Elbert county news 1121 by Colorado Community Media

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Elbert 11.20.13

Elbert County

Elbert County, Colorado • Volume 118, Issue 43

November 21, 2013

75 cents

A Colorado Community Media Publication

ourelbertcountynews.com

Hardball report looks at leaders Commissioners don’t fare well in analysis By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com

County commissioners discuss removing Elbert County planning commission chairman Paul Crisan prior to their Nov. 13 vote. From left to right are Larry Ross, Robert Rowland and Kurt Schlegel. Rowland and Schlegel voted to fire Crisan, while Ross abstained. Photo by George Lurie

Planning official fired mid-meeting Two commissioners vote for ouster; third abstains By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com Calling his recent actions “disruptive” and “counterproductive,” the Board of County Commissioners removed Paul Crisan as the chairman of the county planning commission. “Something had to be done,” said BOCC chair Robert Rowland. “Mr. Crisan has made a laughingstock of the county by the way he’s run recent meetings,” Commissioner Kurt Schlegel said. The controversial move to oust Crisan from the planning commission occurred at the BOCC’s Nov. 13 regular meeting. Rowland and Schlegel voted in favor of a motion to remove Crisan, and Commissioner Larry Ross abstained. The dramatic turn of events is just the latest chapter in an ongoing effort by the BOCC and county planning commission to craft a set of new regulations concerning future oil and gas development in Elbert County. Members of the county planning commission, together with an ad hoc group known as the editing committee, had spent two and a half years attempting to write new oil and gas regs. But in July, in a move that surprised many around the county, Rowland and Schlegel voted against the revised oil and gas regulations forwarded to them by the planning commission. Ross voted in favor of the revised regs. And last month, the editing committee was officially disbanded by the BOCC. The nine-person planning commission serves on a voluntary basis. Members are appointed to three-year terms by county commissioners. The move to unseat Crisan, Rowland said, is “unprecedented” in county history. POSTAL ADDRESS

‘The planning commission is simply an advisory board. But there are some on the commission who believe whatever they say goes.’ Elbert County Commissioner Kurt Schlegel “I’ve spent a great deal of time in recent days studying our relationship with the planning commission,” Rowland said during the Nov. 13 BOCC meeting. “We’ve had repeated instances of Mr. Crisan demonstrating disrespect to our staff and elected officials …” Rowland said Crisan “disrupted and delayed” the process of writing a new set of oil and gas regulations. “Instead, Mr. Crisan has used his position to promote his own partisan politics,” Rowland added. Schlegel supported Rowland’s charges. “I was contacted by several members of staff and at least 12 members of the public who attended the (most recent planning commission) meeting in Simla and was told it was a goat rope,” Schlegel said. (The Urban Dictionary defines goat rope as “when good intentions go bad, messily.”) Crisan, an Elizabeth resident who has served on the planning commission for more than 10 years, was out of town and could not be reached following the Nov. 13 meeting. But Tony Corrado, a member of the now-defunct editing committee, attended the Nov. 13 BOCC meeting and said he did not support Crisan’s removal. “Paul didn’t do anything wrong,” said Corrado. “He was operating within his rights. I didn’t hear anything today that added up to grounds for his dismissal.” Because they are asked to rule on decisions made by the planning commission,

county commissioners are prohibited from attending planning commission meetings. But at the recent planning commission meeting held in Simla, a number of heated exchanges occurred between Crisan and Kyle Fenner, the county’s director of community development services. Rowland said the reports he’d heard after the Simla meeting prompted him to seek Crisan’s removal. Explaining his decision to abstain from voting on Crisan’s ouster, Ross said he “did not have firsthand knowledge of the event that provoked the action. That’s the only comment I want to make at this time,” Ross added. After the Nov. 13 BOCC meeting ended, Schlegel elaborated on his reasons for removing Crisan. “The planning commission is simply an advisory board,” he said. “But there are some on the commission who believe whatever they say goes.” Bob Ware, who was appointed to the planning commission this past January, said he agreed with the BOCC’s decision. “Paul has caused a lot of problems in the community and at the meetings,” Ware said. “He’s knowledgeable about what the planning commission is supposed to do but his operating style wasn’t in the best interest of the county. Personally, I think it was a good move by the board.” With Crisan’s removal, there are now two vacancies on the planning commission — former commissioner Paula Koch resigned earlier this year before moving out of state. Rowland said in the next few weeks he planned to “talk with people in the community who are interested” in joining the planning commission. “But honestly,” he added, “we’re in no Printed on recycled newsprint. Please hurry to fill the vacancies. The work that recycle this copy. the planning commission is doing right now on the oil and gas regs is extremely important. I’d rather let them finish that first and then at the appropriate time, we’ll make the reappointments.”

A scathing, post-election report written by a local consultant blames the Board of County Commissioners for the recent defeat of several key bond measures, and criticizes the BOCC for “infighting” and escalating “dysfunction.” Tim Buchanan, an Elbert-based consultant hired in September and paid $15,000 to help publicize the November bond issues and evaluate county leadership, delivered his no-holdsbarred report at a Nov. 12 standing-room-only public meeting attended by county commissioners, department heads and dozens of county employees. The meeting was Buchanan held a week after an election in which county voters resoundingly defeated several ballot initiatives proposed by the BOCC to shore up the county’s ailing finances. In the first part of his report, Buchanan describes the conditions under which he was hired: “Faced with insufficient revenues to run the county effectively, growing conflicts and distrust with the BOCC, diminishing confidence from many elected officials and department heads, and growing attacks from political factions within the county, I was engaged by the BOCC to assess the increasing challenges and provide actionable solutions.” The report also included what Buchanan referred to as “a 360 survey,” unedited and extremely critical comments concerning the leadership styles and abilities of the three commissioners, comments that were submitted anonymously to Buchanan by county employees, including department heads. “Elbert County has long been a county in which much of the politics focuses on the Board of County Commissioners,” the report stated. “As the county has grown and the demand for increased services has increased, citizens comment that as far back as 1994, there were serious problems growing in the county about how it was run.” Buchanan estimated that for almost 20 years, “the county has been struggling to reach some sort of consensus over management of county services, resources and employees.” The report blames the “most recent economic downturn” for “exacerbating” the county’s precarious financial position, resulting in what Buchanan characterized as a “decline in county employee morale and organizational stability.” The report summarized the bond Report continues on Page 16

2-Color

2 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

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Books are best bet for man’s best friend I got a puppy last weekend. My two dogs are getting older, and I wanted to introduce them to a new little one before they were too old to enjoy it, and while they can help train the new little one. With two older dogs in the house, I’m hoping they can show the new dog new tricks. All three dogs are chocolate labs. In calm, peaceful moments, I can get all three dogs to lie together, and harmony reigns in the house. When Puppy is first awake, however, she is full of energy and wants to play. My oldest looks at me as if to ask “when is this little one going back to where you got her?” When I first considered getting a dog, I didn’t know anything about being a puppy parent. We all know that puppies start out tiny and adorable, but I know that lab puppies will one day become big dogs. Where do you go for advice when you’re learning something new? You might seek out a friend or relative who has dogs, or Google it. Well, as a librarian, I of course checked out a stack of books on puppies and dog training. Sydney is a rescue puppy, adopted through Colorado Puppy Rescue. Their best guess is that she is a chocolate lab, but they never met the parents so they don’t know if she’s mixed with something else. I do know that when she’s snoozing, I’ll be brushing up on my puppy training by re-reading some of the books I picked up 12 years ago. The library has resources to

help you learn how to take care of your new puppy. We have over 80 books on dog training, including “How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend” by the highly successful trainers The Monks of New Skeet in New England, and “The Dog Whisperer” book based on TV icon Caesar Milan’s training methods. But if you just enjoy reading about dogs and appreciating the role that man’s best friends plays in so many people’s lives, then we have many books to warm your heart. Dog memoirs such as Dean Koontz’s tribute to his dog Trixie, “A Big Little Life: a Memoir of a Joyful Dog,” illustrate the place that man’s best friend has in their owners’ hearts. There are also mystery series featuring dogs, such as the Chet and Bernie books by Spencer Quinn. Narrated by canine Chet, it’s amazing how his canine instincts sometimes solve the crime more quickly than Bernie can keep up. “A Dog’s Purpose” by Bruce Cameron tells the story of a dog who is reborn again and again as a puppy, learning what his purpose is in each human life he touches. And finally, in homage to the

elbert county news

(USPS 171-100) Office: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PhOne: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTeR: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DeADLineS:

Display advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal advertising: Thurs. 11 a.m. classified advertising: Mon. 12 p.m.

Elbert County Library Director Kari May’s new chocolate lab puppy relaxes with a book. The library has many books that make great resources for pet owners. Courtesy photo upcoming holidays, dogs are often the stars of the holiday. What would “A Charlie Brown Christmas” be without Snoopy? Children’s book “Olive the Other Reindeer” features dog Olive, who believes she is the hero in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” “A Dog Named Christmas” by Gregory Kincaid is a recent holiday favorite

— I encourage all my friends and family to read it. Kari May lives in Elizabeth and is the director of the Elbert County Library District. She can be contacted through the library at director@elbertcountylibrary.org. Visit the library at www.elbertcountylibrary.org.

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OurColoradoNews.com

Castle Rock

Highlands Ranch

1200 South Street Castle Rock, CO 80104 303.688.3047 www.fumccr.org

Services:

Saturday 5:30pm Sunday 8am, 9:30am, 11am Sunday School 9:15am Little Blessings Day Care www.littleblessingspdo.com

 Sunday Worship 10:30 North Crowfoot Valley Rd. 4825 Castle Rock • canyonscc.org



303-663-5751

 “Loving God - Making A Difference”

A place for you



  

Franktown

Trinity Lutheran Church & School

Sunday Worship 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Trinity Lutheran School & ELC (Ages 3-5, Grades K-8)

 303-841-4660 www.tlcas.org  

 

Parker

Joy LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Open and Welcoming

Sunday Worship

GRACE PRESBYTERIAN Alongside One Another On Life’s Journey

You are invited to worship with us:

8:00 am Chapel Service 9:00 & 10:30 am

www.st-andrew-umc.com

Grace is on the NE Corner of Santa Fe Dr. & Highlands Ranch Pkwy. (Across from Murdochs)

Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 am

303-798-8485

9203 S. University Blvd. Highlands Ranch, 80126

Abiding Word Lutheran Church

Littleton

(Next to RTD lot @470 & University)

303-791-3315

pastor@awlc.org www.awlc.org

Sunday

8:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.

1609 W. Littleton Blvd. (303) 798-1389 • www.fpcl.org

Saturday 5:30pm

Sunday 8:00 & 10:30am

Education Hour: Sunday 9:15am Joyful Mission Preschool 303-841-3770 7051 East Parker Hills Ct. • Parker, CO 303-841-3739 www.joylutheran-parker.org

Lone Tree

Church of Christ

Welcome Home!

Weaving Truth and Relevance into Relationships and Life

worship Time 10:30AM sundays

Currently meeting at: 9220 Kimmer Drive, Suite 200 Lone Tree 80124 303-688-9506 www.LoneTreeCoC.com

Community Church of Religious Science

...19650 E. Mainstreet, Parker 80138

303 798 6387

Parker, CO • 10am Worship www.uccparkerhilltop.org 303-841-2808

10926 E. Democrat Rd.

Sunday Worship

8:45 am & 10:30 am

Fellowship & Worship: 9:00 am Sunday School: 10:45 am 5755 Valley Hi Drive Parker, CO 303-941-0668

www.SpiritofHopeLCMC.org

New Thought...Ancient Wisdom Sunday Service

United Church Of Christ Parker Hilltop

www.gracepointcc.us

Parker

at the Parker Mainstreet Center

9:00am Spiritual Formation Classes for all Ages 90 east orchard road littleton, co

Connect – Grow – Serve

Pastor David Fisher

Sunday services held in the historic Ruth Memorial Chapel

Parker

Parker evangelical Presbyterian church

9030 Miller road Parker, Co 80138 303-841-2125 www.pepc.org

Sunday Worship - 10:00am Bible Study immediately following Wednesday Bible Study - 7:30pm

8391 S. Burnley Ct., Highlands Ranch

Worship Services Sundays at 9:00am

SErviCES:

www.gracecolorado.com

Sundays at 10:00 am

303-794-2683 Preschool: 303-794-0510

An Evangelical Presbyterian Church

Littleton

First Presbyterian Church of Littleton

First United Methodist Church





Elbert County News 3

November 21, 2013

& Children’s Church 10:00 a.m.

Visit our website for details of classes & upcoming events.

303.805.9890

www.P a r k er C C R S.org P.O. Box 2945—Parker CO 80134-2945

To advertise your place of worship in this section, call 303-566-4091 or email kearhart@ourcoloradonews.com.

Where people are excited about God’s Word.

Sunday Worship: 10:45AM & 6PM Bible Study: 9:30AM Children, Young People & Adults 4391 E Mainstreet, Parker, Colorado 80134 Church Office – (303) 841-3836

www.parkerbiblechurch.org

4-Opinion

4 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

OPINIONS / YOURS AND OURS

Know what’s funny? Not much, really Ironically, I received an email from a reader telling me to smile on the same day that I began a column that would explain why I don’t smile. Or laugh. Oh, now and then I do. The idea came from a New Yorker article written by Paul Rudnick, who said, “The phone rang while I was watching `Good Morning America,’ and I wondered if they could ever pay me enough to fake being that cheerful.’” That made me smile, because I have always thought that most of the men and women who host morning television programs are unnervingly upbeat. I haven’t watched any scripted television comedies in twenty years, simply because they aren’t comedies — at least I don’t think so. Laugh tracks are an insult. They should be illegal. But here’s the thing: I have made people smile and laugh all of my adult life, and not just with my looks. Movies are just as bad. I watched about two minutes of “Goldmember” before vomiting.

I would never survive in a comedy club. I mean, I would never survive in the audience. I don’t tell jokes, and I greatly prefer extemporaneous humor to anything that has been written and polished by a standup. I make exceptions. I lap up the annual joke show on “A Prairie Home Companion,” and especially anything about a skeleton or a snake or a shepherd that goes into a bar. I like sarcasm and dry humor, especially dry, droll humor. I am not a complete sourpuss, but I try to be discriminating. Some people will

Be real, both inside and out I had an interesting “virtual” experience a few months ago. No, not that kind of experience, but a “virtual” business experience that taught me a valuable lesson in life. We all know that everything we see or read on the Internet must be true, right? Not quite. Well, even in the virtual world, everything we see may not be what we think it is either. I was delivering a presentation using virtual technology. The people on the other side of the screen could see me and I could see them, very cool. It was an early morning presentation, I had myself set up at my desk, coffee mug filled, and my webcam adjusted perfectly to capture my image from my chest up to the top of my head. I had dressed professionally for the meeting, however, professionally only from the waist up. Since it was an early morning meeting I took a short cut and put on a dress shirt, tie, and jacket, but left my sweat pants and sneakers on as I would be seated for this presentation. Or so I thought. The meeting went longer than anticipated, and before I knew it there was so much activity happening in my home that I was forced to stand up and shut my office door. I had completely forgotten that I would reveal that I was not in a full suit and tie and that my audience would see my casual sweat pants and sneakers. Was it the worst thing that could have happened? No, of course not. We all got a good laugh about it and it gave me more material for that presentation and for this column. The point I realized was that sometimes in life people only let us see what they want us to see, not the real deal. There have been points in my own life where I have been guilty of this myself, not just through the use of virtual technology, but not being the real deal or the real me in every circumstance. Do I do it

laugh at almost anything. I think I laughed quite a bit during the Bush administrations, but sadly for all the wrong reasons. I gave a one-time painting demonstration to about 60 people, and before I began, the organizer told me to smile every once in a while. That naturally caused me to not smile at all. I cry much more often than I laugh. When I see a genuinely tender moment in a film, I get teary. Whenever I think about my father for more than a minute or two, I get teary. Our thresholds for humor are all different. Television aims for those who have very low thresholds. I want you to listen for something the next time you watch a situation comedy. Every third line is a punch line. That is not how humor works. I feel underestimated. I do get a big kick out of the meteorologists who stand in front of very colorful local or national maps and wave their hands at current or predicted temperatures or conditions, as if they were playing a harp. One in particular should be required to do

her segment wearing handcuffs. What amuses you might not amuse me. I never thought that M*A*S*H was of any particular interest. But to its credit, the laugh track was turned off whenever the characters were performing surgery. There was a (white) Virginia woman on CNN today who was attempting to justify why she permitted her 7-year-old son to dress up like a Ku Klux Klansman on Halloween. The woman’s last name is “Black.” That’s just nuts. I smiled at that, again, perhaps for the wrong reasons. I think the reader who told me to smile wants more confirmation bias in her journalists, and less judgment about the things she believes in that I do not. A skeleton goes into a bar, and the bartender says, “What will you have?” And the skeleton says, “A beer and a mop.” Craig Marshall Smith is an artist, educator and Highlands Ranch resident. He can be reached at craigmarshallsmith@comcast.net

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What gift do you want? Presents will be given as the holidays roll around. We asked people at the Outlets at Castle Rock what gift they would most like to receive this year.

out of protecting myself and keeping a guard up or do I do it out of an intent to have others see me as I want them to see me, not who I really am in any given situation or encounter? As you know by now I love quoting Zig Ziglar, so here is what Zig says about it, “You will make a lousy anybody else, but you will make the best you in existence.” You see we have to be the real deal, the genuine article in all that we do and all that we say. This morning I had another virtual presentation with a team of people assembled in Budapest, Hungary. The meeting was scheduled for 5 a.m. Mountain Time. I woke up early enough to shower, shave, put on my best suit, shirt, tie, and dress shoes. I was dressed for success and not leaving anything to chance. What they saw was a business professional, what they heard came from my heart, and my confidence was so much higher because I was being myself on the inside and the outside, I was the real deal. How about you? Do you let people only see what you want them to see? I would love to hear all about it at gotonorton@ gmail.com and when you enjoy the benefits of being the real deal, the real you, it really will be a better than good week. Michael Norton, a resident of Highlands Ranch, is the former president of the Zig Ziglar organization and CEO and founder of www.candogo.com

“A massage.” — Brandi Tsuchimoto, Castle Pines

“A vacation — anywhere in the Caribbean.” — Pamela Gates, Parker

“More time with my kids.” — Shalea Hardison, Castle Rock

“Something to play music off of my phone from.” — Matt Messer, Castle Rock

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU If you would like to share your opinion, go to www.ourcoloradonews.com or write a letter to the editor of 300 words or less. Include your name, full address and the best telephone number to contact you. Please send letters to letters@ourcoloradonews.com.

Elbert County News 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

GERARD HEALEY President and Publisher CHRIS ROTAR Editor SCOTT GILBERT Assistant Editor ERIN ADDENBROOKE Advertising Director AUDREY BROOKS Business Manager SCOTT ANDREWS Creative Services Manager SANDRA ARELLANO Circulation Director RON ‘MITCH’ MITCHELL Sales Executive We welcome event listings and other submissions. News and Business Press Releases Please visit ourcoloradonews.com, click on the Press Releases tab and follow easy instructions to make submissions. Calendar calendar@ourcoloradonews.com Military Notes militarynotes@ourcoloradonews.com School accomplishments, honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@ourcoloradonews.com Sports sports@ourcoloradonews.com Obituaries obituaries@ourcoloradonews.com To Subscribe call 303-566-4100

Colorado Community Media Phone 303-566-4100 • Fax 303-566-4098

Columnists and guest commentaries The Elbert County News features a limited number of regular columnists, found on these pages and elsewhere in the paper, depending on the typical subject the columnist covers. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Elbert County News. Want your own chance to bring an issue to our readers’ attention, to highlight something great in our community, or just to make people laugh? Why not write a letter of 300 words or fewer. Include your full name, address and the best number to reach you by telephone.

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER Our team of professional reporters, photographers and editors are out in the community to bring you the news each week, but we can’t do it alone. Send your news tips, your own photographs, event information, letters, commentaries... If it happens, it’s news to us. Please share by contacting us at news@ourcoloradonews.com, and we will take it from there. After all, the News is your paper.

Elbert County News 5

November 21, 2013

Day of Oswald’s death was part of ‘bedlam’ Local woman recalls her part in fateful events By Virginia Grantier

vgrantier@ourcoloradonews.com Fran Cason, 76, of Castle Rock, ordered the ambulance for Lee Harvey Oswald after he was shot by Jack Ruby. Cason remembers 50 years ago sitting at her desk in the dispatch office of the Dallas Police Department when the jail clerk, Officer Slack, called from the basement to urgently request an ambulance because “Oswald had been shot.” Cason doesn’t remember being fazed by it — “We were so well-trained” — and she hit the toggle switch that immediately connected her to the ambulance company and ordered a “white ambulance.” That was the policy then, white for white people, black ambulance for blacks, she said, shaking her head at the memory. She also quickly let officers know of the request over the public address system, because it was an emergency, and she also did what she did for every call: Hand-wrote the type of call it was on a 3-by-5 card, stamped it in a machine that put the time on it, 11:21 a.m., and put it on the conveyor belt that took it from the dispatcher’s room past the glass partition and into where two officers would then dispatch, if needed, the next available car. There were no computers then in the small dispatchers’ room, not even typewriters, because there was no time for that. Just hand-write what had occurred and get it on the conveyor belt. She remembers that the police department, even in 1963, was extremely busy, especially on Fridays and Saturdays — shootings, stabbings and robberies and such. But the Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23 and 24, that she worked, went beyond bedlam, she said. President John F. Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, and his accused killer, Oswald, was shot on Nov. 24.

Dallas native

Cason, born and raised in Dallas, was interested in becoming a writer, but no one ever talked to her or friends about college. They assumed they’d get married and have children. She married her high school sweetheart at age 18, Jim Cason, who entered the U.S. Navy. They moved a bit but came back to their hometown. She did secretarial work and after having children she still worked out of necessity, while her mom and various babysitters watched the two kids. In 1960, she got on with the police department, first as a phone clerk/typist who would type out police reports as the officers recited information by phone or in person. Later she moved to the third-floor dispatch office, taking calls from the public. One time an officer called her to request a “fire truck.” That’s what she heard anyway. He was requesting a “tire truck,” because he had a flat and police cars didn’t carry spares. So after the fire truck arrived, the officer called back saying, “Mrs. Cason, the fire department is (here) willing to work with the police department (but) they refuse to change our flat.” She also remembers a particularly busy weekend night when someone called three times requesting an officer because someone had stolen his hubcaps. She finally told him that “police officers don’t fly jet airplanes, they drive squad cars.” The man came in to file a complaint about her and a sergeant told the man to sit there and watch Mrs. Cason work for 15 minutes, and if he still wanted to file a complaint he could. The man would end up apologizing, saying he had “no idea this place was that busy” and left. But it was about to become beyond busy.

Historic day

Cason said she was off-duty, in a beauty salon, on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963, when news came over the radio that President Kennedy had been shot. “I remember everyone being terribly, terribly upset,” said Cason, who also remembers it being a beautiful day weatherwise and that being part of the reason why

Fran Cason, 76, of Castle Rock, remembers well the day that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald. She was was the person in the Dallas Police Department’s dispatch office who called for an ambulance. Photo by Virginia Grantier Kennedy decided to leave the bubble top off the car. Cason immediately called work to see if they wanted her to come in. They didn’t, but she was there the next day at 6:30 a.m., Nov. 23, the start of her shift. “It was bedlam from then on,” she remembers, taking call after call from all around the world from people asking why Dallas couldn’t protect the president, how they could have let this happen. She remembers remaining calm and just saying something like, “We’re truly sorry and it’s being investigated …” She said there wasn’t security like now, and the hallway outside the dispatchers’ office was chaos, jammed with reporters, cables on the floor. The dispatchers never had time to eat lunch that day, and could only get to the bathroom in the hall with an escort from an officer to protect them from the mass of questioning reporters. She remembers in the bathroom someone had put up a sign for fun, “Smile, you may be on candid camera.” Cason said at some point during her Nov. 23 shift, she was in the hallway when the elevator door opened and out came a handcuffed Oswald, escorted by detectives to the homicide bureau down the hall for more questioning, she thought. She was maybe less than four feet from Oswald. “I thought he looked a little `mousy,’ very thin, nondescript … He didn’t seem to have much expression.” She said who she really remembers more was his wife, Marina, who had dark short hair, a maternity top and skirt on, and who passed Cason soon after Oswald. “I think I put more attention to her — how frightened and scared she looked … The look on her face, really lost as to what was going on.”

Basement mystery

The next day, Nov. 24, Oswald would be dead. Cason said everyone knew Ruby, Oswald’s killer. “All the police officers knew him,” she said. Some of them would go to his club to have a drink after work. Cason said only a couple people knew when Oswald would be escorted by police from the basement to be transported to the nearby county jail. She doesn’t think it’s possible Ruby could have known. She remembers hearing Ruby had been to the Western Union on the corner sending money to an employee, and just happened to be strolling by the police department’s ramp to the basement, saw the crowd and went in to see what was going on. Ruby

made a spontaneous decision to shoot him for Jackie Kennedy, Cason thinks. Cason would end up testifying for the Warren Commission about the sequence of events in the dispatch office after the Oswald shooting. Cason, who would move to Colorado to

be near her daughter, still works part-time doing administrative work, and volunteers for a couple groups — but her lifelong interest in writing persists. She thinks she has a couple books in her: Her life with Jim — and life at the Dallas Police Department.

OBITUARIES SMITH

Barbara Elizabeth Walker Smith 1916 - 2013

“Joy cometh in the morning”. On Sunday, November 3rd, just as the day was dawning, the song, “It is Well With My Soul” playing in the background, her family surrounding her, Barbara died at home. She slipped peacefully from our arms into those of her heavenly Father. Barbara was born on April 21, 1916 to Theodore and Rosa (Metzger) Walker, in Montier, Missouri, the 7th of 9 children. As a youngster, her family moved to Colorado. On March 26, 1936, she married Ted D. Smith, a union lasting 76 years until Ted’s death on October 12, 2012.They lived in Colorado Springs for 30 years before moving to their Cherry Creek Ranch in Douglas County. Though she worked at various jobs throughout her life (defense factory in WWII, delivering milk in 1940’s, assisting family with their dress/knit shops, ranching, involvement in Cowbelles—affiliation of Cattleman’s Association) Barbara’s priorities were

always her faith and family. She had a servant’s heart and cared for many in her large extended family, opening up her home to them whenever they needed help. She was/is a beautiful example of all God wants us to be. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband, Ted, and her grandson, Matthew Wilson. She is survived by her children: Dale (Marieta), and Raye (Rick) Wilson; grandchildren: Jennifer Smith (Dave) Askey, Lisa Smith (Jim) Rudolph, Duke Smith, Bob (Mani) Smith, Dan (Christy) Wilson, Sara Wilson (Joe) Hunter and 17 great-grandchildren. The family is grateful to Legacy Hospice for the love and support they gave Barbara. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of choice. A memorial service will be held for Barbara and Ted on November 30, 2013, 2:00 pm at Swan Law Funeral Directors.

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To place an obituary: Private Party Viola Ortega 303-566-4089 obituaries@ourcoloradonews.com

Funeral Homes www.memoriams.com

6 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

Amtrak route through state in jeopardy Southwest Chief line could go farther south By Barry Massey Associated Press

Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas communities face the potential loss of passenger rail service if Amtrak fails to reach a new agreement by 2016 for maintaining and upgrading portions of the Southwest

Chief route through those states, the rail operator said Nov. 12. Ray Lang, Amtrak’s state government relations chief, proposed to a New Mexico legislative committee that Amtrak split the costs of maintenance and capital improvements for more than 600 miles of track with the states and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, which owns the line but uses only a portion of it for hauling freight. He asked lawmakers to consider a costsharing arrangement in which each of the states would spend about $4 million annu-

ally for a decade to keep Amtrak’s Southwest Chief line on its current route. He suggested that Amtrak and BNSF could cover similar amounts, about $40 million over 10 years, but he acknowledged that BNSF has made no commitment. Amtrak’s operating agreement with BNSF expires in January 2016. Lang said BNSF doesn’t want to upgrade sections of the track used by its slower-moving freight trains to meet the higher speed requirements for Amtrak’s passenger trains. Amtrak can’t afford to foot the full cost itself.

The Southwest Chief route travels between Chicago and Los Angeles, but the portion of the route that’s jeopardized runs from the central Kansas community of Newton to Albuquerque in New Mexico. If no track maintenance deal is reached, Lang said, Amtrak will have to consider changing the Southwest Chief to a more southern route — going through Wichita in Kansas through Amarillo in Texas and then to Belen in New Mexico. Amtrak then would no longer serve Lamar, La Junta and Trinidad in Colorado.

Creekside 4-H installs officers for coming year Gift exchange, potluck set for next meeting By Aubri Strachan

Special to Colorado Community Media Thirty members attended the Elbert Creekside 4-H Club’s Nov. 3 meeting at Elbert Christian Church. The club noted the birthdays of two members — Anna Owens and Alyssa Bogner — and discussion was held on enrollment deadlines and fees that needed to be turned in.

The new officer installation was a success. The officers for the upcoming year are: Tawni Strachan, President; Katie Listul, Vice President; Emmi Lindsey, Secretary; Kade Henderson, Treasurer; Aubri Strachan, Reporter; and Casey Cornelius and Clay Hendrix, Co-historians. The club presented the Pride Awards for the past 4-H year. Three young girls graduated to become real 4-Hers (Alyssa Bogner, Emilyann Turner and Victoria Turner). Twenty-two full 4-Hers received pins for their county accomplishments; 11 members received an award from the state fair. Three members received pins for becoming youth council officers. The club officers

also each received a pin. The next meeting will be held at the Elbert Christian Church on Dec. 1. This meeting is the annual Christmas potluck and gift exchange. This year the club is making senior gift bags for Christmas to deliver to the senior citizens in the Elbert area. At the next meeting two members are doing their yearly presentations. Immediately following the meeting, we enjoyed four member presentations: • Kodi Henderson did her presentation on leather craft painting and told us how she got the idea of making a hair piece for last year’s fair.

• Marlene Snell did hers on how to prepare a chicken for showing, and she brought along the chicken she is going to show at the National Western Stock Show. • Mckenna Henderson did her presentation on how to do pencil drawing and shading, and she told the club she was going to do the pencil drawing project for the 2014 fair. • Aubri Strachan did her presentation on the history of The WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association) and the history of barrel racing. She also told the club that one of the previous members in the club, McKayla Nealy, is now a professional barrel racer.

Is carpet cleaning on your holiday checklist? As we prepare for guests this holiday season, many of our to-do lists include carpet cleaning. A simple thing like professional carpet cleaning could potentially pollute our stormwater. Water used in the cleaning process contains yucky stuff that nobody wants in the waterways. If carpet cleaning is on your list, make sure the carpet cleaning liquid is disposed of in the toilet or down a floor drain. Ask your professional how they dispose of the carpet cleaning liquid. And remember never dump it to the street. Local stormwater agencies are teaming together to bring you this message. We take this so seriously that we posted this ad rather than send you more garbage in the mail. One thing is clear: our creeks, rivers and lakes depend on you.

THIS STORMWATER MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Visit www.onethingisclear.org to:

• Report accidental and illegal dumping to your local agency • Search local volunteer events • Find more helpful tips

Give our streams a gift this holiday season by disposing of your cleaning solution properly. Community Media of Colorado agrees: Please recycle this newspaper responsibly and partner with our communities for a better tomorrow. Ad campaign creative donated by the Town of Castle Rock Utilities Department, Stormwater Division.

7-Color

Elbert County News 7

November 21, 2013

‘Blood ivory’ destroyed to send message Poachers, smugglers defy 1989 ban on trade By Steven K. Paulson Associated Press

U.S. officials destroyed more than six tons of confiscated ivory tusks, carvings and jewelry — the bulk of the U.S. “blood ivory” stockpile — to support the fight against a $10 billion global trade that slaughters tens of thousands of elephants each year. Officials on Nov. 14 used rock crushers to pulverize the stockpile, accumulated over the past 25 years, at the National Wildlife Property Repository just north of Denver in Commerce City. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will donate the crushed ivory particles to a museum to be determined for future display. Beforehand, service officials showed off thousands of ivory tusks, statues, ceremonial bowls, masks and ornaments to be destroyed — a collection they said

represented the killing of more than 2,000 adult elephants. The items were seized from smugglers, traders and tourists at U.S. ports of entry after a global ban on the ivory trade went into effect in 1989. “What is striking to me is the lengths that some commercial importers and smugglers will go to conceal their ivory — everything from staining it with colors to covering it with leather,” said Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Steve Oberholtzer. “The stakes are high in the ivory trade.” The message from the crush likely will reach consumers more than the faraway poachers and smugglers targeted by governments across the globe. Elephant poaching is at an all-time high, thanks in large part to U.S. demand and growing demand in Asia. The British-based Born Free Foundation estimates that poachers killed 32,000 elephants last year. It says that black-market ivory sells for around $1,300

per pound. Most elephants are killed in Africa, where there are about 300,000 African elephants left. There are an estimated 50,000 Asian elephants found from India to Vietnam. Not everyone supported the ivory crush. Bob Weisblut, a cofounder of the Florida-based International Ivory Society, said he thought the carvings and tusks should be sold to raise money for anti-poaching efforts. “A lot of this is beautiful art,” Weisblut said. “And it’s a shame to destroy it.” The ivory being destroyed didn’t include items legally imported or acquired before the 1989 global ban. “This is a way to say to people we are not putting a value on ivory. We’re putting a value on the lives of the elephants,” said Azzedine Downes, president of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which works with U.S. agents to enforce animal protection laws.

ALL THIS AND MORE

Safeway assistant manager Jay Hollingsworth shows off some of the renovations done for the Elizabeth store’s “Grand Re-opening.” Safeway, which opened in Elizabeth in 1997, spent $500,000 on the redo. Photo by George Lurie

22 Community papers & websites. 400,000 readers.

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ThunderRidge High School invites all prospective students and their families to an academic showcase night on Monday, December 9, 2013, at 6pm. The evening is intended to provide a snapshot of the academic pathways offered through our comprehensive high school, an overview of how ThunderRidge students excel, and an introduction to how they are prepared for success in the 21st Century. Individual detailed sessions will be available regarding the International Baccalaureate Programme, Advanced Placement courses, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) and Career and Technical Education. Families will have the opportunity to meet with current students, various clubs and activities, and other members of the TRHS community, who are excited to share their school experiences.

1991 Wildcat Reserve Parkway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 Questions should be addressed to Ms. Irene Apostolopoulos at icapostolopoulos@dcsdk12.org or at 303-387-2205.

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NOTICES

! s u n Joi

Notice To Creditors PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CREDITORS Estate of Warren Arthur Bostrom, Deceased Case Number: 2013 PR 30018 All persons having claims against the above-named estate are required to present them to the Personal Representative or to the District Court of Elbert County, Colorado on or before March 14, 2014 or the claims may be forever barred. Lynn M. Vanatta-Perry Attorney at Law 315 East San Miguel Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 Legal Notice No: 927829 First Publication: November 14, 2013 Last Publication: November 28, 2013 Publisher: Elbert County News

Learn more online at:

www.northdenvercares.org

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South MetroLIFE 8-Life-Color

8 Elbert County News November 21, 2013

The “Leahy Family Christmas” concert, with eight talented Canadian siblings, will be presented at the PACE Center in Parker on Nov. 29. Courtesy photo

PACE rolls out slate of family holiday fare Music, art, gifts on center’s agenda By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com Parker’s PACE Center has announced a holiday season of goodies to attract the family — with music, art and a chance to find special gifts for those on your list. • The eclectic quintet Sybarite 5 will perform its concert repertoire, ranging from Radiohead to Brubeck — with Piazolla perhaps in the middle — at 4 p.m. Nov. 24. $20. • The internationally known “Leahy Family Christmas” will deck the halls at

7:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, feaParker Chorale join forcIF YOU GO turing the eight musical es at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 Canadians in fiddle-playand 7 for “A Classic ParkThe PACE Center is at 20000 Pikes ing, step-dancing, songer Holiday.” Included in Peak Ave., Old Town Parker. Tickets to singing — a spirited Celtic the orchestra’s program: events are at pacecenteronline.org, Christmas show. Tickets Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Snow 303-805-6800. start at $40. Maiden Suite”; “The • The Colorado SymEighth Candle” by Steve phony brings its popular Reisteter; “Skater’s Waltz” “Drums of the World” production at 2 p.m. by Waldsteufel; and Leroy Anderson’s popNov. 20. It explores the myriad forms of ular “Sleigh Ride.” Tickets start at $20. percussion: bongo, marimba, bass drums, • “The Nutcracker of Parker,” presented log drums, boo-bams, Chinese cymbals, Dec. 19-22 by Colorado School of Dance, metal trash cans, darabukkas, talking includes local and professional dancers, drums, plastic pipe, acoustic guitar, toy with professional backdrops and sets. trumpet, table spoons, burma gongs, wa- Show times are 2 and 7 p.m. ter can, crow call, tambourine, gankogui • Nature’s Patterns,” an exhibit of works and sleigh bells. Tickets start at $20. by the very active Parker Artists Guild, • The Parker Symphony orchestra and opens with a 6 p.m. reception on Nov. 22

and continues through Jan. 3 in the gallery. Visit before and during performances — or as a special expedition. Original art is a very special gift. • On Dec. 6 and 7, the Old Town Parker Holiday Art Market will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7, the Parker Youth Ballet will perform “12 Days of Christmas and there will be complimentary carriage rides on Mainstreet on Saturday evenings. (Parker is one of eight Emerging Creative Districts designated by the State of Colorado) • Finally, celebrate “New Year’s Eve, Motown Style” on Dec. 31, with cocktails, appetizers, music and a silent auction, which will include a painting by Pam Hostetler, a founder of the Parker Art Guild. $100 a person. (Sold out last year.)

CELTIC MUSIC rocks the house Musicians find new home at Brew on Broadway By Tom Munds

tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com Patrons tapped their feet or rapped the table in time to the Celtic music filling the air Nov. 7 as it does each Thursday when musicians gather at the Brew on Broadway, 3445 S. Broadway. “We are just a group of people who love Celtic music and get together to play that music anywhere we can find a location that will have us,” said John Hammer, self-appointed leader. “There is nothing formal or planned. We just get together for an open session the way they do it in Ireland. A few of us set up and start playing the music we love, and anyone who has the desire is welcome to join in the session. We don’t use sheet music. Every song is played from the memory and from the heart.” He said the sessions had been held at the Celtic Tavern until it recently closed. He was on the lookout for a new place to play and he met with The Brew on Broadway owner Paul Webster, who offered the opportunity to play at the craft brewery on Thursday evenings.

There were about 20 musicians taking part in the Nov. 7 session. Musicians young and old played their individual instruments. Frequently, it was a fiddler who started a song, joined by musicians playing guitars, the flute, the banjo, the harmonica and whistle. Hammer joined in on the hammered dulcimer while Patty Oliver, who recently came to Colorado from Illinois, moved around the room as she played the fiddle. “It is such a joy to make music with others who love the tunes like I do,” she said with a smile. “Every song is played from the heart and a love of playing these tunes.” Nearby, Ginny McKay played the harmonica. “I love being here and playing these songs with others who love Celtic music,” the Englewood resident said. “We all know a lot of songs. Someone will start playing a melody and we just join in with them. I love doing this.” Bear Valley resident Margaret McBride played the whistle. “I have been playing Celtic music since I was knee-high,” the 90-year-old McBride said. “I love the music and it makes me feel good to join the group playing the songs we love.” Webster said he was glad to welcome the Celtic musicians to his craft brewery and

Ginny McKay, left, plays the harmonica as she joins in with the other musicians Nov. 7 during the open Celtic music session. The session is held each Thursday at The Brew on Broadway at 3445 S. Broadway. The establishment is a craft brewery and coffee house. Photo by Tom Munds coffee house. “It is fun to have them here on Thursday evenings,” he said. “Everyone I have talked to said they like having the Celtic music here in our brewery.” The long-awaited craft brewery opened in July. Webster, an Englewood resident for 29 years, said in an earlier interview that, about a year ago, he was at a point where he needed a job when he and his wife came up with the idea of BOB, which stands for The Brew on Broadway. He said opening a craft brewery has been something he wanted to do for himself and for his community.

“I have been brewing beer at home for 29 years, so now I am doing that on a much larger scale,” he said. “We are brewing English-style ales. It takes 10 days to two weeks to complete a brewing process. Then we let the beer age for about a week before we put it in kegs.” He has five brews available, ranging from pale ale to a stout. The business also has a variety of coffees and teas available. But, except for snacks like chips, the Brew on Broadway doesn’t have food. However, Webster said customers can bring their own food or place orders to have food delivered to them at the brewery.

9-Color

Elbert County News 9

November 21, 2013

Music to set tone at ACC Four free musical performances will be presented by Arapahoe Community College’s music department in early December, all in the Houstoun Waring Theatre (M2900) at the Littleton campus, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive. For information, contact Dr. Hidemi Matsushita, hidemi.matsushita@ arapahoe.edu, 303-797-5867. The shows are: Dec. 2, 7 p.m., the ACC String Orchestra, conducted by Rene Knetsch; Dec. 4, noon, members of the Arapahoe Philharmonic will give a lunchtime performance of Stravinsky’s “Soldier’s Tale”; Dec. 6, 7 p.m., the ACC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Cecil Lewis; Dec. 9, 7 p.m., the ACC Chorus, conducted by Ron Kientz and the Women’s Vocal Ensemble, directed by Mayumi Matsumoto, will sing.

Magic man

Peter Samelson, illusionist/entertainer/philosopher, appears at Theatre of Dreams, 735 Park St., Castle Rock, at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and 23 with an all-ages show of magic and theater. Tickets: $22.50. Reservations: 303-660-6799.

Arts guild at Bemis

The Littleton Fine Arts Guild has an exhibit at Bemis Library through Nov. 30. Gene Youngman was juror and his awards went to: Peggy Dietz, “Old Print Shop,” first; Cheryl Adams, “Coral Roses,” second; Greg Chapelski, “No Two Alike,” third. Honorable mentions went to Julia Grundmeier and Pat Dall. Bemis Library is at 6014 S.

Datura St., Littleton. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. 303-7953961.

Paint Box Guild show

The Paint Box Guild of Littleton will have an exhibition from Dec. 2 to 31 at Bemis Library, 6014 S. Datura St., Littleton. Media included: oil, watercolor, pastel and mixed. Open during library hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Auditions set

“Spring Awakening” auditions will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 23 at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main St. in downtown Littleton. Nick Sugar is director and choreographer, Donna Debreceni is music director. Five-minute slots by appointment only: Prepare 24-32 bars of music similar to the show’s style. Bring sheet music — an accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals begin March 1, show runs April 11 to May 11. For appointment: fsabartinelli@ townhallartscenter.com, 303-7972787, ext.211.

Cecil Lewis is ACC Jazz Ensemble director and will perform with the group on Dec. 6. Courtesy photo

Letter to Virginia

“Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” by James Gorski, directed by Francesco Viola III, is presented by the Parker Arts Council at Deep Space Theater and Event Center at 3 p.m. (2:30 p.m. precurtain) on Nov. 23, 24, 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8. The center is at 11020 S. Pikes Peak Drive, Parker. Tickets: $5 donation at the door. Parkerartscouncil.org.

Historic house tour

Historic Denver announces the fourth annual Upper Colfax Victorian Holiday House Tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30. A ticket includes a visit from Santa and complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides. Tickets cost $12 advance, $15 day of tour at Castle Marne B&B, 1572 Race St. Other homes on the tour: Holiday Chalet B&B, 1820 E. Colfax; Unity Temple, 1555 Race St.; Milheim

House, 1515 Race St.; Adagio B&B, 1430 Race St..

SSPR features local artists

J. Mensen, photographer, and R. Dickey, ink portrait artist, will exhibit work through Nov. 28 at Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle. Lone Tree. Also, Karen Trenchard’s Colorado photographs will be exhibited at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial.

You’re invited to a special preview and tour. Experience life as a JWU student by making sure you attend a special Preview Day, Saturday, December 7, from 8am-1pm. • Campus tours • Speak with faculty • Learn about financial aid opportunities. High school seniors and transfer students – bring your transcripts for a preliminary admissions review. Continuing education students – discuss your unique needs with our admissions officers. Refreshments will be served.

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Johnson & Wales University admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin, among other categories.

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10 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

Rock Canyon stages Shakespeare play ‘As You Like It’ gets Woodstock twist By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews. com Rock Canyon High School’s young thespians, directed by Cindy Baker, will perform classic roles in William Shakespeare’s popular comedy “As You Like It” in the school theater at 7 p.m. Nov. 21, 22 and 23. Romance, rivalry and mistaken identity are woven into a complex plot, originally set in the forest of Arden, as the audience follows the tale of Rosalind, Celia, Orlando,

Holiday celebration

“A Christmas Carol, the Musical” plays Nov. 26 to Dec. 22 at the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada. Directed by Gavin Meyer, it’s produced with elaborate staging, beautiful costumes and a large professional cast. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 1 p.m. Wednesdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

IF YOU GO “As You Like It” will play at 7 p.m. Nov. 21-23 at Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch. Tickets cost $8 and $6 and will be available at the door.

Oliver, shepherds and others. Cast members include leading players Zack Rickert, Meredith Ham, Sam Henry, Larissa Rosendale, Liam Kelley, Logan Schafer, Chris Woodley and Max Pederson. For this production, the scene is switched to Woodstock in 1969 and the characters will be hippies. “Themes of love, gender roles and the thrill of nature are preserved,” Baker said.

Thespians are also preparing to compete at the December 5-7 statewide Thespian Conference at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Also competing, according to Baker, are stage managers Bethany Hopkins and Lela Smith, cast members Isabella Huff, Michael Mille, Mitch Valdarez, Francesca Wearsch, Rachel Rose and Kinsey Riley. Light designer Sam Molitoriss will offer his design in the Technical Theater category. Before they compete, they will also audition at Rock Canyon for roles in the spring musical, “Sweeney Todd: School Edition.” In addition, Schafer and Zetwick recently auditioned and were selected for the elite Colorado All State Jazz Choir.

Rock Canyon High School’s thespians are staging “As You Like It,” playing Nov. 21-23 in the school’s theater. The play is set at Woodstock instead of the Forest of Arden where Shakespeare placed it. Photo by Cindy Baker

CURTAIN TIME

Tickets: start at $53, with 50 percent off for children, if purchased through the box office, 720-898-7200, arvadacenter.org.

Traditions skewered

“Santa’s Big Red Sack” returns to Avenue Theater from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, for the fifth year, at 417 E. 17th Ave., Denver. It’s produced by Rattlebrain Theatre, featuring Dave Shirley in a

series of skits. (For adults.) Performances: 7:30 Fridays and Saturdays; Thursdays Dec. 15 and 22; 7:30 Monday, Dec. 23; 4 p.m. Dec. 24. Tickets: $26.50/$23.50, 303321-5925, avenuetheater. com.

Sedaris experience

“The Santaland Diaries,” based on a now-famous David Sedaris short story, will be presented in the

Denver Center’s Galleria Theatre Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 by the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, starring Matt Zambrano. (Not for children.) Performances: Thursdays through Tuesdays evenings at 7:30; matinees Sat. and Sun at 2 p.m. Tickets: 303-893-4100, den-

vercenter.org.

More about Scrooge

“Scrooge, the Musical” plays through Jan. 5 at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown. A warm family story, adapted from film. Performances: 7:30

p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays (dinner at 6 p.m.; 1:30 p.m. Saturdays (dinner at noon); 2 p.m. Sundays (dinner at 12:30 p.m). Tickets: $49.50 to $59.50, $29.50 child, $29 over-50 adult show only. Coloradocandlelight.com, 970-7443747.

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Elbert County News 11

November 21, 2013

Cherokee Castle gets festive for holidays Full platter of good times set for December By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com Cherokee Castle is a feast for the eyes at any time of year, but holiday decorations on the giant hearth and elsewhere add a festive air that is above and beyond. In addition to scheduled programs, there are castle tours and holiday teas — advance reservations are a must for events at this historic treasure: 303-688-4600. A sampler of programs, which include a buffet dinner, castle tour, performance, dessert and coffee with performers:

• Dec. 1 — Christmas Jazz with the Lynn Baker Quintet — Lamont School of Music jazz educator, performer, composer, saxophonist Lynn Baker, who will include Dexter Gordon’s version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and more. $100. • Dec. 6 — Holiday Dinner with Charles Dickens. David Skipper talks about and reads from his Christmas classic and other Dickens works and engages guests in parlor games. $60. • Dec. 7 — Jazz pianist Henry Butler will perform seasonal music — sacred and secular — in his own special style. $110. • Dec. 8 — “White Christmas-A Holiday Musical Review” with the Colorado Caroling Company. Includes music from the classic American film by Irving Berlin and other favor-

ites. $105. • Dec. 13 — Jake Schroeder (Opie Gone Bad) and Hazel Miller join other Colorado music veterans for a holiday evening in the Great Hall — a special benefit for Cherokee Castle and Ranch. $125. • Dec. 14 — “‘Twas the Brass Before Christmas” with the Denver Brass 5 playing trademark arrangements and traditional carols. $105. • Dec. 21 — Rachel Lampa sings holiday tunes. The Christian inspired vocalist and recording artist entertains. $90. • Dec. 22 — “Columbo and the Case of the Christmas Killer” takes the favorite detective to Miss Kitty’s Christmas Jamboree where he gets the audience to twostepping and line dancing as they help him solve a murder. $70.

Lynn Baker and his Lynn Baker Quartet will perform “Christmas Jazz” on Dec. 1 at Cherokee Ranch. Courtesy photo

Malala is subect of poetic celebration lege’s Writers Studio hosted an event to celebrate the publication of the book (on the Oct. 9 anniversary of the day she was shot in the head). Kathryn Winograd, who heads the Writers Studio, issued an invitation to the community at large and to the area community of poets to attend. Colorado poet Joseph Hutchinson, who was asked to edit the anthology, opened the evening’s program, saying he had invited Andrea Watson to assist him and they had received about 100 to 150 poems each week from around the world. (They read them all.) At first, the words were angry, but as good news came that Malala — who was carried to England and cared for by a pair of doctors there — was recovering, the tone shifted. “They ended up with a broad representation of emotion.” Included in those selected for publication were works by Winograd and Chris Ransick of the ACC faculty. Hutchinson started the poetry readings with his own and one by Jane Hillberry, who teaches at Colorado College,

ACC Writers Studio honors brave girl By Sonya Ellingboe

sellingboe@ourcoloradonews.com

A book of poems for Malala Yousafzai is published as part of the “Good Works Project.” Courtesy image

23 Community papers and websites.

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“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world,” Malala Yousafzai told the United Nations delegates when she spoke to them on her 16th birthday. It was a birthday a Taliban gunman who attacked her on her school bus in Pakistan never intended for her to celebrate. One outcome of the ongoing, increasingly encouraging news about this remarkable young woman is an anthology of poems by writers from around the world: “Poems for Malala.” It is published as a “Good Works Project” by FutureCycle Press, and all proceeds will go to the Malala Fund she established to help with education for girls. (malalafund.org). On Nov. 8, Arapahoe Community Col-

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then invited poets in the audience who had poems in the finished volume to read, plus others from the active community of Colorado poets and several ACC faculty members. Each read two poems. Hearing these poets read, including Kathryn Winograd reading her own contribution, “etymology of girl,” reminded me that poetry is really meant to be read aloud. The impact is greatly enhanced. The evening closed with a representative of the Denver-based not-for-profit, Women’s Development Association, speaking about their work in Lahore, Pakistan, where there is 27 percent literacy overall — almost none among women. They offer a two-year literacy class for women, and some have gone on to the undergraduate level. They also offer computer classes and assist with health issues and micro loans. “Poems for Malala” can be ordered in paperback or Kindle e-book edition from Amazon.com, and all proceeds will go to the Malala Fund.

12 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

Kindness reigns in this parade Sometimes, you can’t stop the parade, especially when it’s fueled by quiet goodness and an abiding conviction that the smallest effort makes a difference. Sometimes, you just have to jump into the line and see where it takes you. That’s what high school teacher Bob Sutterer and his Rum-Dums did. “We feel we don’t really know what we’re doing,” says Bob, with a smile. “But none of us really feels like we should walk away — so we just keep walking forward.” One hopeful step at a time. The path is taking him and his small troupe to Liberia, a battle-ravaged country struggling to find its way after two successive civil wars dismantled its economic and educational infrastructure. “The challenge is huge,” says Robert Sondah, an educator in Liberia from whom Bob has learned much. “Our society has been broken.” But to fully understand Bob’s connection to this small West African country, you must first retrace the route back 17 years to a Minnesota basement and a rickety table with file folders stacked by a man who repeatedly showed his family what it meant to care. “I remember walking into the kitchen and Dad was cooking ribs — mounds of food,” Bob says. “I’d say, `Oooh, we’re going to eat well!’ And he’d say, `They’re for so-and-so-and-so-and-so ... someone with illness in their family or who had lost their job.” His dad, Dittmar Sutterer, was the son of a pastor from a small Minnesota town. Now 82, he spent his life as a teacher, paper industry employee and school custodian. Always, “he was making and giving things to other people,” Bob says. So, it didn’t surprise anyone when Dittmar, after befriending members of the large Liberian refugee community in Minneapolis, began supporting an orphanage in the country where 85 percent of its people live below the international poverty line.

He established a small, informal nonprofit comprised mainly of neighbors on his street and ran it from the table in his basement, writing necessary communication on a manual typewriter. Eventually, the bridge he built carried more than 7,000 books, about $90,000 to help create and modernize schools from thatched-roof into cement-walled structures and 178 55-gallon barrels of clothing, medical supplies and food. In 2007, after 11 years of guiding this outreach, Dittmar, beginning to feel the weight of his years, gave notice to family, friends and partners in Liberia that he would retire the following year. “A lot of his supporters were aging, too,” Bob says. “It was kind of a natural winddown of the entire process.” But, as Bob looked at what his father had done, he and his wife, Lisa, began to marvel: “We were amazed that one guy, a retired senior citizen, could start something that grew to something really significant.” That’s when the parade beckoned. Bob visited Liberia in 2010, driving down muddy roads through lush jungles to villages where kids ran down hills as he arrived and teachers shook his hands in gratitude. He found unexpected memories of home, too. “I saw books that were on my shelf on their shelves,” Bob says. “I saw kids running around in Minnesota jerseys.” He returned to Colorado completely overwhelmed, knowing only the need for education was immense and feeling a fascinating curiosity spark about what, just

maybe, could happen if someone cared enough. “Education,” Bob says, “should be something everyone should get a shot at.” He began writing to friends, and like his father before him, recruited a small neighborly band. They include his wife, a middle school social studies teacher; a marketing executive; a physician’s assistant; a school principal; an accountant; and a college professor. They call themselves the RumDums because they’re figuring it out as they go. They’ve connected with the nonprofit Vision Trust in Colorado Springs, a Christian organization whose goal is to provide at-risk children in Africa, Asia and the Americas with education, food and medical care. That’s how they met Robert and his wife, Siakor, who oversee six schools with 54 teachers and more than 2,600 students in kindergarten through ninth grades. The couple was recently in Colorado for training with Vision Trust and strategy meetings with the Rum-Dums. They are passionate about their mission. “We’re hoping to develop a new generation of leadership in our country,” Robert says. “We’re hoping the kids will grow up to know God and become the leaders who will help the people and bring back to the community.” Apart from the mission connection, a true friendship forged on mutual admiration is growing. Bob is consistently moved by the devoted commitment Robert and Siakor, parents of four children themselves, bring each day to plant roots for successful lives in the children under their watch. “It’s truly inspiring ... to give to so many kids,” Bob says. “There’s a simple but profound goodness in that.” Robert and Siakor see that virtue in American culture rather than their own. “You (Americans) can’t just live for yourselves,” Robert says. “You have to

empty yourself into other people.” Siakor acknowledges the different cultures and environments. “But,” she says, “we are all working for the common good — so we can make the world better.” Maybe that’s what the parade represents, a chance to become part of something greater than ourselves. For Bob, the journey has been a multifaceted blessing. As a teacher, “it’s fascinating professionally to apply the things I’ve been doing my whole life in a different way.” As a father, “it’s a good kind of family legacy and a good teaching moment for my kids.” As a son, “it was a way to honor my father.” It’s about faith, too. “There are about three times in my life that God has tapped me on my shoulder when I’ve gotten the sense this is something I should be doing.” There’s a true story Bob likes to tell about a parade. It goes likes this: One New Year’s Day when San Diego resident Bob Goff’s kids were bored, he suggested a neighborhood parade. The only rule — no one could watch. Everyone had to participate. A few neighbors joined and marched down the street. Years later, hundreds march in a parade that has become a grand tradition. Bob recounted that story when he first approached the Rum-Dums about helping children half a world away find their future. And then he said: “There’s this parade that’s happening. Do you want to just grab something and jump in?” All it takes is one hopeful step. Aren’t you curious to see where it will end? Ann Macari Healey’s column about people, places and issues of everyday life appears every other week. She can be reached at ahealey@ourcoloradonews.com or 303566-4110.

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Elbert County News 13

November 21, 2013

Santa arrives at Park Meadows Annual event kicks off holiday shopping season By Jane Reuter

jreuter@ourcoloradonews.com Highlands Ranch residents Casey and Stella Oyloe may only be 6 and 4, but their Christmas lists reveal their technological maturity. “An iPhone and pixie dust,” 6-year-old Stella said as she, her sister and two cousins waited to see Santa Claus at Park Meadows mall Nov. 9. “An iPhone and a baby doll,” 4-year old Casey said. Cousin Patrick Westhoff, 7, of Commerce City, had an equally adult request. “Avalanche tickets,” he said, struggling and failing to think of anything else he wanted. Zoe Westhoff, meanwhile, has her hopes set on a more traditional childhood-variety gift. “My Little Pony and a Princess Twilight Sparkle doll,” the 7-year-old said. Around the corner, Castle Rock 4-yearold Emma Maddaford, attired for the morning in a sparkling red sweater dress, said she wants a mermaid tale and Christmas pajamas. Her 3-year-old brother Miles explained his fondest desire in detail. “I want the Polar Express train that goes around the tree, and then we can push a button and it goes around the tree,” he said. The six were among hundreds of children waiting at the Lone Tree mall Saturday morning to greet Santa Claus and kick off the holiday shopping season. Santa, known to some as Sterling resi-

dent Larry Propp, arrived in grand style on a South Metro fire truck. As he stepped out of the cab, a small girl broke free from the crowd of onlookers and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He quickly was surrounded by excited children, who accompanied him on a walk through the mall to Santa’s Village — a section of the mall reserved for Santa and his visitors from now through Christmas. Children weren’t the only ones happy to see Santa. The day of Santa’s arrival at the mall is typically one of the busiest of the year at Justice children’s clothing store, manager Cori Wagner said. “I think this is going to be a better shopping season than last year,” she said. “I think now that the furlough is over, people will be spending money.” Lego store supervisor Courtney Morgan said a shorter shopping season meant the season started early this year. “On Halloween night, we put all our Christmas stuff up,” she said. “So I think people this year are more apt to get in the spirit earlier.” Park Meadows traditionally draws high traffic — with parking lots often filled to capacity — during the holiday season, but manager Pamela Schenck-Kelly isn’t sure this season will set records. “It’s difficult when you have big numbers to grow by big numbers,” she said. “The retail industry has plateaued at this point.” Employees are difficult to find this year, indicating a drop in unemployment, Schenck-Kelly said. “The other factor is I think the community has become very stabilized,” she said. “We have a very educated consumer. I think they’re more savvy than typical here because of this demographic, but it’s also

Santa Claus, aka Larry Propp, rides down the escalator at Park Meadows mall moments after his arrival Nov. 9. Accompanying him is the Chick-fil-A cow mascot. Photo by Jane Reuter due to technology. They know real value as opposed to inflated value. They’re more zeroed in on what they want.” Along with malls and retailers nation-

wide, some Park Meadows stores will open Thanksgiving night, with others starting Black Friday at midnight and the remainder between then and 8 a.m.

santa at park meadows Children can visit Santa at the village near the Vistas mall entrance on the following dates and times: • Nov. 9 - Dec. 13 Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Nov. 29 Black Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Dec. 14 - Dec. 21 Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Dec. 22 - Dec. 23 Sunday-Monday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. • Dec. 24 Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SALOME’S STARS FOR THE WEEK OF NOV 21, 2013

crossword • sudoku

GALLERY OF GAMES & weekly horoscope

crossword • sudoku & weekly horoscope

GALLERY OF GAMES

ARIES (Mar 21 to Apr 19) Although your energy level is high, be careful not to commit to too many projects at this time. You’ll do better focusing on just a few tasks rather than spreading yourself too thin. TAURUS (Apr 20 to May 20) Your heart might be leading you in one direction, but pay attention to your keen Bovine intellect. I’m cautioning you to think things through before making any commitments. GEMINI (May 21 to Jun 20) Your “serious” Twin has been dominant in your life for quite a while. It’s time now to let that “wilder” half take you out for some good times -- perhaps with someone very special. CANCER (Jun 21 to Jul 22) Career aspects are high for Moon Children who make a good impression. Show people not only what you can already do, but also how you can be more valuable to them in the future. LEO (Jul 23 to Aug 22) Things start to brighten for the Lion’s immediate financial future. But be careful to resist the urge to splurge. You need to tuck something away to help you through another tight period. VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22) Having to do too many tasks in too short a time could lower your mood to just above the grumbling level. But if you handle things one at a time, you’ll get through it all soon enough. LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct 22) Your usually carefully made holiday plans could be subject to change later this month. Use this week to prepare for that possibility by starting a Plan B just in case you need it. SCORPIO (Oct 23 to Nov 21) Be careful about joining a colleague’s plan to solve a workplace problem. Investigate it thoroughly. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a predicament with other associates. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 to Dec 21) Slow down that high-paced whirl you’ve been on. Spending quiet time alone or with people you care for can be both physically and spiritually restorative. CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19) Make suggestions, not demands. You’ll be more successful in getting people to follow your lead if you exercise quiet patience instead of strong persuasion to get your ideas across. AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18) You still need more facts before you can make an informed career choice. One note of caution: Be careful about whom you ask for that information; otherwise, you could be misled. PISCES (Feb 19 to Mar 20) Changing situations through the end of the week could lead to some challenging opportunities for those perspicacious Pisceans who know how to make them work to their advantage. BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of being both daring and cautious, traits that could make you a research scientist or maybe even a rocket-ship designer. © 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

ElbertSPORTS 14-Sports

14 Elbert County News November 21, 2013

Cardinals quarterbacks and receivers practice Oct. 30. The Elizabeth team lost to Glenwood Springs in the first round of the Class 3A football playoffs. Photo by George Lurie

PRIDE and REGRET follow Cardinals’ playoff loss

17 seniors wrap up prep football years By Scott Stocker

Special to Colorado Community Media A short visit to the Class 3A playoffs was not what the Elizabeth football team had envisioned. A total of 17 seniors at Elizabeth, coached by Chris Cline, finished their high school football careers two weeks ago

when the home-standing Cardinals were upset by Glenwood Springs, 14-13. Making the loss all the more difficult was the fact that Elizabeth was the No. 5 seed in the playoffs, while Glenwood was No. 12. That loss makes reflections on the season somewhat tough to contemplate for not only the departing seniors, but for all those on the Elizabeth roster this year. Still, there are a lot of good thoughts about the campaign and winning the Colorado Seven League championship. “The season ended much sooner than

we ever thought,” said 250-pound, twoway lineman Dallas Reins. “As a whole, I’m disappointed that was our last game. I feel that we could have done a lot better, but it was just one of those hard days. I didn’t play as well as I could and should have. I felt that I, perhaps, gave up a little bit. Right now, thanks to all my teammates and coaches for their hard work and friendship. “It was a good year, winning the league,” said Reins, who now prepares for the wrestling season as the Cardinals heavyweight. “I’m not sure about where I will go for col-

lege, but I’d like to continue my football career. Now, I’ve got to get myself ready for wrestling and then track in the spring.” Over the course of the season, the Cardinals scored 367 points while allowing 152. Their other two losses in the season came against non-league foes, Roosevelt, 35-16, and Canon City, 23-20. “It was a great regular season,” said running back and defensive back Chase Nicholas. “To finish 8-2 was pretty good. But Cardinals continues on Page 15

LEFT: While his proud parents look on, gymnast Drew Burton signs his letter of intent to attend Stanford University. RIGHT: Basketball player Tatum Neubert, standing at the center of the group, poses with her teammates after the ceremony where she signed to play for the University of Oregon. Photos by George Lurie

Two Elizabeth athletes sign ‘big-time’ letters of intent By George Lurie

glurie@ourcoloradonews.com In a special ceremony held last week at the Elizabeth High School cafetorium, two standout Cardinal athletes put their John Hancock on scholarship offer letters from

Division I colleges with prestigious athletic programs. Tatum Neubert signed with the University of Oregon Ducks to play women’s basketball in Eugene next fall. Drew Burton, a highly sought-after gymnast, will continue to be a Cardinal during his collegiate athletic career, signing with

Stanford University to accept a scholarship offer to compete as a member of the prestigious university’s men’s gymnastics squad, whose mascot is also the Cardinals. “Athletes signing scholarship offers from big-time programs like Oregon and Stanford do not happen very often around here,” said EHS Athletic Director Chris

Cline. “We couldn’t be more proud of Tatum and Drew. It’s very exciting when Elizabeth High School has two students playing in the prestigious Pac-12 Conference.” More than 100 students attended the signing ceremony. “You better make it to the Olympics,” one boy shouted out after Burton signed his letter of intent.

15-Color

Elbert County News 15

November 21, 2013

Cardinals

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Continued from Page 14

to lose in the first round of the playoffs was not. It was very rough. We all wanted to do so much better and I don’t think we were ready for them physically. That’s sad to look back on.” Nicholas caught a 65-yard pass from quarterback Brody Oliver for the first Elizabeth touchdown in the first quarter against Glenwood Springs. Jordan Bucknam, also a senior, scored on a one-yard run for the second touchdown in the third. However the Cardinals failed to convert the extra point, which eventually proved to be their downfall. Glenwood would score its winning touchdown with only 2:20 remaining in the game. “Over the season we were passing and running well,” said Nicholas, 6-1, 175. “Brody (Elizabeth quarterback Brody Oliver) kept us going. Thanks to all the guys and our coaches. I just wish we could have gone further. I’d liked to major in engineering and play football in college, and I’ve got a few schools to look at and consider. Now, I’m going to play baseball in the spring.” Not only the football season for offensive lineman and linebacker Jaxon Graber came to an end, but his career on the gridiron, as well. “It was a good season, but we all wish that we could have gone a lot further,” said the 5-11, 175-pound Graber. “Our game in state was one of the hardest of the year. They were more physical than we had anticipated. “The key for me was helping the team through the season,” Graber said. “We just didn’t want it to end that way. Fort Morgan was my best game of the year and I had a good one against Canon City, too. I’m not sure about college, but I’m not going to play football. I may go to a trade school for one year and then think about college. I just have to see how

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Elizabeth High School athletic director and head football coach Chris Cline sits in his office in late October. “It was a good season, but losing in the first round was a big disappointment,” Cline said last week about the Class 3A football playoffs. Photo by George Lurie things go.” Cline admitted that it’s a pretty tough playoff loss for his Cardinals as they finished the year 8-3 overall. “It was a good season, but losing in the first round was a big disappointment,” Cline said. “We won the league, but not winning a game in state was hard for everyone. I look back and it was a good season for the kids. It just didn’t come out the way we had hoped. “Eight-2 in the regular season along with a league championship was a fine accomplishment,” Cline said. “I’m so proud of this group of

seniors who did well over their high school careers. “I’m looking forward to next year and the season with the players coming back. The youngsters grew into their roles and I do believe that we have a good future ahead.” Cline was also pleased to praise his coaching staff. Joining Cline on the sidelines this season wer Mike Zoesch, Ty Barrett, Brian Martinez, Craig Blackham, Jared Jackson, EJ Kruse, TJ Schmidt and Tim Dillavou. Now, the 2014 season will be on the backs of a possible returning 18 juniors and 19 sophomores.

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16-Color

16 Elbert County News

November 21, 2013

things to do Nov. 24 WomeN’s breakfast. The Elbert Woman’s Club will have its monthly breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Russell Gates Mercantile Community Hall. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, coffee/tea and juice are served for $6/adults and $3/children under 12. The hall is located in Elbert on Elbert Road between Highways 86 and 24, 11 miles south of Kiowa. Proceeds support the maintenance and renovation of the hall, built in 1906. Nov. 22-23 CaNterbury tales. The Elizabeth Middle

School Cardinal Players present “The Canterbury Tales” at 7 p.m. Nov. 22-23.

Nov. 26 thaNksgiviNg meal. The FHS annual

Thanksgiving Meal is from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 26.

DeC. 6 sileNt auCtioN The Kiowa Friends of the

Library plans its silent auction. Bidding opens Nov. 15 and continues through 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Stop by the library to bid; library hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Contact the Kiowa Library for information, 303-621-2111.

DeC. 12 voluNteer rouND-up. The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo needs 150200 volunteers in guest relations, children’s programs, horse and livestock shows, and the trade show. The 108th stock show is Jan. 11-26. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities and to set up an interview for a volunteer spot, attend the National Western volunteer round-up from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt St., Denver. For information and to fill out a volunteer application, go to http://www.nationalwestern.com/volunteer/ or contact Kellie at 303-299-5562.

mobile bus at 2100 Legacy Circle, Elizabeth. For information or to schedule an appointment please contact the Bonfils’ Appointment Center at 303-363-2300 or visit www.bonfils. org. All donors who give blood between Dec. 8 and Jan. 18 will receive a Bonfils T-shirt, while supplies last.

Church) needs to let the public know that we are available to help anyone who needs food. The hours are Friday 12:30-3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. Other times by appointment.

elizabeth guitar Group. Elizabeth guitar circle will meet on the first and second Wednesday of each month at the Elizabeth Library. Traditional protocol/courtesy. Country, pop, bluegrass, cowboy, Beatles, 50s, 60s, 70s, blues, jazz and more. We who play for pleasure would love to meet more of same. Acoustic or power down. Come prepared to share a few songs, perform, play along, sing along with others. Enjoy new guitar friends to jam with. Gerry Vinson hosts on the first Wednesday from 6:30-9 p.m., and Laurie Smith hosts on the second Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Uncertain? Drop by and observe. Banjo, ukelele, mandolin welcome. Call Laurie at 720-363-3531.

the outbaCk Express is a public transit service provided through the East Central Council of Local Governments is open and available to all residents of Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties and provides an economical and efficient means of travel for the four-county region. Call Kay Campbell, Kiowa, at 719- 541-4275. You may also call the ECCOG office at 1-800-825-0208 to make reservations for any of the trips. You may also visit http://outbackexpress.tripod.com. DivorCe aND Post-Decree Clinic. Elbert and Lincoln County Pro Se Divorce Clinic is offered from 9 a.m. to noon the third Friday of each month at the Elbert County Justice Center, 751 Ute St., in Kiowa. For information, call 303520-6088 or email morgan@hayday.org. The clinic is free for parties who have no attorney and who are going through dissolution of marriage, legal separation, or post-decree cases. All walk-ins are welcome, and will be assisted on a first-come, first-served basis.

laWyers at the Library, a free legal clinic

for parties who have no attorney, will be offered from 6-9 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month at the Elizabeth Library, 651 W. Beverly St. Volunteer attorneys will answer questions, help fill out forms and explain the process and procedure for the areas of family law, civil litigation, criminal defense, property law, probate law, collections, appeals, landlord-tenant law and civil protection orders. Walk-ins are welcome. Everyone will be helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

Douglas-elbert CouNty Music Teach-

ers’ Association meets at 9 a.m. every first Thursday at Parker Bible Church, between Jordan and Chambers on Main Street. All area music teachers are welcome. Call Lucie Washburn, 303-814-3479.

mystery book Club meets at 9:30 a.m.

DeC. 18

the elbert County Sheriffs Posse is a nonprofit volunteer organization that is part of the Elbert County Sheriffs Office. As volunteers we support the Elbert County Sheriffs Office, all law enforcement in our county, and the community at large. Membership is open to anyone without a criminal record. It meets the last Monday of the month at the Elbert County Sheriffs Office at 7 p.m. For more information or a membership application, go to http:// www.elbertcountysheriff.com/posse.html, or contact Dave Peontek at 303-646-5456.

blooD Drive. Walmart community blood drive is from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 18 inside Bonfils’

the elizabeth Food Bank, 381 S. Banner in Elizabeth (next door to Elizabeth Presbyterian

Send uS your newS Colorado Community Media welcomes event listings and other submissions. Please note our new submissions emails. events and club listings calendar@ourcoloradonews.com School notes, such as honor roll and dean’s list schoolnotes@

Report the first Saturday of each month at the Simla Public Library. The group enjoys talking about a variety of mystery authors and titles. We also periodically host a Colorado author during our meetings. Everyone may join us, and registration is not required. Visit the Simla Branch of the Elbert County Library District at 504 Washington Avenue, call 719-541-2573, or email farabe@elbertcountylibrary.org.

overeaters aNoNymous meets from 10-11 a.m. and from 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Sedalia Room at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 2100 Meadows Parkway, Castle Rock. saturDay geNealogy Fun meets at the Elbert Public Library at 1 p.m. on the seocnd Saturday of each month. Beginning to advanced genealogy enthusiasts are invited to attend. The Elbert Public Library is in the Elbert School library at 24489 Main Street in Elbert. Call 303-648-3533 for more information. seNiors meet in Elizabeth every Monday at 11 a.m. for food, fun and fellowship at Elizabeth Senior Center, 823 S. Banner St. Bring a dish for potluck on the first Monday of each month. Other Mondays, bring a sack lunch. Bingo, games and socializing. New leadership. Call Agnes at 303-883-7881 or Carol at 303646-3425 for information eDitor’s Note: Calendar submissions must be received by noon Wednesday for publication the following week. Send information to calendar@ourcoloradonews.com, attn: Elbert County News. No attachments. Listings are free and run on a space-available basis. ourcoloradonews.com Military briefs militarynotes@ourcoloradonews.com General press releases Submit through our website Letters to the editor letters@ourcoloradonews.com Fax information to 303-566-4098 Mail to 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Ste. 210, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

issue-related work Buchanan had done on the county’s behalf prior to the election and then suggested a number of “action items” for the BOCC to pursue going forward. One of Buchanan’s strongest recommendations was for commissioners to stop “micromanaging” department heads and staff. “The BOCC should seriously consider creating an office of County Administrator to oversee all departments and daily operations,” he said. “Much of the time spent by the BOCC in meetings could be eliminated by the creation of this position.” Buchanan’s report concludes: “The drama and conflict in the BOCC has to stop, you have lost credibility with the employees and the community. … The BOCC must persevere in reaching out to the county as a whole and create safe environments where those who want to be part of the solution can be heard and participate.” Buchanan encouraged the BOCC to “quit catering to and indulging those whose only desire is to be combative and critical of anyone’s solution but their own. …The BOCC has to lead or this will be another failed BOCC term allowing the challenges of today and tomorrow to continue to plague the county.” Commissioner Robert Rowland called the report “sobering” and vowed to “do a better job of listening in the future.” “I think this may help clear the air and allow the county to move forward,” said Commissioner Kurt Schlegel. “This report shines light on where we are at currently — both as a county and as a board,” Schlegel added. “I think it was fair. Hopefully, we can improve on how we do business as a county.”

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