Beacon Montrose/Delta 072017

JULY 2017

Vol. 3

No. 7

Montrose & Delta Counties’ Newspaper for Adults 50+. Over 13,650 Readers.

FEATURE STORY

REFLECTIONS OF THE PAST 90 years at the Ouray Hot Springs

Photo courtesy of Sandra Scott

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JULY 2017

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JULY 2017

EDITORIAL

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Elder abuse is happening

By Kevin K. Van Gundy “Elder abuse is happening right under our noses. Let’s put a stop to it!”

With a determined call to action, Eva Veitch, community living services director with the Region 10 Area Agency on Aging, kicked off the “No Excuse for Elder Abuse” event at the Holiday Inn in Montrose.

Those who attended were given an excellent—although occasionally grim—report on the scourge of elder abuse in our community. Much of the advice was about how to prevent becoming a victim.

District Attorney Dan Hotsenpiller said that there has been a steep and steady increase in the number and severity of the elder abuse cases that his office is filing. His office has already filed more cases than the previous year.

“When you become aware of or suspect elder abuse, call the police or adult protective services.”

Hotsenpiller advised.

Montrose Police Commander Gene Lillard assured seniors that the police are here to help. “Even if it’s just a well person check, we still make house calls,” he said.

Phil Rosty, a fraud detective with the department, suggested that before responding to a fraudster’s

request for your information, you should ask yourself, “Did I request this?” If not, hang up the phone, throw away the letter or flag the email as SPAM. But sometimes tricksters show up at your door. Such was the case of one local woman, who said a young man had recently come to her house asking for a gas can and use of the facilities. She later discovered he had ransacked the medicine cabinet in search of drugs.

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DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS

It’s real and it’s treatable.

Spotting elder abuse Montrose Mayor Judy Files said the city is becoming Telluride’s assisted living facility, and it’s true. As our local population grows grayer and more retired people discover the value of living here, the cases of elder abuse are expected to grow with it.

We need to protect ourselves and others. Unfortunately, most elder abuse goes unreported, as the victim often feels embarrassed or ashamed.

All too often, the abuse comes from someone close to the victim, like a family member. It’s important to recognize the signs.

“Sometimes there are changes in the person’s mood, hygiene and personal relationships,” said Montrose Police Officer Courtney Jones. “We need to look after each other.” ■

Many thanks to the following for making this event possible: SPEAKERS: Eva Veitch - Region 10 Community Living Services Judy Files - Montrose Mayor Gene Lillard, Phil Rosty, Courtney Jones - Montrose Police Department Dan Hotsenpiller - 7th Judicial District Attorney Stephanie Holsinger - Montrose County Adult Protective Services Kim Tunnel - Delta County Adult Protective Services Tonya Junod - Center for Mental Health Chantelle Bainbridge - Victims Advocate Senior Medicare Patrol

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COVER STORY

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Soak in the changes at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool

By April Martinez

T

he Ouray Hot Springs Pool has been a fixture of western Colorado for generations. Since it first opened on July 4, 1927, countless visitors have enjoyed its gorgeous views and soothing, geothermal waters.

The pool celebrates its 90th birthday this month, and the City of Ouray has commemorated the occasion by completing a comprehensive remodel of the facility.

Pool Manager Tom Kavanaugh explained that by the early 2000s, the pool was starting to show its age.

Ouray formed a Pool Improvement Committee in 2012 to identify how to best improve the complex and ensure the hot springs would be around to benefit future generations.

“We had a wide array of opinions that helped us develop a comprehensive plan,” Kavanaugh said.

Using the committee’s ideas, the city adopted a master plan in 2015, and in October of 2016, the multimillion-dollar renovation project commenced.

“It’s been quite an exhausting process,” Kavanaugh admitted. “But it’s well worth it.”

He’s managed the hot springs for seven years, and has been involved in every step of the renovation process, from its early stages to seeing the dream come to fruition.

Different soaks for different folks The hot springs’ remodel includes something for everyone. Notable improvements include more bench space and pool edges, and more curves with coves and peninsulas.

Kavanaugh explained that the pools’ curving edges enable visitors to enjoy a more private experience.

“When you’re in a large, rectangular pool, you feel like you’re having a conversation with everyone around you. [The curved pools] allow couples or small groups to feel like they have their own private space,” he said.

Other helpful additions to the facility are increased shaded areas

JULY 2017

The large-scale renovation completely revamped the pool complex. Photos courtesy of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.

and more accessibility options. Three of the pools have ramps that are ADA-compliant. The lap pool has a lift chair, the overlook geothermal pool has a transfer wall, and there is a submersible handicap chair available as well. Facility staff members are happy to help anyone who needs assistance.

The remodel creates a welcoming atmosphere for both active visitors and those who want a more relaxed experience.

“We’ve struggled in the past with catering to the traditional hot springs ‘soaker,’’’ Kavanaugh said.

Before the remodel, the soaking pool was in proximity to the water slide area. Now, these noisier areas and the soaking pool are on opposite sides of the complex. Soakers can relax serenely, apart from the hubbub of the play area.

Kavanaugh said that though the Ouray Hot Springs Pool will always be a family pool, it’s important to have something for everyone to enjoy.

A family destination The hot springs has a long history as a destination for family fun. Delta’s Darla Volgamore, 64, has “warm and fuzzy memories” of her time at the pool.

Volgamore’s parents owned the A&W drive-in south of Delta from 1959-1972. Her dad closed the restaurant one day every summer and treated his family—and their A&W family—to a day in Ouray.

“We’d caravan up there. It was like a family outing for anybody that worked there and their families. We’d have a picnic at Box Canyon, and then we’d spend the day at the hot springs,” Volgamore recalled.

She continues this family tradition today by taking friends from near and far to visit Ouray and the pool.

“It’s a tradition to go up there, and it’s my favorite place in Colorado,” she said.

Montrose resident Sandra Scott grew up in Paonia and would vacation in Ouray every summer with her family.

JULY 2017

COVER STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

“I don’t think we have ever missed a summer,” she said. “Though we did not always agree on many things, spending time in Ouray was something that we all agreed upon unanimously. These memories are so dear to my heart.”

Laureen Kraft, 57, also loves Ouray and the hot springs. She and her husband have lived in Ridgway full time since 2009. Now they visit the hot springs at least three times weekly.

Kraft concedes that as a regular, it’s easy to forget how glorious the views are.

“You hear people talking in the pool, ‘Wow! Look up!’ And you look up, and it’s so majestic. You just feel like you’re right in the mountains.

We have amazing views,” Kraft said.

As a pool member, she is excited about the renovation.

“I think (the new facility) draws you in more, with the bluer waters, and there’s a lot more for the kids,” she said. “Plus, they can keep the water temperatures where they want them.”

That’s important to Kraft, a yearround swimmer. Last winter, she and her friends braved low water temperatures by wearing wetsuits to swim the lap lanes. Then they’d jump into the soaking pool to relax and warm up.

She also enjoys the community-building aspect of the pool.

“You meet people from everywhere,” she said. “While you’re sitting there in the soaker, you end up talking to people and find out where they’re from. The people are great.

[The Hot Springs] is just such a draw to the area.” ■

Sandra Scott’s family has never missed a summer at the Ouray Hot Springs.

Hop in the car and head to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.

The complex is open daily from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

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National & Regional Award-Winning Publication Publisher ..............................Kevin K. VanGundy Founding Publisher....................... Susan Capps Editor............................................. Cloie Sandlin

• Day rates are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for children under 12.

Editorial Assistant................ Stephanie Summar

• A one-year membership for a non-Ouray resident is $165, and immediate family members can be added for $50 each.

Graphic Design............................ Chrissy Martin

• People age 75 or older get free admission when they show their ID.

Account Representative........... Debra Romaniec

Creative Director........................Melissa Trottier Graphic Design.............................. Valerie Sears Graphic Design.............................. Karen Jones Office Manager............................ Stacey Splude Account Representative................... Sue Bowen Account Representative Montrose/Delta office.................. Heidi Gofforth Proofreader...................................... Jan Weeks

Bottom right: Laureen Kraft, Jane Haefner and Marian Austin braved cooler water last winter with wetsuits. Those days are gone— the pool temperatures can now be regulated year-round.

Delivery...........................................Cora Gentry Delivery ................................. Lauren VanGundy Delivery...............................................JR Milner

210 W. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 ph: 970.765.0477 fax: 800.536.7516 Website: www.BeaconSeniorNews.com E-mail: Beacon@PendantPublishing.com The BEACON is published at the beginning of the month. Our goal is to inform and inspire the 50+ community in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties.

Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Display advertising rates are available upon request. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 20th of the month preceding publication. © Copyright 2017 • All Rights Reserved

Cover Photo: Generations of visitors have enjoyed the Ouray Hot Springs Pool for 90 years, and will continue to do so for years to come.

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FEATURE STORY

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Imagery and audio come alive in art

By Carol McDermott

I

magine looking at a favorite photo of your grandchildren and hearing them giggle. Or maybe enjoying a vivid image of Red Mountain Pass and hearing John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” while soft, bluish lights pulse around the picture.

This isn’t the stuff of science fiction, but technology that’s currently available.

According to artist Lu Anne Tyrrell,

all it takes is Wi-Fi and a smartphone.

And, of course, a Soundwall.

A new medium A Montrose resident for the past 18 years, Tyrrell is an artist who captures images with cameras, brushes and now with Soundwall technology.

“My inspiration definitely comes from the beauty of nature, and capturing and creating that in a unique expression for the public to see and feel, perhaps in a new way,” she said.

Tyrrell created a series she calls Cloudscapes, in which she photographed Colorado skies and clouds.

“They are contemplative in feel and I can imagine them integrating with many [genres] of music, such as classical and meditative,” said Tyrrell.

That’s where Soundwall comes in.

This Boulder-based company’s website says its product “allows you to stream your favorite music wirelessly from a beautiful work of art.”

The company produces flat-panel speakers made of aluminum, which fill spaces with a rich, natural sound.

The entire surface is a speaker, so the sound emanates evenly, with no dead spots. The art itself is printed onto the aluminum via a dye sublimation process.

Recently, Soundwall debuted a new version that incorporates a touchscreen and lights. Users may touch the artwork to play, pause and skip songs, and use Soundwall’s mobile app to set mood lighting.

“I’m always intrigued with what I can produce with my art—art on tapestry, pillows, shawls,” Tyrrell said.

“And now art meets audio.”

According to the Soundwall website, its technology is being used in the health care industry, hospitality and in residential and commercial settings. As a dealer of Soundwall, Tyrrell can pair her images and/or

JULY 2017

a client’s image with the Soundwall product.

Quantum leaps This new medium is a far cry from the first photo Tyrrell took, “back in the Kodak days.”

Her parents always took a camera on family trips, she said.

“I was always drawing, and now and again had a chance to use the camera. Then my parents went to a demo of the first Polaroid blackand-white camera at the Denver Dry Goods [Company]. They brought the camera home and that was incredibly cool.”

Around 2003, she began taking photos at nearly every event and throughout town.

“Stephen Woody (the former publisher of the Montrose Daily Press) hired me for freelance work, and loaned me his Olympus digital camera. Since that time I have continued to upgrade,” she said.

Tyrrell said the most challenging aspect of her work has been “the quantum leaps in technology.”

“I can offer the best service to clients because I stay current,” she said.

For more information, contact Tyrrell at 209-6857 or visit www. soundwall.us/luannetyrrell. View her portfolio at www.luannetyrrell. foliohd.com. ■

Tyrrell and her dog, Gidget

Red Mountain

Gypsy Horse Running

JULY 2017

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www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

The Giving Club makes charitable giving easy

By Erin Porteous

68169 E Miami Rd Montrose, CO 81401

C

harles Dickens said it best: “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.”

The act of giving and helping our fellow man warms our hearts and becomes a blessing to those receiving the gift.

The Montrose community has proved that it can keep the giving spirit alive all year long. A new social networking and philanthropic effort has blazed its way into the hearts of women throughout the area.

The Giving Club of Montrose is a growing group of women who are excited about making a difference.

Phoebe Benziger, one of the club’s founding members, said that Illene Roggensack, a member of the Grand Junction Giving Club, was instrumental in helping to get Montrose’s club up and running, just as she helped a group of men form the Guys’ Giving Club in Grand Junction.

The Giving Clubs promote a simple way of giving. Members pledge $100 at each quarterly meeting and the club donates the evening’s total contributions to a local charitable organization. Members have the opportunity to nominate a worthy nonprofit and drop names into a hat.

Three names are drawn later in the evening, and those involved in the selected charities give a five-minute pitch, speaking from their heart and selling their nonprofit to the members in attendance. The members cast their votes for one of the three charities, and the winner takes all.

970.240.3400 Open Monday-Saturday 8:30-4:30

Annie Hauck, right, presents a $7,000 check to Lighthouse Ministries on behalf of the Giving Club of Montrose.

The club’s most recent meeting in May resulted in $10,800 donated to the winning charity, the Dolphin House Child Advocacy Center. In just two meetings, it’s donated almost $20,000 and grown to more than 90 members.

“For me, being able to do something as small as donating to community charities allows me to see where my money goes, helps build my community and makes me feel like I am making a difference,” said club member Carly Jones.

Benziger hopes that members will begin to think outside the box when considering areas that can benefit from the donated money. Women of all ages are encouraged to become members.

“The Giving Club has surpassed all expectations,” said Benziger. “It’s like watching magic happen.” ■

v a er t s i on re P

Join the Giving Club of Montrose

The club meets on the first Mondays in August and November at the Bridges Golf & Country Club, 2500 Bridges Dr. in Montrose. For more information, email givingclubofmontrose@gmail.com.

Men, want to get involved?

For more information about joining the Guys’ Giving Club of Montrose, contact Kevin VanGundy at 243-8829.

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TALKING DIGITAL

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The right fitness tracker for the long run

Come join us for the 6th annual

JULY 2017

Talking Digital

By Adam Cochran

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ave you been sleeping well?

How many hours did you get last night?

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Precedence Music & Art Academy

Do you get up and walk around at least once an hour?

Do you feel awkward reading a text message when your phone goes off in a meeting?

Do you fumble around with your media player when you should be paying attention to what you’re doing?

Perhaps you’ve noticed that more people are wearing bulky electronic bracelets or funky, digital watch-like devices. These are called fitness trackers and they monitor how many steps you’ve taken or when you’ve been sitting too long. They may even display your heart rate or tell you how well you sleep. Some fitness trackers even control your music player.

Whether you are a fitness junkie or a couch potato, you may be interested in what a fitness tracker can do for you.

What to look for The best fitness trackers connect wirelessly to an app on your smartphone that tracks and provides real-time reports on your activity.

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Robin Freed 970-275-8996

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Cheap trackers (under $100) generally provide basic activity monitoring, such as step counts and sleep patterns.

More expensive trackers add features such as a watch, heart rate monitor and GPS. Some devices also track types of activity, laps and calorie counts.

Most devices will vibrate when you are getting a text message or phone call. Some are equipped with screens that display caller information or a summary of the text message.

The top three brands There are dozens of fitness trackers

on the market, but only three major brands tend to dominate the positive user reviews: Fitbit, Garmin and Apple.

• The Apple Watch is no ordinary fitness tracker. It allows you to install apps, make phone calls and control your iPhone, but it offers enough health monitoring features to make it a serious—although expensive—fitness tracker. The latest basic model costs around $300, but they go up to $10,000 (seriously).

• Fitbit and Garmin make a number of affordable trackers. Read reviews before making a purchase. Essentially, the more you spend, the more features you get, but the accuracy of the data is about the same across all devices.

Connect other apps You may want to consider a fitness tracker that you can connect with other apps through your smartphone.

• MyFitnessPal is an app that lets you track your diet. If you want an extra 200 calories in your diet, your fitness tracker will report your walk or jog data and update your calorie budget in real time.

• Endomondo is an app that allows you to record your movement-based activity—runs, bike rides, swims, etc. It tracks laps and distance, and gives you real-time, audible updates through your headphones.

• Runkeeper records historical and real-time data about your runs.

It’s specifically designed for those interested in improving their running skills. ■

JULY 2017

ASK THE OLD BAG

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ASK THE OLD BAG Advice Column for the Over 50 Crowd

By Gayle Lagman-Creswick Dear Old Bag: A few months ago, a woman wrote in that her children seemed irritated when she talks, and she didn’t understand why. You advised her to put her cards on the table and ask them why they seemed irritated. I was having the same problem with my married kids, so I asked them. Gently, my son told me that when they ask me a question, I go into all kinds of unrelated detail. “When we ask you what time it is, you tell us how to make the clock,” he said. I was surprised and a little hurt, but I’m glad to know the truth. I asked my best friend to ask me questions and see if I could answer without going off subject—now I know what my son meant. Tell your readers to do the same. Signed, RM Dear RM: Thank you for writing. I’m sure everyone has someone in his or her life who talks too much. In fact, there’s a word for it: loquacious. It’s often difficult to tell someone this, and it’s always difficult to hear that we have a fault we weren’t aware of, but it gives us the opportunity to improve! Good luck. OB Dear Old Bag: I wrote to you a few years ago and told you that I refused to grow old. You gave me good advice, which I should have taken. Since then, I’ve had a tummy tuck, face lift and a few other minor uplifts. I bought a red convertible and found a younger man.

You said I reminded you of a hamster running around inside a ball, and to be

careful what I wish for. My guy and I lived it up for a couple years. He liked my money and I liked feeling young again. Then one day I came to my senses and realized I was bored with him and that life. I’m sort of okay now with my age, but I still think aging is for the birds. I wish I had listened then, but I guess I got it out of my system.

Signed, Happy Now

Dear Happy: I’m glad to hear from you. I’ve often wondered how you were doing. Thanks for letting me know. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t like to postpone aging. But remember, aging is what you make it! OB Dear Old Bag: I consider it a scam when women on dating sites misrepresent themselves. I’ve met some for coffee and have often found that there is little resemblance to the photo they publish. Why can’t people just be honest? They especially lie about their weight. Signed, Disappointed.

Dear Disappointed: I guess it goes both ways. I’ve had five coffees with men from a dating site and all but one looked like their photo. I’ve found that the most stretched statistic with men is height. Tell the truth, readers!

Remember, it will come out if and when you meet the person. By the way, if they don’t want to meet, they are probably lying about something.

Delete them! OB ■

Send your questions to the Old Bag in care of the BEACON, or email lagmancreswick@cox.net

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10

LAUGHING MATTERS

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LAUGHING MATTERS Country song Submitted by Bob Breazeale

I’m trying to compose a country-western song, but parts of it are harder than I thought. I haven’t written any music or lyrics (that’s the hard part), but I do have a theme and a title. It’s about a guy who asks his long-time girlfriend to marry him, but she turns him down.I’m going to call it, “I Gave Her The Ring, She Gave Me The Finger.”

Ice cream Submitted by Gary Robertson

Last time I went to my favorite 101 Flavors Ice Cream Stand, I saw a customer handing back a cone filled with hairy, brown ice cream.

“Vanilla?” asked the vendor. “I thought you said gorilla!”

Bragging rights Submitted by Dan Johnson

Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers.

The first boy says, “My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a poem and they give him $50.”

The second boy says, “That’s nothing.

My dad scribbles a few words on piece of paper, calls it a song and they give him $100.”

across from him, staring at him. John looks away, checks his watch, then his ticket and looks up to see this guy still staring at him.

John looks away again and checks his carry-on bag, then looks up again. The guy is still staring at him.

“Hey, buddy,” John says. “Why are you staring at me?”

“Sorry,” the guy says. “I don’t mean to stare, but except for the mustache, you look exactly like my wife.”

John says, “But I don’t have a mustache.”

The anniversary Submitted by Carmela Walker

An elderly couple decides to celebrate their 50th anniversary by reliving their honeymoon. They reserved the same honeymoon suite in the same hotel at the same resort. They wake up in the morning and order a room service breakfast, which they begin to eat in the nude.

“Oh, Harold!” sighs the wife. “This is just like 50 years ago. My chest feels all warm and tingly!”

“Well, it ought to, Gladys,” says her husband. “One breast is in your oatmeal, and the other is in your coffee!”

Dance break

New cars

Party trick

Submitted by Carol Downing

Submitted by Aurelia Sowers

Question: If the government put a red car in every garage in the US, what would this country end up being?

Three mischievous old women were sitting on a bench outside a nursing home when an old man walked by.

Answer: A red car-nation.

One of the women yelled, “I bet we can tell exactly how old you are!”

The business trip Submitted by Bob Breazeale

John has to fly back east on a business trip. After checking in and going through security, he finds a seat in the waiting area and waits for his flight to be called. He notices a guy sitting

Submitted by Gary Robertson

If a Latin dance instructor wants to take time off, what does he ask for?

A sambatical?

“There ain’t no way you can guess exactly, you old fools,” the man replied.

“Sure we can!” said another woman.

“Just drop your undershorts and we can tell your exact age.”

A little embarrassed, he dropped his

Then they all said, “You’re 84 years old!”

“How in the world did you guess?” asked the man.

The ornery old women snickered and laughed. Slapping their knees and grinning from ear to ear, they all yelled in unison, “Because we were at your birthday party yesterday!”

Insider tip Submitted by Evelyn Houston

A new golfer showed up at a club, and he was incredible.

“You’re spectacular!” said his caddy.

“You really know your way around the course. What’s your secret?”

The golfer replied, “The holes are numbered.”

The trial Submitted by Jesse McGuire

During a trial in a small Colorado town, the local prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand. The witness was a proper, well-dressed elderly lady, well spoken and poised. She was sworn in on the Bible and asked to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help her God.

you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You lie, cheat on your wife, manipulate people and talk badly about them behind their backs. You think you’re a rising big shot when you haven’t the sense to realize you will never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper-pusher. Yes, I know you quite well.”

The lawyer was stunned. He couldn’t even think for a few minutes. He slowly backed away, fearing the looks on the judge and jurors’ faces, not to mention the court reporter who had documented every word.

Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?”

“Why, yes, I do,” she said. “I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He’s lazy, bigoted and has a drinking problem. The man can’t keep a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the state. Besides, he cheated on his wife with three different women.”

“Mrs. Jones, do you know me?” asked the prosecuting attorney.

As she spoke, the defense attorney started slowly slipping down in his chair, staring at the floor. Gasps and laughter filled the courtroom, and the audience was on the verge of chaos.

The judge ordered the courtroom to silence, then called both counselors to the bench.

“Why, yes I do know you, Mr. Williams,” she said. “I’ve known you since you were a young boy and frankly,

In a very quiet voice, he said, “If either of you morons asks her if she knows me, you’re going to jail.” ■

s U e k a M

Hahaha

The third boy says, “I got you both beat. My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon and it takes eight people to collect all the money!”

drawers. The women stared at him, asked him to turn around a couple of times and asked him to jump up and down for a little while.

JULY 2017

! h g u La

Send your JOKES to

Beacon@pendantpublishing.com or

P.O. Box 3895, Grand Junction, CO 81502

JULY 2017

FINANCE 11

www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

Rental properties: good

investments that come with risk

By Nathaniel Sillin

M

aybe your financial house is in order. Your debt is manageable or paid off. You have an emergency fund and now you’re looking for ways to grow your wealth. Or perhaps you’re planning ahead by learning about different investment options. Have you considered becoming a landlord?

In between the extremes of easy, hands-off income and total ruin are the everyday concerns, benefits and risks that most landlords face.

Risky business Investment property mortgages tend to be a little more difficult and costly to secure than primary residence mortgages. It can also be harder to take cash out of investment properties—either with a cash-out refinance or a home equity line of credit. In other words, you might not have access to the money during an emergency.

Owning a rental property outright can be risky as well. Especially if you’re placing a significant amount of your savings in a single investment, the lack of diversification could put you in a precarious situation.

Those aren’t the only risks you could face when owning a rental.

You may also face: • Finding and keeping good tenants.

Landlords learn from experience that it’s worth leaving their rental empty for a month or two rather than pay for an eviction or expensive repairs later. You can pay for professional tenant screening reports or credit reports, and call applicants’ references before offering a lease.

• Covering your expenses. Between taxes, insurance, repairs, maintenance and mortgage payments, the monthly and one-off costs can quickly stack up. Some landlords lose money because their rental income doesn’t cover their ex-

penses, but they won’t be able to attract tenants if they raise it. If the housing and rental markets drop, you could be stuck losing money each month or selling the property at a loss.

• The time or cost of managing a rental property. Becoming a landlord is often far from a hands-off job. When the phone rings in the middle of the night because the roof is leaking, you’ll need to figure out how to solve the problem. You may be able to hire a property management company to take on this work for you, but they often charge about 8 to 12 percent of your rental income or a flat monthly fee.

Overcoming the obstacles Even with the risk involved, there are countless examples of successful landlords. Many find the experience so rewarding that they purchase additional investment properties.

Set yourself up for financial success. What separates the successful and sorrow-filled landlords? Luck certainly comes into play, but you can also take steps to get started on the right foot.

Try to determine a property’s capitalization rate, the estimated annual return, before making an offer.

To calculate the capitalization rate, divide the annual net income by the property’s purchase price.

Your net income will be your rental income, which you can approximate based on rental prices for similar properties, minus your costs, such as maintenance, upgrades, vacancies and emergencies. You may need to consult an accountant to understand how your new tax situation can affect your costs.

Cap rates tend to change depending on the area and type of property.

But regardless of what’s considered “good” in your area, you can use this formula to compare different investment opportunities. ■

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TRAVEL

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Actors at the Yorktown Battlefield in Yorktown, Virginia.

8 historic sites to learn about the Revolutionary War Story and photos by Sandra Scott

D

on’t wait for a national holiday to visit and learn about America’s fight for freedom. These historical sites are open year-round.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum Boston was a hotbed of rebellion.

The Sons of Liberty protested the British tea tax by tossing a shipment of tea into Boston Harbor. The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum offers hour-long guided tours with multimedia exhibits, restored ships and live actors that bring the event to life. Visitors can reenact the historic occasion by tossing tea into Boston Harbor. Take a lunch break at Abigail’s Tea Room, where you can enjoy freshly baked goods and sample the five teas that were thrown overboard at the Boston Tea Party.

Minute Man National Historical Park Start at Boston’s Old North Church and follow the route of Paul Revere’s ride to Lexington and wander along Battle Road to Concord. The first skirmish of the American Revolution—“the shot heard around the world”—took place on Lexington Green on April 19, 1775.

Independence National Historical Park The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. It’s also where George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army, and the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. Walk the Freedom Trail to the many sites that were important during the Revolution, including the Liberty Bell and the home of Betsy

Ross, purported to be the designer of the American flag.

Washington Crossing Historic Park At the Visitor’s Center at Pennsylvania’s Washington Crossing Historic Park, visitors can view historic exhibits dealing with George Washington’s daring 1776 Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware River and the defeat of the Hessians. It was one of the turning points in the war because it renewed hopes for a colonial victory. There are reenactments in December.

Saratoga National Historical Park The British devised a three-pronged plan to conquer New York, but generals Howe and St. Leger did not complete their portion of the plan, leaving “Gentleman” Johnny Burgoyne without support. A major

battle occurred in Saratoga where, on September 19, 1777, Burgoyne’s columns were unable to defeat General Horatio Gates’ army. The American victory convinced France to enter the war as an ally of the United States. Visitors to Saratoga National Historical Park can hike the 4 ½-mile Wilkinson Trail on the battlefield or climb Saratoga Monument, a 155foot stone pillar commemorating the American victory. Plan your visit between Memorial Day and Labor Day and take a free guided tour through the Schuyler House, the former home of American General Philip Schuyler, which was rebuilt after British soldiers burned it to the ground during the war. Follow the trail and read the informational signs through Victory Woods, which was the location of Burgoyne’s last encampment before he surrendered to the U.S. Army. It’s even handicap accessible.

Valley Forge National Historical Park A major low point for the colonial army was the 1777-78 winter in

JULY

13

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Valley Forge near Philadelphia.

More than 2,000 soldiers died as a result of too little to eat and inadequate clothing. Baron von Steuben, a former Prussian officer, arrived at the camp in February and began a training regimen for the army. By June 1778, when the soldiers marched out of Valley Forge, they were better trained and more confident. Tour the home of General Washington and his staff during the encampment, see artillery demonstrations, meet a Continental soldier and explore the area at Pennsylvania’s Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Cowpens National Battlefield Cowpens, a pastureland in South Carolina, was the site of General Daniel Morgan’s attack on Lieutenant Colonel Tarleton’s British Legion on January 17, 1781. Called a tactical masterpiece, Morgan’s battle plan began with militia sharpshooters who fired two volleys, then fell back behind the Continentals who next attacked, followed by the cavalry. In less than an hour, the British suffered nearly 1,000 casualties. Stop by the Cowpens National Battlefield Visitor Center and watch the 18-minute film, “Cowpens: A Battle Remembered,” which plays at the top of the hour.

Question

of the

Month

What is your favorite Fourth of July tradition? ➤ Rose Price and Kevin Gugin “We always go to our cabin at the Big Cimarron. We watch the fireworks presented by the Sonrise Mountain Ranch. We love inviting friends and family for the fun times, and we host a barbecue.”

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Yorktown Battlefield On September 28, 1781, General Washington commanded 17,000 French and Continental troops in a siege against British General Cornwallis and 9,000 British troops at Yorktown, Virginia. The Marquis de Lafayette and 5,000 colonial troops blocked Cornwallis’ escape by land and the French navy blocked the British troops’ escape by sea, forcing Cornwallis to surrender on October 17, effectively ending the War for Independence. Explore the last major battle site of the Revolutionary War and don’t miss the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown performances on select dates May through December. ■

Juliet Carr

➤

Y 2017

“[My family and I] are always excited about the parade in downtown Montrose. We make a really cool fruit flag (made with blueberries, raspberries and cream cheese) on a huge piece of cardboard, and we sit in the backyard, watching the Rotary fireworks and eating our yummy fruit flag.”

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JULY 2017

We Welcome You! No generation gap in Joyfully, to Love all, to Serve all, and to share Jesus Christ with the world

the Montrose United Methodist Church

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By Deidra Manary

T

he Montrose United Methodist Church (MUMC) has a multigenerational appeal, best demonstrated by families whose oldest and youngest members attend side by side.

Several MUMC families represent three generations of members.

Among these are Marva, Marsha and Maddy Pittman, three women who have given many volunteer hours to the church over the years.

Marva grew up in the Methodist church in Minnesota. She came to Montrose in 1972 and joined the church. She began teaching Sunday School and became a youth leader and a member of the United Methodist Women’s Group, the Mary Olive Circle and the Congregational Care Committee, to name just a few. Now retired, she volunteers for HopeWest and is a mother and grandmother.

Her daughter Marsha was born into MUMC, and baptized and confirmed in the church as well. Both women have always found time to be a vital part of the congregation despite their busy personal lives.

An MRI Technologist at Montrose

Memorial Hospital, Marsha has also held a long list of positions at the church. Marsha has been a lay reader and Sunday school teacher. She’s worked with the youth program, the support group, the Worship Committee and the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

Maddy is the youngest of Marsha’s two daughters. She, too, has attended MUMC since birth. A junior at Montrose High School, she plays on the women’s soccer team and has hopes of entering a pre-medicine program after graduation.

Despite her busy schedule, Maddy has also been heavily involved at MUMC. She has taught Sunday school, assisted with Vacation Bible School and has joined the youth group on mission trips to San Diego, San Francisco and Belize. She’ll travel to Seattle with the group this summer.

The MUMC has been blessed to have this family as a part of its congregation. The Pittmans, and other families like them, are what has made the church community so strong throughout the years. ■

JULY 2017

HOME & GARDEN 15

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Brassicas now!

Planting fall and winter crops to extend your harvest Alive and Digging,

W

e are blessed with a long growing season, which means we can play in the garden through fall.

Brassicas, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and other hearty vegetables, will thrive as temperatures begin to cool. Starting them from seed this month will allow you to plant fresh starts in August. Fall’s cool nights will sweeten these mild veggies and encourage tighter flower heads (the part of the plant that we see in produce aisles, stripped of dense leaves).

This is the perfect time to start brassicas, as many pesky pests like flea beetles and cabbage worm are less of a threat this late in the season.

Pests aren’t eating your plants, but you’ll want to. Sliced into strips and simmered in salt water, brassica leaves soften. With a bit of olive oil and complimentary flavorings like garlic or mustard, the greens become a cozy fall dish. It’s shocking that these parts are so often thrown away.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

It’s still hot outside!

Starting brassicas from seed These loveable, cool-season crops germinate best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, so consider starting your seedlings indoors rather than outside in this midsummer heat.

Fill a 50-cell tray with soil and press your finger down into each cell to make a hole for the seed. Drop a seed into each hole and cover with soil.

Keep the tray moist until your seeds sprout, then water gently but thoroughly to encourage root growth.

After a month or so, your plant starts will be ready for action. When you lift a start out of its cell, its roots should

By Paige Slaughter

bring the soil up with it.

July is a special time in the garden.

We are seeding and gathering, planting and harvesting. Planting brassicas now is symbolic of the flow of nature.

July is also a great time to start direct seeding root vegetables: turnips, radishes, rutabagas, carrots and beets.

Our fairly mild winters allow us to use our garden beds as root cellars to store these veggies until we’re ready to eat them. Just cover the shoulders with loose soil, leaving their green leaves uncovered, and harvest as needed until the ground freezes.

Seed brassicas now, imagining braised cabbage and roasted Brussels sprouts warming your stomach on a cool fall night. ■

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GARDEN CHECKLIST ❒ Continue to trellis tall plants like peppers and tomatoes, pinching off suckers from indeterminate plants. ❒ Reseed tender herbs, as well as lettuce and green onions, for a tasty harvest. ❒ Harvest summer squash and cucumbers before they get too big. ❒ Water plants in the cool mornings, especially if using overhead watering systems. ❒ Direct sow root vegetables, bush beans, lettuce, spinach kale and chard. ❒ Deadhead annual flowers and spring-blooming perennials. ❒ Water perennials and your lawn deeply, not daily, to encourage healthier growth.

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Turn to page 23 for your puzzle answers Across 1 Says more 5 Respond 10 Canton’s Starr 14 Father 15 Diamond flaw?

16 Large part of the globe 17 A man in Jeopardy 18 Transistor predecessor 20 Nebraska river 22 Surreptitious types 23 Farm equipment pioneer 25 S.C. time 26 Laser gun sound effect 29 Buck’s pride 31 Nothing more than 33 Sci-fi vehicle 34 Listlessness 36 Pastoral 37 Trample underfoot 39 Serves beer after beer 41 Like old records 42 Finger or toe 44 Bathing, body, and birthday 46 Rummy game 47 Imitates 49 Redcaps 51 Turn state’s evidence 52 Head of thick, stringy hair 54 Pageant headgear 55 “The Color Purple” star

57 Ascot relative 60 Impossible to miss 64 Fodder structure 65 Type of edition 66 First name in beauty 67 School in Britain 68 Mine finds 69 Name in chicken 70 Colors Down 1 Immediately!

2 Pickle flavoring 3 Type of battleship 4 Singing group, perhaps 5 Deeply respectful 6 Seaver’s stat 7 Three-point lines, e.g.

8 Two-door 9 Platitude 10 Swings for the fences 11 Tempe Univ.

12 Make fun of 13 South Korea’s Roh ___ Woo 19 Poet’s concern 21 BBC receiver 24 Sea eagles 26 A space case?

27 “Jagged Little Pill” singer Morissette 28 Egyptian gateway 29 Toto hit 30 First light 32 Coke’s partner 33 Fresh milk container?

35 Born fool 38 Dossier info 40 Wounded 43 Sweeten the deal 45 Luminary 48 Frappé relative 50 Rubbed out 53 Buddy-buddy 55 Individuals 56 Dome toppers?

58 Moisturizer ingredient 59 Cargo weights 60 Arafat’s org.

61 Something in the water 62 Mineral suffix 63 Modernist, for short

For the puzzle answers see page 23

Your guide to aging well in Mesa, Montrose & Delta Counties

JULY 2017

FUN & GAMES

16

Crossword Puzzle

JULY 2017

17

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Are you Fit to Drive?

By Cloie Sandlin

T

he Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently reported that drivers age 65 and older were an emerging trend in fatal crashes in 2016. Between 2012 and 2014, there were 640 drivers involved in a fatal crash. Among them, people age 65 and older represented 65 percent of drivers involved, 73 percent of drivers at fault for the fatal crash and 71 percent of drivers who sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

The Fit to Drive campaign is a collaborative effort by Grand Valley Transit (GVT) in Mesa County, All Points Transit (APT) in Montrose and Road Runner Stage Lines in Durango to educate and encourage older adults to consider alternative transportation methods as their driving abilities decline with age.

“We’re trying to make drivers aware of their increased risk behind the wheel and to raise awareness of public transportation options that all people can use, but specifically aging adults,” said GVT Transportation Planner Elizabeth Collins.

The campaign, funded by the CDOT Safety Grant, consists of print and television advertising that directs audience members to www. fittodrive.org, where they can learn to recognize the signs that it’s time to limit or stop driving a personal automobile. They’ll also learn how they can stay mobile with public transportation.

“Many aging adults have never ridden a public bus because they’ve grown up with the personal automobile,” Collins said. “We’re really interested in seeing that demographic increase in our ridership and

promoting the various discounts that transit agencies on the Western Slope have available for people age 65 years and older.”

The three agencies work together to make public transportation attractive to seniors by offering discounted passes and reduced rates during certain hours of the week.

“You can get all over the Western Slope of Colorado on public transit,” Collins said. “It’s not the same agency, but we try to make it seamless from community to community.”

Public transportation is easy and convenient for retired individuals and those with a more flexible schedule.

It can cost less than maintaining a personal automobile, and is perfect for those who primarily travel around town or who are uncomfortable driving at night.

According to APT Mobility Manager TJ Burr, the campaign also provides a way for family members and caretakers to ease into the conversation about when it’s the time to give up the keys.

“There’s a large feeling that when you give up the keys, you’re giving up your independence,” Burr said. “We want to make folks aware that there are other options. You can still live at home and utilize our public bus system or our other services.”

For more information about riding with GVT, call 256-RIDE (7433) or visit gvt.mesacounty.us. To catch a ride in Montrose, Delta, Ouray and San Miguel counties, contact APT at 249-0128 or visit www.allpointstransit.com. For Road Runner Stage Lines in Durango, call 553-0389. ■

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This experience brings so much more to your life. It's a selfless act - you must have gentle hands and a soft heart.”

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JULY 2017

Montrose/Delta Calendar JULY 3-4 Paonia Cherry Days Enjoy the longest-standing community festival in Colorado over the Fourth of July holiday. Events include a pancake breakfast, wood-splitting contest and more. Learn more at www.paonia cherrydays.com.

JULY 7 Summer Music Series show Coco Montoya performs a free concert at the Black Canyon Golf Course as part of the Montrose Summer Music Series. The show starts at 6 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair and a picnic dinner.

Please do not bring glass, cans or alcohol. There will be food and beverages for sale.

HopeWestCO.org

movement in a fascinating new way when it’s read or displayed. Alicia Bailey teaches this class at the Weehawken Creative Arts Center. Registration is $125 plus a $15 material fee. Register and learn more at www.weehawkenarts.org or by calling 318-0150.

Stand-up comedy show Two comedians from Los Angeles will perform at Canyon Creek Bed and Breakfast. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more at www.canyon creekbedandbreakfast.com.

Dave Stamey concert Dave Stamey, America’s premier cowboy singer and entertainer, returns to the Montrose Elks Lodge at 7:30 p.m. for a night of songs and stories. Colorado’s own Tyller Gummersall opens the show. Tickets are $20 and available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

JULY 9 Mini diorama class Build and finish a miniature diorama of pictures and keepsakes with help from Alicia Bailey at the Weehawken Creative Arts Center. Registration is $125 plus a $20 material fee. Register and learn more at www.weehawkenarts.

JULY 7-9 org or by calling 318-0150.

Colorado Lavender Festival Riverbottom Romp Lavender lovers flock to Western The whole family is welcome to the Colorado for this festival. Tour Riverbottom Romp, featuring free, farms, learn how to use lavender continous live music by Harry Harpoon, in cooking and baking, sip The Scones, The ON.S.T Brothers, Bump lavender-infused beverages and City, D&G Railroad and Fractalia. Bring sample an assortment of lavender your non-alcoholic beverages, lawn goodies. On Saturday, Palisade’s chairs or blankets, and dancing shoes Veterans Memorial Park will be to join the fun at the Riverbottom full of vendors showcasing goods, Water Park Gazebo, from 2-9 p.m. This live music, food and workshops. event is sponsored by the Montrose County Democratic Party, but there will LEARN MORE AT www.coloradolavender.org be no politicking.

JULY 8 Build a panorama concertina Create a book that uses space and

JULY 14-16 Landscape painting course Paint modern landscapes relying on simple shapes and bold colors. This

JULY 2017

MONTROSE/DELTA COUNTIES 19

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three-day Weehawken Creative Arts Center class is taught by Claudia Hartley. Registration is $425. Supplies are not included. Register and learn more at www.weehawkenarts.org or by calling 318-0150.

JULY 15 Square dancing Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club hosts a dance from 7-9 p.m. in the Aerobics Room of the Bill Heddles Recreation Center. This is a regular dance, with no special theme, featuring club caller Naaman Moorehouse. Dancing is Mainstream with Plus tips. Round dances, if offered, are to recordings.

Bring refreshments to share during the evening! For more information, call 856-4187 or 773-4495.

JULY 22 Partners Golf Classic Support Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray and enjoy a four-person scramble at Cedaredge Golf Course.

The cost is $65 per person, which includes 18 holes, lunch, door prizes and a silent auction. Register at www. partners-west.org or call 249-1116.

Start time is 8 a.m.

Partners Ducky Race Join Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray at the Montrose FUNC Festival at Riverbottom Park. Bet on a rubber duck or two for a chance to win cash and other prizes.

JULY 27-30 Deltarado Days Celebrate the 81st annual Deltarado Days, a celebration of Delta’s agricultural history. The weekend features a Farmer-Rancher luncheon, a Friday Night Street Dance, a 5K race around Confluence Lake, a parade, a classic car show and a vendor village complete with a kids’ fun park and live music at Confluence Park. Deltarado Days winds down with a community church service on Sunday. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/DeltaChamber.

JULY 28-30 Watercolor course The Weehawken Arts Center joins with

the Ouray County Arts Association to present a watercolor workshop. Visiting artist Claudette Barker teaches a creative approach to watercolor landscapes based on photographs. Registration is $285 per student. Register and learn more at www.weehawkenarts. org or by calling 318-0150.

JULY 29 “Treasure Hunting Heroes” The Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans is partnering with the Uncompahgre Treasure Club to host the first annual “Treasure Hunting Heroes.”

From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., approximately 20 disabled veterans will spend the day metal detecting, enjoying a picnic lunch, gold panning and winning prizes at Montrose’s Lions Park community building, 602 N. Nevada Ave. Donations are needed and can be made at www.gofundme.com/treasure-huntingheroes-event. For details, contact Gary Melugin at 275-6550 or garrydm1@msn.com. ■

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FUN AFTER 50

Activities offered by the Montrose Recreation District To register for these programs, call the Montrose Recreation District at 249-7705 or visit www.montroserec.com.

JULY 17 Montrose Retiree Group Are you new to retirement? Do you consider yourself an active senior?

Share ideas and network with others facing the same dilemma from 6:158 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the Montrose Senior Center.

Space is limited, so register early.

TRIPS & TOURS Trips depart from the Montrose Senior Center. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the activity’s start time noted below.

JULY 6 Gold mine tour plus shopping in Silverton Tour a real gold mine the easy way by taking the mine tram. We will have lunch in town and go shopping. The cost is $36. Bring money for lunch and meet at the senior center at 7:45 a.m.

JULY 13 Crystal Dam tour Take a guided tour of the Gunnison River’s Crystal Dam. The cost is $20.

Bring a sack lunch and meet at the senior center at 9:15 a.m.

JULY 18 Hike Washington Gulch This high-altitude hike features amazing views and costs $20. Bring lunch; meet at the senior center at 7:30 a.m.

JULY 25 Four-wheel drive tour San Juan Backcountry will guide us up to American Basin, where the wildflowers are in bloom. The cost if this six-hour tour is $98; bring a sack lunch and meet at the senior center at 6:45 a.m.

GAMES JULY 17 Monday Night Out Enjoy a potluck, line dancing and games from 4-7 p.m. Bring a dish to share and $2 for paper goods and prizes. For more information, call Cindy at 252-4884.

THURSDAYS Montrose Cribbage Club Keep your mind sharp by playing Cribbage. New player? We’ll teach you.

Expert? We have players who will give you a challenge. Meet at the Senior Center from 1-3 p.m. Call 252-7243.

MUSIC & DANCE MONDAYS Line dancing Line dance from 4-6 p.m. on the first, second and fourth Mondays of the month, and 5-7 p.m. on the third Monday at the Montrose Senior Center. A $2 donation is requested.

Jam session/sing along Join us from 4–6 p.m. if you play an instrument and/or sing! Each person gets a turn to choose and lead a song and others play along.

WRITING MONTROSE WRITER’S GROUP This group meets monthly from 2-3:30 p.m. in the senior center dining room.

Call Kate Burke at 729-1188 for more information.

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JULY 2017

Montrose/Delta Beacon Bits Herbalism workshops Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism’s Paonia Campus hosts weekend workshops all summer long: • July 13-16: Wise Woman Organoleptics • August 4-6: Alchemy of Fermentation • August 25-27: Artisan Essential Oil Distillation • September 29-October 1: Roots of Vitality For more information and to sign up, visit www.clinicalherbalism.com/elder berrys.

Trees planted for each new member of the Arbor Day Foundation Anyone can help plant trees in highneed national forests by joining the Arbor Day Foundation in July. Through the Replanting Our National Forests campaign, the Arbor Day Foundation will honor each new member by planting 10 trees in forests that have been devastated by wildfires, insects and disease. The foundation has worked with the U.S. Forest Service for more than 25 years to plant trees in our national forests, which provide habitat for wildlife, keep the air clean and help ensure safe drinking water for more than 180 million Americans. To join the foundation, send a $10 membership contribution to Replanting Our National Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410 or visit www.arborday.org/july.

New health resource centers open Volunteers of America has created new AdvantAge Health Resource Centers to support the numerous challenges to successful aging. Older adults and their families often do not know where to turn when there is a life-changing experience that creates stress and uncertainty. At the walk-in AdvantAge Health Resource Centers, located at Proximity Space, 210 E. Main St. in Montrose and 350 Stafford Lane in Delta, an experienced case manager can perform a benefits checkup to

match clients with assistance programs.

Clients may be able to save money on medications, health care, housing and other support services. Case managers can also assist in completing certain forms and applications, one of the main obstacles preventing individuals from applying for assistance. Both sites are state-certified application assistance sites for Medicaid long-term care forms. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 1-844862-4968 or email stbrown@voa.org.

Black Canyon Quilt Show returns for 23rd year Visit the Montrose Pavilion July 21-23 for the 23rd annual Black Canyon Quilt Show, an annual show that promotes the art of quilting. Each year, about 175 quilts are submitted by local artists and awarded prizes by certified judges.

Numerous sewing and quilting vendors will be present. Proceeds from the handmade needlework items available at the show’s boutique directly support a charitable Montrose organization.

This year’s beneficiary is Region 10.

The show is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission for adults is $4.

Take a historic walk through Montrose Learn the unknown stories of Montrose on a “Historical Legends and True Tales” walks, which take place July 11 and 21 at 7 p.m. Discover what hidden stories happened behind the closed doors of historical downtown buildings. These tours uncover the locations of jails, saloons, speakeasies and the hidden secrets of the town. Tours start at the Montrose County Historical Museum. There is limited space; please RSVP to 249-2085. The museum requests a $5 donation per person.

Motown Food Truck Fridays Enjoy a gathering of food trucks and live entertainment on Fridays in Stockmens Alley. Bring an empty stomach and a friend or five. This month, the event takes place on July 14, 21 and 28. Food Truck Friday is always looking

JULY 2017

MONTROSE/DELTA COUNTIES 21

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for new trucks to join, as well as live entertainers, including artists, comedians, magicians, street performers and singers. For more information, contact 249-5000.

Ute Indian Museum reopens The grand reopening of the Ute Indian Museum took place on June 9 and 10.

The three Ute Nations were the first to view the renovation. Indian dignitaries from across Colorado attended Friday’s Tribal Opening and Dedication Ceremony, which began with a sunrise ceremony. That evening, the museum hosted a reception for dignitaries and prominent donors. Three Tribal Chairs spoke. It was not merely the dedication of a building but a recognition of the first people to live in the Uncompahgre Valley. The museum opened to the public on Saturday morning, starting with the Posting of Colors, in which flags representing the Ute Nations and the United States were raised.

Ute Chief Ouray and his wife, Chipeta, occupied the land where the museum now sits. Chipeta is buried there.

The Ute Indian Museum’s exhibits are beautifully displayed, with explanations of the history behind each item and an appropriate ambiance. The gift shop is

newly enlarged, and contains products made by Indians as well as a number of historical books. The Ute Indian Museum is located at 17253 Chipeta Rd. For additional information, call 249-3078.

The museum is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Citizens’ Climate Lobby This network dedicated to mitigating the effects of climate change meets on July 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial Room behind Montrose City Hall. All are welcome. For more information, call 240-9146.

Volunteer opportunities Mothers of Preschoolers is seeking some special volunteers to rock babies, play, sing and spoil little ones for two mornings a month. This gives their mamas time to refuel and to be encouraged. Contact Maria at 509-619-3062 or MontroseMOPS@gmail.com if you can help support this vital ministry to young moms.

Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals to low-income and frail seniors. Drivers are background checked and need to provide references. Contact Betty Hayes at 249-8804.

The Museum of the Mountain West seeks volunteers to be trained as tour guides, landscapers/groundskeepers, or in light construction, building maintenance and janitorial. Contact Rich or April at 240-3400 to set up a time for an interview.

Support Groups Al-Anon and Alateen Delta meets Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. Fifth St. Contact Elizabeth at 874-9832 or Shirley at 323-5067.

Al-Anon Montrose meets Thursdays at noon at First Presbyterian Church, 1840 E. Niagara. Contact Lucy at 5969919.

Al-Anon and Alateen Montrose meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1840 E. Niagara.

Contact Karis at 275-4107 or Lisa Marie at 964-8849.

Al-Anon for Women, Montrose meets Sundays at 3:30 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church, 2057 S. Townsend Ave. Contact Peggy at 964-4970. ■

Clubs & Activities Black Canyon Camera Club meets monthly from 11 a.m. to noon on the second Tuesday at the First Church of God, 1102 Howard St. in Delta. Stay from noon to 1 p.m. for a workshop.

Visit www.blackcanyoncameraclub.org or call 399-3674 for details.

Montrose Pavilion Dance Club hosts dances at the Montrose Pavilion from 7:30-11 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Enjoy great music and refreshments. Dancers of all ages are welcome. Bring a snack to share. Cost is $5. Call 252-7172.

Black Canyon Classics Car Club meets monthly on the first Tuesday.

The club is open to all ages interested in classic cars, street rods, trucks and other vehicles. For meeting time and location, call 249-6051.

Montrose Women’s Club meets for monthly luncheons at noon on the third Monday, September through May. All Montrose area women are invited to attend. For location and more information, call Lexy Stevenson at 275-3336.

Montrose Amateur Radio Club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the third Friday at the Olathe Community Center. Call 417-6142.

Vestafjell Lodge, Sons of Norway meets at 11:30 a.m. on July 10 at The Egg & I. For meeting details, call 2455649 or visit www.vestafjellodge.org.

San Juan Dance Club meets at the Lion’s Club House in Montrose every Thursday from 6:45-8 p.m. Enjoy two hours of fun and free dance. Call Ron at 708-8333 for more information.

Western Slope 4 Wheelers meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesdays at the Montrose Rod & Gun Club’s indoor range, 1211 6450 Road in Montrose. Call 275-0754.

Wild Bunch 4WD Club meets at Flower Motor in Montrose. For dates and times, email desertrat27@hotmail.com.

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EVENTS Montrose Elks Bingo is the destination to get away, relax and laugh with old friends or make new ones.

Join us at the lodge every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at 801 South Hillcrest, Montrose. It’s a wonderful way to spend the evening having fun!

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JULY 2017

HOME SERVICES Weber and Associates General Construction * Additions * Remodels * Repairs Senior Discounts. 765-4449.

TRAVEL $AVE MONEY ON TRAVEL! Travel Club membership offering discount cruises, travel packages, and decreased condo rates. Checkout www.coconutclubvacations.com.

Member # cc1546ue, password #1115.

Travel agents at 855-259-1155. Call Susan at 462-1115 before booking a trip so I can call the organization with pre-approval. Free to BEACON readers to use this membership.

WANTED TO BUY VENDORS WANTED A Robin’s Nest is looking for antique and collectible vendors. This is a great time to earn extra income from your hobby. Space is limited. Stop by 602 Main St. GJ, for an application to join our family of over 90 vendors.

JULY 2017

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kudos \ ku·dos  “I have had people in groups I’ve attended say how much they LOVE the paper when they heard I was with the BEACON. I beamed at being a part of something the community enjoys so much.”- Kathy Applebee

The Colorado National Monument should be a national park

 “I picked up the Montrose BEACON yesterday and saw a picture of my recently deceased husband on the front cover. I wanted to let you know that I thought it was beautiful and it made me smile. My kids and grandkids were really excited to see it online also!”

- Maria Jackson  “The BEACON made a gigantic error on the festival page. Where do we go from here? On a more positive note, love the big picture, the article and the ad.”- Paula Rohr, 2017 Colorado Lavender Festival Director Kevin: “Ouch! I am so sorry. We are so meticulous at the BEACON that we fret over misplaced commas. Alas, we are human and subject to err.

Again, I am sorry. Please forgive us.”

BEACON READERS! Please attend the Colorado Lavender Festival from July 7-9 in Palisade. For more information, visit www.coloradolavender.org.  “My grandpa attended your BeaconFest and had his picture taken at the front door. After receiving a few beads [which were being handed out], he said, ‘[I] need more than that. I have more great grandchildren.’ His picture made your publication and he is thrilled beyond words—he is famous and thinks that is his best picture taken of him! He will be turning 90 in August and we would love to use it for the party announcement. His name is Bill Rogers and it was in your May 2017 publication on page 11—blue shirt WWII veteran hat.”

- Chellie McCourt, Bill’s granddaughter

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kvetch \ kfech  “Our group used to ride our ATVs out in the desert north of I-70. But with all the new houses and their new fences, it’s becoming less and less fun. What gives? I thought these were public lands.”

- Terry M.  “Whatever happened to the Montrose Chamber? Did they go out of business? That’s ironic.”

- Marcy H.

By Susan Elenz

M

esa County is not thriving like the rest of the state. The economy needs a spark, and it doesn’t help to whine about the loss of energy jobs. Instead, we must take advantage of the assets we already have to raise tax revenue. Changing the status of the Colorado National Monument to a national park is the spark we need.

A national monument is different than a national park. National parks protect areas that are scenic, inspirational, educational and recreational.

National monuments are supposed to protect one specific object or area of interest. The Colorado National Monument’s name makes people think there is only one object of interest here, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The monument is 32 square miles of plateaus and canyons, with rugged rock formations that have been sculpted by erosion for more than a million years. Its beauty impressed park custodian John Otto so much that he fought for national park status. His dream was only partially realized when the area received its monument status in 1911.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, national park visitors need transportation, places to stay and dining options, which all support businesses and provide jobs in local communities.

Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group, says the economic benefits go beyond tourism. The value lies in the ability of the national park to attract and retain people, entrepreneurs, businesses and retirees. The National Park’s Economic Impact study shows the relationship between visitor spending and increased jobs and incomes for the surrounding region.

The area deserves recognition. Rim Rock Drive is an engineering marvel.

The canyons are home to a wide range of wildlife, plants and trails that make it a magical, sensory place. Recreational activities are varied and available, just like at other national parks.

The recent attention focused on Bears Ears National Monument in Utah makes it clear that now is the time to make this change. If a U.S. president has the power to revoke a national monument’s designation, this regional treasure could be in danger of not being preserved for the benefit of the community and visitors. If we’re going to preserve the area for generations to come, we need to encourage Congress to make it a national park—without delay.

It’s time to honor the history of the Utes, Otto and the hard work of the laborers who built Rim Rock Drive.

It’s time to preserve this special area as a national park. Write or call your federal officials with your feelings about it. ■

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FUN & GAMES Game answers from page 43