Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tomé museum opens by honoring calendar couples

Julia M. Dendinger News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jdendinger@news-bulletin.com

Tomé The skies were overcast, but inside the Thomé Dominguez de Mendoza Community Center on N.M. 47 the atmosphere was festive and bright.

Well over 80 people from the Tomé community filled the center on Nov. 9 to near capacity to commemorate the opening of its adjacent museum and to honor 13 couples that had been married for over 50 years.

Fabian Padilla, president of the Historic Tomé-Adelino Neighborhood Association, said the efforts for a community center began in 1997 when the New Mexico Department of Transportation proposed a river crossing that would split the valley. "For a year, we met in people's houses but there wasn't enough room. We were able to use the fire station, but that didn't always work," Padilla said. "We needed a place of our own."

The community center, which was completed last year, sits on the approximate location of the original schoolhouse, which was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project from the 1930s. The WPA was created in 1935 to help provide economic relief to the citizens suffering through the Great Depression.

Padilla said the building was knocked down more than 30 years ago and the property essentially abandoned. The property was owned by the Los Lunas Schools.

The association began seeking a location for a multi-purpose building, and the school district agreed to transfer the land to the county. Padilla noted that former superintendent Armando Reyes was integral in the land transfer.

With the land secured, the association began working with Village Architects on the design work for the project. The project initially started as one building, but it was decided to phase it in as two buildings. The funding for the first building came through former State Rep. Kandy Cordova.

"She went up to Santa Fe and stuck her neck out for us," Padilla said. The association thought it had enough money for both buildings, but because of rising construction costs and the extensive infrastructure needed, only the first building, the community center, was built.

Current State Rep. Andrew Barreras "stuck his neck out" for the group again and secured the money for the museum and the funds to finish work on the kitchen in the first building, Padilla said.

Once the property was transferred to the county, Padilla said, both the county commission and the administrative and support staff helped tremendously in getting the project off the ground.

"It has been a nine-year process, and it's almost complete — once the adobe wall is completed," Padilla said.

He went on to say that local resident Mike Sosa would be donating a veterans memorial to the site. The memorial will focus specifically on the Korean War but will honor all American veterans. The memorial will be placed in the open area between the community center and the museum.

For the second year in a row, the association has put together a calendar dedicated to residents of Tomé. Last year, the calendar focused on 13 people the association named Tesoros del Valle or treasures of the valley.

This year the calendar honors the Parejas del Valle or couples of the valley. The calendar honors 13 couples who have been married 50 years or more. "We had to look, but we found them," Padilla said with a laugh. "It is amazing what they have contributed to the community. This is a keepsake and gift you can enjoy for 12 months."

Each month showcased a couple, complete with a black-and-white wedding picture and current photograph. The couples also offered up their advice on what makes for a long-lived relationship.

For January, Amarante and Margaret Zamora recommended "A lifelong commitment to each other and family is something you work on every day."

February's couple Herman and Lucy Baca said, "During the difficult times, stick together." The couple stood arm in arm as their biography was read. The reader mentioned that, during her youth, Lucy was a Harvey Girl at the Alvarado Hotel in Albuquerque.

Salomon and Catherine Jaramillo, featured for March, recommended, "Faith in God and prayer and the importance of family, a sense of humor and shared interests."

April's pair, Doroteo "Joty" and Virginia Baca, said, "Sacrifice, love each other and your children and have God's love in the middle of your life."

In May, Jake and Betty Romero said couples should "compromise and do what each person likes to do."

Fermin and Sally Chavez's advice got a chuckle from the audience. The June couple counseled that, "When he is angry, she isn't, and when she is angry, he isn't. Learn how to control your anger."

In the heat of July, Louis and Joanna Cornelia Maria Snelderwaard say a strong couple should, "Learn to adjust and accommodate each other. Listen to each other."

Paul and Mary Jo Moya say to, "Have faith in God and love and respect each other." The couple is featured on the August page.

More laughter came from the September couple of Richard and Carmen Perez. "Have healthy fights so that you can make up."

In October Elias and Elena Calles say couples should "trust in God, have patience, live life as you like, not being judgmental, and work to get along with family and friends."

Billy and Esther Martinez, featured on the November page, say "Communication is the most important thing."

In December, the advice from Jose and Lugarada Calles is short and sweet. "Forgive and forget."

On the January 2010 page, Manuel and Nila Chavez advise that couples, "Get along with one another."

Padilla told the couples that their dedication and commitment "make the rest of us go the extra mile" and thanked them for sharing in the day.

County Commissioner and Tomé resident Georgia Otero-Kirkham said it was a great honor to be at the ceremony. "I am very proud of the whole organization and this wonderful facility," she said. "I am always here for you."

Rep. Barreras said the 13 couples are "a great example for us young people," joking that he had only been married 20 years.

"I am proud to come back to you as your representative. I guarantee I will keep supporting you," he said. "Hopefully, I will be able to give back to the community as much as many of you have."

Padilla closed the ceremony, calling the event "a slice of history here in Tomé."

Marcella Piro, the granddaughter of Carmen and Richard Perez, was out along with the entire Perez family for the event.

Her son Azuriah Jones, who is almost 3, is the middle of the couple's great-grandchildren, and Piro's cousin, Angelica Martinez, 10 months, is their youngest grandchild.

"They are amazing people. I have learned so much from them," Piro said. "I want to be like them."

The multi-purpose building is available for use. Interested groups can call county building supervisor Robert Martinez at 866-2003 to book the building.

E-mail this story Printer-friendly version