Berthoud Weekly Surveyor August 22, 2013 Page 5 The historical society and Mark French are interested in obtaining and copying old photos from Berthoud’s past. Please contact Mark at 532-2147 if you have any photos you would like to share.
A LOOK AT BERTHOUD
Pot of Gold drew shoppers to Berthoud in 1930
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n 1930 Berthoud’s Chamber of Commerce launched a trade campaign that promised shoppers an opportunity to win a “Pot of Gold” for purchasing merchandise in local stores. Last month a group of local merchants that included Surveyor Berthoud Columnist Drug Store, Berthoud Habitat for Humanity, City Star Brewery, D’s Boutique, Da Bean, Indigo Sky, Main Street Car Care, Renaze Mark Salon & Day French Spa, Simply Shabulous and Wishful Living launched a weekly business-boosting event under the name “Thursday Night on the Town” to encourage the patronage of the town’s residents. In 1930 the Pot of Gold drawing took place on Saturday nights when it was the custom for local farmers to bring their families to town to shop and socialize. This year a Thursday night farmers’ market held in Fickel Park anchors the “Thursday Night on the Town” event that also aims to
attract local residents to the town’s business houses. The two campaigns may be separated by a span of eight decades but both tackle the question of how to get local citizens to support Berthoud businesses. Berthoud’s Chamber of Commerce was especially active in the late 1920s when Mountain Avenue became part of a paved state highway and local residents began driving their automobiles out of town to do their shopping. In 1929 a summer trade campaign that encouraged residents to take advantage of special sales in Berthoud stores was so successful that the third Saturday of August was set aside as a day of community celebration. A free movie — Manhattan Cocktail — along with a short comedy feature was shown three times over the course of the day at the Moon Theatre, located at 342 Massachusetts Ave. That evening the Berthoud Booster Band also provided a free concert from the south platform of the Berthoud Farm Products grain elevator at the corner of Third Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The crowning glory of the event occurred that night when the Berthoud Amusement Hall located in the old Davis-Hartford general store building was opened for free dancing to the accompaniment of the Rose Orchestra. The Berthoud Bulletin later reported
from kindergarten and was going to be a senior at Berthoud High School this year. He enjoyed spending time Steven Berger with all the friends he had made Dec. 26, 1995 — Aug. 10, 2013 there. Steven is survived by his parSteven Henry Berger, 17, of ents; Mark and Pauline Berger, Johnstown passed away Aug. 10, sisters Allison Berger and Kristina 2013. (Matt) Ronne; grandparents Roz He was born in (David) Walker, Loveland, Colo. on Jim Hanson, and Dec. 26, 1995 to Jim Schultz; greatPauline and Mark grandparents Berger. Dorothy Felt; aunts Steven was a very and uncles, Susie attractive young and Roy Steele, man and he loved Debbie and Dave to try new things, Bodigger, and Bret whether it be a Hanson; and cousins sport or any other Stephanie, David kind of adventure. and Christopher Snowboarding was Bodigger, and Sarah one of his current faand Matthew Steele, vorite pastimes. all of Colorado. He was a hard Steven chose to worker as well and be an organ donor was currently workwhich was honored ing at Berthoud Steven Berger by his family, folDrug and Brick lowed by a private Oven Pizza. He wanted to save moncremation service with his family. ey to take a trip to Europe with his Memorial contributions may friends after high school as well as to be made to: The Steven Berger pay for college. Memorial account at Guaranty Bank He attended Berthoud schools of Berthoud.
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that thousands of people descended on Berthoud that evening to enjoy the entertainment and shop in the town’s stores that stayed open late to accommodate hordes of shoppers. One year later in 1930 the Berthoud Chamber of Commerce organized a “Pot of Gold” promotion that provided shoppers with tickets for a drawing when they made purchases at local stores. Every Saturday night the Pot of Gold drawing was held at a small stand that had been constructed in the 500 block of Third Street for that purpose. The Berthoud newspaper never revealed what prizes were won or the identities of the people who won them, but the campaign ran successfully throughout that summer. This summer, 83 years later, the “Thursday Night on the Town” event utilizes a bingo game to determine prize winners. To enter the prize drawing individuals or teams of contestants are required to visit businesses in order to solve riddles or answer questions that allow them to complete bingo cards and enter a drawing for a prize that is awarded Friday morning. In 1998 I commissioned local artist Kathleen Gruman to create a painting, “A Night on the Town,” that depicted a Saturday night in Berthoud in the summer of 1930 when the Pot
Larimer County news & notes Sign up for spraying notifications in unincorporated Larimer County Larimer County has an e-mail notification service to allow residents to be notified when and where truck-based mosquito spraying will take place in unincorporated areas of Larimer County. When spray locations have been identified, an e-mail will be sent to all the members of this service with this information. Subscribers can only be contacted by e-mail at this time. Portions of unincorporated Larimer County that were sprayed for West Nile mosquitoes the week of Aug. 12 – 16 will receive the second round of spraying by Colorado Mosquito Control on either Monday evening, Aug. 19 or Tuesday evening, Aug. 20. Weather permitting, areas north of Mulberry will be sprayed on Monday evening. Weather permitting, areas south of Mulberry will be sprayed on Tuesday evening. To see maps of areas to be sprayed and a schedule of spraying, see www.comosquitocontrol.com/Spray_Schedules.html. For information on West Nile virus, see: http://larimer.org/health/cd/westnile.cfm, www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html www.fightthebitecolorado.com/ www.comosquitocontrol.com/ Roving DUI Checkpoints The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the Larimer County DUI Task Force will be conducting roving DUI checkpoints this Friday, Aug. 16. In addition, increased patrols will be added throughout the National Crackdown Labor Day enforcement period which begins Friday, Aug. 16 and runs through Monday, Sept. 2. The checkpoints are part of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Checkpoint Colorado campaign and The Heat is On. The time and location of checkpoints are not released in advance. The goals of the checkpoints are to decrease the number of impaired driv-
Photo by Mark French
Kathleen Gruman’s painting, “A Night on the Town,” depicts the 500 block of Third Street in Berthoud on a summer evening in 1930 when the local Chamber of Commerce conducted a “Pot of Gold” trade campaign to encourage local residents to shop in Berthoud. Gruman created the painting for Mark French in 1998.
of Gold promotion drew throngs of shoppers to Berthoud. In that year when my mother was a young child the event created such a hubbub that it has remained deeply ingrained in her memory. Here’s hoping that the 2013 “Thursday Night on the Town” serves
as a foundation for future promotions that draw local residents to Berthoud’s downtown district. If the community desires a vibrant downtown business district it is important to patronize the businesses that are located here to insure they thrive.
ers on Colorado roadways, educate the public regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, and to prevent alcohol related traffic fatalities. According to CDOT, each year more than 26,000 people are arrested for DUI and nearly 150 people are killed in alcohol-related traffic crashes — representing more than one-third of Colorado’s total motor vehicle fatalities. Drug impaired driving is also a serious problem, with 16 percent of fatalities (2006-2010) involving drivers who tested positive for drugs. Last year, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office made 49 DUI arrests during this period of time. On average a DUI can cost more than $10,270 dollars in court fees, insurance premiums, alcohol education classes, the loss of your license and in some cases an ignition interlock that has to be installed in your car. In addition to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the Larimer County DUI Task Force includes Fort Collins Police Services, Loveland Police Department, Colorado State University Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol. If you plan on drinking or using drugs, please make alternate plans for transportation. Remember, drive sober or get pulled over.
ary program. • Monday, Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. “Tiny Trekkers.” Join Larimer County Naturalists for a program designed for your toddler and you. This program at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located just west of Loveland, off of Highway 34, will be a morning filled with crafts, stories and fun facts. A parent or guardian must accompany the child for this hour-long program. After the program, feel free to explore the open space with your child. Program is free. No registration required. • Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. “Hogbacks and Backbones.” Take a short hike with Naturalist Ed through millions of years of geologic history visible in and near Devils Backbone Open Space, located just west of Loveland off Highway 34. Discover insights about northern Front Range geology. The hike will be about 75 minutes and about one mile in length. Hike rating: Easy. Meet at the shelter on the south side of the parking lot. Program is free, but registration is required. Please go to www.larimer.org/ NRregistration to sign up. • Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 a.m. “Birding Tour of Three Bells Conservation Easement.” Join Naturalist Carl for a special tour of the Three Bells Conservation Easement, a private property just north of River Bluffs Open Space. This beautiful, conserved area, normally closed to the public, boasts a lovely section of the Poudre River, home to many different bird species. Program is free, but registration is required. Visit www.larimer. org/NRregistration to sign up. Approximately two-hour hike. Hike rating: Easy. • Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. “NoCo Nature Festival.” The Birding Fair has a new name and more pizzazz! Everyone is invited to a free day of fun including live animals, interactive activities, music, food, vendors, presentations, and giveaways. Bring the whole family to Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space for this all-day nature celebration. Visit www.larimer.org/naturalresources/ nature_festival.htm for more information, including a full agenda of activities. • Monday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. “Tiny Trekkers.” Join Larimer County Naturalists for a program designed for your toddler and you. This program at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located just west of Loveland, off of Highway 34, will be a morning filled with crafts, stories and fun facts. A parent or guardian must accompany the child for this hour long program. After the program, feel free to explore the open space with your child! Program is free. No registration required. Please direct questions to Heather at 970-679-4489.
Guided Hikes and Events • Wednesdays, Sept. 4 and 18, “Nature Notes Club.” Join the Nature Notes Club for its regular September meetings. You’ll get the chance to interact with nature while expressing your artistic side through journaling, photography, painting and any other creative means you’d like to explore. Hike rating: Easy. Approximately three-hour program. Please dress appropriately for the weather, and bring along your journaling supplies. Nature Notes meetings are typically held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, usually during the day. Program is free, but registration is required. • Saturday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. “Bear Necessities.” Join former Veterinarian and County Naturalist Bob for a captivating presentation about local bruins that ranges from their habits to habitats at the Hermit’s Cabin at Hermit Park Open Space, located just west Estes Park off Highway 36. Learn the best ways to avoid trouble with bears and all about their lifestyle. Hike rating: Easy. No registration required. Program is free; a $6/vehicle entrance permit is required. Approximately one-hour station-