Ad
In Northern New Mexico, somewhere between Ojo Caliente and Tres Piedras, there is a tiny town with a sign that reads, “We’re all here ‘cause we’re not all there.”
I used to drive that winding road frequently, and I found it charming to see a community embrace its quirks and take a lighthearted approach to rural life.
Sometimes, we all need a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. The ability to laugh at oneself is an important quality that should not be underestimated.
I think we can agree that there is never a dull moment in rural New Mexico. We have so many quirky and colorful characters, movers and shakers, old timers and transients, and everyone in between. Things that might seem alarming to city folk, like not locking your doors and a ragtag pack of goats, pigs, and sheep on the loose, are just another day in paradise.
But let’s be real: often, we act like a big dysfunctional family. We hold grudges, we spread rumors and we can’t seem to agree on anything. Things can get a little feisty, and tension can boil over in Facebook comments or public meetings.
From my perspective, you can get the pulse of a community from three things: its newspaper, its library, and its ability to come together when it really counts.
The decision to protect the four-day school week was a significant win and a reminder that we are all in this together. It was refreshing to witness people in our community, who are usually divided and put up a fight.
Yes, living in a rural and small community can feel a little suffocating. Yes, we have drama, and yes, we fight, but we, for the most part, chose to be here.
We collectively watch our kids grow up and share stories of those who have passed on. One of the huge advantages of living in a small town is that we are accessible to each other.
It’s not uncommon to run into our elected officials in the aisles of the grocery story or cheering from the sidelines at a game. Our school board, city council, village trustees, county commissioners and state representatives are just a text, email, or phone call away.
Ad
At our newspaper, we pride ourselves on being accessible to the community. Believe it or not we enjoy your questions and we appreciate the engagement. While we might not carry the prestige of the New York Times, our strength lies in our genuine connections with our neighbors. We are dedicated to offering you hyperlocal, accurate news, that you can’t find anywhere else.
We live here, shop here and raise kids here. I feel confident saying that here at the Chieftain we love our job, and we have a passion to contribute to our community. Even if not every article resonates with you, we appreciate your support and invite your thoughts, suggestions and perspectives. I especially love letters to the editor so please keep them coming.
Our newspaper relies on your contributions, so continue sending us your tips, photos, achievements and questions. We are here to help you share important events in our community. None of us are perfect, and some of us are more eccentric than others, but as long as we continue to support each other when it matters, we can get through just about anything.
