Delta County Independent, Feb. 14, 2018 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES COMMUNITY SPIRIT Chamber awards spotlight service to the North Fork, B1

BRIDAL GUIDE

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FOR BRIDES-TO-BE

An engaging section to make your wedding dreams come true, A6-7

DELTA COUNTY

ACTION STARTS THURSDAY The stage is set for state wrestling tournament in Denver, B5-10

FEBRUARY 14, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 7

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Marble will help diversify local economy BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Colorado Stone Quarries is being touted as a bright spot in the effort to diversify the economy in Delta County. “When Delta County lost hundreds of high-paying coal mine jobs, no one could have predicted that five years later

sales tax would be up and unemployment rates would be low,” Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes said at a Morning Business Buzz recently hosted by the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce. Colorado Stone Quarries is one of the county’s success stories, he said.

The firm recently purchased the old Pro Build site just south of Delta. Marble quarried in Marble is trucked to Delta, then transported via truck or rail to the Norfolk Marine Terminal in Virginia. From there it is shipped to Italy, where much of it is cut into tiles and slabs to meet the growing demand for high-end marble finishes both domestically and around the world. Because much of the marble winds up back in the U.S., Colorado Stone Quarries is planning a production facility that will utilize one of the most technologically advanced

cutting systems in the world. The production facility will also be located in Delta, in a second free standing building on the property at 1734 Highway 50. “We are so excited,” Suppes said. The marble quarry is not located in Delta County, but 90 percent of its work force calls Delta County home. The production facility is expected to be completed in early 2019 and will create an additional 15 to 20 jobs to begin with. General manager Daniele Treves said he began searching for a suitable location in 2013. He pored over Google

maps, looking from Gypsum to Grand Junction for a location with a rail spur and good highway access. Colorado Stone Quarries began stocking marble at the Delta site in 2014, then after a couple of years decided to buy the property. “We closed on the building and land last year,” Treves said, adding that the firm may try to purchase additional land for future expansion. Sales manager Marco Pezzica said, “Delta is, for us, the best location, with a rail spur, an existing building — and MARBLE TO A3

Photo by Pat Sunderland

These tile samples recently arrived from Italy and are representative of the products that will be manufactured in Delta using blocks of marble that are not suitable for monuments, headstones or large commercial designs.

Law enforcement academy resumes BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The law enforcement academy at the Technical College of the Rockies is up and running again, six months after losing POST certification. The Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) board, the governing body for law enforcement, suspended the academy last fall. While it normally takes up to a year for recertification, academy director Dave Stassen said, “We busted our butts and got it done.” Classes started Monday with 12 students, 10 males and two females. Class size is about average, said Stassen, and includes five students sponsored by local law enforcement agencies. The academy uses a number of local law enforcement officers to lead 52 different classes over a 16-week period. Classes cover all aspects of law enforcement, from driving, shooting and arrest control, to basic principles of law, leadership, biohazard awareness and traffic crash documentation. Students practice active shooter scenarios, building searches and traffic stops. They also learn how to investigate computer crimes. Every aspect of instruction has been updated. “The quality of education

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Back Page ................... D8 Business .......................A12 Bruin Tracks ............. C3-6 Church ............................C8 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ....................A10 School Zone .................. A9 Sports ........................B5-10 Surface Creek News ...C1-7 TV Listings ................. D5-6

these students will receive is second to none,” said Stassen, a retired Grand Junction police sergeant. “Since the law enforcement academy is technically the newest POST facility in the state, we know our academics and skills curricula are the current best practices recommended by the state.” The Delta County Sheriff ’s Office is one of the sponsoring agencies. Delta County Sheriff Fred McKee said his office is paying for a detention officer with two years of experience to go through the academy, and will do the same for any employee with the same work ethic and commitment to the sheriff ’s office. The student must agree to serve with the sheriff ’s office for three years or reimburse the office for the cost of education. The Delta Police Department has a similar policy, but is not sponsoring a student in this session. But with a nationwide shortage of law enforcement officers, Chief Luke Fedler said the wave of the future may mean finding the right person from the community and sponsoring them to go through the academy, rather than waiting for the right applicant to come along. “That’s how we’re going to get our good recruits,” he predicted.

Photo by Pat Sunderland

A block of Calacatta Lincoln marble is ready to be shipped to the Norfolk Marine Terminal. Sales manager Marco Pezzica says the marble is remarkably similar to the highest quality marble from Italy. “This is the best quality and the most in demand in the market right now,” Pezzica said. “This is the material that allowed us to be so productive and invest more and more every day.”

City takes a major step toward blight remediation BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The City of Delta has taken what city manager David Torgler describes as its first tangible step toward eliminating blight. The city is finalizing a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs that will cover the cost of demolition of West’s Home Center, 327 Main Street, and create a pedestrian passage connecting Main Street and the large parking area on the opposite side of the vacant store. The grant is the culmination of months of study involving five prospective properties in the city. Three were determined to be historic, which would require extensive assessments. The fourth, the quonset hut at 520 Highway 92 formerly occupied by Odyssey Construction, is under private ownership. Under the conditions of the Community Development Block

Reardon on paid leave

City of Delta building inspector Dan Reardon has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. City manager David Torgler declined to comment on the nature of that investigation, citing personnel issues. Reardon has served as the city building inspector for an estimated 20 years. At a council meeting in September, local contractors complained Reardon’s actions have cost them time and money, to the point some refuse to do business in city limits. Torgler said Bruce Stanley has been hired on a temporary, part-time business to do some inspections. The city is also using a private company to provide plan review services. The state has been doing electrical inspections and will be asked to also do plumbing, a service provided in other communities.

Grant (CDBG), the city has to own the property in order for grant funding to be used for remediation, and the property owner doesn’t want to sell to the city. That leaves West’s Home Center. The project will not only eliminate a building that’s been vacant for several years, it will provide access to off-Main Street parking lots and a place for people to sit outside safely and comfortably. The grant of $234,402 will require a $38,158 match from the city. The only grant restriction is that the property must be used for public purposes for a minimum of five years. At the Feb. 6 city council meeting, Torgler said DOLA wants to make sure communities aren’t buying properties with federal dollars just to flip them. Cost of property acquisition is estimated at $38,000, which is the value of the prop-

erty as determined by the county assessor. The city has not initiated discussions with the property owner, nor has it worked on the design for the pass-through. Torgler said the city has been hesitant to incur any expenses related to the project until they’re reimbursable under the grant. He said the city attorney is ready to move forward, and estimates he’ll need about eight weeks to close the deal. “As we look toward the future, this is one of those first concrete steps we take as we continue marching forward with DURA and future projects,” said council member Christopher Ryan. In other business, the city heard from a prospective business owner who wants to sell modular homes from a location on Highway 50 North. Jeff Wauldbauer said he owns similar businesses in Casper and Lander, Wyo., and would CITY TO A3

Veterans invited to coffee

Starting in February, the Montrose-based Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans will host a Delta County veterans coffee in Cedaredge on the third Tuesday of every month. The first coffee event will be held Feb. 20 at The Pondy in downtown Cedaredge at 220 West Main Street from 10 a.m. to noon. Stacy’s on Main will provide the refreshments. The alliance’s executive director, Mike Trickey, stresses that although the coffees will be held in Cedaredge, veterans from throughout Delta County are invited to attend. The event is an informal meet and greet affair. Veterans can come at any time during the scheduled event. There will be plenty of resource people available to talk with veterans about VA benefits, recreation activities, mental health concerns, housing, jobs, volunteer opportunities, and other issues. For questions, contact the alliance at 970-765-2210. Veterans can also visit the Montrose office at 11 South Park Avenue although, beginning Feb. 25, they will be moving to a new location at 2 Hillcrest Plaza Way in Montrose.

A2 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

OPINION

LETTERS

A recommendation for Orchard City voters

A call for fully aware, active citizens Dear Editor: My name is Tom Wills and after serving for 14 years on the town council I am offering to serve as mayor of Hotchkiss. Larry Wilkening, who has a very good background in management and seems to be a very competent, nice guy, is also offering to serve in that capacity. So, however the election turns out I think the Town of Hotchkiss’ day-to-day government will do fine so I’d like to mention something else. I’d like to ask you to consider serving as an active citizen of your community, be it Hotchkiss, Paonia, Crawford, Delta, Cedaredge, Orchard City and Delta County. Since I’ve lived in Hotchkiss for the past three decades, let me use it as an example. A certain percentage of people living in town help out at their church, the public library, social club, or other organization. They care for family members that need a little extra help and maybe shovel snow or rake leaves for a neighbor that is older or disabled. Some watch out

for their neighbors’ property when they are at work or away. All of this is wonderful. I wish more people were aware of the needs of their community, but I think we are probably about average here in Hotchkiss. About average. Hmmm ... wouldn’t it be great if we could do better; if we could be exceptional at being one another’s neighbors? Then there is the civic thing, the capital-T town. I admit to being jealous of the levels of civic interest in other communities. I suspect that a large percentage of Hotchkiss residents simply reside and don’t dwell too much on being a “citizen” of Hotchkiss. They prioritize things and volunteering to lug water to downtown flower planters, go to downtown improvement meetings or help establish a community garden is not high on their list of things they would enjoy doing given limited time. Almost no one attends a town council or planning commission meetings here to learn how the Town and local democracy works. The Neighbor-

hood Watch group never drew more than half a dozen people even when there was a rise in vandalism. We do okay with our friends and neighbors but as “citizens” we here in Hotchkiss have a ways to go and I suspect that this is a national trend. We are busy but not aware. We have a more clearly defined opinion on the latest presidential tweet than we do on what problems or opportunities are present in our own small communities. So, while you are considering who to vote for (voting percentage in town elections are usually pretty low) in your community why not think about agreeing to serve as a fully aware, active citizen of your town? It is really true that the world (and small towns) are run by those who show up. Despite whom you vote for in your municipal election many of the important things will not be addressed unless more people vote themselves into roles of active citizenship. Thomas Wills Hotchkiss

Fond memories of Paonia baseball park Dear Editor: I was very sorry to hear about the demolition of the baseball park in Paonia as it holds a special place in my young baseball playing days. In 1947 I was 13 years old playing shortstop with the 16- to 18-yearold American Legion baseball team based in Delta. We had to play Grand Junction to qualify for the state tournament. We had to play on a neutral field with neutral umpires. The game was played on this baseball field with umpires from Colorado Springs. We won the game 7-1 and went on to play in the state tournament in Colorado Springs. We played Pueblo and boy,

did they walk all over us! But in our defense, Pueblo ended the season ranked very high in the nation. We could say we lost to one of the best in the nation. As a special treat, at the end of the season two baseball teams, the House of David and the Kansas City Monarchs, were brought in to play on this baseball park. They would be classified as triple A. The Kansas City Monarchs won the game by one run. The way they played the game sure popped our young eyes open. We had the best seat in the house, as we got right behind the backstop. Yes, this baseball park will always hold a warm place in my

KUDOS Together we can help so many Dear Editor: Brian Aucutt donated $600 to the King’s Table and wanted to share this information in the hope it would encourage others to give. Thank you so much, Brian! Alone we can help some, but together we can help many. King’s Table PO Box 84, Delta, CO 81416 / 250-6637

Crawford potluck builds community Dear Editor: The Crawford Area Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a HUGE thank you to all those who participated and attended in this year’s annual “Old Timers/Newcomers” potluck held on Feb. 3. It was GREAT fun and we had over 80 people in attendance. When we set up for 104 people a few scoffed that the count would ever be that high, but we came really close. Thank you for proving them wrong! Hearing all the stories people shared about their lives during the open mic portion of this event is always a favorite. It may be a bit time consuming, but that’s what this event is all about ... learning about the lives of our neighbors. Thank you Kathy Steckel and the North Fork Ambulance for being our greeter at the front door and thank you Liz Heidrick and the Delta County Board of Realtors for sponsoring our first “Teacher of the Year” award! Our Volunteer of the Year award went to Tristan Pfeffer, Business of the Year is The Desperado, Nonprofit of the Year is Crawford Fire Auxiliary, and the Teacher of the Year is Cami Bair! These folks work hard to give back in this community and for that our lives are more enriched. In addition to these dignitaries we also honored our old-timer Patsy Bennett and our newest newcomer, Michael Weigel. Patsy Bennett’s commitment to this area is evident by always being present at any and all local events throughout Delta County. Can’t ask for better support than that in this community! Michael Weigel, our newest newcomer, had only been in Crawford for 11 days the night of this event. Welcome Michael! Thanks to all who attended this potluck. Because of your contribution the food was absolutely fantastic, and the camaraderie and energy incredible. Good job to this community! If you missed this event, then we look forward to seeing you next year! Only with your support can this event be even better. The CACC is proud of this community and even prouder of those who offer their continued support each and every year! We look forward to seeing you this summer at our second annual “Summer Social” at the Crawford State Park.

heart.

Delta County Independent

Jim Hubbs Cedaredge

Hospital urged to reconsider

Dear Editor: I have lived in Delta County for over 40 years and have always been satisfied, and even proud of the county’s health care. I have watched the hospital grow, have been a patient at the hospital, and have seen friends and family members brought into its care. My experience with our local doctors in their practices has also been excellent. That is why I am concerned that the recent action by the hospital administrator and the hospital board may cause three of the county’s excellent doctors to leave their practices. Given the national crisis in health care delivery, it is especially concerning that the hospital board and administrator, rather than encouraging care providers to stay here and practice here, discourage them or even force them to leave. I hope that the hospital administrator and board of directors will reconsider their actions and rectify them before their implications affect the quality of health care provided in the county. Carol Phelps Delta

Dear Editor: Now that I am officially NOT a candidate to continue as a trustee for Orchard City I have a few things to say to all of the citizens of my beloved home for more than 50 years. I am not speaking to the small vocal group that has harassed and threatened the present board of trustees and the mayor as well as town staff for the past 18 months. I think I have earned the right to do so. For 26 years when my late wife was on the board of the Cory Cemetery District I served as the budget officer and had to file with the county and Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) a budget that is exactly the same as the town is required to file only much smaller numbers. I fully understand the legally required budgeting process and the implications of the 5.5 Revenue Limits constitutional amendment and the TABOR constitutional amendment. I served a term on the Orchard City Irrigation District that covers the town’s southern half for distribution of irrigation water from Fruitgrowers Reservoir. I did a stint as president and during that time became very familiar with Colorado water law, the Bureau of Reclamation, the state water commissioners, etc. I served

as these two. They have spent hundreds of hours of their own time on water, road and parks committees. It is essential that if you want our world class domestic water system, our extensive paved road system and our beautiful town park to continue on free of debt that these two exceeding qualified candidates be returned to continue the exceptional work they have already done. If you do that you will then have four candidates vying for the seat I presently sit in. After close examination of backgrounds and observing in public settings there is only one person that is truly qualified and that is Jan Gage. Jan can hit the ground running as she has served as a trustee before and fully understands her statutory and fiduciary obligations. She is well versed in water issues and contributes greatly to community based nonprofits. In addition prior to coming to our town she had a lengthy and very successful career in the private sector. She brings sound business practices to government that will help Orchard City continue to be the envy of local government, debt free and adequate reserves to ensure that continues to be the case. Tom Huerkamp Orchard City Trustee

Energy and agriculture can co-exist Dear Editor: Eco-activists in Delta County perpetuate a mistruth. They claim energy and agriculture can’t coexist. This narrow-minded, ridged belief system doesn’t represent the view of most Delta County residents who rationally believe a community can have both energy and agriculture — economic sectors that are interdependent and complementary. In 2017 paid activists wrote a paper claiming natural gas production makes no economic contribution in Delta County and is in fact a negative economic factor. Ironic given propane gas is the primary energy source and heating fuel in the county. To support this wild claim, professional activists wrote their own study. Funded their own study. Peer reviewed their own study. Published their own study. And then shamefully promoted their own study in Delta County for political gain. Of course such efforts harbor lots of scientific credibility (said nobody, ever.) A litany of omissions and misrepresentations in the study were immediately identified — so numerous were the shortcomings that the professional activists themselves acknowledged in the media that their assessment was indeed

Oil/gas drive economy Dear Editor: The press release from Citizens for a Healthy Community (DCI Feb. 7) is filled with so many inaccuracies, it’s hard to know where to start. But I suppose the biggest one is the false choice fallacy CHC’s entire premise is based upon, that warrants the most attention. Author Natasha Leger essentially claims that we can have either oil and gas development OR clean air and water. We can have revenue from either oil and gas development OR agritourism and outdoor recreation. This is the same tired narrative we always hear from anti-development types, and it simply doesn’t hold any water. Colorado is an amazing state with robust rules and regulations designed to maximize benefit from its abundance of mineral resources WHILE protecting its natural beauty and bountiful other resources. Colorado has proven over

six years on the Town of Orchard City Planning, three years as chairperson; I literally wrote the town’s subdivision regulations and authored the town’s Master Plan. None of these provided any kind of financial compensation. Then I really step it up and did four years as mayor and am now finishing a two-year term on the board of trustees. I will stack up our successes in moving our community forward against any public servant while still keeping our town debt free by applying good business practices to government. So if I owed any debt for the blessing of calling Orchard City home I think I paid it. I am so proud of the town we are today under the leadership of Mayor Ken Volgamore and the vast majority of our trustees. I am equally proud of a dedicated staff that performs its duties by the book. In March you will be receiving a ballot for 2018 municipal elections as set by state law. In addition you will be asked to select three trustees to fill seats for the coming four years. Two of the six candidates are incumbents Bob Eckels and Gary Tollefson. In my years of public service I have known no one who is more committed in carrying out their statutory and fiduciary duties

the last decade-plus that its tourism industry AND its oil and gas industry can thrive simultaneously. As a realtor, I understand the benefit of all industry. When you have an economic driver like oil and gas development come into your area there’s a financial gain. These people buy houses, purchase products from your farms and local shops, and experience the recreational activities you have to offer. Jes Eckhart Grand Junction

flawed. And last week’s reboot of the paper has once again been largely dismissed as propaganda by almost everyone who has read it. While demonstrating a lack of understanding of how industry cash flows work, eco-activists glibly dismiss the 40 agricultural water projects in the North Fork Valley that have been funded using natural gas royalties from grants and loans originating from Colorado’s Water Conservation Board. If state natural gas royalties from natural gas fund a litany of irrigation projects in Delta County, are energy and agriculture really mutually exclusive? Delta County Schools received over $25 million in 2016 from natural gas royalties through the school equalization fund and direct distribution of natural gas royalties. Drilling deeper, according to state statistics, over 1,100 Delta County families pay their energy bills using natural gas royalties from Colorado’s Low Energy Income Assistance program. While not assessed in the activists propaganda, these economic contributions are too large to simply ignore for a group whose underlying premise is that natural gas production has no economic value to the economy. Natural gas royalties also funded Colorado’s Species Conservation Trust Fund, Colorado’s Agriculture Value Added Fund, the Aquatic Nuisance Mitigation Fund; the Colorado River Compact Committee, state forestry grants, Colorado’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Fund; and the Invasive Species Management Fund. These programs all have active projects in Delta County. In fact, Paonia Reservoir received over $4 million from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Waterways Program that also receives natural gas royalties. And energy and agriculture are incompatible?

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. • (970) 874-4421 editor@deltacountyindependent.com ads@deltacountyindependent.com

Delta County landowners receive natural gas royalties through Colorado’s State Forestry Grant Assistance Fund mitigating wildfire risk, and Hotchkiss, Paonia, Delta and Cedaredge are recipients of direct royalty payments from natural gas production funding roads, bridges, parks and conservation projects all listed on Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs website. The North Fork Valley has paid property taxes on natural gas minerals for 100 years and many would like to see the benefits of developing their property to create prosperity for their families and community. These amateur-hour efforts meant to offer the public a false choice that they must choose energy or agriculture are insulting to people who have been in western Colorado for awhile. Most western Colorado residents know the area’s royalty owners are in fact farmers and ranchers. Dozens of examples exist debunking an erroneous claim that having energy in your community decreases real estate values. And if by having modest natural gas production means people will stop hunting and fishing and recreating in Delta County (another wild and baseless claim made in the report), why hasn’t this trend occurred in places like Durango — a county that has huge amounts of natural gas production in the heart of a recreation and ranching economy? Our association has asked one of Colorado’s most renowned academic economists to peer review the organization’s latest work. When that review is done we’ll be inviting the paper’s author to a healthy debate potentially hosted at Colorado Mesa University. During this exchange we believe citizens can make their own decision about the merits of the report and its underlying assumptions that energy provides a negative economic value to an economy. But until that time, we remain committed to refuting political pseudoscience meant to disparage an industry whose fundamental role in the world is to benefit society and improve the quality of life for human kind. David Ludlam Executive Director West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Marble FROM PAGE A1 little snow”— in contrast to the quarry at Marble. The marble was first discovered in 1873, and today is quarried inside a mountain at 10,000 feet above sea level, unlike most marble that’s quarried from an open pit and at much lower elevations. When Colorado Stone Quarries purchased the marble quarry in 2011,

production averaged 200 to 300 tons per month. Today, the quarry is producing about 2,000 tons of material. New portals have been opened, and Colorado Stone Quarries is working new, virgin areas. Production has not only increased, safety has been enhanced for the miners. With property acquisitions, Pezzica says, “We are no more a marble quarry, we are a marble basin. Production in next year will be incredible.” But not all marble coming out of the quarry is suitable for monuments like the Lincoln Memorial — built with granite from Marble — or for large commercial designs. Of 10 tons of material, maybe two and a half or three tons are suitable for export, Pezzica explains. The area surrounding Marble is dotted with “trash” blocks of marble, but as production increases at Colorado Stone Quarries, the company is looking for environmentally friendly alternatives. “It is our idea to use part of this material for slabs and tiles, small pieces of 3/8-inch thickness, generally cut into 12x12- or 12x24-inch sections,” Pezzica said. “This is absolutely a great way to use this natural stone, so we decided to

invest money in creating a marble factory for here in Delta.” Pezzica said the ability to produce tiles and slabs locally will save RED Quarries & Blocks, the parent company of Colorado Stone Quarries, considerable shipping costs. The blocks of marble vary in size, but can weigh up to 50,000 pounds. On the lot at Colorado Stone Quarries, Pezzica points out the blocks marked with the letter “DT,” for Delta Tile — blocks with some type of imperfection that makes them best suited for tiles and slabs. “We are set up and ready to go for the factory. Because our main market is in the U.S., it will be a big advantage for us to have a factory to here.” Pezzica has a practiced eye for the blocks of marble, pointing out color variations, imperfections and small fissures. “For some people, these are just cubes of marble. It’s not easy for others to understand if something is good or something is wrong, but these blocks have major problems like cracks or patches, so we’re keeping them here ready for factory to open.” Pezzica is from the Carracas, the marble capital of the world, and has also worked for RED Graniti in India.

“I like to imagine what I’m getting from a block,” he said. Pointing to the smooth texture and luminous surface of the pure white Calacatta Lincoln marble that’s quarried in Marble, he says no material from the U.S. has the same veining as the most expensive marble from Italy. “If Michaelangelo was born in the United States, 100 percent he was using this marble to make the David,” he said. Richard Collins, logistics and safety manager, has worked for Colorado Stone Quarries for three years. He was born in Great Britain and raised in Australia; Pezzica is Italian but worked in India for RED Graniti for four years. General manager Daniele Treves is also Italian. Together,

they represent the multinational workforce behind Colorado Stone Quarries. Collins said there’s been a “huge transformation” at the quarry since it was purchased by Colorado Stone Quarries in 2011. “Frankly speaking, everyone who owned the quarry before us failed,” said Pezzica. “This is the kind of quarry the more you invest, the more you get. If you don’t keep investing in people, in the equipment, in the safety, in everything, you will never get any profit.” Collins and Pezzica agree that RED Graniti is the type of firm that’s willing to make that type of investment, both in the quarry and in production facilities in Delta. “They have spent millions buying land and improving

the machinery and the roads up in Marble and the same here,” Collins said. RED Graniti is also the type of firm that wants to be a good neighbor. Currently under construction at the Delta site is a huge berm to keep noise and dust down. When planted with trees and shrubs, the neighbors will also have a better view. The company purchased an additional piece of property so the truck entrance could be moved away from nearby homes and closer to the highway, further reducing noise. Trucks that need to park overnight will be hidden behind the berm. “Keeping good relations with neighbors is very important to us,” Pezzica said, a comment that was reiterated by both Treves and Collins.

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Four types of marble — Calacatta Lincoln, Calacatta Golden, Statuario Colorado and Aspen Grey — are being quarried near Marble. Because not all of the blocks are suitable for monuments, headstones or commercial designs, a factory to cut the marble into slabs and tiles is being planned for Delta. Demand for those products is growing around the globe.

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Photo by Pat Sunderland

Behind “trash” blocks of marble lining the entrance to Colorado Stone Quarries, a berm is being constructed to block noise and dust.

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City FROM PAGE A1 like to display up to three new modular homes so customers can see what they’re buying. The property is zoned B-2, which does not allow modular home sales. Wauldbauer has asked the City of Delta to amend B-2 zoning regulations to include modular home sales and service as a conditional use. Council members con-

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sidered his request at a work session preceding the regular meeting, but decided to table action after agreeing they needed additional time to consider the matter. While the request came from a specific business, any changes to zoning regulations would affect all B-2 properties. During the work session, council members continued an ongoing discussion on zoning for marijuana establishments. While the sale of marijuana is currently not allowed in city limits, a petition was being circulated that could have changed that picture. Although the petition has been withdrawn, council and staff have put a great deal of work into zoning regulations. They agreed to finalize wording for the proposed regulations, then set them aside until they’re needed. Council member Ron Austin said that in other municipalities, adoption of zoning regulations for marijuana establishments has been viewed as tacit approval for such establishments. Two questions addressing taxation of retail marijuana and marijuana products will still be on the ballot.

Correction Citizens for a Healthy Community submitted a press release concerning a study on the impact of oil and gas development in the North Fork Valley. The press release, which was printed on page A2 of the Feb. 7 edition, had a byline for Natalie Leger. The piece was actually submitted by Natasha Leger, interim director of Citizens for a Healthy Community. The DCI regrets the error.

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A4 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Feb. 16 is Elks Day On Feb. 16, 1867, Charles Vivian and a handful of friends established the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in New York City. The 150th anniversary of that date has been proclaimed Elks Day in the City of Delta and in cities and towns across the nation. At the Feb. 6 city council meeting, Delta Mayor Ed Sisson signed a proclamation recognizing Delta Elks Lodge’s contributions to the community. The Elks are dedicated to charity, justice and patriotism. Across the nation, they invest millions of hours each year to build stronger com-

munities, assist homeless veterans and ensure kids steer away from drugs. To that end, Elks have disbursed, over the course of the order’s history, more than $3.6 billion in cash, goods and services to the nation’s veterans, the disadvantaged and handicapped, and patriotic and civic programs. In Delta, the Elks serve meals at the senior center, administer the Boy Scouts “Flags for Delta” program, conduct drug awareness activities, sponsor programs for veterans and those currently serving our country, serve meals for Special Olympics, provide Christmas food baskets to the needy,

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sponsor scholarships for graduating seniors and donate generously to charitable organizations and programs in Delta County. The proclamation continues, “The Order of Elks always puts the needs of others before themselves. From building strong communities to donating time and money to disasters, the Elks answer the call when asked to serve. They are one of the first organizations on the ground during a crisis, providing needed supplies and relief to those affected. “Each day they impart lessons of hard work, dedication to community, faith in God and support to those who simply may need a hand.” A round of applause followed the signing of the proclamation.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Samuel Fulton of Delta and Desiree Smith were among the nearly 500 students named to Fort Lewis College’s Dean’s List for the fall 2017 semester. These students took at least 15 credits of gradable hours and achieved a 3.60 or higher grade point average. Fulton’s major is mathematics; Smith is majoring in elementary � �� education.

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Student winners of the VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy contests were recognized at a district VFW meeting Sunday.

Delta VFW post hosts district awards banquet Lee Marts Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3571 of Delta hosted the VFW District 11 meeting and district awards banquet Sunday, Feb. 11. VFW and Auxiliary members representing nine posts and seven auxiliaries on the Western Slope honored the district winners of three contests sponsored by the VFW and Auxiliary. The Patriot’s Pen is an essay contest open to middle school students throughout the United States. The Voice of Democracy is an essay and oral presentation contest open to high school students, and the Teacher of the Year contest honors teachers from three levels, elementary, middle school, and high school, throughout the United States. Winners of local contests are honored locally and advance to the district level. Winners are honored at district award ceremonies and the first place winner advances to the department (state) level. They are again honored at that level and compete to

advance to the national level where students can receive scholarships up to $30,000. District 11 winners of the Patriot’s Pen contest were Sarah Teel, first; Katie Donohoe, second; and Megan Jenkins, third. Sarah advanced to department where she placed second in the state of Colorado. District 11 winners of the Voice of Democracy contest were Melinda

Huspen, first; Veneice Miller, second; and Carisa Rhiness, third. Melinda advanced to department, where she placed fourth in the state of Colorado. District 11 Teacher of the Year Winners were Kris Allen, high school; Jennifer Mayrose, middle school; and Cristen Chermak, elementary school. All three have advanced to department where their placing has not yet been released.

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Pictured are Teacher of the Year winners Cristen Chermak of Vision Charter Academy and Kris Allen of Paonia High School. Not pictured: Jennifer Mayrose of Delta Middle School.

League of Women Voters celebrates 98th birthday

The League of Women Voters is celebrating its 98th birthday this year. On Feb. 14, 1920, the League of Women Voters was founded as an outgrowth of the movement that secured for women the right to vote — passage of the 19th Amendment in that same year — following a long organized struggle that involved many personal sacrifices

on the part of the Suffragettes. Its emphasis was on educating voters, particularly newly-enfranchised women, about candidates and campaign issues, especially relating to child labor and welfare, citizen participation, civil rights, consumer affairs, environmental concerns, immigration, labor, national security and women’s legal status

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and rights. Today the league works to empower all voters to improve their local, state and national governments through increased voter information and participation. The league’s focus this year is “Making Democracy Work.” Areas of attention are campaign financing, legislative and congressional redistricting, and fair election practices. The league welcomes participation by both men and women. To learn more, visit montrose.co.lwvnet. org.

BIRTHS

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Hannah McIntire and Tyler Tasler of Paonia are the parents of a son, Branson Tobias Tasler, born Feb. 7, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 9.6 ounces and was 20.5 inches in length.

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Cribbage players compete Feb. 25

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It’s time for the City of Delta/Lee Martinson annual February cribbage tournament. This event is scheduled Sunday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. All players must play singles; doubles are an option. Bring your own boards if you have them. It is helpful to register in advance but not necessary — you may register the day of the event prior to 12:30 p.m. The tournament will start promptly at 1 p.m. All ages are welcome. Come show off your skills and win prizes! The fee is $10 per person and $5 per person for doubles. Bring a snack to share. Register at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 874-0923.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Delta Police Department, county sheriff’s blotter From the Delta $1,000 bond. Chase E. Brock, 35, of Police Department: Delta was arrested and jailed on a warrant. Feb. 4: Emily D. Schneider, Two individuals were cited for violation of Delta 20, of Olathe was issued a Municipal Code 8.16.030, summons for shoplifting. Tyler A. Nyholm, 25, “Keeping of Junk.” Officers were called to of Delta was arrested and 37 Stafford Lane to inves- jailed on charges of DUI/ tigate a report of shoplift- DUI per se. Skyler S. Kuhn, 20, of ing. Delta was issued a sumFeb. 5: Officers responded to mons for minor in posses1325 Hwy. 50 on a report sion/consumption. Zachary E. Passmore, of theft. Brandon E. Huff, 22, 26, of Delta was arrested of Delta was arrested and and jailed on charges of jailed on a warrant with a criminal impersonation, violation of a protection $1,000 bond. Officers were dis- order and a warrant from patched to 555 Palmer on another jurisdiction. Citations: Four tickets a report of theft. were issued this week for Feb. 6: Officers responded to various traffic violations. a lobby request for suspiFrom the Delta cious activities occurring at an address on Palmer County Sheriff’s Office (partial list): Street. Officers responded to an information only report Feb. 5: A break-in was reportat 1400 Pioneer Road. ed at Double J Disposal Feb. 7: Officers responded in Austin. Over the weekto 730 1550 Road for a end, someone apparently report of possible criminal kicked in the door to the trespass of several semi- office and stole a small amount of cash and about trucks. Officers responded $250 in stamps. Entry to 750 Main Street on a was then gained to the shop by pulling down a report of theft. Officers responded to swamp cooler and climban address on Palmer for ing through the entrance. A small amount of cash a possible civil problem. Officers responded to was taken and a safe was the lobby for a report of damaged. A man who reported found property. Adam A. Kasamis, 29, two trailers missing in of Delta was arrested and July discovered one of the jailed on charges of sec- trailers at a residence on ond degree assault and G Road outside of Delta. The occupant of the home criminal mischief. Officers responded to claimed she had no idea 302 Meeker Street in ref- who left the trailer on her property. Deputies were erence to a theft. Officers responded to able to confirm the trailer the intersection of Jona- had indeed been reported than Court and East 16th as stolen. The Delta Police Street for a report of a Department was notified, as the theft occurred in vehicle stuck in a ditch. Officers responded to city limits. 37 Stafford Lane for a Feb. 6: Deputies and report of shoplifting. Cedaredge firefighters Feb. 8: Officers responded to responded to a chimney 180 Gunnison River Drive fire on R Road outside for a report of criminal of Cedaredge. Cedaredge firefighters stood by while mischief. Michael P. Johnson, the chimney pipe cooled; 42, of Eckert was arrest- there was no damage to ed and jailed on charges the residence. of possession Schedule II Feb. 7: A break-in was report(methamphetamine), possession of drug parapher- ed at the Cory General nalia and open marijuana Store. At about 3:30 a.m., an intruder broke out the container. Officers received a glass of the front door and entered the store, setting report of identity theft. Officers responded to off an alarm even though 2195 Southgate Lane on a the intruder had cut off report of possible harass- power. Stamps and some cartons of cigarettes were ment. taken. Feb. 9: At 8 a.m., Double J DisOfficers received a posal reported an attemptreport of fraud. Officers received a ed break-in. A window in report of possible elder the shop was broken, but it did not appear anyone abuse. Officers completed a entered the building. A break-in was also call for service regarding fraudulent credit card reported at the Orchard City shop. Entry was purchases. Officers responded to made through a window. a report for criminal mis- Several sets of socket wrenches, a dozen screwchief. drivers and an aluminum Feb. 10: Marian M. Odell, 48, of pipe wrench were stolen. Delta was issued a sum- It appeared someone also attempted to break into mons for shoplifting. Marian M. Odell, 48, the Orchard City Town of Delta was arrested and Hall through the drop jailed on a warrant with a box.

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Community support

Rick and Tonya Kraai, owners of Delta Cleaners, recently gave a generous ﬁnancial donation to the Abraham Connection Homeless Shelter. “We are so thankful and blessed to have the support of so many in Delta County,” said board member Kami Collins. “It’s amazing to see how the community steps up to care for those among us who are most in need.” One hundred percent of the donation, like all ﬁnancial gifts made to the Abraham Connection, stays right here in Delta County to help care for hungry and homeless men, women and families. The Kraais are pictured with Kay Bartlett of Paonia, a shelter volunteer.

The death of Martin Wilson, 39, of Paonia was the subject of an investigation by the Delta County Sheriff ’s Office. Wilson, a homeless man known as “Caveman,” was found deceased in the Paonia River Park. County coroner Lance Boren determined the cause of death to be exposure with hypothermia. Feb. 8: Deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a single-vehicle rollover on Highway 92 near milemarker 6. The female driver was not injured but was unable to get out of the vehicle without assistance. She told deputies she might have fallen asleep after coming off a graveyard shift. Deputies were contacted after some restaurant

patrons walked out without paying their $36.72 tab. The restaurant patrons were later identified through a Facebook post, in which they said they did not pay the bill because they were unhappy about the quality of their meals. The restaurant owner said he would not press charges if the customers would come in and take care of the bill. Feb. 9: A sheriff ’s deputy en route to work spotted a long bed Chevrolet pickup that had been stolen out of Montrose on the south end of Delta. When he attempted to stop the pickup, it left the area at a high rate of speed. After he lost sight of the vehicle on Ash Mesa, the Colorado State Patrol and Montrose County Sheriff ’s

Office were advised to be on the lookout. A short time later, the 7th Judicial District Task Force contacted a possible suspect, Cody Ditton, 26, of Delta. He was taken into custody and charged with driving under revocation, reckless driving, reckless endangerment and eluding. The pickup is believed to be connected with the theft of a trailer and two ATVs from Grand Mesa Motor Sports. There’s also a possibility the pickup is connected to the Orchard City thefts. Ditton claims someone else was driving the pickup. The investigation is continuing. Feb. 10: A Delta resident reported the theft of tools, including a miter saw and two compressors, from his back porch on Grand

Vista Road. Estimated value of the stolen items is $550. At about 10:30 a.m., deputies and firefighters were dispatched to an address on F25 Road where a 55-year-old man and a horse had both fallen into a freezing pond. The man was transported to Delta County Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. The horse was checked by a veterinarian and did not require any additional care. A 40-year-old man from Baltimore, Md., called dispatch to report his vehicle had gotten stuck in three feet of snow on E. Pipeline Road. Delta County Search and Rescue located the man after two hours of searching. He was not injured.

A6 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BRIDAL GUIDE

Delta County Independent

Unique touches for your wedding reception Over the course of their lifetimes, many people will be wedding guests on several occasions. During the height of wedding season, weddings can run into one another, as the format and the festivities are similar at various ceremonies. Couples interested in setting their nuptials apart may want to enhance the wedding reception with a few unique ideas.

Who hasn’t attended a wedding that seems formulaic? The couple enters, they do their spotlight dance, there’s food, a bouquet toss and then the cake cutting. Guests may actually be able to predict what’s coming next. While it is often customary and easy to follow tradition, that doesn’t mean you cannot buck with tradition and offer a few creative ideas

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The Ideal You

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to make your event stand out. Here are several ideas you can introduce into your wedding to add something special to the reception. Skip the big entrance. Those who were kind enough to attend the ceremony have already been introduced to the newly minted happy couple. Instead of spending the cocktail hour in the isolation of the wedding suite, mingle with your guests from start to finish. So much time is spent posing for pictures or being out of touch with guests, the cocktail hour can be a great time to sit and chat. Being with guests during the cocktail hour means you don’t have to make that big entrance from behind closed doors. Guests will have all eyes on you when you step on the dance floor for your first dance together. Dance to an upbeat number. Guests are expecting a slow, sappy tune. What they may not expect is an upbeat song that shows you are willing to have a little fun. If you haven’t mastered the waltz but enjoy a little quick step now and again, feel free to choose a tune that shows your

excitement and love for each other. Encourage couples to dance together. It’s often customary for the bridal party to join the bride and groom on the dance floor midway through the first dance. However, that leaves spouses or significant others waiting in the wings while their dates tango with groomsmen or bridesmaids. Instead, don’t have assigned partners. Rather, encourage your bridal party members to dance with whomever they choose. Swap the garter/ bouquet toss for something more meaningful. If you’re part of a couple who feels the garter and bouquet toss has become trite, there are other ways to create special moments in your celebration — ones that don’t single out the singletons who haven’t yet found their special someones. Use this time to present a small gift or token of your affection to someone on the guest list who has served as a mentor or source of inspiration. Choose one special component as an extra goodie for guests. Some couples feel the more they offer the better guests will view their wedding. Spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean guests will have a better time. If you want to go above and beyond the ordinary, find one thing that you absolutely love and offer that at the party. It could be a flambe presentation, a chocolate or candy bar, a carving station with your alltime favorite food (even if that’s PB&J), or a carnival-inspired automatic photo booth. Hire a live performer. Although it’s hard to beat the performance quality of your wedding song being performed by the original artist, unless you’re cousins with Celine Dion, chances are she won’t be available to sing “My Heart Will Go On” at

Use the bouquets of the bridal party as the centerpieces of some of the reception tables as one way to bring something different to your wedding. your reception. However, a live band adds a certain level of excitement that a disk jockey may not be able to provide. Those who are adding a cultural or ethnic component to their wedding may want to hire a dance troupe or another type of performer, like a bagpiper, as an added measure of entertainment for guests. Let them eat ... cookies? Some people just don’t like cake. Therefore, why should a couple have to cut a seven-tiered white confection? Towers of different types of treats can be created from just about anything and serve

as the perfect backdrop for that classic cake-cutting photo. A pyramid of cream puffs, stacks of brownies, a cookie castle, or cereal-cake concoctions can work. Some bakeries will decorate a “dummy” styrofoam cake, and then you can serve apple pie a la mode, if you desire. Stage a costume switch. Let’s face it, dancing all night in a long gown takes some stamina. As the bride, have a more comfortable cocktail dress available to switch into for the latter part of the reception. It will also add some variety to your wedding photos.

Classic songs to include on your wedding reception playlist Felix Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is popular at wedding ceremonies near and far, but many songs also enjoy such widespread popularity. Sentimental standards help shape the celebration. Unless a couple intends to buck all trends, the following are some popular wedding reception staples. “Unforgettable.” Made popular in the early 1950s by Nat King Cole, “Unforgettable” experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s thanks to a remix of the song that turned it into a duet between the late Cole and his daughter, Natalie.

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“Unchained Melody.” The Righteous Brothers classic was a hit in 1965 but rose to even greater popularity when it was included in the 1990 film “Ghost.” Couples still love to cut a rug to this song at their wedding receptions. “The Way You Look Tonight.” This oft-covered song is one of the more romantic songs to grace the American songbook. Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire have put their own unique spins on the song. “At Last.” Although Ella Fitzgerald was not the first artist to record this song, her version is arguably the most popular. “What a Wonder-

ful World.” Louis Armstrong’s rousing rendition of this classic can make any reception even more upbeat. The song is especially popular for motherson and father-daughter dances. “Wonderful Tonight.” Many couples love this Eric Clapton classic about enduring love. And guests love to grab their significant others to take their own spins around the dance floor. “Last Dance.” Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” is an ideal choice for the final song of the evening. By the time the song switches from the slowmoving opening chords to a more upbeat pace, guests will be grabbing their party favors and heading for the door.

Frosting-free cakes are the latest trend A new trend is taking hold both in America. Cakes are being pared down so that frosting and fondant coverings are now nearly absent from the confections. They’re called “naked cakes,” and these simplified desserts showcase the texture of the cakes and their fillings. According to culinary experts, the idea for the naked cake came from Christina Tosi, owner of Momofuku Milk Bar. It’s an awardwinning bakery with locations across the United States and Canada. Now many other pastry chefs and bakers are hopping on the naked cake bandwagon, with the trend being highlighted by the likes of Martha Stewart and the respected wedding resource The Knot. Just because these

cakes may be short on exterior buttercream doesn’t mean they fall flat on flavor or visual appeal. Cakes can be embellished with fresh blooms, gum paste-molded flowers, edible pearls and gems, fresh berries, and much more. The Knot notes many naked cakes are garnished with flavors that are included in the cake, such as chocolate chips, crumbs, cookie dough, or candy sprinkles. Couples who are stripping down their weddings to include more basics and natural effects may be drawn to these naked cakes. They’re also an option for those who find frosting, buttercream and fondant too sweet for the palate. Naked cakes enable the interior flavors to really shine.

BRIDAL GUIDE

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Feed on these wedding favor ideas Do you have a shelf or cabinet that’s filled to the brim with wedding favors such as engraved ice cream scoopers, cake servers, cheese spreaders or tea light candle holders? If you do, you’re not alone. As couples pore over guest favor options, many select trinkets or knickknacks that, while thoughtful, end up collecting dust in someone’s home. Edible gifts also can be thoughtful — and flavorful! Guests may look forward to an edible favor because it’s a memento of the special occasion and it won’t become a permanent fixture in their homes. There are many edible favors from which to choose. They can also be customized according to the theme of the wedding. Chocolate It’s difficult to find an edible favor more universally beloved than chocolate. Rich and inviting, chocolate has long been given as a symbol of love and devotion. Chocolate candies and baked goods

can work well for wedding favors, provided the favors are refrigerated to avoid melting. Ideas for chocolate favors include individually packaged truffles, gourmet brownie bites, candy-covered chocolates with an inscription, chocolate covered apples, chocolate coins, and other similar creations. Chocolate molded designs (much like those

Edible wedding favors may include decorative cookie baskets featuring gourmet cookies from a favorite bakery.

chocolate Easter bunnies) are another idea. Cookies Sweet cookies also make good edible favors. Butter cookies are a favorite because they are sturdy enough to cut into different shapes. Professionally iced, these cookies can be a masterpiece to behold. Some couples opt for customized fortune cookies that express personalized sentiments to guests. Make-Your-Own Sometimes it’s less expensive to give guests kits that they can take home to create their own edible treasures. Options abound and can include everything from personalized packets of hot chocolate to tea bags. Other couples choose among mixes for making cookies or cakes. Candies It has become popular to have a self-serve candy bar at many weddings. Guests are invited to step up to the display and serve themselves from a series of different confections. Autumn

Easy ways to trim costs on your wedding reception Though wedding receptions can be very expensive, there are many ways cost-conscious couples can make their reception more affordable. Limit the guest list. Receptions are more expensive the more guests a couple invites, so limiting the guest list is perhaps the best way to avoid breaking the bank to pay for the reception. Caterers and banquet halls typically charge per person, so trimming the guest list by as few as 20 people can lead to substantial savings. Before sending out your savethe-date cards, peruse the guest list to determine if any guests can be removed. It might be nice to invite professional acquaintances, but if they aren’t people you know socially then they aren’t likely to be offended if they’re not invited to the wedding. Choose a buffet instead of a sit-down meal. Choosing a buffetstyle reception is another way to save money on the reception. Sit-down meals in which guests are brought their own plates can be significantly more expensive than buffet style. In addition, a buffet

might have more options for guests, which benefits larger receptions with guests of various palates. Consider a package deal. Couples open to allinclusive package deals, which typically include the cost of the wedding, reception and possibly even the honeymoon, can save money that way as well. These are most common for destination weddings, but couples might be able to find a package

Though wedding receptions can be very expensive, there are many ways cost-conscious couples can make their reception more affordable.

deal in their hometowns as well. Host the reception at a private residence. Another way to reduce reception costs is to avoid banquet halls entirely and host the reception at a private residence, whether it’s your own home or that of a parent or other relative. This option will save you the cost of renting the banquet hall, but it might only be doable for couples having a smaller, more intimate wedding with relatively few guests. Hire a DJ instead of a band. Music presents another opportunity for cost-conscious couples to trim some of their reception costs. Some couples insist on live music, while others are fine hiring a DJ. If you’re among the latter, go with the DJ, as disc jockeys tend to be far less expensive than live bands. If you simply must go with a live band, look for a local band who might be more willing to give a hometown discount. Cost-conscious couples about to tie the knot can save substantial amounts of money by making a few adjustments with regard to their wedding reception.

Bridal showers equip couples with the necessities The modern bridal shower may trace its origins to the 1890s. “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” says the first bridal shower hostess filled a paper parasol with small presents and turned it over the head of the bride-to-be. Soon the concept caught on, and many other women began “showering” future brides in such a manner. Naturally, as presents became larger and heavier, the tradition of literally showering the bride with

gifts was modified — but the name has stuck. Bridal showers are designed to equip couples with many of the necessities to start their new life together. This custom is believed to have evolved from an old dowry system, in which a bride was expected to bring valuables to the marriage. The dowry was originally intended as compensation for the burden of supporting a wife placed on the groom. Some parents of the bride were not

Fall weddings overtake summer Since Ancient Roman times, June has been a popular month for couples to tie the knot. The month’s namesake, the goddess Juno, was said to be the protector of women in every aspect, but most notably in regard to marriage and childbearing. Therefore, it made sense to get married and take the first step toward creating a family in June. For practical reasons, June also has been a prime month for marriage because the month is neither especially hot nor especially cold in many areas of the world. While dressed in formal-

wear — whether having an outdoor wedding or an indoor one — no one wants to be overheated or uncomfortably cold. While June is still a popular month to get married, the wedding resource The Knot indicates that autumn, in particular the months of September and October, has overtaken summer as the most popular wedding season. Warmerthan-average temperatures in autumn over the last few years as well as a dazzling display of natural color help make the fall a popular time for nuptials.

rich enough to afford an ample dowry, so friends and family members would offer small gifts to help offset this financial responsibility. Today, both the bride and groom are equal partners in the marriage, bringing together their collective wealth. However, showers are still held regardless of the financial need of the bride as a way to offer good wishes before she embarks on her new journey.

weddings could have Halloween-inspired candies or those in fall hues. It’s easy to follow a color theme when you have a bevy of different candies at your disposal. Many discount stores sell inexpensive jars and candy dishes to house the candy. Designer Chinese takeout-type containers are available from craft stores and can be the perfect way for guests to make that candy portable. Other Edibles From cupcakes to maple syrup to personalized bottles of barbecue sauce, couples have so many options for guest favors at their disposal.

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Get Ready For Your Big Day! LASER BEAUTY SOLUTIONS

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A8 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Chamber members enjoy a rip-roarin’ good time BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The period of sustained economic prosperity that marked the “Roaring ‘20s” was embraced by Delta Area Chamber of Commerce members both visually and with a sense of optimism underscored by the many, many nominations for Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Educator of the Year. Clearly, Delta’s business community believes there’s much to celebrate. Encouraged to dress in period attire, folks showed up in beaded dresses, feathered hats, stylish fedoras and vintage neckties. Amanda Hasto was credited with the decorations that made the gym at Bill Heddles Recreation Center feel like a nightclub complete with jazz music from Take Five.

Darnell Place-Wise

Guests were welcomed by Darnell Place-Wise, the chamber’s executive director, who took a brief look back at 2017 and highlighted upcoming events, including the spring Home, Garden and Recreation show April 6-7 and Deltarado Days the last weekend in July. Building on the momentum from last year, PlaceWise said the Altrusans’ kick-off dinner, movie in the park and car show would also be moving to Confluence Park this year. Three Downtown DeltaFests are scheduled, in May, June and August, on the last Thursday of the month. The end of the year will bring a Business Expo, Small Business Saturday and the Parade of Lights. The 48 new members of the chamber were listed and asked to stand as their names were read. Then it was time for awards. Business of the Year nominees included Clubb’s, Jerry Reiher State Farm, First Colorado National Bank, Ultimate Skydiving Adventures, Thread-It Embroidery, Delta Hardware, Hellman Motor Company, Needle Rock Brewing Company, Shears To You, Anytime Fitness, Daveto’s, Doghouse Espresso and Guild Mortgage. Winners were determined by a vote of members, and in this category the award went to Doghouse Espresso, described

as the place for the residents of Delta to meet and come together. In accepting the award, owner Cassie Byers said she has worked in food service since she was 14 years of age. But because she’s also artistic, the ability to create latté art and pastries has been right up her alley.

Cassie Byers The Doghouse serves about 200 people a day. “This is not only our home away from home, but it’s such a community hangout,” she said. Cassie and her husband, Bryan Vest, purchased the adjacent building which houses an art gallery featuring rotating displays from artists and potters. They’re getting ready to put in a kitchen, “so we can do what we’ve been doing on a much bigger scale.” Nonprofit of the Year nominees were River Valley Health Clinic, Food

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for Thought, Abraham Connection, Families Plus, Delta Elks Lodge, A Kidz Clinic, Delta Christian Church, HopeWest and Heirlooms of Delta, All Points Transit, Delta Street Rodders Car Club, Second Saturday Stroll Delta County Historical Society, Delta Fire Department, Salvation Army and CASA of the 7th Judicial District. The winner was the Delta Fire Department. “This is kind of a nobrainer — and years and years overdue!” said the individual making the nomination. “Delta’s Volunteer Fire Department literally saves lives and families, homes and hearts. What would we do without our amazing fire department? How can we ever truly thank the many men (and their families at home) for being on call for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for every single tragedy that comes about in Delta. From fires to accidents, and our amazing 4th of July fireworks — we are so very fortunate to have such a wonderful volunteer fire department. Thank you for all that you do in our community!” In 2017, the fire department’s 26 volunteers responded to 250 calls. The award was accepted by Shannon Crespin, district manager, and Kevin Teal, assistant fire chief. Nominated for Volunteer of the Year were Kami Collins, Danielle Angotti, Susan Hansen, Annie Barker, Cecelia Tafoya, Jan Blue and Charlie Farrell, Amanda Hasto, Alice Lister and Al Formicola. The winner was Kami Collins, who exclaimed, “Holy cow! There are many, many people in this room who recognize a community problem that needs to be solved and there are people who step up ... I am glad to be one of those and to give back as I am able.”

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Embracing the Roaring 20s theme of the chamber’s annual banquet were Mary Vigil and Russ Ochs (above), and Ingrid and Kevin Carlson (below).

Collins volunteers with the homeless shelter, Girl Scouts and Lincoln Elementary. “Kami Collins is the consummate volunteer,” said the individual who nominated her for the award. “She loves to help in all areas and she does it with enthusiasm.” New this year was an Educator of the Year award. Rob Ames, an English teacher at Delta High School, was the award recipient. He is a 1983 graduate of DHS who moved to Delta in the eighth grade. “When I got here, I thought I had dropped right in the middle of a Happy Days episode,” he said. “I love being a teacher at Delta High School, I love the kids at Delta

High School, and I love the town of Delta, and I can’t tell you how humbled and proud I am to represent all of Delta High School with this award.” Other nominees included Al Williams, Jennifer Magner, Tina Miller, Andrew Bruington, Michael Klouser, Derek Carlson, Willyn Webb, Shawna Magtutu, Jim Farmer, Danielle Carre, Ben Magtutu, Jeremy McCormick and James Hughes. A special award went to Cecelia Tafoya, a chamber ambassador who faithfully represents the chamber at ribbon cuttings, grand openings and other special events.

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Photo by Pat Sunderland

Kami Collins

Shannon Crespin and Kevin Teal accept the Nonproﬁt of the Year award at the chamber’s annual banquet.

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Cecelia Tafoya

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Hospital volunteers offer scholarships

Photo by Pat Sunderland

A musical showcase

Vocal and instrumental music students from all four high schools in Delta County gathered Monday for the Delta County Music Festival. During the day, students worked with two guest clinicians — Dr. Angela Winter, director of bands at Adams State University in Alamosa, and Norm Smith, a local musician and educator who worked with the high school choirs. At 6:30 p.m., both groups performed for family and community members at the Delta Center for Performing Arts. Freshman Amelia Hickam says her class at Hotchkiss High School has about 30 students; on Monday, her voice joined over 140 others. The band numbered over 100.

Registration for spring soccer by Feb. 19 The City of Delta will be running the youth recreation soccer program. If you are interested in coaching, officiating, sponsoring or participating please contact Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 874-0923. Registration deadline for participants is Feb. 18. Practices will begin in mid-March. There will be two practices a week for one hour each (U6 may be less). Games will begin near the end of March or at the beginning of April. Games are played on some Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturdays. Six games will be played in Delta, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Orchard City and Olathe. All coaches are volunteers. Anyone interested in coaching a team is encouraged to call the recreation center. A mandatory coaches meeting will be held March 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center.

Delta County Memorial Hospital Volunteers are offering scholarships to graduating seniors from Delta County high schools. The main scholarship is for students pursuing postsecondary education in a health care-related program. Letters and applications were emailed to high school counselors in Paonia, Hotchkiss, Cedaredge and Delta. A second scholarship is for Junior Volunteers actively working with the hospital volunteers, and who is a graduating high school senior majoring

in a health-related field of study in college. The average size of scholarship awarded is $500. Scholarship applications must be received by DCMH Education Department, PO Box 10100, Delta, CO 81416 by April 13 for scholarship committee review. No late scholarship applications will be considered under any circumstances. Contact Patti Kalahar, manager, education/marketing, at 874-2291 or pkalalahar@ deltahospital.org for applications or additional details.

GROWING MINDS INCUBATOR Hatching Healthy Lifestyles

Need somewhere to go over school break?

Referees are also needed to make the program possible. Officiating is a paid position and applications can be obtained from Delta City Hall. Players will need to have their own shin guards, cleats and shorts (shorts provided for U14 and U12). Each athlete will receive a team Tshirt, soccer socks, and a 5x7 team photo. For more information, contact Whitnee Lear at 874-0923 or whitnee@cityofdelta.net.

Gear Up & Join Us!

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PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Paonia resident and Azusa Pacific University student Tiffany Clock made the academic Deans’ List at APU. A biology major, Clock is honored for a fall semester 2017 academic standing of a 3.5 or better GPA.

Lincoln’s Terriﬁc Kids

The Delta Kiwanis presented Lincoln Elementary students with Terriﬁc Kids awards on Feb. 6. 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) Maria Lopez (respect), Damian Huerta (respect); (middle row) Remi Poulson (respect), Cole Bush (helpfulness); (bottom row) Jacob Trujillo (responsibility), McKynli Hulet (respect) and Deanna Waitman (kindness).

Subscribe to the DCI. Call 874-4421.

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 (back row, left to right) Griffin Shean, Gregory Koczko, Jaxson Ash, Sebastian Ornelas; (front row) Marlyn Wilson and Joaquin Madrid. Below are second and third graders (back row) Natalia Ramirez, Jorein Bridges, Lucas Merritt, and Byron Cabrera; (front row) Bailee Hernandez, Emma Valdez and Sophia Siennicki.

Students of the Month

Photos submitted

Delta Middle School congratulates the January Students of the Month. Above are sixth graders (left to right) Austin Nelson, Maria Madrid, Eric Simental, Brett Sanchez, Isabella Beilfuss, Payton Goodrich and Teneal Braslin (not pictured). Seventh and eighth grade Students of the Month are (back row, left to right) Ethan Magner, Raelee McCurdy, Perla Mejia, Carlos Cabello, Blane Bishop, Elena Hancock; (front row) Cory Davis, Sunshine Wills, Dylan Solis, Alexis Putney, Brooklyn Mininger, Konner Workman, Alex Ward and Abigail Huff (not pictured).

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A10 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

OBITUARIES

lio. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Roy Long

Pete Tullio

Delta resident Peter “Pete” Tullio died Feb. 9, 2018, at Colorow Care Center. He was 94. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, and funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 16, with Father Albeiro HerreraCiro and Father Nathaneal Foshage officiating. Both services will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Delta. Interment with military honors by Lee Marts VFW Post #3571 will follow at Mesa View Cemetery. Peter Tullio was born on April 30, 1923, to Francisco and Frances (Boss) Tullio in Somerset. He spent his childhood in Somerset and attended school in Delta. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged Feb. 4, 1946. On April 5, 1946, he married Shirley Jardon in Reno, Nev. Mr. Tullio was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and WilsonHead American Legion Post #97. He enjoyed woodworking, music, fly fishing, camping, hunting and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Shirley Tullio of Delta; sons, Gary (Joyce) Tullio of Fruita and Richard (Jeanna) Tullio of Olathe; daughter, Aloha Tullio of Delta; brother, Henry (Barbara) Tullio of Somerset; sister, Louise Moran of Forest Grove, Ore.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and four greatgreat-grandchildren. Mr. Tullio was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, John and Jerry; two sisters, Rosie and Elizabeth; and a grandson, Charles Tul-

Donald Morris

Donald Morris died Feb. 5, 2018, at his home in Cedaredge. He was 76. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Donald Ray Morris was born June 21, 1941, to George and Ida Mae (McClure) Morris in Napa, Calif. He spent his childhood in Concord and Pittsburg and the Bay Area of California, graduating in 1959 from Pacific High School. After high school, he attended Azusa Pacifica College. On June 23, 1962, he married Irene Lozano in Pittsburg, Calif. Mr. Morris enjoyed the gypsy lifestyle and supported his wife’s venture, Designs of the IAM. He also enjoyed cooking. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Irene Morris; sons, Steven Morris of Washington, D.C., and James Morris of Oregon; brothers, David Morris and Jim Morris, both of California; a sister, Frances Scott of California; two grandchildren, Justin Morris and Jeena Morris; and one greatgrandchild, Zaydin Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents and Robena Siverly. 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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Roy H. Long died Feb. 5, 2018, at his home in Cory. He was 85. Funeral services were held Feb. 9, with interment following at Mesa View Cemetery. Military honors were provided by Lee Marts VFW Post #3571. Mr. Long was born June 29, 1932, to Roy and Marjorie Long in Cory. He attended Fairview School for eight years and graduated from Delta High School in 1950. In February 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent 13 months with the occupational forces in Germany and was honorably discharged Jan. 26, 1956. On Jan. 24, 1958, he married Lucile McCracken in Olathe. He managed Tongue Creek Ranch for 20 years and then purchased his family ranch, the 3L Bar. He farmed and ranched with his son Daniel, and then grandsons, Cullen and Dustin Long, for the remainder of his life. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lucile Long; son, Daniel (Raya) Long; two grandsons, Cullen and Dustin Long, all of Cory; brother, Wayne Long of Grand Junction; and extended family. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Lukas Roy Long. Memorial donations may be made to the Delta High School FFA program. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory handled the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Community dance set for Feb. 17 Route 66 will provide music for the community evening dance Saturday, Feb. 17, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. The dance takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Bring a friend and a snack to share. Coffee and lemonade will be provided. The cost is $5 at the door. For more information, call 874-0923.

Contact the DCI:

Delta County Independent

Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Anne Ward of Abilene; children, Darin Ward of Dallas, Texas, and Shannon (Dave) Zink of Alaska; stepchildren, Zachary (Carly) Jackson of Abilene, Texas, and Joshua Jackson of Lake Leon; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother; one Jim Ward sister; and his first wife, Former Delta resident Nancy Ward. Jim Ward died Jan. 7, 2018. He was 78. He was born April 2, 1939, to Charles Ward and Stella Tessman in Pasadena, Calif. He attended Pasadena High School and Pasadena Junior College. While playing baseball for Pasadena Junior College, he was offered a full athletic scholarship with the University of Arizona in Tucson. While there, he pitched in the College World Series in 1958, 1959 and 1960. He graduated cum laude in Charlene Burnett 1960 with a degree in Cedaredge resident business administration. Charlene A. Burnett died After graduation, he Feb. 10, 2018, at her signed with the Los Ange- home. She was 76. les Dodgers organization, At her request, no forwhere he played for 18 mal services will be held. years. The last nine years Cremation has taken he served as the batting place. practice pitcher. He also Charlene Ann Proctor served in the U.S. Army was born in Paradox on Reserves. June 22, 1941, to RobAfter his baseball ert and Emma (Swain) days, he owned and oper- Proctor. She spent her ated a printing business childhood in Paradox and in Los Angeles and then attended school in Nucla moved to Clyde, Texas, and Montrose. After and raised Limousin graduation, she attended cattle. In 2001, he and Arapahoe Junior College. his wife moved to Delta She married Roger where he designed and Bishop. They had two built a straw bale house, daughters before the drove a school bus and marriage was dissolved coached students from by divorce. local high schools. On Nov. 24, 1980, she In 2014, he returned to married Kenneth BurAbilene, Texas, and was nett in Las Vegas, Nev. inducted into the Univer- She gained two stepsons sity of Arizona Hall of and one stepdaughter. Fame that same year. In 1984, they moved His passion was base- from Craig to Cedaredge. ball and he coached young Mrs. Burnett was a athletes up to the time of member of the Congregahis death. He attended tional Church in Paradox.

She enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping, arrowhead hunting and spending time with her animals. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Burnett of Cedaredge; daughters, Kem (John) Piccinati of Carbondale and Julie (Warren) Allmon of Silt; stepsons, Gregg (Barb) Burnett of Cedaredge and Michael (Corine) Burnett of Omaha, Neb.; brother, Mark (Judy) Proctor of Paradox; 10 grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Cody Curtis; brother, Gary Proctor; and stepdaughter, Tammy Burnett. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Program supports caregivers “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” is a six-week educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend. You will benefit from this class whether you are helping a parent, spouse, friend, someone who lives at home, in a nursing home, or across the country. This class is offered by Region 10 in Montrose and will take place Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The first class is Wednesday, March 14; the last is April 18. A donation of $25 is suggested. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call 970-765-3131.

Debrra F. Wallace Sept. 6, 1955 ~ Jan. 30, 2018 Longtime Paonia resident Debrra Faye Wallace, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018 in Paonia, Colo. Debby was 62 years old. Debby was born Sept. 6, 1955. Debby will be remembered for her exceptional cooking skills and her extraordinary ability to refurbish and redecorate homes. Debby’s love for the Ragged Mountains attributed to her passion for gardening, her enjoyment of fishing and her devotion to animals. She adored her cats Merlin, Button, Rudy Mouse and Zorro.

Debby had a sweet tooth and was always looking for a piece of pie. Debby always found time to write her thoughts and create beautiful poetry. It wasn’t unusual for Debby to strike up a

tune with her beautiful voice. Debby’s beautiful smile and laugh always lit up the room. Debby is survived by 2 children: James Margrave and Desiree’ Mabe. A memorial service and celebration of Debby’s life will be held in the summer of 2018. 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

Website: www.deltacountyindependent.com

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Eugene “Gene” Lyle Moe May 15, 1932 ~ Jan. 22, 2018 Eugene Lyle Moe passed away peacefully at home in Austin, Colo., on Jan. 22, 2018, at the age of 85. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, John and Beulah; brothers, Ted and Doyce; and son, Gary. Gene is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Carla, Tanya (Kelly), Randy and Rex; grandchildren, Isaac (Jacki), Jacob, Rachel (Brian), Elisha (Karly), Brianne, Josh (Nicole), Jason (Kelsey), Ashley and Nikki; and greatgrandchildren, Denise, Alyssa, Oliver, Evander, Skyler, Cooper, Layton and Maxlynn. Gene was a religious man and did love the Lord and is rejoicing in Heaven with his brothers and son now. Gene was born in Sanford, Mich., on May 15, 1932. He graduated from high school at Midland, Mich., in 1950. Gene married Dorothy on Feb. 3, 1953, at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas. He joined the Air

Force in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1956. Gene and Dorothy have been married for 65 years. He was a dedicated man, father, grandfather and husband. His sense of humor was always present and we learned at an early age to not be surprised of what he may say or do. His love of playing cards was passed down to family members and we had a lot of card games with family and relatives while hunting up in the mountains. Gene and his brothers, Ted and Doyce, purchased Tawas Golf and Country Club in

the early ‘60s and then learned to golf. In June 1974, Gene moved to Colorado with his wife and children. Gene loved the outdoors and mostly hunting which is why the move to Colorado. There were many memorable deer and elk hunts in the mountains with family and relatives. Gene did keep his sense of humor up to the last. He was surrounded by his family at his passing. He told us all, “I am not afraid of the end because I know where I am going.” He donated his body to Science Care so that others could learn from his situation. There will be a Celebration of Life for Gene sometime in May 2018 and then his ashes will be spread up in the Ragged Mountains where he loved to hunt on May 15, 2018. The family would like to thank Hospice and VA caregivers for their efforts. Paid obituary

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

�� Taste and learn how to cook ��

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wild game meat in Delta If you’re a novice hunter and want to taste and learn how to prepare wild game meat, you’re invited to attend a “wild game cocktail party” sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The event is set for 6 p.m., March 3 at the Needle Rock Brewing Company in Delta. “Wild game meat is excellent and highly nutritious, but it’s helpful to get some tips on how to prepare it,” said Mark Richman, a district wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife

If you write memoir, novels, short stories or essays and want to grow the quality of your writing, you won’t want to miss the Feb. 17 workshop hosted by the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. The workshop begins at 9 a.m. with a light breakfast and will run until about noon. The event will be held at the Grand Junction Busi-

On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Colorado Archaeological Society Chipeta Chapter will have its second annual members’

Program showcases Olathe area pioneers Save the date for the Montrose County Historical Society’s seventh annual “Pioneer Social,” featuring the Westesen Family and other area farming families. The social will be held at 2 p.m. at Montrose United Methodist Church, 19 South Park, Montrose, on Saturday, Feb. 17. Donations will be taken at the door, and everyone is invited.

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Delta Fine Arts will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Orchard City Town Hall, 9661 2100 Road. The meeting is open to all area creatives. The program will include details regarding the upcoming DFA show, June 20-23; a discussion on the restructure of the yearly meeting schedule; and a live demonstration by Arleta Pech. Pech will be sharing her watercolor techniques on different surfaces from traditional images on paper to a gesso board that needs no glass. Please call 970-8743088 for additional information.

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ness Incubator, 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction. If possible, please RSVP to Terri Benson at tbenson@gjincubator.org Award-winning writer and WritingStrides founder Alissa Johnson will cover key elements that help your writing stand out and engage your readers on a deeper level. The class will cover imagery and description, dialogue, and point of view.

Members share archaeological finds

‘Creatives’ invited to Delta Fine Arts meeting

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meat with beer and wine. CPW staffer will talk about cooking techniques and the special qualities of wild game meat. The tasting party is aimed at new and novice hunters. The price is $12 and includes a sampling of beers. If you’d like to attend, please contact CPW’s Montrose wildlife office at 970-252-6000, or stop in the office at 2300 S. Townsend Avenue in Montrose. The deadline to apply to participate in the event is Feb. 19.

Learn to write to be read

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in Delta. The event is a recruitment effort aimed at novice hunters to highlight the conservation benefits of hunting and the flavor and nutritional qualities of game meats to a new generation of foodies, Richman said. Upwards of 15 different wild game dishes will be served, including bear, mountain lion, pheasant, deer heart and many other unusual items. Kenneth Kinser, chef at Needle Rock, will talk about pairing wild game

potpourri meeting where chapter members will present short illustrated talks about their own adventures. Come and experience a tour of Southern France’s cave paintings by Annette Butts, Aboriginal Quinkan cave paintings of Queensland, Australia, with Dr. Carol Patterson, and Bill Harris 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.

Johnson will share some of the most common mistakes she sees writers make to help you understand the importance of each element, and use lecture, discussion, and writing time to help you improve your craft.

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‘Lovers’ dance, potluck planned The Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club will host a Valentine’s-theme dance and potluck dinner on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 7-9 p.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street, Delta. Come early and bring something for the potluck dinner at 6 p.m. The dance follows from 7-9 p.m. The night’s dances of love will be called by Naaman Moorehouse from Grand Junction. Dances are “Mainstream” with “Plus” Tips. Round dances are to recordings. If coming from out of town, call 835-3771 or 7734495 to verify dance dates and details.

Symphony plans a romantic evening Valley Symphony Orchestra presents “Tis the Season for Romance,” a concert featuring guest violinist Carlos Elias. The concert will take place at the Montrose Pavilion Sunday, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for seniors (60 and older) and $5 for students (17 and under). Advance tickets are available at valleysymphony. net or at Clubb’s in Delta, DeVinney Jewelers in Montrose and the Montrose Pavilion. At the door, tickets will be $20 for adults and seniors and $5 for students. Carlos Elias will perform “Violin Concerto in G Minor.” Elias was the director of strings/orchestra at Colorado Mesa University and concertmaster of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra from 1999-2013. In addition, he was the music director of the Symphony in the Valley in Glenwood Springs from 2008-2013.

Currently, he is the director of strings and orchestra at Cedarville University in Ohio. Following the concert, a reception will be held to honor Elias and to celebrate director Mike Kern’s 25th anniversary with the Valley Symphony Association. For more information visit valleysymphony.net or the symphony’s Facebook page.

Carlos Elias

Pea Green Saturday Night returns Feb. 24 It will soon be time for the February session of the Pea Green Saturday Night concert series, and all of you are invited. On Feb. 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. the Dawson Springs Band and Stray Grass will perform their favorite old-time and bluegrass songs and tunes

at the Pea Green Community Center located at the intersection of Hwy 348 and Banner Road, SW of Delta. The cost is one sawbuck ($10) at the door, and seating is limited. Some people bring a snack to share and you can do likewise if you want to. The doors

open at 6 p.m. for this sit-down concert. Chairs will be provided and the famous “I’m a Pea Greener” lapel button will also be offered for those of you who promise to wear it proudly. For more information call Len Willey at 8748879.

Stray Grass

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A12 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

Phone scams: DMEA says don’t fall for them

Photo submitted

Total health care

The Center for Mental Health and River Valley Family Health Center have combined to create Complete. Connected. Care. in newly renovated and expanded space at 107 West 11th Street in Delta. Complete. Connected. Care. brings together two agencies with the single vision of improving total health care to Delta County and beyond. Through the partnership, practitioners are able to offer complete health care including mental health, substance abuse services, primary care, and dental services. The opening of the expanded clinic was celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 1. The expanded clinic is accepting new patients seeking one, two, or all medical offerings. To learn more, call 874-8981.

Renowned speaker highlights 2018 Soil Health Conference The eighth annual Western Colorado Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 22 and 23 at the Delta Center for Performing Arts, located at 822 Grand Avenue in Delta. Information about the conference can be reviewed online at www. westerncoloraodsoil health.com or call DCED at 970-874-4992. Nationally renowned speaker Dr. Allen Williams will highlight the 2018 conference. He will present on a number of topics including the connection between healthy soils and nutrient dense foods, and integrating livestock into your soil health program. Dr. Williams brings a diverse background of experiences and education to his presentations. Allen Williams is a sixth generation family farmer and founding part-

ner of Grass Fed Beef, LLC, Grass Fed Insights, LLC, and a partner in Joyce Farms, Inc. He has consulted with more than 4,000 farmers and ranchers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South America on operations ranging from a few acres to over one million acres. Williams pioneered many of the early grass fed protocols and forage finishing techniques and has spent the last 15 years refining those. He is a “recovering academic,” having served 15 years on the faculty at Louisiana Tech University and Mississippi State University. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in animal science from Clemson University and a Ph.D. in genetic and reproductive physiology from LSU. He has authored more than 400 scientific and popular press articles, and is an invited speaker at region-

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COLOR LASER PRINTING ��

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al, national and international conferences and symposia. Major areas of research and business focus include soil health, adaptive forage and grazing management, high attribute pasture-based meat production, and alternative marketing systems. Delta County Economic Development is the fiscal and administrative agent for the Soil Health Conference. Understanding that soil is a treasure, DCED 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 eighth annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference. For more information visit www.westerncolora dosoilhealth.com or call DCED at 970-874-4992.

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“Know your Neighbor,” a weekly feature of the DCI, is an excellent marketing tool for your products and/or services. This highly effective advertising campaign promotes your business over a six-week period at a cost that averages just $33.33 per week. The total package of $200 includes an advertising message viewed by DCI readers for six consecutive weeks, WITH FREE COLOR! You have the option of changing the ad each week or repeating the same ad. The bonus of this advertising package is that once during the six-week period your business will be featured in a news article and accompanying photo. This article can be provided by you, or will be written by the DCI based on information you provide. Any information you wish to emphasize to our readers can be included in the article. The six-week repetition of your ad along with the news article and photo will attract reader attention to give your business unbeatble exposure to about 6,000 homes. Other businesses that have participated in this program have been extremely pleased with the response they get with "Know Your Neighbor.” They report that with just one sale, they’ve been able to recoup the expense of advertising. A new six-week series of Know Your Neighbor articles/advertising will be launched soon. Please call Annie Sunderland at 874-4421 to reserve space for “Know Your Neighbor.” Annie will be glad to assist you in designing your ad and answering any questions you might have.

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Nuclear Care Partners receives accreditation Nuclear Care Partners received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) making it the only provider in the United States exclusively serving former atomic workers to achieve such a high level of patient care. “We are thrilled to be accredited!” said Patti Kendall, VP of clinical compliance at Nuclear Care Partners. “It is unusual for a healthcare organization to become accredited unless they’re required to do so. We chose to become accredited because we wanted to demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest level of patient care available to former atomic workers.” Accreditation is a process of review that allows health care organizations to demonstrate their ability to meet regulatory requirements and stan-

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dards established by a recognized accreditation organization. Accreditation reflects an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that demonstrate a higher level of performance and patient care. Since 1945, more than 600,000 men and women have served in more than 360 nuclear weapons facilities throughout the United States. Many of these workers paid a high price for their service — developing debilitating, and sometimes fatal, illnesses due to radiation and toxic chemical exposure. Nuclear Care Partners offers these workers no-cost benefits guidance and in-home care. For more information contact Nuclear Care Partners at 970-244-0900 or visit www.Nuclear CarePartners.com.

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tion out over the phone. Be skeptical. DMEA doesn’t call you after hours, on weekends, or holidays. If you receive a suspicious call, take down the caller’s information, hang up, and reach out directly to DMEA to confirm the status of your account. Some members may receive calls from DMEA regarding account balances, but remember, payment must always be initiated by you, the account holder. Pay online, through DMEA’s automated phone system, in person at an established DMEA office, or by mailing payment directly to DMEA. Call the law. If you receive a scam call, report it to DMEA and local law enforcement immediately.

Looking for a cost-effective method for advertising your business? Try Know Your Neighbor

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The Ideal You

the co-op’s online account management tool, Smart Hub. This service gives members direct access to their account status, so they can view their billing and payment history, plus the ability to pay online and a host of energy management services. In addition to setting up an online account, DMEA offers these tips: Don’t give out personal information. DMEA representatives will not take your credit card number over the phone. In order to protect you, our rules require you to enter your card number yourself through our interactive phone system. Don’t give credit card numbers, bank accounts, social security numbers, or other personal informa-

Know Your Neighbor

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A rash of panicked phone calls filled the lines at Delta-Montrose Electric Association last week as members reported yet another phone scam. Although consumers are typically savvy regarding scams, DMEA advises members to exercise caution as the scammers become more sophisticated and clever. “The scammers are using the same language we use in the utility world and referencing practices like meter swap outs, deposits, and the like. In short, the scammers are getting more educated about the way we do business and unfortunately, that makes it easier for members to fall for the ruse,” explained DMEA marketing and communications manager Becky Mashburn. In general, callers are claiming to be DMEA representatives, stating members are past due on their account, and threatening immediate disconnection if members do not pay. This time, the scammers have also armed themselves with an even more convincing lie: Caller ID spoofing. “Adding to the confusion is the scammers’ ability to spoof DMEA’s phone number. This means their calls show up as DMEA on a caller ID, even though it’s not us,” explained Mashburn. So how do you know if DMEA is calling you or not? According to Mashburn, you don’t. “It’s best to play it safe. If you receive a call demanding payment for anything, think before you act. Get more information from the caller, hang up, and reach out to DMEA directly,” says Mashburn. Additionally, all DMEA members can access their own account 24/7 through

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NORTH FORK February 14, 2018

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Community spirit in the spotlight BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A baker, a creative nonprofit, and the oldest volunteer radio DJ in the country were among the recipients of the Paonia Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 community awards. The awards were presented Feb. 8 during the organization’s annual board meeting held at Wisehart Springs Inn. The “Small Business of the Year” award went to Chris Jacobson, who in 2015 founded Paonia Bread Works. In the early days, said emcee Betsy Marston, Jacobson delivered products by bicycle and would trade bread for local produce. “He sort of demonstrates that idealism: I can be a business guy,” said Marston. Last July Jacobson expanded his offerings and opened a store front at 530 Grand Avenue, formerly the Auction House. He will soon expand his hours into the evenings.

Awards can be overrated, said Jacobson, but this “is probably the best award I’ve ever gotten.” Since his business would not exist without the community, Jacobson said he seeks to serve the community with a combination of “great tastes and good feelings and reciprocity with all of you.” The North Fork Valley Creative Coalition was named “Non-Profit of the Year” for its “vision and devotion to seeing a thriving creative community.” The coalition manages the North Fork Valley Creative District, one of 21 creative districts designated by Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “What we understand is that the arts are an economic booster of where we live,” said Marston. “This is a really big honor,” said NFVCC board president

Photo by Tamie Meck

From left, North Fork Valley Creative Coalition board members Carol Newman, Patti Kaech, Spencer Lightfoot, and president Susie Kaldis Lowe accept the chamber’s Non-proﬁt of the Year award.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Felix Belmont was honored with the chamber’s “Lifetime Volunteer” award. Belmont, 99, was a founding member of KVNF and continues to volunteer at the station. Susie Kaldis Lowe. Since 2011 the NFVCC has supported the arts by building community, economic resiliency and diversity through the creative sector. NFVCC also manages the downtown Final Friday Frolics, and a Labor Day Arts and Agriculture tour of the area. They are currently working with other rural communities and arts organizations to develop the state’s first “Colorado Creative Corridor.” The project has already received $50,000 in grants. In presenting the annual Volunteer of the Year award, “There are volunteers who put their soul, their heart into a nonprofit, and then there’s Felix Belmont,” said Marston. To honor his decades of service to the community, the chamber presented Belmont

with the “Lifetime Volunteer Award.” Belmont, a founding member and 40-plus year volunteer DJ at KVNF Public Radio, turns 100 this year and was recognized for his “relentless support of the North Fork Valley Community.” Belmont chose to retire in Paonia, “But never really retired,” said Marston. “You all made KVNF possible,” said Belmont. “KVNF is a community station. It belongs to all of us.” A special “Game Changer” award went to Elevate Fiber, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta-Montrose Electric Association, for “being an industry innovator and bringing the power of high-speed internet to the North Fork Valley.” They were honored, said

Marston, “Because where would we be without highspeed internet?” DMEA board members Brad Harding and John Gavan were key to getting DMEA to see the value in the concept, said Marston. Since going live in Paonia in 2016, broadband has become “an incredible economic boost” to the area. Gavan, who represents North Fork area DMEA members, said that once the decision was made three years ago to move ahead with the project, “The staff team just took it and ran with it. I’ve CHAMBER AWARDS TO B3

Three-year program could reshape Crawford government BY RANDY SUNDERLAND General Manager

The Crawford Town Council was quick to accept an offer of assistance from the Department of Local Affairs, to help with the town’s financial sustainability. Kimberly Bullen, the northwest regional manager for DOLA, explained the three-year program during the council’s regular meeting of Feb. 7. Crawford popped up on her radar a few months ago when Bullen met with mayor Wanda Gofforth, town clerk Cally Gallegos and public works director Bruce Bair to discuss ways the state agency could help the town.

Bullen thought Crawford might be a good match for a three-year program focused on financial sustainability. The agency would provide technical assistance to look at internal policies, demographic indicators and other information to help craft a plan for the town to come up with best management practices and ways to maximize its resources. She asked if the town council was interested in participating? Chris Johnson replied, “You chose well!” Each council member expressed support for participating, and unanimously

approved a motion to participate. During the discussion there was interest in finding ways to seek grant funding and for surveying the citizens on key issues. Bullen noted that to begin the program, DOLA representatives will talk with staff and council to establish some idea of what they hope to achieve. “We will rely on you guys to say, ‘This is where we need to start,’ and then start working through some of these things.” When asked about matching funds, Bullen said, “We look at ways to make things work. We would like local

matches for some things, often there are ways to leverage these dollars ... and if we are working with a truly disadvantage community, the match could be less than 5050. It doesn’t happen a lot, but we can see.” Also on the agenda was discussion of establishing a municipal court. Mayor Gofforth raised the topic during the January work session, and asked council members to think about it and be prepared to discuss it at the February meeting. To open the discussion, Gofforth noted she had pulled information from council disCRAWFORD TO B3

Photo by Tamie Meck

Chris Jacobson’s Paonia Bread Works was named 2017 Small Business of the Year. Jacobson was credited with having the vision to start the business in 2015.

Birders explore back roads for raptors BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The Black Canyon Audubon Society sponsored two raptor field trips last weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 10 and again on Sunday, Feb. 11, nearly two dozen enthusiasts explored Delta County back roads between Hotchkiss, Crawford, and Paonia searching for a variety of raptors.

Although some raptors are present year-round, a large number occupy the area during the winter months. Rural areas in the North Fork Valley are ideal for viewing the elusive birds. There are lots of large trees, sizeable tracts of open land, lightly traveled roads, and plenty of critters for the raptors to prey upon.

The weekend field trips were led by Jim Le Fevre, biologist and raptor specialist with Bio-Logic, Inc., a natural resource consulting firm in Montrose. In five hours of searching, Sunday’s volunteers racked up an impressive score of sightings: 30 red-tailed hawks (including one Harlan’s hawk), 21 bald eagles, 14 golden eagles, 10

kestrels, seven northern harriers, two prairie falcons, two rough-legged hawks, and one Copper’s hawk. Of these, the rough-legged hawks are one of the highlights to be found

in western Colorado since they migrate more than 1,800 miles from northern Canada to spend the winter here. Saturday’s field trip yielded similar results.

Photo by Penny Huescher

Photo by Don Benjamin

Binoculars are at the ready as enthusiastic spotters move into position to study a distant group of raptors. The group tallied eighty-seven birds during a Sunday ﬁeld trip led by Jim Le Fevre (foreground in black coat and pointing), a biologist and raptor specialist with Montrosebased Bio-Logic, Inc. Searching back roads in Delta County, the group spotted several large eagles as well as a number of smaller kestrels, harriers, hawks and falcons.

An adult red-tailed hawk stretches its wings. This handsome bird was one of 87 raptors sighted Sunday during a Black Canyon Audubon Society ﬁeld trip in the North Fork area. Some birds circled in the winter sky; a few were spotted in nests; and many were found perching on tree branches, fence posts and power poles.

B2 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Hotchkiss orchard taps C-PACE for renewable energy system Western Slope solar project marks first agricultural property to utilize state program Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), which helps building owners and developers finance energy efficiency measures, recently announced the state’s first agricultural project funded through the program. Ela Family Farms, a Hotchkissbased certified organic orchard, will use C-PACE financing to install a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system at its warehouse. Along with producing renewable energy, the installment is projected to save the fourth-generation orchard more than $113,000 in energy costs over the system’s lifetime. Hotchkiss-based Empowered Energy Systems, LLC will install the 25kW solar PV system at Ela Family Farms’ 7,391-square-foot warehouse. “C-PACE financing is a game-changer for our rural county’s agricultural producers and businesses,” said Brad Burritt, a co-owner of Empowered Energy Systems. “Being able to offer long-term financing with

no down payment makes solar more affordable, and it’s a smart investment for rural businesses. We’re proud to install the first C-PACE project on the Western Slope.” Colorado C-PACE is a public-private partnership designed to help commercial property owners and real estate developers finance energy efficiency projects with affordable, long-term financing. The program relies on private capital providers, and not taxpayer dollars, to fund projects. Region 9 Economic Development District of SW Colorado, a nonprofit that promotes and coordinates economic development efforts throughout southwest Colorado, funded the $60,420 Ela Family Farms investment working through Colorado CPACE. “For four generations, the Ela family has tried to be innovative and farm in the most environmentally-friendly manner possible,” said Steve Ela, owner of Ela Family Farms. “While we were converting the farm to 100 percent certified organic production, we changed our watering system from wasteful furrow irrigation to sprinkler-and-drip irrigation. A solar PV system

Pickleball players meet three times a week Want to have fun and be a part of one of the fastest growing sports in America? Pickleball meets from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Saturdays at the Apple Valley Tennis Courts, Pan American Avenue, Paonia. Call Thomas, 527-3962, for more information.

to power our fruit coolers with renewable energy seemed like the logical next step. The fact that it will lower our utility bills is an added bonus.” “C-PACE is available statewide to commercial property owners in counties that have joined the program — whether that’s in downtown Denver or rural Dolores,” said Paul Scharfenberger, chairman of the Colorado New Energy Improvement District, which oversees Colorado C-PACE, and chief operating officer of the Colorado Energy Office. “The relatively small size of this project, and the Photo submitted fact that it was agricul- Jo Moniak Edmondson, Don Foster, Lori and Dave Marek, Chris King, Pete tural, didn’t exclude it Kolbenschlag and Charlie Jankiewicz are pictured after the installation of from obtaining funding. umbrellas at the restaurant Indigo in Coral Bay. This is a testament to the program’s value and the number of lenders who have signed up to participate — 22 and counting — which is more than any other statewide CRecently, a crew of obvious on the surface, ing remotely to collect PACE program.” volunteers from Shade- the communities of St. specific needs and meaScapes Americas headed John and the North Fork surements for each of the to St. John in the US Vir- Valley have a lot of simi- 22 locations. gin Islands with a unique larities,” says EdmondA “small world” story: gift — the gift of shade. son, “Both places enjoy When Edmondson postThe ShadeScapes team a casual lifestyle and are ed ShadeScapes’ plan to installed 50 elegant, long- fueled by the passions donate umbrellas on the lasting umbrellas at 22 and hard work of small stateside St. Johnians locations on the island, businesses. We all care Alliance for Hurricane comprised of restaurants deeply about our com- Irma Facebook page, she and schools that suffered munities and are there heard from a member of devastating damage dur- to support one another the Todd family who lives ing Hurricanes Irma and through the good and the on the island. Growing bad. When we started up, he spent summers in Maria. The people of St. John hearing from other Col- Paonia on his grandfahave shown incredible oradans who love both ther’s ranch and really resilience during this places, it really brought appreciated the effort to time of rebuilding and to light the impact that help. So, he supplied Jo Moniak Edmondson, travel makes on people tools and building supFounder and CEO of and affirmed that giving plies for the installations. Jordyn (Rienks) Shiﬂet ShadeScapes Americas, has no boundaries.” wanted her company to ShadeScapes AmeriA portion of proceeds contribute to the recov- cas took 50 umbrellas to from all ShadeScapes ery. Moniak Edmondson island restaurants and sales are going toward has owned a home on the schools, a commercial the purchase of additionisland since the late ‘80s value of $65,800. Origi- al umbrellas. IN THE NEWS and feels a strong con- nally, the company comFor 15 years, Jordyn (Rienks) Shiflet nection to the people who mitted to donating 30, Hotchkiss-based ShadeSgraduated with her Doc- make St. John such a spe- but found the need to be capes Americas has been torate in physical ther- cial community, and she’s much greater and decid- at the forefront of outapy from Northern Ari- not the only one. St. John ed to cover the cost of door design by bringing zona University on Dec. has a huge community of bringing more umbrellas beautifully crafted, archi15, 2017. Jordyn, a 2010 support stateside and as by donating 25 percent tectural-grade umbrellas graduate of Paonia High the St. John Shade Proj- of the company’s outlet to North America. From School, is the daughter of ect was formed, stories of sales back to the project. Belgium to South AfriScott and Kelly Rienks. people with ties to both ShadeScapes handled all ca, Quebec to Germany, She currently resides in Colorado and St. John the logistics of getting the ShadeScapes partners New Jersey with her hus- emerged. donation to the island, with international manuband Chris. “While it might not be recruited volunteers from facturers to serve design both St. John and Colo- professionals, businesses rado, and installed the and residential buyers. umbrellas during the ShadeScapes was named week of Valentine’s Day. a Colorado Company to Edmondson visited the Watch in 2017. See www.shadescapes island in December to The North Fork Pool, Street, in Hotchkiss, or identify recipients. Since americas.com for more Park and Recreation Dis- mailed to P.O Box 2093, then, she has been work- details. trict has two- and four- Hotchkiss, CO, 81419, year board seats open for no later than the close the upcoming election on of business on Friday, May 8. The three directors March 2. will be elected to serve Affidavits of Intent for four-year terms, and a write-in candidates must director will be elected to be submitted no later serve a two-year term. than Monday, March 5. Self- nomination forms Absentee ballots must be are available on the filed no later than the district website, north close of business on May forkrecreation.com, and 1. For more information, should be completed and call Lenore Cambria at returned to the NFPPR 970-872-6122 or 970-985office at 333 Bulldog 9220.

ShadeScapes supports rebuilding efforts in St. John

PEOPLE

North Fork rec district seeks board nominations

Photo submitted

The 50 umbrellas were packed and shipped from ShadeScapes’ Delta warehouse earlier this month. Pictured are staff members Eva Kassem, Daniel Gonzalez, and Jo Edmondson and volunteer, Charlie Jankiewicz.

Photo submitted

Pictured are the North Fork residents who are either volunteering in St. John: Jo Edmondson, Don Foster, Lori Marek, Dave Marek, Chris King, Pete Kolbenschlag and Charlie Jankiewicz, or working on the project: Sally Hardy, Michelle Brunson, Josh McIntire and Lisa McAlister (Denver).

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Chamber awards FROM PAGE B1 my career, but I’ve never seen a network built this fast and run this well and make so many happy people.” “It’s just great to see the recognition for the hard work that’s been done and the vision that the board had,” said DMEA CEO Jasen Bronec. The project could not have happened without the support of DMEA’s membership, said Bronec. “We’re just stewards of the assets that are owned by our members and we’re really and truly here to extend and improve the quality of life for our membership and to operate and be good stewards of the assets that are trusted to us.” The Chamber also recognized DCI reporter Tamie Meck as “Journalist of the Year” for “all the extra hours and effort put in to report on and share the cool things happening in the North Fork

Valley.” The Chamber opened with a brief business meeting. Despite having to make some cuts, it was a successful year, said board president Annette Pretorius. First, the bad news. The chamber closed its downtown visitor center after a year of operation. Despite all that it has accomplished, “as volunteer board members, we don’t have the time... to maintain a staff person and an office and visitor center,” said treasurer Theresa Menzel. By closing the center and letting its one employee go, the chamber can now focus on providing more and better services to its members, said Menzel. The good news: Membership has grown. In 2014 the Chamber took in $4,500 in membership dues. In 2015 they collected $15,000, and in 2017 they brought in $17,000. While they

have experienced growth, membership is leveling off, said Menzel. In looking ahead, “We’re going to be okay.” The Chamber is even starting to look at adding new events. Jim Brett has taken over maintenance of the Chamber website, which links the community to the outside world. It “is possibly the best benefit offered to members,” said Pretorius. The site received about 34,000 hits in 2017. For most members, said Pretorius, the website ranks higher than their business website due to the many businesses listed on the site. “Business Bingo,” sponsored by Elevate Fiber, brought traffic and customers to the downtown core during the Mountain Harvest Festival. The Chamber also pooled money to advertise the Downtown Day held in conjunction with the July 4 Cherry Days celebration, and the Holiday Fair held between

Photo by Tamie Meck

From left, Brad Harding, Jasen Bronec, Virginia Harman, Carson Rutherford, Kent Blackwell, and John Gavan accept the Paonia Chamber’s “Game Changer” award on behalf of DMEA and Elevate Fiber. the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The annual Oktoberfest, the Chamber’s main fundraiser, was held at Edesia Warehouse and was a big success. The Chamber also provided welcome packets for Real-

Western Slope Conservation Center seeks ‘lasting change’ BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The Western Slope Conservation Center (WSCC) held its annual meeting in Hotchkiss on Sunday, Feb. 11. According to its 2017 annual report, the WSCC’s mission is to build “an active and aware community to protect and enhance the lands, air, water and wildlife of the Lower Gunnison watershed.” Karen Ortiz, chair of the WSCC board, and Alex Johnson, WSCC executive director, joined with other board members and staff to address the group which assembled in Heritage Hall. Documentary filmmaker Suez Jacobsen presented a keynote talk. WSCC is entering its 41st year of organizing concerned citizens to take collective action to pro-

Crawford FROM PAGE B1 cussions in 2013 to get an idea of the costs. The known costs, such as judge, court clerk, sound system, forms, attorney fees, were estimated at more than $10,000. The revenue generated by the court would come from court costs of $25-35 and fines, which by ordinance cannot exceed $99 per violation. She noted, “I don’t see that we have the money to do that, or the violations which could sustain the costs of a municipal court.” “I don’t think it will work,” said Mike Tiedeman. “I’ve always said we don’t have the number of violations to justify the cost.” Chris Johnson pointed out the latest nuisance ordinance (for marijuana) established a process to utilize district court to try violations. He suggested the town give this process a chance, and see how it works. He also stated the town needs to work with people before taking them to court, to try to resolve problems before they escalate to court cases. Council member John Paton complained about the cost estimates, and wanted better, updated estimates. The top nuisance complaints in Crawford are odor, trash, dogs, and unlicensed or abandoned vehicles. The discussion was testy at times as council members talked about personal experience with nuisance complaints. There was a general consensus that establishing a municipal court was not a feasible option. The council also did not have a clear idea of what the enforcement process should be — from

tors to give new residents when they close on their home. This year’s focus will be on website maintenance, Facebook promotions, and promotion of the Chamber’s many events. The Chamber will also continue to focus on meeting goals with volunteers, while understanding that they also have jobs. With payables of $4,000 and a $5,000 line of credit, largely due to costs related to the visitor center, the Chamber

is also focusing on reducing debt while continuing to grow and support business members, said Menzel. The Chamber is also seeking new board members to oversee events and help with administrative tasks. “I know that everyone’s busy and we’re all trying to make a living,” said Pretorius. “If there’s just one thing you have a heart for, we could use help.” Visit paoniachamber. com for more information.

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Photo by Don Benjamin

Sporting anniversary T-shirts, members of the Western Slope Conservation Center took part in organization’s annual meeting held earlier this week in Hotchkiss. Pictured (left to right) are Hotchkiss resident Karen Ortiz, who serves as WSCC board chair, and two Paonia residents — Americorps VISTA volunteer Reaha Goyetche and WSCC board member Tracy McCurdy. mote outdoor education and the Lower Gunniand protect public lands son watershed. For 2018, Ortiz emphasized that the group’s vision “is to continue to build power for lasting change.” WSCC is headquarthe initial complaint to tered in Paonia and most the staff ’s response, edu- of its board members and cation, and resolution. staff live in the North Ultimately the coun- Fork area. However the cil approved a motion to group’s 600-plus mempostpone further discus- bers reside throughout sion until after the elec- Delta County and statetion, and after the town wide and Ortiz stressed has selected a new attor- that everyone with an ney to replace the current town attorney. Jim Brown has announced his retirement from the position after decades of service. The town is actively soliciting bids, and is expected to look at those at its March meeting. Later in the meeting, while addressing a letter complaining about barking dogs, the council decided the town clerk should send a letter from the town to the person with the problem dogs, and include a copy of the complaint letter. Mike Tiedeman, before the decision was made, said send the letter, and also send a letter to the neighbor instructing them to talk to each other. “In reality, I don’t see the town policy is to solve everybody’s problem,” said Tiedeman. “Knock on your neighbor’s door, meet them, and talk to them.”

Valentine potluck planned for Feb. 15 Fruitland Mesa Club is hosting a Valentine potluck at noon Thursday, Feb. 15. Community members are invited to join the gathering at the Crawford Community United Methodist church annex. For more information, call Judy Fletcher at 3995405.

interest in conserving the natural environment is welcome to join the group. WSCC Upcoming events include an environmental film fest in March 2018 and a Gunnison River float fest in June. One of the group’s most pressing challenges for the coming year will be to monitor proposed changes to federal policies on the use of public lands.

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B4 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Soil health conference in Delta Feb. 22-23 The 8th annual Western Colorado Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 22 and 23, at the Delta Center for Performing Arts, located at 822 Grand Avenue in Delta. Information about the conference can be reviewed online at www. westerncoloraodsoil health.com or call DCED at 970-874-4992. Nationally renowned speaker Dr. Allen Williams will highlight the 2018 conference. He will present on a number of topics including the con-

nection between healthy soils and nutrient dense foods, and integrating livestock into your soil health program. Dr. Williams brings a diverse background of experiences and education to his presentations. Allen Williams is a sixth generation family farmer and founding partner of Grass Fed Beef, LLC, Grass Fed Insights, LLC, and a partner in Joyce Farms, Inc. He has consulted with more than 4000 farmers and ranchers in the U.S., Cana-

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

da, Mexico, and South America on operations ranging from a few acres to over 1 million acres. Allen pioneered many of the early grass fed protocols and forage finishing techniques and has spent the last 15 years refining those. Major areas of research and business focus include soil health, adaptive forage and grazing management, high attribute pasture-based Photo submitted meat production, and alternative marketing systems. Hotchkiss High School students spent an amazing night on Grand Mesa, Delta County Economand two days cross country skiing. The trip was part of the Youth Outdoor ic Development is the fisNetwork activities sponsored by The Nature Connection. The Grand Mesa cal and administrative Nordic Council provided its warming hut for the overnight. The students agent for the Soil Health thank everyone who made this adventure possible. Pictured, from the Conference. Understandleft, are: Tessa Grifﬁth, Kyra Stevens, Ava Taylor, Abigail Vespia, Youth ing that soil is a treaOutdoor Network leader Sarah Marshall, Isaac Van Horn, and Jordan sure, DCED in conjuncDennison. tion with NRCS, Delta Conservation District, Shavano Conservation District as well as individuals active in the agricultural community have come together to prepare the 8th annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference. ing program, and share on Surface Creek Trail, BY TRACY IHNOT For more information ideas and suggestions for enjoy programs before Delta County Libraries please visit www.west Feb. 14 is a great day programs,” says Sherry meetings, attend travel erncoloradosoilhealth. to express gratitude with Hall, president of the presentations by other com or call DCED at 970flowers, sweet feelings Delta friends group. “Our friends, and participate 874-4992. with sweet hearts, kind dues are a mere $15 a in book sales. Maybe the words in enclosed cards year which gets you a best reason to become a and, for the libraries, free book the opportunity friend is that we have the appreciation for loving to have fun supporting opportunity to work with a diverse group of people the library.” friends. Expanding member- who share our apprecia“Celebrating our In the Feb. 7 issue of the Delta County Inde- library friends goes hand- ship is a common objec- tion for what libraries pendent article on the in-hand with Valentine’s tive for all the friends offer the communities in oldtimers, newcomers Day because we want groups. “We are always our district.” When asked what she potluck in Crawford, Pat each of them to know looking for new members Bennett was honored as how much we love them, and volunteers to help would say to someone the Oldtimer, “having and appreciate their hard with book sales, bake considering membership, called Crawford home for work and caring hearts for sales, sorting and haul- Briscoe says, “The library 63 years.” She actually the libraries,” comments ing books, our annual is one of the hubs of our has lived in Crawford for Terry Johns, Hotchkiss potluck event, new ideas, community. Show your and maintaining the support for your local 73 years . . . 74 years Library manager. Each of the 28 days landscaping,” says Judy library! Join the library in April. We regret the in February represents a Briscoe, president of the community to help us error. continue to better serve way to love the librar- Paonia friends group. The five libraries you!” To learn more about ies during Library Lovers Month. The call to action depend on their friends the friends groups or to to organize, join your local group, call on day 14 is “Be a Friend.” groups Library friends and staff plan, and execute vari- or stop by your library countywide are hoping ous important library today! to raise awareness, and functions and assist in membership, this month spreading the word about library services to in their groups. Friends of the Delta the larger community. Library aim to boost Similarly, all five friends IN THE NEWS membership on Feb. 14 groups rely on new and by handing out red car- renewing members from Logan Hill of Hotchkiss The annual meeting of nations, cookies, and a the community to accom- has been named to the the Hotchkiss-Crawford complimentary book for plish their goals. Deans’ List/Explore CenHistorical Society will new members that sign “As a Friend of the ter List of Distinguished be Sunday, Feb. 25, at up at Delta Library on Cedaredge Library, Students at the Univerthe Crawford Town Hall, Valentine’s Day. members choose to be sity of Nebraska-Lincoln beginning at 2 p.m. “We are looking for involved with activities for the fall semester of The guest speaker is new members, who enjoy as they please,” says the 2017-18 academic Chris Miller with the the company of fellow Pat Means, president of year. Interpretive Association ‘book-a-holics,’ to sort the Cedaredge friends Hill, a senior manageof Western Colorado. book donations, assist group. “Our members ment major, was named Refreshments will be with book sales, sup- participate in storytimes, to the Dean’s List for the served. port the summer read- walk the StoryWalk® College of Business.

Grand overnight adventure

Delta County library friends are forever

Correction

Historical society annual meeting is Feb. 25

PEOPLE

Elsewhere Studios hosts ‘cross-pollination connection’ ��

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On Saturday, Feb. 17, Elsewhere Studios will host an artist cross-pollination connection from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Paradise Theatre in Paonia. The event will feature a quick round of questions and answers that introduce artists to each other, help project partners know the artists and engage the community with the artists. The artists include Clara Pena, working with Matt Jenkins and John Steele on “Of Anthracite and Apples.” These educators find themselves more and more drawn into media and story for the sake of community dialogue. Clara comes from a family of agriculturists and coal miners, and this short film will document the history of extractive industries in our valley and ask the community what a new, resilient economy would look like. “I think our community’s story has the potential to resonate with people across Colorado and the globe because, as James Joyce put it, “in the particular is contained the universal.” Our valley’s struggle is the universal struggle for survival and prosperity. I hope the film allows people from many perspectives to celebrate

the history of our valley while reimagining our economic future,” says Pena. A second section of their project will be a mini-series documenting the artists and course of the INSPIRED project, and will take on interns from Montrose High School’s Advanced Multimedia classes. Learn about “Per(Fumes) of Prayer” by Christine Palafox and Tanya Blacklight. In response to the approval of 146 fracking wells upstream from the Paonia

Reservoir, this duo will design an Eco-dance, built around ritual, with contemporary, ancient, and ethnic movement. The filmed dance will feature Delta County locations, in their beautiful abundance and potential vulnerabilities, and highlight juxtaposed relationships of industrial. John K. Melvin, artistin-residence, will present “Curbing Social Entrophy.” He increasingly incorporates clean-ups, material collections, and pollution and consumption

awareness workshops and exhibitions into his work. Learn more at http://www. johnkmelvin.com/ Because of the larger scale of his sculptural creations, Elsewhere seeks public and private land location prospects in considering siting a public art piece this summer. Also on hand will be Anna Macleod, whose ongoing work, “Water Conversations,” examines the politics, traditions and practices surround water in a variety of global locations.

Photo by Tamie Meck

First corporate Rotary member

North Fork Valley Rotary Club president James Schott welcomes Solar Energy International Development Director Marla Korpar, and Americorps VISTA member Beata Ramza, and executive director Kathy Schwartz as the club’s ﬁrst corporate members. At left, Rotarians Sarah Bishop, also a member of the SEI board of directors, and Greg Thompson are SEI’s membership sponsors.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Hospice isn’t about dying; it’s about living your best “I remember so vividly my father collapsing at his retirement party in front of our family and his coworkers,” said Nancy Hovde, HopeWest development officer. “We called an ambulance to pick him up, not knowing he was even ill.” Soon after an ER visit, Hovde and her family learned her father had an estimated three to six months to live. The family was devastated, undergoing a swirl of emotion. However, when Hovde’s father enrolled in hospice care, Hovde recalls the family’s reality immediately becoming more bearable. “Hospice care offered support earlier in the progression of my father’s illness rather than waiting until death was imminent,” said Hovde. “My hope is that every family facing similar situations will use these services and understand that enrolling in hospice doesn’t mean you’re giving up. For my dad, it was choosing to live his last months the best they could be.” Scenarios like Hovde’s play out hundreds of times across the nation every day. Among the more than 1.3 million Americans who received hospice services, 28 percent were

in hospice for less than seven days according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Facts and Figures 2016 Edition, when the Medicare benefit allows up to 180 days of hospice care. The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management also reports that patients who received hospice services lived on average, 29 days longer than those who did not receive hospice care. So, why do patients wait so long to enroll in hospice care? Is it the fear of giving up or a misconception that hospice is a last resort when nothing else can be done? “Wishing a loved one was enrolled in hospice sooner is one of the biggest regrets our patients and families face,” said Dorothy Pew, HopeWest program director. “We want families to know that hospice isn’t just about dying peacefully, but rather living in comfort.” Medicare and other insurance providers typically cover hospice care in full for up to six months and may cover an extended period if physicians re-evaluate patients and determine they are still appropriate for hospice. If a patient enrolls in hospice, HopeWest will support caregiv-

ers, work directly with the patient’s physician to coordinate care, help families focus on what’s important and worry less about the details, plus so much more. If a patient is not eligible for hospice, HopeWest’s palliative care program is an alternative for patients who may need that same level of support and care. “We hope that you look to HopeWest as a resource,” said Pew. “We understand that illness and even aging can be a complicated time. Our teams are committed to finding the best care options and solutions for you or your loved ones.” For more information about how HopeWest’s hospice, palliative care or grief support can help you or your family, visit HopeWestCO.org or call 970-874-6823.

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Oath of ofﬁce

As Hotchkiss Marshal Dan Miller looks on, Hotchkiss Mayor Wendell Koontz administers the oath of office to the town’s new deputy, Brandon Garcia. Deputy Garcia’s first day on the job was Feb. 13. He previously worked for the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office in the Somerset area. He lives in Delta County with his soon-to-be wife, Taylor, and their newborn, Hunter. The addition of a police officer was a budget priority for 2018. Hotchkiss’ four-man police force also includes Deputy Chris McDonald and Corporal Chad Lloyd. Deputy McDonald serves as the school resource officer.

Learn about home funerals, green burials Caring for our own dead through home funerals is an option that is again growing popular across the country. Death is a part of life, and being present with death helps us to appreciate and value life. Taking care of our own dead enables us to start a healthy grieving process, in our homes surrounded by those we

green burials. The presentation will take place at 6 p.m. at the Paonia Library. Come learn how to create practices around death that are healing and nurturing. The home funeral movement in this country is strong and growing quickly. In every state, it is legal to care for your own loved one all the way

love, including the one we have lost. We remain in control of their care which ensures that they will be treated with the utmost love and dignity. On Wednesday, Feb. 28, Carrie Lerner of Bird Song Crossings will present “Dying Matters,” an educational program about home funerals, death and dying, and

through disposition. Lerner is a trained home funeral guide and death doula. She received training from Beyond Hospice in 2015 and has been working toward educating people to prepare for their own dying time, as well as guiding friends and families to relearn the practice of caring for our own dead.

Good Luck to our area Wrestlers at the

2A STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

Thursday, Friday and Saturday • February 15-17 at The Pepsi Center in Denver

HOTCHKISS BULLDOGS (2A) Robert Cochran - 113 lbs. Sergio Campos - 120 lbs. Presley Pene - 126 lbs. Traycer Hall - 132 lbs. Jace Peebles - 145 lbs. Devin Curtis - 195 lbs. Kevin Chavez - 220 lbs. Nolan Egging - 285 lbs.

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Zeb Etter-126 lbs. Caden Meilner - 132 lbs. Clay Campbell - 145 lbs. Grey Neal - 152 lbs. Jesse Burns - 160 lbs. Sackett Chesnik - 138 lbs. Anthony Felice - 170 lbs. Anthony Miller - 182 lbs. Jaden Miller - 220 lbs. Levi Peterson - 285 lbs.

Sam Campbell - 106 lbs. Adrian Nieto - 113 lbs. Trey Geyer - 120 lbs. Sean Dale - 126 lbs Alex McCracken - 132 lbs. David Schipmann - 138 lbs. Colton Hoerr - 152 lbs. Jared Hulteen - 160 lbs. Toby Waddell - 182 lbs. Taj Van der Linde - 220 lbs. Derek Sanchez - 285 lbs.

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PAONIA EAGLES (2A)

CEDAREDGE BRUINS (2A)

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ACCURATE TAX

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& ACCOUNTING SERVICE

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Ollie’s Ice Crea m ��

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Hellman Chevrolet Buick

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B6 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

What’s happening at your library? The Delta County Libraries offer many educational and entertaining activities and events for you and your family to enjoy. If you want to know what else your library is offering, please contact the library or visit the Delta County Libraries website at www.delta libraries.org. Cedaredge Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. February StoryWalk®. The woodland animals of Burrow Down are ready for a bedtime story, but where are the books? The FebruaryMarch StoryWalk® book is “The Snatchabook — Who’s stealing all the stories?” written by Helen Docherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty. Visit Cedaredge Library after your walk for activities and books related to the story. Pick up a Snatchabook mask take home craft. Write or draw a Snatchabook bedtime story and be entered to win a Snatchabook book. Blind Date with a Book. Books of all genres for all age groups will be wrapped and patiently awaiting someone to connect with. Choose a book based on genre and age group and then fill out the “Rate Your Date” book review after reading the

book. Bottle Cap Maker Space. Create your own bottle cap magnet at the maker space station. Decorate with pictures, googly eyes and more. All supplies provided. Adult supervision necessary for young children. All month in February Crafts Group. Crafters meet every Tuesday at 10 a.m. to share ideas and show and tell. Tech Soup Saturday. Bring your devices and your questions. Our expert “techies” will do their best to answer your questions. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Who’s Genealogy. Who in Whoville? Find out who you really are! The first Friday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Crawford Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 399-7783 for details. Tech Help. Librarians will be available to help you with questions and problems about computers or mobile devices. Wednesday through Saturday by appointment. Contact the library at 399-7783 for details. Delta Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Wednes-

days starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 874-9630 for details. Friends of the Delta Library. Be a friend to your library! Delta Library friends will be set up at the library on Feb. 14 with red carnations, cookies, and a free book for new members who sign up. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 3 p.m. Roger Hutchison Art Display. During the month of February, Delta Library will be displaying the works of local artist Roger Hutchison. The display will feature Hutchison’s abstract metal structures. Hutchison is a retired local art teacher who inspired many students during his teaching career. Heart Tower Maker Space. All month long in February in the children’s area at Delta Library. Scavenger Hunt. Find the hidden pages in the children’s area and build a book for Library Lovers Month. All month long in the children’s area of Delta Library. Teen Game Night. Board games and card games will be available in the teen area every Wednesday night at 4 p.m. Genealogy One-onOne. Get the help you need researching your genealogy in this ongoing class taught by Mickey Watts. Meets the second

and fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. Talk & Tangle Yarn. This is a group of knit and crochet enthusiasts who get together to talk and work on their individual projects. Anyone is welcome to join. Mondays starting at 5:30 p.m. Hotchkiss Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact the library at 399-7781 for details. Hotchkiss Book Club. February’s book is “The Underground Railroad” by Colson Whitehead. Thursday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. Around the World. Travel the world and explore a different country every month. Join us for stories, games, recipes and activities from around the globe. October through March. All ages welcome. With special guest David Alderdice on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 4 p.m. Blind Date with a Book. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Go on a blind date with a book and perhaps it will be love at first sight! If you don’t enjoy it, no hurt feelings, just dump it (in the library book drop!). All month long in February at Hotchkiss Library. Tech Help. Librarians will be available to help you with questions

and problems about computers or mobile devices. Tuesday–Thursday by appointment, 399-7781. Paonia Storytimes. Baby, tot and preschooler storytimes are Tuesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Contact library at 399-7881 for details. Knit Crochet Day. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow knitters and crocheters; share projects and browse our library of craft books for use or purchase. Always tea and cookies too! Saturday, Feb. 17, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Garden Volunteer Day. Build your resume with a volunteer day. Bring gloves and some muscles as we prep the garden beds for this spring. For teens. Saturday, Feb. 17, at 2:30 p.m. Armchair Travel. Join Bill and Sarah Bishop on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. as they relive their Peruvian adventure. Exploratory Art Class. Local art teacher Natalie Haines will provide a guided art activity for children age 35 and their parent or guardian. Bring your own snack and clothes to paint in. Space limited to 10 children. Sign up at Paonia Library. Every Friday from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. through the end of March. Tech Café. Tech assis-

tance for all ages and skill levels. Every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. Literacy Program High School Equivalency. For information on high school equivalency classes or HISET testing, please contact Gail Srebnik at 399-7670 or gsrebnik@deltalibraries. org. ESL Classes. An intermediate to advanced ESL class meets at Delta Family Center Mondays through Thursdays from 12:15 to 3 p.m. Contact Danielle at dcarre@deltalibraries. org for more information. A class for all levels is offered at Hotchkiss Library starting in January. Contact Ann at astewart@deltalibraries. org for more information. Para obtener más información en español, por favor llame a Adriana al 970-874-9630 o por correo electrónico a achavira@deltalibraries. org Distance Learning Program. Do you need your high school equivalency but are unable to attend our classes? Delta County Libraries now has a distance learning program that offers participants the ability to work from home with an online program to prepare for the test. Contact Ann Stewart at astewart@deltalibraries. org for more information.

Good Luck to our area Wrestlers at the

3A STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

Thursday, Friday and Saturday • February 15-17 at The Pepsi Center in Denver

DELTA PANTHERS (3A)

OLATHE PIRATES (3A)

Drake Horn - 160 lbs. Aiden Barrios - 170 lbs. Gauge Lockhart - 195 lbs. Logan Church - 285 lbs.

Clay Yarnell - 138 lbs. Teagan Harris - 170 lbs Chase Sale -285 lbs.

PIN ‘EM !

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SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS February 14, 2018

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

www.deltacountyindependent.com

First title in at least 3 decades

Bruins win Region 1 mat title

BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Cedaredge head wrestling coach Cutter Garrison estimates that last weekend’s regional team title ended a three decades long championship drought. The Bruins placed 13 wrestlers and scored 226 points to win the Class 2A Region 1 title Saturday at Delta High School, outscoring 14 other teams, including Paonia and Hotchkiss. Cedaredge will take 11 wrestlers — four freshmen, one sophomore, two juniors and four seniors — to the Colorado High School Activities Association 82nd annual State Wrestling Tournament, which opens Thursday at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Garrison credits hard work for the win. Now in his fourth year as head coach, “When I showed up at Cedaredge I looked up in the rafters and there was only two banners hanging up,” said Garrison. While he couldn’t recall the exact years, the banners date back to the Gunnison Valley League days. Whether it’s been 32 years or 35, “It feels awesome,” he said. “It has been a process. It’s been a long time coming.” Four Bruins wrestled for first place. At 113 pounds, freshman Adrian Nieto (22-4) will be seeded third at state after

Senior Alex McCracken was runner up at 132 and will make his fourth state appearance after a 4-0 championship match loss to Hotchkiss. At 152, senior Colton Hoerr will make his third state appearance after a championship match loss to Paonia. Also winning silver was freshman heavyweight Derek Sanchez

(170, 21-21) and first-year senior Pedro Madaleno finished fifth. In one of the toughest brackets, sophomore Ryan Imhoff (145, 11-10) scored three points on a consolation win. Cedaredge is ranked second in Class 2A, behind Rocky Ford. At state, everyone wants that shot at wrestling for the championship, and a few of his wrestlers have a real chance, said Garrison. But in reality, the back door is where a lot of points are scored and tournaments, including state, are won. “If we’re going to make a run at it, it’s going to be in the back door.” Garrison said he’s very proud of all of his wrestler for sticking to the program. “We took a beating my first year,” he said. (In 2014, 11 Bruins qualified for state, but none placed.) Through the seasons and during the summer, “We kind of just stuck to the grind and outworked (the competition), I think.” The result is a “very talented team, and very tough team,” but Garrison continues to look at the program. “That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “Thirty years from now I want them to say, ‘Remember the program Photo by Tamie Meck that that guy built?’ The Cedaredge Bruins scored 226 points to win the Class 2A Region 1 tournament at Delta High School “And it starts with and marked the ﬁrst such win in at least three decades. The Bruins also won the Western Slope Sports- these 14 guys that wresmanship Award, as voted on by tournament referees. tled today and yesterday.”

winning his division in a 3-2 championship tiebreaker win over Harley Workman (25-8) of Norwood. At 126, sophomore Sean Dale takes a 40-4 record and regional title into state, where he will be the No. 1 seed. As a freshman, Dale placed third in the region at 120 pounds, and fourth at state.

(20-13), who was seeded second. Where points were concerned, the thirdand fifth-place matches were big for Cedaredge. Six Bruins wrestled for third place, with freshman Trey Geyer (120, 335), Jared Hulteen (160, 30-10), and Taj Van der Linde (220, 31-8) winning by fall, and Toby Waddell (182, 24-19) winning by a

3-1 decision over Paonia. David Schipmann (138, 23-13) finished fourth, winning two consolation matches by fall. At 106 pounds, Sam Campbell placed fifth. Campbell, a freshman with a 17-18 record, became the team’s 11th qualifier on a wrestle back win by fall (4:40) over Mancos. Junior Drew Markley

Eagles qualify 10 wrestlers for 2018 state tournament BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Paonia Eagles placed 12 wrestlers and scored 203.5 points to finish second Saturday at the 2A Region 1 tournament. Senior Clay Campbell was one of three Paonia wrestlers to go undefeated. Wrestling at 145, Campbell is seeded second in state after winning the title match against Jace Peebles of Hotchkiss (27-15) by a 7-2 decision. This season, Campbell has won 35 matches by fall. Two sophomores also went undefeated. In the first-place match, Grey Neal (152, 34-9) won by fall (4:44) over senior Colton Hoerr of Cedaredge, and at heavyweight, Levi Peterson won by fall (1:30) over Derek

Sanchez of Cedaredge. Brothers Jaden Miller and Anthony Miller both placed in the top four. Jaden Miller, a two-time state placer, wrestled at 220 after being ranked second all season at 182. In the championship match Miller lost by decision to undefeated Sky Carlson of Soroco. Three-time state qualifier Sackett Chesnik (138) had a heartbreaker 4-0 championship loss to rival Tannen Kennedy (40-4) of Meeker. The third place round wasn’t too kind to Paonia. Placing fourth were sophomore Zeb Etter (126), who had the only technical fall in the tournament; junior Anthony Felice (170), who pinned his opponent in a wrestle back to hold onto his

Photo by Tamie Meck

Paonia senior Caden Meilner celebrates his regional upset win in quarterﬁnals over No. 1 seeded Garrett Frantz of Meeker Friday night. Meilner was seeded eighth and placed fourth to qualify for this year’s state wrestling tournament.

state berth; and freshman Anthony Miller, who also finished fourth after a one-point win in a wrestle back against West Grand. Two wrestlers had big wins on the way to a state qualification. At 160, junior Jesse Burns was seeded third upset the No. 2 seed, Cedaredge senior Jared Hulteen, in semifinals. With 45 seconds remaining and the scoreboard showing Burns ahead, 12-8, officials stopped the match to check the score. “So much was going on during that third period,” said Burns, and a lot was going on in his mind, including his earlier loss by fall to Hulteen. Knowing they would meet at regionals, Burns studied Hulteen. All he’d trained for this season came down to this moment, said Burns When the match resumed, Burns was up, 12-11 and knew he was in Hulteen’s head. “I just did what I had to do,”

said Burns, who rode out the final seconds for the win. “I just wanted to beat this kid so bad because I’ve never had the opportunity to go into the championship,” said Burns. “I needed to make it to state.” The win secured his trip to state. Assistant coach Josh Burns was coaching another match, but was really happy for him, said the younger Burns. “We’ve been talking about this moment and making it to state.” At 132, senior Caden Meilner was seeded eighth and placed fourth, marking the greatest seed-place difference of the tournament. In quarterfinals Meilner faced No. 1-seeded Garrett Frantz of Meeker and was losing and on his back when Frantz pulled Meilner back on top of him. Meilner leaned in with all his might, feeling Frantz’s shoulders go back on the mat when the referee signaled the fall at 4:27.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Hotchkiss sophomore Jace Peebles, left, controls Paonia senior Clay Cambpell in the 145-pound championship match. Campbell got the upper hand later in the match and won by decision, marking his sixth match of the season not won by fall.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Adrian Nieto, of Cedaredge, pins Paonia freshman Ethan White in regional quarterﬁnals. Nieto, whoplaced ﬁrst at 113 pounds, is one of three Bruin freshmen to qualify for state.

Delta qualifies 3 to state with Church and Barrios winning regional titles BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Western State Colorado University in Gunnison made a good decision when it signed Delta senior Logan Church to its wrestling program. Church will be the No. 1 seed when the Class 3A State Wrestling Championships open tomorrow at the Pepsi Center in Denver. Church, who has remained first in state On the Mat Rankings throughout the season, topped off a prefect 310 season Saturday, winning the Region 1 title at Alamosa on a win over second-ranked Preston Duran of Alamosa (26-7). While he won by a major decision, the match tested his ability, said head coach Clayton Curtis. “But he’s just an animal. He knows what he wants.” The win marked the first regional title for Church, and only the sec-

ond match this season he didn’t win by technical fall or fall. Junior Aiden Barrios won the 170-pound division. A wrestler Curtis described as starting out slow and gaining momentum as the season progressed, in the championship match Barrios (24-12) upset top-seeded Travis Kerrigan (31-9) of Buena Vista in overtime. “That was a great win,” said Curtis. Barrios had lost to Kerrigan early in the season and knew it would be a tough match. He was down two in the final period and both wrestlers were on their feet, said Curtis. With about 2 seconds remaining, Barrios got a takedown, sending the match into overtime. “It was a nice little throw out of bounds,” said Curtis, and Barrios managed to keep his toes on the mat. Barrios won on a takeDELTA TO B8

B8 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Dogs 3rd with three titles BY TAMIE MECK

DCI Sports Writer

Hotchkiss will send eight wrestlers to state this Thursday. In theClass 2A Region 1 tournament, the Bulldogs finished third with 178 points and placed 10 wrestlers. And while three wrestlers won regional titles and eight qualified for state, if anything stands out, it is 132-pounder Traycer Hall’s championship win. Head coach Richard Flores called Hall’s performance, “the highlight of the night. Talk about most improved; he looked fantastic this tournament,” said Flores. “He beat some kids he’s never beaten before.” After pinning his way to the first-place match, Hall (31-14) upset number two seeded Cedaredge senior Alex McCracken (34-8), by a 4-0 decision. “Those matches happen,”

said Flores. Hall is one of two Hotchkiss freshmen to qualify for state. After pinning his way through the bracket, he faced Cedaredge senior Alex McCracken for the championship. In January McCracken defeated Hall, 12-4, in a dual match. “He beat me fair and square,” said Hall. Heading into the finals, Hall said that match was in his mind, and all he could do was “give it everything I had. Leave it all on the mat.” In the third period and leading, 2-0, Hall had McCracken leg-locked and picked up two more back points. At that point, he said, “I kind of knew I had it under the wraps.” Hall is the son of assistant coach Matt Hall and younger brother to Colton Hall, who last year ended his high school career by placing third at state.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Sergio Campos works toward a win over Jacob Pelloni of Meeker in the Class 2A Region 1 120pound regional champonship match held in Delta. Campos, a junior, is now a three-time regional champion for Hotchkiss.

“We wrestle a lot in our living room,” said Hall. And while Hall entered the season at number six in On the Mat rankings and has been ranked all season, “I very much exceeded my goal.” About half the wrestlers in the regional bracket either beat him during the season or wrestled close matches,” he said. “With a little bit of motivation from some coaches and a friend from Norwood, we got me in the right mindset.” Flores said he knew Hall had it in him to win, “But to turn it on today was awesome.” At 120, junior Sergio Campos is seeded first in state after winning his third straight regional title on a decision over Meeker’s Jacob Pelloni. In semifinals Campos pinned Cedaredge freshman Trey Geyer, who was first in state rankings after pinning Campos in January. Flores called Geyer “a very dangerous freshman. We watch ourselves real close against that one.” Senior Devin Curtis had a convincing championship at 195 pounds. Curtis opened with a 33second fall over Rangely and won the title on a 15-second fall over the number three seed from Mancos, tying for the fastest match of the tournament. At 145, Jace Peebles finished second on a 7-2 loss to top-seeded Paonia senior Clay Campbell. Peebles dropped to 145 for regionals after wrestling the season at 152, where he was ranked 10th. “I thought it was a good move for him,” said Flores. Freshman Robert Cochran maintained his composure to beat the same kid twice and placed third. Had he lost the third-place match he would have had a wrestleback, said Flores. “Those are scary matches.” Making their first state appearance are junior 126

Presley Pene, who wrestled back to third place after a semifinal loss to Cedaredge. At 220, senior Kevin Chavez finished fourth. In looking at the four wrestlers who competed in the 220-pound division, all ranked in the top five in state, Flores said he believes they are the top four wrestlers in the state. Heavyweight Nolan Egging placed third. Egging, a senior, is a firstyear wrestler. The team needed a heavyweight, said Flores. “We pulled him out of the crowd. Second week in February, he’s going to state.” In the third-place match, Egging executed a headlock throw in sudden victory overtime to pin senior Erik Shafer of Soroco. Shafer is also a first-year senior wrestler, and both celebrated their state qualification. Egging said he wrestled a little in kindergarten, “But I hated it.” This year, he said, was “the last chance.” “It takes guts to do what he did,” said Flores. “He stuck with it, and good things happened for him.” There were some heartbreakers, said Flores. Hotchkiss was looking at qualifying at least nine for state, but 106-pound junior Landon Mayberry didn’t make weight. Mayberry was seeded first and ranked second in the state. That also would have given the Bulldogs another 20 or more points and possibly a higher team finish. “It happens,” said Flores. In looking ahead to the state tournament, which opens tomorrow, wrestlers who place third or fourth in the region may have a tough bracket, but they should know that they can still win it all, said Flores. He recalled a Delta heavyweight who placed fourth in the region and went on to win the state championship. “All they have to do is work hard and finish strong,” he said.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

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Hillman 10th in 50 yd. freestyle Delta High School senior Kendra Hillman entered last week’s state Photo by Wayne Crick swim meet ranked ninth Senior Kendra Hillman, left, and Delta High School in the 50 yd. freestyle and head swim coach Karoline Roome pose for a pic- finished 10th. Hillman posted a personal best ture at the state swim meet in Thornton. time of 25.93 in the race. Hillman was ranked 16th in the 100 yd. breaststroke prior to the state

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meet and finished 15th with another PR time of 1:16.33. Information gained through research indicates Hillman’s appearance in this year’s state meet was the first time in 10 years a swimmer who attended school in Delta had gone to state.

Delta

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Hotchkiss freshman Tracer Hall, right, works toward a win over Cedaredge senior Alex McCracken in the 132-pound regional championship match. The second-place ﬁnish marks McCracken’s fourth state qualiﬁcation.

Hotchkiss coach Curtis Hintz treats 195-pound senior Devin Curtis during a blood-timeout. Curtis will make his third state appearance after winning the regional title.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Paonia heavyweight Levi Peterson wrestles Hotchkiss senior Nolan Egging in regiional semifinals. Both wrestlers qualified for state after Peterson won the regional title and Egging, a first-year wrestler, placed third.

File photo

Delta heavyweight Logan Church, right, wrestles at the Warrior Classic tournament in December. Church takes a 31-0 record into the Class 3A state wrestling tournament after winning the regional title at Alamosa Saturday.

CONTINUED FROM B7 down. He wrestled well, said Curtis, but taking first “was the icing on the cake.” Senior Drake Horn was runner-up at 160 pounds after a loss to number one seeded Colton Castro (29-4) of Pagosa Springs. Horn wasn’t at his best in the final match, said Curtis, but in looking at the state bracket, that may not be a bad thing. “I like where he’s at in the bracket.” This is Horn’s second state qualification. As a junior he placed third in the region. At 195, sophomore Gauge Lockhart defeated three of four higher seeds to place third. His only loss was in quarterfinals to Zendon Bernal, the No. 1 seed from Alamosa. Lockhart ended the tournament on a 10-0 major decision over Basalt.

His first and last wins basically knocked the higher-seeded opponents out of the running for state, said Curtis. “That was a big accomplishment. He was a dark horse, a wild card for us.” Delta placed seven wrestlers and scored 85 points to place fifth in the region. Freshman Ben Koch (120, 24-8) placed sixth. In semifinals, Koch was up by four in the third period and gave up a reversal/back point combo to send the match into overtime. Koch lost, 16-14. For a freshman, “He competed,” said Curtis. Seniors Brendon Starr (145, 17-12) and Brandon Harper (152, 21-9) placed fifth. “I really thought they could make it,” said Curtis. “Those were heartbreakers.”

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Delta hoop teams lose in Cedaredge, split at RF BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

As the 2017-18 basketball campaign nears the end of regular season play, Delta High School’s basketball teams are gearing up for strong finishes with hope of finishing high enough RPI ratings to advance to this year’s 3A state basketball playoffs in early March. Losses to Cedaredge by both teams mark the third loss to the Bruins for the girls and the second for the boys this season. Delta’s boys won their first meeting with the Bruins in the First Colorado National Bank Tournament in December. The girls fell to the Bruins 34-30 on Feb. 6 and the boys were eightpoint losers in a 56-48 3A WSL meeting in Cedaredge. A snowy trip to Carbondale on Saturday wasn’t enough to keep Delta’s girls from earning a hard fought 56-48 win. For the second straight time, Delta’s boys failed to keep up with the Bruins in the early going and dropped a 62-52 decision on Feb. 6. On Saturday the Panthers were outgunned 2414 in the first quarter in Carbondale with the Rams going on to score a 60-48 decison handing Delta a two-loss week. Girls Bruins 34, Delta 30 A 13-point first quarter for the Bruins was four points better than what the Panthers scored and eventually was the difference in the game last Tuesday (Feb. 6). The Bruins (6-1, 16-1) outscored Delta 14-9 in the middle quarters to lead 27-18 with a quarter left to play. Delta put together a 12-point fourth quarter

to close the gap to four points before the final buzzer sounded. Sara Geddes was Delta’s leading scorer with eight points (seven coming in the fourth quarter). Addison Schwarz’s 12 points topped Cedaredge shooters and Courtney Freeman added eight points for the winners. Prior to the start of the game Cedaredge coach Ryan Hilbig made mention of the fact that he had instructions to not be in another overtime game with the Panthers. The Bruins won the previous two games between Delta and Cedaredge in overtime 47-43 and 4139. The Bruins, with two more wins last week (see related story) remain atop 3A WSL standings with a 6-1 league mark and 16-1 overall. Delta 56, RF 48 These two teams were evenly matched last Saturday in Carbondale. Delta (6-1, 13-4) led 13-12 after one period but Roaring Fork (3-4, 9-7) was a point better than Delta in the second quarter and the two teams were tied, 23-23, at halftime. The Panthers regained an edge in the third quarter on a 13-11 run and finished with a 20-14 fourth quarter to make the final score 56-48. Geddes’ 18 points were the most scored by any player in the game with Delta teammate Aubrey Jones (back from an ankle injury after several weeks) scored 10 points (including six of eight free throws). Roaring Fork’s Logan Erickson scored 15 points and Gaby Santana added 13 for the Ram’s offense in the game. Delta’s regular season ends this week with

games against Moffat County (6-1, 13-4) on Friday at 6 p.m. and in Parachute on Saturday against Grand Valley (52, 11-6) at 2:30 p.m. Boys Bruins 62, Delta 52 Delta’s contest against Cedaredge resembled its previous meeting with the Bruins. A quick start by the Bruins led to a 1912 lead after one period and was extended to 3626 by halftime. Peter Carlson got off to a great start for the Bruins with 12 points in the first quarter and finished with 10 of 13 free throws on a night where they would wreak havoc on the Panthers for 25 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks. Logan Freed’s eight points in the second quarter weren’t enough to cut into Cedaredge’s lead as the Bruins added three more points to their lead for the 36-26 halftime lead. After trading threepoint advantages in the final two quarters the Bruins came away with their first 3A WSL win of the season, 62-52. Freed scored 13 of his team-high 15 points for the Panthers with Jaspar Carmichael adding 10 points and Felipe Bedoy scoring all eight of his points in the final period. Adding double figures to the Bruins’ win were Jared Reynolds (16; nine in the fourth quarter) and 10 points each from Baylee Piper and Jacob Lewis. Rams 60, Panthers 48 The pace was furious in first quarter play with the Rams getting eight points from Justin Thompson and another seven from Joe Salinas in Roaring Fork’s 24-point opening quarter. Delta distributed 14

points amongst six players but missed numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Freed’s 12-point effort in the second quarter helped Delta shave three points off the Rams’ lead to make the halftime score 36-29. Both teams floundered in the third quarter with just 14 points being scored between them. Delta cut the Rams’ lead to three in the second half but could not do more as Roaring Fork’s Oscar Miranda hit a pair of threes to stretch the lead back to more than a two possession game. Fouls down the stretch put the Rams on the free throw line where they made six of 10 attempts putting the game out of reach as time ran out on the Panthers. Miranda and Thompson finished with 18 points each for Roaring Fork (5-1, 14-2). Delta stands at 4-2 in WSL play and is 11-6 overall. The Panthers host Moffat County this Friday (Feb. 16) at 7:30 p.m. and travels to Parachute for the final regular season game with Grand Valley at 4 p.m. When in Need Acts of kindness and support were shown Delta fans and players last week. Against Cedaredge on Tuesday, flowers were presented to Delta’s girls prior to tipoff showing support and respect for the recent student losses at Delta High School. In Carbondale, Roaring Fork High School provided meals for teams and fans to show their respect and condolences for Delta’s past losses. Those acts of sharing bring an internal warmth helping to remind us we are not alone in our daily lives when comfort is needed.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Last Tuesday night’s big men, Andrew Baier (15) of Delta and the Bruins’ Peter Carlson, with ball, made play inside the paint an interesting adventer at times. The Bruins played a strong game and defeated Delta for the second time, 62-52.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge junior Courtney Freeman (11) controlled the opening tip against Delta on Feb. 6. Though the Bruins did not play exceptionally well, they used opportunities they were given to score a 34-30 win to post their third win of the year over Delta.

Bruin girls win, boys fall games this past week, 34-30 over Delta (Feb. 6; Cedaredge had a good see related story), 36-35 start to its basketball over Vail Christian (Feb. week in boys play. The 9) and 41-10 in Aspen on Bruins defeated Delta for Feb. 10. Boys the second straight time, Saints 57, Bruins 52 62-52, on Feb. 6, after Cedaredge’s offense losing to the Panthers 71was ineffective in the first 54 back in December. The next two games half with the exception of were not so memorable Peter Carlson’s play. The with losses to non-league talented senior scored foe Vail Christian (Feb. 9) eight of Cedaredge’s 10 57-52 and a 44-30 loss in first-quarter points while Vail Christian’s Bryan Aspen on Feb. 10. After losing their first Trujillo led the Saints’ 13game of the season to point charge with seven Grand Valley (38-34) on counters. An 18-9 run for the Jan. 26, Cedaredge’s girls have won five straight Saints gave Vail Chrisgames, including three tian a 31-19 halftime lead. Vail Christian was four points better than the Bruins in the third quarter and led 47-32 heading to the final stanza. Cedaredge, behind the shooting of Jared Reynolds (33s) outscored the Saints 20-10 in the final quarter to fall short in its quest for a win, 57-52. Carlson paced Cedaredge scoring with 14 points while teammates Jacob Lewis and Reynolds finished with 13 points each. Trujillo’s 20 points topped all scorers in the game with Sebastian Moritz adding another 17 counters for the Saints. AHS 44, CHS 30 Saturday night’s contest in Aspen began slowly with the Bruins holding a brief 6-4 lead as the two teams began play in the Photo by Wayne Crick second period. The play of senior Grace The Skiers put Andrews against Vail Christian together a 26-8 on Saturday was instrumental run through the in the Bruins’ win with seven second and third points in the fourth quarter. periods to lead 30-

BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

14 with one quarter of play remaining. Cedaredge won the final period by two creating the final losing margin of 44-30. Carlson’s 20 points, 11 rebounds and 13 blocked shots highlighted the Bruins game against the Skiers. Cedaredge coach Craig Cerise commented on games played this past week. “We just didn’t shoot well that night (against Vail Christian) until we got hot in the fourth quarter. Peter (Carlson) had a good night again, but the rest of the team struggled with shots. Vail Christian was also pretty good at finishing their shots on drives (in particular Bryan Trujillo) with a few high shots over Peter. “Against Aspen we had our worst shooting game of the year and we really didn’t bring as much effort as we usually do which wasted a superior effort by Peter who had his second triple-double of the week with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 13 blocks (he also had a triple-double against Delta on Feb. 6). For whatever reason, we just couldn’t hit shots against Aspen and they hit enough on their end. Hats off to Aspen because they played hard.” Cedaredge falls to 1-6 in 3A WSL play and is 7-10 overall. Aspen finished the week at 2-5 and 4-13. Vail Christian (2A District 5) is 9-2 and 12-6 heading into this week’s games against Roaring Fork and Hotchkiss (Feb. 13 and 16 respectively). Cedaredge ends the regular season against Roaring Fork at home (7:30 p.m.) and is on the road to Craig for the last game with Moffat County (4:30 p.m.). Girls Bruins 36, Saints 35 This game was up for grabs from the start with

neither team showing a strong offense. The Bruins crept to a 7-6 lead after one period and built a 14-10 advantage by halftime. In the third quarter each team matched its first-half totals giving Cedaredge a 28-20 lead with eight minutes left to play. Jesse Raitt’s seven points in the fourth quarter helped Vail Christian play to a 15-8 advantage that made the final score 36-35. Cedaredge’s Grace Andrews’ seven points in the fourth quarter enabled her to finish the game with 13 points and kept the Bruins in front at the final buzzer. She had seven of the eight Cedaredge points in the fourth quarter. Raitt finished with 15 points to lead the Saints’ offense. Maddie Ellsworth added 10 points for Vail Christian. The Bruins went to the foul line four consecutive trips down the floor with one-and-one opportunities three times and a double-bonus try the fourth time. Each time the shots failed to fall and the Bruins kept possession with key rebounds. Vail Christian had one final shot with 1.9 seconds left and the ball just missed on a nearly threequarter court shot to end the game. Bruins 41, Aspen 10 Cedaredge had a more productive game on Saturday in Aspen where the Bruins scored a 41-10 victory in Aspen. Statistics for that contest were not available. The Bruins will end their regular season schedule this week with games on Feb. 17 at home against Roaring Fork (6 p.m.) and in Craig on Saturday (2 p.m.) to face Moffat County’s Bulldogs.

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B10 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Elena Gilliam signs to attend college in Lamar Delta senior Elena Gilliam has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Lamar Community College. Gilliam will pursue a degree in education or secondary education. One of Gilliam’s reasons for selecting Lamar Communtiy College was based on the atmosphere

of the campus and the people there. “It’s small ... the town is the size of Delta so it will be good for me. The campus is really nice, and everyone I met was really nice and welcoming.” The influencing factors for Gilliam’s choice of college rested mainly with her. “It was mostly

me who influenced this decision. Once I got there I met the coach and the team. I knew this was the perfect place for me. The campus is small and that’s what I loved. The teachers all know their students and I will not be just some random face.” Gloria and Chris Gilliam are Elena’s parents.

Bulldog boys win, girls lose hoop tilts was nip and tuck for three quarters. Each team had 19 points at halftime. The Bulldogs had an edge in the second half with a 20-point third quarter and 15 more in the final stanza. West Grand 15 in the third and eight in the fourth to make the final score 54-42. Carson Collins finished the game with 14 points for the Bulldogs and Shay Glaser added 11 in a losing cause. Kaliegh Little had nine rebounds to lead

BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Hotchkiss High School’s basketball teams won three of four games played last weekend. The girls defeated West Grand 54-42 and fell to North Park 43-33 in 2A District 5 play. The boys were winners in both games, 60-51 over West Grand and 75-25 over North Park. Girls HHS 54, WGHS 42 Friday’s game against West Grand (2-8, 3-15)

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Hotchkiss in that department. Elsie Vazquez had five rebounds, three assists and four steals to go with five points. NP 43, Hotchkiss 33 The Wildcats (5-5, 125; 2A/1A Western Slope) had too much offense for the Bulldogs and ended the first half with a 2618 lead. An even offensive second half hurt the Bulldogs with the Wildcats clawing their way to a 20-7 first quarter which provided a cushion the Bulldogs could not reduce in three quarters of play. Collins (10 points), Glaser (11 points) and Vazquez’s nine points furnished most of the offense for the Bulldogs in the game. Hotchkiss (4-6, 8-9) ends its regular season at home with Vail Christian Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. Boys HHS 60, WGHS 51 Hotchkiss scored double figures in all four quarters on its way to the nine-point conference win over West Grand’s Mustangs in Kremmling. A four-point lead after one period grew to six after three quarters of play. Each team found more offense in the fourth quarter with the Bulldogs putting up 24 points and the Mustangs 21. Sam Rodriguez and Braxton Trujillo keyed the 24-point fourth quarter with 10 and seven points, respectively. Rodriguez’s 10 points included eight of 10 shooting at the free throw line. Trujillo’s 12 points led Hotchkiss scorers with Rodriguez’s 10 next high. Eli Kirk finished with nine and Jacob Stucker had eight in the win. Jake Butler’s 15 points topped West Grand scorers and Luis Dominguez had nine counters. The Mustangs are 5-6 and 810 in 2017-18. HHS 75, NP 25 Hotchkiss wasted no time in establishing who was in charge in Walden. A 23-4 first quarter set the tempo for the Bulldogs. Hotchkiss’ defense blanked North Park in the second quarter while its offense tallied another 16 points to take a 39-4 lead to halftime. A 36-21 second half for the Bulldogs made the final score 75-25. Hotchkiss’ Jonathan Gonzalez had eight points in the Bulldogs’ 23-point first quarter and finished with five threes in the game. Gonzalez had 17 points for the Bulldogs and Jacob Palecki finished with eight points. Bryce Carlstrom’s nine points were high for the Wildcats. Hotchkiss (7-3, 11-6) will conclude its regular schedule with Vail Christian (9-2, 14-3) in town for a 7:30 p.m. game on Feb. 16. District play begins the week of Feb. 19 with pigtail games hosted by higher seeds scheduled for Feb. 19-22 followed by district finals Feb. 23-24.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta High School senior Elena Gilliam, front center, recently signed her letter of intent to play volleyball and study at Lamar Community College. In the front row, l-r, is Delta High School head volleyball coach Beth Nelson, Gilliam, and assistant coach Kaylee Archuleta. Assistant coaches Jessica Carlson and Holly Crowder are in the back row.

Paonia boys, girls lose to Meeker teams BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The Paonia boys have worked their way into the top three of 2A District 5 standings and are looking to make the most of it with the playoffs looming in the future. Paonia is 9-2 in league play and 12-6 overall. Last week’s visit to Meeker resulted in one of the two league losses the Eagles show in standings. Paonia’s girls are 7-3 and 11-6 in 2A District 5 standings and found Meeker’s lineup last Friday to be equally tough in a 46-28 loss. Meeker currently rests in the number three spot in 2A District 5 standings with 9-1 and 14-4 records. Soroco leads the league race at 10-0 and 15-3 with Rangely in second place at 9-1 and 15-3. Vail Christian (7-3, 13-4) is fourth and the Eagles are fifth with Hotchkiss resting in sixth (4-6, 8-9). Boys Meeker 69, Paonia 54 Had the Eagles played four strong offensive quarters the outcome of this contest might have been different. A 22-8 first quarter went to the host Cowboys last Friday night with that deficit impacting the game’s outcome.

Meeker’s Doak Mantle dumped in nine points and teammate Zach Dinwiddie added another seven counters in the 22point first-quarter start for the Cowboys. Each team scored 17 points in the second quarter to keep Meeker’s lead at 14 with a 35-25 halftime lead. Paonia had its best quarter in the third frame with an 18-16 run with four Eagles scoring three or more points in the quarter. Meeker added 14 points to its game totals to make the final score 69-54. Sean Devlin, with four three-pointers, scored 17 points to lead Paonia’s offense. Eagle teammates Enoch Kropp and Slater Podgorny joined Devlin in double figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. Meeker’s Eli Newman shared game-scoring honors with Devlin with his 17 points and got doubledigit help from Mantle (15 points) and Dinwiddie’s 16 counters. Paonia coach Chase Roeber knew the Meeker game would be tough. “It’ll be a battle,” said Roeber. “It’s a tough place to play and they are big and strong. They return all starters from last

year.” Meeker’s final regular season game is against Soroco (1-10 and 4-14). The Eagles are hosting the 2A District 5 leagueleading Rangely Panthers Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. Girls Meeker 46, Paonia 28 Meeker’s first quarter play established the Cowboys’ determination to win the game. A 25-7 opening period was too much for the Eagles to overcome the rest of the way. Meeker’s offense was in neutral during the middle quarters of play and produced just eight points in that time span. Unfortunately for Paonia, Meeker’s defense was able to limit the Eagles to 11 points in those two quarters combined. Meeker was three points better in the final stanza to make the final score 46-28. Paonia’s Mckenna Palmer led Paonia scorers with 10 points with Kassidy Rapke next high with seven. Palmer also had four steals in the game for Paonia. The Eagles (7-3, 11-6) are fifth in 2A District 5 standings and will host number two Rangely Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. to conclude regular season play for both teams.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Cedaredge’s Toby Waddell scores a takedown in his consolation semiﬁnal win over West Grand. Waddell will make his ﬁrst state appearance after placing third.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Paonia freshman Anthony Miller will compete at state after placing fourth at 182 pounds. Miller defended his state qualiﬁcation in a 2-1 wrestle-back win over West Grand.

SURFACE CREEK February 14, 2018

NEWS

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Welcome Home Alliance hosts coffee for vets BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans changed its name for a reason. “We used to be Welcome Home Montrose,” says Mike Trickey, alliance executive director. “Now we’re so much more.” This month the nonprofit organization is expanding to serve not only Montrose but also adjacent counties including Ouray, San Miguel and Delta. This is the alliance’s sixth year of operation and it promises to be one of its most ambitious as it seeks to enlarge its service base. Starting in February, the alliance will host a Delta County veterans’ coffee in Cedaredge on the third Tuesday of every month. The first coffee event will be held on Feb. 20 at The Pondy in downtown Cedaredge at 220 West Main Street from 10 a.m. to noon. Stacy’s on Main will provide the refreshments. Why Cedaredge? “The Cedaredge community is generous and supportive,” says Trickey but he stresses that veterans from throughout Delta County are invited to the Feb. 20 coffee. The event is an informal meet and greet affair. Veterans can come at any time during the scheduled event. There will be plenty of people available to talk with veterans about VA benefits, recreation activities, mental health concerns, housing, jobs, volunteer opportunities, and other issues. The Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans is a grassroots community support organization that serves veterans and their families by providing peer support, social networking, recreation and alternative therapies, support and resources, and honor and

recognition. Most importantly, the alliance is a source of information. The alliance serves veterans from every branch of service, every era, and all abilities. On occasion they also work with active duty military. Its motto is “At your service with information.” On hand at the February coffee, in addition to executive director Trickey, will be alliance administrative assistant April Heard, Michele Mummert from the Grand Junction Vet Center, and Brian Ayers, Delta County veteran service officer. Regarding the February meeting and future Tuesday coffees, Ayers is enthusiastic. “I think it’s a great idea and a great opportunity for outreach to veterans in an informal setting,” he said. Ayers is located in the Delta County Courthouse, 501 Palmer Street, Suite 106, in Delta. He works part-time with office hours held during the first 10 working days of every month from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At other times he is available by phone at 970-874-2082 or through email: bayers@deltacounty. com. All Delta County veterans are urged to attend the Feb. 20 meeting and return on every third Tuesday of the month for further interaction. For questions, contact the alliance at 970-765-2210. Veterans can also visit the Montrose office at 11 South Park Avenue although, beginning Feb. 25, they will be moving to a new location at 2 Hillcrest Plaza Way in Montrose. In fact, if Delta County veterans want to pitch in and help with this month’s move the alliance would welcome their assistance. Please call ahead to sign up to help with the move.

A splash of color

Jim Leser photographed crocus in bloom in his yard in Cedaredge this week, a sure sign this year’s winter has been warmer than usual. In his column this week, which can be found on page C7, he examines some of the problems a dry, warm winter causes for your plants and trees. With two storm systems expected to pass through the area this week, hopefully the dry conditions will improve.

Cedaredge trustees review drought strategies Trustees to name finalists for administrator at Feb. 15 meeting BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

On Feb. 8 the Cedaredge Board of Trustees held a special meeting and a work session. During the special meeting the trustees unanimously approved a proposal by Mayor Gene Welch to appoint all trustees — excluding the mayor — to serve as members

New Cedaredge water meters can be read remotely BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Cedarege public works is taking advantage of dry weather to replace old water meters with new Neptune radio-read meters. The Town of Cedaredge has more than 1,300 water taps and the goal is to switch out at least 800 meters by the close of 2018. Commercial meters have already been switched

Photo by Jim Leser

so the town’s 2018 efforts will focus on replacing residential meters. The new meters can be read remotely from a passing vehicle without the need to stop and physically remove blue meter covers which can be buried under snow or obscured by vegetation. The removal and installation process can take as little as 20 minutes if the old meter is accessible.

of the town administrator application review committee. Between the work session and the regular town meeting on Feb. 15 each trustee, acting on his or her own — not as a group — will review applications for the vacant town administrator position. Then trustees will meet in executive session to discuss applicants and determine finalists. Selected finalists will be announced on Feb. 15 when the trustees reconvene. In other action during the special meeting, the trustees unanimously approved a resolution to correct a journal entry error in the town budget. Mayor Welch explained that such resolutions are necessary from time to time to make corrections and adjustments recommended by staff. During the work session the trustees heard from Jerry Young, co-director of public works, regarding the town’s drought response plan. The plan currently being followed was adopted by the town in September 2012 when current Mayor Welch and current Mayor pro tem Ray Hanson were trustees. Young reviewed the drought plan which outlines two stages of indicators of drought severity and actions to be taken. He noted the town is already following actions outlined in stage one which include inspect-

ing the town’s raw water collection system and meeting with Grand Mesa and Colorado water officials to coordinate basinwide strategies. Stage one also includes public awareness initiatives to promote citizen water conservation, especially in the coming summer months should the current drought persist. As for whether the drought will continue, Young told the trustees that it is still too soon to tell but staff members are closely monitoring the situation. Mayor pro tem Hanson wanted to assure the public the trustees recognize the problem and they are working to prepare for the effects of a prolonged drought. The Town of Cedaredge’s drought response plan can be viewed by typing the word drought in the “site search” box on the town website http://www. cedaredgecolorado.com/. The remainder of the work session previewed two town meetings scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 15. The first will be a 5 p.m. public hearing on the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center’s request of a special events liquor permit. The arts center proposes to use the Cedaredge Civic Center dining hall on March 10 for its “Cabin Fever Dance” fundraiser. Staff will make a presentation and recommenTRUSTEES REVIEW TO C2

Artists team up on stained glass window Don’t miss tonight’s ‘A SweetArt Evening’ fundraiser

Sweet Art Evening” scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the AppleShed, 250 South Grand Mesa Drive, Cedaredge. Tickets for the Valentine’s Day event can be

purchased in Cedaredge at Starr’s Guitars or Reve Portraits. A future fundraiser, the Cabin Fever Dance, is scheduled for March 10.

BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Photo by Don Benjamin

Scott Lock (standing) and Jerry Young, co-directors for Cedaredge public works, team up to upgrade a residential water meter. Lock turns off the water supply while Young records the serial numbers of the old manual meter and a new replacement meter.

Local artists have teamed up to create a stained glass panel for the new Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center (GMAEC) in Cedaredge. The group meets regularly at the Splinters & Shards studio in Delta to assemble the large panel. Time, materials and tools are all donated. The completed panel will feature images of Grand Mesa, lakes, streams, canyons, columbines, aspens, and, of course, a gorgeous Colorado sky. The colorful creation will be installed in time for GMAEC’s opening day in June 2018. To support the arts center the public can send contributions to GMAEC, PO Box 583, Cedaredge, CO 81413. Community members are also invited to take part in the nonprofit organization’s fundraising events. Tickets are still available for “A

Photo by Don Benjamin

The Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center in Cedaredge will be graced with a beautiful stained glass panel inspired by images of the Grand Mesa. Volunteer artists have been meeting at the Splinters & Shards Studio in Delta to work on the piece. Pictured are Cindy Starr, Peggy Papon, Teressa Carlton and studio owner Dee Brown.

C2 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Trustees review FROM PAGE C1 dation regarding the permit and the public will be allowed to express their support or opposition. The trustees will take action regarding the permit during their regular meeting that same eve-

ning. Immediately after the liquor permit public hearing, the trustees will hold a regular meeting. The regular meeting agenda includes the following: • Updates from the town planning commis-

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sion, the tree board, and the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce. • Financial issues including proposals to fund a golf club irrigation master plan and to reallocate funds previously budgeted for golf clubhouse house carpeting to meet different golf expenditures. • Departmental reports from the golf clubhouse operations director, the public works co-director, chief of police,

Rebekahs to serve breakfast Elberta Rebekah Lodge #106 is hosting a biscuit and gravy breakfast fundraiser for a new fire escape door. Breakfast will be served Saturday, Feb. 24, from 7 to 11 a.m. at the corner of NW 3rd and Main Street. The cost is $7 per plate. Come enjoy a hearty breakfast and help the lodge get a new fire door.

and interim town administrator. • Action on the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center liquor permit. • Action on a resolution regarding town employee golf benefits. • Action on a resolution to cancel the April 3 municipal election and declare candidates elected. • Action to correct an ordinance regarding the town vacating an alleyway. • Executive session to determine town administrator finalists followed by a reconvening of the regular meeting to announce finalists. Time is allotted at the start and end of all regular board of trustee meetings for constituent comments. Barring special meetings, the trustees meet for work sessions on the second Thursday of each month and for regular meetings on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings begin at 5 p.m. in the Grand Mesa Room at 140 N.W. 2nd Street in Cedardege. The public is encouraged to attend.

Photo submitted

Rotarian of the Year

Phyllis Hoffman was honored as Rotarian of the Year for her contributions to Rotary and her community. In 2017 she planted ﬂowers in the Rotary roadside park, baked pies for the AppleFest booth, organized activities for the community Christmas dinner, served as representative for the Cedaredge Area Chamber of Commerce, and opened her home for festive gatherings. Rotary of Cedaredge president Steve DeFeyter thanked Phyllis for her tireless community work.

DMEA kicks off power pole inspections in the Orchard City area Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) will immediately begin inspecting power poles in the Orchard City area. The inspections are expected to last throughout the spring. DMEA is contracting with SBS Inspections to conduct the work. SBS Inspections may need to enter onto members’ properties in order to complete the inspections. Their vehicles will be clearly marked with DMEA contractor labels. DMEA asks for its members’ cooperation in allow-

ing contractors access to poles located on private property. The co-op will inspect more than 3,000 poles as part of its power reliability and system maintenance program. For more information about DMEA’s pole inspection process or property access, contact Cody Carver, 970-240-6890 or cody.carver@dmea.com.

Orchard City trustees talk planning, security BY RICK SMITH Contributing Writer

The Orchard City Board of Trustees work session on Feb. 7 opened with all trustees and the town administrator present. Five constituents, Jack and Mary Ditlove, Doug Keller, Mel Cook and Jan Gage, also attended. The Delta County Master Plan was discussed. Delta County’s infrastructure includes road and bridge maintenance. The incorporated towns and cities of the county all have roads, water, electricity and other elements impacted by the county’s infrastructure plan. It was encouraged by the Board of Trustees that the county also include community needs in its Master Plan. Ordinances 2018-01, and 2018-2 were discussed in a public hearing and will be voted on at the trustee meeting on

February 14. Town Administrator, Melissa Oelke reported that the town credit card will now need to be assigned to an individual and not an entity, such as the Town of Orchard City. It was suggested the the card be kept at the Town Hall and checked out as needed, with a credit limit of $500, that could be modified upward if needed. This will be discussed at the March work session. Trustee Tom Huerkamp commented on last month’s town hall meeting regarding reserve balances of the town, noting the town was debt free. The trustees also discussed what is expected by board members after votes by the board. While a “nay” vote may have been recorded as an action is approved by the board, the action reflects a decision made by the board as a whole. Once

the decision is made, all members of the board are expected to accept the collective decision, and move forward. It was the concensus that this is being followed by members of the town board. Earlier in the week, the town shop was broken into. Between $300 and $400 in hand tools were taken. The town hall payment box and other businesses in Orchard City and the Surface Creek area also reported suspicious activity. A suspect has been identified. There was a discussion on additional security measures the town may consider, such as rebar frames for the windows or security cameras. This matter will be discussed in the near future after investigating the possible actions. The next regular meeting for the trustees is Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m.

Plants of the Western Slope A look at local flora with Evelyn Horn It’s Over It has grown dark and the moonlight is bright. My mind wanders to the pair of owls that sang at this time. And I’ll always remember the raven pair. The male was dreadfully distressed ... he was in the pasture this morning, but couldn’t seem to remember his task. He kept flying back over where our cottonwoods had been. It was all so noisy that few birds came near. But yesterday the scrub jay came to prance in our ornamental peartree (it’s gone too), and the little juncos went whizzing by our dining room windows. Lewis’s woodpecker sat on the entry post and squawked until he couldn’t stand it any longer. He left. Flew down Myers Road

toward Highway 65. I keep telling myself to think about the cranes since they’ll be here before we realize it. But then I think about the empty space where our trees were before. We’ve written the check. Chatted with Andrew. We’ve heard his final plans to finish up here and be gone. And it is dark outside. I can hear cars going by and today a few people stopped to look. I’m immensely tired. Far wearier than I ever thought I would be. Jan, our neighbor to the east said on the phone, “I know how you must feel” but her voice said “Oh, I KNOW I don’t!” I recall a spring day with clear blue sky. I’d gone down to the reservoir to check on birds. No

cranes yet, but I watched a doe on the other side of the pond ... she was sleek and had lost her winter coat. I wondered where her fawn was. She disappeared into the shrubs. Then I observed a blue-billed ruddy duck about a third of the way out, but no other birds were near him. He was practicing his bubblingdisplay technique. He dove and I lost him. I started for home, with a quick check from Crane Point. I took county road 2190 (it used be dirt, but now it’s paved), and came by the “new houses.” I turned left into our driveway but I wasn’t really home! Our 27 years of cottonwoods were gone. I know that time will “heal” my loss, but right now it doesn’t help.

BRUIN TRACKS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BRUIN TRACKS 970-856-6882

C EDAREDGE HIGH SCHOOL

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��575 Southeast Deer Creek Drive

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Emily Phillips Staff Writer

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Cedaredge High School’s journalism class interviewed the two married couples in the school.

Mr. Cannell and Mrs. Cannell teach math at CHS. They met in high school and are now married with two kids, Bruce and Juliet.

Mr. Cerise and Mrs. Cerise work as a math teacher and a school counselor for CHS. They both enjoy spending time watching football, especially the Broncos.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Mr. and Mrs. Cannell

First Date: �� to RJ’s Favorite Colors: Purple is both of their favorite colors, but he thought hers was green and she thought his was blue Favorite Memory: They say: Second Date they carved pumpkins and she locked her keys in her apt and they had to pop the window out to get in �� They say: Mrs. Cannell �� They say: Mr.Cannell �� They say: Here �� If he’s been in a car wreck �� “Still learning her pet peeves” Favorite Restaurant: They say: Hacienda Colorado

Mr. and Mrs. Cerise

First Date: She says: He hung out with their mutual friends and told ghost stories for hours He says: We watched a movie at her house Favorite Colors: She says: Purple is mine and his is probably blue He says: Grey is mine and purple is hers Favorite Memory: She says: “Him holding our infants at the time, but we did sit courtside at a Nuggets game once.” He says: “Our wedding day” �� His favorite color �� “Pass” Favorite Restaurant: He says: Buffalo Wild Wings She says: RJ’s �� They say: In middle school but started dating in college Special Moments: She says: Went to Italy unplanned He says: Went to Hawaii Bonus Note: Mrs. Cerise laughs, “I’m older than him. I’m a cougar”

The Results Are In!

What’s Bruin Inside School Dance will take place March 17th

NHS members wonder if there will ever be any snow to shovel Students celebrate Valentine’s Day Mrs. Cerise plans a career day for seniors to learn basic skills including purchasing a house, personal ��ing, and responsible social media use. Underclassmen participate in SAT prep Catalyst for Change sells bracelets to support artists in third world countries McCrackin represents CHS on the Delta swim team at state Basketball senior night will take place February 16th Wrestlers will attend state this weekend after bringing home �� championship in 32 years Seniors prepare for �� high school as they work hard to complete applications Practices for Spring sports begin on Februrary 26th Winter break starts February 17th

CONGRATULATIONS

WRESTLERS ON DOMINATING REGIONALS!

�� has been a strong voice for organ donation around Cedaredge High School. In addition to holding meetings during school to inform students, Aza set up a booth at the basketball game on February 9th. She informed the community about the importance of organ donation and how every person has the ability to save a life. She also provided green socks for all Varsity players to wear to raise awareness for organ donation.

The Jounalism department conducted a survey of all CHS students to determine various feelings about Valentine’s day. As a reward for participating, students were entered into a random drawing for a box of chocolates. Zach Stivers won this drawing.

C4 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BRUIN TRACKS

Cedaredge

Bruins

Knowledge Bowl Strikes

Olivia McCrackin and Wyatt Camp consult each other for the correct answer to a practice question

Olivia McCrackin Staff Writer

Buzz! “Cedaredge Team A!” The team is ready. The Cedaredge High School Knowledge Bowl Club participates in local and regional competitions. “I joined because it’s rewarding to get an answer right, it’s fun, and my friends do it,” says junior Wyatt Camp. Mr. Parsons leads the Cedaredge Knowledge Bowl program. Knowledge Bowl consists of a written test, completed by the group, and three oral rounds against two opposing teams. The higher a team places, the higher they move in rank. Following rigorous after school practices, the Cedaredge team is always prepared for competition. Knowledge Bowl participated in the regional competition in January to �� competitions over the course of the season, placing better each time. The rounds are always intense and high energy. “The most fun part is the competition itself; it’s not too serious, but it’s competitive enough to be

Delta County Independent

enjoyable,” says Wyatt. At the end, the �� Cedaredge A Team usually places in the top ten out of more than twenty teams participating.

Mr. Parsons, the Knowledge Bowl coach, answers trivia questions during a lunch break.

Max Moore and Neveah Martinez carefully take water samples and test for dissolved oxygen.

The Cedaredge High School Science Program has recently received a portion of a grant given to the Sustainable Communities and Place Based Education Project by the Environmental Protection Agency. The grant money has gone to the purchasing of many water quality measuring tools: a pH probe, an ��

Blake Gash and Peter Sandels take water samples to determine metal levels in creek.

sensor, and many more new technologies. The students in the AP Biology class will use this equipment to collect data pertaining to the Surface Creek. This data will then be added to a region wide data sheet. The entire water shed will be compared in the data sheet. Data will contribute to many projects and water health analyses.

BRUIN TRACKS

Delta County Independent

Cedaredge Swimming Through State

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Bruins

Wrestlers Take The Region! Alex McCracken has wrestled on the Varsity team all four years at CHS, and he �� fourth state competition.

Cedaredge High School girls swim for Delta High School and compete with girls from around the county. Eight girls from CHS swam on the Delta Team this year. Left to Right: Niala Stair, Olivia McCrackin, Abby Willliams, Alaih Hoffbauer, Kamryn Spiker, Summer Young, Emma Purvis, Sophia McCrackin.

Drew Markley controls his Dolores opponent during a home dual earlier this season. Senior Olivia McCrackin swam all four years for Delta High School. She swam at state this past weekend on a relay team.

�� Wrestling Teams won Regionals. They will compete at state this weekend with ��

David Schipmann controls his Palisade opponent at Senior Night.

Sophomore Sean Dale analyzes his opponent in an attempt to improve his record. He’s currently ranked ��

Girls and Boys Hoops Light Up the Court

Baylee Piper looks for the open man a he rebounded the ball.

The boys’ basketball team reacts to a call on the court. The bench plays a big role in the atmosphere during games. ��Craig Claunch starts Varsity for CHS. He plays a key role on the boys’ offense and performs well on defense.

Jade Gummo and Makayla Kehmeier work together during their press break. They force a jump ball in the game against Delta. Hayden Blanks reads the defender �� game. He looks for the open player and runs the offense.

Sophomore Makayla Kehmeier drives around the defender as she works to break their press defense.

Camie Baldozier goes for the steal as she defends a player from Vail Christian. She sports her green socks in support of Organ Donation.

C6 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BRUIN TRACKS

Cedaredge

Delta County Independent

Bruins

Cedaredge Owns the Great Outdoors

True Jiron enjoys mountain biking on the path behind CHS.

Wyatt Smith climbs the CMS climbing wall.

Taylor Hancock and Jasmine Cruthers ��ing.

Sophia McCrackin looks down at her teammates for reassurance.

Baylee Piper Staff Writer “Children are spending about seven to nine hours inside on their devices and only seven to nine minutes outside being active.” This was the main concern of Mr. Richard Hypio when I sat down to talk with him. He wanted to equip students in the area with the ability to get outdoors and experience what the area has to offer. After discovering the grant offered by Great Outdoors Colorado, Mr. Hypio and his wife Anita set out to resolve this issue. They received a planning grant worth $75,000. Their next step was to set up meetings in all of the local towns and their ��munity was interested in. The responses indicated that the most interests surrounding communities was to make archery, climbing, mountain biking, and watersports more accessible. After completing the planning stage, the next step was to begin spending the nearly three million dollars they had received from both GOCO and independent donors. The money has all been spoken for, and Hotchkiss, Crawford, Delta, Cedaredge, Paonia, and Olathe have all been slated to ben�� be built by the skate park, an extension to Surface Creek Trail, a new climbing wall extension at the middle school, a new frisbee golf course at the elementary school, outdoor exercise equipment at the elementary school, an archery range near the high school, a �� the library so it has a space to rent gear to people of all ages are all projects that have been approved for the Cedaredge area. In addition to all of the new projects, the grant also funds several gear libraries which will rent outdoor equipment. These gear libraries will hold outdoor equipment and locals can rent the equipment at minimal cost. The libraries will include gear for camping, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. The purpose of these gear libraries is to provide people with gear so that they can experience the outdoors. The last issue that arose in the meetings during the planning process was that students just don’t have enough time to go outdoors. The grant provides some relief to this issue by building extra out�� trips involve the gear that the GOCO grant funded. The purpose of the grant was to encourage children and young adults to go outdoors and stay off their electronic devices. The funds were allocated according to what each community wanted within a realistic budget. Mr. Richard Hypio reported that the main barriers for families experiencing the outdoors were, “A lack of time, money, gear, and general outdoors knowledge.” The GOCO grant helps tear down these boundaries and provides local families with opportunities to go outdoors and try new activities without having to splurge on new gear. Sabrina Gilmore searches for her next move

As part of the GOCO grant, the Surface Creek trail will be extended. Kaleb Berardi notches his �� while setting up to shoot at the target.

Joe Eiler works on his cast for ��

Grace Hatheway nears the top of her climb �� competition of the season.

Marian Blanks utlizes her upper body strength to hoist herself up the wall.

BRUIN TRACKS Editor-in-Chief Hannah Hatheway

Co-Editors Jessica Craig

Hannah Gardner

Azalee Hoffbauer

Advertising Editor Hunter Campbell

Writing Staff Natalie Barnard Emily Phillips Jasmine Cruthers Baylee Piper Grace Hatheway Jordan Taylor Olivia McCrackin

The views expressed in the Bruin Tracks do not necessarily represent the opinions of Cedaredge High School or its staff. The Bruin Tracks is a public forum for student expression, striving for journalistic excellence; it is created as part of the Journalism class at Cedaredge High School. Bruin Tracks thanks all the advertisers and other community supporters. We welcome all comments.

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

What’s bugging you? Local gardening questions and answers BY JIM LESER Cedaredge Tree Board

Our gardens have for the most part experienced spring-like weather through mid-February. Yet spring is still almost five weeks away! Warmer than usual temperatures and lack of winter precipitation are posing real issues for our landscape. First the warm temperature problem. Some perennial plants are already showing signs of bud break, in other words, breaking dormancy. This could pose a real problem for our fruit-growing industry as well as our very own trees, scrubs and woody perennials, especially those on the south side of our houses where radiant heat real-

ly exposes plants to excessive heat load for this time of year. There is not much you can do about this temperature effect on breaking dormancy, only to pray for future favorable, more normal weather patterns. Another issue with our warmer temperatures is that bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and crocuses will bloom early. A freeze could put an end to this early bloom. But all that is lost are the flowers, your plants will survive to bloom another year— just not this year. Still another side effect of warmer temperatures is that plants, especially evergreens, will be transpiring more and using water at a faster than normal rate. This along with our lack of snow can lead to winter desiccation problems. Symptoms of winter desiccation usually do not become apparent until the spring or even early summer. If you look at the precipitation records table I have included, our moisture prospects are not very good. I would recommend watering at least once, maybe twice this winter, February

Precipitation record in inches for Cedaredge, 2009-2018 Year

Rain

Early Snow Jan-mid Feb

2009

5.5

4.0

15.2

26.3

2010

6.9

11.0

26.5

41.5

2011

4.6

8.5

11.9

71.4

2012

5.5

4.5

7.3

61.6

2013

12.5

5.8

21.8

26.6

2014

10.6

13.1

16.4

79.9

2015

12.2

4.5

21.0

25.5

2016

8.6

14.5

15.5

93.5

2017

8.2

14.3

21.0

67.9

2018

0.8

Avg

8.3

8.1

17.4

54.9

and again in March. I am already watering all my landscape, even my dormant lawn. Another caveat is that trees in real rocky soil will have their roots in areas with less soil water holding capacity. This is where drought stress will often appear first. Stressed plants also are much more susceptible to attack from insect pests, especially wood boring beetles. In fact, stressed trees give off a chemical that actually attracts boring beetles, even before you know they are stressed. My best advice? Remove the stress and avoid the need

Garden club plans upcoming programs BY JOAN CHAMBER Plant & Dig Garden Club

Our January meeting was productive as all members contributed ideas for the year’s upcoming programs. And as usual, those that were chosen are a great mix of learning more about many phases of gardening, the community around us, and providing for crafts, artwork and enjoyment. The schedule is as follows: February: Club member and master gardener Gloria Good will present a program on succulents and other house plants. Each member will have the opportunity to create a small succulent garden to take home; March: Jim Leser (our favorite guest speaker) will present a program, “Critters in our Garden & Garden Weeds”; April: A field trip to a local sod farm; May: Club member Joan Chambers, conducting an indoor/outdoor

tour, demonstrating her favorite ways for plant propagation, composting and soil enhancement; June: Club member Judi MacKendrick will guide us through a program on her love of herbs, their growth and uses in the kitchen and the medicine cabinet; July: A wildflowerviewing expedition to Grand Mesa and brown bag lunch; August: Club member Patt Jones will show us the techniques of “Flower Pounding” to make beautiful art pieces; September: Annual plant sale and picnic at Cedaredge Park; October: Field trip to a working farm near Montrose with luncheon afterwards at Remington’s restaurant; November: Making holiday wreaths, incorporating the many colorful and beautiful seed pods, grasses, etc. from our gardens; December: Christmas

party and gift exchange; January, 2019: Installation of new officers and yearly planning session. Club member and master gardener Kathleen Ray has proposed that our club (hopefully with participation from the other clubs in the area), create panels for the RiverWalk project along upper Surface Creek trail. She will be spearheading this project and will work closely with LaDonna at Cedaredge Library. This will be another way for us to use our talents as gardeners, writers and artists to enhance our community. We look forward to helping Kathleen make this dream become a reality. Our club prospers because of the dedication of its members to our goals of learning, community service and friendship. We invite you to be a part of this organization. For further information you may call 956-7077 or 856-3897.

Snow Total through May

Snow % early

for later insecticide applications. And not to heap bad news upon bad news but mild winters allow more insects to survive, often leading to more pest problems during the growing season. But never fear, predicting weather or insect problems is a fool’s errand. And apparently I have fallen into that trap. Until next time, pray for snow, or at least rain, and start watering your landscape when the temperature is above freezing. Jim Leser retired to Cedaredge in 2007 after a career with Texas A&M University Extension in entomology. He is a member of the Cedaredge Tree Board and a Colorado Master Gardener.

Photo by Don Benjamin

Community support

The Cedar Mesa Community Club held its annual soup dinner earlier this month at its clubhouse on Peach Road. The club was founded in 1908 as a way for rural women to work together to beneﬁt their community. Proceeds from the dinner and other events throughout the year support scholarships for local high school graduates and several other community causes. Club members who volunteered to help with the Feb. 3 dinner are: (back row, left to right) Linda Lichtendahl, Judy Mason, Jo Dickes, Kathy Bradbury, and Jan Kennedy; (middle row) Tanis Stinson and Patti Sullenberger; (front row) Lyn Vanier and Susan Seastone, club president, who holds the plaque commemorating the clubhouse’s placement on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places.

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

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WINTERFEST 2018

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Subscribe to the DCI. Call 874-4421 for rates in your area.

Bear Den for January

Photo submitted

Students at Cedaredge Elementary School are nominated each month by their teachers to be included in the Bear Den. The different characteristics which can earn recognition are Perseverance (P), Respect (R), Integrity (I), Duty (D) and Excellence (E). This month’s Bear Den students are: kindergartners Eli Strenge and Robert Buchser from Mrs. Keller’s class, Madison Calhoun from Mrs. McAdam’s class, and Alexandria Miller and Mason Ferris from Mrs. Parson’s class; first graders Blake Ryan and Aidan Olea from Mrs. Daig’s class, Robert Lampton and Aundrya Travis from Mrs. Long’s class, and Gus Hirsch and Ava Barrick from Mrs. Shriver’s class; second graders Makaelah Carmack and Mia Williams from Miss Benson’s class, and Neela Mendez and Carson Rupp from Mrs. Montoya’s class; third graders Mylee Capuano and Alex Ryan from Mrs. Hoerr’s class, Avery Frost and Danny Rogers from Mrs. Galvan’s class, and Melyora Purdy and Tyler Barnes from Mrs. Lampton’s class; fourth graders Colie Kelleher and Jared Roberts from Ms. Rienk’s class, Ava Hoff and Logan Stillings from Mr. Stanfield’s class, and Adriyan Seel and Brandon Barks from Mr. Henderson’s class; fifth graders Robert Smith and Addie Hanson from Mrs. Whitney’s class, Brady Cooper and Trey Schumacher from Ms. Edwards’ class, and Mary Locke from Mr. Thompson’s class; Zayda Richens and Tony Scartezina from Mrs. Henderson’s PE class; Johnathan Daugherty and Elsa Purvis from Mrs. Sharer’s class; and Chantale Ogie and Colt Reed from the CES kitchen staff.

C8 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Summer Rodeo Bible Camp dates announced Cowboy at the Cross Church recently moved to the Delta Sales Yard on 5th Street just west of Confluence Drive. Morning worship has almost doubled in attendance, according to Pastor Shane Kier. The church is now

Pony Camp on June 2224. The many volunteers will rest until Horsemanship Camp July 12-15 led by world champion reiner Doug Mulholland traveling from Oklahoma. The group then moves to the Stillwater Camp at Grand Junction to assist as clinicians and speakers on July 21. This is the 20th year for Rodeo Bible Camp led by Kier and his wife Amanda. Camps are held at their ranch on Tongue Creek near Eckert a few miles northeast of Delta. Last year the program was expanded to the Apache Reservation in Arizona, and continue Photo by Pat Sunderland this year July 26-29. Evelyn Shenk, 16, and Spyder work as a team durProposed is a camp for ing the 2017 Rodeo Bible Camp. veterans in September. preparing for its extensive Bible camp schedule. Announced at last Sunday service were the dates for the expanded Bible camp program starting June 7-10 for aspiring rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, followed by

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The Center for Spiritual Life will host a class based on Dr. Joe Dispenza’s book “You Are the Placebo.” Transform your life through the power of thought and the practice of meditation and access a higher level of consciousness. Release illness and

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disease and understand how the brain works to heal your body. You are shaping your brain and body by the thoughts you think, the emotions you feel and by the intentions you hold. Learn how to harness the knowledge to create a new body and a new life for you.

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Penny Rubala RN, MSN will present this five-week class on Mondays beginning March 26. The class will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 658 Howard Street, Delta. The cost is $125, plus the cost of the textbook. For more information, call Rubala at 778-0562.

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activities. For further information and registration visit the Cowboy at the Cross Facebook page, website at www.cowboyatthecross. com or call the Kiers at 835-3897 or 275-9238.

Learn to shape your brain and body by your thoughts

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at 10 a.m. This location is courtesy of Delta Sales Yard owners Dan and Holly Varner. There are plans for a large facility which would accommodate regular clinics, weekly rodeos and church

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Young participants are expected from throughout the southwestern region with some from contiguous states. The ministry meets at the Delta Sales Yard every Sunday for services

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Classifieds

February 14, 2018

Real Estate

D SECTION

Delta County Independent

BUY • SELL • TRADE

Real Estate

Views, Views and More Views.

Real Estate

� ��TODAY

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Wanting to sell your house?

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DCI DEADLINES Space Reservation for ALL Display Advertising Copy for Display Advertising Legal Notices Classified Ads Too Late To Classify Calendar Of Events Items

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CLASSIFIEDS WORK! DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT 401 Meeker St., Delta • 874-4421

Rentals CREEKSIDE 3 BEDROOM 2 bath in Cedaredge, totally remodeled, 2 decks, laundry hookups, double garage, non-smokers only, $1,120/ mo + utilities, First and last month plus $1,200 deposit, 1-Year lease (360) 929-5155. (1x6)

For Sale 1994 KENWORTH T600 21-foot flatbed truck, N14 Cummings engine. 10 speed transmission, tires and brakes in good condition, also 24-foot flatbed trailer. Both in good condition. Together or separate. 970-203-5040 or 970-5232004. (2x6) USED OFFICE FURNiture for sale. Cole Steel, 5drawer desk. 61” wide, 31” deep, 29” tall. Two, 2-drawer wooden, horizontal file cabinets, 30 1/4” wide, 19 1⁄2” deep, 28 1⁄2” tall. Two, vintage chrome/red-upholstered reception chairs with arms. PVC work desk and hutch, 84” wide, 16”-23” (adj) deep, 84” tall. 970-8353821. (2x6)

Pets

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Help Wanted ��

For all your printing needs call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

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�� Classified Advertising Makes Sense! ��

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Call 874-4421

to reserve your space now!

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Fridays (5 p.m.) Mondays (noon) Mondays (10 a.m.) Mondays (10 a.m.) Mondays (noon) Tuesdays (10 a.m.)

Help Wanted

Real Estate

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Thank you for your cooperation

Help Wanted

Real Estate

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Help Wanted

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HINSDALE COUNTY is looking to fill the following position: Building and Enforcement Officer. For a full job description and requirements, contact the Hinsdale County Administrator’s office at administrator@hinsdaleco untycolorado.us, 970-9442225, 311 N. Henson St., P.O. Box 277, Lake City, CO 81235. Salary is commensurate upon experience and qualifications. (2x6)

RNS, ARE YOU LOOKing for a different type of nursing? How about working for the State of Colorado in the Department of Corrections? We are looking for dedicated, energetic people to join our team. Call 970-874-5838 for information. (2x6)

CROSSROADS ASSISTed Living community is looking for Part Time possibly Full Time Housekeeper. Please pick up application SEEKING PART TIME at 1380 Aspen Way, Delta, Hygienist in a friendly work CO. (2x7) environment. If interested please call Paonia Dental at SIGN UP TODAY FOR a subscription to the DCI! (970) 527-4853 (4x6)

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“I Saw It In

the Paper!” You’ll find lots of interesting things in your newspaper… • • • • •

Local News Editorials Business Meetings Schools

• Sports • Sales • Weddings • Events …and more

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT 401 Meeker St., Delta • 874-4421

D2 Wednesday, February 14, 2018 Public Service

CLASSIFIEDS

Public Service

WHAT TYPES OF Cottage Foods Can I Produce? Whole eggs, spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, Honey, jams, jellies, and preserves, fruit butter, candies, certain bake goods If you have any questions, please call: 8742165. Delta County Health Department. (4x7)

Public Service

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”

BOOKS MAKE GREAT stocking stuffers. Find books at great prices in THE DELTA COUNTY the basement of the Delta Independent runs these Public Library. items as a public service free of charge for non-profit CO FATHER’S NETWORKorganizations, if no fees are dedicated to providing charged. However, each community and education group is asked to please to fathers of special needs keep them current by call- kids. Meets twice monthly on the 1st Saturday at 11 ing 874-4421. a.m. and the 3rd Monday SUPPORT THE DELTA at 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Library. Give a gently used Delta. See our website for book in the Downstairs more details: www.codads. Book Store. org

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

your

Public Service

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.

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.

AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Cedaredge: Al-Anon, Thursdays, 8 pm, Wick Hall behind First Baptist Church, WELCOME RETURNING 370 W. Main St., contact Veterans, Post 9221 VFW Mary M. 970-856-6123 or meets at 5:00 p.m. on Jim 970-874-7855. the 4th Thursday of each AMERICAN month in Cedaredge. To PAONIA find out how to participate Legion runs a year round in promoting patriotism non-perishable emergency and assisting veterans, con- food pantry. This is for the tact Wayne Hamrick, (970) North Fork area. For information, call 527-6252. 250-1180.

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

Community Newspaper

Shoppers are less willing today to accept advertising that is spooned out to them. They seek out advertising on their own. Newspapers are the medium shoppers use most for shopping in an average week More than half (52%) use newspapers, exceeding others like television (36%), ads appearing in search engines (11%) or ads on general interest websites (16%) Frank N. Magid Associates 2011.

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

More selective and less intrusive 401 Meeker St. | Delta 970.874.4421

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Public Service

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.

you Why advertise should

Delta County Independent

Public Service 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.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCiation Caregivers' Support Group, Delta. Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, Grand Mesa Oncology Center, 1501 E. IF YOU LOVE BOOKS, 3rd Street, Tuesdays at 2 you will love the Downstairs p.m. Bookstore in the basement of the Delta Library. SAVE EYEGLASSES, OLD jewelry and silver or bits of NARCOTICS ANONY- gold and silver scraps. The mous meets at 9th and Grand Odd Fellow Lodge is Palmer, Delta, Mondays sending them to: New Eyes and Fridays at 8 p.m. for the Needy, 549 Millburn DELTA FOOD PANTRY Ave., Short Hills, NJ 07078 needs meals for Delta fami- or send them to: Gale lies who are temporarily Conger, Secretary of IOOF in need. Donations of non- Lodge #116, 5516 Hwy. 348, perishable food may be Delta, CO 81416. brought to 628 Meeker. AL-ANON: HOPE AND HELP!!! KEEP THE help for families and of alcoholics animal population under friends control, and SAVE an ani- meets in Paonia: Al-Anon, mal's life. Adopt your new Wednesdays at 7 pm, cat or dog from the Delta United Methodist Church, County Humane Society. 3rd & Onarga, contact Lisa Adoption fee is minimal. 970-395-3608, Chris 970527-3366 or Marjorie 970Call 874-2149. 433-1856 THERE IS A VFW MEETING on the first Monday of each THE AMERICAN RED month. At 6 p.m. there is a Cross needs you. Become potluck and the meeting is one of the Red Cross volunat 7 p.m. at the First Baptist teers who says, “We’ll Be Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd., There, Because Help Can’t Delta. For further infor- Wait!” Call your local Red mation, call 874-8172 Jim Cross Chapter at 970-2424851 or 1-800-HELP NOW Baker, Quartermaster. for information on the difHILLTOP COMMUNITY ference you can make in Resources offers free ser- someone’s life as a disaster vices and support to vic- volunteer. tims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. There DELTA HAS A BOOKare also ongoing support store in the basement of groups. Please call our the library featuring gently office at 970-773-2251 for used books and magazines. more information or if you Come check it out! are in crisis please call our YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN 24 hour crisis line at 1-844- help. Colorado Tobacco 990-5500. Quitline offers free, confiAL-ANON: HOPE AND dential assistance. Call 1help for families and 800-QUIT-NOW. friends of alcoholics meets THE AMERICAN LEGION in Hotchkiss: Al-Anon, Post 97 Paonia is seeking Mondays at 6:30 pm, the names and addresses of Methodist Church 285 N. all persons currently serv2nd, contact Elsie 970-210- ing on active duty in the 8090 or Marjorie 970-433- military from the North Fork 1856. Valley in order to contact PARENTS FREE! INFORM- them and show our supation and referrals to port. Send addresses to licensed child care provid- American Legion Post 97, ers, call Bright Futures Child PO Box 277, Paonia, CO Care Resource and Referral, 81428 or call 527-6252. 1-877-728-5613. ADVERTISE! 874-4421.

Miscellaneous

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 �� with the details: �� Call:�� Write: �� Email: ��

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LICENSED • INSURED ALEX MEHDER HOTCHKISS, CO

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D8 Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BACK PAGE

Delta County Independent

B A C K P A G E

60 years of Valentines Photos courtesy of the Myers family

Three generations of the Myers family dropped in to see Dayton and Gertie Myers Saturday, Feb. 10. They are, from the left: back — Patti and Brian Busby and Marilyn and Ken Myers; middle — Christoferr Myers, Dayton and Gertie, Rebbecca Hoﬁus; front — Brigette Hoﬁus, Dixie Anderson Busby and Jacob Anderson.

BY ANNETTE BRAND

Staff Writer

obert Browning, English poet, wrote:

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which The first was made.

Gertie and Dayton Myers of Austin, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, relish the years that were as well as the years they are experiencing now with sons and daughters-inlaw, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, all of whom delight in being with them. They moved to Cedaredge in 1973 and to Austin a couple of years ago. Gertie was born in Brandsville, Mo., and lived there until her family moved to Brighton when she was 15. Dayton has lived in several Colorado cities: born in Akron and lived in Greeley, Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, Brighton, Cedaredge and Austin. Gertie graduated from Brighton High School in 1954 and Dayton from Adams City High School in 1955. They met in 1956 at Assembly of God in Brighton, went together for a year and a half, and over that time came to know they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. They were married Jan. 25, 1958, at the Brighton church where they met. Both of their mothers and fathers lived close by, Dayton had two sisters and two brothers, and Gertie had four sisters and one brother. Both families had extended family in the area, and both families considered spending time together a high priority. Dayton said, “When we lived in Brighton we would have 15 to 20 people together at special holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s what our kids said they missed the most when we moved to Cedaredge.

Dayton Myers graduated from Adams City High School in 1955.

Gertie Wilson graduated from Brighton High School in 1954.

“We get together here with our kids and grandkids, but the kids on the eastern side don’t get to come as much.” Gertie, whose maiden name is Wilson, said, “On Memorial Day last year we had a family reunion in Brighton and between 70 and 100 people came. It was fun seeing nieces and nephews. We’re hoping more will come to the reunion this year.” Gertie and Dayton have four sons — Dayton, Jr., born in November 1958; Don, born in December 1959; Ken, born in February 1962; and Bill, born in May 1968. Billy was born without a hip socket. When he was about three months old, he was in the hospital for a month. The doctor put a surgical ball in where the socket should have been and put Billy in a body cast from under his arm all the way down his right leg. The doctor told Gertie and Dayton Billy would not be able to move, and he might be cranky. They put a play pen out on their big porch so he could watch his brothers playing. A neighbor called to tell Gertie Billy was standing up in the play pen. She went out immediately, laid Bill down and told his brothers not to stand him up again. In unison they told

Gertie that Billy got up by himself. And indeed he proceeded to pull himself up again. He weighed 25 pounds without the cast and 50 pounds with the cast. Billy was crawling a week later, walked at the usual time children walk, and maneuvered around the house, cast included. He couldn’t sit up at the table, but a neighbor brought over a small table for him to sit astride, solving that problem. Dayton, Jr., Don, and Ken treated Billy just as they all treated each other and Billy held his own, although pulling himself around in a cast in all their activities was an accomplishment to behold. “Billy was in four or five different casts over time,” Gertie said. Billy was in junior high when the Myers moved to Cedaredge. He played all sports except wrestling. Currently Dayton, Jr., and his wife Carla live in Cedaredge. They have one son, Zack, who lives in Elizabeth. Don and his wife Debbie live in Cope (Colorado) and have three children: Sarah, Elijah and Rebecca. Ken and his wife Marilyn live in Cedaredge and have two children, one of whom has children. Krystal and her hus-

The family gathered for a photo as they celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Dayton and Gertie. Pictured are, from the left: back — Dayton, Jr., Carla, Zack Dayton, Don, Debbie and Bill; middle — Raelynn, Gertie, Joni and Patti; front — Marilyn, Ken, Jared, Ian, Jacob, Christoferr, Elijah and Sarah, holding Dixie.

Gertie Wilson and Dayton Myers were married Jan. 25, 1958, at the Assembly of God in Brighton, where they met. band Brad live in Moore, Okla. Pattie and husband Brian live in Eckert with their children Christoferr, Jacob and Dixie. Bill and his wife Joni live in Loveland and their children are Raelynn (husband Wayne), Ian and Jared. When Dayton and Gertie moved to Cedaredge in 1973, Dayton already had a job, as produce manager for the Cedaredge Grocery Store. The store’s name later changed to Anderson’s Grocery Store and then Cedaredge Mercantile. He worked for the grocery store for 26 years, retiring in 2000. Gertie first worked at the AppleShed. In 1974 Gertie began working with the combined school lunchroom in Cedaredge, which served lunch to all the schools, including kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades in the Eckert School and transporting food to Hunsicker Elementary School. In 1981 Gertie became manager of the Cedaredge High School lunchroom, providing training for all cooks and managing all lunchrooms in the Delta County School District. She retired in May 2002. “I thoroughly enjoyed my job,” Gertie said, “and I missed the kids.” Dayton added, “The kids loved her.” Gertie added, “Kitchen people love the kids. They start work at 5:00 a.m. and feed kids, ‘their’ kids’.” In thinking back about their years together, Dayton said, “We have had a tradition of taking our kids on trips, on camping trips. “Now we take our grandkids on trips. We have been to Mesa Verde National Park, Alligator Farms, Sand Dunes National Park. And we love

to go rock hounding, and see where the ground is cracked.” Gertie said she sits and crochets while the others hound for rocks. Dayton continued, “Our best times are when we get together at holidays, go to graduations, take the kids hunting, go to the kids’ weddings. “Some of the best times of our lives are when we are with our grandkids. We take time to be with our grandkids, the other things we need to do can wait until tomorrow.” Gertie is involved with Eckert Presbyterian Women’s group, Red Hats, Orchard City Women’s Club. She belongs to a sewing club, makes quilts, crochets, does scrapbooking and makes greeting cards. Dayton lunches with the men residents at Horizons, gardens and cultivates houseplants, goes rock hounding whenever he can, likes to hunt, makes earrings and jewelry, goes to the rec center in Delta ... and whenever he can, he’s with his grandkids. “That’s special,” he said. Gertie and Dayton take their Christianity seriously. “We’ve gone to church together since we first met. There is always something that needs to be done in a church, and we have gladly worked in the churches where we have been members,” Gertie said. Dayton added, “The week goes better if I go to church.” Both say they cherish their companionship with each other. Gertie said, “We like to do things together, to go shopping together. Dayton is always there when I need him, he’s helpful to me.” Dayton said, “We love each other. We have the most fun together.” Gertie asked, “Where did the time go?”