Spring for Hops & Vine is this Saturday from 5-8pm. I know we are all ready for spring. What better way to welcome the happiest season of the year than with a little toast and socialization!

For $15 you will get eight drink tickets to sample wine and beer from different distributors, eat some delicious catered appetizers,  receive a pilsner or wine glass, take part in the silent auction.

By attending Spring for Hops & Vine, you are not only in for a great Saturday evening, but you will be supporting organizations in this town which help Raton live and thrive. I’ll see you on Saturday!

New Mexico MainStreet conducts annual assessments of MainStreet organizations throughout the state. Raton’s assessment last week was promising. Our organization is doing well amidst the filling of new staff positions last year and the volatility of the City of Raton. One thing that was apparent – we need more committee members.

Do you have a decorative eye? Do you enjoy working with your hands? Building things? We can use you on our Design Committee.

Do you want to help our local businesses thrive? We need you on our Economic Positioning Committee.

Do you enjoy planning events? Our Promotions Committee will put you to work.

In event news: Spring For Hops and Vine is only one week from Saturday! Come to the Raton Museum on Saturday, March 30th from 4-7pm for wine and beer tasting. There will be appetizers provided by Lucy Romero Catering Service and acoustic music by Drey & Hector. The Raton Museum will host an “Easter Seek & Sundry” and the Raton Arts Council will present an art exhibit upstairs. Tickets are $15 for 8 drink tickets. Join us in welcoming Spring!

We have a winner! In the month of February, students from the mid and high schools in the area were given an opportunity to design this year’s balloon rally logo. The committee received 25 entries from Raton High School, Raton Middle School and Raton Homeschool. The winner of the 2019 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally is Sarah Warder, a freshman at Raton Homeschool. Congratulations! Not only will Ms. Warder ride in a balloon during the event, but her logo will be used in advertising and merchandise.

“Spring for Hops & Vine”, a beer and wine tasting event at the Raton Museum on April 27th  from 5-8pm is coming up. Tickets are $15 and will be sold at the door.

Attendees must be 21 and older. There will be live, acoustic music and catered appetizers.  This will be a full evening of fun and socializing, so don’t miss it!

Call us anytime if you have suggestions for MainStreet or want to get involved in our many projects. 445-2052 We’d love to hear from you!

Did you know that volunteering makes people healthier? A report in the The International Journal of Person Centered Medicine found that people who volunteer their time in their communities live happier and healthier lives than those who do not get involved. Interesting.

I don’t think anyone can argue that our town is a unique little hub of interesting people, a wonderful abundance of history, and located in one of the most beautiful areas of this country – and it needs help.

The majority of this help is coming and must continue to come from concerned citizens who volunteer their time in any and all areas that interest them. Do you want to see art and music thrive here? Call the Raton Arts Council at the Old Pass Gallery (445-2052) and see how you can help. Are you dying to see our economy soar? Contact GrowRaton (447-4561) and see how you can help. Are you interested in helping our local businesses thrive? Contact the Raton Chamber (445-3689) and see how you can help. Would you love to see our downtown area revitalized? Would you love to see face-lifts on certain buildings? Call MainStreet (445-2052) and talk to me (Brenda) about how you can help.

If you are part of positive change in this town, you will feel a pride that you are solely responsible for. How wonderful that feeling is!

As the report finds, volunteer activities will enrich your sense of purpose in life and lower your stress level by focusing on something bigger than yourself. Those who give back are less likely to feel hopeless and lonely than people who do not volunteer.

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do”

Let’s all do something for Raton and feel healthier and happier doing it!

The International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally will be held July 3rd-5th at the La Mesa Airfield.

The holiday weekend will be filled with the bustle of activity surrounding the balloon rally. Friday, July 2nd will be the Pilots’ Reception, to which all local sponsors are invited. Saturday, July 3rd will be the first Mass Ascension, the Elks Lodge Pancake Breakfast.  Sunday, July 4th, will be the second Ascension and Pancake Breakfast, followed by Fun on First Street and an Independence Day parade in the afternoon.

As the planning process continues, we are going to need major community involvement to make this balloon rally successful and to maintain the continuity of this event that is so important to our area.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact Brenda at 575-445-2052 or Christine at 575-445-2457.