Delta County Independent, Jan 31, 2018 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

AN INDOMITABLE SPIRIT Celia Roberts championed human rights through photography, B1

MONEY & TAXES

URBAN WILDLIFE

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS

Cedaredge residents reminded: Don’t feed the deer, C1

Find out how to get the most bang for your buck, A7-8

DELTA COUNTY

JANUARY 31, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 5

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Real estate market rebounds in 2017 BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Higher sales prices and fewer days on the market are clear indicators the real estate market in Delta County is rebounding. Statistics provided by the Delta County Board of Realtors illustrate that the housing market made a huge

turnaround in 2017. Average sales price increased 14.6 percent countywide, and prices have topped the pre-recession levels of 2008, observed Portia Vigil. Vigil, a mortgage loan originator with Guild Mortgage, said many of the folks who were “burned” in the Great

Nature Connection photo

Getting kids outdoors

In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Nature Connection is getting kids onto cross-country skis and out into the forests for hands-on learning. With the Skis for Kids program, The Nature Connection has expanded to serve youth groups across the Western Slope, from Ouray and Ridgway to Glenwood Springs and Mesa County. Pictured above are students from the Montessori School at Crawford.

Recession have cleared up their finances and are coming back into the market. “Things are moving really fast right now,” said Vigil, who predicts a hike, or perhaps two, in federal interest rates in 2018. She works with a large number of firsttime home buyers who are often able to find low-down, no-down options, but then face a shortage of houses in the $200,000 and under price range. Low inventory in all price ranges is a new phenomenon for real estate agent Marsha Bryan, who recently returned to Delta County. She is with RE/MAX Mountain West in Cedaredge. “In all the years I’ve worked here, I don’t remember being low in inventory,” she said. “Everything is selling pretty fast, and if you don’t make a decision on a purchase you might lose out on it.” Bryan said homes in all price ranges sell very quickly, but there’s a definite need for homes in the $200,000 to $300,000 price range. She says that’s the range most retirees — the folks moving here from the Front Range — like to be in. She also works with a large number of first-time buyers, many of whom are pre-approved up to $200,000, “but we’re having a really hard time finding something decent in that price range. We need more inventory in that market, more properties that are affordable.” Katie Chapman Schmalz of Chapman Real Estate agrees. Homes in the $150,000 to $200,000 price range spend very few days on the market. REAL ESTATE MARKET TO A3

Mike Lane announces candidacy for commissioner BY ANNETTE BRAND Managing Editor

Mike Lane, a Delta County native, announces his candidacy for the District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners, representing the Republican Party. He is seeking the seat currently held by Doug Atchley, who is term limited. Lane’s work and life experiences are related to many matters that come before the commissioners. “I like challenges, addressing challenges as they arrive. I like anticipating issues before they come up and become challenges,” he said. Lane has experience in agriculture, banking and oil and gas. He grew up on the family farm in Delta County. When he was eight years old he helped out at Delta Sales Yard, then owned by his grandfather, dad and uncle. Mike owned the sales yard when it was sold in 1996. Lane was bank lending offi-

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A12 Church ............................C6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 Money & Taxes ........ A7-8 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ................ A9-10 School Zone ............... A5-6 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-6 TV Listings ..................C3-4

cer at Farm Credit Services in Montrose, an ag lending bank, and worked for Halliburton for nine years. He retired in October 2016 after working in North Dakota, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Utah and Colorado. He said, “A lot of math, science, hard work goes into the production of a gallon of gas.

Mike Lane

“I feel fortunate to have worked in the oil and gas field, to know how rigs operate, how other contractors operate, how rig workers do their work. “And with my background in agriculture, bank lending and oil and gas, I am qualified to represent District 1,” Lane said. He added, “All of my jobs have been customer service jobs. I have always worked with people, and as a commissioner I will keep the best interests of the people of Delta County in mind. Commissioner will be my full-time job.” Lane said he wants to bring more jobs to the county and more revenue from tourism. “Progress is coming and I want to work with it, to listen to the people talk about their issues and address those issues as they come up,” Lane said. Lane welcomes contacts from people interested in his candidacy. He can be reached at 970-361-6859.

Some tax bills have error

If you have not received your 2017 tax bill, you should be seeing it soon. For those who receive a credit for the senior/veterans exemption, county treasurer Lisa Tafoya has pointed out a discrepancy in the actual valuation credit amount shown on tax bills. The old residential rate of 7.96% was used to calculate the “actual” valuation credit amount for this exemption, instead of the new residential rate of 7.2%. “This value does not affect any of the payment or mill levy data detailed on your tax bill,” Tafoya said. “If you have questions or would like to verify the correct amount of the actual valuation credit amount for your senior/veterans exemption, visit www.delta county.com or contact the treasurer’s office at 8742135 or the assessor’s office at 874-2120.

2017 REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE Provided by the Delta County Board of REALTORS@ and Colorado Association of REALTORS®

KEY METRICS

2016

2017

Change

New Listings

811

770

-5,1%

Sold Listings

572

620

+8.4%

$174,750

$185,750

+6.3%

Average Sales Price $192,127

$220,257

+14.6%

96.2%

96.8%

+0.6%

148

130

-12.5%

Median Sales Price Percent of List Price Days on Market

New sign placed at the Ute Council Tree A new sign has been placed at the Ute Council Tree. The previous sign, in place for 30 years, was not only deteriorating but had some inaccuracies. The new sign was provided by the Colorado Sign Studio in Delta. “As everyone should know by now, the Ute Council Tree was cut down to a 23-foot stump on Aug. 25, 2017, because of the risk of additional limbs dropping from the crown of the tree,” Delta Museum director Jim Wetzel wrote in his quarterly newsletter. “The last limb to fall from the trunk occurred on Aug. 1, 2017, and weighing several tons, caused some damage to the adjacent home. Since the historical society owns the land under the tree, we felt that, because of the liability, that it was urgent that the remaining crown and upper trunk be removed as soon as possible, keeping a large portion of the lower trunk as a

memorial,” Wetzel writes. “We are not opposed to the three Ute tribes creating some sort of lasting memorial at the tree, but to date have had no indication from the Tri-Ute Council that anything is planned. Some have suggested that some sort of chainsaw carving be done on the remaining trunk, but the trunk is hollow, and the possibility of serious damage to the trunk has precluded pursuing this idea. “The Delta County Historical Society has decided to leave the trunk as is, and to update the sign as a fitting reminder of the Ute cultural heritage of the site.” Slabs of wood cut from the Ute Council Tree are available from the museum. The Delta County Historical Society also has a branding iron to stamp each piece with “Ute Council Tree, Delta, Colorado.” Contact the museum at 874-8721 for prices and sizes.

Delta County Historical Society photo

The Delta County Historical Society has updated the sign at the Ute Council Tree as a reminder of the cultural heritage of the site.

Fire investigated

On Thursday Jan. 25, at approximately 4 a.m., the Delta Police Department was called to 755 1600 Road for a structure fire. The structure was not occupied. Delta Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. Investigators are currently working this case with the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Just under an hour later, officers were called to 738 1575 Road for a house fire. After investigation it was determined that a woodburning stove had started the fire. Delta Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries.

Shifting gears Delta County has released an updated draft of the county’s Master Plan vision, goals and strategies. The Delta County Planning Commission is now working to create a Future Land Use Plan. Another round of community input will take place in late winter. See https://www.deltacountyplan. com/single-post/2018/01/25/ Updated-Vision-Goals-andStrategies-Released for more details.

A2 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

OPINION

LETTERS Arm yourself with knowledge and vote Dear Editor: Whether we Americans want to admit it or not, there’s irrefutable evidence that the Russians interfered with our democratic election process. And just as a reminder, mid-term elections will take place in November of this year. What makes you think this won’t happen still again and again. We’re not the only democratic country whose election process the Russians have messed with. We’re just the only country that has not acknowledged that Russia has mastered and utilizes a sophisticated array of tactics including hacking of emails and mobile phones, disseminating fake news and slanderous propaganda to undermine the political process here and in other democratic countries. Why is it to Russia’s advantage to inoculate our media with fake and dividing misinformation? After all President Trump has inferred respect for Vladimir Putin. You explain to me why the president believes Mr.

Putin who repeatedly denies proven interferences into our elections. Russia’s aim is to win at all costs. The boycott of Russian athletes to the Olympic games this year substantiates this. It’s government approved protocol that Russian athletes have been doping for years and have gotten away with cheating all clean athletes of the world through enormously sophisticated and deceiving masking tactics. This year as due punishment Russia is banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics. Russian athletes who prove to be clean are allowed to compete as a neutral competitor. Putin denies these proven charges and claims that it is American propaganda that is behind Russian athletes prohibition to the upcoming games. If this isn’t chilling enough know that in Russia individuals who have challenged Putin politically have been assassinated, found dead by mysterious means, poisoned, and jailed indefinitely.

When Putin’s Russia is able to breed discordance and animosity within the politics and discourse of its western rivals, it lessens our power and bolsters its own abilities to dominate in the high stakes “game” of world domination and control and ownership of the world’s resources. Awareness of these tactics is our best defense. Question the information you receive through news sources and social media. Check your facts with other news sources to verify that what you are being led to believe is true. Otherwise we fall prey to very sinister forces. We are blessed beyond measure to have in place our constitution and our free democratic elections. We present to the world the elevated peaceful exchange of power through the will of the people by our elections. Guard this sacred right. Arm yourself with knowledge, vote and encourage others to do so. Susan Wilmot Cedaredge

The political games have begun in Paonia Dear Editor: Well, I guess it is time for the silly season, at least here in Paonia. The municipal elections are scheduled for April 3 and the trivial and outlandish stories are already starting. In the Jan. 24 edition of the DCI, Ms. Jen Brunner wrote a letter to the editor that was headlined, “Ethics, oversight missing in Paonia government.” The letter was a diatribe that borders on libel. The issue Ms. Brunner is referring to concerns the Town of Paonia’s efforts to revitalize an area in the southeast corner of Paonia Town Park, around the coal miner statue. Ms. Brunner’s letter is nothing but untruths, falsehoods and distortions that she weaves into an outrageous implication of criminal behavior. This is a shocking and offensive misrepresentation of an honest effort to deal with a problem. A better portrayal of the matter is, “No good deed shall go unpunished.” As already mentioned this is the start of the “campaign” season so you never know what someone is going to try to turn into an issue. One important actual fact that Ms. Brunner does not state is that her husband, Mr. William Brunner, has submitted his name as a candidate for trustee in the upcoming municipal election. This is the same William Brunner that was elected in the April 2016 election and resigned on June 20, 2017, just before the Paonia Town Board was scheduled to meet at a special town board meeting to consider taking action against Mr. Brunner for improper actions as a trustee. Ms. Brunner’s letter is nothing more than political games. Anyone who pays attention to the Paonia Town Board meetings knows that Ms. Brunner’s letter is totally inaccurate. Unfortunately, many people do not pay attention and/or they listen to gossip and read the Paonia “Malice” Board. So, Ms. Brunner’s fabrications

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

cannot go unchallenged. One example of Ms. Brunner’s untruths is her claim that “the board has decided to spend more than $20,000 on an art project in the park.” The commission for Ira Houseweart to create an entrance arch is for $5,000. I could go through the rest of the Brunner letter line by line but that would make for an overly long letter. Let me summarize instead. The Paonia Town Board has been working on the miner statue area of the Town Park since the spring of 2017. The matter was on the agendas at the Sept. 27, 2017, and the Oct. 10, 2017, meetings. A motion at that meeting to approve the proposed concrete work in the public works director’s plans was rejected by the board. The public works committee reported at the Oct. 24, 2017, meeting that the committee and staff were working on a revised plan for the miner statue area in the park. The committee and staff incorporated suggestions received from numerous individuals, including the public works director, the former parks maintenance contractor, members of the original coal miner statue committee, long-time residents, newer residents and trustees. I also consulted with Ira Houseweart who created the entry arch to the Paonia River Park and many of the metal works in the River Park. With this information the public works committee brought a proposed plan before the town board at the Nov. 28, 2017, board meeting. The board approved the plan unanimously. Public comment was solicited at all the meetings mentioned above. As the public works committee continued to work on the plans for the miner statue area in the park I submitted three reports to the board

on 1) how the coal miner statue came to be, 2) who Melvina Hall Clark was and why there is a memorial dedicated to her in the Town Park and 3) how the park came to be. Tamie Meck wrote several articles from these reports that were published in the DCI. I would describe this as a very sufficient process. A committee has been established from this group of people and will make recommendations to the board on the project. One person does not have the legal right or even the ability to make decisions for the Town of Paonia. As to the reference to Kristin Chesnik, it is an outrageous leap to state that the actions of the current board have any resemblance to a convicted embezzler. In fact there is no resemblance to what the current board does and the boards in 2008 to 2012 did or did not do. Most members of the current board have worked very hard for the citizens of Paonia and have conscientiously followed all legal requirements. Politically based allegations to the contrary do not change those facts. The effort to revitalize the coal miner statue area of the Town Park is intended to deal with a long-standing problem of inadequate maintenance of the vegetation in this area and create an area that will serve as the entrance to the park. As I started with — this appears to be the start of the silly season. Ms. Brunner’s letter portends a campaign of frivolous allegations. Please don’t be fooled by false claims. Insist on facts and try to educate yourself as to what is actually happening. The political games have begun. David Bradford Trustee and Mayor Pro Tem Town of Paonia

‘Gutter’ language is not necessary Dear Editor: In response to Carson Roirthmayr’s letter last week. First, I too feel President Trump should be able to curb his tongue. There is no room for gutter language in politics. This man is not the runof-the-mill politician but a civilian. Were he given more cooperation just from his party, his demeanor may improve. This man has bettered our tax base and I have no doubt we can be much better off if we stop look-

ing for negative details to come down on him for. I hesitate to think of just how they really are when cameras (or when they think) are off. If we hold President Trump for his language, we need to look everywhere, like movies. Do you watch movies with foul language? If so, there is a saying about “taking the log out of your eye” before you criticize anyone else. Gary Herby Delta

Delta County Independent

The egg-laying dispute and the need for zoning Dear Editor: The battle waged by Edwin Hostetler, the Farm Bureau and Olen Lund against the resident landowner adjacent to the egg laying operation, veterinarian Susan Raymond, has been one-sided and prejudiced in favor of the conservative community in this valley without any consideration for the rights of landowners who also live and work here and have the inherent right to breathe clean air and be protected from industrial activities disrupting their lives and well-being. The important thing to consider is that Susan Raymond has been a longtime resident (30 years) when Hostetler appeared with his industrial egg laying operation (15,000 chickens). What about her right to farm? According to the Farm Bureau and county commissioner approach, anyone could come along and install commercial, industrial operations in the middle of any residential, agricultural area in this valley without any thought to the impact to the existing residents. It should be clear to everyone that there is a big difference between agricultural businesses such as cattle, horses, hay, etc. and an operation like Hostetlers’ egg laying business because of its size and the associated waste, much of which is removed from the building and expelled into the air via many large exhaust fans. This debris made up of feathers, bacteria, mold, excrement, etc. then becomes part of the air that the surrounding neighbors and animals are forced to breathe. I believe an operation of this scale with its associated pollution is totally inappropriate when it is placed in

the middle of an existing residential area and negatively affects the lives of the residents. The judge in the Hostetler/Raymond court case (Judge Patrick) agreed that this egg laying business was incompatible with the neighborhood. The Farm Bureau solicited a large sum of money to reverse the ruling. I feel their influence in this case was one sided favoring the Hostetlers and was totally inappropriate. The Farm Bureau has used its power to bully and manipulate in support of Hostetler with no regard for the welfare of the residents who had been there years before Hotstetler showed up. In summation I believe that the farmer should have the right to farm but it is important to keep in mind that the residents

of this valley should have an equal right to protection of their environment from industrial, pollutbusinesses. There ing are plenty of places in the area for a large operation of this size to be located that is not in the middle of residential and small farm communities. I believe the important lesson in this situation is that the county must separate and zone businesses of this nature as commercial and incompatible in locations where residents and their farms will be negatively impacted. If the county doesn’t address these issues soon we could have egg laying operations spread all over the county at the expense of the residents and this attitude will be reflected in the master plan. Geoff Morton Crawford

Trump is little more than a bully Dear Editor: A recent letter sent to the DCI by high school student Carson Roithmayr regarding the appalling comments President Trump made deserve a response. Right now every school district in the country is dealing with how to prevent school shootings, teenage suicide and bullying — bullying being a catalyst that starts a lot of these horrible events. In the last year and a half candidate/now President Trump has publicly belittled women, made fun of a handicapped reporter, attacked a Hispanic judge, targeted minorities as second class citizens and recently referred to African communities as sh**holes. How do we as community leaders, teachers and parents relay a message

to our children that this type of “appalling” behavior is not acceptable, but it is okay for the president of the United States to be a bully? The latest Gallup poll shows Donald Trump’s popularity at 39 percent. What really scares me most about bullying is that 39 percent of the American people condone or in fact relish in this type of behavior. In closing, I would like to commend Carson Roithmayr for using the democratic process to protest the appalling comments President Trump used. The children of this day and age are so much more in tune with what is happening in the world due to social media. I have hope for our next generation. John Forster Hotchkiss

Law enforcement blotter

From the Delta concluded their investigation and requested a warPolice Department: rant for Moore. He was subsequently arrested Jan. 21: A juvenile female of and charged with felony Delta was issued a sum- menacing, second degree and crimes mons on charges of illegal assault, possession or consump- against an at-risk adult. tion by an underage per- He is being held in Delta County Jail pending postson (marijuana). ing of a $60,000 bond. Jan. 22: A juvenile female of Jan. 22: An Orchard City resiDelta was arrested and jailed on a warrant with dent reported the theft of a 90-pound black safe no bonds. from the bedroom of his Jan. 24: A juvenile male of home. Entry was likely Delta was arrested and gained through a window. jailed on a warrant with The safe contained cash and miscellaneous papers a no bond. A juvenile female of and personal information. Sheriff ’s investigators Delta was issued a summons on charges of viola- assisted the Montrose tion of a protection order. Police Department and Gerald P. McNeill, 35, the National Center for of Delta was arrested and Missing and Exploited jailed on a warrant for Children with an investigation into pornography parole violation. involving a minor. Jan. 26: Joshua R. Lujan, 22, Jan. 23: At about 5 p.m., a 22of Delta was arrested and jailed on charges of year-old driver lost condomestic violence and trol of his 2013 Chrysler on Trap Club Road near harassment. the landfill. The Colorado Jan. 27: Robert B. Miller, 33, State Patrol handled the of Henderson, Nev., was investigation. A 17-year-old female arrested and jailed on charges of assault in the from Paonia was stopped third degree and crimes for speeding on Highway 133 near Hotchkiss. Depagainst at-risk adult. Cameron L. Sanders, uties report a strong odor 26, of Delta was arrested of marijuana was coming and jailed on charges of from the vehicle. After failunlawful possession of ing roadside maneuvers, a controlled substance, the female was charged with driving under the theft and trespass. Citations: Four tickets influence of drugs, speedwere issued this week for ing and illegal possession various traffic violations. or consumption of marijuana by an underage perFrom the Delta son. Two occupants of the County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, a juvenile male and a juvenile female, (partial list): were also charged with illegal possession or conJan. 20: On Jan. 20 at 7:30 sumption of marijuana by p.m. deputies responded an underage person. The to 13341 Highway 65 in driver was released to a reference to an assault. parent. The 72-year-old victim Jan. 24: A Delta area employer reported that his neighbor, Robert Moore, had for reported an employee was no apparent reason other being harassed by a custhan he was highly intox- tomer after she tried to icated, threatened him collect money from him. with a hand gun, knife Deputies felt there was and attacked him with a not enough evidence to shovel. He advised that file charges, but the cushe was able to wrestle tomer was given a verbal the gun away from Moore warning. and call 911. Deputies Jan. 25:

A 77-year-old Paonia woman reported her grandson had stolen personal checks from her home. She was contacted by her bank because her account is overdrawn. An Orchard City resident found an abandoned vehicle near his home, plus evidence that a storage trailer on his property had been broken into. Nothing appeared to be missing. Deputies assisted the Cedaredge Police Department and Cedaredge Fire Department with a single vehicle accident on Grand Mesa Drive at about 1 p.m. A Hotchkiss woman reported that her 8-yearold daughter went walking with her dogs. The dogs returned home, but she did not. Deputies determined the reporting party was sick and confused; the 8-year-old was found to be safe and with a relative. Jan. 26: A trailer home at 3656 2195 Road, Delta, was damaged by fire at about 1 p.m. Deputies helped get owner’s pets out of the home and moved a car away from the house while Delta firefighters extinguished the blaze. The origin of the fire is believed to be the fireplace. Jan. 27: Bed check revealed two young men had run away from Gateway Youth Services. They were entered as runaways in the NCIC/ CCIC database. Jan. 28: At about 12:50 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the scene of an ATV accident involving a 62year-old male on Cottonwood Creek Road near Crawford. Jan. 29: A garage at 40693 D Road, Crawford, was totally destroyed by fire shortly after midnight. The homeowner said the fire likely started in an old wood stove. Miscellaneous items were stored in the garage; value of the loss is not known.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The League of Women Voters presents “Is our democracy for sale? Judicial decisions, lobbying and money in politics.” Learn about PACs, super PACs, 527s and 501(c)4s at this meeting, to be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Montrose Library community room.

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County Commissioners Doug Atchley, Mark Roeber and Don Suppes vacated Phase II of Mira La Vista Subdivision at their Jan. 16 meeting. Mira La Vista Subdivision was reviewed by Delta County Planning Department from 20062009. Phase I of the subdivision was approved and recorded in 2009. Phase II was approved through the preliminary plat phase but was not fully built out following the housing crisis and dropoff in new construction. Phase II borders on L J Road at the southern edge of Delta County, and is adjacent to Phase I, which carries restrictive covenants. Caleb Jones and Tori Christman, owners of the Phase II property, have applied to the BOCC to vacate that portion of the subdivision. They plan to farm the land. Neighbors from Mira La Vista Phase I appeared at the time Jones and Christman met with the commissioners on Dec. 18, 2017, requesting vacation of Phase II of Mira La Vista. Neighbors expressed concerns about covenants on Phase I being applicable to Phase II, the interruption of irrigation water, maintenance of a road, and more intensive uses on Phase II than are permitted on Phase I. Between the two BOCC meetings, Elyse Casselberry, the county’s community and econom-

ic development director, and other staff met with Jones and Christman, owners of Phase II, and neighbors in Mira La Vista Phase I to discuss issues and concerns. Most of the concerns of the neighbors do not fall under the county’s authority to enforce, but are a matter of good neighbor relationships. Commissioner Suppes noted that irrigation matters are covered by Colorado State Statutes and the BOCC cannot enforce matters not under its purview. Suppes added that matters between owner and buyer are civil matters. He said, “I understand the current homeowners’ concerns and the new owners are trying to make things right for their neighbors.” Commissioners passed a resolution vacating the future Phase ll of Mira La Vista Subdivision, with the following conditions: utility location be completed before farming activities are commenced; a hammerhead turnaround or cul-de-sac be constructed on Chantelle Lane where it ends to the west; new owner will be allowed an access permit for farm use only onto the L J road right-of-way that borders the southern portion of the parcel; no access for farm equipment or heavy vehicles of any kind will be allowed from Chantelle Lane. The resolution also contains two recommendations: an easement for future secondary emergency access, and

an agreement between neighbors and owners on irrigation system and access. The new owners have committed to ensuring that the neighbors have access to the irrigation valves. Jones and Christman, at the time of purchase of the property, entered into restrictive covenants that limit their ability to use the property for junk yards, auto salvage, commercial pig farms, chicken farms, egg-laying operations, or feed lots. These covenants are enforceable by the Hilltop Homeowners Association. Under current county policy none of these uses would be allowed without some type of county review, which would include notification of neighbors. The commissioners also granted a waiver for True Grit Subdivision. The sketch plan for True Grit Subdivision was approved on Sept. 11, 2006, when the former owner created a three-lot minor subdivision. The 20.310-acre parcel was purchased, then transferred in ownership, and is now owned by Christine Yaley and Scott Elkin. The county has implemented a new density standard since the sketch plan was approved on Sept. 11, 2006. Yaley and Elkin requested a waiver complying with the former approved density standard for three lots as approved in the sketch

plan by the then-seated BOCC. Upon recommendation by planning staff, the

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FROM PAGE A1 While young, local families are ready to get into their first homes, Chapman Schmalz said over half of her clients are coming from the Front Range and other large metropolitan areas, including Las Vegas and Chicago. “People are looking for our lifestyle,” she said. “They love the weather, they love the people, and they love that there’s no traffic. But truly, weather tops that list. People really like our climate. There’s a lot going for us, as we all know.” Chapman Schmalz said there are also a lot of “untethered” workers moving into Delta County. The high speed broadband that’s available in many areas of the county is a “huge draw,” she said. Yet another group of buyers re-entering the market are those local investors who have been biding their time. “Now that they see things are improving, they’re buying properties as rentals or fix and flips, which is another great indicator of

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our rebounding economy,” Chapman Schmalz said. Paonia continues to be one of the hottest destinations, especially for folks who are interested in hemp production, organic fruits and vegetables, and wineries. But that has led to a critical shortage of industry. For the first time in the North Fork, real estate agents are seeing multiple offers on multiple properties. Liz Heidrick, broker/owner of Needle Rock Realty & Land in Crawford and Paonia, said when properties are underpriced, perceived to be a good deal, or in that niche of what everybody is looking for, they’re selling for more than asking price. “That’s new for our area,” she said, “and very stressful because somebody is going to be disappointed.” Like Chapman Schmalz, she said Elevate fiber optics are opening up opportunities for residents of all ages to choose to live in our rural country setting. “We’re getting people that aren’t just retirees; these are younger professionals moving into our area.” She cites the top factors as quality of life, lower cost of living and our wonderful climate. “We’ve got all four seasons, and not one of them is too much,” she said. “Plus this area is relatively free of natural disasters — tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and fire. We’re truly blessed.” While 2017 was a big year, Heidrick says she is “cautiously optimistic” after the tumultuous years following the Great Recession. “We all got burned,” she said. “But we survived the closing of the mines; we survived the crash in the economy. This always has been and always will be a beautiful place to live.” “We’re starting to be discovered,” said Chapman Schmalz, “and I think 2018 will bring more of the same. I don’t think we’re a seller’s market yet, but prices are definitely becoming more balanced. We’re getting closer to equilibrium, which is the best place to be.”

commissioners approved the three lots and reinstated the subdivision for final plat.

Soil Health Conference returns to Delta Feb. 22-23 The eighth annual Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 22 and 23 at the Delta Center for Performing Arts, located at 822 Grand Avenue in Delta. This conference is the premier area educational and networking event designed to educate producers, orchardists, ranchers, government officials and the broad community about ways to increase organic matter and increase the health of our soils by using cover crop, green manure, grazing, composting, entomol-

ogy and other sustainable practices. Understanding that soil is a treasure, Delta County Economic Development, in conjunction with NRCS, Delta Conservation District, Shavano Conservation District as well as individuals active in the agricultural community have come together to prepare the annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference. For more information visit www.westerncolorado soilhealth.com or call DCED at 970-874-4992.

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Real estate market

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Subdivision reverts to agriculture

Is our democracy for sale?

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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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GROUND HOG DAY SPECIALS ��

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A4 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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Senior CommUnity meals for February Senior CommUnity meals are served at four dining sites in Delta County — Cedaredge Community Center (Monday-Thursday), Delta Community Center (Monday-Friday), Hotchkiss Senior Center (Monday-Thursday) and Paonia Senior Citizen Center (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Meals on Wheels are also delivered from each location. More information is available by calling the Cedaredge meal site, 856-3636; the Delta meal site, 874-7662; Hotchkiss Senior Center, 872-3494; and Paonia Senior Citi-

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zen Center, 527-3435. The menu through Feb. 28 follows: Thursday, Feb. 1 — Ham and beans, cottage cheese and pears, cornbread, parsley carrots and oatmeal raisin cookie. Friday, Feb. 2 — Roast pork loin, whipped sweet potatoes, buttered cauliflower, whole wheat roll and peach cobbler. Monday, Feb. 5 — Beef, cheese and rice burrito with green sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion, refried beans and churro. Tuesday, Feb. 6 — Beef and sausage lasagna, tossed salad with tomato, green beans, garlic breadstick and tropical fruit. Wednesday, Feb. 7 — Roast beef, kidney bean salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, California blend veggies, homemade wheat roll and pineapple right-side-up cake. Thursday, Feb. 8 — Shepherd’s pie, honey fruit salad, cabbage and carrots, wheat roll and cherry crisp with vanilla ice cream. Friday, Feb. 9 — Ham and broccoli casserole, orange spinach berry salad, peas and pearl onions, cornbread and baked apple slices.

BIRTHS

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Delta County Independent

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Matt and Brianna Anderson of Cedaredge are the parents of a son, Jaxton Matthew Anderson, born Jan. 20, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds, 7.2 ounces and was 20.5 inches in length. Andy and Jennifer Carver of Crawford are the parents of a son, Beau Weston Carver, born Jan. 23, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 20.5 inches in length. Anthony and Deminica Craft of Montrose are the parents of a daughter, Danika Lynn Craft, born Jan. 24, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 5 pounds, 8 ounces and was 17.75 inches in length.

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Monday, Feb. 12 — Potato crusted cod with tartar sauce, fish-house coleslaw, potato wedges, wheat roll and blueberry crisp. Tuesday, Feb. 13 — Salisbury steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, seasoned tomato wedges, bell pepper, carrot and onion blend, whole wheat roll and deluxe banana pudding. Wednesday, Feb. 14 — Fettuccine alfredo, garlic bread, Italian chicken breast, candied bacon brussels sprouts and chocolate oatmeal no-bake cookie. Thursday, Feb. 15 — Roast turkey with cranberry sauce, green leafy salad, mashed potatoes with gravy, California blend veggies, whole wheat roll and applesauce cake. Friday, Feb. 16 — Chili con carne with cheddar cheese and diced onion, tossed salad with tomato wedge, cornbread and ice cream. Monday, Feb. 19 — Spaghetti with meat sauce, Parmesan cheese on side, tossed salad with tomato, Italian veggies, zucchini, tomatoes and onions, and pineapple. Tuesday, Feb. 20 — Chicken enchilada casserole, Spanish rice, hot black bean salad and pineapple tidbits. Wednesday, Feb. 21 — Beef stew with potatoes and carrots, celery and onions, mandarin spinach salad, whole wheat roll and honey fruit dessert. Thursday, Feb. 22

— Chicken noodle casserole, marinated carrot salad, broccoli, wheat roll and tropical fruit mix. Friday, Feb. 23 — Baked ham, oven browned potatoes, buttered broccoli, confetti salad, sweet potato roll and pumpkin pie with whipped topping. Monday, Feb. 26 — Pepperoni and beef pizza on homemade crust,

calico vegetable salad, zucchini, tomatoes and onions, and pineapple. Tuesday, Feb. 27 — BBQ pork on bun, potato wedges, pineapple coleslaw, southern baked beans and ice cream. Wednesday, Feb. 28 — Beef tips with mushroom sauce over brown rice, green beans, V8 juice, breadstick, peaches and PBOK cookie.

Educators meet

Photo submitted

Members of Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma were recently visited by Colorado Omega state president Janet McClaskey. She was joined by Chi Chapter’s Miriam Hartig, who has been a member since 1971. Chi Chapter members meet monthly throughout the school year to share interesting programs and fundraising opportunities in order to offer an annual scholarship for a recent female high school graduate who plans to enter the ﬁeld of education. For more information about Chi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, call 275-0525 or visit www. deltakappagamma.org.

Souper Bowl of Caring helps stock food pantry shelves Chances are, you’ll be one of the millions of people gathered around a TV on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 4, cheering on your team, spending time with friends and family, enjoying the camaraderie, commercials and junk food that traditional Super Bowl parties entail. Volunteers at the Delta Food Pantry would like to remind you that for every person watching the Super Bowl this year and enjoying the food and fellowship, there is one person in your community who doesn’t have enough food on their dinner table — but that’s an easy problem to solve when you participate in the 2018 Souper Bowl of Caring. This year, the Delta Food Pantry asks the local community to get involved in the Souper Bowl of Caring, a national movement that capitalizes on the excitement of Super Bowl Sunday to remind people about the hunger issue in America and by collecting nonperishable food items and cash donations for food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other community organizations which seek to alleviate local hunger issues. The initiative began in 1990; during the 2017 Souper Bowl of Caring, over 10.2 million

food and cash items were collected on Super Bowl Sunday. One in seven Americans face hunger issues, and many of those are right here in Delta County. The Delta Food Pantry helps alleviate that need by giving hungry families groceries to see them through the leanest times. The food pantry is operated on 100 percent donations and volunteer labor — when you donate food or financial contributions, your entire donation is used to help hungry families right here in Delta. Food pantry volunteers give out bags of non-perishable food items based on family size. Food items most in demand include peanut butter, cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese, tuna, canned vegetables and fruit, and spaghetti and spaghetti sauce. During the Souper Bowl of Caring, you can help feed hungry families right here at home by donating any of these food items directly to the food pantry, located in the alley behind St. Michael’s Catholic Church at 6th & Meeker Streets, or by donating the food to a local Delta church that is participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. If you prefer to make a financial contribution, checks may be mailed to

the Delta Food Pantry, PO Box 903, Delta, CO 81416. In 2017, the Delta Food Pantry served over 1,700 families and over 5,540 individuals. “Hunger is a big issue in Delta County, and we fed over 600 more individuals in 2017 than we have in previous years,” said Karen Basher, co-director of the food pantry. “We appreciate the support of the local community in helping to feed our neighbors here. Every donation helps!”

St. Luke’s to host pancake supper Mardi Gras means FAT Tuesday! Delta’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 5th and Palmer, is hosting its annual pancake supper celebrating Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Supper includes ham, scrambled eggs, pancakes, plus orange juice and tea or coffee, all for a suggested donation of $8. Bring the whole family! Come and gain some weight before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. For further information, contact Tom McLamb, 970-399-7145.

�� Please join us for the Delta Elks

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* 2 Seating Times Available - 6:00 or 7:30 p.m. Choice of Prime Rib, Chicken Marsala or Fried Shrimp

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RSVP for Dinner by February 6 ~ 874-3624 (Please specify seating time and entrée choice.)

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Featuring the bandCIMARRON

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SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Kids explore forests on cross-country skis The Nature Connection GOCO Inspire program dedicates its efforts to getting youth outdoors, with a special emphasis on outdoor experiences for youth of Olathe and Delta County. With the Skis for Kids program, The Nature Connection has expanded to serve youth groups across the Western Slope, from Ouray and Ridgway to Glenwood Springs and Mesa County. Programming is support by a fourth grade Every Kid in a Park grant from the U.S. Forest Service, plus Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which covers the cost of busing groups of students. The only other cost is the “ski rental” of $5 per participant. “In the past we have been able to get grants for this fee also, but this year that cost has fallen on the student,” said Anita Evans, acting director of The Nature Connection. “The fee helps cover our gear transport, hot chocolate and water for youth, as well as cover any incidental costs such as a broken pole or binding. It also goes to program costs — it takes approximately 2 1/2 days of prep, on snow and post organization for

each group we take out. We rely heavily on volunteers and partner support for staffing.” In addition to teachers and school volunteers, about eight staff members are needed to get each group of 60 onto the snow. Leading into the winter field trips, students first participated in a classroom presentation with multiple activities relevant to the upcoming field day guided by a Forest Service snow ranger. They learned about basic snow safety, avalanche awareness and winter animal adaptations for survival. The Junior Snow Ranger Program provided students with official badges and bandanas after completing the ranger activity booklet. On arrival to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, students engaged in various snow science activities, along with an introduction to a new physical activity — crosscountry skiing. While looking into a six-foot snow pit, students discovered the importance of Colorado’s snow pack and how unstable snow layers cause avalanches.

Photo submitted

Cedaredge Elementary School fourth graders gather for a group photo on Grand Mesa. The Nature Connection provided this opportunity for youth across the Western Slope with support from the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Students also played the role of a winter naturalist while skiing and spotting wildlife tracks in the snow. For more than 14 years, the Skis for Kids Program has provided outdoor experiences with cross-country ski gear for youth on the Western Slope of Colorado. The Nature Connection itself is a newly formed nonprofit organization that runs the ski program and is expanding its programming to year-round outdoor recreation opportunities with the aid of a GOCO Inspire grant.

22 scholarships available for Delta County students The Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) is accepting applications for a wide variety of scholarships available to students residing in western Colorado. A total of 36 different scholarship funds managed by WCCF are available to students through one online application at www.wc-cf.org,

including 22 different scholarships available to Delta County graduating seniors and returning students. Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000+ and many are renewable for up to four years. Criteria varies from financial need, to GPA scores, to chosen field of study and covers both four year degree

programs and vocational institutions. Deadline for applying is March 1. For more information contact Cecile Aday at 970-2433767.

Garnet Mesa honor roll

The following students were named to honor roll at Garnet Mesa Elementary School for the second quarter of the 2017-18 school year:

Third Grade Straight A’s Kyler Anderson Brooke Armendariz Haylei Bayless Lilyanna Borgerding Joaquin Chavira TaNea Cook Kayden Corral Rios Keagan Crespin Derick Curtis Drew Davis Kaleb Derrico Joshua Dicamillo Josie Farmer Kynan Griffith Joshua Hatton Lily Higgs Sarah King William Lawrence Destiny Martin Alejandro Martinez Liam McFarland John Merritt Jessica Montoya Josiah Padilla Saw Peter Danika Queen Francisco Ramirez Jordan Reed Isabelle Ripper Dakota Rounds Pacey Smith Paola Solis-Martinez Trenten Summers Dominik Teal Karleigh West Brilyn Wilson

A/B Honor Roll William Adams II Miah Atchley Karena Barajas Natalie Brown Emily Butler Corbin Cooper Hailey Dearing Warren Duer Aleeya Giron Kenny Gonzalez Cruz Vivian Gonzalez-Franco Paiyten Henderson Peyton Huntley Tyler Hurd Mary Jaramillo Zane Knight Joseph Lucero Serenity McCurdy Odyssey Perez Brody Short Daniel Silva Peyton Stults Trenton Sukle Damitry Tatman Alauna Torres Addison Weaver Larilai Wilson Fourth Grade Straight A’s Andres Acosta Judah Adams Jaden Angelo William Burruss Tucker Carson Juan Gallegos Jr. Alyssa Garrett Gwyneth Hasto

Luis Huerta Barajas Alonso Huerta Emmalee Johnson Brailey Lawrence Xiayden Lucio Alexander Mack Giovanni Madrid Victoria Medina Luna Ainhoa Ochoa Jose Ortiz Deacon Shean Troy Siennicki Hunter Simineo Uriel Vicencio Madeline Zmiewsky A/B Honor Roll Andrew Bascue Rodrigo Blanco Ruiz Abigail Bloom Alexis Dawson Christian Escarcega Julian Gallegos Osvaldo Gonzalez Cruz Rylee Griswold Olivia Hines Naveah Huff Berrelleza Aliza Jaramillo Correy Law Nevaeh Lujan Bergen McCormick Mckenzie Murray Lillian Nelson Shelby Pride Jassen Robinson Paola Rodriguez Medina Chloe Sharpe Trey Traylor

Danica Thornton Cayden Traylor Mariah Tushinsky Eric Uribe Perla Valdez Medina Averie Verquer Makayla Wear Stefan Williams Danika Windemaker Fifth Grade Straight A’s Andreas Alvarez Yuraly Arias Sydnie Atchley Velma Bailey Satoshi Bautista Joseph Black Janeth Corral Jillian Duer Kyndahl Duran Kaidence Foote Carolyn Garigliano Helen Gonzalez-Franco Ashley Hernandez Anika Hovel Brianna Huff Tyson Hughes Brekin Hutto Joseph Kurtz Ethan Mack Ellie Magner Aniston McFarland Isabella McLendon Lily Perez Brooke Pietak Ty Reed Willon Rice Alyssa Rule

D’Angelo Saenz Alexia Sanchez Jonathan Santonastaso Joseph Siennicki Juliana Stagner Diego Vincencio Jolyn Worley Tyler Yost Rachel Young Abigail Zmiewsky A/B Honor Roll Mya Barrientos Alexcia Bloom Yesenia Dominguez Lillian Eskam Dylan Fry Aydan Gillespie Xavier Gonzalez Ryan Hendricks Jordyn Huff Illeana Leon Davion Lopez Yasmine Lopez Jose Madrid Luz Martinez Alvarez Janet Martinez Trinity McCurdy Haley McMillan Jaw Moo Amber Morrow Kali Ripper Ashton Robinson Fabian Sepulveda Landon Spaedt Asa St. Peter

Email ads to: ads@deltacountyindependent.com

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* Valid at participating Western Slope locations on sets of 4 Cooper Discoverer RTX, Cooper GLS Touring, and Nitto Crosstek tires with installation purchase on all four tires. Up to 10% shop fee based on non-discounted retail price, not to exceed $35. Disposal fees, where permitted. Not valid with other offers. See store for pricing. Eligibility may vary depending on tire size and model. ��

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A6 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

DHS assembles team to take on the Harlem Wizards The home team has been assembled, and DHS is ready to take on the Harlem Wizards in a funfilled event Feb. 13. Renee Cronenberg, DHS teacher, will coach the home team, also known as the PACK,

which will include Caryn Gibson, school superintendent, Joe Mock, principal, Garnet Mesa Elementary; Jennifer Magner, principal, Lincoln Elementary; and Mary Rover, assistant principal, Delta High School.

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Josh Applegate

Insurance Agent Joshua T. Applegate Insurance Agency

270 Hwy. 92, Suite C • Delta 874-4800 • 872-3400 www.farmersagent.com/japplegate

The team also includes teachers from throughout Delta County — Kyle Crowder, Pablo Payan, Ryan Hilbig, Blake Carlquist, James Hughes, Lisa

Rover, Nate Magner, Carl Hughes, Stephanie Cano, Beth Nelson, Jesse Kendig and Katie Steward. This event is hosted by DHS Student Council,

Around DHS By Haylee Curry Delta High School, United In the midst of a tragedy it is utterly amazing how the walls of division, once separating the beloved Delta High, break down, bringing the students and faculty together in an undeniable bond of unity. The past couple of weeks have been, without a doubt, a trial as the people of the school grieve the loss of a beloved junior boy. In a time of complete despair, the school as a whole manages to lock arms and be there for one another through difficulties and sadness left in their wake. Once just passing faces in a hallway, now all members of a family, we unite. The school counselors, Mrs. Crowder, Mrs. Magtutu, and Mrs. Schneider, made tremendous efforts to battle the sorrow within us all with their adjusted scheduling and availability to all who are in need of their time. Not only did they open their doors to all, but they thoroughly sought out the students affected, leaving no stone unturned. To another extent, trained grief counselors went classroom to classroom assuring everyone of their worth and their place in the school. Without a doubt times like this are a challenge for all as we continue striving to make our way

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back to a daily routine, still in remembrance of a beloved student, friend and son. Delta High School, in refusal to stoop to a puddle of frozen dejection, stands tall and united in honor of the fallen student. May we all never forget and may we all stay strong.

Delta area schools and the Delta Police Department, which will be represented on the team by Jesse Cox and Jeremy Gay. Derek Carlson, DHS principal, and Jeremy McCormick, assistant principal, will serve as referees. At a Wizards game, fans will witness amazing basketball talent combined with hilarious comedy. It’s two hours of family time where parents, grandparents and kids can all laugh together. When you’re in the stands, you’re more than a spectator; you’re part of the show with loads of audience participation. Throughout the game, fans will experience a magical display of tricks, coordinated ball handling, fancy passing and

aerodynamic athleticism combined with high-energy comedy and audience interaction. The experience can only be summed up in two words: aweinspiring. Tickets purchased before the event are $10 for adults $8 for children. Tickets can be purchased at Delta High School or online at www.Harlem wizards.com, from now until the day of the game, Tuesday, Feb. 13. Tickets will also be available the day of the game at Delta High School beginning at 6 p.m. The cost at the door is $12 for adults and $10 children. For more information contact Shawna Magtutu at shawna. magtutu@deltaschools. com or 970-874-8031.

Photo submitted

Lincoln’s Terriﬁc Kids

The Delta Kiwanis presented Lincoln Elementary students with Terriﬁc Kids awards on Jan. 23. The students are recognized by teachers for outstanding characteristics, achievement and effort. The recipients (and their reason for recognition) for this week are: (back row, left to right) Peyton Priestly (gentleness), Nathaniel Quammon (self-discipline), Tayen Persons (leadership), Kinley Johnson (perseverance), Kenleigh Keller (kindness), Antonio DeLeon (diligence and kindness), Jenesis Naranjo (responsibility), Colton Kelleher (responsibility), Adrian Dunn (diligence); (front row) Kiela Carrison (kindness), Cooper Martinez (teamwork), Cerenity Sharkey (kindness), Lydia McCullough (compassion), Harmony Baker (kindness), Andreas Herrara (caring), Moo Doe Dah (character), Archer Ware (kindness) and Gracelyn McIlheron (perseverance).

Delta Middle School honor roll The following students were named to honor roll at Delta Middle School for the second quarter of the 2017-18 school year: Sixth Grade Straight A’s Brayden Ahlberg Regann Alsdorf Ana Asavei Aylin Bayles Rylan Bynum Landan Clay Shayla Curtis Katelyn Edwards Hania Garcia Xander Graff Cheyenne Hatter Linda Hayner Pete Herren Roxsy Huerta Kylie Huff Anabelle Kraai Matthew Lee Ripp Lockhart Xavier Martinez Tatem Miller Dominic Montgomery Camilo Munoz Andrew Priestley Mialisoa Randria Brett Sanchez Nicholas Serve Zoey Shean Lakayla Sheets Johnathon Shull Kiersten Taylor Domonique Verdeja Anna Weaver Ashlyn White Baylee Wilson Kaya Wright Honor Roll Uriel Aguilera

Randee Ahlberg Emily Anderson Lauren Angelo Sanaa Ashurst Saw Blessing Derek Boyd Taneal Braslin Nathan Brewer Skyler Brown Russell Cannon Enrique Carrillo Sarah Clark Logan Clay Clayton Cryer John Dexter Eban Ficklin Madalyn Haskins Vandi Horn Jae Huff Talan Hulet Dakota Jessee Kyra Johnson Tucker Johnson Rylee Kelleher Tyler King Eh Law Kyaw Jazmin Martinez Abraham Martinez John Martinez Lesly Martinez Oscar Martinez Libni Mendoza Judah Neely Parker Neil Benjamin Nortnik Chaz Peters Kyler Pietak Kimberly Ponce Araceli Ramirez

Caleb Richman Jovanny Romero Colton Rounds Hailey Rule Allyson Rusling Juelz Sandoval Peyton Sandoval Ava Shaball Rodney Sharpe Alex Toole Caleb Weams Kassidy Wear Tegan Whitby Tyson Whitby Seventh Grade Straight A’s Charly Abbott Ellie Ames Kalliope Carmichael Samuel Falck Jaylena Gibson Nylene Gutierrez Jordan Johnson Lillian Lucio Caitlyn Merriman Brooklynn Mininger Connie Mock Sarah Teel Alex Ward Stratman Konner Workman Honor Roll Ezria Abeyta Alexi Armendariz Morgan Barnard Ada Bermudez Emiliano Blanco Morganne Branham Alison Burke Garrett Cannon

Chelsea Cross Ryetta Davis Aubrey Fraser Ruben Gaona Miriya Garcia Evelyn Gutierrez Brianna Hall Madyson Hannegrefs Kailie Hofschulte Areiel Jaques Teona Kelly Kyle Kincaide Hayley Lancaster Hazel Lancaster Juan Ortiz Jeramiah Porter Mariah Rhinehart Nayeli Rodriguez Job Rosales Alexis Rundle Joseph Santonastaso Antonia Sheets Luis Solis Jenna Springer-Reece Luke Stagner Daysy Tapia Jesus Trevino Ryelle Wilding Eighth Grade Straight A’s Laisha Aleman Jillian Carlson Isabella Gillespie Kara Herren Luke Hutto Melana McCormick Raelee McCurdy Kurtis Nethington Mia Yost

Honor Roll Abigail Barber Isabelle Burruss Hayley Burwell Emilie Cardenas Austin Chamblin Kelsey Esplin Alondra Gallegos Alexandra Gaona Janine Garcia Sydney Gerle Elena Hancock Landon Henson Anysia Hovel Oaklee Hughes Spencer Hughes Baili Hulet Nicole Koch Erika Kuta Laura Martinez Benjamin McCash Perla Mejia Kayla Miller Devan Neil Kaelynn Porter Emma Roberts Emma Roithmayr Andrea Salgado Nathan Scharnhorst Makenzie Sharpe Teja Smith Mercedes Taylor Heli Tolka Daniel Weaver Maysen Wilbur Emma Wise

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Garnet Mesa’s Terriﬁc Kids

Photos submitted

The following Garnet Mesa students earned a Terrific Kid Award from the Kiwanis Club of Delta for their efforts to be a responsible citizen and student. Pictured above are kindergarten and first grade students (front row, left to right) Tatum Cool, Logan Morfitt, Landon Hamilton, Kole Osburn, La’Naya-Marie Mora; (back row) Faith Rundle, Anjara Randria, Tony Romero, Maycen Riegel and Frances Lujan. Below are second and third graders (front row) Lizzie Wrich, Hailey Wachowicz, Rosabella Siennicki; (back row) Odyssey Perez, Wyatt Tabor, Dominik Teal and Joshua Hatton.

MONEY AND TAXES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Common factors affecting retirement income SUBMITTED BY TOBY KING

Certified Financial Planner Raymond James Financial Services

When it comes to planning for your retirement income, it’s easy to overlook some of the common factors that can affect how much you’ll have available to spend. If you don’t consider how your retirement income can be impacted by investment risk, inflation risk, catastrophic illness or longterm care, and taxes, you may not be able to enjoy the retirement you envision. Investment Risk Different types of investments carry with them different risks. Sound retirement income planning involves understanding these risks and how they can influence your available income in retirement. Investment or market risk is the risk that fluctuations in the securities market may result in the reduction and/or depletion of the value of your retirement savings. If you need to withdraw from your investments to supplement your retirement income, two important factors in determining how long your investments will last are the amount of the withdrawals you take and the growth and/or earnings your investments experience. You might base the anticipated rate of return of your investments on the presumption that market fluctuations will average out over time, and estimate how long your savings will last based on an anticipated, average rate of return. Unfortunately, the market doesn’t always generate positive returns. Sometimes there are periods lasting for a few years or longer when the market provides negative returns. During these periods, constant withdrawals from your savings combined with prolonged negative market returns can result in the depletion of your savings far sooner than planned. Reinvestment risk is the risk that proceeds available for reinvestment must be reinvested at an interest rate that’s

lower than the rate of the instrument that generated the proceeds. This could mean that you have to reinvest at a lower rate of return, or take on additional risk to achieve the same level of return. This type of risk is often associated with fixed interest savings instruments such as bonds or bank certificates of deposit. When the instrument matures, comparable instruments may not be paying the same return or a better return as the matured investment. Interest rate risk occurs when interest rates rise and the prices of some existing investments drop. For example, during periods of rising interest rates, newer bond issues will likely yield higher coupon rates than older bonds issued during periods of lower interest rates, thus decreasing the market value of the older bonds. You also might see the market value of some stocks and mutual funds drop due to interest rate hikes because some investors will shift their money from these stocks and mutual funds to lower-risk fixed investments paying higher interest rates compared to prior years. Inflation Risk Inflation is the risk that the purchasing power of a dollar will decline over time, due to the rising cost of goods and services. If inflation runs at its historical average of about 3%, the purchasing power of a given sum of money will be cut in half in 23 years. If it jumps to 4%, the purchasing power is cut in half in 18 years. A simple example illustrates the impact of inflation on retirement income. Assuming a consistent annual inflation rate of 3%, and excluding taxes and investment returns in general, if $50,000 satisfies your retirement income needs this year, you’ll need $51,500 of income next year to meet the same income needs. In 10 years, you’ll need about $67,195 to equal the purchasing power of $50,000 this year. Therefore, to outpace inflation, you should try to have

some strategy in place that allows your income stream to grow throughout retirement. (The following hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes only and assumes a 3% annual rate of inflation without considering fees, expenses and taxes. It does not reflect the performance of any particular investment.) Long-term Care Expenses Long-term care may be needed when physical or mental disabilities impair your capacity to perform everyday basic tasks. As life expectancies increase, so does the potential need for long-term care. Paying for long-term care can have a significant impact on retirement income and savings, especially for the healthy spouse. While not everyone needs long-term care during their lives, ignoring the possibility of such care and failing to plan for it can leave you or your spouse with little or no income or savings if such care is needed. Even if you decide to buy long-term care insurance, don’t forget to factor the premium cost into your retirement income needs. A complete statement of coverage, including exclusions, exceptions and limitations, is found only in the long-term care policy. It should be noted that carriers have the discretion to raise their rates and remove their products from the marketplace. The Costs of Catastrophic Care As the number of employers providing retirement health care benefits dwindles and the cost of medical care continues to spiral upward, planning for catastrophic health care costs in retirement is becoming more important. If you recently retired from a job that provided health insurance, you may not fully appreciate how much health care really costs. Despite the availability of Medicare coverage, you’ll likely have to pay for additional healthrelated expenses out-of-

Online banking safety tips Online banking has revolutionized the way people manage their money. Investors can buy or sell stocks with the click of a mouse, and money can be moved across accounts just as easily and instantly. Many consumers now even do their banking on their mobile phones. In fact, a 2016 study from the Federal Reserve found that 67 percent of millennials use mobile banking.

While online or mobile banking makes it easy for consumers to manage their money, it’s also potentially much riskier than in-person banking at the bank. Unseen hackers and thieves are lurking online and in places where Wi-Fi is open and free, so online and mobile banking enthusiasts must exercise caution when accessing their accounts. • Sign up for two-fac-

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tor authentication. Twofactor authentication requires two forms of verification before users can log into their accounts. The first might be the traditional username and password, while the second might be a temporary code texted or emailed to users after they log into their accounts. • Use only secure network connections. Public Wi-Fi can be convenient, but consumers should never use such connections to do their online or mobile banking. Consumers who routinely use public Wi-Fi, even if it’s just for basic internet surfing, should log out of mobile banking apps or websites before logging on to public networks. • Change passwords frequently and avoid using the same password for more than one account. Many banking websites advise customers if their passwords are weak or strong when customers first set up their accounts. And consumers should never use the same password for more than one account, as that can make it much easier for criminals to steal consumers’ identities. • Monitor credit scores. Consumers have the right to one free credit report each year, but many credit card companies now update customers regarding their credit scores monthly. Consumers may need to sign up to take advantage of this service, but doing so is typically free. If credit scores dip unexpectedly and without reason, consumers may have been victimized by identity theft and can then take action to address the issue.

pocket. You may have to pay the rising premium costs of Medicare optional Part B coverage (which helps pay for outpatient services) and/or Part D prescription drug coverage. You may also want to buy supplemental Medigap insurance, which is used to pay Medicare deductibles and co-payments and to provide protection against catastrophic expenses that either exceed Medicare benefits or are not covered by Medicare at all. Otherwise, you may need to cover Medicare deductibles, co-payments, and other costs out-ofpocket. Taxes The effect of taxes on your retirement savings and income is an often overlooked but significant aspect of retirement income planning. Taxes can eat into your income, significantly reducing the amount you have available to spend in retirement. It’s important to understand how your investments are taxed. Some income, like interest, is taxed at ordinary income tax rates. Other income, like long-term capital gains and qualifying dividends, currently benefit from special — generally lower — maximum tax rates. Some specific investments, like certain municipal bonds,* generate income that is exempt from federal income tax altogether. You should understand how the income generated by your investments is taxed, so that you can factor the tax into your overall projection. Taxes can impact your available retirement income, especially if a significant portion of your savings and/or income comes from tax-qualified accounts such as pensions, 401(k)s, and traditional IRAs, since most, if not all, of the income

from these accounts is subject to income taxes. Understanding the tax consequences of these investments is vital when making retirement income projections. Have You Planned for These Factors? When planning for your retirement, consider these common factors that can affect your income and savings. While many of these same issues can affect your income during your working years, you may not notice their influence because you’re not depending on your savings as a major source of income. However, investment risk, inflation, taxes, and healthrelated expenses can greatly affect your retirement income.

This information, developed by an independent third party, has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. does not guarantee that the forego-

ing material is accurate or complete. This information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. The material is general in nature. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. does not provide advice on tax, legal or mortgage issues. These matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer, and are not insured by FDIC, NCUA or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the financial institution, are not guaranteed by the financial institution, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal.

Beth G. French

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A8 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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ACCURATE TAX

& ACCOUNTING SERVICE ��

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MONEY AND TAXES

Delta County Independent

Perform an insurance checkup As the year takes shape, most of us will not keep our New Year’s resolutions. However, one thing you can do at the beginning of 2018 that will pay off throughout the year is an insurance checkup. Some time spent now can pay off throughout the year. Health insurance has its annual open enrollment period, whether we get it from an employer or buy it for ourselves. But the other insurance we have — homeowners, auto and life insurance — don’t have an annual enrollment period that demands our attention. Instead, we get renewal notices or descriptions of our current coverage. They go into our physical or virtual to-do pile, and often we do nothing. When we don’t look at the renewals, we not only miss out on finding out about our policies, but we lose the ability to take advantage of discounts, better coverage, or even the possibility of shopping for a better product from a different company. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Division of Insurance (DOI), part of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, encourages consumers to perform an insurance checkup. You may want to talk to your insurance agent or the insurance companies, or you may want to pull out the policies (and the latest renewal) for a read-through, or you may want to do both. Ultimately, you want to determine if you need more coverage, less coverage, or different coverage, and if can you save money or get more coverage for your money.

Auto Insurance Your vehicle is a year older now. You need to know if your auto insurance is still right for your car. Remember, older cars need a different level coverage than newer cars. Do you still need comprehensive coverage (coverage that protects you from damage not caused by road accidents — like a runaway cart in a parking lot or hail damage)? Can you get away with just collision coverage? What about the deductible? Can you afford a slightly higher deductible this year (and the lower premium that comes with it)? Check on your liability limits to make sure you have enough protection against injury and damage if you or one of the drivers in your household causes or contributes to an accident. Lastly, find out if you’re eligible for any discounts — safe driving, taking a defensive driving course, good student (for the teens and college students on your policy), and others. Homeowners Insurance There are two things to think about when it comes to homeowners insurance — your home and your stuff. As you do your insurance checkup, realize that in many places around Colorado, home values have increased. Changing home values, as well as increasing material costs, can impact how much insurance you should have and how much it will cost to rebuild or repair your home should it be damaged by a fire, a hail storm or a tornado. When considering the

things you own, ask yourself the following. Do you have more stuff now than when you originally bought your homeowners policy? Do you have less stuff? What you’re trying to figure out is if you need more or less insurance to replace or repair what you own if any of it gets damaged or stolen. While thinking about your stuff, it’s also a great time to create or update a home inventory. If something bad happens, like a fire or a backed-up sewer, an inventory means you won’t have to remember everything you lost, and it will make the claims process much easier. Inventories can also help you determine if you need to change your coverage level. If you need to create a home inventory, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a free smartphone app, myHOME Scr. APP.book, that takes some of the headache out of the process. There is one for iPhones and another for Android. You can also download a paper version that works as a good start to a more complete inventory. Life Insurance It’s important to remember that life insurance is to help surviving family members after you die. If there have been changes in your life — marriage, birth of a child

or grandchild, divorce, death of a spouse, paying off your mortgage, children finishing college — you will want to consider re-assessing your life insurance needs. Even if you don’t need to make changes, you should review your policy so you are familiar with it. Keep these questions in mind. Do premiums or benefits vary from year to year? How much do the benefits build up in the policy? What part of the premiums or benefits is not guaranteed? In what situations and through what procedures can you assess cash values? Can the policy be converted into another form of insurance or annuity? Depending on where you are in life, you may want to ask your company or agent about “conversion privileges” from your current term life insurance policy to a new whole life insurance policy, or you might also be able to expand your death benefits so they can be used while you are still living. The DOI Can Help If you have questions about or problems with your insurance, please contact the Division of Insurance at 303-8947490, 1-800-930-3745 or DORA_Insurance@state. co.us.

Retirement savings tips for late starters Despite countless television ads touting the virtues of retirement planning, it seems many people are not getting the message. According to a survey from GOBBanking Rates.com, one-third of Americans have nothing saved for retirement. Financial advisors recommend people begin saving for retirement as

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early as possible. The longer you delay opening a retirement account, the less time your money will have to grow. Those who never open such accounts may not be able to meet their cost of living in the future. While it pays to start saving for retirement early, late bloomers who need to catch up should know that it’s never too late to start. • Sign up for an employer-sponsored retirement account. Many employers arrange for retirement savings accounts like a 401(k) for their employees. Such accounts are typically tax-deferred. It’s likely you won’t even notice the money missing from your paychecks each month. Take advantage of such offerings if they exist. Such opportunities can be even more beneficial to late bloomers whose employers match contributions up to a predetermined percentage. • Start saving as much

as possible. Many people contribute 6 percent of their pay to a retirement savings account such as a 401(k). That rule of thumb may be enough for young workers, but late bloomers may need to contribute a higher percentage of their incomes if they hope to catch up. If 10 percent is doable, then contribute 10 percent, being sure to diversify how that 10 percent is invested. Workers who can afford to contribute more might want to explore other retirement account options so they avoid putting all of their eggs into one basket. • Avoid high-risk investments. Investors trying to catch up on retirement savings may be tempted to invest their money in high-risk funds with the hope of making up ground quickly. But investors typically want to reduce risk as they get older. That approach should still govern late bloomers’ investing decisions, as high-risk funds

that don’t perform well could leave aging investors with little to nothing come retirement. Prospective investors who need help choosing the right funds for themselves should contact a financial advisor. • Cut spending. People getting a late start on retirement saving should examine their monthly expenses, looking for places to cut costs so they can reallocate those funds for retirement savings. Some ways to considerably reduce monthly expenses include cutting the cord with a cable provider, driving a preowned vehicle instead of a new model and downsizing to a smaller home. Those who have delayed saving for retirement should not panic. While it’s always best to begin saving for retirement as early as possible, there are ways for late bloomers to catch up and/or create a decentsized nest egg for their golden years.

Debtor, saver, wealth creator — which are you? BY BETH G. FRENCH Special to the DCI

In the world of finance there are basically three ways to handle major capital purchases such as autos, appliances, maybe even college expenses. ® Tobias A. King, CFP Toni Hanna Most folks start adultBranch Manager Financial Advisor hood at zero, with an Also serving the North Fork empty savings tank, but with lots of hope for a bright future. When capital purchases occur without any advance planning or preparation, some folks are 338 Main Street | Delta, CO 81416 forced to handle a purOfﬁce 970.874.0789 | Cell 970.778.5154 chase by becoming debttoby.king@raymondjames.com ors. A financial definition www.raymondjames.com/tobyking of a debtor is someone who has no savings (or �� resources in the tank) and �� is therefore totally dependent on the willingness of �� others to assist and must �� accept the terms present�� ed. After the purchase, �� 12345 Streetname // Cityplace, ST 00000 this group of folks spends �� their time, attention, and T 000.000.0000 // T 000.000.0000 // F 000.000.0000 �� daily energy/resources �� first.lastname@raymondjames.com // websiteaddress.com just to get back to zero. �� The second approach is

utilized by those who are disciplined and patient. These are the people who are willing to postpone a purchase until they can pay cash for it and we call these folks savers. While this strategy is more prudent than the debtor strategy, it’s still not as efficient as it could be. Savers fill up their tank (getting above the zero mark), but then to make the purchase, they drain the tank! Once again, they must start at zero. The reason it’s an inefficient use of their resources is that at a very minimum, they’ve killed the magic of ongoing compound interest. The most efficient approach is employed by the wealth creators. This financial strategy requires the discipline and patience of savers but it also utilizes collateral capacity. Wealth creators start by building a customized Private

Reserve Strategy™ (aka filling the tank). When the decision is made for the major purchase, the resources in the tank aren’t drained; rather, a portion is collateralized as a lien so that someone else’s resources can be utilized. The resources in the tank continue to grow uninterrupted and eventually the lien is paid off, restoring collateral capacity so the wealth creators are ready for the next purchase or opportunity. Now, it’s time for the questions: if you’re willing to apply the financial strategies of the wealth creator to your personal life, how will you fill your tank and generate the kind of compounding interest that can help you most efficiently manage your financial resources? In short, what’s your collateral capacity? Private Reserve Strategy is a trademark of MoneyTrax, Inc. Used with permission.

OBITUARIES

Delta County Independent

Celia Roberts

Celia Roberts died at her home in Paonia Jan. 21, 2018. She was born and raised in Kentucky. She received degrees from Hanover College and the University of North Carolina, and began a twoyear career as a college math professor in Florida. In escaping that “boring career” she moved to the Bahamas for a short time. In 1969 an opportunity arose to move to Colorado, which she had dreamed of since visiting with her family in the ‘50s. She began working as a photographer for the newspaper in Vail and

was soon in charge of the darkroom and publishing double page spreads. Eventually she owned the Reflections art gallery in Vail, which she ran for many years. She organized the local Hunger Project and other poverty initiatives, always raising awareness of the plight of those less fortunate. Ms. Roberts moved to Boulder for a short time and in 1991 moved to Paonia. She was active in the community, serving on the Blue Sage Center for the Arts board of directors for six years, as well as participating in many other projects to benefit her community. She could be seen at many community events taking photos to share with the event organizers and/or her friends. Her feistiness served her well in her mission to shed light on the difficult life of migrant farm workers and their families. Celia began photographing them in 1992 across the U.S. and in Mexico. She published photographic calendars

to benefit the National Migrant & Seasonal Workers Head Start Association from 20002013. She made presentations and displayed her photographic collection of migrant workers and their families on two occasions in Washington D.C., and once in San Diego. She spent time at the U.S./Mexican border wall photographing to help educate people to the reality of forced family separations. Her portfolio included images of the natural world from the U.S. as well as work taken while photographing for Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia and Ecuador, UNICEF and the Breakthrough Foundation in India and Sri Lanka, the Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) in Costa Rica, Pastors for Peace in El Salvador and during her independent travels in Mexico. Ms. Roberts never married or had children and successfully supported herself through pho-

Charles Robert “Bob” Hicks July 19, 1952 ~ Jan. 12, 2018 Charles Robert “Bob” Hicks, 65, a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and dear friend, passed away Jan. 12, 2018, at Hemet Valley Medical Center. Bob was born July 19, 1952, in Delta Colo., the son of Jack Hicks and the late Charlie Lea Hillis Hicks. While a Colorado coal miner at heart, 26 years, Bob completed his education and moved to California to pursue a career as a Home Appraiser. An avid baseball enthusiast, Bob enjoyed watching, playing and officiating the game. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, home improvement projects, football, fly-fishing, and hunting. He loved giving back to the youth of community and felt rewarded when

he rode with the Patriot Guard Riders to honor our fallen soldiers. On St. Patrick’s Day of 2006, Bob went on his first date with the love of his life, Sylvia. They married shortly after and have enjoyed the life they have created for themselves in sunny California. Surviving is his wife, Sylvia Hicks; father, Jack Hicks; mother-in-law, Lawren-

cia Marquez; children, Shelly Wright, Robert Hicks, Dawn Bivens, and Kimberly Kellerby (Troy); stepsons, Aaron Waterman and Kyle Waterman (Noelle); brothers, Greg Hicks (Glenda), Paul Hicks (Melinda) and Benjamin Marquez (Lori); sisters, Roxie Hodson, Cindy Shields (Joe) and Elisa Benefield (Jeff); eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother, Charlie Lea Hicks and father-in-law, Ralph Marquez. The scattering of his ashes in Colorado on the Grand Mesa will be planned for this summer 2018. Online condolences may be made to Miller-Jones.com. Paid obituary

Nina M. Den Beste July 23, 1921 ~ Jan. 22, 2018 Nina May Den Beste, 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, at the Crossroads Memory Care facility in Delta, Colo. She was born in Eckert, Colo., on July 23, 1921, to Rufus G. and Viva Pyle Loucks, the middle child of five. Soon after, the family moved to Cactus Park just east of Cedaredge, Colo. While growing up, she preferred the outdoors, traveling by horseback with her dad to check trap lines and helping with the haying, even though she had three brothers. She enjoyed hunting with her family, and always got her meat. She attended school in Cedaredge, graduating in 1939 as class salutatorian. The following fall she moved to Gunnison, Colo., to attend Western State College and earned a degree in Physical and Elementary Education and at a later date her Master’s Degree. While an undergraduate at Western State College, she played a short time on the women’s football team and was the second woman to climb the Curecanti Needle in Black Canyon. After graduating, she married Raymond Den Beste in Hotchkiss, Colo., on June 9, 1943. They then moved to Alexandria, La., where Ray was stationed during World War II. After the war, they returned to Paonia, Colo., where Ray was a teacher at Paonia High School. In 1953, Nina began teaching at Paonia Junior High and remained there until she retired after 29 years of teaching.

Her students learned by the many innovative ideas she used to help them understand mathematical concepts. She was the first high school volleyball coach in Paonia. In retirement she remained active with the Paonia schools, attending all high school events, both at home and in other towns, supporting the youth. She and Ray were honored by the Paonia High School sports teams as their outstanding fans. After retirement, she and Ray helped coach the Paonia High School tennis team. She quit playing tennis at the age of 91. Nina was an exceptional artist and painted many pictures for her family. Numerous family members were the recipients of sweaters knitted by her. Hating to be idle, she spent quiet times working word puzzles and reading. She loved fly fishing, snowmobiling, and tennis and always watched the Denver Nuggets, Denver Broncos, and Colorado Rockies. She was active in the community and a 72-year member of the Paonia United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir and

performed solos and duets with Ray. She and Ray spent many summers at their cabin on Black Mesa where she loved hiking, riding horses, and hunting with her sons-in-law and four grandsons. She enjoyed sharing “camp” with family and friends, and on her 80th birthday played volleyball on the uneven terrain at “camp” with her family. Nina and Ray celebrated 62 years together before he died on Dec. 19, 2011. She is survived by her brother JD of Montana; daughters Ruella Kontour (Larry) of Crawford, Colo., and Karen McKee (Steve) of Palisade, Colo. She is also survived by four grandsons, Craig McKee (Kim), Garth McKee (Telicia), Kyle Kontour (Jenny), and Kurt Kontour (Katie); 11 great-grandchildren, Allannis (Jon), Myra, Ilia, Miranda, Danae, Halee, Mairi, Laurielle, Rowan, and Anaya; and five great-great-grandchildren, Rylan, Sylus, Kyler, Eylijah, and Lyllianna, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; her parents, Rufus and Viva; her sister, Georgia (Dode) Peterson; and two brothers, Ruel (Bus) and Jack Loucks; and greatgranddaughter, River. Services are pending. Donations in her name may be sent to HopeWest, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416 and Paonia United Methodist Church, 3rd and Onarga, Paonia, CO 81428. Paid obituary

tography, mainly of the landscapes she loved. She spent many years traveling to art and craft fairs around the country, selling her beautiful “Earth Images” photo. When not behind the camera she enjoyed the Dances of Universal Peace as well as classical music and dancing to rock ‘n roll. She was attended by Bird Song Crossings Home Funerals and cremated by Taylor Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at the Blue Sage in Paonia the afternoon of April 1.

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

a sister, Janice Zollinger. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Eva Caldwell

June Calhoun

David Bond

David Joseph Bond died Jan. 24, 2018, at his home in Delta. He was 53. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Interment was at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Paonia. Mr. Bond was born on Sept. 18, 1964, in Delta to Gilbert and Virginia (Stanfill) Bond. He spent his childhood in Paonia and moved to Delta 13 years ago. He enjoyed magazines, going for rides, helping out at Aspen Crest and spending time with staff and residents at his group home. He is survived by his brothers, George Bond of Delta and James Bond of Paonia; sisters, Marlene Hebel of Denver, Doris (Glen) Carmichael of Delta, Nancy (Miles) Hemstrom of Gresham Ore., and Dale Bond of Salem, Ore. He was preceded in death by his parents and

Longtime Delta resident June Calhoun died Jan. 16, 2018, in Sun City, Ariz. She was 88. Services are planned later this summer. She was born Oct. 30, 1929, to Ralph and Cora (Adams) Taylor. She graduated from Delta High School in 1948. On Sept. 16, 1951, she married George Calhoun. Mrs. Calhoun worked for Colorado Bank & Trust for 33 years. After retirement, she volunteered at the Delta County Memorial Hospital and Delta County Museum, and she was involved in the AARP and 55 Alive driving classes. Mrs. Calhoun was a longtime member of the Delta United Methodist Church, where she served as the financial secretary. She played in several bridge clubs. She is survived by her daughter, Alexis “Ann” (Charles) Merlino; stepgrandson, Corey (Kerry) Merlino; grandchildren, Tony (Leslie) Merlino and Alexis Calhoun; and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Calhoun was preceded in death by her husband, George Calhoun; son, John Calhoun; brothers, Wesley and Roger; and an infant brother, Warren.

Eva Lee Caldwell died Jan. 23, 2018. She was 78. She was born in Texas on Oct. 2, 1939, to Shelby and Ruby Bishop. On June 17, 1957, she married Billy Caldwell. She owned a craft supply store in Great Bend, Kan., and in Delta. She enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, dogs and playing with electronics. She is survived by her children, Monty (Shelly) Caldwell of Montrose, Wayne (Noni) Caldwell of Westcliffe, Ron (Pam) Marta of Alabama and Toni (Melvin) James of Delta; numerous grandchildren; many greatgrandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband and two siblings. A private family celebration is planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Volunteers of America in Eckert. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

More obituaries can be found on page A10

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Gertrude Long

Gertrude “Hazel” Long died Jan. 25, 2018, at Pioneer Park Health Care Center in Lone Tree, Iowa. She was 94. Family services will be held at a later date in Eckert. She was born Oct. 23, 1923, in Eckert to Gertrude Miller and John Kehmeier. She graduated from Eckert High School in 1941 and received a bachelor of science degree in home economics from Colorado State University in 1945. On May 15, 1945, she married Keith Long in Eckert. They lived in Lompoc, Calif., and Lawrence, Kan., before moving to Iowa City in 1956. Mrs. Long worked for the University of Kansas as a dietitian before deciding to become a homemaker. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, Iowa, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and elder. She was active in youth activities and was a Brownie Scout leader. She enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, reading and sewing. Mrs. Long is survived by her husband, Keith; five children, Susan Long of Iowa City, Iowa, Donald (Ellen) Long of Littleton, Sheri (Joe) Long of Sioux Falls, S.D., Jeanne Wheeler of Houston, Texas, and Peggy (Kent)

OBITUARIES

Graham of Lowden, Iowa; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two siblings, Norman Kehmeier of Eckert and Louise Kehmeier of Fresno, Calif.; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Bethany; and two brothers, Jack and Gordon. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus, 1621 E. Washington St., Suite 4, Washington, IA 52353. Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, Iowa, handled the arrangements.

death by her husband, Ralph Marksberry; and eight siblings, Delbert, Hazel, Elizabeth, Homer, James, Leroy and Leon Burson, and Juanita Burson Boyd. At her request, no services are planned. Taylor Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the burial arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Zora Marksberry

Zora Magdalene “Madge/Maggie” Burson Marksberry died Jan. 26, 2018, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe. She was 91. She was born near Vici, Okla., on May 1, 1927, to William and Lula Mae (Michael) Burson. She spent her childhood in Oklahoma, California and Colorado, graduating from Delta High School in 1945. On July 3, 1949, she married Ralph Marksberry. They lived in Delta before moving to Moab, Utah, where she worked for many years at Miller’s Supermarket, Foodtown and Maverik. After Mr. Marksberry’s death, she moved to Norwood for a short time and then back to Delta, where she spent her final years. Mrs. Marksberry enjoyed going for drives, having coffee with friends, sitting in the sun and smelling the flowers in her niece’s garden. She is survived by her children, Denice Hoffman and Mark Marksberry; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and extended family. She was preceded in

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Dick McGaughey Jr.

Former Paonia resident Richard C. “Dick” McGaughey Jr. died on Jan. 17, 2018, in Omaha, Neb. He was 85. He was born May 7, 1932, in Broken Bow, Neb., to Claude and Darrelene McGaughey. He graduated from Callaway High School in 1950 and received his pharmacy degree from Creighton University in 1956, after serving in the Navy. In 1957, he married Betty in Grand Junction. He worked as a pharmacist for Mesa Drug and moved to Paonia in 1966, when he purchased Hays Drug Store. He was a resident of Paonia for over 40 years. After retirement, he lived in Grand Junction and Omaha, Neb. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Betty of Omaha, Neb.; sister, Karen (Neal) of Atlanta, Ga.; sons, Ric (Jill) of Paonia and Shaun (Amy) of Omaha, Neb.; and grandchildren, Shaun, Madison and Kyler, all of Omaha. Services have taken place in Omaha. Heafey, Hoffman, Dworak & Cutler handled the arrangements.

Robert Liddell

Olathe resident Robert August Liddell died Jan. 18, 2018, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe. He was 91. He was born on May 10, 1926, in St. Louis, Mo., to Ernest and Lillian (Josaahs) Liddell. He spent his childhood in Missouri. On Nov. 1, 1946, he married Clara Stramstorfer in Missouri. They had two children. Mr. Liddell enjoyed playing cards, bowling and fishing. He is survived by his children, Carl Liddell of Texas and Jonece (Fred) Rue of California. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernie and Don Liddell; and sisters, Erma Ward and Dorothy Brothers. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

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Delta County Independent

Alice Curtis

Alice E. Curtis died Jan. 29, 2018, at her home in Delta. She was 80. At her request, no services will be held. Alice Elizabeth Gilliland was born on July 4, 1937, to Hugh and Brenice (Petefish) Gilliland in Great Bend, Kan. She spent her early childhood in Kansas and then moved to Pueblo where she attended school. On Nov. 28, 1953, she married Ronald Curtis in Pueblo. Mrs. Curtis was a seamstress by trade and a dispatcher at the El Jebel substation in Eagle County for the fire, ambulance and police departments. She enjoyed sewing, reading, working Jeopardy puzzles and being a grandma. She is survived by her children, Glenda (Rick) Cheney of Carbondale and Alan Curtis of Delta; brother, Bob (Ida) Gilliland of Pueblo; two sisters, Leona Taylor of Kansas and Jessie Meyers of Moab, Utah; granddaughter, Jennifer

(Mike) Shanks of Rifle; grandsons, Marty (Alicia) Cheney of Carbondale, Shane (Renee) Curtis of Grand Junction and Jesse Curtis of Carbondale; and six great-grandsons. Mrs. Curtis was preceded in death by three brothers, Chuck, Glenn and James Gilliland; one sister, Mary Bright; and one grandson, Cody Curtis. Memorial contributions may be sent to HopeWest, PO Box 24, Delta, CO 81416. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Alonso and Bessie (Johnson) Hunt. She spent her childhood in Hotchkiss and Paonia. On June 6, 1936, she married Herbert Turner. Mrs. Turner volunteered at the Senior Center for 30 years. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, and watching the Broncos and Cardinals. She is survived by three daughters, Jeanette Morris of Goodyear, Ariz., Pat (Gene) Price of Portabello, Calif., and Betty Turner of Virginia; three brothers, Norman Webb, Roland Webb and Robert Webb; sister, Edith Kinder; 19 grandchildren; and many great-, great-greatand great-great-greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Turner; five brothers; one sister; and two children. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Don Case

Elnora Turner

Elnora Belle Turner died Jan. 21, 2018, at her home in Goodyear, Ariz. She was 100. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at Taylor Funeral Service in Delta; interment will follow at the Delta City Cemetery. She was born April 21, 1917, in Hotchkiss to

Don Lee Case of Delta died Jan. 30, 2018, at Colorow Care Center in Olathe. He was 88. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Taylor Funeral Service Chapel. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Sandra H. “Sandy” Miller July 21, 1937 ~ Jan. 22, 2018 Cedaredge resident Sandra H. “Sandy” Miller passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 at her home in Cedaredge, Colo. Sandy was 80 years old. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, at True Life Church in Cedaredge, Colo. Interment followed at Cedaredge Cemetery in Cedaredge, Colo. Sandra Harlean Farmer was born July 21, 1937, to Robert and Gertrude Farmer in Ohio. Sandy spent her childhood and attended school in Toledo, Ohio. On Aug. 27, 1955, Sandy married the love of her life, Richard Sylvester Miller. To this union three children were born. The couple had the honor of sharing 67 years of love and marriage. Sandy and Richard moved to Cedaredge 18 years ago coming from California. She worked

for Dixie Cup, Kraft Foods and excelled as a Tupperware Sales Representative; she was an apartment manager in Santa Ana and was a block captain for the community watch program. Sandy was a former member of Moose, VFW, and was an active member of the Foresters Lodge. Sandy loved collecting stuffed bears, dolls and shopping. She bowled in many leagues and enjoyed the Vegas leagues. Sandy was a devout member of the

True Life Church in Cedaredge. Sandy was always quick to volunteer to help serve, and she was involved in the Ladies Luncheon. Sandy was loved by her family, many friends and True Life Church Family. Sandy is survived by her husband, Richard Miller; two daughters, Cynthia Duszynski and Cathryn Rawlins; a brother, Fred Farmer; a sister, Noreen Brown; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and one greatgreat-grandson. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents and a son, Robert Miller. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory. View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice. com. Paid obituary

Sandra Davis Dec. 8, 1943 ~ Jan. 26, 2018 Sandra Davis passed away 80 days short of 55 years married to Ralph (R.D.) Davis. She went to be with Jesus on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018, at HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction after a second, yearlong battle with triplenegative breast cancer. Her final request was if you are not a Christian that you would become a believer as she did almost 70 years ago. A memorial service will be held at 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, at First Baptist Church in Cedaredge with Pastor Dik Abbot officiating. Sandy was born on Dec. 8, 1943, to Stanton and Jane Knowles. She attended grade school at DeVeaux and high school at DeVilbiss in Toledo, Ohio, graduated in 1962 and attended college at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kan., where she met and married Ralph (R.D.) Davis of Austin, Colo. They

married on April 15, 1963. He survives. They adopted a son Bryce, whose son is Heath Barnes, they survive; a daughter, Shelly, who was killed in a drunk-driver accident in 2002. Shelly left a son, Damian. Sandy became his mother and his teacher since he was 9 years old. He graduated from Delta after spending his elementary years where Sandy was an elementary teacher for 22 years with TMCA

(Thunder Mountain Christian Academy). He survives. She also taught several years at Foothills Christian School in Montrose. She had interests in music, singing and crafts. She was an active member of Cedaredge First Baptist Church. Proverbs 18:22 says “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” She was a wonderful wife and mother who will be greatly missed. Please make memorial contributions to the Vacation Bible School program at First Baptist Church of Cedaredge, PO Box 400, Cedaredge, CO 81413. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory. View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice. com. Paid obituary

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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In search of the American Heartland, Scott Kirby presents a multimedia stage performance which features live piano music, a spoken narrative and a video presentation. Kirby will present his Mainstreet Souvenirs program in Delta on Saturday, Feb. 3, in the Delta Performing Arts Center, 822 Grand Avenue, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This performance by Scott Kirby is another of the Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association programs which bring such interesting and enjoyable performances to Delta every year. The music in the first

half of the program will span about 150 years of American pop, jazz and folk music, including tunes by Scott Joplin, Stephen Foster, John Philip Sousa and many others continuing up to the present time. The second half of the program will feature Kirby’s original compositions for piano, his original paintings and old photos from long ago, all joined together as he plays the piano and talks about the history of the American Great Plains and prairies. The visual “projected” dimension of the program accompanies both the narrative and

the music throughout the second half. Kirby talks about small town American life and times and his comments will bring back wonderful memories to the members of the audience. Kirby was first a musician and fine pianist, but his artistic passion grew to include visual art, and he has completed 75 paintings and 28 piano compo-

sitions. He now lives in Boulder and divides his time between composing, painting, performing and teaching. Season and single admission tickets will be on sale when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. For further information please contact Bob Brown, 8354480, or visit the website at www.deltamontrose concerts.com.

Square dance lessons scheduled in February Come learn to square dance and graduate with a certificate in just two weekends in February. The Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club will conduct lessons in four afternoons in a “miniblast.” Lessons are scheduled Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 3-4 and 10-11, from 1-5 p.m. each day, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street, Delta. Please note the Saturday times are different now than on flyers previously printed. Les-

sons will be conducted by Naaman Moorehouse of Grand Junction, the regular club caller for the Hubwheelers. Fees for the classes are $12 each session for new students, or $48 total. Previous graduate dancers, aka “angels,” pay $3 per session, or $12 total. Square dancing is great fun for all ages, singles, couples, and families. Come make new friends and learn a skill that will last a lifetime! For more information, call 8353771 or 773-4495.

Scott Kirby

Workshop looks at astronomy equipment

The Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS) will hold a free public workshop on “Amateur Astronomy Equipment” Tuesday, Feb. 6, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Region 10 Building/Sneffels Room, 300 N. Cascade Street, Montrose (enter from Cascade and North 3rd). This will be a great opportunity to learn and ask questions about astronomy viewing equipment, including Among the highlights telescopes and binoculars. of their trip were sight- The session is designed ing Bryde’s whales and bottlenose dolphins, and snorkeling with the world’s largest fish, the whale shark, as well as California sea lions and Olive Ridley’s turtles. “We On Wednesday, Feb. also saw some 55 species of birds including brown 21, the Colorado Archaepelicans, magnificent ological Society Chipeta frigatebirds, and blue- Chapter will have its footed boobies as well second annual members’ as an amazing number potpourri meeting where of incredibly colorful salt chapter members will water fishes,” Ackerman present short illustrated talks about their own said. Their program, spon- adventures. Come and sored by the Black Can- experience a tour of Southyon Chapter of the Audu- ern France’s cave paintbon Society, will begin ings by Annette Butts, at 7 p.m. The public is Aboriginal Quinkan cave welcome and there is no paintings of Queensland, charge. For more informa- Australia, with Dr. Carol Patterson, and Bill Hartion call 615-7329.

Discover wildlife of the Mexican Galapagos Baja California’s Sea of Cortez is often referred to as the “Mexican Galapagos” referring to the varied and unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Like the Galapagos, the Sea of Cortez has numerous islands and a multitude of land and marine species not found anywhere else in the world. Montrose residents Bruce Ackerman and Susan Werner recently spent over a week camping, kayaking and snorkeling around the Sea of Cortez. They will share their experiences Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Montrose Field House at the corner of Rio Grande and Colorado Avenue (previously the aquatic center).

Members share archaeological finds

Celtic band FEAST to perform in GJ, Montrose The Western Slope Concert Series will present two concerts with acclaimed Celtic band FEAST — Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Grand Junction, and on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 3 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. Tickets are available online at www.Junction Concerts.com, and the Montrose Pavilion. All seats are reserved, and start at $9 in advance and $12 at the door for adults. Acclaimed Celtic band FEAST will present a magical show with hot Celtic music. FEAST’s fiery sound and passion-

for those starting out in astronomy, or those who are interested in getting started in astronomy. BCAS members will have several different types of gear on display. The BCAS is also planning a field session as a follow-up, where participants can bring their own equipment and get advice and assistance from BCAS members. You can find more information at www.black canyonastronomy.com or call 970-856-7716.

ate delivery has won fans on two continents with a show that appeals to all ages, anytime. The American-based Celtic band FEAST brings a unique approach to Irish music. It was born out of a classical chamber music series in 2005, when a one-time special event performance turned into a lasting commitment to create a unique Celtic band. FEAST’s members have performed nationally and internationally as virtuoso classical musicians, and are passionate about crossing over into the timeless music of Ireland. With the unusual combination of violin,

ris brings us highlights of Uncompahgre Plateau chapter field trips to locate several enigmatic architectural “hogan” sites that were excavated 75 years ago by Harold and Betty Huscher, Colorado archaeologists, and then “lost” to science. Refreshments will be served; public is invited. The free presentation will be held at 7 p.m. at First Methodist Church, 19 S. Park Street, Montrose.

BHRC hosts Racquetball Rumble

viola, cello, bass, keyboard, and drumset, they deliver a rocking show that connects deeply to their audiences. They have been greeted with wild enthusiasm and standing ovations from audiences of all ages. FEAST’s programs offer a delightful variety — fiery group numbers, soulful solos, duos and trios, haunting versions of “Star of the County Down,” to humorous versions of timeless songs, and rockin’ interpretations of hot Irish fiddle tunes. Call (970) 241-4579 for more information, or buy tickets online at www. JunctionConcerts.com

Bill Heddles Recreation Center is taking registrations for the 2018 Racquetball Rumble. The singles/doubles racquetball tournament will be held Feb. 8-11. Players must be available Thursday if they are playing in more than one division. The fee is $35 for the first division and $15 for the second division, per player, and includes a tournament jacket, lunch, refreshments and tournament drawing. Breakfast burritos and snacks will be provided by the Phil Schmidt family. For more information, call Gary West at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 874-0923, or email gary@cityofdelta.net.

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A12 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

Photo submitted

National Health Service Corps recipients employed at River Valley Family Health Center include (left to right) Rachel Stranathan PA-C, CDE, Kari Long PA-C, Ana Calderon FNP, Liam Lunstrum DO, Jeannie Mueller, PA-C, RD, CMO and Shawna McElroy PA-C.

National Health Service Corps addresses shortage of providers Photo submitted

Spreading the word

Representatives from the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce, Delta County and Delta County Economic Development manned a booth at the Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show Jan. 25-28 in Denver. Darnell Place-Wise, Stacey Voigt, Don Suppes and Elyse Ackerman-Casselberry were part of a larger regional push that included Mesa and Montrose counties to promote western Colorado. Ackerman-Casselberry said she will deﬁnitely be following up on some leads, but the primary purpose of participating in the show was to gain exposure with manufacturers, retail buyers and the media. “Our message was that you can live, work and play in western Colorado,” said Ackerman-Casselberry, Delta County community and economic development director. “We’ve got everything you need to be successful in your business and enjoy a great quality of life while you’re at it.” “It was a really great collaboration among all three counties,” said Stacey Voigt, DCED executive director. “People were excited to hear about western Colorado and all the great things we’re doing, especially in agriculture.”

Customers spur Alpine Bank to donate more than $1 million Customers have sparked change in their communities by participating in a unique program offered by Alpine Bank. Last year alone, the bank donated $1,140,350 to nonprofits and other community organizations through the bank’s Loyalty Debit Card program. Alpine donates 10 cents for every personal debit card transaction, with the contribution

directed to support the part of their local community that each customer selects. In all, customers can choose from community, education, environment, arts, Americas, Colorado Mountain College and Children’s Hospital Colorado. “We want to thank our customers for supporting their communities,” said Alpine Bank founder and chairman Bob Young. “For the first time, Alpine

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Bank was able to donate more than $1 million in one year from our Loyalty Debit Card thanks to its growing popularity with customers.” According to Young, the debit card donations are just part of a broader commitment to community service that has always defined Alpine Bank. Including the debit card donations, Alpine contributed a total of $3.7 million in 2017.

BY JEANNIE MUELLER River Valley Family Health Center

About one in five Americans (21 percent), or 37 million people, live in a community with a shortage of health professionals. Since 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has been on the frontlines in these communities, providing quality health care to patients who otherwise might not receive primary care services. More than 8,000 NHSC primary care medical, dental, mental and behavioral health providers are treating and educating millions of Americans — regardless of their ability to pay. River Valley Family Health Center employs several current NHSC Loan recipients Rachel Stranathan PA-C, CDE, Shawna McElroy PA-C, and Ana Calderon FNP and a NHSC Scholar, Dr. Liam Lunstrum DO, as well as two alumina of the program: Jeannie Mueller PA-C, RD, CDE and Karie Long PA-C. These providers, along with others at River Valley, are taking new patients. River Valley has

three clinics: 5 Hillcrest Plaza Way in Montrose, 308 Main Street, Olathe and 107 W. 11th, Delta. The work of NHSC providers is made possible, in part, because the NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment. For those interested in a career in primary care, these incentives ensure that debt from school loans is not an obstacle. The NHSC offers up to $60,000 to pay off qualifying educational loans in exchange for a two-year, full-time service commitment or a four - year, part-time commitment. Providers can receive up to $170,000 for a five-year commitment and have the opportunity to pay off all educational loans for longer service. In addition, providers earn a competitive salary and gain access to educational, networking, and training resources to support them in their work. Since 1972, the NHSC has connected more than 37,000 primary health care practitioners to communities with limited access to primary care. And, the impact of Corps providers in the communities they serve is lasting.

More than 75 percent of NHSC providers plan on staying at their NHSCapproved sites after their commitment to the Corps is complete. For more information visit NHSC.hrsa.gov. Jeannie Muller PA-C, is the chief medical officer for River Valley Family Health Center. For more information, call 970323-6141 or visit www. rivervalleyfhc.com.

Chamber’s annual banquet is Feb. 9 Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year and Educator of the Year will be recognized at the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. The celebration will be held at Bill Heddles Recreation Center Friday, Feb. 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. To reserve your tickets, call the chamber at 874-8616. Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members.

Know Your Neighbor

Winter is the ideal time to call APB Tree Service to trim or remove your trees

In just a few weeks, the winds of spring will come roaring through the valley, tearing away branches and toppling stressed-out trees. If you’ve been trying to determine if the large trees on your property should be trimmed or cut back, now’s the time to call Andrew Biszant of APB Tree Service, 623-9937, for a professional assessment. The tree business comes naturally to Andrew, who grew up trimming trees with his grandfather, uncles, great-uncles and cousins, which makes him a third generation tree trimmer. He has since gained 22 years

of experience, and is licensed and insured to handle all aspects of tree trimming and removal. From stump grinding, to hedge trimming, to brush clean-up, Andrew will complete the job in a timely manner. He specializes in hazardous tree removal. You’ll find Andrew to be fair, prompt and prepared to respond to an emergency 24 hours a day. In the winter, trees largely go dormant so now’s the perfect time to trim back dead limbs and reshape your tree. Andrew’s goal is always to maintain the integrity of your tree. “I want to keep it looking like a tree,”

he explains. “Thoughtful pruning can make your tree healthier, and improve the vitality of your trees.” Right now, Andrew is offering a winter special with 15% off normal prices. Plus, he’ll match any reasonable written estimate from a licensed/ insured legitimate tree service. Andrew takes a great deal of pride in his work, and invites you to check out additional photos and reviews on his Facebook page. The passion he has for trees is matched only by the professionalism he brings to every job. Call 623-9937 for more information.

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It takes expertise, the right equipment and methodical thinking to safely bring down an 85-foot-tall tree without damage to surrounding buildings, fences, power lines or ditches. Andrew Biszant, owner of APB Tree Service, and crew pride themselves on doing the job right from start to ﬁnish.

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The Ideal You ��

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COLOR LASER PRINTING ��

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NORTH FORK January 31, 2018

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Using fire to battle mosquitoes in the North Fork NFMAD partners with Hotchkiss Fire District to use a controlled burn to battle mosquitoes BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

For North Fork Mosquito Abatement District operations manager Chris Tschinkel, it’s never too early to start battling mosquitoes. Each year, the district learns something new in the war on what’s been called the most deadly animal on the planet. The mosquito abatement district encompasses roughly 50 square miles of the North Fork area, which is host to five species of mosquito, two of which are known to transmit West Nile Virus to humans and animals. Because of the mosquitoes’ threat to public safety, there is always an urgency in the need to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. On Sunday, Jan. 21, the district took its first mosquito mitigation steps of the new

year when it partnered with the Hotchkiss Fire District to burn two parcels of overgrown cattail marshes in the Hotchkiss area. The control burns reduced mosquito habitat, and also provided training for volunteer firefighters. It was their first opportunity this year to train on an actual fire, said Fire Chief Doug Fritz. “We’re taking advantage of the incredibly dry winter to burn.” And while the marshes don’t present an eminent fire danger, “It’s our duty to protect life and property,” said Fritz. “This is useful in protecting life.” One fact about mosquitoes: they prefer to breed in warm, shallow water, explained Tschinkel. When cattails dominate a wetland, dense vegetation prevents water evaporation and runoff. The water warms and becomes stagnate, making it ideal for mosquito breeding. The dense vegetation prevents larvicides and other products used in treating marshes from reaching water level, rendering treatment efforts largely ineffective. That results in the need for more products, more staff time, and more money. MOSQUITOES TO B2

Photo by Tamie Meck

Hotchkiss Fire District firefighters Aaron Hudson, left, and Kaden Milstein ignite vegetation in an overgrown marsh near Hotchkiss Sunday. A collaboration between the HFD and North Fork Mosquito Abatement District, the control burn provided training for firefighters and gave the mosquito district a jump on the 2018 mosquito season.

Photo courtesy Hotchkiss Fire District

The Hotchkiss Fire District captured drone video and still images of Sunday’s control burns. This image overlooks a swath of overgrown cattails burning near Zack’s BBQ. Drone footage can be viewed on the district’s Facebook page.

Blue Sage ‘more vital than ever’ to the community BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A new gallery show opened last Friday at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts. Works include abstract landscapes of salvaged metal and resin by Devon Alves, wooden puzzle boxes by Shannon Richards, jewelry by Tess Bachaus and Ilde Ingraham, felted wool pieces by Lynn Gillespie, and sculptures in wood, metal and other found objects by Nancy Whelan and inspired by sculptor Louise Nevelson. The “Gallery Re-opening and Final Friday Show” offers an eclectic blend of works that reflect the Blue Sage’s 24 years of supporting arts opportunities for adults and children throughout the North Fork Valley and beyond. It also marked the re-opening of the newly-remodeled Blue Sage Gallery. Since it opened in downtown Paonia in 1994 as the Blue Sage Dance and Movement Center, the nonprofit membership- and volunteerbased organization has grown and reinvented itself in order keep up with changing times and to provide the North Fork community with “opportunities to create and experience art in all its forms.” It’s had its ups and downs, but in recent years the Blue Sage has created a world-class concert series

Photo by Tamie Meck

Following a re-organization, the Blue Sage Center for the Arts recently hired Matt Hirschinger as operations assistant and Katie Hadar as assistant manager. They recently attended the gallery re-opening and Final Friday celebration in the newly remodeled gallery. Now in its 24th year, the Blue Sage is working to remain relevant to the North Fork community and beyond. and has offered broad range of arts, music, literary and other programs, classes and workshops for all ages. Board president John Coombe is passionate about the Blue Sage. He and wife Susie, also a board member, moved to Paonia 12 years ago, where they opened Ollie’s Ice Cream on Grand Avenue and for 10 years ran the Glennie Coombe Gallery. When they

Celia Roberts championed human rights through photography BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Celia Roberts was a petite woman, but her photographs and her indomitable spirit made a big imprint on the lives of her subjects, and on those who knew her. Roberts was surrounded by friends, poetry and song when she died at her Paonia home on Jan. 21. Roberts was called to a life of photography by age 5. Through most of her adult life she used her camera and boundless energy to champion the rights of the nation’s immigrant farm workers. In 2016, at the biannual conference of the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association in Washington, D.C., the association purchased “Gracias por la Vida,” an exhibit of 40 black and white images Roberts captured of migrant families. “It was a whole different side of Celia that people don’t know about,” said close friend Elaine Brett. Brett, who traveled with Roberts to the conference, told the DCI that when they arrived at the airport in D.C., Roberts was greeted with open arms and treated “like a rock star.” Early in her career Roberts studied under the late Austrian photographer Ernst Haas, who documented World War II prisoners of war. Haas inspired her to do a study of migrant agricultural workers through a series of black and white images. She photographed migrant workers har-

Photo courtesy Elaine Brett

Paonia photographer Celia Roberts peers through the window of a Customs and Border Protection truck at “International Friendship Park” on the border of California and Mexico. Roberts, who championed the rights of immigrant farm workers through her photography and activism, died Jan. 21. A celebration of life will be held April 1 at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia. vesting peaches and grapes in Paonia, apples in Washington state, onions in New Mexico, and cabbages and ferns in Florida. From 2000-2013 Roberts published “Gracias,” a series of wall calendars focusing on migrant life and calling awareness of their culture to the public. Her intent, said

Roberts, was to publish a book “on the people who are essential to our well-being, because they feed us.” Her vast portfolio includes images taken for Habitat for Humanity in Bolivia and Ecuador, UNICEF and the Breakthrough Foundation in India and Sri Lanka, the

Foundation for International Community Assistance in Costa Rica, Pastors for Peace in El Salvador, and on her independent travels in Mexico and the U.S. Roberts was also a founder and longtime board member of the Blue Sage Center for the Arts. Last July the Blue Sage hosted a retrospective of her work dating back to the 1970s. A gallery of Roberts’ photos, a bio and more are available at celiaroberts.com. Information on purchasing prints will be posted on the website in the near future. In 2006 she received the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association Plate of Bounty Award, and in 2010 she received the Migrant Education Harvest of Hope Award for her contributions to the farm worker community. “If there was the commitment to cooperate in finding a solution to this issue, and if we included those most affected in the conversation, the workers themselves, I’m convinced a solution can be found,” Roberts told the DCI in 2016. “Unfortunately, it’s become this huge political issue while they’ve been left out of the process of seeking answers that work for everyone. “I truly believe that if we just take time to say thank you for our food and the hands that harvested it, there would be a shift in consciousness in this country. It will make a difference.”

were considering their move, said Coombe, the Blue Sage “was a very strong drawing card.” Like many nonprofits, in recent years the Blue Sage experienced an economic slump. Last winter, the board came to the realization that its financial operations were in trouble, said Coombe. Board members and Blue Sage supporters began looking for ways to save the institution and its popular Concert Series and extensive programs. Early last year the board made the difficult decision to let go of the executive director and support staff. For the next eight months the board was the staff, said Coombe, performing every duty required to keep the organization afloat. “It was an amazing effort.” Following a full evaluation, the board made several adjustments and committed to energizing and revitalizing its commercial sponsorship program. Several signature sponsors came forward, each committing to three years of support. BLUE SAGE TO B2

Oldtimers, newcomers potluck set for Saturday in Crawford The annual Old Timers, Newcomers Potluck will be hosted by the Crawford Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be served around 5:30 p.m. This is a community event and all are welcome. This uniquely Crawford community event is a time of celebrating those who have called Crawford home for a long time, as well as welcome those new to the community. In addition there will be awards for the Business, Non-profit and Volunteer of the Year. New this year is Teacher of the Year. The event is held in the community room at the Crawford Town Hall.

B2 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Community invited to Paonia chamber’s annual meeting The Paonia community is invited to attend the Paonia Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6:30-8 p.m. The meeting will be held at Wisehart Springs Inn, 39508 Pitkin Road, Paonia. Attendees will receive updates on the state of the chamber, learn how to get involved and congratulate the “Best of Paonia” award winners. Light refreshments will be served. The chamber serves local business and nonprofits by promoting

them on its website and newsletter and through coordinated events downtown during Cherry Days, Mountain Harvest Festival and during the holidays. Gold-level members can receive promotional support through Business After Hours events and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. “Our challenge for 2018 is figuring out what the most effective places are for the chamber to use its limited resources,” board president Annette Pretorius said. “We no longer

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have an office or paid staff and are completely volunteer-run. We’d like to see a good turnout at the meeting so we can get input from members.” You may have bought homemade soup or chili from the chamber’s Pickin’ in the Park booth in August and noticed what a good time the board members were having as they served it up. Pretorius said that while the chamber exists for a serious purpose, people participate because they enjoy it. “Last year we had a lot of success at Business Bingo and Oktoberfest and they were really fun. We want to keep finding fun ways to promote local businesses and the Paonia community,” she said. For more information, see www.paoniachamber. com.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Hotchkiss Fire Chief Doug Fritz trudges through smoldering vegetation following a control burn near Hotchkiss Sunday morning. The ﬁre district is working with the North Fork Mosquito Abatement District to get an early jump on reducing mosquito breeding grounds through controlled burning of overgrown cattail marshes.

Mosquitoes FROM PAGE B1 About four years ago a large area of marsh in the Hotchkiss area was burned, resulting in significant reduction in larvae and mosquito trappings in the area. Tschinkel said the burn has saved the NFMAD an estimated $2,000. A wildfire that occurred last April near Clock Road in Paonia burned a swath of overgrown cattail marshes near the North Fork of the Gunnison River while revealing helpful information

for the mosquito district. The marsh was one of the worst breeding grounds in the area, said Tschinkel. The fire cleared the vegetation, revealing an historic irrigation ditch that was clogged with vegetation. Once the ditch was cleared out and the water allowed to properly flow through the area, there was a marked decrease in mosquito populations in the neighborhood. The burns are the first steps the NFMAD is taking to reduce mosquito populations in 2018, said

Tschinkel. The district would like to work with other communities in reducing habitat through control burns and restoration of drainage to area marshes. The efforts could also result in collaborations with other agencies, including with the U.S. Forest Service, said Fritz. NFMAD staff will begin its seasonal work in April. More information can be found at nfmad. org and on the North Fork Mosquito Abatement District Facebook page.

ate in the black, said FROM PAGE B1 That support has Coombe. They recently allowed the Blue Sage recruited a grants consulto be debt-free and oper- tant and hired two staff

members. Katie Hadar, a graphic designer and digital filmmaker specializing in animation, is the full-time assistant manager. Matt Hirschinger will work part-time as operations assistant. In 2016 he completed a two-year internship with the City of Delta. “They are a wonderful fit,” said Coombe. The positions attracted dozens of applicants from within and outside of the community, many of whom were well-qualified. While it made for difficult decisions, it also demonstrated that the North Fork area is attracting skilled, creative and energetic people, said Coombe. During reorganization the board also considered closing the gallery. They realize it fills an important need in the community, said Coombe. The galley underwent a remodel. A state-of-theart suspension system was installed to accommodate both two-dimensional and sculpture art. As they did with the current gallery show, which runs through Feb.

23, the organization’s gallery committee, made up of local artists, “want to keep shows varied, eclectic and interesting.” Coombe gives much credit for the Blue Sage’s continued success to the “very talented board... And we get along great,” he said. “That’s allowed us to get through these last eight months.” “Reputation-wise, we are thriving,” he said. Through the work of Concert Series artistic director Susan Ellinger and World Music artistic director David Alderdice, the Blue Sage Concert Series is attracting international attention. The annual series is sold out by subscription, and the Blue Sage is creating special musical events to accommodate the community’s demands for local and world-class entertainment, said Coombe. With the hard times behind them, the board believes the Blue Sage will remain an integral part of the community for the foreseeable future. With a growing arts community and the Space to Create Initiative to create affordable housing and creative workspace, the area has become a destination for creative people. As the area grows, and with the recent arrival of highspeed internet service, more people are coming to Paonia to play, create, and conduct business. With all of this happening, said Coombe, the Blue Sage is “more vital today than it ever was.”

Horse riding club forming A new horseback riding club is being formed in the North Fork. Terry Randall is establishing a social club to share trail rides, information and fun. If you’re looking for someone to ride with, give Randall a call at 970-596-6640.

Blue Sage

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Photo submitted

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Employees awarded

The Hotchkiss High School alumni committee awards a Hotchkiss K-8 and Hotchkiss High School classiﬁed employee award each year. This is voted on by all faculty. In December, Kitty (Allyn) Burns (pictured) was awarded $100 for Hotchkiss K-8. Magdalena Meza-Michael was awarded $100 at Hotchkiss High School.

Seven Hotchkiss K-8 students selected for All-State Choir Seven Hotchkiss K8 students have been named to the Middle School All-State Choir. Students from around the state send in audi-

tion tapes in the fall to be judged and it takes months before results are announced. For the audition, students are required to demonstrate

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Pictured are (back row, left to right) Miss Carey, Emma Miller, Araina VenJohn, Paris West, Bailey Miller; (front row) Samantha Beck, Dana Hart and Victoria Clark.

the following skills: sing a solo with piano accompaniment, sing scales and intervals, sight-read, and perform aural recall which means the student listens to a brief musical passage and then sings it back. Music director Jeanette Carey said, “I’m so proud of all of the students that auditioned and thrilled to have seven students make it; it’s a testament to the students’ bravery, hard work, dedication, love of music, and the ability to believe in themselves. We were doubly excited to find out that we had the most students make it in all of CMEA District 7 which includes counties like Delta, Mesa, Gunnison, Montrose, and more. Well done, Hotchkiss music students! The Middle School AllState Choir will meet in Denver Thursday, Feb. 1, and Friday, Feb. 2. Students will rehearse for a day and a half and have a performance at the Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center on Friday at 7 p.m.

Conservation Center annual meeting set for Feb. 11 The Western Slope Conservation Center will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 11, in the Hotchkiss Memorial Hall at 175 1st Street, from 3 to 6 p.m. A chili potluck will be served after the business meeting and keynote talk by documentary filmmaker, author and Regis University faculty member Susan (Suez) Jacobson. The public is invited. Bring chili, bread, sides, salad, drinks or dessert to share. Any proposed by-law changes must be received by Feb. 1. RSVP at westernslopeconser vation.org/2018Annual Meeting or call 527-5307.

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Bindi Pennetta embraces small town law practice BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Silk Road music 4 all

Photo by Tamie Meck

Musician Marcin Arendt speaks to Paonia Elementary School and North Fork School of Integrated Studies students Friday, Jan. 19, about the music that he performed during a “mini Silk Road journey” of Indian, European and Gypsy music. Joining Arendt are North Fork percussion artist David Alderdice, Kimberly Patterson on cello and Benjamin De Kock on double bass. The performance was part of the Arts 4 All program, a collaboration between the Blue Sage Center for the Arts, Mountain Harvest Creative and The Learning Council to provide free after-school arts programming to local elementary school students. The full Silk Road performance was presented Saturday at the Blue Sage Curtis Concert Hall.

Paonia commits 2017 audit to RubinBrown BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

At the Jan. 23 board meeting, Paonia trustees voted to approve an engagement commitment with the accounting firm of RubinBrown to complete the fiscal year 2017 town audit. Cost of services, according to the letter of engagement with RubinBrown that was approved by the board, will be $23,000 plus $5,000 for preparation of financial statements. The commitment agrees to allow RubinBrown to perform a single audit, which may

be required due to the spending of federal funds on the in-town water line project. “If you spend $750,000 or more of federal funds then you are required to go through that additional audit process,” explained Mayor Charles Stewart. If a single audit is required, the town will pay “an additional $8,000 per program plus out-ofpocket, technology and administrative expenses,” according to the letter. “If significant additional hours (fees) are necessary, we will discuss them with you and agree to a new fee estimate (additional

Addition to Black Canyon NP provides more public access ton (CO-3) supported Colorado’s request for LWCF funding and helped secure the Congressional appropriations for the program. “Securing the Sanburg Ranch improves public access to some of our state’s greatest backcountry hiking and fly fishing,” said Bennet. “Not only will this purchase add to the experience for visitors from around the world, but it will also improve management and bolster the water supply in the Park. The use of LWCF funds to preserve public access and improve land management further highlights the importance of reauthorizing this program before it expires later this year.” “This newest addition to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a great example of why the Land and Water Conservation Fund is so important to Colorado,” said Gardner. “I have fought to permanently reauthorize this program to ensure our public lands will be preserved for future generations.” Rep. Tipton noted, “I commend the National Park Service and The Conservation Fund for their commitment and hard work to ensure that sportsmen, hikers, campers and families will all be able to experience this magnificent natural area for generations to come.” The NPS is currently working through how to process permitting and access to the newlyacquired land; no immediate changes are planned for the Red Rock Canyon Wilderness Permit lottery or access to the park from the Bostwick Park area. The former landowner will continue to hold grazing leases on the property for the next 10 years; the expiration of those leases will sunset grazing on this parcel.

Bindi Pennetta about practicing law in a small town. The law firm handles real estate, estate planning, wills/trusts and works with business owners to set up LLCs and operating agreements. Bindi feels fortunate to have a mentor like Steve Harper, someone to bounce ideas off. But the conversation doesn’t go any further — confidentiality is a must in any law practice, but especially in a small town where relationships can be closely intertwined. She loves the connec-

tions she still has to her teachers, many of whom she now calls friends, and is a proud Bulldog fan who can be found in the bleachers instead of on the basketball court. The balance of family, friends and work is one that feels right — and the .3 mile commute to work is the envy of her law school friends who drive an hour one way to get to work. “Coming back is not necessarily giving back, but I am happy to help out the people of this community if I can,” she said.

Hunters, anglers asked to Feb. 1 teleconference Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s southwest region invites hunters and anglers to give their ideas and voice their opinions about wildlife issues at a Sportsmen’s Roundtable meeting which will be held by video teleconference, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. To participate people can go to one of the local wildlife offices in the Southwest Region: the closest is in Montrose, 2300 S. Townsend Avenue (U. S. Highway 550). Sportsmen’s Roundtable representatives will be at the meeting, along with Patt Dorsey, southwest regional man-

ager. Also attending will be local CPW wildlife managers and biologists. CPW staff wants to hear from participants regarding big game hunting, fishing and other wildlife-related issues.

Correction In the Jan. 17 issue of the Delta County Independent, the story, “Paonia man airlifted after being shot,” listed a number of agencies which assisted. The North Fork Ambulance also responded to the call. We regret the omission.

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In December, the National Park Service (NPS) and The Conservation Fund finalized a purchase to add 2,494 acres to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Located near the visitor center and along the south rim of the canyon, this addition to the park will provide access for additional recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and potential utility improvements in the park, which saw over 300,000 visitors in 2017. The addition of this property, known as the Sanburg Ranch, will guarantee future access to the Red Rock Canyon area of the park, which is a destination for anglers and other backcountry users seeking a more gradual route to the Gunnison River. This acquisition will allow Black Canyon of the Gunnison to better preserve the viewshed from the visitor center and the popular South Rim Road, the main route through the park. The property also creates potential opportunities for NPS to provide water to the south rim, reducing operational costs of hauling water. The NPS acquired the property from The Conservation Fund at the end of 2017, using funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The property is included within the boundaries of the 1999 legislation that created Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Established 52 years ago, LWCF is a bipartisan federal program that uses a percentage of proceeds from offshore oil and gas royalties — not taxpayer dollars — to protect irreplaceable lands and improve outdoor recreation opportunities. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) and U.S. Representative Scott Tip-

hours will be billed at our discounted rate of $150 an hour).” In 2017 the town paid $42,500 to RubinBrown for the fiscal year 2016 audit. RubinBrown representatives presented the audit to the board last November at a special meeting, giving the town a clean opinion in their audit report for the third consecutive year. At the meeting, trustees voted to withhold the auditor “Viewpoints” from the public. The viewpoints document the auditor summary of strengths and areas where the town can improve its bookkeeping practices. In 2016, the board voted to release the fiscal year 2015 viewpoints, which were posted to the town website.

When Bindi Pennetta graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1997, she had thoughts of becoming a teacher but kept signing up for psychology classes because they were so interesting. It was a post-graduate job with Susan Hillyard, a Delta attorney, that set her on the path to becoming a lawyer. Pennetta was originally hired to help Hillyard set up her law office, but gradually took on more responsibilities until she was acting as a full-time legal assistant. Ten years after obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming, Bindi returned to Laramie to study law. Although a decade older than most of her classmates, when Bindi graduated three years later she was selected by her peers as the 2016 “Outstanding Law Graduate.” The UW College of Law dean called her “one of our most extraordinary candidates” for the juris doctor degree. Between her first and second year, Bindi took part in an “externship” with Steve Harper, an attorney and longtime acquaintance in Hotchkiss. In addition to picking up college credits, Bindi began forming a professional relationship that solidified after graduation. After passing the bar exam on the first try, she became a fullfledged associate of the one-man law firm. The beauty of the area, her family, lifelong friends and the smalltown atmosphere have always made Hotchkiss appealing; the only concern was whether the North Fork could support another attorney. A steady work flow — and the booming real estate market — have relieved any concerns Bindi might have had

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B4 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

SPORTS

SPORTS January 31, 2018

Delta County Independent

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Delta girls win, boys split nine games prior to her ankle injury which sideDelta’s girls are on a lined her. Sara Geddes continfour-game winning streak and have improved to 10- ues to lead the Panthers 3 overall and 5-0 in 3A scoring attack with 13 WSL play. The Panthers’ points per game. Missa earned wins over Coal Webb has scored at an 8.8 Ridge, 63-51, on Friday clip per game with Keely and powered past Olathe, Porter scoring 6.6 and 46-28 last Saturday. Delta Jenna Sutliff 6.2 points has been without the ser- per game. The Panther boys have vices of senior Aubrey Jones who averaged 10.7 won four of their last six points per game through ball games and have a 94 overall record with a 3-2 3A WSL mark. Last week’s play resulted in a loss to Coal Ridge, 70-48, and an 84-70 win in Olathe on Saturday. Girls Panthers 63, Titans 51 Delta was in control from the start and led by five after the first period and held a 33-20 lead as teams headed to their locker rooms for halftime. Coal Ridge scored 31 points in the second half and the Panthers had 30 for a final score of 6351. Delta’s Geddes was the game’s leadPhoto by Wayne Crick ing scorer with 20 Delta freshman Alexa Huff points and team(25) played well last week- mates Webb and end and scored 10 points Alexa Huff added 10 against Coal Ridge. Here, points each in the win. Huff takes a shot in Olathe.

BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Taylor Wiescamp had to a 36-11 halftime lead. What had been effec10 points to lead Coal Ridge’s offense and Paige tive earlier in the season Harlow contributed nine wasn’t in New Castle. Shots taken on drives counters. to the basket fell short Delta 46, Olathe 28 The Panthers came or bad passes and other thwarted out slowly in the open- turnovers ing minutes against Delta’s usually potent Olathe and the Pirates offense. Delta found vestiges of took advantage to build a five-point lead after one its old self in the fourth period of action. quarter but was unable Olathe lost its edge to overcome the early offensively in the mid- deficit in the lopsided 70dle quarters and trailed 48 loss. Logan Freed scored 37-19 going to the final stanza. The 18-point difference going into the fourth quarter stayed the same as each team scored nine points to close the game. Geddes scored 15 points to lead Delta’s offense and Sutlif added nine. Myrisa Mitchell had Olathe’s highest scoring numbers with eight points. Boys Titans 70, Delta 48 Sometimes when a team runs up against a tough opponent it gets ugly. Coal Ridge had a tremendous outing against the visiting Panthers last Friday Photo by Wayne Crick night in New Cas- Despite plays like this from tle. The Titans took Delta junior Jonathan Robinadvantage of most of son, the Panthers could not Deltas’ mistakes and get going in a 70-48 loss to missed shots to race Coal Ridge last Friday.

nine of his team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter leading the Panthers on a 23-12 run. Jonathan Robinson was next high in scoring with eight points followed by John Ames and Jaspar Carmichael who finished with seven points each. Coal Ridge’s Brandon Herrera tossed in 20 points and Kevin DiMarco added another 15 to lead the Titans’ offense. Delta 84, Olathe 70 The Panthers built an early double-digit lead against the Pirates on Saturday and withstood a blistering outside shooting display in the fourth quarter to win 8470. Delta’s defense provided plenty of scoring opportunities in the early going with the Panthers taking a 28-13 lead to the second quarter. Freed’s 10 first quarter points highlighted first half play for Delta. Carmichael’s seven-point effort in the second quarter helped the Panthers take a 47-25 lead to the locker room at the half. Delta coach Rob Ames told his players at halftime the probability of Olathe coming out in the second half and trying to shoot their way back into the game came true. Olathe’s EJ Ruiz scored seven points while

teammates MacKenzie Cox and Jorge Gonzalez added six points each in the third quarter to lead the Pirates on a 21-12 run. Gonzalez continued his scoring run in the fourth quarter with three 3s helping keep the Pirates close to Delta. Gonzalez finished with six threes for the Pirates and had 24 points in the game. Olathe finished the game with 10 three-point goals (eight of them coming in the second half). Delta played well down the stretch and managed to match runs by the Pirates to hold on for the important 3A WSL win. Freed finished with 23 points for Delta with Carmichael dropping in four 3s to finish with 16 points. Andrew Baier was a key to Delta’s fourthquarter success with his 12 points leading the way. Baier also finished with 16 points. Other than Gonzalez’s game-high 24 points, the Pirates got 17 counters from Ruiz, and Cox added 15 more. Delta is at Aspen on Feb. 1 for varsity games at 5:30 and 7 p.m. and then get on a bus Feb. 2 to travel to Gunnison for games at 5:30 and 7 p.m. The Panthers travel to Cedaredge Feb. 6 for games at 6 and 7:30 p.m.

Paonia 2nd at Classic; outduals Rocky Ford BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

In their final tournament of the regulation season, the Paonia Eagles scored 174 points to place third at the annual Valley Classic tournament at Center High School. With the state tournament less than three weeks away, Paonia is in third place in Class 2A On the Mat rankings. Head coach Nate Wiggins said that the Center Duals and Valley Classic tournament give the team an opportunity to see other Class 2A teams ahead of the state meet, among them, No. 1 Rocky Ford, No. 5 Fowler, No. 7 John Mall, and Sargent, Sanford, Rye, and Crowley County. Paonia advanced nine wrestlers to the championship round. Sackett Chesnik was 4-0 and scored 27 team points to win the 138-pound division. Jaden Miller (182) pinned his first three opponents in 2:37 and won the first-place match by a 4-0 decision over Nucla. Clay Campbell (145) was seeded fifth and placed third. Campbell won three matches by fall in a combined 1:37, including a 23-second fall

over Fowler in the thirdplace match. Also placing third were Grey Neal (152), Jesse Burns (160), and Anthony Felice (170), whose 20-4 technical fall over Salida recorded the second most points scored in a single match for the tournament. Anthony Miller (195) and Levi Peterson (220) both won their fifth-place match by fall. On Friday, Paonia picked up two dual wins, including a 42-29 win over No. 1-ranked Rocky Ford. Felice opened the dual at 170 pounds with a fall at 5:09 over Jesse Tapia, ranked sixth at 182 pounds. At 182, Paonia freshman Anthony Miller won by fall (1:46) over Ezequiel Raso. Jaden Miller followed with a fall (0:30) over Angel Estrada. Wrestling down from 285, where he is ranked second, Levi Peterson picked up the win at 220 pounds over Simon Apodaca. At 285, Kaden Heiniger lost by fall (1:07) over No. 1 ranked senior Greg Garcia. Twelfth ranked freshman Reagan Todd lost by a 5-0 decision over fourthranked Michael Maldona-

do of Rocky Ford. At 113, Noel Rocha won by fall (5:21) over Eagle Gunnar Putman. Paonia lost by forfeit at 120, and a double forfeit occurred at 126. Wrestling up at 132, Zeb Etter lost by a 4-0 decision to Dylan Meill. Chesnik (138) won by fall (0:46) over Jadon Baldonado. At 145, Shane Odom scored six points for Paonia with a fall (2:50) over Layne Grant. At 152, Neal, ranked third by On the Mat, won by fall over Meloneer Carlos Romo, the 138pound state runner up currently ranked first in the 145-pound division. Burns (160) lost by a 17-1 technical fall to No. 1ranked Diego Reyes. Paonia also defeated Centauri (La Jara), 5027. Centauri is eighth in Class 3A On the Mat rankings. In the shortest match of the dual, at 120 pounds, Soul Connolly won by a 14-second fall over Centauri. At 126, Etter won by fall (1:18 ) over Estevan Ponce. Chesnik won by an 182 technical fall over Zach Sandoval. Campbell lost by fall (0:40) to senior defending state champion Brandon Buhr. In

the 152 pound match, Centauri’s ninth-ranked Brian Shawcroft defeated Neal, 10-3. At 160, Burns won by 2-1 decision over Jayden Gomez. At 182, Miller won by fall (1:21) over Weston Huffaker; and at 285, Peterson lost by fall (4:50) to Casey Fringer. Paonia won by forfeit at four weights, and Centauri picked up two wins by forfeit.

Photo by Tamie Meck

In his ﬁrst wrestling match, Paonia heavyweight Kaden Heiniger controls Olathe’s Chase Sale on Jan. 25. Heiniger lost by fall to Sale, but Paonia won the dual, 59-9.

Bruin wrestlers finish second at Melton meet BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Cedaredge scored 187 points to place second Saturday at the Butch Melton Invitational at Ignacio High School. At 113 pounds, freshman Adrian Nieto was one of four Bruins wrestlers to go undefeated. In the championship match Nieto (17-4) defeated a 26-5 freshman from Pagosa Springs by a 4-3 decision. The Bruins sent seven wrestlers into the

championship match. Sean Dale (126), Alex McCracken (132) and heavyweight Derek Sanchez won their division. Taking second were Toby Waddell at 182 and senior Pedro Madaleno (195). Colton Hoerr (152), Jered Hulteen (160) and Drew Markley (170) won bronze. David Schipmann was 4-5 for the day to place fourth. Schippman’s wins were all by fall. Two junior varsity

wrestlers, Brian Hoerr (126) and David Lopez (195) won their division. Pagosa Springs scored 212.5 points to win the 21-team tournament, which included teams from Utah and New Mexico. Junior varsity wrestlers Brian Hoerr (126) and David Lopez (195) won their respective division; Chris Meyers (138) won silver, and Dakota Williams (138) and Deigo Varela (160) won bronze.

Photo courtesy Joel Priest/Pine River Times (Bayﬁeld, Colo)

Cedaredge senior Alex McCracken (top) twists up and retracts 5A Aztec, N.M. sophomore Garrett Birzer during the ﬁrst-place bout at 132 pounds in the Photo courtesy Lois Jump Jan. 27 Butch Melton Memorial hosted by Ignacio. McCracken would win the Jared Hulteen wrestles against Dolores in the photo above. Last weekend title by pin with just seven regulation seconds remaining, and the Bruins ultiHulteen ﬁnished third at the Butch Melton Memorial hosted by Ignacio. mately came in second behind 3A Pagosa Springs, 212.5 to 187.5.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Panthers win Delta swim meet Jan. 27 BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

the 200 yd. freestyle relay (Olivia McCrackin, Wollert, Neeley and Hillman) and the 400 yd. freestyle relay (Lene Meneley, Abby Reedy, Amber Mattler and Neeley). Individual thirdplace finishers included LaHoe (200 yd. freestyle), Tamayo (100 yd. freestyle) and Ruble (100 yd. backstroke). Fourth and fifthplace individuals include Tamayo (4th-50 yd. freestyle) and Alaiha Hoffbauer (4th-100 yd. breaststroke). Meneley placed fifth in the 100 yd. freestyle. Delta’s 200 yd. freestyle relay team (Somer Cannon, Nadia Hill, Meneley and Lauryn Metcalf) also placed fifth. Sixth through 12th place finishers were

Ruble (6th-50 yd. freestyle), Taylor Bess (6th100 yd. backstroke), Maddie Sandridge (6th100 yd. breaststroke) and the 200 yd. medley relay team (6th-Abby Reedy, Hoffbauer, Philman, Mattler). A lone seventh-place finsher for Delta was Schotten in the 100 yd. backstroke. An eighth-place finish went to Puruis (50 yd. freestyle and the 100 yd. freestyle) and Reedy in the 100 yd. backstroke. Remaining point-producers were Philman (9th-100 yd. freestyle), Sydni West (10th-50 yd. freestyle), Hill (10th-100 yd. freestyle), Morgan Miller (11th-50 yd. freestyle), Metcalf (11th-100 yd. freestyle) and West (12th-100 yd. freestyle).

Delta won its final home swim meet on Jan. 27. The Panthers earned 434 points to outswim Moffat County (380) and Cortez (21). The Panthers placed first in five events and had six second place finishes on their way to the team title last Saturday at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Individual winners included Kendra Hillman in the 200 yd. IM (2:36.29) and the 100 yd. breaststroke (1:25.54) and Olivia McCrackin in the 50 yd. freestyle (29.09). Delta’s 200 yd. medley relay team (2:16.90) won that race with the combined efforts of Sami Wollert, Hillman, Jordan Tamayo and Olivia McCrackin. Summer Young, Hannah Philman, Emma Puruis and Ashley LaHoe combined talents to win the 400 yd. freestyle in a time of 5:09.90. Individual second place winners were Kaitlyn Neeley (50 yd. freestyle-29.42), Haylee Chamblin (500 yd. freestyle-9:25.65), Olivia McCrackin (100 yd. backstroke with a 1:10.75) and Abby Williams in the 100 yd. breaststroke (1:25.54). Relay teams placing second included the 200 Photo by Wayne Crick yd. medley (Hailee Ruble, Senior Kendra Hillman swims the butterﬂy portion Williams, Taylor Bess of the 200 yd. IM last Saturday. Hillman won the and Kiarrah Schotten); race with a time of 1:36.29

Skylyn Webb stays on pace in track BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

What does it take to be a top college athlete? Many Delta High School faculty members and family and friends, in Delta know the answer to that question. Former Delta High School scholar, and athlete, Skylyn Webb is the epitome of a work ethic which produces superior results. Webb recently competed in an indoor track meet at Western

State College University where she excelled in several events and was instrumental in helping her University of Colorado at Colorado Springs teammates win a team title. This past week Webb not only competed in an event she had not run in college, she won the event in a record time and is now the Division II top female runner in the 800m run. Her 2:08.91 placed her on top of all

DII females in the event. Webb has also competed in the 400m dash with the results lifting her to fourth place among all DII female athletes for that event. Her 55.61 is just under San Francisco State’s Timarya Baynard’s 54.66 who is the number one 400m runner in DIIrankings. Her latest accomplishment came in a track meet held on the campus of Colorado Mines this past weekend.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta High School’s swim team had 10 seniors on the roster this season. Last weekend’s meet at Bill Heddles Recreation Center was the ﬁnal home meet of the season. Seniors were recognized by head coach Karoline Roome and given a rose. Pictured are, from the left, Head Coach Karoline Roome, Ashley Haag (manager), Lauryn Metcalf, Morgan Miller, Lene Meneley, Taylor Bess, Kendra Hillman, Sami Wollert, Olivia McCrackin, Amanda Kuda (manager), Assistant Coach Linda Hollingshead and Jordan Tamayo.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Olivia McCrackin, top, touches ﬁrst to win the 50 yd. freestyle race last Saturday morning at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Second place went to Kaitlyn Neeley, bottom.

Delta athlete to play football in South Dakota Delta High School senior Colton Galvin recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Presentation College, with campuses in both South Dakota and Minnesota. The college is split

across campuses in Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls in South Dakota and Fairmont, Minnesota. There are 15 disciplines available on the Aberdeen campus ranging from athletic training to nursing. The Fari-

mont site in Minnesota is dedicated to nursing and radiologic technology. Presentation College offers six different online programs with two graduate programs offered in family nurse and nurse educator.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Colton Galvin off to Aberdeen

Delta High School senior Colton Galvin has signed a letter of intent to play football at Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D. Galvin intends to play safety for the Saints and plans to study aspects of exercise science while attending college. Joining Galvin in the above photo are, ﬂanking, Lance and Kristine Weiszbrod (parents), and Connie Loy. Along the back row is Ryan Whittington (assistant coach), Luis Meza (assistant coach, Matt Hamm (assistant coach, Tucker Reed, Jodie Reed, Paul Shean (assistant coach, Pablo Payan (assistant coach) and Delta High School head football coach Ben Johnson. Jason Galvin and Jason Loy missed the photo shoot.

Photo submitted

UCCS runner Skylyn Webb runs a leg of the distance medley. Webb, and her teammates, placed ﬁfth in the race on the campus of Western State College University in Gunnison.

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Delta’s Koch first at Invite BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Panther freshman Ben Koch won the 120-pound division, defeating Sterling’s Zach Loft, ranked seventh in state, by fall

(0:56) to win the championship Saturday at the Valley Viking Wrestling invitational at Gilcrest. Koch, who was seeded sixth, also defeated wrestlers from Univer-

sity, Valley and Highland High Schools. Guage Lockhart (195, 17-14) was seeded eighth and placed fourth, and Aiden Barrios (170, 2011) placed fifth.

Aztec, N.M., gets by Bruins in dual action BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Aztec pulled off a 4230 win over the 2A No. 2 ranked Cedaredge Bruins last Friday. Beginning at 126, Sean Dale lost by fall; 132, Alex McCracken won by fall;

138, David Schipmann won by fall; 145, Brody Wagner lost by fall; 152, Colton Hoerr lost by fall; 160, Jered Hulteen won by 15-10 decision; 170, Drew Markley lost by fall; 182, Toby Waddell lost by fall; 195, Pedro

Madaleno won by TB1, 6-4; 220, Taj Van der Linde won by fall; 285, Derek Sanchez won by fall; 106, Sam Campbell lost by fall; 113, Adrian Nieto won by decision (32); 120, Trey Geyer lost by fall.

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SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Eagle boys win league tilts BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Photo by Tamie Meck

Junior Poppy Lightfoot thwarts a fast break attempt in Paonia’s conference win against De Beque.

Paonia girls 5-2 in 2A WSL play BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Paonia girls are now 5-2 in the 2A/1A Western Slope conference and 9-5 overall. On Jan. 23, Paonia played to a 43-21 non-conference loss at Grand Valley (8-4 overall, 2-1, 3A WSL). On Friday night, the Eagles lost a conference battle at Vail Christian by a score of 44-32. On Saturday, Paonia

defeated the De Beque Dragons (5-6, 1-5), 4624. Kassidy Rapke led the Eagles in scoring with 10 points. Rapke also scored a team high 12 points against Vail Christian, and against West Grand. Paonia hosts conference games against North Park (10-4, 3-4) at 5:30 p.m. Friday and West Grand (3-11, 2-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

In what head coach Chase Roeber called “a really big week,” the Paonia Eagles bumped their conference record to 6-1 on wins over Vail Christian Friday and De Beque Saturday. In Friday’s 80-67 win at Vail Christian, senior Enoch Kropp scored a game- and season-high 39 points. Kropp scored 18 from the three-point line and shot 12-of-13 from the free throw line. “It was a really great game for him,” said Roeber. “We did a few things in trying to get him a couple of extra looks, just because he was so hot. And he pulled through. He played well.” The whole team played well, said Roeber. Paonia led, 13-9, at the end of the first quarter. The Saints pulled out all the stops in the second quarter, shooting five threepointers and scoring 28 points to lead, 37-28, at the half. Of their 52 secondhalf points, senior Sean Devlin scored 12 to end the game with 14 points. Kropp was unstoppable in the second half, sinking three treys and shooting 10-of-11 from the line. “He was unconscious there for a little while,” said Roeber. “If he had

Paonia dominates Olathe 59-9 in dual BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

In their final home dual of the season the Paonia Eagles defeated Olathe last Thursday, 599. The dual opened at 160 pounds with Olathe’s Wyatt Mansker winning by an 8-2 decision over Jesse Burns. Paonia won five matches by fall: Anthony Felice (170) over Tegon Harris in 2 minutes, 53 seconds; 182 — Jaden Miller over Norma Alejandro (0:17); 195 — Poncho Lopez over Santiago Perez (1:30), 106 — Regan Todd over Caleb Bachman (0:54), and 145 — Clay Cambpell over Timoteo Pena (1:22). In the heavyweight match, Pirate Chase Sale

won by fall (2:45) over Kaden Heiniger. At 132, Caden Meilner won by a 12-3 major decision over Jonathan Bolinger, and at 138, Sackett Chesnik won by a 9-1 major decision over sixth-ranked Clay Yarnell. Olathe was open at 220, 120 and 126, and both teams were open at 113. In JV action, Olathe’s Brent Gray won at 160 by fall (3:56) over Eagle Carlos Lozano, and at 145, Paonia’s Shane Odem won by fall (3:45) over Vincent Price. Olathe duals Rifle at 6 p.m. Friday and finishes the regular season Saturday at the Norwood Maverick tournament

before heading to the 3A Region 1 tournament on Feb. 9. Paonia will close out the regulation season at 6 p.m. Thursday when it duals Delta.

the ball in his hands he was going to score.” Point guard Slater Podgorny scored 14 points against Vail, and Riley Simianer, David Lozano, Elan Maulhardt and Caden Meilner combined for 14 points. In Saturday’s 73-53 home conference win over De Beque, Devlin scored a game-high 23 points and shot four of four from the line. Devlin set the tone for the Eagles early in the game, scoring three consecutive three-point goals and 11 points in the first quarter. “We clicked pretty well today,” said Roeber. Kropp scored 18, and Meilner came off the bench in the third to shoot two threepointers. In the fourth quarter, Kyle Long, Landon Thliveris and Elijah Evans came off the bench to score a combined seven points and shoot five of six from the line. The Dragons (9-3, 4-3, 1A WSL) are a young team and have been up and down this season, said Roeber. Two starting freshmen, Wes Ryan and Brennan Rigsby, are the team’s top scorers. Ryan averages 15 ppg and scored 16 against Paonia, and Rigsby scored 13. In looking at how to contain Rigsby, the Dragons’ lead scorer who averages 21 points per game, “We just try to limit help on a guy like that and just control him,” said Roeber. “Sean Devlin guarded him, and did a great job,” he said. “But we know we’re not going to shut a guy like that down.” With Vail Christian at 10-3 for the season and De Beque at 9-3, Roeber called the wins “significant” for the Eagles, who are now 9-5 overall

Photo submitted

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These four youngsters were the 8-9 girls and boys Hotchkiss Hoop Shoot winners. From the left, Riley Abney-second place, Roan Spencer-ﬁrst place, Kaleb Crawford-ﬁrst place and Wyatt Thompsonsecond place.

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tough one,” said Roeber. “We also never overlook West Grand, or North Park, for that matter.”

Photo by Tamie Meck

Enoch Kropp scores two of his 18 points in Paonia’s 73-53 win Saturday against De Beque. On Friday night, Kropp scored a season-high 39 points in Paonia’s win over Vail Christian at Edwards.

Hotchkiss fourth at Valley Classic BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Hotchkiss Bulldogs placed nine wrestlers and scored 151 points to finish fourth at the Valley Classic wrestling invitational at Center High School. Twentyseven teams registered for the tournament. Sergio Campos scored 28 points and pinned three of four opponents to win the 120-pound division. In semifinals Campos (23-2) defeated Nicholas Garcia of Monte Vista in a tiebreaker. In the championship match, Campos, ranked second in Class 2A, won by fall (3:20) over second-ranked Owen Berry of 3A Buena Vista. Jace Peebles (152) pinned his way to the championship match, and won silver on a 7-2 loss to Centauri’s Brian Shawcroft. Freshman Robert Cochran (113, 18-8), Devin Curtis (195, 23-7) and Nolan Egging (285,

7-9) placed third. At 120, JD Miller was seeded 15th and placed fourth, and Traycer Hall (132), Kevin Chavez (220) and Christian Matus (285) also placed fourth. On Friday Campos and Presley Pene (126) won by fall in the Bulldogs’ 37-27 dual loss against Class 3A Centauri. At 160, Jake Lange picked up a 7-3 win over Centauri’s Jayden Gomez. In their 51-21 loss to top-ranked Rocky Ford, Devin Curtis (195), Kevin Chavez (220), and Jace Peebles (152) picked up six-point wins. Chavez, who is ranked fourth in the state, pinned ninthranked Simon Apodaca in 46 seconds for the win. No. 2-ranked Campos defeated fourth-ranked Joziah Maestas by a 7-2 decision. Hotchkiss remained at No. 6 in state 2A On the Mat rankings. It wraps up the regular season this Saturday at the Norwood Maverick tournament.

Delta loses to Montrose, Eaton in wrestling duals

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BY WAYNE CRICK

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DCI Sports Editor

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and in sixth place in the 13-team 2A/1A Western Slope conference standings. On Jan. 23, Paonia played to a 74-37 nonconference loss at Grand Valley (11-1, 2-1, 3A WSL). While the Grand Valley game doesn’t count toward their league record, “We knew it was going to be a big game and a tough game,” said Roeber. In the win over Vail Christian, Roeber described the gym at Edwards as “a tough place to play. Their student section is always pretty ramped up for games. To bounce back, physically and emotionally, following the Grand Valley loss and get the win in front of a tough Edwards crowd shows how the team is making improvements. The Eagles are really coming together as a team,” said Roeber, and that’s elevating each member’s level of play. The bench is also playing well. With five games remaining before playoff season, Paonia is in fourth place in conference standings. They played at Vail Mountain (5-10, 3-5) Tuesday night and host North Park (6-7, 2-5) and West Grand (7-7, 4-3) Saturday. Roeber noted that Vail Mountain (5-10, 3-5) lost by four points last week to 7-0 Rangely. That, and the fact that they’re playing at Vail, could make it “a tight game and a

Photo submitted

The Hotchkiss Hoop Shoot winners for the 10-11 boys and girls are, from left, Hunter Moreno-second place, Forrest Gonzalez-ﬁrst place, Brooke Harding-second place and Madeline Brezonick-ﬁrst place.

Photo submitted

The 12-13 boys and girls Hotchkiss Hoop Shoot winners for 2018 are, from left, Moss Inman-ﬁrst place, Isaiah Moreno-second place, Addison Nealﬁrst place and Krystal Goddard-second place.

On Jan. 25 Delta was beaten 39-35 by Montrose’s Indians. A trip to Eaton on Friday ended with the Reds winning by a score of 65-10. Delta’s undefeated, and No. 1 ranked, 285-pounder, Logan Church missed the dual competitions this past week. Against Montrose, action began at 152 where Jeffery Griffith won by fall; Drake Horn won by forfeit at 160; Aiden Barrios won by decision (105) at 170; Kolby Keller lost by fall at 182; Gauge Lockhart won by decision (5-3) at 195; Ethan Lawrence lost by fall at 220; the Panthers lost by forfeit at 285; Alonso Saenz lost by fall at 106; the Panthers lost by forfeit at 113; Ben Koch won by fall at 120; Ayden Tucker lost by fall at 126; Colby Wilson won by fall at 132; Wyatt Kunz lost by decision (8-2) at 138 and Cody Sauve won by TF

at 145. Versus Eaton Delta’s dual fortunes suffered a 65-10 loss to Eaton’s Reds last Friday evening. There was one open weight (113) in the match. Delta’s Ben Koch (120 pounds) was a pinfall winner over Alhan Rodriguez in 1:28 and 160-pounder Drake Horn scored a major decison (9-0) over Judsen Church to account for the Panthers’ scoring. Alonso Saenz lost by fall at 106; Ayden Tucker lost by fall at 126; Colby Wilson lost by fall at 132; Cody Sauve lost by TF; the Panthers forfeited at 145; Brandon Harper lost by fall at 152; Aiden Barrios lost by fall at 170; Kolby Keller lost by fall at 182; Gauge Lockhart lost by fall at 195; Ethan Lawrence lost by fall at 220; the Panthers lost by forfeit at 285. On Jan. 25 Delta was beaten 39-35 by Montrose’s Indians

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Bruin girls lose first hardwood contest BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Photo courtesy Lois Jump

Cedaredge’s Peter Carlson (35) draws attention from four Grand Valley defensive players during last weekend’s 78-41 loss to the Cardinals in Cedaredge. A Saturday night contest in Basalt also resulted in a 3A WSL loss, 63-59.

Photo courtesy Lois Jump

A double-team, comprised of Dahlia Alejandre (33) and Courtney Freeman, attempts to block a shot by a Grand Valley player last Friday night in Cedaredge. The visiting Cardinals dealt Cedaredge its ﬁrst loss of the season, 38-34, in a 3A WSL conference tilt.

The old adage, “on any given day” rings true at all levels of sporting venues. Cedaredge High School has cruised through much of its schedule with a great deal of success. Last week’s prep basketball game against the visiting Grand Valley Cardinals proved it can happen any time. The Bruins were undefeated coming into last week’s Jan. 26 meeting sporting a 2-0 and 10-0 record for the year. Grand Valley had a 7-4 overall record and was 2-1 in 3A WSL play before the weekend play in Cedaredge. The Cardinals managed to do what other teams have tried to do all season long, knock off the Bruins. It took a 15-6 final period to get the job done, 38-34. Cedaredge bounced back on Saturday with a 44-31 win in Basalt. In boys play, the Bruins were tripped up in both their weekend tilts suffering a 78-41 loss to the Cardinals on Friday and falling 63-59 in Basalt on Saturday. Girls GV 38, Bruins 34 Grand Valley showed a preview of its intentions in the first quarter with a 12-8 run. Cedaredge can be slowed down at times but never completely stopped. The Bruins stormed back in the second period to turn the tables with a 142 run of their own to take a 22-14 halftime lead. Grand Valley was three points better than the Bruins in the third

Hotchkiss girls split games Slope conference following a home win Friday DCI Sports Writer The Hotchkiss girls over Hayden and a loss are 7-6 overall and 3- Saturday to Soroco. In their 37-27 win 3 in the 2A/1A Western

BY TAMIE MECK

over Hayden (3-10, 15), Carson Collins led in scoring with 15 points. Kaiya Firor scored nine, and Elsie Vasquez three. With the varsity starters in for most of the first three quarters and Hotchkiss holding a 2412 lead heading into the fourth quarter, coach Haillie Taylor put the five JV players on the court. While the JV players were outscored, 188, for having played an entire JV game earlier in the day, “They did well,” said Taylor. In the fourth quarter, Hayden head coach Michele Eilkie was ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct after making a comment to officials following a foul called against one of her players. After being charged with a technical, Eilkie again commented to

officials, resulting in a second technical and the coach’s ejection from the game. The original foul and two technical fouls called on Eilkie allowed Hotchkiss to shoot six consecutive free throws. Under the CHSAA rules, coaches ejected from a game “shall be suspended from coaching for the next contest at that level, or any other level.” In the event of coach ejection, the CHSAA does not accept appeals or inquiries. On Saturday the Bulldogs played to a 53-42 conference loss to Soroco. With an 11-3 overall, 70 conference record, the Rams are in first place in WSL standings. Hotchkiss will host Meeker at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Cowboys are currently 9-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

quarter and put the game away with a 15-6 run in the fourth period. Bruins 40, Basalt 31 Cedaredge started slowly in the first quarter against Basalt on Saturday. Bruins’ coach Ryan Hilbig turned the Bruins loose in the second quarter and the result was a 21-10 run that created a 32-17 halftime lead. Hilbig admitted his team, “put it on cruise control a little early.” Basalt managed to gain some momentum in the third quarter to score four more points than the Bruins. A low scoring fourth quarter yielded just six points between the two teams with Cedaredge holding on for the 40-31 WSL win. Boys GV 78, Bruins 47 Last Friday night Grand Valley and Cedaredge got together for a 3A WSL conference battle in Cedaredge. There wasn’t much difference between the two teams offensively for the first two quarters. Grand Valley did have a slight advantage and forged a 27-22 lead at halftime. The Cardinals were certainly in control during the third quarter as they poured 28 points through the net to take a 55-27 advantage going to the final period of play. Cedaredge had its best offensive production in the fourth quarter and scored 14 points. Unfortunately for the Bruins Grand Valley had a 23point outing over the final eight minutes of the game and finished with a

78-47 league win. Baylee Piper had the Bruins’ best offensive game with 11 points followed by Jacob Lewis’ 10 and Peter Carlson’s nine counters. Basalt 63, Bruins 59 Cedaredge held a slight scoring advantage in the first half and took a 31-29 lead to the halftime break. A fateful third quarter was again the opponent’s catalyst with Basalt taking control of the game on a 20-12 surge for a 49-43 lead. Cedaredge scored two more points than the Longhorns in the fourth quarter to come up four points short, 63-59. Basalt’s Justin Henderson fueled the Longhorns’ success with 28 points and Raul Torres added 19 points in the win. Cedaredge’s top scorer was Lewis with 23 points. Carlson was close behind with his 21 markers and Jared Reynolds added 13. Cedaredge fell to 0-3 in league play and is 6-6 overall heading into the final weeks of basketball action. Grand Valley, 2-1 and 11-1, is fourth in league standings but owns the best overall record in the league. The Bruins are at home with Olathe on Feb. 2 (6/7:30 p.m. varsity games) and travel to Gunnison on Feb. 3 for 2 and 4:30 p.m. varsity games. Next week’s schedule begins on Tuesday, Feb. 6 with Delta in town for 6 and 7:30 p.m. tipoff times.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Shay Glaser attempts a three-point shot Friday in Hotchkiss’ 37-27 conference win over Hayden. The sophomore scored a season- and team-high 14 points in Saturday’s loss to Soroco’s Rams in a game played in Hotchkiss.

Bulldog boys up their WSL season record to 6-1 BY TAMIE MECK

DCI Sports Writer

The Hotchkiss Bulldogs increased their winning streak to four games last week and upped their conference record to 6-1 with wins over Hayden and Soroco. Both games were played in Hotchkiss. In Friday’s 65-44 win over Hayden (1-12, 0-7), four Bulldogs scored in double digits, led by Ely Sawatzky with 14 points. Point guard Sam Rodriguez ended the game with 11 points. Braxton Trujillo scored 11, and Eli Kirk scored 10. In a fast-paced game that saw both teams take several trips to the line, Hotchkiss scored

on 16 of 24 free throws, with Rodriguez shooting seven-of-eight from the line. In Saturday’s 66-39 win over Soroco, the visiting Rams were held to two first quarter points. The Bulldogs scored 18 points in each of the first three quarters. Eli Patrick started the game with eight first-quarter points. Jacob Stucker scored six of his 13 points in the third quarter and was three-for-six from the line. The Bulldogs are now 10-4 overall and 6-1 and in third place in conference standings. They travel to No. 1 Rangely Friday and host No. 2 Meeker Saturday.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Eli Patrick blocks a shot by Soroco’s Kendall Hood in the Bulldogs’ conference win Saturday over the Rams. Hotchkiss is in third place in 2A/1A WSL standings. It travels to No. 1 Rangely Friday and host No. 2 Meeker at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

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B8 Wednesday, January 31, 2018 BASKETBALL ——— STANDINGS ——— Western Slope Conference (2A) District 5 (Boys) TEAM LEAGUE OVERALL Rangely 7-0 10-4 Hotchkiss 6-1 10-4 Paonia 6-1 9-5 Meeker 5-1 9-3 Vail Christian 6-2 10-3 West Grand 3-3 6-7 Vail Mountain 3-4 5-9 Plateau Valley 1-6 5-6 Caprock Academy 1-6 1-12 Soroco 1-7 3-11 Hayden 0-6 1-11 District 5 (Girls) TEAM LEAGUE OVERALL Soroco 7-0 11-3 Rangely 5-1 11-3 Meeker 5-1 9-4 Vail Christian 5-2 11-2 Paonia 5-2 9-5 West Grand 2-2 3-10 Hotchkiss 3-3 7-6 Plateau Valley 2-6 5-7 Hayden 1-5 3-10 Caprock Academy 0-7 0-12 Vail Mountain 0-0 0-1 Western Slope Conference (3A) (Boys) LEAGUE OVERALL 3-0 10-2 1-0 3-9 3-1 10-2 2-1 11-1 2-1 4-9 2-1 7-6 3-2 9-4 0-3 1-11 0-3 7-6 0-3 6-6

TEAM Coal Ridge Aspen Roaring Fork Grand Valley Basalt Olathe Delta Gunnison Moffat County Cedaredge

TEAM Delta Moffat County Grand Valley Cedaredge Gunnison Olathe Basalt Roaring Fork Coal Ridge Aspen

(Girls) LEAGUE OVERALL 5-0 10-3 3-0 10-3 2-1 8-4 2-1 11-1 2-2 7-6 1-2 4-9 1-2 4-9 1-3 7-5 0-3 5-8 0-3 1-12

——— SCORES LAST WEEK ——— Girls Delta 63, Coal Ridge 51 Delta 46, Olathe 28 Grand Valley 38, Cedaredge 34 Cedaredge 40, Basalt 31 Hotchkiss 37, Hayden 27 Soroco 53, Hotchkiss 42 Grand Valley 43, Paonia 21 Vail Christian 44, Paonia 24 Paonia 46, De Beque 24 Boys Coal Ridge 70, Delta 48 Delta 84, Olathe 70 Grand Valley 78, Cedaredge 41 Basalt 63, Cedaredge 59 Hotchkiss 65, Hayden 44 Hotchkiss 66, Soroco 39 Grand Valley 74, Paonia 37 Paonia 80, Vail Christian 67 Paonia 73, De Beque 53

SPORTS ——— RESULTS ———

Girl’s 3A Western Slope League Cedaredge Head Coach: Ryan Hilbig 52 at Meeker Tny vs Aspen 11/30/17 8 38 at Meeker Tny vs Meeker 12/1/17 37 43 at Meeker Tny vs Soroco 39 57 @ Ridgway 12/5/`7 5 50 vs Hotchkiss @ FCNB 12/15/17 32 47 vs Delta @ FCNB 12/16/17 (OT) 43 40 @ Olathe 1/5/18 15 43 @ Rangely 1/12/18 34 41 @ Delta 1/16/18 (OT) 39 51 vs Coal Ridge 1/20/18 42 34 vs Grand Valley 1/26/18 38 40 @ Basalt 1/27/18 31 Record: 2-1, 11-1 Up Next: 2/2/18 vs Olathe 6 p.m.; 2/3/18 @ Gunnison 6 p.m.; 2/6/18 vs Delta 6 p.m. Delta Head Coach: Kyle Crowder 64 vs Hotchkiss 12/5/17 38 62 @ Basalt 12/7/17 25 53 vs Olathe 12/12/17 45 48 vs Paonia @ FCNB 12/15/17 36 43 vs Cedaredge @ FCNB 12/16/17 (OT) 47 55 vs Roaring Fork 1/5/18 39 32 vs Montrose 1/12/18 43 51 vs Gunnison 1/13/18 25 39 vs Cedaredge 1/16/18 (OT) 41 53 vs Telluride 1/19/18 17 56 vs Basalt 1/20/18 54 63 @ Coal Ridge 1/26/18 51 46 @ Olathe 1/27/18 28 Record: 5-0, 10-3 Up Next: 2/1/18 @ Aspen 5:30 p.m.; 2/2/18 @ Gunnison 5:30 p.m.; 2/6/18 @ Cedaredge 6 p.m.

Boys 3A Western Slope League Cedaredge Head Coach: Craig Cerise 57 @ Ridgway 12/5/17 24 53 vs Rangely @ White River Tny 12/7/17 39 38 @ Meeker @ White River Tny 12/8/17 71 75 vs Soroco @ White River Tny 12/9/17 58 69 vs Hotchkiss @ FCNB 12/15/17 63 54 vs Delta @ FCNB 12/16/17 71 71 @ Olathe 1/5/18 80 64 @ Rangely 1/12/18 63 49 @ Delta 1/16/18 45 56 vs Coal Ridge 1/20/18 66 41 vs Grand Valley 1/26/18 78 59 @ Basalt 1/27/18 63 Record: 0-3, 6-6 Up Next: 2/2/18 vs Olathe 7:30 p.m.; 2/3/18 @ Gunnison 4 p.m.; 2/6/18 vs Delta 7:30 p.m. Delta Head Coach: Rob Ames 84 vs Hotchkiss 12/5/17 59 64 @ Basalt 12/7/17 58 70 vs Olathe 12/12/17 45 62 vs Paonia @ FCNB 12/15/17 30 71 vs Cedaredge @ FCNB 12/16/17 54 47 vs Roaring Fork 1/5/18 59 43 vs Montrose 1/12/18 49 53 vs Gunnison 1/13/18 22 45 vs Cedaredge 1/18/18 49 69 vs Telluride 1/19/18 43 60 vs Basalt 1/20/18 50 48 @ Coal Ridge 1/26/18 70 84 @ Olathe 1/27/18 70 Record: 3-2, 9-4 Up Next: 2/1/18 @ Aspen 7 p.m.; 2/2/18 @ Gunnision 7 p.m.; 2/6/18 @ Cedaredge 7:30 p.m.

Girls 2A District 5 Hotchkiss Head Coach: Haillie Taylor 44 at Paonia Shootout vs Nucla 11/30/17 25 67 at Paonia Shootout vs Rid 12/1/17 11 61 at Paonia Shootout vs Nor 12/2/17 38 38 @ Delta 12/5/17 64 54 @ Telluride 12/7/17 33 32 vs Cedaredge @ FCNB 12/15/17 50 32 vs Paonia @ FCNB 12/16/17 35 72 @ Caprock Academy 1/5/18 7 45 vs Plateau Valley 1/6/18 41 40 @ De Beque 1/13/18 44 39 @ Paonia 1/18/18 55 37 vs Hayden 1/26/18 27 42 vs Soroco 1/27/18 53 Record: 3-3, 7-6 Up Next: 2/2/18 @ Rangely 5:30 p.m.; 2/3/18 vs Meeker 4 p.m.

Boys 2A District 5 Hotchkiss Head Coach: Eric Hollembeak 77 at Paonia Shootout vs Nucla 11/30/17 27 31 at Paonia Shootout vs Rid 12/1/17 28 69 at Paonia Shootout vs Nor 12/2/17 21 59 @ Delta 12/5/17 84 82 @ Telluride 12/7/17 78 63 vs Cedaredge @ FCNB 12/15/17 69 43 vs Paonia @ FCNB 12/16/17 60 77 @ Caprock Academy 1/5/18 26 61 vs Plateau Valley 1/6/18 53 45 @ De Beque 1/13/18 54 55 @ Paonia 1/18/18 50 50 @ Vail Mountain 1/20/18 33 65 vs Hayden 1/26/18 44 66 vs Soroco 1/27/18 39 Record: 6-1, 10-4 Up Next: 2/2 @ Rangely 7 p.m.; 2/3 vs Meeker 5:30 p.m.

Paonia Head Coach: Scott Rienks at Paonia Shootout vs Nor 11/30/17 vs Ridgway @ Paonia TNY 12/2/17 @ Olathe 12/5/17 vs Coal Ridge 12/8/17 vs Delta @ FCNB 12/15/17 vs Hotchkiss @ FCNB 12/16/17 @ Plateau Valley 1/5/18 vs Caprock Academy 1/6/18 @ Soroco 1/12/18 @ Hayden 1/13/18 vs Hotchkiss 1/18/18 @ Grand Valley 1/23/18 @ Vail Christian 1/26/18 vs De Beque 1/27/18

Paonia Head Coach: Chase Roeber at Paonia Shootout vs Nor 12/1/17 at Paonia Shootout vs Rid 12/2/17 @ Olathe 12/5/17 vs Coal Ridge 12/8/17 vs Delta @ FCNB 12/15/17 vs Hotchkiss @ FCNB 12/16/17 @ Plateau Valley 1/5/18 vs Caprock Academy 1/6/18 @ Soroco 1/12/18 @ Hayden 1/17/18 vs Hotchkiss 1/18/18 @ Grand Valley 1/23/18 @ Vail Christian 1/26/18 vs De Beque 1/27/18

42 60 28 26 36 35 47 61 22 39 55 21 32 46

11 9 35 25 48 32 23 8 55 19 39 43 44 24

Record: 5-2, 9-5 Up Next: 2/2/18 vs North Park 5:30 p.m.; 2/3/18 vs West Grand 2:30 p.m.

Delta County Independent

54 54 52 55 30 60 68 70 70 54 50 37 80 73

Photo courtesy Joel Priest/Pine River Times (Bayﬁeld, Colo)

Cedaredge freshman Adrian Nieto digs in to hold his ground against Pagosa Springs freshman Dylan Tressler during the ﬁrst-place bout at 113 pounds late in the Jan. 27 Butch Melton Memorial hosted by Ignacio. Nieto won 4-3, but the Bruins ultimately came in second behind the 3A Pirates, 212.5 points to 187.5.

34 18 66 64 62 43 37 20 42 37 55 74 67 53

Record: 6-1, 9-5 Up Next: 2/2/18 vs North Park 7 p.m.; 2/3/18 vs West Grand 4 p.m.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta junior Missa Webb scores two points with Olathe’s Shaylee Hancock applying pressure and the Panthers’ Kaley St. Peter (5) trailing the play in case there was a missed shot for a putback opportunity. Delta won the 3A WSL contest 46-28.

Photo courtesy Lois Jump

Baylee Piper gets to the rim against Grand Valley during game action in Cedaredge last Friday night. The Cardinals scored a 78-41 win to move to 11-1 overall and 2-1 in 3A WSL play.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge’s Grace Andrews rolls the ball off her ﬁngers on a three-point attempt against the visiting Grand Valley Cardinals last Friday night in Cedaredge. Grand Valley did what no other team has been able to do this Photo courtesy Lois Jump Cedaredge’s True Jiron works for a reversal against his Dolores opponent in season; defeat the Bruins 38-34, dropping them to 11-1 overall and 2-1 in the 3A WSL. a recent match.

SURFACE CREEK January 31, 2018

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Residents reminded: ‘Don’t feed the deer’ BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Cody Purcell was busy last week. Purcell, the district wildlife manager for Colorado Parks & Wildlife was in Cedaredge going door to door to remind well-meaning town dwellers to stop feeding wild deer. Due to concerns raised by residents adjacent to the golf course, he concentrated his efforts there — talking to homeowners and distributing flyers. Every winter, mule deer

Photo by Don Benjamin

Flyers are appearing on doorknobs in Cedaredge to remind residents to stop feeding wild deer.

migrate into town and residents are under the mistaken impression that they are helping the animals by providing them with grain, corn, hay or other “domestic” food. But this is false. Deer have a unique digestive system. To thrive they must eat natural plants that are easily digested. Native plants contain important bacteria that help the deer extract nutrients. Artificial feed cannot be properly digested and eating it can kill the animal. As Purcell puts it, wellintentioned residents can “literally love their wildlife to death.” In addition to harming the animals, fed deer are less fearful of humans and are tempted to move into yards and gardens where they can damage property and become aggressive when encountering humans and pets. Moreover, deer that are fed tend to congregate which can lead to the spread of disease among the herd and adjacent livestock. And concentrations of deer pose another more immediate danger. A large passive deer herd attracts predators and already mountain lions have been sighted in the golf course area. As if endangering the animals and the community were not sufficient reasons to stop feeding deer, the practice is unlawful. Under Colorado law, a person who intentionally feeds big game animals is subject to citation and fines. Purcell hopes that residents won’t have to face fines once everyone is reminded that deer can manage perfectly well without artificial feeding. Residents with questions or concerns are welcome to contact Purcell at 970-8353851.

Photo by Gerry Mendralla

Because area residents feed them, increasing numbers of deer are congregating on the Cedaredge golf course.

A historic moment in time for Pat Means BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Earlier this month Pat Means officially stepped down from her position as chairperson for the Historical Preservation Advisory Board. Her decision itself was an historic event since it signaled something unique for a woman who has been immersed for 15 years in the fabric of her community. For the first time in a long time Means, who has habitually stepped forward, is stepping back. A decade and a half ago she retired from operating a Glenwood Springs bed and breakfast and relocated to Cedaredge where she immediately became involved in local activities. Means was Photo by Don Benjamin

Bruce Stanley takes over as Orchard City, Cedaredge building inspector BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Bruce Stanley is quickly getting up to speed as building inspector for both Orchard City and Cedaredge. Although Cedaredge has zoning and Orchard City does not, and Cedaredge has a code enforcement officer and Orchard City does not, both communities have adopted the 2006 building codes for residential and commercial construction. As building inspector, Stanley oversees new construction, repairs, rebuilds, remodels and excavations — in other words, any project that requires a permit. His primary focus is protecting public safety; second is his desire to help folks accomplish their goals. “The whole point is not to put up roadblocks, but to find the best way of accomplishing what folks want to do with a friendly, progressive, productive approach,” he said. Stanley is a mining engineer by trade and worked on several large industrial projects before moving to western Colorado. He was recently certified in inspection of residential construction and will be taking the exam for commercial certification within a month. He also trained under Dan Scott, the former building inspector for Cedaredge and Orchard City, for whom he said he has the highest regard. While the building codes are voluminous, they can not address every specific set of conditions. In those cases, the building inspector has the authority to interpret the standards to determine if the intent of the building code is being met. If it’s impossible or impractical to comply with the requirements of the building code, Stanley will work with the builder or homeowner to determine how best to meet the challenge. At the completion of the project, Stanley will issue either a certificate of occupancy (for a residence or commercial structure), or a certificate of completion. A certificate of completion is issued when the homeowner has continued to occupy the dwelling during construction — for example,

during replacement of the roof or the remodel of a kitchen after a small fire. Permits are not finalized without first verifying compliance with county and state regulations for septic, plumbing and electrical systems. Occasionally, the Colorado Department of Transportation must also sign off on access. Stanley handles only structural concerns. Although Stanley works just two days a week — Tuesday/Thursday mornings in Cedaredge and Tuesday/Thursday afternoons in Orchard City, he tries not to hold up work on a job site. If he’s driving through town, he’ll stop by and take a look at the work in progress, upon request. If he can’t make it, he asks for a photo to document the work. “Yes, I will reject some inspections based upon code requirements, but I will talk to the constructor or owner and explain why,” he said. Education and, occasionally, guidance for novice do-it-yourselfers go with the job. Building codes are updated every three years, Stanley said, with 2018 being the most recent update. “Eventually we’re going to have to upgrade to a more recent code,” he said, but trustees may elect to make exceptions to some provisions.

The new codes are much more restrictive in some cases, Stanley noted. For example, the 2015 building code requires sprinkler systems in all new residences, which could be quite costly, but adopting the standards for energy efficiency are also much more stringent. In adopting a newer building code, municipalities can make exceptions to some of those provisions, Stanley said. In regards to enforcement, Stanley said, “We don’t go looking for problems, even though Cedaredge does have code enforcement. Violations have to be fairly significant.” Stanley said he is continually learning on the job, and is enjoying networking with other professionals and meeting new people. With construction on the uptick in both Cedaredge and Orchard City, he’ll have even more opportunities to get out and about and meet new people. Cedaredge had three home starts in 2016 and eight in 2017. There were a total of 51 permits for repairs, rebuilds, remodels and excavations in 2017, compared to 45 in 2016. In Orchard City, 51 permits were issued in 2017, compared to 32 in 2016. Residential home starts jumped from five in 2016 to 16 in 2017.

Photo by Don Benjamin

Bruce Stanley splits his time between Orchard City and Cedaredge, serving as building inspector for both communities. Construction activity is on the rise throughout the Surface Creek area.

After a busy year as chairperson of the Cedaredge Historical Preservation Advisory Board, Pat Means is stepping down to pursue other community interests. Each building added to the town’s historic list receives a plaque commemorating its original use and the year of construction. impressed with Cedaredge’s heritage and joined in efforts to preserve and celebrate local history as soon as she arrived. This included work with Pioneer Town and the Historical Society. She also joined other community organizations including Friends of the Cedaredge Public Library and the Meals on Wheels program for seniors. In 2008 she ran for public office and served a year as a town trustee then seven years as mayor. During her time as mayor her dedication to historic preservation increased when Cedaredge began upgrading its downtown area. In 2014, when Main Street was completely renovated, workers discovered an old fire-pit on the west end of the street — a place where a hundred years earlier residents had dumped and burned trash. And when the street workers dug deeper they encountered huge subterranean boulders around which early builders had creatively snaked water pipes. “Everywhere you looked,” she recalls, “there were memories of historic Cedaredge.” She proudly displays the Cedaredge Heritage Trail brochure — a guidebook to a walking tour of vintage Surface Creek structures. The brochure is available at Pioneer Town or from the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce at 245 West Main Street. The tour begins in Eckert with that community’s distinctive Presbyterian Church built between 1915 and 1919. And it ends in Cedaredge at a Sears Catalog House built in 1911. “You opened the Sears catalog,” Means explained, “picked a house plan, ordered the materials, and put it all together.” The walking tour brochure was published in 2016 and already it has been outdated by the addition of four more historic sites with a dozen more waiting in the wings. Eventually it got to be more than Means, who has experienced health issues, could handle. And so she has begun cutting back. Of course, that doesn’t mean giving up everything. She’s still President of the Friends

of the Library and President of the Surface Creek Lions Club. She’s proud that the Lions recently awarded $3,000 in student scholarships, all funded by Bingo. And she remains active with the Cedaredge Library Foundation, the Ladies Golf Club, the Literary Guild, and — well you get the idea. Her idea of “stepping back” doesn’t mean “shutting down.” Aside from her continuing interest in town history, Means’ current passion is to increase her involvement with the town’s 100-year-old Literary Guild. Each year the guild hosts a party for young women graduating from Cedaredge High School and Means is often called upon to speak at the gathering. The event is held, fittingly, in the historic Stolte Shed — a community gathering spot named for Dr. Ernest Stolte who built the Sears catalog house. Community women and new graduates meet to celebrate the milestone of high school completion and the beginning of future adventures. Each graduating girl is welcomed into a community of supporting mentors and given a book to commemorate the event. And speaking of books, last year the guild opened a “Little Free Library’” which resides on an outside wall of the Stolte Shed. The guild keeps the little library supplied with books which the public is invited to take and read. The guild is planning to open a second site somewhere in town. An interest in libraries comes naturally to Means who spent many happy childhood hours reading books. “I lived at the library,” she recalls. And it seems appropriate that she continues to pursue her community work in Colorado because she has vivid memories of the first time she visited the state. At an early age, a family trip included a visit to the Garden of the Gods and, after seeing such spectacular scenery, she declared in no uncertain terms, “I’m going to live in Colorado!” She has fulfilled that wish and the Cedaredge community has been all the better for it.

C2 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Cedaredge trustees approve $818,000 waterline project BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Community teamwork

Photo submitted

Community teamwork achieved a fundraising milestone when Rotary of Cedaredge stepped forward last week to meet Bank of Colorado’s challenge. The bank had pledged to match January donations to the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center (GMAEC) up to $5,000 and Rotary’s $2,000 gift put the effort over the top. “I am grateful to be in a community where three organizations work together so readily to achieve a goal. This kind of mutual support is what makes Cedaredge a really great place to live,” said Deborah Shaffer, GMAEC board president. Pictured left to right are Steve DeFeyter, Rotary president; Gloria Good, Rotary secretary/treasurer; GMAEC board president Shaffer; and Kacy Stillings, market president for Bank of Colorado. The next GMAEC fundraiser is Feb. 14 at the AppleShed in Cedaredge. Tickets for the Valentine’s Day event are available at Reve Portraits and Starr’s Guitars in Cedaredge.

Cedar Mesa Community Club hosts annual soup supper

On Saturday, Feb. 3, everyone is invited to join their friends and neighbors at the Cedar Mesa Clubhouse for a soup supper between 5 and 7 p.m. The clubhouse is located at 15637 Peach Road on Cedar Mesa, approximately three miles east of Cedaredge. There will be a wonderful variety of homemade soups to choose from. Last year’s event offered 13 different kinds of soup to sample. The Cedar Mesa Community Club is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that has been a presence in the Cedar Mesa and Cedaredge community for 110 years, supporting

local charities such as the Surface Creek Community Services Food Bank, the Friends of Cedaredge Animal Control, the Christmastime Angel Giving Tree, Christmas dinner food baskets, and the community Christmas dinner. The club’s charitable activity also reaches out to countywide organizations such as Tri-County Resource Center, Food for Thought and House of Promise. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser soup supper, along with the profit from the annual spring gourmet dinner, are earmarked for the club’s scholarship fund. Each year club members

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present scholarships to deserving high school seniors who reside on Cedar Mesa. Thanks to generous support from the community at these events, the club has been able to fund many sizeable scholarships the past several years. Tickets or reservations are not necessary for the Feb. 3 soup supper. Club members simply request a donation at the door in exchange for your tastings. Seating may be limited at times in the little Cedar Mesa Clubhouse, but the ladies of the club promise you warm hospitality and some delicious soups, plus drinks and dessert. For more information about the soup supper, or about the Cedar Mesa Community Club, contact Bev Henry at 856-4165.

The Cedaredge Board of Trustees met in regular session on Jan. 18. Water was a dominant theme as the trustees approved an $818,000 bid for the Highway 65 waterline replacement project and increased funding for the town’s 2018 water and wastewater utility relief fund. In other waterrelated actions, the trustees approved a reduction in the water rate to be paid by the Surface Creek Saddle Club, gave rare approval to a proposed in-town septic system, and heard concerns from Cedaredge Golf Club staff regarding the condition of the golf course grounds and irrigation system. After interviewing the two lowest bidders for the Highway 65 waterline replacement project, staff recommended the trustees accept the bid of Western Gravel Constructors which submitted the lowest bid. The other firm interviewed was Ridgway Valley Enterprises. Staff recommended Western Gravel for three reasons: 1) The low bid of $818,000 is within the budget. 2) Rather than digging an open trench, Western Gravel plans to bore the horizontal waterline at a vertical depth of six feet — well below the level where other utility lines run. Staff is particularly concerned that gas lines be avoided. Western will use a state-ofthe-art pneumatic drill which will allow them to drill straight through Cedaredge’s typical substrata which, for the most part, consists of clay and

rock. As with any digging, cobble — essentially loose pebbles of varying sizes — will present a problem, but cobble is rare in this area and not expected below the highway. 3) Western will not require Cedaredge water users impacted by the project to make use of temporary above-ground water lines. They plan to completely bore the new line, thoroughly clean it, and then hook up users to the new line. The town offers a water and wastewater utility relief fund for qualified citizens. The trustees approved a resolution to increase the amount of the fund and to modify staff procedures to be followed in administering the fund. Residents seeking Cedaredge relief assistance must first apply to the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP), a federal program designed to help lowincome households home heating costs. A household that receives LEAP approval is issued a letter which must be presented to the Town of Cedaredge for water/wastewater relief. The LEAP application can be obtained from Delta County Health and Human Services by calling 1-866-432-8435, or by visiting the Delta office at 560 Dodge Street, or the Hotchkiss office at 196 West Hotchkiss Avenue. LEAP heating assistance extends from Nov. 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018; however the Cedaredge water/wastewater relief program covers the entire year. The Surface Creek Saddle Club has a larger than average water line which

ordinarily means a higher water bill but the club is a nonprofit that uses the water three months of the year and usage is low. Given their special situation, the trustees approved a reduced monthly rate for the club. A large parcel in north Cedaredge, in the vicinity of NW Fir Avenue, is being developed with a plan to put a single family dwelling in a location that is more than 400 feet from the closest town sewer main. Although Cedaredge has a procedure for septic systems within town limits, the town does not have the expertise to issue a permit. Town staff has worked with the developer and Delta County to create a plan that calls for the county to serve as Cedaredge’s “review agency” to issue a permit to install a septic system. Cedaredge will withhold a town building permit until the Delta County Environmental Health Department issues an appropriate septic permit. Trustees approved the plan with a stipulation added by trustee Al Smith that Cedaredge will not be billed for this service. Staff assured the trustees that the developer will be required to pay for Delta County services. Barring special meetings, the trustees typically meet twice a month: once for a work session on the second Thursday and again for a regular meeting on the third Thursday. Unless otherwise announced, all meetings begin at 5 p.m. in the Cedaredge Civic Center, Grand Mesa Room, 140 NW 2nd Street.

It’s time to license your dog It’s time to get your four-legged furry friends licensed. If you live within the Town of Cedaredge and have a dog, the law requires you to license your pet. Register your dog in person at town hall, 235 W. Main Street. Cost is $10 for dogs that are spayed/neutered and $50 for dogs that are not spayed/neutered. For more information, call Michelle at 856-4301. Dogs must be licensed by Jan. 31.

Local winners

Photo by Don Benjamin

Local winners of the 2017 Veterans of Foreign Wars essay competitions were honored last week in Cedaredge by Grand Mesa VFW Post #9221. Honored essayists received a plaque and a cash award. Left to right are Cedaredge High School senior Katrina Becker and CHS freshman Ellison Black, then Megan Jenkins and Tristine Keller, both eighth grade students at Cedaredge Middle School. Not pictured are essay winners McKenzie Lee, an eighth grade student at CMS, and Alayna Edwards, a CHS sophomore.

Learn to connect through storytelling Do you want to learn how to better tell stories? Come to Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church for a 10hour class, “Connecting Through Storytelling,” from Feb. 15-18. There are only 10 openings — register early. The leader is veteran storyteller and storytelling teacher, Kitty Dutenhaver. She trained at Second City in Chicago and is completing a book, “Storytelling for Older Adults.” She is the host and co-producer of “Storytelling By Older Adults For Older Adults” at Celtic Knot Pub, Evanston, Ill. Dutenhaver, with graduate degrees in law and religion, is a retired law professor and mediator. Past participants say these things: ”I did not like her (a person in the class) before I took the class. Now that I have heard her stories, I would

like to get to know her better.” “At first I worried I had no stories to tell. Then I was surprised I actually did have stories and even more surprised when people listened.” “I wondered how I would last through (the whole) class, but the time flew by.” “I never thought I could say so much in three minutes.” “Can we have a class reunion?” All participants need to attend all sessions: Thursday, Feb. 15, 58 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 16, 5-8 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to noon at Cedaredge United Methodist Church. On Saturday afternoon, voluntary half-hour presentation tutorials will be available. The entire cost is $30. To register or for more information, contact Pamela Gubkin at the church office as soon as possible, 970-856-3696 or cedaredgecumc@tds.net.

The Delta County Independent publishes engagements, anniversaries and wedding stories free of charge.

TELEVISION LISTINGS

Delta County Independent

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TELEVISION LISTINGS

Delta County Independent

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Plants of the Western Slope A look at local flora with Evelyn Horn

Sorting seeds

Photo by Don Benjamin

Envelopes and labels, spoons and patience, were the main ingredients needed by volunteers last week as they sorted donations for the Delta County seed library. Clockwise, beginning at left, are Patt Jones, Jinx Pettus, Judy Mason, and Kathleen Ray. Pettus is a library assistant at Cedaredge library; the other volunteer sorters are Cedaredge residents. A variety of seeds from carrots to plums to dill were donated by Cedaredge Library patrons. Similar donation and sorting processes take place at all ﬁve libraries in the Delta County library system. Once sorted and labeled, the seed packets are forwarded to Hotchkiss to be added to an ever-growing collection housed there. Eventually this year’s additions — along with nearly 2,000 other varieties already sorted — will be available for check-out from any county library. The seed collection began in Paonia in 2013. In March 2017, Alpine Bank donated funds to expand the program countywide.

Community garden preps for 10th season The Cedaredge Community Gardens Association kicks off its 10th season with its annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Creekside Cafe. “Anyone interested in the activities at the garden is welcome to attend,” said Dea Jacobson, treasurer. “We have a few plots available and membership is $25 per 10’x20’ plot. The garden provides water, mulching materials, organic manure and all the equipment necessary on site for successful gardening at one low membership fee,” she added. In addition to supplying the public gardening opportunities, the garden has dedicated space to supply fresh produce to the local food bank. Garden President Mary John

Cottonwood I I gaze out the dining room window. A bird shape glides from our cottonwood tree and lands in the neighbor’s pasture. The bird looks like it’s foraging and then it returns to the cottonwood. And again I wonder, “How many times have I watched our pair of ravens do this?” Or was it our Lewis’s woodpecker that I saw? That special bird of ours draws a crowd every spring during Eckert Crane Days. But Lewis’s is a bit different: it sits on power lines to snatch flying insects like a moth. Or it glides freely over the pasture across the road, apparently insect catching. The pair bond may be permanent and the male not only guards the nest and food hoard but incubates and broods at night. I’ve often seen several birds in the area, and wondered, “Are they

BY TRACY IHNOT

Photo courtesy Dea Jacobson

reported that the garden has donated approximately 700 pounds of fresh local produce to the Food Bank since the 2014 season. All surplus produce

from the garden is made available to Food Bank patrons. The Garden can be reached through Facebook and can be reached by calling Dea at 970210-8587.

CMS students recognized

Cedaredge Middle were named to the honor ond quarter of the 2017School is pleased to rec- roll or made Breakfast of 18 school year: ognize the students who Champions for the sec-

young ones?” But a few years back, new folks moved into our neighborhood. I could never catch the owner-gun-dead bird together. More’s the pity! Or perhaps it was the orioles that we observed raising their young one and teaching it to feed from our trumpet vine — but the young one tore the blossoms to shreds! With blossoms aplenty, the young bird’s antics were humorous to watch. Or maybe it was the bald eagle that came to sit, contented, in our tree. Of course the starlings slept in the trees and I listened to them singing. They left in the morning and went foraging across the road

Get ready to love your library Delta County Libraries

The Cedaredge Community Gardens kicks off its 10th season with its annual meeting on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Creekside Cafe.

in the pasture (and who knows where else). Or maybe it was the crows. They passed us by in numbers of 20 or more, all flying in formation (more or less). The lovely white-crowned sparrows, the scrub jay and the juncos came to us each winter. They flew from the cottonwoods to the trumpet vine and then over to our small ‘bosque.’ One winter there was a brown creeper that gleaned the bark up the cottonwood, and then flew down to start at the bottom again. We had a white-breasted nuthatch that gleaned from the bark —always going downward. Of course we’ve had the red-headed house finches and loads of house sparrows and plenty of other species fly by, but those days are gone. On Monday, Jan. 22, they began taking down our trees. Not by choice, but by necessity.

February is a time for sweethearts, candy hearts, red roses and valentines. It is also a time to show affection for local libraries! February is Library Lovers Month and here in Delta County there is likely a lot of love to go around. Statistics for 2017 illustrate that Delta County residents are regularly utilizing library services in a variety of ways. Each day about 926 people walked into the five libraries, checking out 511 print materials and 339 movies every single day. Library programs attracted approximately 110 patrons in to the libraries and other community spaces every day. Public computers in the libraries averaged 138 daily logins and patrons checked out 73 audio and e-audio materials and 36 e-books every single day. “Our librarians see daily foot traffic and respond to customer service needs in a way that is comparable to retail stores,” says LaDonna Gunn, assistant district director of Delta

County Libraries. “The libraries bring people into our downtown areas where they engage with others, seek knowledge and information, participate in library activities, support other establishments, and so much more.” Library patrons rarely have to pull out their pocketbooks when they visit their local libraries, except when settling overdue fines, lost item fees, or printing and copying costs. However, for some library users, fines and fees create a barrier for continued use of the libraries. “In the spirit of Library Lovers Month, we want to invite patrons who have stopped using our services due to overdue fines back into the libraries,” says Lea Hart, district director of Delta County Libraries. On Feb. 28, Delta County Libraries is offering a onetime fine forgiveness day to mark the end of Library Lovers Month. “We are extending to library users the opportunity of a fresh start with this one-time event,” says Hart. “We are also asking our patrons to reciprocate

on our offer by finding and returning lost items and paying their fines or someone else’s fines in the form of a donation, if they can.” In addition, the days leading up to fine forgiveness day are an opportunity for library staff and patrons to express their mutual affection for each other. Patrons are encouraged to show their support by joining a friends group, volunteering, making a one-time or recurring donation, attending a program, encouraging a neighbor to visit the library, or stopping in just to say “hi” to a librarian. “We have heard our patrons express their great need and appreciation for our public libraries,” Hart states. “We hope this campaign, in connection with fine forgiveness, will inspire community members to support the libraries in their own way.” For more information on supporting your library or getting involved, visit your local library or the Delta County Libraries website at www.delta libraries.org.

Delta County Photo submitted

Pictured above are (in alphabetical order) sixth grade students Lillie Andrews, Jaxson Blair, Josiah Blanks, Judah Blanks, Elizabeth Brooks, Aniyha Cohick, Jada Deane, Christopher Hatheway, Alexandra Hirsch, Paityn Hogan, Emma Jenkins, John King, Corbin Loucks, Alexandra Mannon, Landon Martin, David Martinez, Kayla Mitchell, Kiera Mullally, Camden Myers, Hadassah Payne, June Pulver, Andrew Purvis, Emmaleah Rains, Hayden Rupp, Krystal Saenz, Keaton Sanders, Dylan Signs, Logan Tullis, Leah Vader, Rosita Varela, Hunter Voss and Kacey Walck.

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Pictured above are (in alphabetical order) seventh grade students Elyxa Belveal, Nathan Black, Jackson Brown, Kyle Brown, Laura Carey, Megan Conway, Jackson Cooper, Mackenzie Crawford, Rhiannon Dillie, Harlyn Gray, Ezra Hawbaker, Hailey Hayes-Pursley, Kade Henderson, Victoria Hirsch, Ayralin Hoffbauer, Kole Hawkins, Anita King, Nikolette McKinney, Faith Morrow, Graceanne Prosser, Jocelyn Rivera, Keona Rodriguez, Breanna St. Hilaire, Tommy Stallings, Faith Williams, Hope Williams and Sophia Williams.

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Photo submitted

Pictured above are (in alphabetical order) eighth grade students Savannah Baldozier, Courtney Brown, Karlie Hanson, Lucas Hoerr, Olivia Hohenstein, Megan Jenkins, Hunter Kissner, Ashton Koch, Amberlyn Lamm, Paige McGovern, Kacey McIntire, Nicholas Moulton, Lauren Pierce, Keyra Sheppard, Faith Vader, Isabella Vasquez and Ty Walck.

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C6 Wednesday, January 31, 2018

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Journey from shame and guilt to self-acceptance “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky, but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy — the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of light. Owning our story and loving ourselves through the process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” These words from “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown form the basis for a class titled “Wholehearted SelfAcceptance: A Journey

from Shame and Guilt to Abundant Living.” This class is designed to support the participant on an internal journey of uncovering old patterns and beliefs about

guilt and shame that limit living an abundant life. This course draws from the Brene Brown’s book, plus “5 Gifts for an Abundant Life” by Diane Harmony.

The class will be offered at the Center for Spiritual Life, 658 Howard Street, Monday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. beginning Feb. 5. The cost is $125 for five

weeks. Discover the joys of self-love, self-worth and self-acceptance. Explore courage, compassion and connection as you cultivate gratitude and joy

for who you are as a person. This class will be led by Penny Rubala and Debra Dawkins. For more information, call Rubala at 778-0562.

Put the mark of love on your valentines Love once again is in the mail and bound for Loveland and Colorado! Loveland, CO 80538 has the biggest valentine remailing program of any community in the world, in which people request the postmark of the special love-themed named post office and community. (Others include Valentine, NE 69201; Romance, AR 72136; Loving, NM

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88256; Romeo, MI 8065 and Juliette, GA 31046.) Besides the popular LOVELAND valentine pictorial postmark, each envelope and postcard is also stamped with a special Loveland souvenir cachet or art design and love verse. The community and chamber of commerce host an annual contest to select the special cachet and verse.

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Postmaster Attention Valentines 446 E. 29th St. Loveland, CO 80538 You can save the cost of the extra stamps and envelopes, however. Judy Anderson, a former resident of Loveland, has arranged drop boxes in businesses around Delta County to make it easy to send a valentine with

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To have valentines remailed with the Loveland postmark, enclose your pre-stamped, preaddressed envelopes (envelopes should each have 49-cent postage; postcards should have 34cents postage). Add extra postage for heavier/odd shaped and square valentines. Mail in a large stamped envelope with postage to:

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the Loveland postmark. Simply drop off your card, fully addressed with the appropriate postage, and it will be delivered to Loveland for a special cachet on the envelope. Valentines will be picked up at Hays Drug in Paonia, Feb. 1; City Market in Delta and Hotchkiss, Feb. 1; and Cedaredge Food Town, Feb. 5.

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Classifieds

January 31, 2018

Real Estate

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DCI DEADLINES

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THE FAMILY OF ROBERT “Bob” Burritt would like to thank our friends and family for all the support, love, prayers, food, flowers, cards and hugs. He fought a long hard battle with cancer, never once complaining. Thank you Dr. Freese, Dr. Tjan, St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center, Grand Mesa Infusion Center, Professional Case Management nurses Tara Styck and Amber Farnsworth, the nurses at HopeWest, and Lance Boren from Taylor Funeral Service. The care you all gave Bob was so appreciated by all of us. A big thank you to Pastor Jim Jesser and Pastor Don Anderson for the comforting service for Bob. The stories shared by each of you were such special memories. Thank you to the Mountain View Bible Church family and Bob’s Class of 1958 for all the food you serviced to our family and friends. We are going to miss him but knowing he isn’t hurting anymore and that we will see him in Heaven one day is a big comfort. Again, words can not express the love and support we felt from all of you. (1x5)

For Sale

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APARTMENT FOR RENT in Delta, nice size 2BR/1BA with W/D hookup. Rental assistance is available for qualified applicants. Pick up an application at the Delta's Best Storage office located inside the building of MArtin's Auto Boddy at 60 Tuscher Stree, Delta, Colo. (1x5)

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Need printing done? Call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

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2 CEMETERY LOTS FOR sale Cedaredge Cemetery Sec. F. $600.00 for both. Call Billy, 970-812-2971. (2x5)

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CREEKSIDE 3 BEDROOM 2 bath in Cedaredge, totally remodeled, 2 decks, laundry hookups, double garage, non-smokers only, $1,200/ mo + utilities, First and last month plus $1,300 deposit, 1-Year lease (360) 929-5155. (2x4)

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HIGH COUNTRY NEWS (hcn.org) seeks a dynamic and creative person to help grow our subscribers and donors. Our future digital marketer will have proven experience in marketing, digital engagement strategies and the creation of web and email campaigns. A love of the West is a must. Generous benefits package offered. Starting salary range DOE: $36,600$55,000. Remote work considered for the right candidate. To apply, email letter and resume to Gretchen King at gretchenk@hcn. org. For information, visit: http://hcn.org/digitalmarketer. (4x3)

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the Paper!” You’ll find lots of interesting things in your newspaper… • Local News • Editorials • Business • Meetings • Schools

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DELTA COUNTY

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D2 Wednesday, January 31, 2018 Public Service

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Public Service

HOW DO I SELL MY Cottage Food products? You may sell your products directly to the consumer from your residence, roadside stand, Farmers’ market, community supported agricultural organizations, or other similar venue. If you have any questions, please call: 874-2165. Delta County Health Department. (4X3)

WANNA PLAY A ROUND? Golf with a fun group of ladies. Two membership options available. Sign up at www.cedaredgeladies golf.com. Get to know us on Facebook at “cedar edgeladiesgolfclub”

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.

CO FATHER’S NETWORKdedicated to providing community and education to fathers of special needs kids. Meets twice monthly on the 1st Saturday at 11 a.m. and the 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. See our website for more details: www.codads. org

PAONIA AMERICAN Legion runs a year round non-perishable emergency food pantry. This is for the North Fork area. For information, call 527-6252.

Miscellaneous

ALCOHOLICS ANONYmous meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. Friends of Bill W. Club. 897 Palmer Street, Delta.

WOMEN ONLY AA MEETings, Delta, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5th & Palmer (back door).

Miscellaneous Colorado Statewide �� Network

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call SYNC2 Media at 303-571-5117. �� Cash for Mineral Rights �� Call:�� Write: �� Email: ��

Public Service

AL-ANON AND ALATEEN: Hope and help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Delta: Al-Anon and Alateen, Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. 5th St., contact Elizabeth 970-874-9832 or Shirley 970-323-5067. CARING FOR CAREgivers, C4C - supporting hearts that care. Open to ANY caregiver. Meets monthly in Delta, 2nd Tuesday at 11 a.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. THE ABRAHAM CONNECtion homeless shelter, located at 480 Silver St., Delta, offers emergency overnight shelter and food to men, women and families in the Delta area midOctober- April. Call us at 970-773-8290 to make a referral, or for information on how to volunteer or donate. www.Delta AbrahamConnection. org. 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, Barbara Hall at 250-2105 for an application. HELP!!! KEEP THE animal population under control, and SAVE an animal's life. Adopt your new cat or dog from the Delta County Humane Society. Adoption fee is minimal. Call 874-2149.

Delta County Independent

Public Service

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.

HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD Historical Museum. Winter hours, Saturdays 1-4 p.m. $3 admission or free to members. Come see our museum at 2nd & Hotchkiss Streets in Hotchkiss. 8723780.

SUPPORT THE DELTA Library. Give a gently used book in the Downstairs Book Store.

DELTA HAS A BOOKstore in the basement of the library featuring gently used books and magazines. Come check it out!

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) 250-1180. 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.

CHECK OUT THE BOOK store at the Delta Library. You'll find a great selection of paperbacks at reasonable prices.

NARCOTICS ANONYmous meets at 9th and Palmer, Delta, Mondays and Fridays at 8 p.m. DELTA FOOD PANTRY needs meals for Delta families who are temporarily in need. Donations of nonperishable food may be brought to 628 Meeker.

THERE IS A VFW MEETING on the first Monday of each month. At 6 p.m. there is a potluck and the meeting is at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd., Delta. For further inforAL-ANON: HOPE AND mation, call 874-8172 Jim help for families and Baker, Quartermaster. friends of alcoholics meets HILLTOP COMMUNITY in Cedaredge: Al-Anon, Resources offers free serThursdays, 8 pm, Wick Hall vices and support to vicbehind First Baptist Church, tims of Domestic Violence 370 W. Main St., contact and Sexual Assault. There Mary M. 970-856-6123 or are also ongoing support Jim 970-874-7855. groups. Please call our BOOKS MAKE GREAT stocking stuffers. Find books at great prices in the basement of the Delta Public Library.

office at 970-773-2251 for more information or if you are in crisis please call our 24 hour crisis line at 1-844990-5500.

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CHAPTER, UNITS OF DAV regular meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Veterans Building, 15th & Howard, Delta. For further information, call Paul Carter 874-5150. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO change a child's life! Children are waiting for senior partners in Delta County right now! Can you spare 3 hours a week? We need your help! Call today for more information. Please volunteer to spend time with a child in our community. Partners of Delta, Montrose and Ouray, 874-4661, www. partners-west.org. or www. deltayouth@montrose.net. SAVE EYEGLASSES, OLD jewelry and silver or bits of gold and silver scraps. The Grand Odd Fellow Lodge is sending them to: New Eyes for the Needy, 549 Millburn Ave., Short Hills, NJ 07078 or send them to: Gale Conger, Secretary of IOOF Lodge #116, 5516 Hwy. 348, Delta, CO 81416. HEALTHY BABIES START with early prenatal care. Delta County Health Department. Offers access to immediate, temporary Medicaid for pregnant women who qualify. 8742165.

AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Paonia: Al-Anon, Wednesdays at 7 pm, United Methodist Church, 3rd & Onarga, contact Lisa 970-395-3608, Chris 970527-3366 or Marjorie 970433-1856 THE AMERICAN RED Cross needs you. Become one of the Red Cross volunteers who says, “We’ll Be There, Because Help Can’t Wait!” Call your local Red Cross Chapter at 970-2424851 or 1-800-HELP NOW for information on the difference you can make in someone’s life as a disaster volunteer. 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. YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN help. Colorado Tobacco Quitline offers free, confidential assistance. Call 1800-QUIT-NOW. COLORADO QUITLINE IS a free, confidential telephone coaching service for anyone calling from a Colorado area code. With QuitLine, tobacco users can receive free supplies of the nicotine patch as they work with trained coaches who create a personalized quit plan just for them. To contact the QuitLine, call 1800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-7848669) or visit www.coquitline.org.

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AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Hotchkiss: Al-Anon, Mondays at 6:30 pm, Methodist Church 285 N. 2nd, contact Elsie 970-2108090 or Marjorie 970-4331856.

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401 Meeker St. | Delta 970-874-4421 www.deltacountyindependent.com

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B A C K P A G E S

Delta County Independent

Imagination takes ﬂight

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Annette Murry warms up for the North Fork Children’s Christmas Party by painting the face of a fellow volunteer. Esmeralda, the doll in the background, travels everywhere with Annette.

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

BACK PAGE

tepping into Annette Murry’s face painting booth is like stepping into a shaded forest woodland populated by fairies, nymphs and other fanciful creatures. Most festivals, fairs and kids’ gathering generally have at least one face painting booth. What sets Annette apart is the attention to detail she puts into creating a fantasyland where imagination takes flight. The “roof” and “walls” of the booth are draped in green fabric and adorned with big green leaves. To elevate the kids’ experience, Annette wears elf ears and dresses in costume. Some people liken the setting to Alice in Wonderland; others think of Mario when they see the red and white toadstools scattered inside and out of the booth. The toadstools, which double as seating, have become so closely associated with Annette’s venture that

she recently adopted the name “Toadstool Face Painting by Murry Arts.” “That’s how kids know me,” says Annette. “Everybody knows me as the toadstool lady. “What’s really fun and rewarding is when parents come up to me at the end of the festival and say, ‘You know, she looks for the toadstool every time we go to a fair.’ ” Another longstanding feature of Annette’s booth is “Esmeralda,” discovered in a storage locker Annette bought when she owned Grandma Jo’s Attic in Hotchkiss. She plays up the fantasy angle by spinning tales about Esmeralda. “She was on my doorstep one night and she looked so cold, I brought her in,” she tells the kids. The mystery deepens when Annette quietly confides, “You know, sometimes when I wake up in the morning, she’s in a different spot.”

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Annette and friends transformed themselves into witches to greet trick-or-treaters in Willow Heights. Next year’s theme of vampires has already been decided upon.

It’s no surprise that her favorite literary genre is fantasy with a touch of magic. Likewise, her artwork draws on those themes. “I draw in pencil and if I don’t like what I’ve got, I erase it and start over. Everything I know, I learned on my own.” She and her husband have been residents of Delta County since 1995, when they moved from the Front Range. They now live on a five-acre parcel at the foot of Land’s End. Annette first began face painting to help raise funds for the Needlerock Ladies’ Club. “They convinced me I had enough artistic ability to go out there and paint on kids’ faces.” After volunteering her services for two years, and searching in vain for a job, she asked to do the face painting for a profit. Club members agreed. When she first started applying designs to kids’ faces, Annette worked with acrylic paints, but she has since transitioned to professional grade face paints that are hypoallergenic and water soluble. Some shades are a bit harder to wash off, and in those cases Annette recommends the use of baby oil or makeup remover. Kids choose their design from a book filled with illustrations of animals, monsters, superheroes, fairies, butterflies and pretty designs. The finishing touch is glittery fairy dust — or for the boys, monster dust. The price range reflects the intricacy of the design and the amount of time it will take to finish the painting. Based on the recommendation of an acquaintance with carnival experience, she’s shooting for $1 a minute. She said 99.9 percent of kids will find a design they like in the book, but every once in a while someone comes to the booth with a special request. Annette complies with those requests, but cautions painting can take a big longer and cost a little more. That can mean a longer

wait for the kids in line, but Annette says those kids will watch and wait — sometimes for an hour or two — with amazing patience. “They have all the patience in the world,” she said. “It’s the parents who are ready to move on.” Because wait lines are fairly common, she tries to make her booth as comfortable as possible, with seating and ample shade. Being located close to restrooms is very helpful, she said. While fairs and festivals primarily take place in the summer months, Annette books birthday parties, company get-togethers and wedding receptions year-round. Between engagements, she enjoys painting, sewing costumes and curtains, and is committed to staying physically fit as she ages. An optimist, she often sees opportunities where others see obstacles. “I truly believe that we create our own realities, down to

even the most minute detail, by just the thoughts we think and the words we speak and our attitude toward the whole world.” Pretty down-to-earth thinking for a woman who values the occasional flight of fancy.

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Annette named this fairy in this painting “Danilyon,” a play on the word dandelion.

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Two kids admire their face art in a mirror set up in Annette’s Cherry Days booth.

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This is the time of year when Annette pulls out her calendar and begins booking fairs and festivals for the spring and summer. Locally, you’ll ﬁnd her face painting booth at the Delta County Fair, Cherry Days, Pioneer Days and AppleFest.

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Annette transformed ﬁve-gallon plastic buckets into her “waiting shrooms.” “This is what happens when you watch too much HGTV TV,” she quipped.