Delta County Independent, Dec. 23, 2015 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

NORTH POLE GREETINGS Santa visits the special folks of the North Fork Valley, B1

SPORTS

SPIRIT OF GIVING

WELCOME BREAK

Cedaredge community comes together to distribute food, toys, C1

DELTA COUNTY

Hotchkiss boys, girls look to regroup for January basketball, B6 DECEMBER 23, 2015 VOL. 132, NO. 51

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Tests raise learning expectations BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

In the 2014-15 school year, students in Delta County joined those in 11 states and the District of Columbia in taking a national assessment known as the PARCC. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test is intended to measure students’ achievement levels in math and English language arts/literacy. More rigorous academic stan-

CMAS PARCC Spring 2015 Achievement Results % Met or Exceeded Expectations

English Language Arts Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade Grade

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

50J 40.5 42.4 38.1 31.9 36.2 39.8 31.7 29.1 29.2

State 38.2 41.7 40.5 39.1 41.0 40.9 37.8 37.4 39.9

Mathematics Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Algebra I Geometry Algebra II

50J 34.9 21.7 18.8 21.3 19.6 9.8 18.8 19.9 23.9

State 36.7 30.2 30.1 31.7 27.4 18.9 30.4 24.0 27.8

dards have been adopted in those areas, to ensure students are ready for college and/or a career by the time they graduate. The tests were administered in grades 3-11 last March, and because they were so new, results were released to school districts just a few weeks ago. Student reports will be distributed shortly after the beginning of the second semester, according to Kurt Clay, assistant superintendent of Delta County Joint School District #50. As expected, most Colorado students did not meet state expectations on the new, more difficult assessments. State and district officials emphasize that the first PARCC scores serve as a baseline, a foundation on which students and educators can build as they continue to adapt to the Common Core standards in language arts and math. In language arts, 40 percent of Colorado students rated as meeting or exceeding expectations, ranging from a high of about 43 percent in fourth grade to a low of 37 percent in 10th grade. Students did worse in math: 29 percent of Colorado students hit those marks, ranging from about 19 percent in eighth grade to 37 percent in third grade. Those results are laid out in the accompanying table, alongside Delta County results.

Roadless comment period extended The Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service announced an 11-day comment period extension for the proposed reinstatement of the North Fork Coal Mining Area exception of the Colorado Roadless Rule. The 45-day comment period, which began on Nov. 20, was scheduled to end on Jan. 4. The extension gives interested individuals and groups the opportunity to provide comments until Jan. 15. The Department of Agriculture and Forest Service received requests for an extension due to the holidays. The publication of this extension in the Federal Register is pending. The Colorado Roadless Rule is a state-specific rule that provides direction for conserving and managing approximately 4.2 million acres of Colorado roadless areas on national forest system lands within the state of Colorado. The North Fork Coal Mining Area exception allowed for temporary road construction for coal exploration and/or coal-related surface activities in a 19,500-acre area defined as the North Fork Coal Mining Area.

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Agriculture .....................C6 Back Page ................... D8 Business ...................... A8 Church ............................C4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ......................B8 School Zone .................. A6 Service Directory ........ D7 Sports ..........................B5-7 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D5-6

The Forest Service, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, has prepared a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) addressing the specific environmental deficiencies identified by the District Court of Colorado. Also, the Department of Agriculture is proposing to correct certain Colorado Roadless Areas boundaries associated with the North Fork Coal Mining Area based on updated information obtained since the promulgation of the 2012 Colorado Roadless Rule. The SDEIS details the environmental, social and economic impacts of three a5lternatives. All alternatives include the boundary corrections of the Colorado Roadless Areas. The SDEIS is available for review and comment online at: http://www. fs.usda.gov/goto/coroadless rule. The extended comment period ends on Jan. 15. Comments may be mailed to: 740 Simms, Golden, CO 80401, or faxed to 303-2755134. An electronic comment form is available at go.usa. gov/3JQwJ.

“Honestly, these results are pretty close to where we thought they were going to be,” Clay said. He said district administrators discovered that schools that put a lot of time and effort into training students how to take the online tests did a lot better than the schools that

didn’t. “We’re getting up to speed on how to test on the computers, and the type of concept-based questions that are being asked.” Students had to do much more complex thinking than just fill-in-theblank answers, he added. Overall, Clay said, the district feels the assessments are

Delivering holiday cheer

a valuable tool for measuring competency of Colorado academic standards. “It’s important to find out where students are in relation to other students. That’s the true measure of our students’ understanding. Are there some things we have to TESTSTO A3

Photo by Tamie Meck

The owners of this house on Hawthorn Drive in Hotchkiss made sure the postal carrier can ﬁnd their mailbox — it’s adorned with Christmas lights. And if the weather forecast is accurate, it could also have a dusting of snow by Christmas Day.

New chamber director gets down to business Fargo, as a personal banker. She previously worked at VerHolly Piatek is clear about izon and 94 KIX/KUBC. She and her husband Mike the focus of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce as the are the owners of PTK Ranch new year approaches with a LLC, which offers riding lesnew executive director at the sons and training for horse lovers. Piatek also provides helm. “I’m here to build business,” carriage services for speshe said. “What’s going to cial occasions, including last help grow our community and summer’s Downtown DeltaFests. She is an animal lover bring our economy back?” She’s educating herself who has eight horses of her about resources already avail- own, as well as five dogs. She able to local business own- does some dog breeding and ers, and exploring wants grooming. With all those animals, as and desires through a short questionnaire she takes along well as a 16-acre ranch, it’s as she introduces herself to clear Piatek isn’t afraid of chamber members. She’s hard work. She believes her making 50 to 60 calls a week, strong sales background will so members can put a face to also be an asset in her new her name. “I want to let them position. Organizational abilities are know I’m open to suggestions, to criticism. It’s all about com- equally critical, as evidenced by the white board munication.” outlining 2016 chamPiatek is very ber events, beginning familiar with chamwith the Small Busiber activities, having ness Resource Expo recently served on on Feb. 23. The chamthe chamber board. ber’s annual meeting She’s also knowlis set for March 12, edgeable about the and the Spring Expo business community (formerly known as — her most recent Holly Piatek the Home and Garden job was with Wells

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Show) takes place April 15 and 16. Piatek and the chamber board are exploring ideas to enhance those events, as well as the Downtown DeltaFest. “I’m not sure we need additional events,” Piatek said. “We just need more participation in the events we offer.” She’s excited about some of the changes made in 2015, including the return of the Deltarado Days rodeo, Downtown DeltaFest and the chamber’s Facebook page. “Those were great additions,” she said. In addition to event planning and business support, the chamber is a primary contact for visitors to Delta and the surrounding area. Folks will notice the fish display has been removed, but there are still lots of maps and brochures highlighting places of interest on the Western Slope. Piatek said she would like to see more focus on local attractions, again with the intent of supporting local businesses first and foremost. “That’s my focus,” she said. “It’s not about me; it’s about helping your business grow.”

Community dinner

Labor force report

Holiday closures

On Christmas Day, Delta area residents are invited to share a traditional meal at Delta United Methodist Church, 5th and Meeker. The free community Christmas dinner will be served, along with live music, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. The community Christmas Day meal is a partnership of Delta United Methodist Church, community businesses and other local faith-based organizations. More information is available by calling the church at 874-9501.

According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the state the unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point in November to 3.6 percent. That places state unemployment at the lowest level since June 2007. On the Western Slope, however, unemployment more closely reflects the national unemployment rate of 5.0 percent in November 2015. Delta County’s unemployment rate is estimated at 5.2 percent, up from 4.8 percent the previous month. In November 2014, the unemployment rate was 5.4 percent. Montrose and Mesa County are at 4.6 and 5.1 percent, respectively.

City of Delta offices will be closed both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Devil’s Thumb Golf Club will also be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Bill Heddles Recreation Center is open Christmas Eve from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and closed Christmas Day. The facility will be open 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve and noon to 5 p.m. New Year’s Day. Trash pickup that normally takes place on Friday will take place Saturday. The Delta County Courthouse and North Fork Annex will close at noon Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas.

A2 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

OPINION

LETTERS A historic plan for water Dear Editor: Recent weeks marked a moment in Colorado’s water history by charting a path to the future with a comprehensive water plan being released to the public. The Colorado Water Plan was delivered to Governor Hickenlooper, and with it, the thoughts and goals of months of work by the basin roundtables. Senate District 5 is home to the Colorado, Gunnison, and Arkansas rivers. All three rivers are part of our identity in the high country, our lifestyle out west, and making sure that we’re building an economy that gives everyone a fair shot at getting ahead. From rafting Brown’s Canyon to fishing the upper reaches of the Gunnison, to turning on head gates on the Colorado, we know our rivers. We also know that in order to maintain healthy and free flowing rivers, we must keep the water in the basin it was born in. The Western Slope even bears the burden of delivering water across the border to the downstream states. The

Upper Arkansas is burdened with downstream demands. We cannot also be expected to support population growth in arid areas with additional diversion that sends our water to the Front Range. We value agriculture, outdoor recreation and healthy streams that support a diverse ecology, but these values are challenged when anything but a whole-state approach is used to make water policy decisions. Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues in the state legislature only think of the metro area when drafting bills dealing with the state’s water. When I was first running for the office of state senator, I promised to be a strong voice for the Gunnison, the Colorado and the Upper Arkansas. We have much that needs protecting. The Colorado Water Plan is the result of years of bottom-up planning. While we have to cautiously approach any water plan, and ensure that our water out west is protected, I’m encouraged that people who

Short-term problem? Dear Editor: So Mr. Wills thinks global terrorism is a short-term problem. He needs to explain that to the families of the victims in San Bernardino, Boston, New York, Benghazi, Paris, London, Madrid, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Afganistan, Yemen, Somalia, Malaysia, Philippines, and elsewhere. The length of the list of names is too long to print here, but he can look them up on

the Internet. If he needs help remembering all the events, there is a list of hundreds dating from the 1980s on the Wikipedia site. He can also express his concerns with the men and women of the armed forces and law enforcement who fight and die to protect his right of free speech, even if the opinions he expresses are his own version of what he’s read or heard. Tom Anderson Paonia

know the pebbles of the streams worked on this plan with an emphasis on honoring our water and our heritage. Conservation has taken a front seat in the Colorado Water Plan, as has avoiding any new large transmountain diversions. By emphasizing restoration of our rivers and implementing a serious plan to conserve our water, future generations have a chance at enjoying the rivers and streams that we do, and the Front Range will use less even while population booms in our metro areas. To honor the work done to create the Colorado Water Plan, we in the state legislature should honor the work of the Colorado citizens by not taking parts of the plan out of context to justify a pet project in a metro area. Through state water projects and increasing storage capacity of our water, to ensuring that conservation doesn’t negatively impact access to water for our farmers and ranchers, I will be a fierce advocate for making sure that our Western priorities are represented in any legislation related to the plan. Much of our way of life is tied to the rivers, creeks and streams that cascade down our mountains or meander through our valleys. It’s time for Colorado to have a water plan that reflects our values and makes sure that we delicately balance conservation with protecting our water rights and fighting for our water to stay where it belongs — with us. Kerry Donovan State Senator Senate District 5

Clean Power Plan ensures sane, safe energy supply Dear Editor: I urge everyone to stand up for themselves in their own lives, and to participate in democratic processes. Be vocal with decision makers and your many representatives. Presidential politics is divisive and a distraction from our representatives and governmental agencies, where law, budgets and programs are made and regulated. The EPA has a public input period open until Jan. 21 for the

Clean Power Plan (CPP), which is being formed in conjunction with all the states, and which I’m advocating here. EPA.gov/cleanpowerplan states that by reducing the United States’ CO2 output to two-thirds of our 2005 level by 2030, output of other toxins will also diminish. We will avoid thousands of premature deaths and have thousands fewer asthma attacks and hospitalizations in 2030 and every

Trump is the wrong choice Dear Editor: Donald Trump’s base is base. The Republicans dug their own hole when they determined that only those thoughts promulgated by the thought police on the right were to be used by their candidates. The candidates were cowed while Trump was not. As a result, voters on the right have moved toward him. It is a travesty because the Republicans are not truly being represented to date. It is time for other factions to step forward. Is there a viable candidate in the wings who can truly represent the party of those who are sometimes viewed to covet money over all else? Think about it. All Trump represents is money and manipulation. Where is the party of Lincoln? If they stick with the philosophy that government is the problem, DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (UPS 152-700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Second class postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416 401 Meeker St. Delta, CO 81416 (970) 874-4421

the country will be stuck with no government and so will their party. They have no real chance with their candidates threatened by a failed philosophy of do nothing and be proud of it. The fundamentalists have no business dictating religious tenets as policy. We are not ISIS, why do we imitate them. There should be enough inflammatory rhetoric here to get conversation going and give the real Republicans a chance to speak up. Bob Connor Montrose

year beyond as a result of enacting this rule. Implementing the rule will garner climate benefits of $20 billion, health benefits of $14-$34 billion, and net benefits of $26-$45 billion. The CPP will also protect public health, avoiding 3,600 premature deaths, 1,700 heart attacks, 90,000 asthma attacks, and 300,000 missed work and school days each year. State support of the CPP is an opportunity for Colorado to continue to lead the way to a sane, safe, and secure energy supply. Comment at EPA.gov/cleanpowerplan. As their site says, “Taking action now is critical. Reducing CO2 emissions from power plants and driving investment in clean energy technologies strategies is an essential step in lessening the impacts of climate change and providing a more certain future for our health, our environment, and future generations.” Contact any and all decision makers, movers and shakers, because your input makes a difference! Jack Ferrell Paonia

KUDOS Thanks to the Delta Elks Dear Editor: The Delta Senior Citizens would like to express their appreciation to the Delta Elks No. 1235 for their generosity in sponsoring our holiday dinner for 86 seniors who attended the special event on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Delta Senior Center. The Elks paid for the delicious turkey and trimmings dinner and five Elks volunteered to take meal trays personally to each diner in the room. We would also like to thank all our valued volunteers at the Delta Senior Center who helped set up, decorate, and clean up the dining room, and we thank the wonderful cooks who worked to prepare the meal for more than a day. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all! Paul Ash, DSC Vice President

Delta County Independent

Changes at A kidZ Clinic Dear Editor: Parents and community members that have supported A kidZ Clinic would want to know that there have been significant changes to the clinic in the last 30 days. The school-based health center (SBHC) has lived in the hearts of many community members for over a decade and was finally made into a reality in July of 2014. While in the planning phase back in 2013, the planning committee did a significant amount of work to seek out the “best-of-the-best” model for rural SBHCs. The plan was to create a community-owned, nonprofit 501(c)(3), as this governance model would be ideal as the clinic would not be subjected to the whim of any one specific agency’s funding cuts or changes in leadership. The school district could rely on the SBHC to provide health services and programming, but not be burdened by the responsibility of managing a health clinic. A community-owned model allows for parents, students and passionate community members to be an integral part of the board of directors. The participation of families in the SBHC is a basic component of A kidZ Clinic’s community advisory board. The mission of all

SBHCs is to give the gift of access to health services to the students in their schools, where they are and when they need them with support from many agencies to serve the entire continuum of health issues. The governance model was set up so that the executive director of this clinic was to be overseen by that board of directors and other staff members could be contracted depending on the services needed, like dental hygiene or mental health, through the provision of a clinically administrative “tactical” team. The board would oversee the fiduciary responsibilities to the funders and the tactical team works on the daily clinic operations. The underlying foundation of an SBHC is the development of partnerships with existing resources within the community and to serve the school district by providing prevention and education programming. The funding is a mix of revenue generated by insurance billing, State of Colorado grant monies in a budget line item designated to only SBHCs, and private foundation grants. These total to date are over $500,000 to assure the sound and sustainable development of A kidZ Clinic. The tactical

team made the changes to the direction of the clinic and after a disagreement over the clinic administration, the tactical team has fired or laid off staff, with the result of the rest of the staff resigning on the medical and administrative team. The clinic has been a program dear to my heart with many hours of work put in for the partnerships to be successful, and I ask you all to continue to provide support and input as parents, students and community members as scarce resources are hard to develop in rural Colorado. My wish for our community is that we all continue to care about the health and wellness of our children, our future! My hope is that the clinic finalizes the board of directors so that these members can carry on the work of serving our students and that they are educated on the amazing opportunities that are available to SBHCs. Our community needs support to carry on collaborative projects that do require a large amount of relationship building through trust and shared resources, but all well-worth the effort if our children have the resources they need! Mariah Emond Delta

Law enforcement blotter

From the Delta borhood cats, including her own. She was in posPolice Department: session of one of the dog’s collars. Dec. 15: A Delta area man Greggory A. Trujillo, 46, of Delta was issued pulled up to his house on a ticket for alleged fol- 2100 Road and found the lowing too closely, driv- door wide open. He waiting a motor vehicle while ed in his car for depulicense revoked HTO, ties to arrive. No one was owner operated unin- located on the premises sured motor vehicle and and nothing was missing no registration in vehi- from the home. Gunnison County depcle after being involved in a two-vehicle crash uties relayed a report of on Riley Lane at E. 3rd an assault that occurred Street. No injuries were in Austin on Dec. 5. The reported or observed. reporting party, a GunniOne vehicle was towed son resident, said he and a longtime acquaintance from the scene. Bill E. Higgs, 44, of had an argument that Delta was arrested and resulted in punches being jailed for alleged second thrown. The acquaintance denied there was degree assault. Dennis J. Fulton, 25, any physical contact. Jocelyn Evans, 24, of of Delta was arrested and jailed for alleged harass- Grand Junction lost conment and false imprison- trol of her vehicle on the icy road at Buckwheat ment. Road and Highway 92. Dec. 16: Joseph P. Miller, 23, of The accident occurred at Delta was arrested and 8:30 p.m. Her vehicle left jailed on a warrant with the road and rolled onto its top. Both Evans and no bond. her passenger escaped Dec. 17: Shawn L. Willshire, injury. The Colorado 40, of Delta was arrested State Patrol arrived on and jailed for alleged first scene to handle the invesdegree criminal trespass tigation. Dec. 16: and criminal mischief. A snowmobile accident Nathaniel L. Hamm, 18, of Delta was arrested was reported on Grand and jailed on a warrant Mesa at about 8 p.m. Two individuals who were with a $250 bond. Leo B. Galicia, 24, of possibly injured made Delta was arrested and their way to a cabin on jailed on a warrant out Upper Baron Lake Drive of New Mexico with a and forced entry so they could go inside and warm $30,000 bond. up. John Hanley and Dec. 18: Anthony G. Uhlen- Kimberly Bruce advised burg, 33, of Delta was they were not seriously arrested and jailed on injured, but they were a warrant with a $750 unsure of their location and how to get out of bond. there. When sheriff ’s Dec. 18: Venisa M. Soto, 36, of deputies arrived on the Delta was arrested and scene, Alexander Lake jailed on a warrant with Lodge provided snowmobile transportation to get a $250 bond. the injured parties out. Dec. 20: Joshua M. Hernandez, They were safely rescued, 34, of Delta was arrest- but Kimberly Bruce was ed and jailed for alleged arrested on outstanding warrants. harassment. Citations: Seven tick- Dec. 17: A two-vehicle accident ets for traffic violations were issued this week, was reported at Hidden Springs Road and Highfour for speeding. Please remember: All way 92 at about 1 p.m. criminal charges are John Drake was reportmerely an accusation edly stopped at a conand the defendant is pre- struction site when he sumed innocent until or was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Chayla unless proven guilty. DeMoss. She was taken From the Delta to the hospital for treatCounty Sheriff’s Office ment. The Colorado State Patrol arrived and took (partial list): over the scene. A second accident Dec. 14: A Delta area man occurred on Black Sage reported the theft of out- Road and Fruitland going mail from a resi- Mesa Road outside of Crawford about the same dence on A50 Road. A Hotchkiss area resi- time. Bobbi Becker came dent reported ongoing over the hill on Fruitland incidents involving dogs Mesa Road and because that have killed neigh- of slippery road condi-

tions, was unable to avoid a vehicle driven by Howard Manchester, which was blocking Black Sage Road. Manchester complained of neck and back pain and was transported to DCMH. Dec. 19: A Hotchkiss area woman reported three shots were fired from a vehicle as it drove past her pasture. She was able to get a photo of the blue Suburban. An accident was reported on Highway 92 shortly after 1 p.m. Jonathan Depuy slowed to make a turn at 31600 Highway 92 and was struck from behind by Signe DeGraffenreid of Paonia. DeGraffenreid was unable to stop due to slippery road conditions. A burglary was reported on Hayden Road outside of Paonia. The homeowner found a circular saw, roofing hammer and splitting wedge missing from one home. A wooden desk and watches were missing from a second house on the property. The homeowners are still taking inventory of the home’s contents; the incident is under investigation. Dec. 20: A Delta area woman said her ex-husband has been violating a restraining order via Facebook contact and text messages. A recent message included a video threatening their dog with a knife. Deputies went to the hospital emergency room to take a report of an accident involving a male driver who accidentally ran over a female. He was backing out of his driveway and did not see her standing behind the car. She suffered minor injuries. No criminal charges were filed. Deputies responded to a residence on F Road for a domestic incident reportedly involving a firearm. The female victim had left the area, but Louis Morgan was still in the house. As deputies cautiously approached the house, Morgan said he had fired one round and broken one window, but had no intention of harming anyone. He was taken into custody without incident, but because of medical complications was released to the hospital. Charges are pending and may include domestic violence involving criminal mischief/ threatening behavior, as well as prohibited use of a firearm.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Tests FROM PAGE A1 do better to prepare kids for the tests themselves? Yes, there are some definite testing strategies. It’s different from paper and pencil, and that may have taken some validity out of this year’s test; however, we’re still accountable for teaching those standards.”

Another closely watched component of the PARCC tests is the participation rate. In future years, low participation will carry consequences for schools and school districts. But a testing reform law passed last spring created a one-year timeout in the accountability

system. According to a Chalkbeat review, just 32 Colorado school districts reported their overall PARCC participation at 95 percent or above, as required by federal law. Overall, the state’s PARCC participation rate was 82 percent, an all-time low for Colorado

Photo by Pat Sunderland

The line begins here

Behind the Darth Vader mask, Steve Glammeyer stakes out a spot at the Egyptian Theatre. He arrived 12 hours early for the opening of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” to make sure he had the best seat in the house. He said the bank thermometer read 22° early Thursday morning, but he dressed in layers to stay warm. His opinion of the movie? “Epic is the word I’m using. Worth the wait. No one started lining up until about 4:30, but that didn’t bother me any. It’s my tradition to wait in line for every movie, and I’m sure I’ll be out there May 26, 2017, for the next one. At least that one is in the summer!”

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Commissioners seek clarity on access plan BY HANK LOHMEYER

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Staff Writer

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The Board of County Commissioners reviewed some details of the new access control plan for Highway 50 north and Highway 92 as it heads east from downtown Delta. Commissioners were concerned with criteria that are used to determine when traffic studies will be required, or when access to the highway is changed or denied for businesses along the corridors that have been in existence prior to the plan’s adoption. Those with current access to the highway corridors have been grandfathered in even if they do not have an access permit from

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state standardized tests. Delta County’s participation rate varied by school, but dropped significantly at the secondary level. High school students in general don’t see much value in testing, because they’re preparing for the ACT, Clay said. That’s consistent with results from across the state. The opt-out provision was approved by state legislation, but there’s still a question about how the federal requirement is tied to federal funding, Clay said. For Delta County, that’s a $4 million question. The school district has also been frustrated by the delayed reporting of results. Because the tests were taken online, results were expected much sooner. “They’re telling us that because this was a baseline year, it took some time to establish benchmarks,” Clay said. From here on out, results are expected to be available within a month, which will help teachers address gaps at the beginning of the school year. Shortly after school resumes in January, principals and teachers will be educated about the student reports, so they can be prepared to address questions when those results are sent home. “Our teachers and principals have already seen the data, but they haven’t gone out to parents yet,” Clay explained. “We want to make sure our staff is educated in how to read them before they go out to parents.”

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CDOT, the BoCC was told. Significant change in the amount of traffic being generated by an access (i.e. a 20 percent increase) will trigger the need for a permit. Most of the businesses on the two corridors were in place prior to 1986 when access permits were first required by CDOT, contractor representatives said. Representatives of the traffic engineering consultant doing the study and from CDOT said they have held numerous discussions and meetings with affected property owners. Open house forums have also been held. Mailings, newspaper notices and individual correspondences have been conducted. In other business at recent meetings, the county commissioners have dealt with the following matters: • Commissioners signed off on a final piece of legal paperwork involving the Rule 106 appeal case and the county’s approval of West Slope Layers and Rocky Mountain Layers. Commissioners approved the official lifting of the cease and desist order they had been instructed by the district court to impose in 2013. • The commissioners endorsed a document verifying that the

Early deadlines announced The Delta County Independent will close at noon Thursday, Dec. 24, and remain closed until Monday, Dec. 28. Accordingly, early deadlines will be in effect for display advertising. Space reservations must be made by 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 24. There will be no change in the deadlines for legal notices (Mondays at 10 a.m.), or classified advertising (Mondays at 10 a.m.). The same schedule will be in effect for the New Year’s holiday.

county’s hiring practices are based on factors including the applicant’s knowledge, skill and ability.

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O Come, O Come to a FREE Community Christmas Dinner

Merry Christmas to All You are welcome to join us for a

FREE COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER

Friday, December 25 ~ 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Delta United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 477 Meeker Street • Delta For more information call the church ofﬁce at (970) 874-9501

Want to advertise in the DCI? Contact one of our ad reps at 874-4421.

NOON YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA FOR YOUTH

FREE

Thursday, December 31 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

FREE

Music • Pizza • Games Bubble Wrap Stomp Add-Ons (magnets) from Fat Cat Pottery Sparkling Apple Cider Toast at Noon YOUTH OF ALL AGES WELCOME!

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Delta Elks Lodge #1235 563 Main Street • 874-3624

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A4 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

ACCENT

75th anniversary celebrated

Hospital volunteers needed Delta County Memorial Hospital needs hospital volunteers. There are currently openings in the emergency room, oncology, gift shop and some additional areas. If you are interested, please contact volunteer coordinator Joyce Picard at 874-3841 for an application.

Judy and Dan Finochio

Finochios celebrate �� golden �� anniversary ��

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Delta County Independent

Dan and Judy Finochio of Cedaredge celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 30. They have been together ever since that first motorcycle ride. They raised two daughters and enjoy their four grandchildren.

Duke and Edith Jardon are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary Dec. 23 with their three sons and families, relatives and friends. Papa Murphy’s pizza and ice cream will be the order of the day. Duke was born March 23, 1919, in Cripple Creek. He graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs. Edith was born May 10, 1920, just up the road at Read. She graduated from Delta High School. Duke and Edith met each other while working at Beth-El Hospital in Colorado Springs and their subsequent courtship led to marriage in Raton, N.M., in 1940. They soon moved to Chicago, Ill., where Duke was employed as a professional welder. With World War II underway, Duke

enlisted in the Navy and saw action throughout the Pacific theater until the war’s end. Edith remained in Chicago raising her young son and working as a precision drill press operator building Navy ship parts. After the war, they moved to and settled in Delta in 1946, and immediately bought the home they still live in today. Duke worked for the Delta Municipal Light & Power for 20 years before moving on and working for the Bureau of Reclamation until retiring in 1987. During his time in Delta, he was a volunteer fireman who held both positions of rural fire chief and city fire chief. He was later elected as the Western Slope president of the Colorado Volunteer Fireman’s Association. In 1955, Duke start-

ed his fire extinguisher business and worked his business with Edith until they both really retired in 2010. Edith volunteered and worked as a Pink Lady for 14 years at the Delta County Memorial Hospital.

Their secrets to a long and happy marriage: Edith says, “When you stand side by side doing the dishes every evening, it’s hard to stay upset very long when there’s issues.” Duke says, “Just say ‘Yes, Dear …Yes, Dear.”

Edith and Duke Jardon

Elks-sponsored meal serves 86

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A wonderful holiday treat was enjoyed by 86 seniors on Tuesday, Dec. 8, as the Delta Elks Lodge No. 1235 sponsored the third and final special meal this year at the Delta Senior Center, 247 Meeker Street. Through a grant from the Grand Lodge, part of the Elks National Foundation, this was the second year the Delta Elks sponsored sumptuous meals, at no charge, for senior citizens in the Delta area. With the Delta Senior Center’s dining room adorned with a Christmas tree, decorations and lights, and the tables decorated in their holiday finest, the large room quickly filled with seniors ready to enjoy a special holiday dinner. The meal trays were personally served by five Elks volunteers: Doug Eades, Bruce and Joan Schmoldt, Judy Conklin and Bruce Holmlund. The trays were filled with turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and other traditional holiday

trimmings. “We at the Elks are always looking for opportunities to give back to the community,” Doug Eades, an Elks volunteer, said. “Our motto is ‘Elks Care, Elks Share.’ We appreciate the chance to come to the Delta Senior Center and help support seniors. This meal was exceptional and a huge success!” Although the food was sponsored by the Elks, it was cooked and prepared by the Delta Senior Center volunteer cooks, who prepare meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The board of directors of Delta Senior Citizens, Inc., and the patrons of the Delta Senior Center

Photo submitted

Elks volunteers who served meals to 86 seniors are (front row, left to right) Joan Schmoldt and Judy Conklin; (back row) Bruce Schmoldt, Doug Eades and Bruce Holmlund. wish to thank the Delta Elks for their generosity, and for making a happier Christmas season for the

“seasoned citizens” of the Delta area. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Community makes Christmas brighter for Families Plus children Each year, the Families Plus Christmas elves come out and give gifts to more than 60 boys and girls who belong to their program. These gifts are

not made in a workshop up north but were donated by the wonderful people of Delta County to the Families Plus angel tree program. Two businesses, four churches, and three different banks placed in their lobbies angel trees that were decorated with cards which list the children’s Christmas wishes. If that were not enough, one of Santa’s biggest helpers, Karen Nitter from the Colorado State Extension office, organized a toy drive for the Delta County 4-H clubs. After the gifts were collected, the families of the children gathered and wrapped the presents. “Hopefully we can take a little stress off of the families by giving them something to put under the tree,” said Mary Bauer, administrative director of Families Plus. Families Plus is a homegrown Delta CounPhoto submitted ty program that exists Bruce Holmlund delivers a tray laden with turkey, nowhere else in the nation dressing, mashed potatoes and other holiday trim- with the blending of parents, volunteers and promings.

fessionals all determined to help children build skills needed to become successful adults. Events like these help Families Plus to be true to its mission: supporting families to partner with the community to help children thrive. If you would like to volunteer or become a mentor to one of our children, please call Families Plus at 874-0464.

Senior center schedules The senior center meal sites at Delta, Cedaredge, Hotchkiss, Paonia and Olathe will all be closed Friday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s Day holidays. On Thursday, Dec. 31, senior centers at Cedaredge and Olathe will be open and serving meals. The senior center meal sites at Delta, Hotchkiss and Paonia will be closed Dec. 31.

PEO helps women attain higher education goals

Everything’s On Sale ��

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PEO Chapter BK is pleased to announce that Jennifer Jones has been awarded an ELF by the PEO International committee. The PEO Educational Loan Fund (ELF) is a revolving loan fund established in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education. Jones is in her final year at Colorado Mesa University and will graduate with a bachelor of fine arts degree.

PEO is a philanthropic educational organization where women celebrate and actively support the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest

aspirations. Chapter BK is excited for Jennifer and will continue to support her throughout this year. Anyone wishing additional information on scholarships, loans, grants and college opportunities may visit the website peointernational.org, under Projects/Philanthropies.

BIRTHS Jorge Hernandez and Alba Cortez of Hotchkiss are the parents of a daughter, Karina Hernandez Cortez, born Dec. 9, 2015, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 19.5 inches in length.

Lana Kevan, Jennifer Jones and Cheri Kent

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

District Court vacancy announced The Seventh Judicial District Nominating Commission will meet Feb. 2 at the Montrose County Justice Center to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor to the office of district judge for the Seventh Judicial District (Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties). The vacancy will be created by the resignation of the Hon. Jeff B. Herron. The vacancy will occur on March 1. To be eligible for

appointment to fill the vacancy, the applicant must be a qualified elector of the Seventh Judicial District and must have been admitted to the practice of law in Colorado for five years. The current annual salary for this position is $159,320. The initial term of office of a district judge is a provisional term of two years; thereafter, the incumbent district judge, if approved by the voters, has a term of six years. Application forms are available from the office

City acquires 80 DMEA customers BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

Retiring after 40 years

The familiar, smiling face and cheerful, helpful voice of Carolyn Clemens will no longer be the ﬁrst encounter that citizens have with Delta County administration. Clemens and many friends marked her retirement from nearly 40 years as receptionist and administrative assistant at the Delta County Courthouse. She is shown above with a plaque of appreciation she received at a reception held in her honor last week.

The City of Delta is in the final stages of acquiring about 80 Delta-Montrose Electric Association customers on Garnet Mesa. The affected service territory lies between 5th and 7th streets, and adjoins DMEA territory previously acquired by the city. By state statute, once the city exercises its right to acquire territory,

Kelsey Weaver awarded PEO education grant PEO Chapter BK is pleased to announce that Kelsey Weaver has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the PEO Program for Continuing Education. This grant was established in 1973 as a need-based program providing one-time financial assistance to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to

Colorado to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families. Once Weaver has completed her LPN training and passed her state licensure boards, she plans to continue with the LPNto-RN bridge program offered through Colorado

Cheri Kent, Kelsey Weaver and Ann Renfrow

Mesa University to attain her associate degree in nursing and her RN. She previously worked as a CNA at Gunnison Valley Hospital and a senior care center, volunteered in teaching yoga and mentoring youth, worked at the local food pantry and community health fair, and helped with the hospital prenatal classes. Her initial degree was in fine arts. PEO is a philanthropic educational organization where women celebrate and actively support the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Anyone wishing additional information on scholarships, loans, grants and college opportunities may visit the website peointernational. org, under Projects/Philanthropies.

DMEA must be compensated for loss of revenue for existing and new services for a 10-year period. Previously, DMEA requested a lump sum payment. This time, utilities director Steve Glammeyer explains, payment will be made annually. City staff will track the revenue received annually and pay DMEA 25 percent of the gross revenues, as required by state statute. The first payment of $100,194 includes $73,398 for facilities and $26,796 to compensate DMEA for its man-hours. That’s well under the amount budgeted for 2015, since the city anticipated the lump sum payment. Glammeyer advised councilmembers that the city will begin another round of acquisitions shortly after 2016.

of the ex officio chair of the nominating commission, Justice Brian D. Boatright, 2 E. 14th Ave., Denver, CO 80203; and the office of the district administrator, Thomas Maxwell, Montrose County Justice Center, 1200 N. Grand Ave., Montrose, CO 81401. Applications also are available on the court’s home page at http://www.courts.state. co.us/Careers/Judge.cfm. The original, signed application and an identical copy stored as a PDF must be filed with the ex officio chair no later than 4 p.m. Jan. 18. Late appli-

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cations will not be considered. Any person wishing to suggest a candidate to fill the vacancy may do so by letter to be submitted to any member of the nominating commission, with a copy to the ex officio chair, no later than 4 p.m. Jan. 11, 2016. The members of the nominating commission for the Seventh Judicial District are Eric McPhail of Gunnison, Richard Haggerty and William Masters of Telluride, Erin Cavit of Lake City, David Masters of Montrose, Leah Gates of Ouray and William Raley of Delta.

A6 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Delta High School

Students of the Month Uyen Nguyen

Age: 16 Parents: Luu Nguyen (father) and Hong Bui (mother)

Favorite subject: College Anatomy Favorite teacher: Mr. Hutch Most influential person in your life: My parents, because they have made so many sacrifices so we can move to a better country and for me to pursue my education. After graduation I plan to attend CU Denver to major in integrated science and enroll in the pre-med program. Favorite saying: “Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” Favorite musician/song: Maroon 5 Favorite TV show: “The Untold Story of the ER” Activities: I am involved in the Visual Art Club (president), Young Democrats (vice president), Partners (youth mentor), National Honor Society, Fashion Club (treasurer), Women in Science & Engineering, Delta County Ambulance Volunteer Explorer Program and ASTRA. For Partners, I create advertising for a marijuana awareness campaign. In my spare time I paint and draw. I also like to read books in Vietnamese so I won’t forget my first language.

Alan Carrasco

Age: 17 Parents: Ramon and Rebeca Carrasco Favorite subject: Calculus Favorite teacher: Mr. Cerise Most influential person in your life: My father. He has set an example of a hardworking man who strives to maintain his family in God’s path. After graduation I plan to attend college and pursue my career in aerospace engineering. Favorite musician/song: Twenty-One Pilots Favorite TV show: Mr. Robot Activities: I am involved in ASTRA, TSA, NHS and LULAC at school, and in the worship team and the youth group at my church. In my spare time I play soccer and football with my little brother, or chill while watching Netflix.

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Photo submitted

NHS inductees

Vision Charter Academy (VCA) is proud to announce its new National Honor Society (NHS) inductees. These talented learners were honored at VCA’s December NHS induction ceremony. Pictured from left to right: NHS advisor Darci Hellman, Jonathan Smith, Riah Coulter, James Andrew Davis, Renee Hannenberg, Vladimir Sayer, Trey Jiron, and VCA executive director Teri Kinkade.

Taking problem solving to soaring heights BY RANDY SUNDERLAND General Manager

Could you send a small box of instruments up 23 miles in altitude and back safely? This challenge was made of Delta High School students earlier this year. It was the beginning of a major learning experience for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and AP Physics 2 students. They were asked to send a useful scientific payload to a minimum altitude of 120,000 feet and return it safely to their possession. This is not just a hypothetical question. One team of students will get the opportunity to actually build their scientific payload and launch it this spring. But first the design has to get past peer review, and a selection team of community members. The first stage was for teams of two to come up with initial designs to present to fellow students and their teacher, Ben Magtutu. They had six weeks to work the problem and come up with a viable design. In a single page, each team (without identifying who they were) highlighted the most important aspects of their design. Those students participating in the challenge voted, and the five designs receiving the most votes moved on to become team leaders of the next stage. Those students whose designs did not make the top five were then divided among the five design teams to continue to refine the concept. They were given four weeks to create a formal, technical

Photo by Randy Sunderland

Before a selection committee of community members, Team Project Gamma made a winning pitch on Dec. 10 to fund its experiment to measure radiation at altitudes as high as 120,000 feet. They were one of three teams of Delta High School students hoping to win funding for their team’s design. presentation about their design. The field of five was narrowed to three, with the students whose designs were not selected as finalists assigned to the remaining three teams. On Dec. 10, the surviving three teams made formal presentations before a selection committee made up of folks from the community. The winning team would be funded to actually build and launch their design. Each team was judged on how well they explained their experiment, the regulations involved in launching a payload into commercial airspace, what they needed to do the experiment, how they would track and recover their payload package, and how much it would cost to achieve success. They were also judged on their overall presentation. First up was Team Time Warp. For eight minutes they described how their experiment would measure the effects of gravity on time by noting

differences at the launch site and at 120,000 feet. A weather balloon would carry their six-pound instrumentation package aloft. They would launch from private property near Delta. Their budget . . . just over $800. The team included Beau Byers, Benjamin Sandoval, Jason Kaighn, Miranda Rhinehart, Anthony Streich, Lily Lockhart, Tyler Meyers, Kaisa Simon, Marcos Gonzalez, Cruz Arias and Emily Baier. Team Stratos What pitched an experi ment to collect bacteria in the stratosphere and return it for further study. Using a 3-D printer, they would create a payload with a trap door which would open and close at altitude to collect a sample. They would also use a weather balloon, launched from the golf course. Flight time was estimated at two hours. Their budget, $880. The team included Naomi Hayner, Nectaira Hanning, Hannah Branson, Derek Kendrick and Alan Carrasco.

Students of the Month

Team Project Gamma explained how they would check for radiation at various altitudes, using instrumentation attached to a weather balloon. They would launch from Lands End on the Grand Mesa, where prevailing winds would carry the package up the valley for recovery. Their design budget was $2,400, prompting questions about why their experiment was three times better than the other two teams. They noted their experiment would spawn more experiments at school, and provide data more representative of our locale than previous measurements. The team included Sara Jurca, Elizabeth Ward, Wade Stinson, Zachary Valdez, Brandon Ware, Hannah Owens, Emily Nortnik, Dakota Scott, Evan Watson, Juan Chavez and Neifi Campas. In the end, Project Gamma was selected. The project will be funded and the other groups will join to complete the design and hopefully launch in April.

Photo submitted

Garnet Mesa Elementary School recognized November Students of the Month, fourth and ﬁfth graders (from left) Jacob Hancock, Cassidy Hunter, Konner Workman, Hayley Lancaster, Lesly Martinez, Zach Pruett, Jae Huff and Shayla Curtis.

Christmas joy

Photo submitted

Garnet Mesa Elementary fourth graders brightened the day of Willow Tree Care Center, Horizons, and Crossroads residents. The students played “Jingle Bells” on their recorders and sang old Christmas favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,“ “White Christmas” and “Up on the Housetop.” It was a great way for everyone to get in the holiday spirit.

Delta County Independent

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ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Program helps kids develop a love of cross-country skiing Grand Mesa Gliders youth programs are dedicated to instructing kids in the various disciplines of Nordic skiing and backcountry safety as well as fostering a lifelong enjoyment of skiing. The Gliders’ mission is to make Nordic skiing available to all and fun! Grand Mesa Nordic Council offers two programs. The Little Gliders cross-country ski program

is for children ages 4-8. The program’s emphasis is on having fun, playing games, and socializing with other children while developing the classic skiing technique. Children will be grouped by age and/or ability level. It’s recommended all children use waxless classic ski equipment. If children do not have their own equipment, low-cost ski rentals are available

Master Gardener class begins in January The Colorado State University Extension, Tri River Area, is now accepting applications for the Master Gardener training class. The Tri River Area includes Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties. Trainings will be held in Grand Junction on Wednesdays, for 11 weeks, starting in midJanuary. Green industry professionals and public members who do not wish to volunteer can take this class outright and earn the Colorado gardening certificate. People who

wish to become Master Gardeners take the class at a reduced rate in exchange for volunteering for the Tri River Area Extension. The Master Gardener program was developed to help disperse researchbased information to the public in regards to noncommercial (mainly residential) landscaping and gardening. For more information on this program, contact our Mesa County office at 244-1834 and ask for either Susan Carter or Susan Honea.

Bird counts yield valuable information The Black Canyon Chapter of the Audubon Society (BACS) and the Bureau of Land Management are teaming up to conduct this year’s Audubon Society annual Christmas Bird Count and invite anyone interested in bird watching to join them. “We are encouraging anyone interested, regardless of experience, to help us with the count,” said Jon Horn, president of the BCAS. “It not only provides critical information on bird populations, but also is just a lot of fun.” Inexperienced birders will be teamed up with those with more experience to cover specific geographical areas. The counts often go into the afternoon so people are encouraged to dress warmly, bring binoculars, pack a lunch and bring plenty of water. The counts are usually not physically strenuous. The final count in the

area will be conducted in Hotchkiss Jan. 2. Contact Jason Beason, 310-5117 or jason.beason@rmbo. org, for more information.

through Skis for Kids. This class meets Saturdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30. The fee is $40 for GMNC members, $55 for non-members. The Gliders Nordic Program is for youth ages 9 to 16 years old. The program is designed for any level skier, from young skiers who want to learn how to cross-country ski to skiers who have the basic fundamentals and want to get ready for racing. Beginners will learn the classic skiing technique. Intermediate and advanced skiers will practice basic cross-country ski skills as well as skate skiing skills. Getting out on skis and having a good time will be the emphasis for all groups. Gliders will tour, train, play games, perform drills, race and improve. All skiers are required to have their own classic equipment (either waxable or waxless). If children do not have their own equipment, low-cost ski rentals are available through Skis for Kids. This program meets from 10:30 to noon Saturdays, Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30. The fee is $50 for GMNC members and $65 for non-members. All classes are held at the Skyway trail system just off Highway 65. Feb. 6 is Gliders race and game day. Download a registration form at gmnc.org. For more information, email gmgliders@gmail.com or call 970-623-4424.

Book, Music and Lyrics by High Desert Opera presents “The Music Man,” fully-staged and accompanied by a live orchestra. Local vocalists fulfill lead and supporting roles. Join James Werner as the Music Man and all the starstruck townspeople of River City for three performances of this musical extravaganza — Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m., or Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m. All three performances will be in Robinson Theatre at the Moss Performing Arts Center on the CMU campus. This Broadway musical will be fun for the whole family. “The Music Man” is based on a story by Mer-

don’t know which editing programs are best? Upcoming holidays will give you some special photos to cherish — make them the best they can be. Black Canyon Camera Club is hosting “A Digital Photography Seminar” given by Steve Traudt January 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at The First Church of God on 11th and Howard in Delta. This seminar covers 15 mini-programs featuring tips and tech-

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New Year’s Eve dance planned The Montrose Pavilion Dance Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve dance at the Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, on Thursday, Dec. 31, from 9 to 12:30 a.m. with a toast at midnight. Music will be provided by the Ghost River Band. Admission is $5 per person. Bring refreshments to share if you wish. The club will be accepting donations of non-perishable foods or cash for the benefit of Sharing Ministries. For information, call 252-7172.

Women, learn to defend yourselves Bill Heddles Recreation Center is hosting a women’s self-defense class beginning Jan. 23. This is a six-week session to be held Thursday afternoons from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The class is designed to educate those 13 and up in situational awareness and protecting themselves through selfdefense techniques. The cost is $40. Sensei Rodney Grantham, a sixth-degree black belt - Okinawa Seidokan, is the instructor. To register, call the recreation center at 8740923.

High Desert Opera presents ‘The Music Man’ edith Willson and Franklin Lacey, with music and lyrics by Willson. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys’ band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to the naive Iowa townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. But Harold is no musician and plans to skip town without giving any music lessons. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love. Harold risks being caught to win her. (Wikipedia)

Sign up for swim Digital photography lessons seminar planned Jan. 30 Want to make your niques leading to stronby Dec. 29 pictures look special but ger photographs as well Swim lessons for a variety of age groups and abilities will be offered during the month of January. There are parent-tot classes, as well as evening and Saturday morning classes. All classes are taught by American Red Cross-certified instructors. For a complete schedule and to register, call Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 8740923. Registration deadline is Dec. 29.

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as controlling the technical aspect for higher quality. Lightroom 6 and NIK software demos will be covered more in-depth. This full day seminar is just $65 if paid by Dec. 15, or $75 by Jan. 15. An instructional DVD valued at $35 is included. Contact Rae-Ann Simmons at rae-anns@live.com or 970-856-7809 to register. http://Blackcanyoncam eraclub.org for further information.

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Tickets can be purchased online at high desertopera.org, by phone at 970-523-9605, or at Roper Music in downtown Grand Junction at 5th and Rood. If all else fails or you need last-minute tickets, a ticket table will be available in the lobby one hour before curtain. Prices at the door will be $1 higher for any tickets with prices ending in a 9.

Karate offered for kids ages 5-8 Boys and girls ages 5-8 will learn discipline and respect while building self-esteem when they take karate classes at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Little Dragons karate classes are taught by Sensei Rodney Grantham, sixth-degree black belt - Okinawa Seidokan. The cost of the five-week session is $20. Classes will be held Saturday mornings, Jan. 23 to Feb. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please register by noon Jan. 22. For more information, contact Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 8740923.

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A8 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

DCMH employees collect food, toys The third annual Delta County Memorial Hospital “holiday food fight” was a huge success. Hospital departments competed in teams to see who could donate the most food, toiletries and pet food for local food banks, with close

to 5,700 pounds donated this year. The grand total for 2015 was 5,696.15 pounds of food, toiletries and pet food, compared to 3,147 pounds in 2014 and 3,494 pounds in 2013. The food donations were evenly divided

among the Delta Food Pantry, Abraham Connection, Hotchkiss Elks Food Pantry, Surface Creek Community Services and the Surface Creek animal shelter. Contributions came from all nine hospital teams and one gener-

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ous anonymous community member who heard about the food drive and donated 750 pounds of rice and beans. The top team was lab, maintenance, surgery/ PACU and anesthesiology, with 1,463.4 pounds of food. Second place with 1,207.1 pounds of food was radiology, quality services and medical records. Third place with 807.4 pounds of food went to the DCMH clinics – Internal Medicine, Premier Women’s Healthcare of Delta, DCMH Family Medicine – Delta/ Hotchkiss, DCMH Primary Care - Family Practice, Physical Medicine and Rheumatology. “A special thanks to the hospital staff of maintenance and nutrition services for all the help organizing, packaging and lifting. It wouldn’t work without you,” commented Mary Grosvenor, manager of the dietary department at DCMH. She also mentioned Sharon Wolf from radiology, who sent out an email challenge to all hospital employees to beat last year’s record donations. It worked! “This is a great thing we do for our community,” said Grosvenor. “It is a privilege to be able to give back to the

community we serve. I’m very proud of the caring nature of the hospital employees and their dedication to our community,” commented hospital CEO Jason Cleckler. In the Christmas spirit, DCMH employees also

“adopted” 45 local area underprivileged families and children as part of the St. Nicholas Project managed by Maryann Hennessey of Delta. They provided families with warm clothing, snow boots and toys.

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Maryann Hennessey and helpers pick up the ﬁrst load of toys and clothing for the St. Nicholas project, contributions from employees of Delta County Memorial Hospital.

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Gretchen Pulver (above left), food service manager, and Mary Grosvenor, manager of nutrition services look over some of the 5,700 pounds of food collected for area food banks and shelters during a Delta County Memorial Hospital competition between hospital departments.

NORTH FORK December 23, 2015

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Community Christmas dinner in Hotchkiss The annual Hotchkiss community Christmas day dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Hotchkiss Senior Center, 276 W. Main Street. A traditional meal including smoked turkey and ham and all the fixings will be served. Diners are asked to bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share if possible. Making the event run smoothly takes a lot of helping hands. Anyone wishing to

volunteer is asked to arrive at 10 a.m. Takeout is available on request, and free home delivery is available in the Hotchkiss area for those who are unable to attend the dinner. To arrange for takeout or delivery, please contact the Senior Center at 872-3494 or Town Hall at 872-3663 no later than noon Thursday, Dec. 24. The meal is free, and donations are gratefully accepted.

Sewer project goes on despite cold weather BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

It’s not a pretty job anyway, but when it’s wet and cold outside, the sewer line replacement project underway in Hotchkiss can get downright mucky. Workers are replacing pipe, some of it originally installed 100 years ago, with the aid of a “trench box,” which prevents trenches from dangerous collapses. Nucla-based contractor Williams Construction got a late start on the project and due to several factors is moving more slowly than anticipated. Town engineer Joanne Fagan and public works manager Mike Owens reported at the Dec. 10 council meeting that the project is about 15 percent complete and progress is continuing. Most recently the project was slowed while a separate project to clean up fuel from leaking underground gas tanks at the site of a former gas station at the southwest corner of Bridge and Second Street was performed. The tanks were removed sever-

al years ago, and the leaked fuel has been known about for years, said Mayor Wendell Koontz. The contractors on the clean-up and Williams Construction coordinated on the cleanup efforts. “It was a little bit complicated getting everyone on the SEWER PROJECT TO B2

Photo by Tamie Meck

Tracy Ihnot of Hotchkiss encourages son Finley to tell Santa Claus what he wants for Christmas during Santa’s annual visit to the Hotchkiss Fire Station. The event is held in conjunction with the Town of Hotchkiss and the Hotchkiss Marshal’s Ofﬁce Secret Santa Program.

Santa spreads Christmas cheer in Hotchkiss BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Photo courtesy Mike Owens/Town of Hotchkiss

Workers replace a manhole as part of the Town of Hotchkiss sewer line replacement and rehabilitation project. The work site is enclosed by a trench box, which prevents dangerous cave-ins.

‘Tis the season to give, and for the last eight holiday seasons the Town of Hotchkiss and the Hotchkiss Marshal’s Office have demonstrated the spirit of giving by providing the gifts to the area’s children and their families through the Secret Santa Program. Last week, local families in need received a bag packed full of gifts including food, clothing, outerwear, blankets, toys and gift cards. Families are nominated for the program by members of the community. All items are donated or purchased new with money donated to the pro-

gram by local organizations and individuals, and by the town. Town employees also volunteer time, and Hotchkiss employees and council members often donate their holiday bonus City Market gift cards to the program. In the last seven years almost 70 families have benefited from the program. In 2014, nine families and a total of 22 children received gift bags, and this year another five families received a gift bag. All gifts are wrapped and delivered to homes by Santa, who made this year’s deliveries last Friday night. On Saturday, Santa Claus listened to the wishes of area

children and posed for photos during the annual Santa Visits the Hotchkiss Fire Station event. The event was attended by about 350, and 11 smoke alarms were given away, according to fire chief Doug Fritz. Each child is given a holiday bag of goodies or stuffed animal. All photos are posted in high resolution to the Hotchkiss Fire District webpage for all to see and share. “Santa Visits the Hotchkiss Fire Station is one of our most successful events each year,” said District public information officer John Sell, “and the one we at Hotchkiss Fire look forward to the most.”

Kerry Donovan meets with constituents BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Some of the bills Colorado Senator Kerry Donovan is considering for 2016 could provide benefits to Delta County and the other District 5 counties she represents. Donovan spoke Friday night at a meet-and-greet at Paonia Town Hall and gave a rundown of bills she plans as the General Assembly prepares to open session in January. Donovan prefaced the meeting by saying that the state’s 2016-2017 budget includes “significant cuts.” Lawmakers will grapple with how to do more with less, and with how to fund mandated refunds of $189 million to taxpayers as required by the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). Both par-

ties expect few bills requiring large funding to pass. Sponsors of bills requiring large dollar amounts will have to get creative with funding sources or find cuts within the current budget for them to be considered, said Donovan. In addressing mine-related layoffs and their effects on Delta County’s economy, Donovan said she plans to introduce a version of the 2015 Rural Economic Emergency Grant Program bill she co-sponsored with District 61 Rep. Millie Hamner in 2015 to help communities experiencing economic hardship due to job losses. Republicans, including Ray Scott of Mesa County, succeeded in killing the bill, but Donovan said she believes her colleagues now understand

Children’s choice

Photo by Tamie Meck

The Grinch took the lights from this house, as well as the “Children’s Choice” award for the Town of Paonia’s annual holiday lights contest.

more clearly the consequences of the mine layoffs and closures. “I’m hoping that translates to support,” said Donovan, who is seeking to fund the bill with unclaimed money held by the Treasurer’s office. “It’s an out-of-thebox idea,” and one Donovan urges Delta County residents to support. Delta County was a beneficiary of the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) program that provided grants to area businesses in 2014 and 2015, but ran out of funding. Donovan plans to introduce another version of the bill, but within the limitations of the 2016-17 budget, it will be difficult to pass. Another bill in the works would address Senate Bill 05152, which limits government involvement in “advanced telecommunications services.” SB-152 was passed in 2005 before the advent of highspeed broadband Internet services and is considered outdated. This fall, Delta County voted to opt out of SB-152 to allow greater flexibility in participating with Region 10 and other entities in bringing affordable broadband services to the county. Donovan explained that after the quasi-governmental EAGLENet entity was awarded a $100.6 million Recovery Act in 2010 to expand broadband technology to rural Colorado libraries, school districts and governments, the money went mostly to Broomfield and Cherry Creek. The new bill would bring laws in line with federal definitions and require coordination of spending, which could help with local efforts. A “tiny homes” bill being considered would be among the first of its kind in the country and would create guidelines on homes smaller than 600 square feet. Dono-

Photo by Tamie Meck

State Senator Kerry Donovan spoke last Friday at a meet-andgreet at Paonia Town Hall. Donovan, who represents District 5 which includes part of Delta County, gave a rundown of bills she is considering for 2016 and talked about the 2016-17 state budget. van said tiny homes are seen as a way to address a number of issues, including seasonal employees and affordable housing, homelessness and environmental concerns. Donovan described Colorado as an evenly divided state when it comes to political parties. Because of its unique political climate, the state is heavily watched by other states. It’s no accident that the state is taking a lead in issues like tiny homes, legalization of cannabis, renewable energy, and single-payer health care, which will be put before voters in November, said Donovan. Donovan said that urban and mountain areas are getting hit the hardest by today’s health care situation — something she said the audience is likely very well aware of. She explained that local governments have more power to

change the system, and that she’s working with federal partners on researching the problem. Answers won’t come easy, said Donovan, and a fix could take years. One audience member urged Donovan to look into hospital mergers and anticompetitive practices, which he said can result in “very, very expensive” health care costs. Another bill would provide a tax credit to help “sandwich generation” families who are struggling to raise children while simultaneously caring for aging parents. One bill that garnered applause from women would allow for hunters to legally wear blaze pink, an idea also being considered in Wisconsin as a way to attract more women to the sport. The bill thus far has gained wide support in that state.

B2 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Hotchkiss approves first donation of 2016 BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray will be the first recipient of a donation from the Town of Hotchkiss after council voted unanimously to give the organization a $250

donation for 2016 at the Dec. 10 council meeting. The town has donated to Partners in the past, with the last donation being made in 2012. Partners, which Mayor Wendell Kootz describes as providing “positive life

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experiences for at-risk youth by providing oneon-one adult mentorship,” humbly requested a donation of $500. With a tighter budget than in past years and more organizations needing help, trustee Tom Wills recommended a donation of $300, Larry Jakubiak suggested $200, and trustees agreed to meet in the middle, with Wills making the motion for the $250 donation and Jakubiak seconding the motion. The first council meeting of the new year is scheduled for Jan. 6.

Paonia schedules special meeting BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Town of Paonia has scheduled a special meeting for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, to authorize final payment of bills related to this year’s water system upgrades projects. In addition, the town will consider renewal of its contract with the U.S. Geological Survey for operations of the flow gauge monitoring of the North Fork of the Gunnison River. The gauge is used in monitoring water quality below the town’s wastewater treatment plant. Monitoring information is used for renewing the town’s annual discharge permits. Public works director Travis Loberg explained at the Dec. 8 town board meeting that water discharged from the plant must be cleaner than the river water. A few years ago the USGS planned to close down the station. In order to meet the requirements, the town would have needed to hire an engineer to do the analysis, which would have been very costly, according to Loberg. This year’s contract is $790 less than the $4,500 the town paid in 2015. The lower cost is due to the town only operating the gauge during low river flows, said Loberg.

Library books for Christmas

Photo submitted

The Paonia Lions recently donated $400 to Paonia Elementary School to purchase new library books. That donation was of course appreciated by the Paonia Elementary staff, but most appreciated by the students who will enjoy those books. Shown are some of the books that have been purchased, a few of the Lions members who made it possible, and the people who want to thank them. In the back row from left to right are principal Sam Cox, Lion James Gall, librarian Jeannette Homedew, Lion Mike Hughes and Lion Ron Sims. In the front row from left to right are student council members Leona Myers, Kaidence Godwin, Damon York, Paige Roberts, Ryder Hart, Carmen Rodriquez, Matthew Horn, Peyton Gibson and Simon Cox.

Paonia art studio awarded two grants The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a $10,000 grant through the Art Works category that supports the creation of work and presentation of both new and existing work, lifelong learning in the arts, and public engagement with the arts through 13 arts disciplines or fields. Elsewhere Studios received one of 22 grants awarded in Colorado. NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, “The arts are part of our everyday lives — no matter who you are or where you live — they have the power to transform individuals, spark economic vibrancy in communities and transcend the boundaries across diverse sectors of society. Supporting projects like the one from Elsewhere Studios offers more opportunities to engage in the arts every day.” The Elsewhere Studios project will focus on the creation and presentation of new works by two emerging or mid-career artists in residence in the fields of fashion design and music composition. They will be selected through a competitive

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application process and will work with local professional artists, designers and composers, in a unique setting designated as a Colorado Creative District. Applications can be completed online at http://www.elsewherestu dios.org/the-residencyhow-to-apply/. The residency program includes housing, studio space, and a monthly stipend. Residencies will include open studios, exhibitions and presentations open to the public, and will culminate in participation in two regional signature events, The Paonia Fashion Show and The Mountain Harvest Festival. These innovative cultural productions will provide economic and creative benefit to the local community. Stipends will also be awarded to eight additional emerging artists who have not previously attended a residency. The grant of $4,000 from Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, will be used to support Elsewhere Studios’ ongoing programs: The Elsewhere Studios Artist Residency Program began in 2011 to provide space and time for artists to create in a unique and supportive environment, and to promote the cultural and artistic enrichment of the local community and local artists. The program is open to visual and performance artists, writers, and composers from all over the world. Over the last four and a half years Elsewhere Studios has hosted 116 artists from 19

states and nine countries. The residents give back to the community through bimonthly exhibitions, presentations, readings, performances, workshops and collaborative art projects. The Community Supported Art Library promotes over 30 local artists and provides a way for members to check out original art to bring into their homes and businesses. The main gallery is located at The Hive and art is also displayed in three other public venues in Paonia. The Community Garden, located on Elsewhere grounds, hosts free workshops on permaculture, biodynamics, composting, food forests, etc. It is maintained by volunteers and provides produce to the Elsewhere residents and the community. The Art Wall, first phase of an Alleyscape Project, was built by over 100 local community members. Elsewhere board president Scott Horner said, “Elsewhere plays an important role in the North Fork Valley by bringing exceptional artists from all over the world to create new work and share their visions and process with the local community. We are very excited to have this recognition from both National Endowment for the Arts and Colorado Creative Industries, and to be able to offer specialized residencies that will support our local events, artists and organizations.” More information can be found on the Elsewhere Studios website: www. elsewherestudios.org.

Holiday schedules North Fork municipalities have announced this week’s holiday schedules. Hotchkiss Town Hall will close its doors at noon Thursday, and remain closed for Christmas day. The office will remain open on New Year’s Eve and close for New Year’s Day. Trash services will not be affected during either holiday weekend. Paonia will be closed all day Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 and reopen Monday, Dec. 28. Town Hall will

also close at noon New Year’s Eve and reopen Monday, Jan. 4. Regular trash pickup services will be provided both Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but not Christmas or New Year’s day. Those receiving Friday service will receive service the following Monday. Due to the holidays falling on Friday, Crawford will operate under its regular hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Sewer project FROM PAGE B1 same page,” said Fagan. Had the town not known about the leak and hit the fuel while digging, the project would have been forced to shut down. While closure of streets and alleys has resulted in a handful of problems with truck deliveries to local businesses, few complaints have been reported and citizens have been very complimentary of workers, according to town clerk Marlene Searle.

The recent cold weather could also cause delays in the project. As long as the frost doesn’t get more than a couple of feet deep, work will continue. As of late last week, workers were moving forward with both manhole replacement and laying of sewer pipe. Fagan said the project will continue “for several more weeks,” and it will likely be spring before work is complete and everything is cleaned up.

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Holiday lighting winners in Paonia

Photo by Tamie Meck

This house in Lee’s Park in Paonia took ﬁrst place in the Paonia holiday light- This house on Poplar Avenue was runner-up for the Town of Paonia’s holiday lights contest. ing contest.

Hotchkiss OKs 2016 budget BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Town of Hotchkiss passed a balanced budget for 2016 and related ordinances at the Dec. 10 public meeting. Last-minute changes to the budget included an inter-fund transfer of $459,516 from Water Fund Expenses to the Sanitation Fund to cover debt services. In addition, $50,000 was moved from the Capital Project Fund Expenses street expenses to the newlycreated line item, Capital Project Fund Expenses broadband, to pay for the town’s anticipated cost share of bringing the service to the town. Neither change affected the town’s projected income or expenses. Council adopted the

said Searle. A rate increase of $10, to $185/hour, was also approved for 2016, with a cap of $200/hour through 2019. The legal firm does not charge for Nerlin to attend monthly council meetings or for his travel time, although it does bill for additional meetings and pre-meeting review time, said Nerlin. In addition, the contract allows for either party to terminate the agreement with a 90-day notice. “That’s good,” said trustee Tom Wills. “I don’t want to take away choices from future councils.” Council also approved a draft letter by Mayor Koontz and addressed to Daniel J. Jiron regarding the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement comments for the North Fork Coal Mining Area Exception of the Colorado Roadless Rule. The letter requests that “Alternative B” of the draft EIS be reinstated, which would allow for temporary road construction for coal mining-related activities. “I think it reflects the wishes of the citizens of Hotchkiss,” said Wills, a proponent of alternative energies. “My personal opinions may be different, but I’m here to represent the citizens of Hotchkiss.” Documents related to the draft EIS are available at http://www. fs.usda.gov/roadmain/ roadless/coloradoroad lessrules. The U.S. Forest Service announced this week Photo by Tamie Meck home on Hawthorn Drive in Hotchkiss was decked that the comment period has been extended by 11 days. The extension gives interested individuals and groups the opportunity to provide comments until Jan. 15, 2016. 2016 mill levy of 7.3 mills, as certified by the county, allowing the town to collect a projected $67,220 based on total assessed property valuation of $9,208,232. Ordinance 2015-08, to appropriate sums of money to defray expenses and liabilities for the town, was adopted as an emergency ordinance. This allows the ordinance to go into effect 10 days from the date of publication, which was needed in order to allow the town to spend money as of Jan. 1, 2016, said town clerk Marlene Searle. No citizens were present to speak on passage of the ordinances or the budget. Council also passed a motion to give City Market gift cards in the

amount of $250 each to town staff members, and $50 to town trustees. Mayor Wendell Koontz said he appreciates everyone’s efforts to keep costs down while continuing to provide quality services. Council also voted to retain town attorney Bo Nerlin and the firm of J. David Reed, P.C., through 2016, and to extend the contract three years, through 2019. Nerlin was retained as town attorney in 2014 following the retirement of longtime attorney Jim Briscoe. “We’ve really enjoyed our relationship with the town,” said Nerlin. The contract extension is appreciated and “helps with our own long-term planning.” “We’ve done well with (the cost of) legal fees,”

Light displays to take note of in Hotchkiss

Even the mailbox at this in holiday lights.

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�� We appreciate having you as our member and look forward to serving you in the new year. Our entire organization joins in wishing you a joyous holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness. ��

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Cowboy Collectibles on Bridge Street in Hotchkiss demonstrates western hospitality with this year’s holiday display of lights.

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428 W. Hotchkiss Ave • Hotchkiss 970-872-2626

Open Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - Noon Sunday: By Appointment Only

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B4 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

A letter from Santa to the North Fork Santa Claus I want to take time North Pole before heading out on December 2015 my annual sleigh ride to Hello from the North give a big thank you to Pole! some of the special folks

of Paonia and the North Fork Valley who make our annual visits wonderful and very enjoyable. Mrs. Claus and I espe-

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cially enjoyed this year’s visit. We were overjoyed by the hospitality and, of course, all the children who came to see us. First, I looked dashing thanks to Ron and Deb of Paonia Cleaners, who carefully cleaned my suit before I saw the kids (you know ... reindeer, packing gifts, milk, cookie crumbs). Then starting at Lizzy’s’ Market, Steve Kossler of Mt. Lamborn Ranches and the Black Percheron team of Chip and Dale (Chip is the one with the white spot on his forehead) gave us a hayride around town and out to the Paonia Library and back. These wonderful draft horses are living reminders of your ranching heritage. Steve, along with Ross Allen of Allen Ranches, own the team and take very good care of them. (Hmmm, some of our loads are pretty heavy; I wonder if Chip and Dale can fly?!) It takes quite a gaggle of folks to get these 2,000pound animals ready for the annual hayride, so thanks also goes to Wendy Kossler, Beth Allen, John & Krissy Allen, and all the teenagers who helped folks on and off the hayride wagon and handed out candy canes. Many of the riders got off at the library to enjoy the Holiday Book Sale and annual Puppet Show before catching a ride back to Lizzy’s. We have so many people to thank.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Chip, right, and Dale, black Percheron draft horses, are steadied by Krissy (Kossler) Allen taking Santa and Mrs. Claus for a ride from the Paonia Library back to downtown Paonia. Steve Kossler is the driver and co-owner of Chip and Dale. Teresa Schneider, also known as the “Blue Angel,” rang the Christmas bells in front of the Eccentric Artist Gallery letting folks know that Mrs. Claus and I had arrived. This was helpful, as we have so many places to be this time of year. Tensi Plummer and friends decorated and lighted Poulos Park as Santa’s Workshop, which made us feel right at home. Thomas Bachman of The Eccentric Artist Gallery hosted our visit and created a wonderful place for us to see the kids. I never get tired

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of listening to and being with the kids. We are also grateful for our visit to The Hive Paonia’s Christmas Bazaar. So many other wonderful events were going on in Paonia, but we only had so much time, as we had to prepare for the annual sleigh ride. Oh dear, the time is drawing near. We truly appreciate all the effort it takes to welcome us to your town, and are sorry if we’ve missed anyone. You know who you are. We also send a special thanks to the local Chamber of Commerce, The Blue Sage and the Town of Paonia for facilitating our visit and coordinating the Christmas event. It seemed like the entire town was having a great time! And a very special thanks to Mrs. Claus for remembering my glasses! Merry Christmas and a blessed Christmas season to all!

Photo by Tamie Meck

The North Pole and Santa’s Workshop were ready Photo by Tamie Meck when Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrived at Poulos Park in Santa and Mrs. Claus Paonia, thanks to Tensi Plummer and friends. Santa take a selﬁe while in said they felt right at home. Paonia.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Santa poses with some of the many children who came to see him on his annual visit to the Eccentric Artist Gallery in Paonia.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas! ��

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS December 23, 2015

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Bruin girls tough in hoops BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

It’s been a terrific start for Ryan Hilbig and his Cedaredge High School Bruins basketball team. The Bruins are currently unbeaten at 5-0. Cedaredge concluded its 2015 portion of this year’s regular season schedule with Basalt’s Longhorns in town last Saturday, Dec. 19. The Bruins picked up right where they left off the previous week with a solid defense and a running game that produced a 65-22 win. Nellie Freeman was hot, offensively, to start the game with 12 points in the first quarter. The Bruins established themselves as roadrunners from the opening tip and raced to a 21-8 lead going

When play resumes fol- beginning at 3 p.m. to the second quarter. On Jan. 9 Cedaredge Second-quarter play lowing winter break the was basically the same Bruins will host Meeker is in Rangely for a 1 p.m. with the Bruins control- on Jan. 8 with games tipoff with the Panthers. ling the game tempo with another 16 points on offense and limiting Basalt to eight points on offense. Hailey Henrie led the way for Cedaredge with seven points in the period. With a 37-16 lead at the half, the Bruins played everyone on their bench liberally. Cedaredge was too powerful for the Longhorns in second-half action and outscored them 28-6 to post its 6522 win. Freeman finished the game with 22 points and Henrie had another 14. Nicole Alvarado was Basalt’s leading scorer with nine points.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge’s Lacey Love shoots from the left side against Basalt last Saturday in Cedaredge. The Longhorns were no match for the quick Bruins and fell by a score of 65-22. Nellie Freeman knocked down four 3-pointers on her way to 22 points.

Photo by Wayne Crick

The Bruins’ Hannah Gilmore (33) and Hailey Henrie, left, battle for a rebound against a pesky Basalt Longhorn team. Cedaredge raced to a 21-8 ﬁrstquarter lead and never looked back on its way to a 65-22 decision.

CHS boys need more consistent court play BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Photo by Wayne Crick

The Bruins’ Lacey Love, second from left, and Callie Wasser, 33, battle Basalt’s Cintia Miramontes for a loose ball last Saturday in Cedaredge. The Bruins were too fast and too stingy on defense and limitec the Longhorns to 22 points in a 65-22 loss.

It’s been an up and down season so far for Cedaredge High School’s boys’ basketball team. The Bruins find themselves near the middle of league standings with a 3-3 record heading into winter break. Meeker, 4-0, and Paonia, 6-1, are playing well and find themselves on the top rungs. West Grand and Soroco are 4-2 with Vail Christian at 3-

2. Rangely is 2-2 and the Bruins, 3-3, are ahead of Hotchkiss, 1-6, and Hayden, 0-3. Last weekend’s contest against Basalt featured a fast Longhorn basketball team that could shoot and play defense. A 21-6 start for Basalt set the tone for what would be an up-tempo game. The Longhorns went on to score a 64-46 victory. Basalt’s Raul Torrez scored nine of his 20 game-high points in

the first quarter, helping power the Longhorns to the fast start. Garrett Meyers tossed in 10 points for Cedaredge in the second quarter, but Michael Glen supplied nine of Basalt’s 23 points, elevating the Longhorns’ lead to 44-21 at halftime. Cedaredge came out more prepared to play in the second half and outscored Basalt 25-18. Torrez and Glen tal-

lied 22 points apiece in the win for Basalt. Tyler Cooper had 15 points to lead the Bruins and Meyers scored 12. The Bruins resume play in January following Christmas vacation. Cedarege faces Meeker at Cedaredge High School on Jan. 8 with varsity play beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Bruins travel to Rangely on Jan. 9. for JV and varsity games.

PHS, HHS wrestle well at Warrior; dual looms BY ERIC GOOLD DCI Sports Writer

The wrestling teams from Paonia and Hotchkiss went to the Warrior Classic last weekend and got a look at some of the best competition in the state before they retired to rest during the Christmas break. The Warrior is considered one of the top tournaments of the season and this year featured 38 teams at Central High School in Grand Junction. While many view the Warrior as a preview of the state tournament in Denver in February, Paonia head coach Andy Pipher doesn’t see it that way. “You have every classification from a lot of different states,” Pipher said. “To me it’s more like a big tournament.” Paonia finished seventh overall at the Warrior and second among small schools. “Some of those kids going into that big tournament only have seven or eight practices coming out of football,” Pipher said. “I could tell they were wore out and tired, but still I thought they wrestled better than they did the weekend before in Delta. We had a lot

of kids that won a lot of matches.” Junior Trevor Smith continued his strong start to the season for Paonia. Smith won his first two matches by pin before Moffat County’s Stelios Peroulis beat him 7-1 in the quarterfinals. Smith rallied and came back on Saturday to win third place at 220 pounds, pinning Norwood’s Ethan Barnes. “Trevor Smith ended up third and I thought wrestled as good as I’ve ever seen him wrestle,” Pipher said. Senior Bo Pipher continued his dominant start to the season with four wins by pin to advance to the finals at 145 pounds, where he defeated Jair Flores from Pueblo Centennial in a major decision, 13-0. Pipher is 16-0 on the season, with 15 of those wins by pin. He was named the outstanding wrestler in the lower weights at the Warrior for the second year in a row. His coach said that Paonia’s mindset doesn’t change in a big tournament where it may face opponents from bigger schools and classes. “They’ve been wrestling against these guys

their whole life,” Pipher said. “They’ve been coming here for peewee tournaments. They know these guys. They wrestle the same kid whether he goes to a small school or big school so nothing changes for us.” Jaden Miller had a strong tournament for the Eagles, winning his first two matches by pin before falling in a 12-2 major decision to Travis MacGregor of Montrose in the quarterfinals. Four different Eagles grapplers won their firstround matches by pin before falling in the second round. Gabe Ferguson (120 pounds), Clay Campbell (138), Nick Brewer (160) and Tim Helmer (170) all posted victories by pin. Five Eagles did not make it out of the ultracompetitive first round. Eli Etter (113 pounds), Caden Meilner (126), Sackett Chesnik (132), Anthony Felice (152) and big man Luis Chavez (285) all lost their first matches at the Warrior. “Team effort was great,” Pipher said. “We ended up second as a team in the small schools, so I was impressed with that. A lot of young kids won a lot of matches at the Warrior, so that was

good.” break Christmas comes at a good time for the Eagles. “Our conditioning is still not where we want it to be but we’ll make a hard push in January,” Pipher said. “We’ll give them some time off, they need a break. A lot of those kids have been in practice since August and haven’t had a break at all. I think we’ll make a good push in January and we’ll finish just fine.” Bulldogs Battle at Warrior Hotchkiss High School came to the Warrior ranked No. 5 in 2A and the Bulldogs continued to develop into what looks like a formidable force on the mat. Six Bulldogs won their first matches and lost in the second round. Sergio Campos (106 pounds), Colton Cordova (113), Chris Lovato (120), Chase Hiatt (138), Kale Litzelman (170) and Conner Collins (285) all advanced to the second round for Hotchkiss. Four matmen from Hotchkiss won their first two matches before bowing out in the quarterfinals. Colton Hall (126 pounds), Colton DeLuzio (132), Austin Todd (152) WRESTLING TO B6

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge junior Christian Reynolds, right, and Isaac Swoffer defend Basalt’s post player Michael Glen. The Longhorns started fast and controlled the game’s tempo to score a 64-46 victory in nonleague play in Cedaredge.

B6 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Eagles quints playing well enter the Christmas numbers. break ranked among the The Paonia boys startThe basketball teams top 10 teams in the state ed the season with six at Paonia High School and are posting some big straight wins before falling at Grand Valley. The Eagles (6-1) had moved to No. 9 in 2A in a recent CHSAA online poll before that loss. �� The Eagles girls slipped �� in their fourth game of the year, losing in double overtime at Olathe on Dec. 8. The loss dropped Paonia (6-1) from second to No. 4 in 2A. Both Paonia basketball teams next hit the hardwood on Jan. 9 at

BY ERIC GOOLD

DCI Sports Writer

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Wishing all a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

BY ERIC GOOLD

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scorers with 15 points. Francisco Lopez scored 10, including two 3-pointers. Colby Simpson was next with nine points and one 3-ball. The Eagles took command with a 27-21 halftime advantage and secured the contest with a 14-3 performance in the third quarter. Paonia 60, GV 34 The Eagles girls’ team can enjoy the Christmas break on a three-game winning streak. The Eagles beat Grand Valley 60-34 last Satur-

day on the road. Paonia won game two of that streak on Dec. 15 in Gunnison, defeating Sargent 57-24. The Eagles started fast and didn’t let up, leading 19-6 after the first quarter and 38-8 at halftime. Sophia Anderson led Paonia with her 13 points. Senior Ashley Van Vleet threw in 11 for Paonia and Emily Pieper scored 10 for the Eagles. Since losing to Olathe, the Eagles have won three games by margins of 64, 26 and 33 points.

Both Bulldogs basketball teams welcome break DCI Sports Writer

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Plateau Valley. GV 60, Eagles 49 The Paonia boys felt the sting of defeat for the first time last Saturday after the Eagles saw a 28-24 halftime lead disappear as the Cardinals rallied at home. Grand Valley won the third quarter 13-7 then put Paonia away in the fourth with a 23-14 advantage. The Eagles won their sixth in a row on Dec. 15 after beating Sargent 5138 in Gunnison. Taylor Walters led all

The basketball teams at Hotchkiss High School will get some needed time off during the Christmas break as the Bulldogs hoopsters are off to a 1-6 start. Both Hotchkiss teams are led by new coaches. Eric Hollembeak moved from the girls’ bench to the boys’ after the departure of Kyle Crowder, and Ginger McPherson is in her first year with the Hotchkiss girls’ squad. The Bulldogs boys beat Olathe in their fourth game of the year, and the Hotchkiss girls won their first contest of the season at home against Ridgway. Both Hotchkiss teams resume the campaign on Jan. 9 at home against Caprock. GHS 54, Hotchkiss 39 The Bulldogs boys trailed by one at halftime before Gunnison used a dominant third quarter to beat Hotchkiss in

the last game before the Christmas break on Dec. 17 in Gunnison. Senior Clayton Oxford led the Bulldogs with nine points. Junior Gabe Rodriguez netted six points, four of them free throws. Gunnison led by one at halftime, then outscored the Bulldogs 17-4 in the third quarter as the home team posted an insurmountable lead. Gunnison then held on to win the fourth quarter by a narrow margin of 11-10 and secure the victory. GHS 36, Hotchkiss 27 In the girls’ game, the Bulldogs fell behind by too much too soon. Gunnison led 9-3 after one quarter and enjoyed a 17-9 advantage at halftime. The Bulldogs rallied and won the third quarter 9-7, but Gunnison was too strong down the stretch and sent Hotchkiss to its sixth loss in a row.

Photo courtesy Tracy Sturgis

Mae Anderson brings the ball up the ﬂoor in a game earlier this year. Anderson is a senior for the Bulldogs, which enter the Christmas break with a 1-6 record.

Delta matmen place three BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Panthers landed three athletes in the top five at last weekend’s Warrior Classic in Grand Junction. Delta’s top placer was Kory Mills at 170 with a second-place finish to Meeker’s T.J.

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Shelton in the title bout. Shelton salvaged a 3-1 decision late in the third period to avoid overtime. Logan Church was defeated in the second round of competition and advanced to the thirdplace bout of the 285pound class against Centaurus’ Forrest Lalaguna where he won by pinfall. Luke Anderson also wrestled his way to the third-place bout against Pueblo East’s Andrew Lucero where he lost to

Wrestling

CONTINUED FROM B6 and Wade Katzdorn (160) each recorded two pins for the Bulldogs. At 195 pounds, Cedaredge’s Tré LaBossiere pinned Bulldog Devin Curtis in the first round. LaBossiere went on to post another pin before losing in the quarterfinals at the Warrior. Hotchkiss and Paonia resume their long rivalry on Jan. 7 at Hotchkiss, the first dual for both squads after the Christmas break. “They’re really tough,” Pipher said. “Richard (Flores) is doing a great job with those kids down there. They’re filling a full lineup. If we beat them, you know it will be a lot of luck and getting kids in the right weights. I think they feel the same way.” Both the Eagles and Bulldogs will be able to learn a lot about themselves after the big dual at Hotchkiss. “Right now they’re two or three weeks ahead of us in practice. They have the edge on us right now,” Pipher said. “Their kids will probably practice more than us over break because our kids need some time off. Richard will have them ready to go. It will be a great dual.”

place fourth. Mills won his firstround bout against Alamosa’s Andrew Sierra by way of a pin in a time of 0:52. In second-round action, Mills decisioned Montrose’s John Needham, 5-1, to enter the quarterfinals to face Needham once again for a 6-0 win by decision. In semifinal action, Mills pinned Grand Junction’s Seth Latham, 4:46, and earned a shot at the 170pound title. Shelton, a three-time state titlist, and Mills, a runner-up in last year’s state meet, battled for three periods before Shelton took advantage of Mills on a takedown attempt to score the winning points before the buzzer. Church’s path to the third-place bout began with a pinfall against Alamosa’s Preston Duran in 1:56. In the second round Church was knocked out of title contention by Fruita’s Clayton Voytilla on a 5-3 decision. The loss sent Church to the third-place bout where he pinned Centaurus’ Lalaguna in a time of 3:29. Luke Anderson started the tournament with a decision, 2-1, over Rocky Mountain’s Evan Shell and then pinned Arvada West’s Mitchell Romero, 0:24. Anderson’s next opponent was against University’s Randon Deets in the quarterfinal where he won a 12-1 major deci-

sion to advance to the semifinals. Andrew Lucero, wrestling for Pueblo East, knocked Anderson out of title contention by way of pin. Anderson and Shell met in the third-place bout for a rematch. This time Shell had the right moves and claimed third place with a 4-2 decision. Several Delta wrestlers made it past the first round. Drake Horn (138) won his opener against Pueblo Centennial’s Carlos Vigil with a pin, 1:48. His second-round foe, Palisade’s Austin Bernal, scored a 12-0 major decision to oust Horn. At 152, Kole Roberts pinned Ed Baez of Coal Ridge in 1:48 to get past the first round. Rocky Mountain’s Josh Betts ended Roberts’ title bid with a pinfall, 5:17, in the second round. At 160, Stephen Davignon drew a bye in the first round but fell by pinfall, 1:06, to Olathe’s Jacob Jimenez in the second round. Josh Reeder had a bye in the first round at 195. Zach Gomez added points to Arvada West’s team points with a pin, 1:18, over Reeder in round two. Delta’s 220-pounder, Livan Santander, decisioned Alamosa’s Manuelito Casilias, 7-6, to advance to the second round. Meeker’s Caleb Bradford scored a secondperiod pin in 4:15 to turn back Santander.

LaBossiere fifth at tough Warrior BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The Cedaredge Bruins had several athletes advance past first-round bouts at last week’s Warrior Classic in Grand Junction. Leading the

way was the fifth-place finish by 195-pounder Tré LaBossiere. Other Bruins advancing past opening-round matches included 132pounder Wyatt Hamilton, BRUINS TO B7

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Delta boys face tough foes BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta began its basketball year with three wins before a 61-48 loss to Palisade on Dec. 11 squashed the Panthers’ win streak. A loss to a good Basalt team on Dec. 12 provided a wake-up call for the Panthers. A 40-34 win in Carbondale on Tuesday of last week had the Panthers seemingly back on the right path. A trip to Glenwood Springs on Friday, however, produced a 70-44 setback that left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths. Instead of making excuses, the Panthers (12) played a solid game against Battle Mountain (1-1), a top-three team in the 4A WSL, and held on for an exciting 52-50 win. Delta 40, RF 34 Kyle Mock scored 10 first-quarter points against the Rams last Tuesday in Carbondale. That was almost double what Roaring Fork had at the end of the first period. Delta finished the opening frame leading 14-1. The Rams found where the game ball was in the

second quarter and figured out how to make it fall through the rim as they rocked Delta with an 18-9 run, cutting the Panthers’ lead to four, 23-19. Dylan Hollenbeck stepped up for the Panthers with some offense that provided six points to help keep the Panthers in front at halftime. The third quarter could have almost been played without a ball, with Roaring Fork winning the period, 5-4, to shave yet another point off Delta’s lead. Beau Byers and Hollenbeck contributed four points each to a 13-9 Delta run to seal the win, 40-34 in fourth quarter action. Hollenbeck finished the game with 14 points, and Mock had 12 to lead Delta’s offense. Gustavo Olivia topped Roaring Fork’s point-production with 13 points. Demons 70, DHS 44 Glenwood Springs’ Cam Horning provided a huge lift to the Demons’ offense with big shot after big shot. Horning scored nine points, all by way of the 3-ball, to lead Glenwood to a 22-13 lead after

eight minutes of play. Mock scored seven points and Jonny Ponce another six accounting for the Panthers’ 13 points in the first frame. The Demons kept momentum in secondperiod play and scored 19 points, behind Horning’s six and Mason Yellico’s five counters. Jaspar Carmichael scored five points and Ponce was 4for-4 at the charity stripe to lead the Panthers. Glenwood Springs didn’t take much out of its game plan in the third period and kept pressure on Delta’s offense while scoring 18 points on offense. Horning seared the nets with 11 more points in the third quarter. A nearly even quarter was played over the final eight minutes with the Demons scoring three more points than Delta to make the final score 70-44. Mock’s 12 points were the most scored by a Panther. Ponce chipped in another 10. The Panthers were without the services of Carmichael late in the game after he bounced

his head off the floor in the late going. Horning’s 27 was tops for Glenwood while AJ Crowley and Angel Garcia added 11 and 10 points respectively. Delta 52, Huskies 50 No one player held a hot hand in the opening quarter for Delta. Five players shared the ball for 11 points combined in the period while Battle Mountain stayed close, with 10 points, due in part to Abdoulaye Dath’s five points in the period. Point production went up for both teams in the second quarter with Delta’s offense outscoring Battle Mountain’s shooters, 19-13. A stagnant third quarter, both offensively and defensively, allowed the Huskies to do some catching up with a 15-9 run. Delta had the lead, 3938, as the teams began fourth-quarter play. Both teams played hard in the fourth quarter with the Panthers holding on for the two-point win, 52-50. Carmichael’s free-throw shooting lifted Delta over the top with 3-for-6 performance good

DHS girls win hoops tilts BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Craig Cerise’s Panthers have been working hard on the basketball court and last week’s efforts, along with the prior week’s play, are beginning to show some dividends. After a 2-3 beginning over the past two weeks, the Panthers have put together a good stretch of games that includes three wins and a loss. Following a nasty defeat at the hands of Palisade on Dec. 11, Delta won its next two games against Basalt (6147) and Roaring Fork (5038). A loss to Glenwood Springs (52-44) on Friday might have taken the fight out of the Panthers but instead they rolled to a 58-38 win at home against Battle Mountain on Saturday. With the recent wins, Delta is 4-4 overall and 1-2 in 4A WSL play. Glenwood Springs (1-0) and Palisade and Eagle Valley at 2-0 lead the league early on. Rifle is lurking in the wings with its 1-1 record and is 4-1 overall. The Panthers will resume their prep schedule after Christmas break on Jan. 8 in Rifle. Junior varsity action is set for 3 p.m. and varsity play tips off around 6 p.m. On Jan. 9 Delta will host Steamboat Springs (0-2 and 2-5) with junior varsity play beginning at 10 a.m. Varsity girls are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Delta 50, RF 38 Last Tuesday’s contest in Carbondale was closely contested in the first quarter with Delta using four points each from Jenna Sutliff and Megan Sandoval to hold a 12-10 lead going to the second quarter. Katie Weimer scored five of the Rams’

Bruins

CONTINUED FROM B6 170-pounder Zach Anderson, 182-pounder Landon Eckhart and Anthony Antuna at 220. LaBossiere’s road to the fifth-place bout started with a pin over Hotchkiss’ Devon Curtis, 3:05, in the first round. A win by pin over Roosevelt’s Miguel Maldonado took just 0:45 in round two. A pinfall loss to Olathe’s Chayden Harris in the quarterfinals led to LaBossiere’s fifthplace bout against Grand Junction’s Jacob Olsen. Olsen won by a 12-4 decision. Hamilton scored a 14-5 major decision over Delta’s Brendon Starr in first-round action but lost

10 points to keep Roaring Fork close. Delta began utilizing inside play by Emily Nortnik and Lily Lockhart. Nortnik paced the Panthers’ offense with seven points and Lockhart another four to guide Delta on a 15-8 run and a 27-18 halftime lead. Roaring Fork’s Lily Ramos hit three baskets to lead the Rams on an 11-9 run in third-quarter play. Lockhart kept the Panthers close with her five points. Sandoval came to life in the final stanza for Delta with six points in a 14-9 run for the Panthers. Nortnik’s 13 points topped all scorers in the game while teammates Lockhart and Sandoval contributed 12 points each in the win. Ramos and Weimer had eight points each for Roaring Fork. Demons 52, Delta 44 Glenwood Springs got off to a rousing start that left the Panthers behind by double digits in the early going. Delta managed to get back into the game before the first period ended and trailed 17-12 at quarters’ end. Mykayla Music scored eight of her 11 points in the opening period, keeping the Panthers close. Tatum Peterson drilled five field goals to lead the Demons’ offensive opening run. Both teams found ways to score in the second quarter with Glenwood Springs netting one more point than the Panthers for a halftime lead of 31-25. Lockhart’s seven points led the way for Delta while a number of Glenwood’s players were at the free-throw line to score six of ten shots. Following intermis-

to Pueblo Centennial’s Darian Manzanares by pin in round two. Anderson was quick to pin Centaurus’ Collin Roberts in his first 170pound bout, 0:55. Moffat County’s Mikenzie Klimper pinned Anderson in the second round. At 182, Eckhart had a first-round bye and advanced to the second round where he met Center’s Saloman Chavez. Chavez eliminated Eckhart with a pin. The Bruins’ 220-pounder, Antuna, received a bye and a ticket to the second round. Norwood’s Ethan Barnes was ready for the bout and scored a pinfall to end Antuna’s day.

sion, Glenwood’s six-point lead stayed the same as both teams scored eight points. Sandoval’s six counters were much needed to keep the Panthers within striking distance. The Panthers closed to within two points a couple of times in the fourth quarter but could not get the tying bucket on several attempts. Free throws, again, played a big part in the final stanza as the Demons shot 14 times from the charity stripe and made nine points. Delta, on the other hand, had just six opportunities from the line and made four of them in a 13-11 run by the Demons. Lockhart tossed in 13 points to lead the Panthers and Music’s 11 gave Delta two scorers in double figures. Peterson canned 23 points, including nine in the final quarter of play to lead Glenwood shooters. Delta 58 Huskies 38 Lockhart brought her lunch pail to Saturday’s game against Battle Mountain. The junior post-player scored at least four points in each of the four quarters of play to

finish with 20 points for Delta. Delta built a doubledigit lead early in the game but could not maintain it as the quarter wore on. Lockhart’s six points in the frame enabled the Panthers to finish the first period with a 12-11 lead. Neither team could break away from the other in second-quarter action. Each team posted 17 points with the Panthers clinging to a 29-28 lead at halftime. Battle Mountain sent the Panthers to the freethrow line for 10 shots in the third period. Delta cashed in on six of those shots and went on to outscore the Huskies 12-8 and a 41-36 lead with eight minutes left to play. Sutliff ’s seven points in the fourth quarter sparked a 17-2 Delta run that sealed the deal for a 58-38 win. Sutliff finished the game with 13 points. Jessica Sullivan had 11 points to pace Battle Mountain’s offense. Monique Stevens was also in double figures for the Huskies with her 10 points.

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enough to get the job done. Byers and Hollenbeck were 1 of 2 in their trips to the line. Carmichael finished the game with 16 points to lead all scorers. Byers had 11 counters and Hollenbeck another eight in the win for Delta. Mills Joerz had 13 points to lead Battle Mountain. With limited practice schedules over the holidays, the Panthers will

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resume league play on Jan. 8 in Rifle. On Jan. 9 the Panthers are scheduled to host Steamboat Springs for junior varsity and varsity games beginning mid-morning.

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B8 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

OBITUARIES

children; and 10 greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Al, on Jan. 21, 1994; and a son, Clifford (Duane) Conrad. Interment will be at a future date. Memorial contributions may be sent to HopeWest.

Laonia Conrad

Francis Laonia Conrad died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015, at HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction. She was 88. She was born in Delta Dec. 2, 1927, to Wilber and Carrie (Riley) Johns. She spent her childhood in Delta and graduated from Delta High School in 1947. On May 23, 1947, she married George Albert “Al” Conrad in Montrose. They spent several years in California before moving back to Delta County. They lived in Austin for over 50 years. Mrs. Conrad worked at Delta County Memorial Hospital for 27 years until her retirement in 1997. She worked primarily as the Medicare billing supervisor. She was known for her daily “Hospital Report” prior to the Paul Harvey radio broadcast for many years. She served in various offices within the Order of Eastern Star Chapter #39 in Delta for 50-plus years and was a longtime member of the Orchard City Women’s Club. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Austin. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, reading Zane Gray books, watching Lawrence Welk, news and old movies on TV, especially musicals and westerns, playing the piano and organ and singing. She followed golf and attended the Masters Tournament once. She enjoyed traveling and visiting historic sites, including every presidential library except those in Texas and Michigan. Mrs. Conrad is survived by one son, Lynn Conrad of Delta; a daughter, Dawn Conrad of Cedaredge; four grand-

Patsy Hice-Weber

Delta resident Patsy Lee Hice-Weber died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at her home. She was 80. A memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 21, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Paonia with James Gall officiating. Inurnment followed at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Paonia. Mrs. Hice-Weber was born in Las Animas April 3, 1935, to Kenneth and Flossie (Dellinger) Gift. She spent her childhood in Paonia and graduated from Paonia High School. She moved to Delta in 1997. She enjoyed putting puzzles together, quilting, drawing, playing piano, ceramics, crafting and spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Sylvester Weber of Delta; a daughter, Teresa Ford of Grand Junction; six grandchildren; and several greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Hice; a son, Gene Hice; and a brother, John Gift. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

comb died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He was 79. At his request, no services will be held. Francis Elmer Newcomb III was born in Port Jervis, N.Y., March 21, 1936, to Francis Elmer II and Mildred (Cortwright) Newcomb. He spent his childhood in Port Jervis and graduated from Port Jervis High School in 1954. He attended Oswego College in Oswego, N.Y., and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. Mr. Newcomb served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked as an electrical engineer for IBM in several locations including Boulder, Colorado Springs and White Plains, N.Y. He lived in Colorado Springs before moving to Hotchkiss 17 years ago. He was a member of the Hotchkiss Elks Lodge and the Delta Trap Club, and was a former member of the Lions Club. He taught hunter safety for 17 years. Mr. Newcomb enjoyed hunting, trapping, trap shooting, fishing and woodworking. He is survived by his wife, Sue Newcomb of Hotchkiss; two daughters, Adrienne (Mitch) Scurtu of Durham, N.C., and Andree Christopher of Port Jervis, N.Y.; a sister, Mildred Tait of Denver; and two grandsons, Alexander and Gregory Scurtu of Durham, N.C. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jessie and Bill Newcomb. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Hotchkiss resident Francis “Frank” New-

Carl Chance

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Carl Chance died Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at his home. He was 63. He was born in Delta Feb. 2, 1952, to Cecil and Pearl (Wise) Chance. Graveside funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Riverside Cemetery in Hotchkiss with his oldest son, Scott Chance, officiating. Mr. Chance graduated from Delta High School in 1970. He married Barbara Wilson May 8, 1971. He worked as a ranch hand and an over the road truck driver. Before moving to Fruita in 1990, he lived in Nash, Okla., where he was an active member of Bethel Hawley Baptist Church. He worked for various ranchers and farmers and

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cooking, traveling and worship music. She is survived by her husband, Don Wingard; a daughter, Danielle; a son, Josh, all of Delta; her parents, Lewis and Mary Plank of Mon-tezuma, Ga.; her grandfather, Floyd Yoder of Montezuma, Ga.; three brothers, John (Jolene) Plank, James (Meagan) Plank and Darrel (Sue) Plank, all of Montezuma, Ga.; three sisters, Michele (Vern) Mast of Delta, Jennifer Plank and Emily (Grant) Yoder of Montezuma, Ga.; and extended family. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Harold Fender

Harold Edmund Fender died Dec. 15, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. He was 89. He was born in Glenwood Springs April 28, 1926, and spent most of his life in the Roaring Fork Valley. He is survived by his sons, Gary (Linda) Fender of Silt, and Marvin (Roberta) Fender of DeBeque; his stepchildren, Rick (Prisella) Jurick, Kristi (John) Gill and Jodie (David) Anthes; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A memorial service was held Saturday, Dec. 19, at Rifle Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction.

Gregory Rule

Frank Newcomb

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for Sunland Fields Service Company of Colorado from 2008 until he retired in 2015. Mr. Chance is survived by his three children, Scott (Rhonda) Chance of Edgemont, S.D., Mark (Michelle) Chance of Clovis, N.M., and Cassie Chance of Nash, Okla.; and nine grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and a sister. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Delta County Independent

Gregory Lee Rule died Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Delta. He was 34. He was born in Craig Jan. 20, 1981, to David and Danita Rule. Services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Crawford Community United Methodist Church. A graveside service will follow. He is survived by his estranged wife, Corissa (Owens) Rule; his children, Ethan, Hailey and Alyssa Rule; his parents, Danita Rule and David Rule; his brothers, Davvid “Matt” Rule and Chad Rule; his paternal grandmother, Patsy Cairns; and his maternal grandparents, Lowell Lemon and Crystal Pipher. He was preceded in death by a brother, Brendon “Brent” Rule; and his paternal grandfather, Arlie Rule.

Katie Hollenbeck

Delta resident Katherine “Katie” Hollenbeck died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at her mother’s home in Delta. She was 44. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at Delta First Assembly of God with Veronica Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Delta City Cemetery. Ms. Hollenbeck was born in Delta May 10, 1971, to Mark and Sharon (McMichael) Hollenbeck. She was a lifetime resident of Delta and graduated from New Life Christian School at Delta First Assembly of God. She was a member of Delta First Assembly of God. She enjoyed doing things with her church, being with people, working with flowers and volunteering at Delta County Memorial Hospital and Garnet Mesa Elementary School. She is survived by her mother, Sharon Hollenbeck of Delta; a brother, Todd (Nichole) Hollenbeck and their children, Austin, Dylan, Hana and Greyson, all of Delta; aunts and uncles, Charley and Jeanie Fobare of Erie, David and Barbara Koll of Battle Mountain, Nev., Verne and Peggy Hollenbeck of Purcell, Mo., and Sharlynn Hollenbeck of Grand Juncion. She was preceded in death by her father, Mark. Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest, P.O. Box 24, Delta, CO 81416. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Twila Wingard

Twila Wingard of Delta died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She was 31. Visitation was held Sunday, Dec. 20, at Sunnyview Mennonite Church in Olathe. Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 21, at First Baptist Church in Delta. Burial followed at Mesa View Cemetery in Delta. Twila Rose Plank was born in Americas, Ga., March 3, 1984, to Lewis and Mary (Yoder) Plank. She spent her childhood and attended school in Montezuma, Ga. On June 28, 2003, she married Donnavon Wingard in Montezuma, Ga. They later moved to Delta. Mrs. Wingard was a member of the West Rockies Mennonite Church in Delta. She enjoyed being a mother, family time,

Mikayla Rowe of Boulder. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Kathy Lemon

Kathleen “Kathy” Lemon died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. She was 62. She was born in Denver Feb. 27, 1953, to Jim and Patricia “Pat” (Thorn) Gibson. She lived the majority of her life in Delta, with brief periods in New York City, N.Y., Greeley and Denver. She graduated from Delta High School in 1971 and from the University of Northern Colorado in 1975. She married Gary Lemon of Delta in 1977. Mrs. Lemon was an educator for over 30 years. She taught at Delta Middle School for many years before receiving her master’s degree in counseling from the University of Colorado. She received an education specialist degree before retiring as assistant principal at Montrose High School. She enjoyed traveling the world, gardening, playing golf, redecorating, crocheting, quilting, making fun and sentimental things for her grandchildren, and spending time with friends. She was active in many social clubs and other organizations including Xi Delta Eta Sorority, PEO (BK), the Methodist bell choir, Valley Symphony Chorus, Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation, Delta Health and Wellness Clinic and Abraham Connection. She attended St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where she was on the vestry until her health prevented attendance. Mrs. Lemon is survived by her stepfather, Bruce Holmlund; her children, Karissa (Jeff) DeTienne of Loveland, Kelsi (Nate) Wuebbels of East Hanover, N.J., and Isaac “Zac” (Amy) Lemon of Eaton; her brothers, Tom Gibson of Cottage Grove, Wis., Bill Gibson and Mike (Carlotta) Gibson, all of Delta; and five grandchildren, Evelyn, Elinor, Lucy, Calvin and Eliza. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim Gibson and Pat Holmlund. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at the Delta Middle School auditorium. Interment will follow at Delta City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. 5th St., Delta, CO 81416. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

Ardith Ware

Alex Mehder

Alexander “Alex” Mehder of Delta died Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, at Paonia Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was 92. No services will be held at this time. Mr. Mehder was born in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 17, 1923. On March 24, 2002, he married Lillian Avilla in Paonia. Mr. Mehder was an aviator in the U.S. Navy. He enjoyed playing tennis, office work and yard work in his younger years. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Mehder; son, Alex Mehder Jr. of Hotchkiss; and daughter,

Longtime Hotchkiss resident Ardith L. Ware died Dec. 16, 2015, at Horizons Care Center in Eckert. She was 87. She was born March 11, 1928. She was a native of Aspen. At her request, no services will be held. Mrs. Ware is survived by two sons, John Ware of Crawford and George “Bill” Ware of Carbondale. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Ware; and a son, Terry Ware. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. View the Internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at taylor funeralservice.com.

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SURFACE CREEK December 23, 2015

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Community’s caring comes in gift boxes BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

The Surface Creek community showed the real spirit of its Christmas holiday observance as more than 200 holiday gift dinner boxes prepared by volunteers were made available for distribution. Vehicles lined up at the Surface Creek Community Services food bank and some 30 volunteers who had worked to assemble and package the holiday feast fixings carried the boxes filled with food and placed them into trunks, pickup beds, and back seats of the waiting vehicles. The annual Christmas tradition of the free gift boxes has been a holiday fixture in the community for over a decade, event organizers told the DCI. Donations of money, of food, and more were put to good use by the SCCS volunteers. The food bank works in a partnership understanding with Food Bank of the Rockies, said Donna Christenson, a volunteer. For example, Food Bank of the Rockies provided turkeys that were included in

some of the gift boxes for just ten cents per pound, she said. For gift boxes that did not include a turkey, there was a gift certificate for making a meat purchase of the family’s choice. Another local food retailer, Safeway, is a generous donor to the SCCS program, she added. Other items in the gift dinner boxes this year included a variety of fresh and canned vegetables, butter, various types of crackers, evaporated milk, rolls, chocolate for cooking and more. Other food items like cake mixes were distributed among the gift boxes, and every effort was made to ensure that there was an equivalent amount of food and nutrition in each of the gift boxes that were given out. There were many fresh pies for distribution, and also pie crusts and canned pumpkin for others to do their own home holiday baking. Santa Claus was on hand at the event, giving out free candy canes to the box recipients as they waited for volunteers to load their packages.

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

Santa’s big smile is no doubt due to the more than 200 Christmas gift boxes he is shown with that were prepared by his SCCS volunteer helpers with thanks to the community’s generous support.

Kids were on Santa’s list BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

There was more to a special Christmas than the mak-

ings of family holiday dinners at the Surface Creek Community Services food bank last Saturday.

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

Santa Claus and toys for kids make a happy community Christmas as the magic elf appears with some of the individually wrapped, age-speciﬁc toys that went to 139 children at the SCCS Christmas gift box distribution last Saturday.

Cedaredge finds solution to plant operator licensing BY HANK LOHMEYER Staff Writer

The Town of Cedaredge has succeeded in hiring an operator for its new wastewater treatment plant. According to the staff report to trustees on Dec. 10, Clinton Smith has agreed to obtain his “B” operator’s license from the state. It was stated at the meeting that it can take up to three years to obtain the “B” license. Until that time, the town has intentions of hiring a professional contractor to be the oversight manager of the facility at a cost of $18,000 per year in addition to the operator’s salary, it was reported. Regulations, the town has learned, require that it have a responsible operator in charge with a “B” license overseeing the mechanical plant’s daily workings. There may be “other options,” staff reported, which are being looked at. In other business at its regular Dec. 10 meeting, the town board dealt with the following matters: • Town Hall received a letter complimenting police

officer Carlos Lovera for his foot patrols of downtown businesses and he was recognized by the town board. • Public works department reports that “real time” video equipment will be placed on the city office building to help gauge overnight snowfall amounts and the need for street plowing. The cameras will also provide observation useful to assess “security” issues. • Public works department reported that there were eight major water breaks in town during 2015 as of Dec. 10. Of those breaks, four of them occurred on the troubleplagued Greenwood Avenue line and the associated South Grand Mesa Drive area. The department reported 22 major leaks in 2014, and 17 in 2013. • The town water department reports 82 water meters were “changed out” during 2015. • Police Chief Dan Sanders said that his officers have been responding to one to two deer-vehicle encounters per day recently.

Children were remembered during the observance of Christmas — the one holiday that is probably most special to the young ones. Fifty-eight families who signed up for the food bank’s annual dinner boxes also requested toys for their children. As a result, there were personalized sacks of toys, all individually wrapped, that were distributed during the gift box event. SCCS volunteer Ray Petersen said that this is the third year of the toy gifting in conjunction with the food bank holiday distribution. The toys given out were selected by age appropriateness. Without a doubt, they contributed a big measure of holiday feeling to local families during their celebrations. Ray said that many thanks need to be paid to those who donated to the kids gifting project. They include individuals who contributed, churches and organizations. Food Bank of the Rockies donated toy items that it had collected along with surplus inventory from food stores. The Cedaredge Dollar General store was especially helpful in providing toy items for the project this year, Petersen said. Petersen gained experience helping organize the event while living in Grand Junction. For many years, he said, he worked with Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, a program that provides Christmas gifts for the children of the incarcerated.

Mesa view

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

The Cedaredge High School Future Farmers of America chapter is a highly active group that participates in numerous school and community projects throughout the year. The chapter was represented by member volunteers at the Surface Creek Community Services Christmas gift box distribution last Saturday. Shown, from left, are Katie Greenwood, chapter advisor, and members Abby Fowler, Shelby Stone, Nate Stumpf and Cheyenne Stone.

Christmas dinner set for Friday The free community Christmas dinner will be held on Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, at the Stolte Shed between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. All are welcome. The annual community Christmas dinner is a project of the Cedaredge Rotary Club. Les and DJ Mergelman of Cedaredge have participated in the event for many years, helping prepare food for the feast. There is much socializing

and friendship exhibited by those who join together to enjoy the traditional Christmas meal, and community members have always turned out in good numbers to help. Volunteers are used for food service, cleanup, takeouts and other activities to help make the meal a meaningful event for all. Anyone curious whether there is still a place for them as a volunteer may call Marsha Bryan at 856-8800.

Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

Although Grand Mesa is the most prominent of that type of geographic structure in Delta County, the area has many, many mesas within its boundaries, including Doctor Mesa whose eastern escarpment is seen in the above photo.

C2 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Tourism cabinet reviews activities, future plans The following is a report by Patricia Luna, a Surface Creek Area representative on the Delta County Tourism Cabinet, on the cabinet’s annual meeting. The Delta County Tourism Cabinet (DCTC) held its annual retreat on Nov. 11 at Wisehart Springs Inn in Paonia. The meeting was well attended with Robbie LeValley, county administrator; Bruce Hovde, county commissioner; Kelli Hepler, director; Kathy Hirschboeck, president; and members Todd Sheets, Tony Vervloet,

John Taylor, Yvon Gros, Wilma Erven, Edd Franz and myself. Trish Thibido is a member at large and was present at the retreat. There are two members from each geographic area in Delta County and one member at large. Kathy Hirschboeck and I represent the Surface Creek area at these meetings. The purpose of the retreat was to lay out accomplishments in 2015 and set goals and action items for 2016. In 2015, Kelli reported there were five famil-

Town lists various 2016 expenditures Cedaredge has provided a list of its expenditures budgeted in 2016 for memberships and various contributions as follows: Legislative memberships, etc: $2,570 Region 10; $50 Surface Creek Valley Historical Society; $1,312 Colorado Municipal League; $650 Delta County Economic Development Inc; $400 Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway; $200 Club 20; $250 Delta County Housing; $536 National League of Cities; $32 Other – subtotal $6,000. Animal Control: Support for Animal Control Officer $1,320. Municipal Court:

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$2,432 Juvenile Diversion. Transportation: $4,018 All Points Transit. Water and sewer utility relief fund: $1,000 available for utility relief by application. In-kind contributions: $21,796 VOA; $10,500 Surface Creek Community Services - food bank; $2,114 Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce; $2,756 waived fees for AARP tax prep, Health Fair, elections, Senior Citizen room, storage area VFW, Lions, Sororities, etc. – subtotal $37,166. Grand total $51,936 documentable memberships, in-kind, and contributions.

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365 N. Grand Mesa Dr. Cedaredge

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iarization “FAM” tours hosted by DCTC, with a total of 19 writers visiting Delta County and 70 stories being published in multiple newspapers and magazines across the United States. Communities are encouraged to participate, hosting a tour in their communities for future guest writers. Once each quarter in 2015, the DCTC members toured a community in Delta County which enabled members to get to know their neighbors. This year we toured Farm to Table and Living Farm Café; the Bee Hive, and Paradise Theatre in Paonia; the Eckert tour included visiting Fruitgrowers Reservoir to see the sandhill cranes and the new parking area. Kelli Hepler and Edd Franz shared their birding knowledge and informed of other projects that are in the works. The group toured Drost’s Chocolates and J&S Bakeria. Finally, a tour to orient DCTC to the Gunnison and North Fork River Special Recreation Management Area, Gunnison River Pleasure Park, and then a raft trip. The first stop along the river was at Cottonwood Grove Campground, doing an assessment exercise so that the Bureau of Land Management could

Garden club report The Plant and Dig Garden Club of Cedaredge enjoyed a great meeting in November at the home of Barb Klein. She had gathered many items with which we could make Christmas centerpieces. She showed us many small tricks to putting them together and making a beautiful display. Our members’ homes will be extra festive this year with the items and expertise provided by Barb. We all thank Barb for her time and effort. 2015 has been a successful year for the club. Our thanks to the following guest speakers for their time and effort to pass on their knowledge in their fields of expertise: John Spurgeon (water); John Leser and his phenomenal presentation on the care & pruning of trees; Vern Ronniger and our memorable visit to his potato farm; Arnie and Cathy Ogden for their interesting program and handouts on bee keeping; and of course, member Barb Klein for teaching us the art of centerpiece arrangements. To meet our goals of community involvement, our members have maintained the bed outside the west entrance of Pioneer Town and helped to plant and maintain the flower pots in the courtyard of Horizons Nursing Center. We have also made substantial monetary contributions to the Surface Creek Historical Society and to Cedaredge Food Bank. We are planning great programs for the upcoming year, aimed at enhancing our knowledge in every aspect of the gardening world. The club’s annual Christmas party was held Friday, Dec. 18. Members enjoyed a potluck meal and gift exchange at the home of Joan Chambers. It is a special time for us to share friendship and fun, two other goals of our members. We welcome new members. If you would like more information, please call 856-3897 or 970-9019360. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May your New Year be full of fun and flowers. Submitted by Joan Chambers

get input from elected leaders, local economic development and tourism entities. Then back on the river to the Relief Ditch diversion structure where Cary Denison from Trout Unlimited discussed improvements to that structure. It continued with a land-based tour focusing on existing and potential upland recreation opportunities in the Smith Mountain area. Goals for the coming year include maintaining the agri-tourism scope, focus on outdoor recreation as a tourism

and economic force and a local campaign of educating locals including businesses, vendors and lodgers of what there is to do and see in Delta County with primary focus of having people stay and visit longer and all of Delta County a destination location. Robbie LeValley explained that a request for proposal for a Delta County tourism promotion plan from qualified individuals(s) or firm to assist in developing a marketing strategy to promote tourism in Delta County will be advertised

in January. Kelli Hepler has held this position since 2006 and is welcome to apply. It was stated that the RFP was no reflection on the great job Kelli has done for the county. LeValley reported to the DCTC about the Delta County Fairgrounds Task Force and asked for people to join the task force. The Delta County Fairgrounds 2010 Master Plan was reviewed with attendees. The next meeting is Jan. 4 in Hotchkiss at the Maloney House at the fairgrounds.

Students of the Month

Photo submitted

November Students of the Month were recently recognized at Cedaredge Middle School: (back row, left to right) Sean Dale, Isaac Blair, Brian Hoerr, Jacob Miller, Christoferr Myers; (middle row) Elisabeth Cole, Ashton Duran, Conner Brooks, Jacob Burget, Karlie Hanson, Dylan Furubotten, Kammie Henderson, Jordan Taylor, Katelin Lindley; (front row) Patience Almon, Megan Jenkins, Emma Stumpf and Ashlyn Anderson.

Cedaredge Elem. honor roll

The following students were named to honor roll at Cedaredge Elementary School for the first quarter of the 2015-16 school year:

Third Grade Straight A’s Abigale Brooks Natalia Carrillo Isabel Cerise Madison Crawford Mary Locke Isaac Nichols Recee Phillips Kierra Terry A/B Honor Roll Riley Abercrombie Dixie Anderson Connie Archuleta Jamee Barnard Cody Burnett Paul Duckworth Jade Fast Jonathan Findley Matthew Fowler Tel Geyer Rylen Glidden Adelynn Hanson Nolan Hanson

Ethan Hice Roman Hoeltzner Jason Hong Kayden Huggett Jesus Jauregui Sage Jones Rory Lee Carley Malinowski Joshua Martinez Logan McIntire Sandra Mendoza Kerrie Meyer Aulyvia Nold Zane Pritchett Hunter Pulver Haley Ryan Trey Schumacher Joshua Scott Asa St. Peter Livia Stahly KayAllani Sullivan Autum Tietz Rayna Williamson Leandra Wilson Tristin Wright

Bradley Young Fourth Grade Straight A’s Emma Jenkins Camden Myers June Pulver Hayden Rupp Ashley Valenzuela Anguiano A/B Honor Roll Lillie Andrews Leeland Ball Jaxson Blair Aiden Dispennette Carter Heath Stormie Kuster Corbin Loucks David Martinez Breanna May Cheyenne May Tayton Nelson Aaron Neustel Shelby Norris Hadassah Payne Andrew Purvis

Emmaleah Rains Jayden Reed Jazmin Rivera Krystal Saenz Keaton Sanders Logan Tullis Leah Vader Courtney Volgamore Chasey Waitman Kacey Walck Fifth Grade Straight A’s Mackenzie Crawford Kole Hawkins Victoria Hirsch Taylar Myers Samantha Pritchett Breanna St. Hilaire Jonathan Surber A/B Honor Roll Damien Altamirano Jacob Anderson Hahana Armendariz Levi Bailey Kevin Barron

Bear Den for November

Elyxa Belveal Noelle Camp Laura Carey Tyler Clymo Megan Conway Rhiannon Dillie Gabriel Grubb-Eisele Emilee Hamblin Kade Henderson Shaelyn Hunsberger Anita King Nikolette McKinney Faith Morrow Seth Phillips Mary Quinonez Kendra Richardson Keona Rodriguez Jose Saenz Thomas Stallings Kylee Terry Dariana Villalobos Cadence Wood

Photo submitted

Students at Cedaredge Elementary School are nominated each month by their teachers to be included in the Bear Den. The different characteristics which can earn recognition are Perseverance (P), Respect (R), Integrity (I), Duty (D) and Excellence (E). November’s Bear Den students are: kindergartners JC Vela and Carson Rupp from Ms. Barton’s class; Kalli Haining and Alishiyah Scott from Mrs. Tanner’s class; and Cambree Hanson and Aiyla Bassler from Mrs. Parsons’ class; first-graders Bettie Stivers and Alex Ryan from Ms. Belger’s class; Zea Robidoux and Isaac Tullis from Mrs. Campbell’s class; and Hunter Hoerr and Kimmie Stone from Mrs. Rienks’ class; second-graders Xander Scartezina and Abby Ogier from Miss Benson’s class; Tate Fischer and Kelsea Kissner from Mrs. Hawkins’ class; and Ava Hoff and Shealie Menzel from Ms. Winemiller’s class; thirdgraders Aulyvia Nold and Nolan Hanson from Mrs. Fuller’s class; Madison Crawford and Trey Schumacher from Mrs. Lampton’s class; and Ethan Hice and Recee Phillips from Mrs. Hoerr’s class; fourth-graders Jayden Reed and Leeland Ball from Ms. Berger’s class; Carter Heath and Emmaleah Rains from Mr. Stanfield’s class; and Corbin Loucks and Jasmine Ponce-Gama from Mrs. Cox’s class; and fifth-graders Rhiannon Dillie and Noah Trickel from Mrs. Whitney’s class; Breanna St. Hilaire and Jacob Anderson from Mr. Henderson’s class; and Gabe Eisele and Tori Hirsch from Mr. Thompson’s class.

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Birds of the Western Slope A look at local birds with Evelyn Horn

Photo submitted by Bev Henry

Christmas buck

Tom and Bev Henry, who live on Cedar Mesa Road, submitted this photo of this handsome buck. Bev writes, “Thought you and your readers might be interested in seeing our ‘Christmas Buck’ that’s up here on Cedar Mesa. He managed to get tangled in the Christmas lights on our spruce tree two weeks ago and is still proudly wearing them around the neighborhood. I guess we’ll have to wait until he sheds his antlers to get our lights back. Merry Christmas to all creatures, great and small!” According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this often occurs because the bucks are in rut and will rub their antlers against just about anything. If they rub against something with holiday lights, there is a chance those lights might end up adorning the animal’s antlers until late winter when it naturally sheds its antlers. Wildlife ofﬁcials point out it can be more stressful to capture and handle the deer to remove the lights than leaving it alone, as long as the animal can move around and eat.

Mid-winter (republished by request) But of course, it really isn’t — winter’s only just begun. The Winter Solstice is the 21st of December which marks the shortest day of our year in the Northern Hemisphere, and we think of it as “winter.” But winter actually still lies ahead. Right now the ground is warm enough from summer that the snow and ice melt quickly, but if we look forward to January and February, that warmth will be dissipated and the cold will grip our land. Since our earth is tilt-

ed on its axis, the sun’s rays strike our northern hemisphere at an angle, and this we call “winter time” as demonstrated in the drawing above. I’ve often imagined prehistoric people huddled in a cave with whatever they could find to build a fire and animal skins for

warmth (have you ever tried such a skin!). But we modern folks are assured that spring will return. And I also think of the people who figured all this out — I’m glad they did! Our wondrous Sandhill Cranes will return to us on their spring migration, the barren ’dobes will display the brilliant yellows of Prince’s Plume and the rich reds of the cactus, the ’Dobe daisy will bloom and the green leaves of the cottonwoods will dance in the breeze. The high country will turn from wintry white to the glorious colors of mountain meadows filled with wildflowers. There are mid-winter or solstice celebrations throughout the world. For a fascinating trip just Google “Mid-winter Celebrations.” There’s the five day Tibetan “Dosmuche.” A pole is erected and everyone dresses up in scary costumes to frighten the evil spirits away from the coming new year. The pole is destroyed on the final day. Or there’s the ancient Druid celebration of the sun. It was called the “Yule” and still occurs in modern

times with the Wiccans celebrations. There’s the night of the Radish celebrated in Oaxaca, Mexico and many, many more. So ... Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah Dosmuche Merry Yule Happy Kwanzaa Happy Hail-Kuyo Merry Solstice and a Prosperous New Year.

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What’s bugging you? Problems of woody plants and their solutions BY JIM LESER Cedaredge Tree Board

You’re late! You’re late for a very important date. I’m referring to the upcoming 2016 Colorado Master Gardener Training Program. This program is an 11-week course starting Jan. 13, held in Grand Junction. With the passing of the winter solstice, the fewest sunlight hours of the year, you must realize that those delayed fall gardening chores will have to wait until spring. It is awfully hard to rake leaves and pull weeds with snow covering the ground. But as a dedicated gardener (you are one, aren’t you?), an opportunity to grow your knowledge is fast approaching. This master gardener course is one of the best, if not the best, in the state. Each weekly session consists of six hours of hands-on instruction by experts in their fields. Topics range from vegetables, irrigation management, soils, entomology, plant pathology to turf management, growing small fruit and tree fruit to name a few. There are lots of opportunities to ask questions that may pertain to situations or knowledge

gaps that pertain your to situation. And the course is very user friendly. While this program is not inexpensive, its cost is very reasonable. And if you are willing to put in some volunteer time as a master gardener apprentice, course cost can be reduced by up to 70 percent. And if you live in the Cedaredge area, the Plant & Dig Garden Club is offering a partial scholarship for someone in financial need who is willing to give back to the community the knowledge they have gained. As you know, I come from a career as an extension entomologist in Texas. When I retired to Colorado, I wanted to become more involved in gardening and in the community. I knew very little about growing plants in western Colorado. My only courses in college pertaining to plants were botany, plant physiology and taxonomy of flowering plants. And these courses were taken over three decades ago. This program will fill in your knowledge gaps, make you a better gardener and hopefully encourage you to give back to the community the knowledge gained. And by the way, your

education has only begun after completing this course. You will continue to grow with the help of mentors, joining with a diagnostic team and continuing your education through many workshops and courses offered by Colorado State University Extension. If you decide not to do volunteer work following the completion of the course, you will still earn a Colorado Gardening Certificate. If you do the community volunteer hours, then at the end of the year you will officially become a Colorado Master Gardener. Hooray! If you are interested, time is slipping by. Call or email Susan Honea, horticultural coordinator, for more information and an application, susan. honea@mesacounty.us or 244-1841. Class starts in

three weeks. Jim Leser retired to Cedaredge in 2007 after a career with Texas A&M University Extension in entomology. He is a member of the Cedaredge Tree Board and a Colorado Master Garden. *** A Christmas toast: May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love. —Ada V. Hendricks *** I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. —Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”

Have A Happy & Healthy Holiday ��

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Photo by Hank Lohmeyer

New art gallery

A new chamber member ribbon cutting was held in conjunction with a grand opening recently for Grand Mesa ImpressionZ. Located next door to Gazebo Florist, ImpressionZ is a co-op artists’ gallery. Its board of director members explain they are working to make it part of a much larger “creative district” project to eventually encompass other forms of art, community events and businesses. Shown in the photo, from left, are Bill Miller, Ginny Wise, Lesley Lewis, Gretchen Atkinson, Sam Morris, Stacy Morton, Mari-Emilie Sweigart, Tina Swoffer and Lindy Palmer.

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C4 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Check out library website during Dec. 24-26 closures reasons and people have really stepped up to meet deadlines, maintain programming, and help each other out. Our employees deserve a break.” The break falls on Dec. 24, 25 and 26, and the libraries will be closed all three days. However, Hart stresses that library users who cannot last without a library during that time still have options. She says, “We’ll keep our wi-fi on, so people can access the Internet from outside each building. We also have so much to offer on our website. I’d encourage anyone who has a few idle minutes this winter to explore the library website.”

BY LEAH MORRIS Delta County Libraries

As she puts on a red sweater embroidered with green trees and bejeweled with tacky holiday broaches, interim district director Lea Hart laughs. Holiday spirit has reached the basement administrative offices of the Delta County Libraries, and it is likely to last through the next couple of weeks as staff members districtwide look forward to time off to spend with their families. “Everyone has really been working hard in the Delta County Libraries,” Hart explains. “We’ve been somewhat short-staffed for months for numerous

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The library website, www.deltalibraries.org, offers access to both the library catalog and the library’s electronic resources. Patrons can access their accounts to place holds, renew items and check on availability of materials. Electronic resources include downloadable e-books, audiobooks, magazines and music, as well as online classes, encyclopedias and much more, hopefully enough to carry library lovers through the holidays. Hart says, “We wish all our patrons safe and happy holidays. And I Photo submitted hope everyone has time Happy holidays from the Delta County Libraries administrative staff — Leah to read!” Morris, Gail Srebnik, Kristi Lloyd, Lea Hart and LaDonna Gunn.

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LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Area churches celebrate the birth of Christ Immanuel Lutheran Church 5th & North Fork Paonia Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight service, 5 p.m. Paonia United Methodist Church 3rd & Onarga Thursday, Dec. 24 — Candlelight Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas potluck luncheon, noon. For more information, call 5273348. Paonia Friends Church 409 3rd Street Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m. This is a casual service with music, reading of the Christmas story and communion. A reception for Christ’s birthday will follow. Come as you are but please come! Crawford Community United Methodist Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service, 5 p.m. Hotchkiss Community United Methodist Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m. First Baptist Church 203 W. Main Street Hotchkiss Thursday, Dec. 24 — Candlelight Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m. All are welcome to join us for this special service. “O Come Let Us Adore Him.” All Saints Lutheran Church 20101 Deer Creek Road, Austin Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight worship service, 7 p.m., led by Pastor Paul Rosin. First Baptist Church of Cedaredge 370 W. Main Street Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service, 6 p.m., in cooperation with the Cedaredge Assembly of God. The public is invited.

Eckert Presbyterian Church 13025 Highway 65 Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight service, 6:30 p.m St. Philip Benizi 290 NW Cedar Avenue Cedaredge Thursday, Dec. 24 — Prelude, 6:30 p.m.; Mass, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 — Mass, 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 — Service, 6 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner in St. Ann’s Hall at 7 p.m. Cedaredge Community Methodist Church 3rd & Aspen Thursday, Dec. 24 — Family service at 5 p.m., featuring “Oh Come Ye,” a drama written by one of our own, Karen Cline. Traditional Christmas Eve candlelight service, 7 p.m. You are invited to come celebrate this jubilant time of the year. Grand Mesa Southern Baptist Church S.E. Jay Avenue Cedaredge Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m., with congregational carol singing, highlights from the cantata, additional music and brief readings. Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church 298 Bert Street Delta Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve vigil service, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day Festal Divine Liturgy, 9 a.m. Saint Andrew’s Parish welcomes all. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 5th & Palmer, Delta Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve carol service begins at 8 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Communion Service begins at 8:30 p.m., with reception after service. Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day Holy

Communion service, 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Holy Communion service, 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1 — New Year’s Day Holy Communion service, 10 a.m. First Baptist Church of Delta 1250 Pioneer Road Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight worship, 6 p.m. The message is “This Changes Everything.” A special offering will be taken for the Salvation Army. Saturday, Dec. 26— Meet at the church at 12:30 p.m. to go sledding on Grand Mesa. Delta United Methodist Church 5th & Meeker Thursday, Dec. 24 — Candlelight service, 6 p.m. A traditional service of sacred Christmas hymns, lighting candles, bell choir and chorus. In keeping with the spirt of this birthday of our Lord, Jesus Christ, any offerings taken will be given to local charities which feed the hungry, care for families and house the homeless. A more sedate Christmas Eve celebration with voices and the spoken word will take place at 8 p.m. Dec. 24. Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day service, 9:30 a.m. Join us for this simple service of worship and praise for the gift of Jesus Christ. Friday, Dec. 25 — Annual community Christmas dinner, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (free). Share a traditional meal with family, friends, new friends and strangers. There will be live music throughout the meal. The community Christmas Day meal is a partnership of Delta United Methodist Church, community businesses and other local faith based organizations.

Friday, Jan. 1 — Annual devotional exchange. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Delta Christian Church 795 1600 Road Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight service, 6 p.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church 1721 H Road, Delta Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25 — Christmas Day service, 9 a.m. Presbyterian

Church of Delta 4th & Meeker Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve candlelight communion service, 6 p.m. Delta First Assembly Eaton & Dodge Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve and communion service, 6 p.m. Center for Spiritual Living 658 Howard St., Delta Thursday, Dec. 24 — Taize candlelight Christmas Eve service, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30 — Burning bowl New Year’s

Olathe’s

ceremony, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 — World peace prayer service, 5 a.m. (yes, 5 a.m.). Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 59350 Carnation Road, Olathe Thursday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Mass will be celebrated at midnight, with singing to begin at 11:30 p.m. A Christmas morning service is planned at 9 a.m. Masses during Advent are Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 323-5057.

Miracle on Main Street

C6 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

AGRICULTURE

Delta County Independent

Lesson for those who feed birds BY BRENDA MILLER Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue

Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue received a call Saturday from Amy Seglund of Colorado Parks and Wildlife about an injured sharp shinned hawk found on the ground at the Prestige Building by Montrose High School. Amy and Brenda Miller (volunteer licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator) met up at the Morningstar Vet clinic shortly thereafter where the hawk was warmed up, and then X-rayed. The sharpy most likely hit a window while it was hunting songbirds around a feeder. These hawks are numerous in Montrose, attracted by all the songbirds, especially

starlings and pigeons. It is important we have these birds around to keep the starling and pigeon populations in check. If people would quit feeding the birds, we would not have near the numbers of hawks and songbirds slamming into windows and injuring themselves. During the winter, the sun is low in the sky, causing reflections off windows. The birds’ vision may be temporarily blinded as they pass through the reflection, and windows reflect the outdoors, making the space appear as an opening to more habitat. If people insist on feeding the birds, feeders need to be hung far away from a building — never

on a building! Feeders must be taken down and washed in hot water, soap and bleach once a week, rinsed well, and thoroughly dried before loading with seed and putting back outdoors. The feeder should never be put back in the same place. It is not natural for wildlife to congregate day after day in the same place to feed. When birds gather at feeders, they drop feces, urine, blood, saliva — bodily fluids build up in one place, making a perfect medium for spreading disease. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed salmonella in Delta County this past August, which carried into fall until the cold weather kills a lot of

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the bacteria off. Salmonella can live in soil and overwinter. Hundreds of birds die of salmonella when these outbreaks occur. It causes diarrhea, which causes dehydration, so the birds quickly die a miserable death. Salmonella is spread at birdfeeders! If you have just cleaned your feeder, and 15 minutes later a sick bird shows up to feed — disease is spread! If you want to feed the birds, the best thing you can do for them is to plant things that they eat. Brenda Miller of RRWR states she always plants extra of everything in her garden, then lets a lot of it go to seed. In the fall especially she has watched all kinds of migrating birds come through, hanging out in the garden for a while, eating healthy food. People need to remember chemical fertilizers are used to raise corn and other grains used in bird seed feed. A lot of precious water goes into raising these crops, and herbicides are used to kill weeds in and around the fields. Pesticides are also used to kill the bugs that feed on these crops. Many thanks to Dr. Bettye Hooley and her staff at the Morningstar vet clinic who volunteer their services to help wildlife, Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue, the public and CPW. Thank you, Amy Seglund, for dropping what you were doing to go catch the bird and meet Brenda at the clinic. The sharpy was put down by Brenda

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due to its wing being broken near the elbow joint, which could not be repaired. When bones heal near a joint, they calcify over, interfering with the movement of the joint — the bird still cannot fly. There was also injury to the shoulder. It was a young hawk with excellent weight on — obviously a very successful hunter. Roubideau Rim Wildlife Rescue, 501(c)(3) nonprofit can be reached at

970-209-5946, by email at rrwildliferehab@gmail. com or by mail at P.O. Box 750, Olathe, CO 81425. Wildlife rehabilitation in Colorado is all volunteer. If you are interested in becoming a wildlife rehabber, visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, click on Special Licensing, then click “Wildlife Rehabilition.” Feel free to contact Brenda Miller if you have any questions.

Grooming grant

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Photo courtesy Brenda Miller

This sharp shinned hawk was injured, probably from ﬂying into a window while hunting. It was ultimately put down due to the injuries to its wing and shoulder.

Photo submitted

The Grand Mesa Nordic Council was awarded a $5,000 Junior Service League of Grand Junction Community Giving grant Dec. 7. Clint Roberts, GMNC board vice president, and Kristina Kittelson, GMNC membership director, accepted the grant along with many other deserving recipients at the awards ceremony at Bookcliff Country Club. The money will be used for GMNC’s grooming program. “We appreciate the Junior Service League’s support of our community and all we do to make it a great place to live,” Roberts said.

Water district accepting grant applications now The Colorado River District is now accepting applications for grant funding to assist projects that protect, enhance or develop water resources within its 15-county region. Applications are due Jan. 29, 2016. The total amount available for the 2016 competitive grant program is $150,000. Projects eligible for the grant program must achieve one or more of the following objectives: • develop a new water supply; • improve an existing system; • improve in-stream water quality; • increase water use efficiency; • reduce sediment loading; • implement a watershed management action; • control invasive riparian vegetation; or • protect pre-Colorado River Compact water rights (typically includes those in use before 1929). By policy, successful grantees can receive up to a maximum of $150,000 (or approximately 25 percent of the total project cost; in the case of smaller projects, this percentage may be slightly higher) for their project. Qualifying projects must have either been completed within

the last 12 months or are on track to be constructed within the next 18 months. To access the Water Resources Grant Program application, instructions, guidelines, ranking criteria, policies, and other details please visit www. ColoradoRiverDistrict. org. More information can be obtained by contacting Dave Kanzer or Alesha Frederick at 970945-8522 or by email to grantinfo@crwcd.org.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Doug Wilson of Olathe was re-elected as vice president of the Colorado Corn Administrative Committee during its annual meeting in December. At the same meeting Charlie Barlett of Merino was elected president, Troy Schneider of Burlington as secretary and Chris Wagner of Longmont as treasurer. The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee oversees how Colorado’s corn check-off dollars are spent on research, market development, outreach, education and other endeavors. The check-off assesses one penny per bushel of corn produced in Colorado.

Classified December 23, 2015

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COMMUNITY OPTIONS, Inc. has a Case Management position open. The position works with intellectually/ developmentally disabled adults. A BS/BA in discipline related to human service is required. Must be organized, have good communication, computer and people skills. Must have dependable transportation and a driving record acceptable to our insurance. Prefer at least 1-2 years experience in human services and Medicaid. Duties include all aspects of case management including eligibility, Service Plan Development and Monitoring. Excellent benefits. Please send resume to Wendy Whaley, Community Options, PO Box 31, Montrose CO 81401, or e-mail to wendywhaley @communityoptionsinc. org. Reply by Dec. 30, 2015. (3x50) LOOKING FOR QUALITY employees? Advertise here in the DCI Classifieds.

HELP WANTED

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D2 Wednesday, December 23, 2015 HELP WANTED

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SEEKING ENERGETIC "People Person" who loves Olathe, is passionate about health equity and is great at bringing diverse people together for a shared purpose. Spanish language skills a plus. $20-$35/hour, contract, part-time, flexible hours. See full job description and application details at www.coloradotrust.org on Careers page. Open until filled. (3x50) PART-TME WINTER HELP needed – Shoveling snow on multiple sites in Delta. Must have a flexible schedule and be willing to work at odd hours; early mornings, long days, irregular hours. Must be dependable, have reliable transportation, have a clean driving record and valid driver's license. We work when it snows. Please email your resume and references to sewardslandscape@aol. com (1x51) LITTLE SPROUTS COMmunity Preschool is currently recruiting Substitute Teachers. Must have a High School Diploma, be 19 years or older, enjoy working with young children, experience preferred. For more information, please contact Lora Ely (970) 856-4648 or email resume to littlesprouts@tds. net (1x51)

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PUBLIC SERVICE THE DELTA COUNTY Independent runs these items as a public service free of charge for non-profit organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each group is asked to please keep them current by calling 874-4421. HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS Wanted! Delta County Memorial Hospital needs hospital volunteers. Days and hours are flexible. There are currently openings in the ER, Oncology, Gift Shop and some additional areas. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Joyce Picard at (970) 874-3841 for an application. (4x27) WOMEN ONLY AA MEETings, Delta. Wednesdays, 5:00 p.m., closed (Alcoholics only) at Friends of Bill W. Club, 897 Palmer. Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., open (others may attend) at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5th & Palmer (back door). (tfnx3) FREE DIAPERS FOR UP to one year! Pregnant women in Delta County can now get help to quit smoking and get something they can really use after their baby arrives — free diapers. Healthy moms have healthy babies. Enroll in the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program today. Contact the Delta County Health Department at 874-2165 or your local physician. (TFNx2) SUPPORT THE DELTA Public Library. Give a gently used book in the Downstairs Book Store. WELCOME RETURNING Veterans, Post 9221 VFW meets at 5:00 p.m. on the 4th Thursday of each month in Cedaredge. To find out how to participate in promoting patriotism and assisting veterans, contact Wayne Hamrick, (970) 2501180. (tfnx23) AARP DRIVER SAFETY Course. Save on insurance, keep up on newer traffic laws, learn defensive driving techniques. For details and schedule contact John Loring (970) 856-6924 or (970) 424-1778. DEDUCT IT FROM YOUR taxes! Donations of: pet food, old blankets, towels, kennels, carriers, pet beds or dishes, and money always appreciated. Another Chance Critter Haven. 8749011. 501 (c) (3)

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Delta County Independent

PUBLIC SERVICE

HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD Historical Museum. Winter hours, Saturdays 1-4 p.m. thru December 24. $3 admission or free to members. Come see our museum at 2nd & Hotchkiss Streets in Hotchkiss. 872-3780. (tfx44)

PUBLIC SERVICE

ARE YOU NEW TO THE Delta area? Stop by the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at 301 Main St. for you FREE Welcome Bag, filled with goodies, samples, discounts and community information, courtesy of Chamber members and sponsored by Kim GuthrieBurch of Re/Max Today.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK store at the library. You'll find a great selection of paperbacks at reasonable YOU HAVE THE POWER TO prices. change a child's life! Children are waiting for IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, senior partners in Delta you will love the Downstairs County right now! Can you Bookstore in the basement spare 3 hours a week? We of the Delta Public Library. need your help! Call today NARCOTICS ANONY- for more information. Please mous meets at 9th and volunteer to spend time with Palmer, Delta, Mondays and a child in our community. Partners of Delta, Montrose Fridays at 8 p.m. (tfnx5) and Ouray, 874-4661, www. BECAWS! DONATIONS partners-west.org. or www. needed. Credit cards deltayouth@montrose.net. accepted. Call 970-527- (tfx13) 3350, or visit cawsonline. AMERICAN org. Delta County Citizens PAONIA for Animal Welfare and Legion runs a year round non-perishable emergency Shelter (CAWS) food pantry. This is for DELTA FOOD PANTRY the North Fork area. For needs meals for Delta information, call 527-6252. families who are temporar- (tfx49) ily in need. Donations of non-perishable food may SAVE EYEGLASSES, OLD be brought to 628 Meeker. jewelry and silver or bits of gold and silver scraps. The (tfx36) Grand Odd Fellow Lodge is HELP!!! KEEP THE sending them to: New Eyes animal population under for the Needy, 549 Millburn control, and SAVE an ani- Ave., Short Hills, NJ 07078 mal's life. Adopt your new or send them to: Gale cat or dog from the Delta Conger, Secretary of IOOF County Humane Society. Lodge #116, 544 St. Hwy. Adoption fee is minimal. 548, Delta, CO 81416. Call 874-2149. (DCHS) THE AMERICAN RED THERE IS A VFW MEETING Cross needs you. Become on the first Monday of each one of the Red Cross volmonth. At 6 p.m. there is a unteers who says, “We’ll Be potluck and the meeting is at There, Because Help Can’t 7 p.m. at the IOOF Hall, 860 Wait!” Call your local Red Hwy 92, Delta. For further Cross Chapter at 970-242information, call 874-8172 4851 or 1-800-HELP NOW Jim Baker, Quartermaster. for information on the dif(tfx12) ference you can make in someone’s life as a disaster BECAWS! ADOPT A DOG volunteer. ((TFNx4)) or cat today. Call 970-5273350, or visit cawsonline. DELTA HAS A BOOKorg. Delta County Citizens store in the basement of for Animal Welfare and the library featuring gently Shelter (CAWS) used books and magazines. Come check it out! CHAPTER, UNITS OF DAV regular meetings on the UNEMPLOYED? JOIN second Monday of each others for a time of netmonth at 7 p.m. at the working, encouragement, Veterans Building, 15th & and skill improvement. Howard, Delta. For further Latent Resources meets information, call Paul Carter the first Thursday of each 874-5150. (tfx19) month at 6:30 at the Delta United Methodist Church JOIN FORCES WITH US! (5th & Meeker). Attendants Animal lovers rescue and visitors are encouraged groups, shelters: let's band to dress professionally together and get a county- and bring a note pad and wide shelter built! We a willingness to learn and are here for the animals. be challenged. Find us on Another Chance Critter facebook.com & twitter.com Haven. 874-9011. - search "Latent Resources", or call James at 970-9019463.

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PUBLIC SERVICE

FARM WORKER HEALTH Services: We offer assistance with medical, dental and medicines. If you work in agriculture you may qualify for our services. For more information call 3230538. (tfx12)

FOSTER GRANDPARENT Program enriches the lives of senior volunteers while improving the education of children with special needs. Volunteers, 55 and older, needed to assist in class rooms tutoring and mentoring children. Low-income volunteers may qualify for a stipend. Teachers in Delta area class rooms request "Grandparents" to come in and work with students who need the extra help to achieve their best. For information on how you can use your talents to help kids call Tanya at 263-9091. (tfx7)

SERVICIOS DE SALUD De Campesinos: Ofrecemos ayuda con doctores, dentistas, y medicinas. Si trabajas en agricultura puedes calificar para nuestros servicios. Para mas informacion llame al 323-0538. (tfx12) THINK YOU'RE PREGnant? Abused? Need help? The Pregnancy Resource Center in Delta offers free service, support and advice to all teenagers and women in crisis pregnancy situations. For Christian help, anytime, call 874-5733.

PARENTS — FREE information and referrals for licensed child care providers. Call Bright Futures Child Care Resource & Referral at 877-728-5613. (TFNx1)

YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN help. Colorado Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential assistance. Call 1800-QUIT-NOW. (TFNx28).

BECAWS! VOLUNTEERS needed. Call 970-527-3350, or visit cawsonline.org. Delta County Citizens for Animal Welfare and Shelter (CAWS)

FAMILIES BELIEVING in families: Tandem Families is an innovative, private non-profit mentoring program providing services for at-risk children of Delta and Mont-rose counties. Anyone interested in volunteering their services or donating usable items should call 874-3000 or 2527445. (TFNx8)

HEALTHY BABIES START with early prenatal care. Delta County Health Department. Offers access to immediate, temporary Medicaid for pregnant women who qualify. 8742165. (tfx25)

BOOKS MAKE GREAT stocking stuffers. Find books at great prices in THE AMERICAN LEGION the basement of the Delta Post 97 Paonia is seeking Public Library. the names and addresses of all persons currently serv- BECAWS! DISCOUNT ing on active duty in the spay and neuter coupons military from the North Fork available. Call 970-527Valley in order to contact 3350, or visit cawsonline. them and show our sup- org. Delta County Citizens port. Send addresses to for Animal Welfare and American Legion Post 97, Shelter (CAWS) PO Box 277, Paonia, CO PLEASE HELP! VOLUN81428 or call 527-6552. teers needed to help get PARENTS FREE! INFORM- new animal shelter in Delta ation and referrals to off the ground. We need licensed child care provid- temporary or long term ers, call Bright Futures Child foster homes, foot soldiers, Care Resource and Referral, light research, paperwork 1-877-728-5613. (TFNx4) and phone people. Many hands make light work. SUPPORT THE DELTA Thank you! Another Chance Public Library. Give a gently Critter Haven. 874-9011. used book in the Downstairs Book Store. SELL THAT ATV FAST IN the DCI classifieds. Call 874LET THEM KNOW WHAT 4421. you have to sell through the DCI Classifieds. 874-4421

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D8 Wednesday, December 23, 2015

BACK PAGE

Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

Helping hands!

BY TAMIE MECK

Photos by Tamie Meck

Jason “JY” Yantzer, Josh Bryant, Mariah Grifﬁth, Mae Anderson, Chuck Miller and JD Miller pack boxes in preparation for delivery. The entire Miller family volunteers for the Helping Hands program.

Staff Writer

hese days, it seems, each of us knows someone who needs a helping hand. Fortunately, local communities are willing to reach out and help. Hotchkiss K-8 School Principal Carrie Yantzer strives to teach her students about giving through hands-on experiences. For the last 10 years, Hotchkiss K-8’s Helping Hands program has provided food and other assistance for students and their families who need a helping hand. K-8 shop teacher Harold Burch coordinates the program. Each Friday throughout the school year, participating students receive a bag with enough food for breakfast and lunch for the weekend. Bags are returned on Mondays and the process starts over. Last year, said Carrie, the weekend program benefited 62 students. Helping Hands also offers the Holiday Food Box program. The idea, said Carrie, is to provide enough food for two meals per day per family. Recently, about 15 students, teachers and administrators and members of the community spent Sunday afternoon, December 13, preparing and delivering more than 40 holiday food boxes. Volunteers, many of them diehard Broncos fans, gave up watching the Broncos-Raiders game to lend a hand or provide a delivery vehicle. Carrie said a strict rule prohibits talking about the game or, for those following it on their iPhones, giving away the score.

Hotchkiss mayor Wendell Koontz was among the volunteers packing boxes for delivery. The Koontz family supports Helping Hands, and Town of Hotchkiss donates annually to the program.

Each box includes a frozen turkey, a bag of potatoes and fresh fruit, and all of the fixings for a traditional Christmas dinner. Depending on the needs of the family, boxes can also include ground beef or eggs, and breakfast and lunch items including cereal, pancake mix and syrup, bread, peanut butter, jelly, juice and more. Families sign up for the program in advance. Because it targets students, the school has more control over who benefits and can customize boxes according to the family’s specific needs. Depending on those needs, boxes might include a City Market gift card or toys. With three families with five members and three families of seven on this year’s list, sometimes they need a big box. Boxes are delivered a week before break begins, and extra food is set aside. That way, if a student hears about the program before break, there is still time to put a box together. Before school break began, 43 food boxes had been delivered as far away as Paonia, Delta, Crawford and Eckert. The program isn’t limited to students and their families. At least one delivery went to a disabled couple. “I don’t care if you’re a family of one, or a family of 10,” said Carrie. Our motto is: ‘At some point in everybody’s life, all of us need a helping hand.’ ” If any items are in short supply, City Market is just across the highway. The program has funds to fill in the gaps, thanks to tremendous financial support from the community, said Carrie. The entire program is based on donations, and the list of donors could rival Santa’s list of good boys and girls. This year, Paonia Church of Christ, in which K-8 teacher and volunteer Tucker Moore is a member, donated 40 turkeys to the holiday program, Stirrup Bar Ranch in Crawford donated ground beef, and Justin and Page Johns donated toys. Hotchkiss High School students collected 989 non-perishable items through a recent food drive, and K-8 students collected almost 2,000 non-perishable items. We always tell the kids, “Give if you can give,” said Carrie. “It’s service above self.” Carrie grew up on the Front Range and was exposed to the concept of service at an early age. Her aunt, Ellen Torres, started the Bienveni-

It took both Mariah Grifﬁth, left, and Mae Anderson to carry this box. The turkey alone weighs almost 15 pounds.

dos Food Bank 35 years ago. The non-profit, one of the biggest food banks in the DenverMetro area, currently provides emergency food assistance to between 600-900 people a week, according to its website. That takes a lot of work. Torres passed away in 2001. Carrie’s cousin, Martina Torres, remains on the board of directors, and her mother, Teresa Vendegna, remained very active in the food bank until her death 10 years ago. Carrie said her family does what it can from here. Each Thanksgiving, she and daughters Mae and Natalie, both of whom volunteer with Helping Hands, travel to Denver to serve meals at a Denver shelter. After Carrie’s mother’s death, students raised money to plant a tree in her honor, but she requested that they consider making a donation to the food bank in her name. Students embraced the idea, and after realizing there was sufficient need to provide food locally, the effort snowballed and Helping Hands was born. The first year the program provided just the holiday meal, but it quickly grew to include the weekend food bag program. Today, Helping Hands is a K-12 and community-wide effort. Fifth-grade teacher Chuck Miller and wife Amy, a teacher at HHS, involve their entire family in Helping Hands. Morgan Miller, now 15, started volunteering at the K-8 school through the National Junior Honors Society. “That organization is all about giving back to your community,” said Miller. “When I heard about this, I thought it was a really good time to give back.” Today, “It’s just kind of a family thing,” said Miller. In recent years her family started delivering boxes to homes. “I like seeing the looks on peoples’ faces when we bring them their food,” she said. “I just think that all of this work that everyone’s put into it is paying off in the end when you get to see the expressions on their faces.” Miller said she plans to continue with the program through high school. Carrie said that beneficiaries often become benefactors. Last year, a family that had been in the program for several years no longer needed help and brought in a dozen plates of homemade cookies to place in the holiday boxes. It was their way of saying thank you, said Carrie. While this year’s holiday boxes were being packed, one family picked theirs up. Since it wasn’t ready, they went through the tables of items and picked out what they wanted. The mother started to cry when she saw all she was going to take home, said Yantzer. “That’s what makes it worthwhile.” The program benefits from other non-profits, including the Food Bank of the Rockies, which allows Helping Hands to purchase pallets of food at affordable prices. The school shares its bounty with other organizations, including the Hotchkiss Elks emergency food pantry and the North Fork Ministerial Association Food Pantry at Paonia Christian Fellowship. The Holiday Box program also complements the many other holiday programs in the area, including the North Fork Children’s Christmas Party,

Hotchkiss K-8 principal Carrie Yantzer and assistant principal Casey Carlquist orchestrate Helping Hands volunteers in packing holiday food boxes. This year, 43 families received the boxes, which include ingredients for a full Christmas meal and enough food to make breakfast and lunch during the Winter Break.

Elks Christmas food baskets, and the community Christmas dinner, held Christmas day at the Hotchkiss Senior Center. “That all of these things come from such a small community is great,” said Yantzer. “It’s service beyond self.” “This is a community that cares,” said Hotchkiss mayor Wendell Koontz, who has volunteered with the holiday program the last couple of years and was among the Broncos fans missing the game. The Town of Hotchkiss also gives an annual donation to the program. “The town motto, ‘The friendliest town around,’ isn’t just a motto,” said Koontz, who was busy packing boxes. “These people live it.” Sometimes the road is a little bumpy. At the start of this school year, said Carrie, Helping Hands lacked start-up funds and students were beginning to ask about the bags. Student Council and co-presidents Grey Neal and JD Miller raised $1,200 through their Mounds of Money program, and The Cocker Kids Foundation provided grant money to get the program going again. Last week, First Colorado National Bank gave Helping Hands a matching donation of $1,271 for its food drive efforts. Paonia Elementary School stu-

Hotchkiss K-8 student Josh Bryant decorates a food box with holiday wrapping paper before it’s packed with food and sent out for delivery.

dents, who collected food for the Paonia food pantry, also received a donation, said bank representative Christy Harding. Money will help support the weekly food bag program. “This is going to be tremendous to help with that program,” Carrie told Harding and bank president Stan Park as students presented them with oversized “thank you” cards for the big check. “We are eternally grateful.”

Hotchkiss K-8 Helping Hands program accepts a big check from Colorado First National Bank representatives Christy Harding and Stan Park (holding thank you cards). Accepting the check are (back, from left): student council sponsor Kena Price, Principal Carrie Yantzer; (middle) Kyle Luginbyhl, Ethan Guy, Grey Neal, Jace Peebles, Evan Madison; (front) JD Miller, Jakiera Barnett, Adair Ela, Sydnie West, Elise Vasquez and Ivy Kirk; and (sitting) Tycee Taylor, Vianney Mendoza, Bailey Miller, Lauryn Keifer, Ellieyana Lowe and Candace Siebler.