In this episode a group of over 25 folks come together at the Screamin’ Bull Outfitters Lodge for the Amalia & Ventero Community Memory Gathering. Hosts and owners of the lodge, Chris, Gloria and Louie Lucero welcomed all with chile and pozole, snacks and drinks. Relatives, friends, neighbors and curious ones came to the lodge to listen and reflect together on the early days, childhood memories, family connections and experiences, community histories, local schools, teachers, and living off the land through timber production, sheep herding, cattle ranching, farming, hunting, fishing and guiding. Among the folks who shared stories and historical reflections were Manuel Martinez, Maxine Ortega, Ron Martinez, Vangie Leyba and Louie, Gloria and Chris Lucero, as well as others. We are grateful to all who attended and shared stories.
Water, land, family, childhood experiences and a strong, self-reliant work ethic were at the center of the conversation. In this episode we learn about the RCCLA (Rio Costilla Cooperative Livestock Association), established in 1942, with the purchase of 80,0000 acres of land from the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant. Its cooperative ownership bonds the community together, continuing the land grant legacy. If one’s family bloodline is not already part of it, there’s no way to buy your way into it. We also learned that Amalia was originally known as “Piña” when it was established in 1844, but later was often confused by the Post Office with another town called “Pina,” so the name was changed to Amalia by the postmaster in 1919.
Voces de Nuestro País are monthly story gatherings celebrating local voices and culture. This episode was recorded in a community gathering on October 17, 2026 at Screamin’ Bull Lodge in Amalia, NM in collaboration with Questa Public Library and Voices of the Northern Rio Grande community archive. With MC Michael Rael, these gatherings bring our community together through stories of family, community, history, love, land, work, adventures, and misadventures. Event support with Questa Public Library; audio recording and event coordination by Claire Coté; videography by Wyman Edwards; editing and upload by Dan Frank Digital Design (Dan Khuen); opening and closing music by Michael Rael. Much gratitude to our hosts and owners of the lodge, Chris, Gloria and Louie Lucero who welcomed all with chile and pasole, snacks and drinks, and helped bring the group together.
Voces de Nuestro País events and podcast are made possible through the generous support from the LOR Foundation, TCF Chevron Grants for Good, and individual contributions. Thank you to everyone who attends and helps make these gatherings possible. ¡Gracias!