The mission of the online news media website The Ratonian is to provide information about community activities and events in Raton, New Mexico and to highlight those businesses and organizations that support this venture.
The Ratonian is a FREE online source for Raton news. Readers can also subscribe to receive the FREE e-blasts that provide links to the past week of posts, articles, and more. Subscribe by filling out the subscription form here.
The Ratonian came online in April 2023 and continues to grow, offering fun, interesting and educational pages for the enjoyment of our readers. Select a link below to read about each of our staff.
- Editor – Laura L. Brewer, editor@theratonian.com
- Assistant Editor – Deb Stetser assistant_editor@theratonian.com
- Photographer – Frank Mahannah
- Tech Time – Bryan Stetser
- Madi’s Kitchen – Madi Ryan
- Earth Corner – Pat Walsh
- Contributing Writer – Mary Elder
- Contributing Writer – Sally Hoger
About our Staff
The Ratonian staff is comprised a great blend of Raton residents, some were born and raised here, others chose to make Raton their home, but all have a love of Raton and are proud to call Raton their home.
Laura Brewer – Editor
As a long-time Raton resident, and community activist, I try to promote Raton in everything I do. I created The Ratonian because I often learned about an activity or event in Raton after it had occurred. The Ratonian provides a “one-stop shop” of information about our community that is “free press” to anyone with internet access. There are no subscription costs to the public.
Deb Stetser – Assistant Editor
Born and raised in Hawaii, Deb made Raton her last “home” in 2018 after 10 years in Colorado Springs. She has a medical background (the last job in that field being as a circulating nurse for a plastic surgeon in the late 90s), and became interested in herbalism about a decade ago. She is an Herbalist now and the former owner of Namaste Wellness Center in Raton. Also a self-described closet computer geek, she spent several years as the copy editor for the Hawaii Rifle Association’s monthly newsletter and is excited to use that experience to assist with The Ratonian. Deb and her son Bryan live in the most beautiful area imaginable near Sugarite State Park and love the close-knit, kind and caring community of Raton which welcomed them so graciously and continues to be exactly the type of community they are proud to call home.
Frank Mahannah – Photographer
Frank Mahannah is a life-long resident of Raton, New Mexico and is best known as the community photographer. He has worked at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library since his teen years, and recently celebrated 50 years as a City of Raton employee.
He has been a member of the Raton Lions Club where has served as the President and has represented the Lions Club at many conferences throughout the United States and other countries. Frank has also been a life-time member of the Raton Ambassadors, serving as their official photographer. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church and has served as a Sunday School teacher for many years.
Madi’s Kitchen – Madi Ryan
My name is Madi and I am young teen who loves to cook and bake! I take online cooking classes with Cultured Kids Cuisine and frequently prepare the CKC recipes for family dinners—especially potato latkes and lavash bread! My baking has won ribbons at the County Fair through 4H, and I have also placed third at the Trinidad, CO Green Chili Competition. I am a Skateguard at SkateLand in Trinidad, and have held fundraising bake sales for Southern Colorado Kids Clubhouse, who they sponsor. I also love to knit and create my own patterns, in addition to my own recipes.
Earth Corner – Pat Walsh
My name is Pat Walsh, but you may remember me as “Ranger Pat.” I’m lucky to have worked for New Mexico State Parks for 17 years before retiring in 2022. And I’m lucky to live here in Raton, where I moved in 2005. These days, I enjoy almost daily trail hikes with my guy and our two dogs, while the cats guard the house. I’m also working (voluntarily) to promote communication about the earth, including solutions to current challenges. We’ll celebrate successful local solutions to some of those challenges on the Earth Corner page
Tech Time – Bryan Stetser
Bryan moved to Raton in 2019, having spent half of his life in Hawaii and the other half in Colorado previously. He has been attached to a computer since the day he mastered using a mouse (around 15 months of age) and truly enjoys helping his fellow Ratonian’s solve their technical issues. In his free time, he enjoys online gaming, his pet chihuahua Tito as well as helping rescue, foster and care for cats, including helping bottle feed abandoned newborn kittens.
Sally Hoger
Sally has many years of experience in laboratory science and medical research in infectious disease and anti-infective agents. She currently is an adjunct professor for three colleges and universities. She holds degrees in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, and a doctorate degree in Public Health Policy. She and her husband, AJ, have lived in Raton since 2022 and enjoy community activities, hiking and camping.
She has embraced the small town and seeks to improve life in the community by : being a contributing writer to The Ratonian Online Newspaper, serving on the Post-Secondary Education Working Group to bring a college to Raton, Serving on the Colfax County Health Collaborative Board, Volunteering at the elementary school, thrift store and other community groups.
Mary Elder
Mary Elder is a retired federal communicator and Navy Veteran who is excited to help tell the stories of the people and businesses that make Raton a wonderful place to live, work and play. Born and raised in St. Louis, she remains a diehard fan of Cardinals baseball and Blues ice hockey.
