of Christ.
“And if your name is Manuel or Manuelita, we go to your residence and dance at your residence,” he said.
Vigil counts Francisco “El Comanche” Gonzales as a role model who helped steer him away from “the wrong road.” Other mentors include his late Little League coach, Albert Struck, and his grandfather, Antonio José Vigil, a penitente at the same morada where Manny now serves as an hermano.
He also lives his faith through ACTS — a brotherhood based in Peñasco centered on Adoration, Community, Theology and Service. The acronym sums up his core values.
Known for his humility and tireless service, Manny Vigil embodies the quiet strength of an unsung hero whose generosity and warmth leave a lasting impression wherever he goes.
Charlie
RASKOVICS
The man who turned Taos into a hockey town
BY BLYNN BELTRAN
Charlie Raskovics isn’t a New Mexico native, but since arriving in Taos in the 1980s, he’s been a driving force behind the local ice hockey community for more than 35 years.
Born in England, Raskovics moved with his parents to Edmonton, Canada, when he was just 6 months old.
“When the ice melted enough to allow a cruise ship to go through, we came across the ocean, rode the first boat down the Saint Lawrence that winter,” Raskovics said.
RASKOVICS MOVED AROUND CANADA before eventually settling in Toronto, where he attended high school and discovered his love for skiing, skating and, most importantly, hockey. After graduation, he spent a few years traveling in Europe, where he befriended fellow Canadian skiers during his last year abroad. Those friendships would ultimately lead him to Taos, New Mexico. At the time he was running a restaurant for his father.
“They came here a few years ago and said I should come,” Raskovics said. “I said, ‘Okay, sure,’ and told my dad that I have to go on this vacation. When I get back, I’ll put in 60- to 70-hour weeks so we can sell this damn thing because it wasn’t doing that well.”
Once Raskovics arrived in Taos, however, his plans changed. His father sold the ailing family business, and Raskovics never returned. What began as a three-week vacation became a permanent stay.
He landed a bartending job at La Casa Cordova, now Saltos, and worked there for 15 years while also managing the former St. Bernard Condominium complexes in the ski area for 20 years, providing a steadier income.
PHOTO BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
To Our Unsung Heroes,
Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Because of your efforts, Taos County is a better place to live and work.
The Taos County Chamber of Commerce extends our deepest gratitude for your commitment to your community and beyond.
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His diligence was proven in finding for us the lowest rate possible. He continues to be a friendly neighbor and a trusted resource!”
~Dr. Clifford Scott
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People from all over the state would ask, ‘What the heck are they feeding those kids in Taos?' Charlie built something special here, and it still lasts today.
LARRY MAPES
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BUILDING A RINK — and a HOCKEY COMMUNITY
According to Raskovics, the idea for a community rink started in 1988. He and his skiing friends talked about trying hockey — a sport popular in Canada but nearly nonexistent in Taos at the time. He brought sticks and leftover gear on a trip from Canada and started small.
“I started renting the Bataan gym, which is now I think a UNM facility, and we used to play street hockey,” Raskovics said. “It’s just gloves, sticks, a ball, and you run. I got all these guys playing it, and this is after I found out the town had like 400 pairs of skates donated to the Parks and Recreation Department.”
When he learned those skates weren’t being used, Raskovics proposed an ice skating rink in Kit Carson Park. Inspired by Los Alamos’ outdoor rink, he researched how to make it happen and threw himself into the work. He consulted with the owner of the Outpost Ice Arenas in Albuquerque, recruited volunteers and partnered with parks and recreation to bring the vision to life.
With just $2,600 in the budget, Raskovics went door-to-door seeking donations from local businesses. One day, he met with the late Eloy Jeantete, then-president of First State Bank of Taos, who backed the idea after vetting the project. That support helped secure funding for lights and other essentials.
Larry Mapes, who nominated Raskovics, recalled those early days vividly.
“The ice rink at Kit Carson Park was all done with used equipment and cobbled together — mechanically a nightmare — but Charlie managed to keep it going. It was all about getting kids involved and creating opportunities for them. There would be no ice hockey in Taos without Charlie.”
INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS
Over the years, Raskovics’ efforts birthed the Taos Youth Hockey League, which became affiliated with USA Hockey, the national organization that feeds athletes into Olympic programs.
“We’re not getting them ready for the NHL — that’s a pipe dream,” Raskovics said. “What we’re getting
them ready for is that when they move to a town and there’s a rink, they’ll be able to play. We want them to be competent hockey players who
understand strategies as well as the physical part of the game.”
Raskovics coached both youth and high school teams, leading a program
that gained statewide respect. Under his leadership, the Taos High School Tigers captured eight consecutive state championships, often competing against much larger schools.
“People from all over the state would ask, ‘What the heck are they feeding those kids in Taos?’” Mapes said, laughing. “Charlie built something special here, and it still lasts today.”
Raskovics and volunteers kept the Kit Carson Park rink running until it was eventually replaced by the modern rink at the Taos Youth and Family Center.
A LASTING LEGACY
Now retired, Raskovics has stepped back from active involvement in the hockey scene, partly due to injuries from years of physical work. Yet his influence is still felt.
In December 2024, former Taos High track and field athlete BreAnna Taylor signed to play Division I hockey for the University of New Mexico’s new women’s program. In an interview with the Taos News, Taylor credited Raskovics and the local hockey community for helping lay the foundation for her success.
Thanks to Raskovics’ vision, passion and persistence, Taos hockey continues to thrive — and generations of kids have been able to pick up a stick and hit the ice.
PHOTOS BY NATHAN BURTON / FOR THE TAOS NEWS
K. Trujillo.
Recovery is Possible
Discover Your Path to Wellness
Una Buena Vida y Sana
A Good and Healthful Life
Rio Grande ATP & Recovery-Friendly Taos County are community organizations dedicated to supporting those in recovery and those seeking a path of recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges. We are led by people who have traveled those paths. We are here to support your journey to a good and healthful life.
• Behavioral health & substance use treatment
• Peer-led mentoring & recovery groups
• Case management & trauma-informed outreach
• Support for justice-involved individuals
• Services rooted in cultural relevance & dignity
• CARF-accredited care, ensuring high-quality services that meet national standards
Rio Grande ATP, Inc. is celebrating 45 years helping your family members and friends find recovery from substance use disorder. We offer intensive outpatient programs, medically assisted treatment and peer support. There are many Paths to Recovery in our strong and resilient communities.
Serving Taos and surrounding counties.
Rio Grande has been and continues to be there for all those seeking a new way of life.
Recovery is possible— and it starts with connection.
A centuries old fiesta
the
We invite you to join us for the Fiesta de Taos JULY 17-19, 2026, FIESTA DE TAOS, INC.
of
Photos by Chuck McLaughlin of Sean Kelly Portraits, Taos, NM seankellyportraits.com
The Taos News would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the Taos Community Foundation for 25 years of steadfast support for our annual Tradiciones section and event.
The impact of TCF’s dedication to honoring the visions, hopes, and dreams of our unsung heroes will be remembered for generations to come.
Pueblo, a living landmark of its Native heritage and timeless beauty.
