But solid, long lasting reminders abound, that Elaine has been and still is much a part of our activities, surroundings and family life: I walk to work every morning, following the Inn’s flagstoned patios that she personally contributed to lay down, align and level in 1998… She had also set in motion the July 1-2-3, 2011 Vander Wagen Family Reunion (held in and around Zuni about every 5 years) which will further validate her efforts to keep family history as a living body of common experiences. And those are just two examples of the fact that her legacy consists of more than mere shared, even possibly ephemeral, emotions & regrets… Pride, commitment, achievements do endure instead!

Soon, highly welcome returning Guests as well as newcomers to our area called on us for lodging, and, primary, to have a unique opportunity to momentarily partake of life in a friendly Tribal community such as Zuni. Indeed, our company staff eagerly looks upon Guests at the Inn as honored visitors to our community.

Winds are now slowing down (a few drops of rain have appeared as I write this), but their influence is still felt throughout the region, especially in regard to the many – some very serious – wildfires which have sprung in Arizona first, and now in New Mexico. NOTE: overhead smoke resulting from those fires, and other associated atmospheric disturbances have not been experienced in our area since June 5 (at which time we had red dust tinted skies and sunsets for a couple of days only). So, I would say, no serious travel impediment in our immediate region on account of forest fires; but some Park Service administered areas are under close watch, and hiking trails in areas near fires or affected by current very dry conditions (which still prevail now), may be closed.

Important traditional summer ceremonies have already been performed by the Zuni people – more to come! It is such a privilege to live in a community whose heart beats to the gentle but  everpresent flow of the seasons and their respective essential moments of cosmic importance.

One of the highlights of our recent occupancy history has been the 8 day stay at the Inn, all rooms and all facilities, of a remarkable group of people from all over the world, members of the LINKHANDSFORHUMANITY organization – http://www.linkhandsforhumanity.org/ - “We are linked by our commitment to humanitarian service; our willingness to be in a dialogue of diversity; and the recognition that there is something that unifies all life on this planet”. It was a high privilege for us to host such an organization: its members spent the week spreading blissful energy and industrious rhythm throughout our premises; and, most importantly, it made us all feel again that Zuni and the Inn at Halona are indeed ideal settings for all types of rejuvenating retreats and working seminars.

Another important event for the Inn at Halona was the 8 day stay at the Inn of a squad of veterinary professionals (mostly from Pennsylvania). The organization, known as NAVS, i.e. Native American Veterinary Services - http://nativeamericanveterinaryservices.org/ - provides free veterinary care for Native Americans living on reservations throughout the United States. Started in 2001, NAVS has grown from a few volunteers visiting one reservation into dozens of dedicated veterinary health professionals who travel to numerous reservation. Annually, there are two trips, one in the spring and one in the fall. Participants may spend 1-2 weeks at the reservations depending on their individual time allowances and NAVS’ & the Tribal communities’ needs. The Inn at Halona has been privileged in having the opportunity to host the organization twice every year (spring, fall) for several years already; we all value the assistance it provides our community in not only providing needed, free healthcare to local ranchers’ domestic animals, but also in controlling the high birthrates among the community’s well known and visible population of “Rez Dogs” and “Rez Cats”… And our own cats appreciate NAVS’ visit: they treat veterinarians and students in veterinary as their personal medical team!

Roger Thomas here: your Host at the Inn at Halona, hereby inviting you to sit down at this “Breakfast Table Online”. Blue Corn Pancakes (our signature morning dish) optional for the time being!

Let me explain: as you might know already as a returning Guest – and certainly will discover if you elect to become a new one – Guests, Hosts And Staff at the Inn at Halona tend to develop, maintain and enjoy lively conversations and encounters especially at breakfast time. And, you might just be informed right now that our breakfasts tend to easily and readily turn into boisterous social events! Topics range from events of the day, to exchange of information about “things to do while in and around Zuni” (very important since “word of mouth” is a primary means of communication here!), and up to date news about current, ordinary as well as special (traditional) activities and celebrations in our community. Memory of the morning of September 11, 2001, for example, is imprinted in my mind forever, as a full house of Guests sat, watching and haltingly commenting about television’s broadcast of the horrifying events which set that day apart for all time!

While I tend to carry on at breakfast time in my customary animated, verbose manner, Staff members will provide qualified guidance about cultural aspects of life in Zuni, and offer to facilitate meetings with colleague craftspeople and  home visits.

You have heard (or will hear) me emphatically stating that the Inn at Halona is very fortunately privileged to be selected by a variety of remarkable Guests: it is not about numbers of visitors (as Zuni currently attracts a choice selection of both purposeful and casual visitors, as opposed to mere passthrough travelers), but rather about our Guests’ curiosity, enthusiasm, yearning for discovery, appreciation of encounters with other Guests and community members, and , above all, understanding of the “off the beaten path” nature of our community, its life, and its people.

All in all, I am always eager to meet our Guests, and our Staff is always happy to meet visitors to our community.

So, let’s sit down and talk here for a while…