Berthoud Weekly Surveyor May 8, 2014 Page 5
A LOOK AT BERTHOUD
Norrie to forge new museum gates The British T
he Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum is scheduled to be outfitted with hand-forged iron gates and a fence that pay homage to blacksmith Alfred Bimson. The original museum building, a stone shop that was erected for Bimson in 1893, and Elmer Carlson’s auto repair garage will flank the gates and fence at the entrance to the museum grounds. Bimson’s ironwork will serve as the inspiration for the fence that will be constructed by local artist and blacksmith, David Then & Now Norrie, along with historical society Surveyor volunteers. Columnist When Alfred Bimson came to Berthoud in the early 1890s, the town was the agricultural center of southern Larimer County. Bimson spent much of his time shoeing horses and sharpening plows, but since he preferred to work at his forge, one of the blacksmiths employed in his shop generally handled the shoeing. When Bimson did shoe a horse in November 1899, the local newspaper noted, “ ... Bimson is breathing through a bruised and badly Photo by Mark French Mark swollen nose this week, the result of At a recent meeting, blacksmith David Norrie explained his French an encounter with a large farm horse design for the Bimson fence and gates to historical society which objected to being shod. The volunteer Gene Jensen. horse did not seem well posted in boxBimson artifacts as inspiration. ing rules and was not particular whether he knocked out on a Norrie has been a blacksmith for more than 30 years and foul hit or otherwise.” operates a shop and studio at 1521 First St. At that location The nature of Bimson’s business shifted in the early 1900s he creates sculptures, furniture, railings and gates from a when the blacksmith placed an emphasis on sharpening lawn variety of metals. With the Berthoud Historical Society, Norrie mowers, producing blades for his patented sugar beet puller, will conduct the Bimson Fence and Gate Project at his facility. and vulcanizing and re-treading rubber tires for automobiles. Community members are invited to participate in the project In the 1920s Bimson began forging ornamental ironwork. In that will culminate with the installation of the fence and gates 1929 he went as far as to install a showcase in his shop where next fall. he could display his decorative candlesticks, sconces, lamp Norrie and the Berthoud Historical Society hope to spark stands, door knockers, ash trays, lanterns and curtain rods. the community’s interest, involvement and ownership in this Over the decades the Berthoud Historical Society has colart and heritage project. Volunteer labor will also enable the lected several examples of Bimson’s hand-forged tools and historical society to complete the project on a modest budget. ornamental ironwork that have been used to design the gates If you or someone you know would like to volunteer for the and fence that will be produced for the Pioneer Museum. Bimson Fence and Gate Project, please call Berthoud HistoriNorrie, who operates a forge and nationally known blackcal Society President Mark French at 970-443-5591. smith school at the old Giebelhaus farm one mile north of Berthoud, has designed the gates and fence using several original
coaching syllabus provides an innovative daily regimen of foot-skills, moves, juggling, tactical practices and daily tournament play. Challenger also weaves lessons on respect, responsibility, integrity, leadership and sportsmanship into the camper’s daily routine. The British Soccer Camp program also provides a unique cultural experience for the players, highlighted in the Camp World Cup. The coaches use this daily tournament to teach the players about life, customs and traditions By Surveyor staff of other countries. The campers are asked to make up soccer chants, wear With the World Cup only a few the team colors of their country, bring months away and with around 20 flags, and learn as much as they can million Americans now playing soccer, about the country they represent. the number-one soccer company in the Teams are also welcome to attend United States and Canada, Challenger and receive a week of focused instrucSports, has been invited to hold one tion to prepare them for the fall season of their highly regarded — team camp rates are “British Soccer Camps” Berthoud Recreation offers available from your right here in the growBritish Soccer Camp camp coordinator. ing soccer community of sessions for the following Each camper will Berthoud. ages and prices: receive a soccer camp Ages 3-4: First Kicks, 11 Berthoud Recreation t-shirt, a soccer ball, a a.m. - noon, $89 has teamed up to host giant soccer poster and a Ages 4-6: Mini Soccer, the week-long British 10:30 a.m. noon, $104 personalized skills perSoccer Camp during the formance evaluation. week of June 16, at Bein Ages 4-6: Mini Soccer, 1 2:30 p.m., $104 In addition, any child Park. Ages 6-9: Half Day, 9 a.m. - who signs up online, The camp will run noon, $133 Monday through Friday, Ages 10-14: Half Day, 1 - 4 at least 45 days prior to camp, will receive a and each child will be p.m., $133 genuine British Soccer coached by a member replica jersey (value of Challenger’s elite $39). Space is limited and parents are team of 1,200 British soccer coaches encouraged to sign up online in adflown to the United States of America vance. exclusively to work on these programs. To sign up visit, www.chalengersChallenger Sports will hold over 4,000 ports.com, and for more information soccer programs this year and will coach over 200,000 players between the please contact David Kenyon at 720737 5913, or email, dkenyon@challengages of 3 and 19. ersports.com. Challenger’s new 1,000 touches
are coming to Berthoud Recreation
Look at Loveland To advertise in this special Loveland business section please contact Diane Wells at 970-532-2252.
OBITUARY Pauline Sterkel Aug. 29, 1911 - April 26, 2014 Pauline Sterkel, 102, formerly of Berthoud, Colo., died April 26 at the Wakefield Care Center in Nebraska. She was born Aug. 29, 1911, in Norka, Russia, to John and Elizabeth Rothermel Kaiser. At the age of 2, she came to the United States with her parents. She married Henry Sterkel on Nov. 25, 1936. He preceded her in death in 1992. Pauline and her husband spent most of their married life in Denver, and their retirePauline Sterkel ment living in Berthoud. She is survived by her half-sister Lorene Hartung, two sons, Harvey Sterkel and wife Lilly of Denver and Marvin Sterkel of Wakefield, Neb.; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Christina Schleiger and Leona Hutton, and twin brother George Kaiser and another brother Adam. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., May 9, at the First Congregational Church, Loveland with Rev. Erin Gilmore officiating. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Berthoud. Go to www.viegutfuneralhome.com for condolences.
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Shop in Berthoud this Mother’s Day To advertise in the special section contact Diane Wells at 970-532-2252.
Free bar of Renaze soap w/purchase. In Renaze Day Spa • Corner of Mountain Ave. & 7th St. 970-532-5898 • Open Tuesday thru Saturday