HAPPENINGS
The great times we had as a community this month.
Amenity Center Volunteers shopping for the Christmas Party
by Kim Hafermalz
Mitch and Laurie Gates, and Marilyn Rixner shopping at Sam's Club
December 10, 2025. Three Mirehaven resident volunteers, Mitch and Laurie Gates, and Kim Hafermalz along with Front Desk receptionist, Marilyn Rixner, and Mirehaven Lifestyle Director Michelle Surplus went shopping at Sam’s Club and Trader Joes to buy a variety of food to create a big grazing table for the Christmas Party.
We Wished you a Merry Christmas
By Catherine Carter
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December 13, 2025. The Annual Mirehaven Christmas Party shone in all its Christmas glory at the Amenity Center tonight. Guests began to arrive at 4:00 PM, occupying tables in the Center's Great Room. The party was different from those set up in the Manzano Room and created an intimate setting that allowed guests to visit with residents with whom they might not normally have interacted. There was a lot of table-hopping as people rose to refill their plates and then sat down at an entirely different table in order to visit with someone new.
This went on until 5:00 PM when the American Legion band began playing Christmas music. The conductor, dressed in a Santa suit, led the musicians in popular, well-known Christmas carols. He encouraged the audience to sing along with the musicians, and the party took on a festive air.
There was so much food that there were buckets left over and the guests were encouraged to fill up plates, to-go containers, and baggies and take home whatever they liked best.
This event, hosted by the Amenity Center was a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. If you missed it, you missed a terrific event. Hopefully, next year, you will join the festivities.
Cozy Christmas Bingo
by Cathy Carter
December 16, 2025. Nearly 20 Mirehaven residents came together this morning at the Cup of Cozy coffee shop just down the hill from Mirehaven for some Christmas cheer. The event was planned by the Amenity Center. The coffee shop is owned and operated by a retired firefighter who lives nearby. He created a Christmas menu for the group of a variety of chocolate and peppermint coffees which were reportedly delicious.
In addition to coffee and conversation a shop server led a Christmas bingo game for the residents and even provided prizes for the winners. She also drew names from a pot full of tickets and those winners were also given prizes.
Mirehaven’s holiday is going full steam, providing fun and cheerful activities for the residents be sure to sign up for the events still to come.
Interest Group leader's and Committee member's
by Kim Hafermalz
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December 17, 2025. The Homeowner's Association and AAM Mangement hosted the annual Appreciation Luncheon for the community's interest group leaders and HOA committee members. This festive affair had about 40 attendees.
The party was catered by Garcia's which everyone enjoyed. Then it was time for each of the attendees to introduce themselves and speak briefly about their group(s) or commttees. It was very interesting to hear about the variety of the groups, and the passion leader each had.
B efor the end of the luncheon each table was given a puzzle of a photo of different interest group meetings or parties. It was a race to be the first table to finish. The puzzles were surprisingly difficult because no one knew what the completed puzzle would look like.
The luncheon was scheduled for 11:00 AM to about 12:15 because the Manzano room needed to reconfigured for the 12:30 PM Poker Interest Group. Before the appreciated folks left the party, each was given a lovely gift of local New Mexican products.
Albuquerque Museum Traveling Art Exhibit
By Teresa Reinhard
The exhibit traces the German experience in modern art from the early twentieth century through the Weimar Republic to the Nazi dictatorship. The art dramatically depicts society’s attempt to understand and respond to the catastrophic consequences of WWI, WWII, the so-called Spanish Flu of 1918, and the Holocaust. The exhibit is powerful and moving. The docent helped us understand the politics and world altering events between 1910 and 1945 which shaped our world, as well as the artists of the period.
The painting shown here is called “Sonja”, by Christian Schad. She depicted the modern, emancipated Berlin woman of 1928 at the end of the democratic Weimar Republic, before the Nazi takeover. She is referred to as the “Mona Lisa of Germany”, perhaps due to her enigmatic and melancholic smile.
The exhibit will be on display until January 4, 2026. Request a tour led by docent, Autumn, for a wonderful explanation of the forces shaping society and the artists or pick up the available exhibit pamphlets if you prefer a self-guided tour. Leave time to view the three videos of this powerful period that left an enduring impact on our world, including the art world.
Bomvida Farms Presentation
By Teresa Reinhard
December 16, 2025. Two employees from “Farm to You by Bomvida Farms” presented information about their stores’ farm products to about 12 Mirehaven residents in the Amenity Center. The presenters, Amelia and Grace, are also local farmers who supply products to two small grocery stores under the Bomvida Farms moniker. Their location in town is 4615 Menaul Blvd NE and in the small village of Belen, south of Albuquerque, at 707 South Main Street.
They provided a showcase of the store’s offerings, including winter root vegetables, baked goods, salsa, pasta, jams, honey, milk, eggs, olive oil, and more. Bomvida Farms collaborates with about one hundred local farmers to provide fresh, organic, or locally sourced nutritious food which also includes meat, gluten-free items, as well as hygiene and home care products. The stores function as a direct farmer to consumer connection, with an emphasis on educating customers, including where the food is sourced, and promoting sustainable pricing for both the small local farmer and consumer.
Amelia started her farming career while living in Washington DC, where she worked as a government civil servant. Her interest in farming started with obtaining her Master Gardner training and certificate. She farms on about an acre of land and is looking forward to Spring planting! To learn more about Bomvida Farms and locally sourced nutritious food, email Amelia at Amelia@bomvida.com.