Friday, July 25, 2008

Greenhouse Named for Corrales Woman



       Sylvia Kuester and Rick Boucher of Albuquerque were married May 1 at the Naval Air Station, North Island Chapel, in Coronado, Calif. Officiating at the nuptial Mass was the Rev. Robert Spencer.
    Sylvia is the daughter of Clara and Rocky Lujan of Las Cruces. Rick is the son of Nenette and Ray Boucher of Albuquerque, former longtime residents of Gallup and Tohatchi.
    Bonnie Dietz Boucher, sister-in-law of the groom, was the matron of honor and Cmdr. Ron J. Boucher, U.S. Navy Medical Corps, the groom's brother, served as the best man. Alan and Pablo Edgar of Burbank, Calif., were the ring bearers.
    Sylvia is a physical education teacher at West Mesa High School and a physical fitness instructor at Defined Fitness and at Central New Mexico Community College. She has a master's degree in education. U.S. Navy Lt. Richard Boucher is the automated material handling systems install/qual group leader at Intel Corp. in Rio Rancho. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and business.
    Send us your milestones. Items and photographs for Milestones are welcome and may be sent to Liz Otero, Albuquerque Journal, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, N.M. 87103. Photographs will not be returned. Submission can be e-mailed with photo attachments to lotero@abqjournal.com. Phone, 823-3922.
   
    MILESTONES
   
    Pat and George Kominiak, residents of Corrales since 1977, spend part of every day working to beautify their community.
    Pat Kominiak was honored on July 9 when four generations of the Kominiak family gathered together to surprise her with an announcement — ARCA will name a new Corrales greenhouse in her honor. ARCA will soon break ground on the Pat Kominiak Greenhouse.
    ARCA operates five greenhouses at its Corrales facility at 181 La Entrada Lane. Four are dedicated to ARCA's La Paloma program, where more than 15,000 geraniums and poinsettias are grown annually and distributed to individuals and corporations throughout Albuquerque. The fifth one is dedicated to ARCA Organics, an entrepreneurial venture producing 7,000 units of wheatgrass and pet grass annually. The Pat Kominiak Greenhouse will allow ARCA Organics to expand its program and increase employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
    The Kominiaks' sons, Scott and Matthew, who both own successful businesses in Corrales, learned that ARCA Organics was raising money to build an additional organic greenhouse on its Corrales site and decided to help. Their only request was that the greenhouse bear their mom's name.
    "Mom has been involved in ARCA since the 1970s and has seen the gaps created by dwindling Medicaid and government funding," Scott said. "We applaud ARCA's foresight in creating a program that both meets the mission of the organization to provide opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and creates an innovative source of revenue to help fill the gaps."
    Matthew added, "Our mother spends part of every day serving family, friends, neighbors or the community at large. We wanted to pay tribute to her in a way that would continue her mission of making life a little better for people on a daily basis for generations to come."
    Elaine Solimon, executive director of ARCA, said, "the Kominiaks' gift to ARCA has a definable value that is tremendous. It will enable us to build a new greenhouse, increase our product line and consequently our revenue stream. The greenhouses create opportunities for personal growth, satisfaction and accomplishment for every individual involved in the program."
    Pat Kominiak has served in many positions with ARCA, including president of the board of directors and various leadership councils. She currently is on the ARCA Organics Leadership Advisory Council.
    The Kominiaks' children are Scott, Matthew and Tim. Scott is a founder and president of the Corrales-based firm ABQ Energy Group. Matthew is the president and CEO of MCK Investments, also based in Corrales. Tim lives with his parents and has received services from ARCA since 1977.
   
    REUNIONS SLATED: La Cueva High School Class of 1998 will hold its 10-year reunion July 26; Highland High School Class of 1998 will celebrate its 10-year reunion Aug. 2; and Highland Class of 1988 will hold its 20-year reunion Aug. 2. All reunions will be celebrated at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
    For details, contact Blast from the Past Reunions at 897-4747 or visit your class's Web page at www.blastreunions.com.
    n The reunion of former Albuquerque Xerox employees will be held Oct. 3-4, at the Nativo Lodge, 6000 Pan American Freeway, NE, in Albuquerque. The coordinator of the event is Dave Cuestas, Dallas. He may be contacted at (817) 416-2950 or dcuestas@verizon.net.>   
    Greenhouse Named for Corrales Woman
   
    York, Jones
   
    York, Jones
   
    Kuester, Boucher
   
    The Bouchers
   
    Cathlin Mikkola Jones of Concord, N.H., and Adam Jason York of Rio Rancho were united in matrimony the evening of March 22 in Troutdale, Ore.
    The bride is the daughter of Dr. Gary Jones and Mary Sue Turri of Concord. Parents of the bridegroom are Richard and Yolanda York of Rio Rancho.
    Cathlin is working on her master's degree at Oregon Health and Sciences University to become a physician's assistant. Adam is an administrative specialist at REI and will pursue a doctorate in educational psychology next year.