Delta County Independent, March 28, 2018 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

ROAD MAP TO FUTURE

SPORTS

MEET THE TRUSTEES

Master Plan for the Town of Hotchkiss nears completion, B1

Cedaredge candidates step up to serve the community, C1

DELTA COUNTY

DEFENDING CHAMPS Cedaredge boys’ track team continues winning ways, B5

MARCH 28, 2018 VOL. 135, NO. 13

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INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Farmers, ranchers brace for drought BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Western Colorado is facing an “epic” low water year, due to a relatively warm, dry winter. Snowpack in the Upper Gunnison Basin is at 63 percent of average. Grand Mesa is at less than 50 percent, with Surface Creek forecast with one of the lowest runoffs in the state. At a presentation hosted by the Delta Conservation District, Colorado Division 4 water engineer Bob Hurford displayed a graph from the U.S. Drought Monitor that shows extreme drought conditions in southwest Colorado — conditions that are expected to persist in much of Delta County. Speaking to a crowd largely made up of agricultural producers, he referred to 2002 as a “benchmark bad year, and we’re not even at 2002 right now. Prospects aren’t looking so good.” The weather forecast calls for above average temperatures and lower than average precipitation over the next 30 days, which is typically the wettest time of the year. Fortunately, carryover storage is looking good. Above average reservoir storage will help offset low moisture for the 2018 growing season, but next year might look completely different if the current drought cycle continues. With runoff in question, the discussion turned to the types of water rights outlined in the state constitution. Domestic has priority over all other uses, followed by agriculture and then industrial. Those with senior water rights can place a “call” for water with the Division of Water Resources. Until the senior water rights are satisfied, supply is curtailed to those with junior water rights. The call for water is con-

ditional, Hurford explained. The senior water right holder must put agricultural water to a beneficial use. It cannot be wasted; the user must have an accepted headgate and an accurate measuring device. “The North Fork is on call even in a good year,” Hurford explained. “There’s just not enough water to supply everybody. Every drop of water in the North Fork is spoken for.” He discussed a number of strategies for water short years, including administrative exchanges, the loan of irrigation water rights, the lease of storage water, and efficiency improvements for on and off field delivery systems. “This is where the Delta Conservation District really shines,” he said. John Miller, an irrigation water management specialist with the Delta Conservation District, recommended all producers develop a drought management plan. The first step is looking at all available data specific to the grower’s location. “Right now we’re in an ah-ha moment, where we’re becoming increasingly aware of a potentially rough year,” he said. “This is the time to prepare.” For a one-year dry spell, he said managing water between existing fields is better than planting drought-resistant varieties. New plantings, which require more water, should be avoided. Drought-tolerant crops should be reserved for longer dry spells, because they generally have lower yields. Growers could also look at shorter season crops like sweet corn, pinto beans and sunflowers. “You also need to look at irrigation system efficiency,” he said. “Is the irrigation water getting to a plant or are you losing it?” Replacing open ditches with

Nelson, Lane advance to primary BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Presentation of the U.S. flag by a JROTC color guard from Delta High School and the singing of “God Bless America” by DHS junior Shanaya Deuschle set the tone for the Delta County Republican Assembly. Delegates convened at the Delta Center for Performing Arts Saturday morning. Two Republicans have declared their candidacy for District 1 county commissioner and both received enough support to advance to the primary election in June. With 52 percent of the votes, Teresa Nelson will be listed first on the ballot. Mike Lane received 48 percent of the delegate votes. County chairman Roger

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A7 Back Page ................... D6 Business ........................ A8 Church .........................C5-6 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D3-4 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ..................... A6 School Zone .................. A5 Service Directory ........ D5 Sports ..........................B5-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-2 TV Listings ..................C3-4

Bentley said the assembly went very smoothly with excellent participation from candidates as well as new and existing precinct committee persons. “I would say everybody came out of the assembly a winner,” Bentley said. That afternoon, Republicans from Mesa and Delta counties met at the Delta Performing Arts Center to designate candidates for the office of state representative for Colorado House District 54. Delta County resident Matt Soper is currently unopposed in the GOP primary. Also at the GOP State House 54 Assembly, Rep. Yeulin Willett was recognized for his service to western Colorado.

piping or installing concrete linings can help cut down on loss. With gated pipe, just half the water is getting to a plant. Efficiency improves with rolling and center pivot irrigation systems, and hits 95 percent

with drip irrigation and micro spray. But as efficiency goes up, so does the price, Miller said. That’s where cost-sharing programs can help with installation. After discussing several

other options for conserving irrigation water, he said if the weather outlook hasn’t improved by midseason, it might be time for hard choices. “You might be looking at DROUGHT TO A3

Courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor

The vivid red color indicates that as of March 22, much of Delta County was experiencing extreme drought. No relief is in the 30-day weather forecast, which calls for higher than average temperatures and lower than average precipitation. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, potential impacts of extreme drought include major crop/pasture losses and widespread water shortages or restrictions.

Jury rejects insanity claim in murder of Melinda Yager BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The 12 jurors and two alternates who listened to weeks of testimony in the trial of Nathan Yager came together on March 20 to deliver a verdict of guilty. Yager had pleaded not guilty to second degree murder by reason of insanity. There was never any question that Nathan Yager brutally slashed the throat of his estranged wife, Melinda, in January 2011. The defense conceded that point early in the trial, but attempted to prove Yager was not sane when he committed the crime. Their expert, Dr. Karen Fukutaki, a psychiatrist from the Front Range, testified Yager was in a disassociative state when he committed murder, and was therefore not legally responsible for the act. The district attorney’s office countered with an expert who testified that Yager was not severely mentally diseased, that it was “not even a close call.” Dick Nunamaker, a Delta resident who served as jury foreman, explained the thought process behind the guilty verdict after the jury had been released by Judge Steven Schultz last Tuesday afternoon. “I could sum up the comments of many jurors by say-

Tuesday is Election Day Polling centers at the Delta County Courthouse in Delta and at the North Fork Annex, 196 W. Hotchkiss Avenue, Hotchkiss, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day April 3. In addition, 24-hour drop boxes are available at both locations, as well as the Cedaredge Library at SW 6th Avenue in Cedaredge. In Delta only, the elections office at the courthouse will be open Saturday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Voters in every municipality in the county — with the exception of Cedaredge — should have received a ballot. To verify your status, visit www.govotecolorado.com.

ing, ‘Although both psychiatrists who testified were highly credible, the overall testimony of Dr. Wortzel appeared to be more compelling with respect to this case as it applies to sanity vs. insanity.’ ” Nunamaker said he listened not only to Dr. Wortzel’s words, but also paid close attention to his body language. “Dr. Wortzel, the courtappointed psychiatrist, seemed very confident in his diagnosis,” Nunamaker said. “He didn’t seem to have any doubts whatsoever and that’s kind of important.” No one questioned Dr. Fukutaki’s credentials, or her sincerity, Nunamaker said, but she changed her diagnosis after more information came to light. That raised questions for jurors. Nunamaker said she also seemed to be “parroting” comments made by defense attorneys during opening statements, which made him wonder if Fukutaki had been coached. During deliberations, Nunamaker said it took some time for a couple of jurors to wrap their heads around “reasonable doubt.” There was also a lot of discussion about the legal definition of insanity, “because that’s what the whole case hinged on. “How could someone be

sane and commit a crime like that?” Nunamaker wondered. “But there’s a very specific legal definition for insanity and that’s all you have to go by.” The concept that Yager could be sane before the murder, insane when he produced a knife and cut Melinda’s throat, then sane again is still hard to understand, Nunamaker said. Both the prosecution and defense did a good job, but Nunamaker said the defense didn’t have much to work with, other than the psychiatric testimony, and in the end that failed to impress the jurors. Nunamaker added that he felt every juror gave a hundred percent. They took the trial very seriously; there were no comments about getting it over with. “It’s amazing how important it is to have a diverse group of people like that. We all watched and heard the same things, but everybody comes out with a little different perception of events. It’s amazingly important.” Although the experience was extremely stressful, Nunamaker said jurors felt good about the verdict. “We all came out of there feeling like justice had been served. No one was on the fence; there were no second thoughts.”

GMUG revision moves to next phase

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests are moving into a new phase of plan development, starting with a formal scoping period. This 30-day comment period, beginning March 30, will seek public input on the first elements of the revised Forest Plan, including: key needs for change; vision and distinctive role and contribution of the GMUG; and proposed management area framework. Together, these sections provide a foundation for building a proposed plan that can provide for ecological sustainability, contribute to the area’s social and economic stability, and integrate resource management for multiple uses and ecosystem services. “Now that we’re shifting from assessment to planning, we want to make sure we’re focusing on the key issues and to start laying the groundwork for the revised Forest Plan,” said Samantha Staley, GMUG forest planner. The GMUG will be hosting two scoping webinars on Monday, April 2, 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, April 6, 9 to 10:30 a.m. See www.usfs.adobeconnect.com/gmug-500/; call 1-888-844-9904, participant code 8454465# for audio.

A2 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

OPINION

LETTERS Don’t let citizen voices be silenced Dear Editor: Delta County residents: do you remember your American history? One of the triggering events that spurred the original 13 American colonies to revolt against the British Empire in the 1770s was the American colonists’ complaint of “taxation without representation.” This is a situation in which a government imposes taxes on citizens who have no representation to voice their views. Many of you may be surprised to learn that something similar is happening here in Delta County, unbelievably, in 2018. Delta County has three commissioner districts and five Area Planning Commissions (APC). The current bylaws of the planning commission state that there must be representation in all five APCs while ensuring three representatives in each commissioner district. On March 5, the Board of County Commis-

sioners (BoCC) — Mark Roeber, Doug Atchley and Don Suppes — unanimously, and in violation of bylaws which they approved, voted to eliminate the Upper North Fork seat, which leaves a significant portion of the eastern part of Delta County without a voice in the Master Planning process. This is especially important for three reasons: 1) The seat was occupied by a well-spoken and thoughtful residentvolunteer who had contributed countless hours during the last year and a half to the Master Planning process, and who was dismissed without notice, explanation, or even thanks; 2) As the Master Planning process moves into land use regulations, ALL county constituents should be represented in the process. If you live downwind of a large tract of land that could be sold to an industrial hog facil-

ity, wouldn’t you want a voice in that decision And 3) The Upper North Fork region generates $3.2 million in annual revenues to Delta County. Delta County, and undoubtedly its BoCC, enjoys these property and sales tax revenues generated by the Upper North Fork. And yet, the voices of the very citizens who help generate this revenue are being silenced by this recent action by the BoCC. I urge every resident in Delta County to exercise your civic duty and stand up for your fellow citizens. Contact your commissioners and let them know how un-American it is to reap the benefits of the revenue of the Upper North Fork while simultaneously squashing the voices of those who generate it. For now, it’s just the Upper North Fork that is silenced. Will your area be next? Lisa Niermann Hotchkiss

Working to move the Town of Paonia forward Dear Editor: I am compelled, again, to respond to candidate Bill Brunner’s latest screed, printed as a letter to the editor in the March 21 issue of the DCI. I knew when the first letter from the Brunners appeared in the Jan. 24 issue of the DCI that this would probably be an ongoing assault. And it seems to be so as the Brunners have now written five letters that have been published in the DCI. Personally, I am heartily sick of the whole thing. I am sure most of you are, too. How does a so-called candidate spend the entire campaign solely slinging mud? What has Bill Brunner ever offered as to why you should vote for him? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. All he does is make false accusations about other candidates and current town board members. He does not tell you what he will do, because he has nothing to offer. As a town trustee, since I was elected in 2014, I have worked very hard. I have spent over 500 hours attending over 200 official town board meetings. I have missed only four meetings in the four years I have served on the board. I have served on the finance, streets and parks committees and currently on the public works, facilities and services committee. All the time spent in the committee meetings are in addition to the time listed above. We have accomplished much since 2014. Some

of those accomplishments include finalizing the codification of the town’s ordinances and getting them published so that they are now available to the public. We established policies such as how the town board meetings are conducted, a policy establishing a code of conduct for the town board, a policy for commercial use of town parks and facilities, a policy for street art and a policy for naming town facilities. We have worked at improving the town infrastructure by implementing the sidewalk replacement program, replacing many of the town waterlines, finishing the rehabilitation of the old town sewage treatment plant and purchasing and using equipment such as the new leaf vacuum. In addition we have stabilized the town budget — making adjustments so that expenditures do not exceed revenues. Recently I introduced proposed resolutions to have the town establish set policies on dealing with accidents and damage to town vehicles, equipment and property and recognizing employee contributions and end-ofthe-year bonuses. Have we accomplished everything that the Town of Paonia needs? No — the board needs to move forward on increasing street repair and paving, developing a strategy for dealing with trees that are damaging sidewalks and streets and evaluating the need

KUDOS Library lovers appreciated Dear Editor: Delta County Libraries would like to thank all of the library lovers who showed their support during the Love Your Libraries fundraiser in February: Peace Circle of the Hotchkiss United Methodist Church, First Colorado National Bank, Friends of the Cedaredge Library, Friends of the Crawford Library, Friends of the Paonia Library, Lynette and Floyd Reed, Laura and Al Earley, Sandra Maddox, James and Judy Briscoe, Katherine Gnauck, Rema Done, Ruth Pettigrew, Alice Lister, Andrew and Kristi Lloyd, Thomas and Sue Beachman, Allan and Kami Collins, William and Gloria Crank, Knox Williams, Sherrion Taylor, Zella Willoughby, Lou Biggins Sullivan, Christene Ingram, Sue and Geoff Morton, Karina and David Nicewicz, Nancy Snodon, John St. George, Julietta St. John, Vance and Myrna Westerman, Susan Brown, Bobby and Deborah Riggs, Minnesota Canal and Reservoir Company, Judith Martin, Daniel Ihnot, Kay Hannah, Peggy and James Raney, Virgie Ramos, Gladiz Huerta, Larry and Linda Brown, Bruce and Joan Schmoldt, Jill Olson, Christine Tyler and Michael Shomler.

Thanks for supporting Beef Roast Dear Editor: The Prairie Rangers would like to thank everyone who supported the Delta County 4-H beef roast dinner. We had a very good turnout and we thank you all for your donations. Hope to see you next year. Kenneth Vance

to regulate short-term rentals and food trucks. Undoubtedly there is more, but those are some issues I believe the town needs to work on. Besides being time-consuming the job of trustee is difficult, especially in a community with diverse opinions. A trustee should represent all citizens. I follow two principles when evaluating business that comes before the town board: 1) Is it legal and 2) Does it serve the best interests of the citizens of the town. This second principle is more challenging — again especially in a community with diverse opinions. In applying this principle I try to consider who will be helped and if anyone will be harmed. Our system of government is based on decisions being made by representatives functioning as a single body. No one individual can make decisions for the town. Only the board as a unit can do that. A single trustee can try to move the business of the town forward, do very little or create problems. I have tried very hard to move the business of the town forward. I am not going to respond to Mr. Brunner’s individual allegations, because they are all fabrications, exaggerations and misrepresentations. I really questioned myself whether to run again, because this type of behavior is so intolerable. However, I truly believe we have moved things forward in Paonia and there is more to do. David Bradford Trustee and Mayor Pro-tem Town of Paonia

Eliminating NF planning rep was ‘underhanded’ Dear Editor: Governments owe their existence to the communities they serve, and they exist to secure and protect the rights of the people and those communities. Any system of government that fails to do so is not legitimate, lawful, or constitutional. It was standing room only at the March 19 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Dozens of residents came to voice their disgust regarding the elimination of the Upper North Fork representation from the planning commission and the Master Plan process. There was no public notice that such a decision would be made at the commissioners’ March 5 meeting — indeed Jen Sanborn, the Upper NFV rep, was never notified.

The commissioners would not entertain this contested issue as an agenda item at Monday’s meeting either. Residents were given less time to speak than the 40-minute recess enjoyed by the commissioners. And it appears they weren’t heard either, as the commissioners delivered a canned response. The commissioners are in violation of state Sunshine Laws of public transparency. The commissioners also violated the planning commission bylaws which they themselves approved! These bylaws require each of the planning areas be represented on the planning commission. Underhandedly eliminating Upper NFV representation is a minority exercising power over

the majority, a unilateral government seeking to control citizens’ property rights. The North Fork contributes $3.2 million annually in tax revenue. It sure seems like the county needs the NFV revenue more than we need our county government. What are our tax dollars paying for? All legitimate governments are founded on the people’s authority and consent. Let’s not delude ourselves any longer. Delta County is not a democracy but rather an oligarchy of good ol’ boys by the names of Roeber, Suppes and Atchley who issue decrees and attack their constituents from upon their thrones in their chambers. Lesandre Holiday Paonia

Orchard City candidate clarifies stance Dear Editor: I am writing at this time to the citizens of Orchard City to clarify my position on the tax initiatives that appear on the ballot all voters should have received in the mail by now. There are three tax initiatives on this year’s ballot — sales tax, property tax and tax on sales of marijuana should some future board approve sale which is presently prohibited by past resolution of the board. Why are these initiatives even on the ballot? They are on the ballot due to declining revenues that the town has counted on in the past to conduct the day-to-day business of the town. How did these initiatives come about? Given the reality of declining revenues, the mayor of Orchard City appointed an ad hoc committee to study viable alternative sources of revenue and make recommendations to the board based on the committee’s study. Where I stand as an individual voter, separate from my responsibilities as a trustee: • Sales tax – I am in favor of a sales tax. I reject the argument that Orchard City is a shopping destination for the average Delta County resident or tourist. Having no sales tax presently deters few from traveling to the cities of Delta, Montrose or Grand Junction to shop and pay their local sales taxes. Local sales taxes benefit those businesses that are taxed by ensuring the path to their enterprise remains

Electioneering in Paonia Dear Editor: It’s more honest to do one’s electioneering in paid ads rather than letters to the editor. Please see the North Fork Times. Bill Brunner Paonia

Reject Paonia sales tax increase Dear Editor: The Town of Paonia is asking to double your sales tax. If you think that this will encourage the town to develop fiscal restraint and work within budgets, you are dreaming. If you think the money will go to improve the streets and sidewalks, you are in for a rude surprise. The last time Paonia asked for a tax increase, it was a capital improvement tax, dedicated in a separate budget to things like paving streets. That tax got approved because the voters could see that it was solely for infrastructure. This year’s request is not a capital improvement tax. It is a general sales tax. Which means it can be frittered away, any way they want. Let’s look at some recent history. While the streets of Paonia rotted, the council seriously dis-

Delta County Independent

cussed putting a roundabout on Grand and Third. Now, they are talking about building a new town hall, as if there is anything wrong with the current town hall. Also, money will flow into a housing project restricted to “creative” people. Are you one of the “creative” people that will take advantage of this project or are you just a normal human like me that gets nothing out of it? Another bad consequence of this proposed tax increase is that it will make a business in Paonia noncompetitive with the same business parked in the county where the tax doesn’t apply. I encourage the voters of Paonia to reject this tax. The town government needs to learn to live within its means, just like you and I do. David Weber Paonia

unencumbered and in good repair, along with the delivery of the best municipal water in the State of Colorado (my opinion). • Property tax – I do not favor. • Marijuana tax – I would not support retail sales of marijuana in Orchard City; however, if some future board were to approve sales it most certainly should be taxed. NOTE: Given all of the brouhaha and bluster that has occurred since the ad hoc revenue committee recommended the tax, not a single soul has inquired of me directly where I stood on this issue which was clouded from the beginning with the assumption tax = approval of use/sales. In closing, I am compelled to comment on some of the criticisms I have heard and lately read in the DCI regarding a lack of transparency, not listening to citizens and secretiveness by the present board. The board (past/present/future) and Town of Orchard City is required by statute to be transparent in all matters related to town activities/business. That rules out secretiveness. I find it to be a baseless allegation that the board does not listen to

the citizenry. That said, if the operative definition of “not listening” is not acting on every recommendation or suggestion that comes forth, then there is fault. For example, it has been suggested to not replace bridges (same as not replacing roads) when they fall into disrepair, or de-funding the Orchard City Park as an unnecessary expense, or applying micro-management accounting tools to situations where a macromanagement scope better serves the needs of the town and its citizens. Indeed, the town regularly receives ideas, suggestions and requests from the citizenry. Many recommendations are excellent ideas, some acted on in short order while others are referred to committee or town staff for further input/study before a decision is made. Finally, throughout my time on the Board of Trustees for Orchard City I have been and remain available to address any concern or question any resident has. I am available through the town (835-3337) and the town’s website, (which lists my home phone number). Bob Eckels Trustee Town of Orchard City

Stooksberry is best-prepared Dear Editor: Why the great citizens of Delta should vote for Jay Stooksberry? My personal opinion is that it’s not really a choice. Jay is bright, progressive, and truly cares about the issues that face our community. My personal interactions with Mr. Stooksberry have been insightful and educational. I can’t imagine many others in our community that have done as much research and asked questions of the citizenry to find out ways to make the community a better place. Jay has many great ideas on the direction things need to go, but even more impressive is his ability to listen and incorporate others’ ideas. The future is now and we must prepare for the future, and Delta is in

dire need of fresh progressive ideas to move our community in a direction that allows for growth and prosperity. I implore all my fellow citizens to cast a vote for the best candidate and there really is no comparison between the two as far as being prepared and capable of being a civic leader. While I think Jay’s opponent is a good man for wanting to be involved and running for office, he is just not as knowledgeable or prepared to tackle the tough fiscal position our fair city finds itself in. I have tallied my vote for Jay Stooksberry, and if you are ready for a chance at a better present and future, I hope anyone reading this will do the same. Ryan Crick Delta

Thanks for a great first year Dear Editor: I want to thank the people of Paonia and the surrounding area for a terrific first year here as your town administrator. As everyone knows all small towns have their “dramas” going on, but I can honestly say that I’ve really enjoyed my first year here. That would not have been possible, of course, without the support and dedication of the terrific town staff. The professionalism, dedication, humor and caring nature makes going to work a pleasure. It is a shame that a few people in town use the past bad acts of people long gone to ques-

tion the current staff. It isn’t fair and it isn’t true. Sadly, when verifiable documented information comes forward I had to act to replace an employee, but I’m sure that everyone would agree that it’s better to act on verifiable documented information than rumor and hearsay. The few bumps in the road have been far outweighed by all the positive things that have happened in the past year, however, so once again I want to thank all my new friends, friends to be, and the town staff for a great first year. Ken Knight Paonia Town Administrator

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Master Plan update nears review by the public BY ANNETTE BRAND Staff Writer

The Delta County Planning Commission went through a draft of the Master Plan, dated March 2018, at its March 21 meeting. The “Public Review Draft” (PRD) brings the planning commission and county staff a step closer to taking the Master Plan update to the community for input through three public hearings, email and letters. The PRD was the result of the March 14 page-by-page scrutiny by the planning commission, county staff, and some members of the area planning committees of a draft dated February 2018. Elyse Casselberry, county community and economic development director, sent the results of that March 14 scrutiny to Gabe Preston of RPI Consulting. Before the review started, planning commission chairman Bob Stechert commented to the planning commission members, area planning committee members and other attendees, “This review of the Master Plan has been a collegial process. We have sought input from people across the county. The review is intended to be a collaborative effort among

the planning commission, area planning committee members and the public at large. “It has been of no help when people have criticized our efforts because our efforts are not in agreement with their personal interests. The several open letters on social media and the emails misinterpreting the scope and purpose of the Master Plan raise issues that are not relevant to this process. “The Master Plan review will give us guidelines for the adoption of a regulatory system. Land use regulations will address issues with which we have had substantial problems. We will then know in advance what we are to do in each situation,” Stechert said. “Don’t criticize each other outside of this process; don’t undermine the process. We need to work together. Keep your personal opinions and issues to the side for the overall interest of the county. “We will vote as the planning commission. If you can’t do that, step aside. “I hope we can all agree to proceed in that direction,” Stechert said.

Managing Editor

Three local women — Jean Stortz, Sherry Hall and Victoria Sterkel — are raising environmental awareness in our community through an initiative they’re calling Lovin’ Delta. The initiative was introduced during a recent Women in Business gathering, where Stortz showed a recent photo of Adobe Buttes Landfill with trash in the foreground and the adobe hills in the background. “Maybe we don’t need to bury all of our trash,” she said, suggesting other environmentallyfriendly options. She said many of the items in the landfill could be recycled, repaired, passed on, donated to the Salvation Army, or sold at a garage sale. Since moving to Delta over five years ago, Stortz,

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ning committee members revealed that more refinement is needed in minor changes to some pages, shifting information from one subject heading to another, and providing more information on some subjects. Schrock said the planning commission should not miss including demographic information concerning poverty, age, and family data. In the “Introduction, Plan Purpose and Planning Process” the sentence, “Requirements for residential development should extend to all proposed additional single family dwelling units on individual land parcels, not simply to formal subdivision applications” drew considerable discussion from most of the planning commission members. It promises to be a major topic when the Master Plan update is accepted and land use regulation are formulated based on the results of the Master Plan update. There was general discussion about the Master Plan being a regulatory document. Stechert said, “The Master Plan is not intended to be a regulatory document. Our

objective is advisory, to provide guidelines for preparation of a regulatory document.” Casselberry expects to provide the planning commission with the corrected Public Review Draft by March 28. After the PRD is approved by the planning commission, public input will be scheduled, starting with an open house projected for April. Members of the County Planning Commission

an artist, has created a series of paintings featuring the ‘dobies, which she finds amazing. She took a photo of the trash while exploring the area with her husband. The photo is featured in a poster titled “Adobe Awakening.” To raise awareness for keeping the ‘dobies clean, she included the words “Pick it up, pack it out, enjoy our unique natural resource.” Sherry Hall and Victoria Sterkel share her desire to create environmental awareness, and they invite everyone to participate in any way they can. The trio says “Lovin’ Delta” is a simple concept. They created a Facebook page where they share helpful information to keep Delta tidy and reduce landfill trash. They invite each citizen of any age to consider the choices they make daily

Drought FROM PAGE A1 less-productive parts of the fields you want to stop irrigating,” he said. The “worst, worst” case scenario is simply abandoning a field. But there is some good news: A lack of irrigation water due to drought often brings higher yields. Overirrigation leaches fertilizer out of reach of the plant roots; with less water, the plant will develop longer roots to reach the water. Because every situation is unique, he said he is always available to come out and visit with growers individually. Steve Fletcher, Fire Mountain Canal superintendent, said it looks like Paonia Reservoir will fill, but runoff will quickly be used up and operators will be looking at stored water. As for Leroux Creek, Fletcher said that area is “not looking pretty at all.” “I wouldn’t look for much flow out for Leroux Creek for the Fire Mountain Canal.” When asked to predict when the water in the Fire

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Mountain canal would be shut off, Fletcher said that all depends on rainfall. The reservoir holds 15,000 acre feet of water; the canal carries 180 acre feet a day. That’s just over 83 days of supply. Nolan Doesken, retired state climatologist, provided a broader perspective with decades of weather data. He said this part of the state has been on the wet side for four years in a row. “So what do you expect next? Drought never leaves us alone for long.”

Easter egg hunt turns 50 The Delta Lions will be sponsoring the 50th annual Easter egg hunt on March 31. This event begins promptly at 9 a.m. at Cleland Park. Don’t be late! Kids from toddler to fourth grade are invited.

Candidate Robinson to visit Delta Republican candidate for governor Doug Robinson is making a swing through western Colorado that will bring him to Delta Thursday, March 30. He will host a meetand-greet at The Stockyards restaurant, 1205 Main Street, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

are: representing County Commission District 1, Steve Shea, Angela Mackey, vice chair, and Steve Schrock; County Commission District 2, Layne Brones, Lucinda Stanley and Tate Locke; County Commission District 3, Tony Prendergast, Kim Shay and Bob Stechert, chair. Area planning committee members participating March 21 were Elisa Greco, Bob Pennetta and Steve Wolcott.

Close shot

Lovin’ Delta is committed to cleaning up the community BY PAT SUNDERLAND

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Steve Wolcott, area planning committee member, said, “I disagree with Bob. It is our job to elicit input ... to listen to those people asking ‘How is this going to affect me, my neighbors,’ in different parts of the county, in the Upper North Fork.” Planning commission member Steve Schrock replied, “You are talking about personal interests. Personal interests can’t be part of the Master Plan review process. Conflicts of interest are a threat to what we are doing.” Elisa Greco added, “It’s going to get intense, but we should not let our personal interests stop the Master Plan process.” Casselberry proctored the discussion of the 89 pages through the March draft. Kelly Yeager, the county’s contract planner, provided technical information and cited examples of how often difficult land use situations are arising currently and the need for regulations to guide the resolution of neighbor-toneighbor conflicts. The conscientious review and comments from the planning commission and area plan-

and how they affect the environment of Delta and beyond. Among the questions they suggest to consider: • What are my options for recycling? • Would I pick up random trash on the sidewalks or parking lots? • Would I consider limiting plastic bags at the grocery store and bring my own? • Would I get a group together at church, business, school and pick up trash in the ‘dobies or any place in town that needs it? “We all need to keep this conversation going,” said Stortz. “Check out the Facebook page called Lovin’ Delta that has been created to inform, inspire and stay in touch with the community in creating a beautiful, clean environment.”

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Three-year-old Logan Myhaver gets up close for the baby bunny bean bag toss at the Easter Eggstravaganza at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Logan and his family were visiting from Northglenn and were excited to ﬁnd a familyfriendly event all could take part in. The recreation center is celebrating its 25th anniversary by bringing back some of the classic events it’s hosted since it opened on March 27, 1993. Volunteers from the National Junior Honor Society at Delta Middle School, Delta High School Student Council and DHS Key Club helped run the many games and activities offered at Saturday’s event.

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Democrats prefer Cary Kennedy BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

A gubernatorial preference poll taken during the Delta County Democrats’ county assembly March 31 resulted in 21 delegate votes for Cary Kennedy and 15 votes for Jared Polis. A total of 46 delegates and 12 alternates registered for the assembly. On the county level, Dick Gilmore has declared his candidacy for Delta County commissioner, District 1, and Stacy Lowe is a candidate for county clerk and recorder. The party also plans to field candidates for the offices of county coroner and treasurer.

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A4 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Scholarships available for adult continuing education Delta County adults who are seeking higher or continuing education are invited to apply for a $1,000 scholarship, offered by Altrusa International of Delta. The service organization annually awards scholarships to non-traditional students and to high school students who are members of the Altrusa-sponsored ASTRA Clubs. The deadline for applications is April 20. The applicant must reside in

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Delta County and must have been out of high school at least five years. Scholarship monies must be used for the summer or fall terms of 2018. Applicants will be notified by May 15 if they have received a scholarship, and the scholarship will be awarded in July. Altrusa will also award $500 scholarships to members of Delta County ASTRA clubs at Delta and Cedaredge high schools who demonstrate excellent service to the community, academic promise, and plan to attend a college, university, trade school or online school this year. More information, qualification guidelines and applications are online at www.Altrusa InternationalOfDelta. com; please note that only digital applications will be accepted. For more information, call Altrusan Kami Collins at

Providing emergency food and shelter to the hungry and homeless of Delta County. ��

Volunteer or donate and help those most in need right here at home!

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970-361-8905. Funds for the scholarships are raised in part from the club’s Deltarado Days kickoff dinner at Cleland Park and the Sugar Plum Festival & Little Side Street Market in the fall. Altrusa is an international nonprofit organization, making our local communities better through leadership, partnership, and service. Altrusa strives to be a positive influence by supporting projects that enable the greatest number of people to better themselves by improving their self-esteem through continuing education.

BIRTHS Marili Serrano of Delta is the parent of a son, Ezairo Daniel Serrano, born March 19, 2018, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and was 20.5 inches in length.

For the babies

Photo submitted

The ladies’ sewing circle at Horizons Health Care in Eckert donated hand made newborn blankets, pillows and head warmers to Carol Swingle, manager of Stork’s Landing at Delta County Memorial Hospital. Their hard work was the community project of the month for Horizons residents. Pictured (left to right) are Horizons resident Sharon Anderson, Carol Swingle, Horizons residents Carol Green and Carolyn Meyers (standing). Other generous organizations that have donated to DCMH Stork’s Landing are Mt. Lamborn 4-H club (blankets), and the Basket Case Quilt Guild (quilts). Altrusa of Delta provides baby books monthly.

Senior CommUnity meals for April Senior CommUnity meals are served at four dining sites in Delta County — Cedaredge Civic Center (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), Delta Senior Center (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), Hotchkiss Senior Center (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and Paonia Senior Citizen Center (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Meals on Wheels are also delivered from each location. More information is available by calling the Cedaredge meal site, 856-3636; the Delta meal site, 874-5302; Hotchkiss Senior Center, 872-3494; and Paonia Senior Citizen Center, 527-3435. The menu through April 30 follows: Monday, April 2 — Chicken parmesan over fettuccine, Italian vegetables, garlic bread, watermelon and PBOK cookie. Tuesday, April 3 — Smothered chicken enchiladas with green chili sauce, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion and sour cream, refried beans, Spanish rice and tropical fruit mix. Wednesday, April 4 — Roast turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes with gravy, honey-glazed carrots, sweet potato roll and banana cake. Thursday, April 5 — Italian chicken, baked potato, broccoli, garden cottage cheese, garlic bread and diced pears. Friday, April 6 — Potato-crusted cod, peas and pearl onions, mandarin spinach salad, whole wheat roll and carrot cake. Monday, April 9 — Liver and onions or beef

patty, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, calico salad and honey fruit dessert. Tuesday, April 10 — Baked lasagna, tossed salad, California blend vegetables, breadstick and peach cobbler. Wednesday, April 11 — BBQ chicken sandwich, pineapple coleslaw, southern baked beans, sliced peaches and molasses snap cookie. Thursday, April 12 — Roast pork with mashed potatoes and gravy, chateau vegetable blend, wheat roll, orange wedge and citrus splash mousse cake. Friday, April 13 — Homemade beef pepperoni pizza, tossed salad, island mix vegetables and ice cream with strawberries. Monday, April 16 — Meat loaf, macaroni and

cheese, three-bean salad, peas and carrots, biscuit and fresh orange. Tuesday, April 17 — Baked lemon onion fish, kidney bean salad, stewed tomatoes, wheat roll and cherry crisp. Wednesday, April 18 — Chicken taco salad, tortilla chips with salsa and sour cream, refried beans, custard and pineapple. Thursday, April 19 — Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, Monte Carlo vegetables, tomato soup, cheddar onion biscuit and fresh banana. Friday, April 20 — Chicken pot pie, French cut green beans, low sodium V-8 juice, wheat roll and fruited gelatin. Monday, April 23 — Tuna salad plate with egg, tomato and orange wedges, breadsticks and berry blend crisp.

Tuesday, April 24 — Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and onion, baked beans, golden road salad and ice cream. Wednesday, April 25 — 90s birthday meal of baked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied bacon Brussels sprouts, wheat roll and frosted cake. Thursday, April 26 — Spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, tossed salad, garlic bread and diced pears. Friday, April 27 — Sloppy joes on wheat bun, pea and cheese salad, cauliflower with cheese sauce and peach crisp. Monday, April 30 — Ham and beans with corn bread, cucumber, tomato and sweet onion salad, orange-glazed carrots, bananas and mandarin oranges.

Arts coalition is going strong Arts Coalition of Delta County, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has reformed with some new officers and a new direction. The organization, which has been around for several years, has the same priorities as it started with, but with a stepby-step plan. Founder Richard Weldon said, “We wish to promote the arts in Delta County and this is our number one goal. We have a lengthy agenda which will help our economy, increase business, and develop hundreds of new jobs throughout the county. Our new direction started with the board forging ahead with our plans, increasing our board from five to nine members, electing a new vice president, a new treasurer, and adding new and helpful activities.” Upcoming activities include an art fair and a fundraiser for the arts in May or June (dates to be announced). People who are interested in theater or acting are being sought to form a Delta County Theater Guild. Sponsored by AC/ DC, this group will put on several plays, dramas or musicals each year and will be open to all ages. Weldon said one or two adults are needed to head this group, plus many others to help with the productions. “We as a nonprofit are not wishing to replace what each community is now doing,” Weldon said. “We want to enhance your efforts and hope to help you expand your existing programs. Our neighbors to the south have increased their economy, drawn new business, and increased the overall economy by millions of dollars each year. If we work together, we can also do the same, plus we

can make our county a “destination” rather than a drive through. The Arts Coalition of Delta County board of directors includes Richard Weldon, retired Delta band director and businessman, president; Tony Bohling, assistant director of the Technical College of the Rockies, vice

president; Kandi Connell, businesswoman from Cedaredge, secretary; Bernis Sattler, a retiree from Cedaredge, treasurer; and David Star, musician and businessman from Cedaredge. For more information, contact Weldon at weldon 814162944@yahoo.com or 970-640-6520.

Photos submitted

Tournament winners

The Kiwanis Club of Delta netted over $4,000 at the seventh annual charity poker tournament held at Bill Heddles Recreation Center on March 17. Approximately 70 players participated with the ultimate winner being Josh Applegate (right). Runnerup Larissa Bloom is pictured on the left. Pictured below are Delta High School Key Club members who served food during the evening festivities. Money donated at the event stays in Delta County and is used to establish and maintain youth programs and activities.

SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Student options include one-room schoolhouse said his mom wanted him in the SDA school. Every child has access to a Chromebook. Younger students are regularly assessed for reading and literacy, because those skills are so critical to learning in the early years. Standardized tests are administered twice a year to evaluate student progress. Standards in Seventh-day Adventist

BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The one-room schoolhouse is alive and well at the Seventh-day Adventist School in Delta. Students in grades K-8 work side by side on subject matter that’s much like the curriculum offered in the public school system. But in addition to English, social studies, science, math, reading and art, students meet with Pastor Eliezer Roque twice a week for Bible study. The school day starts with prayer and worship. While Pastor Roque serves Seventh-day churches in Cedaredge, Paonia and Delta, only Delta has a school. According to the internet, the Seventh-day Adventist educational system is the second largest Christian school system in the world, after the Roman Catholic system. The school in Delta was built onto the church sanctuary at 762 Meeker Street and currently has just six students, although enrollment has been higher in the past. Enrollment is open to all; just one of the current students is from a family that attends a Seventhday Adventist Church. There are two students in first grade, one in third and three in seventh grade. It takes patience for this set-up to work — patience from younger students who want the teacher ’s immediate attention, patience from older students who are trying to concentrate on their schoolwork, and patience from the teacher who strives to keep all students on task. Fortunately, most students are very self-sufficient. Third grader Natalia finishes her work quickly and turns to help the smaller kids with their reading and math. Seventh grader Benji finds a quiet spot in the reading room, where he listens to classical music while

Photo by Pat Sunderland

completing his math. The other two seventh graders work on an art project outside. “These kids are just the sweetest and they help a lot,” said Emily Roque, longterm aide. “You’d think with six kids, one teacher could handle it but having two of us here is certainly less stressful.” A volunteer from the community teaches music through choir and chimes. Parents pay tuition to help defray the cost of the teacher and supplies. School days are a bit longer than usual, from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., because there are no classes on Friday. The four-day week is beneficial for families like Benji’s, a seventh grader who lives in the Hotchkiss area. His dad says the quality of his son’s education makes the drive worth it. He also ferries kids to and from the rec center, where students have P.E. in the pool during the winter months. With a small group of students, trips to the rec center, museums and national parks are easily do-able. The school year began with a four-day field trip to Yellowstone that included an opportunity to view the solar eclipse. The students’ families were invited as well.

Shooting for success

Chloe Brown, Miss Colorado USA, and Chloe Zambrano, Miss Colorado Teen USA, recently visited schools in Delta County. They shared words of advice about setting goals, encouraging students to surround themselves with people who want them to succeed. They also answered questions to help clear up misconceptions about the pageant process. Miss Colorado Teen USA is a junior at Fruita High School known to many Delta County students through speech and debate. Miss Colorado USA is also from Fruita and works full-time as a sales consultant. She said she was able to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees using scholarships she won through pageants. Both women spend a lot of time on the road, speaking, volunteering and reading to young kids. Miss Colorado USA will compete in the Miss USA pageant to be aired May 21 on FOX.

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of Seventh-day Adventists, reports that Adventist education meets or exceeds expectations for student learning, pre-K12. An article describing in detail how each curriculum is chosen can be found online at Adventist Education Curriculum. To learn more about the school itself, visit delta co.adventistschoolconnect. org or call 970-399-3232.

Third grader Natalia helps the ﬁrst graders with their math worksheets.

Photo by Pat Sunderland

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schools reflect the Adventist worldview that the Bible is the standard by which everything else is measured. Curriculum development also integrates educational research and state standards for core subject areas. Diane Harris, associate superintendent of education for the Rocky Mountain Conference

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Every Monday, the students help at the Delta Food Pantry, and at Christmas they deliver goodies to first responders in the community. Daily, students are assigned chores to keep the classroom clean, from wiping down tables to cleaning the microwave used to warm lunches. Students bring their own lunches, but once a month a hot lunch is provided by church members, parents and the teachers. Chores are completed at the end of the day, while the teacher is filling out assignment sheets. Parents can see at a glance what assignments were accomplished at school, what needs to be completed at home, and a summary of the student’s behavior that day for younger grades. “I love being here,” said Thane, a first grader. Last year, he got into a fight at public school and came away with a black eye. This year, he

Garnet Mesa’s Terriﬁc Kids

Photos submitted

The following Garnet Mesa students earned a Terriﬁc Kid Award from the Kiwanis Club of Delta for their efforts to be a responsible citizen and student. Pictured above are kindergarten and ﬁrst grade students (front row, left to right) Kinley Anderson, Abby Mack, Roper Gates; (back row) Eli Fry, Mack Lockhart, Rylan Shaball, Miles Yahn and Nikayla Hernandez. Below are second and third graders Kenny Gonzalez Cruz, Larilai Wilson, Kloey Ingram, Emarie Simpson and Justin Burkdoll.

A6 Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Maxine McCullough

Longtime Crawford resident Mildred “Maxine” Gregory McCullough died March 25, 2018, at her home. She was 87. Visitation and viewing will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Hotchkiss. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 30, at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Crawford. Mildred Maxine Gregory was born to Earl and Eula (Harrison) Gregory Nov. 5, 1930. She spent her childhood in Tennessee and later served as a member of the Women’s Army Corps.

OBITUARIES On Feb. 10, 1951, she married Charles “Don” McCullough. Together, they owned and operated The Boardwalk Restaurant in Crawford for 36 years. Mrs. McCullough is survived by her husband of 67 years, Don; son, Douglas (Leigh) McCullough; daughters, Denise Scarlett and Donna (Gill) Saunders; 12 grandchildren, including Chase (Misty) Scarlett who was raised as a son; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother; a sister; and extended family. She was preceded in death by a son, Dana McCullough; daughter-inlaw, Linda McCullough;

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and a grandson, Jacob Saunders. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Joseph Hofer

Joseph Hofer of Glenwood Springs died Feb. 28, 2018, in Olathe after a long battle with cancer. He was 59. He was born in Montana; however, he lived most of his life in Delta, Meeker and New Castle. A memorial service will be held at noon April 8 at Sonlight Foursquare Church in Glenwood Springs.

Now is the time to talk In addition to talking to your child about alcohol, marijuana and other drugs, it is very important to talk with them about the dangers of taking medications not prescribed for them, including over-the-counter medications. Visit speaknow colorado.org for more resources and tips on how to start the conversation.

Delta County Independent

Barbara M. Sunderland Feb. 14, 1927 ~ March 16, 2018 Barbara M. (Woods) Sunderland, age 91 of Sidney, Neb., passed away Friday, March 16, 2018, at the home of her son, Michael K. Sunderland in Sidney, Neb. Cremation has been held, and Barbara’s ashes will be scattered at a later date which has not been decided on. There will be no formal funeral service. You may view Barbara’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrig stittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Barbara’s care and funeral arrangements. Barbara was born Feb. 14, 1927 in Neodesha, Kan., and grew up in Oklahoma City, Okla. Barbara met her future husband, Calvin Sunderland, at a USO dance in Oklahoma City. A romance quickly blossomed, and Barbara and Calvin were married in June 1945 at Oklahoma City, Okla. As Calvin was still in the U.S. Navy, they first lived in Washington, D.C. where Calvin attended bomb disposal school. The couple was still in Wash-

ington, D.C. when WWII ended. They moved to Kiowa, Kan., upon Calvin’s discharge from the Navy. The first several years were spent job hunting and surviving on minimal wages. Shortly after the arrival of their first child, Michael, Barbara and Calvin embarked on a lifelong career in the newspaper business. In 1956, the family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. They were in Fairbanks when Alaska became a state, when the Good Friday Earthquake hit southwestern Alaska and when Fairbanks was flooded in the late 1960s. Barbara, Calvin and son Michael started the Humboldt Sun newspaper from scratch in

Winnemucca, Nev., in January of 1972. Starting as a weekly, they soon were publishing twice a week. Today, the Humboldt Sun is a daily publication. After their successes with the Humboldt Sun, they sold it and bought a publication plant in Albion, Neb., which they and their son, Michael, operated for several years before Calvin and Barbara retired in 1990 and moved to the Delta, Colo., area. Two years after Calvin died. Barbara moved to Nebraska and was residing with her son, Michael, when she passed away. Barbara is survived by two children, son Michael and wife Dorothy of Sidney and daughter Kerry, of Delta, Colo. She is also survived by five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson, as well as a sister, Gwynne Palmer, and brother-in-law, Norman Sunderland and wife Gladys. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, George and Velma (Catron) Woods, and her husband, Calvin Sunderland.

SCHOOL

Garnet Mesa Elementary honor roll The following students were named to honor roll at Garnet Mesa Elementary School for the third quarter of the 2018-19 school year: Third Grade Straight A’s Brooke Armendariz Lilyanna Borgerding TaNea Cook Keagan Crespin Derick Curtis Drew Davis Joshua Dicamillo Josie Farmer Kynan Griffith Joshua Hatton Lily Higgs Sarah King Zane Knight Destiny Martin John Merritt Jessica Montoya Saw Peter Danika Queen Jordan Reed Dakota Rounds Pacey Smith Paola Solis-Martinez Trenten Summers Dominik Teal Karleigh West Brilyn Wilson A/B Honor Roll William Adams II Kyler Anderson Karena Barajas Haylei Bayless Emily Butler Joaquin Chavira Keeton Collins Corbin Cooper Kayden Corral Rios Hailey Dearing Warren Duer Aleeya Giron Kenny Gonzalez Cruz Vivian Gonzalez-Franco Isabelle Hall Paiyten Henderson Peyton Huntley Tyler Hurd William Lawrence Joseph Lucero Alejandro Martinez Josiah Padilla Odyssey Perez Francisco Ramirez Barragan Natalia Ramirez Isabelle Ripper Maliya Salazar Brody Short Daniel Silva

Peyton Stults Trenton Sukle Alauna Torres Addison Weaver Fourth Grade Straight A’s Judah Adams Jaden Angelo William Burruss Christian Escarcega Juan Gallegos Jr. Gwyneth Hasto Olivia Hines Emmalee Johnson Brailey Lawrence Alexander Mack Ainhoa Ochoa Jose Ortiz Shelby Pride Deacon Shean Troy Siennicki Hunter Simineo Trey Taylor Eric Uribe Uriel Vicencio Madeline Zmiewsky A/B Honor Roll Andres Acosta Andrew Bascue Francisco Bermudez Tucker Carson Avalon Foreman Julian Gallegos Alyssa Garrett Rylee Griswold Luis Huerta Barajas Alonso Huerta Naveah Huff Berrelleza Juan Lamas Vazquez Theodore Ling Giovanni Madrid Bergen McCormick Noah McLendon Delilah Munoz Ivan Nava Marin Lillian Nelson Aaron Ornelas Gutierrez Nevaeh Roberts Paola Rodriguez Medina Leilani Rundle Chloe Sharpe Danica Thornton Perla Valdez Medina Averie Verquer William Wallace Makayla Wear Stefan Williams Danika Windemaker

Fifth Grade Straight A’s Yuraly Arias Sydnie Atchley Velma Bailey Satoshi Bautista Joseph Black Jillian Duer Kyndahl Duran Merissa Floyd Kaidence Foote Carolyn Garigliano Helen Gonzalez-Franco Ashley Hernandez Anika Hovel Brianna Huff Tyson Hughes

Brekin Hutto Joseph Kurtz Ellie Magner Trinity McCurdy Izabella McLendon Ty Reed Willon Rice Ashton Robinson Jonathan Santonastaso Joseph Siennicki Juliana Stagner Jolyn Worley Tyler Yost Rachel Young A/B Honor Roll Andreas Alvarez Ashton Burns

Tami Byler Janeth Corral Yesenia Dominguez Joshua Eriksen Lillian Eskam Amancia Gonzalez Cruz Xavier Gonzalez Lazalea Harris Cody Hawks Ryan Hendricks Jordyn Huff Davion Lopez Yasmine Lopez Ethan Mack Jose Madrid Luz Martinez Alvarez Aniston McFarland

Haley McMillan Anthony Meyer Lily Perez Brooke Pietak Kali Ripper Daniel Romero Alyssa Rule D’Angelo Saenz Alexia Sanchez Asa St. Peter Spencer VanPeltMcFarland Diego Vicencio Tucker Whitby Brysin Woodson Abigail Zmiewsky

Pinewood and Pizza

Cub Scout Pack 485 held its annual Pinewood and Pizza event on Feb. 21 at St. Michael’s Parish Hall in Delta. Cub Scouts at all levels from Wolves (first grade) through Webelos (fourth and fifth grades) built and raced Pinewood Derby cars. Winners advanced to the Majestic Mountain District Pinewood Derby held in Montrose on March 17. Scouts from Pack 485 competed well at the district level with two, Rodrigo Lopez and Aaron Tolka, placing third and first in the Webelos II Division and advancing to the Western Colorado Council race scheduled for April 21 in Grand Junction. Pack 485 is chartered by St. Michael Church in Delta. Pictured are scouts from Pack 485 with their cars.

Outdoor skills tested

Photo submitted

Boy Scout Troop 485 participated in the Majestic Mountain/Grand Mesa Klondike Derby held at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Feb. 17. The Klondike Derby is a competition testing Scouts’ proficiency in winter outdoor and survival skills and knowledge. Scouts from nine different scouting units from Delta, Montrose, Gunnison and Grand Junction competed in seven different events throughout the day. Troop 485 represented itself well, placing first in two events, compass bearing and sled balancing, and second in four events, fire building, lumberjack, knots and lashings, and first aid. The only event in which the troop did not place was shelter building. Troop 485 is chartered by St. Michael Church in Delta.

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

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Barbershoppers present annual show The Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus is proud to present its 43rd annual show, “Starry Nights,” Saturday, March 31, at

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District), local favorite quartet Rocky Road, and the ladies of Grand Mesa A Cappella. As a special treat, this year, you’ll also hear choral ensemble presentations from Delta, Montrose, and Olathe high schools. Tickets are only $15

and can be purchased from: BCBC members, at the pavilion, or from Delta, Montrose, and Olathe choir members. Tickets purchased from high school choir members will result in a $3 donation to their school’s music program.

Date set for Spring into Shape OHV users can get a start on It’s time to register for the City of Delta Recreation Department’s annual “Spring into Shape” 5k fun run/walk. This event is for all ages and will be held Saturday, April 14, on the trails around Confluence Lake. The event begins at 9 a.m. Signups will be accepted until 8:30 a.m. race day, but pre-register to be guaranteed a T-shirt. To register, call Bill Heddles Recreation Center at 874-0923.

the season at event in Olathe

Off-highway vehicle users in western Colorado are invited to a special safety, education and registration event Saturday, March 31, at the Peach Valley OHV Park in Olathe. The event, sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the BLM, will feature mini-workshops on safety and proper trail use. OHV owners will also be able to regis-

ter their vehicles on-site with CPW staff. “More and more people are riding OHVs on trails throughout western Colorado,” said Josh Stoudt, CPW’s southwest region trails coordinator. “We want to make sure people ride safely and that they understand proper trail use. The Peach Valley facility is a great spot to kick off the riding season.”

OHV owners must register their vehicles every year. Registration can be done at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife office or online at: http://cpw. state.co.us/thingstodo/ Pages/OHVs.aspx The Peach Valley OHV Park is located about five miles east of Olathe just off Falcon Road. The event will start at 10 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m.

Il Divo Colorado returns to W. Slope Il Divo Colorado, the latest, hottest young male singing group, will be performing in two concerts: at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts in Grand Junction on Saturday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m., and at the Montrose Pavilion on Sunday, April 8, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online at www. JunctionConcerts.com, the Montrose Pavilion, and also by calling 970241-4579. All seats are reserved, and start at $9 in advance and $12 at the door for adults. Inspired by the internationally touring group Il Divo and vocal superstar Josh Groban, the program will contain popular songs such as “Unchained Melody,” “My Heart Will Go On,” You Raise Me Up,” and “Time to Say Goodbye” Their

renditions of classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Devil Went Down to Georgia,” “O Sole Mio” and “Hallelujah” have delighted their enthusiastic audiences. This is a program everyone will enjoy! Tenors Mat Coronado and David Siemens and baritones Kyle Thompson and Jordan Christie of Il Divo Colorado have performed extensively in Colorado, taking leading roles in operas and musical productions. Accompanying the group will be Kathryn Mientka, acclaimed concert pianist who has toured internationally both as a classical pianist and as keyboard player in the cross-over Celtic band sensation FEAST. Virtuoso violinist Alisha Bean will add hot fiddling and sizzling tango numbers

Meteors, meteorites are subject of talk Shooting star, fireball, meteorite, comet, bolide, meteoroid ... what are all these terms and are they different? Join the Black Canyon Astronomical Society (BCAS) on April 3 at 7 p.m. in the Sneffels Room of Region 10 Building (North 3rd and Cascade, Montrose) for a presentation on “Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites.” BCAS president Bryan Cashion will discuss the

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7 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. In addition to the wondrous sound of four-part harmony singing, by the Black Canyon Barbershop Chorus, you’ll be entertained by; guest quartet Maelstrom (gold medal champions of the Rocky Mountain

formation of these objects, where they originate, and how/when to observe them. This discussion will also cover comets in general and how they relate to meteors. The BCAS meets in Montrose and Delta and also holds public night sky viewing sessions. Log in to blackcanyon astronomy.com or call 970-856-7716 for more information.

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to the show, accompanied by western slope favorite David Alderdice on drums. World-class singing, beautiful music

and lots of humor make this a spectacular show for everyone! Call 970-241-4579 for more information.

Learn to hunt turkeys in Montrose If you want to learn how to hunt turkeys or improve how you hunt these wily birds, plan to attend a “Turkey Hunting 101” class in Montrose on March 28. Colorado Parks and Wildlife staffers, who are also avid turkey hunters, will provide expert tips and instruction. Turkeys are abundant in western Colorado and in the greater Montrose area. Licenses for western Colorado units can be purchased over-the-counter, so no special application process is necessary. Spring turkey season is long and also allows hunting during a time of relatively warm weather. Season dates are April 14 through May 27. “We’ll provide hunters the knowledge and confidence to hunt wild turkeys in Colorado,” said Garrett Watson, district wildlife manager in Montrose. The class will cover key concepts for turkey hunters, including: bird identification, laws and regulations, equipment, scouting, hunting tactics, turkey calling and fielddressing.

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The class will be held at the Delta-Montrose Electric Association 11925 6300 Road, 6-8 p.m., March 28. Seating is limited and attendees must sign up in advance. The best way to sign up is through the CPW website at: https://www. register-ed.com/events/ view/119907. You can also call CPW’s Montrose office at 970-252-6000.

Camera club meets monthly Black Canyon Camera Club meets at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month and at 11 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the First Church of God at 11th and Howard in Delta. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. As always, you can bring up to three pictures for reviews. This month’s program is on Corel Painter by Susan Humphrey. See black canyoncameraclub.com or contact rae-anns@live for more information.

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A8 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

GMUG welcomes staff officer The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announce the arrival of their new planning and information staff officer, Shane Walker. He joins the GMUG from the Medicine Bow-Routt

National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland where he served as the district ranger for the Douglas Ranger District, which under his leadership, was named the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain

Jesus Is Alive! ��

Join us as we celebrate ��

Region – 2015 Ranger District of the Year. Walker has 18 years of public service in the natural resource and environmental fields, working for Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Parks and Recreation Department, the Alaska Department of Nature Resources’ Office of Project Management and Permitting, the Bureau of Land Management-Alaska, and the Bridger-Teton and Bighorn national forests. He possesses extensive knowledge in oil, gas, land, and mineral development and management, along with a passion for collaborative work, integrity, and honesty. “I am looking forward to the relationships that will come with this position,” said Walker. “One of my priorities will be to encourage open discussion both internally and externally. Coordinating, cooperating, collaborating, and consulting with people for the purpose of conserving our national resources is important.”

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�� For a quote on all your printing needs call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

Shane Walker

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Trooper Brett Hilling is pictured with his son, Evan, on his last ofﬁcial day with the Colorado State Patrol.

CSP trooper has dedicated his career to doing the right thing BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

While a law enforcement officer’s last call out can be a sobering moment, it can also signal a new beginning. That’s the case for Colorado State Patrol Trooper Brett Hilling, who retired March 23 after 22 years with the Colorado State Patrol. Hilling was raised in a small farming community in Idaho much like Delta. He served in the military for seven years, then the National Guard, before joining the Mesa County Sheriff ’s Office. He worked at the jail before joining the Colorado State Patrol in 1995. He was initially based in Steamboat Springs,

where in 2007 he made headlines after arresting Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall for driving under the influence of alcohol. Hilling said he viewed getting drunk drivers off the roadways — before they crashed — as one of the most important aspects of his job. A photo on his cell phone is a constant reminder of a military colleague who was killed by a drunk driver in 1985. A Green Beret, he had a wife and a baby daughter. “That’s certainly stayed with me,” Hilling said. Every year for 20 years, he was ranked high among troopers statewide for DUI arrests. He received the Governor’s Peak Performance Distinguished Employee Award for his work with drunk driving education and enforcement. Trooper Hilling is also one of two drug recognition experts from the Colorado State Patrol recognized by the Colorado Supreme Court. He’s taught drug recognition classes across the state, and says those arrests now eclipse driving under the influence of alcohol. It’s not all due to the legalization of marijuana in Colorado; the trooper says drivers are also getting behind the wheel under the influence of methamphetamine and pain killers. Throughout his career, he said he has embraced the Colorado State Patrol mission to make a difference. “Over and above all, I’ve tried to do the right thing.” The trooper and his wife, Colleen, moved to Delta in 2011. Their two

children were grown and they were ready to get out of the snow. They traveled the state exploring options before they decided to move to Delta. They were later joined by son Evan, who became a state trooper four years ago. Dad had the privilege of pinning his son upon graduation from the training academy in Golden. They’ve patrolled the same roads for the past four years. Brett has shared the same advice with Evan as he’s told other recruits he’s trained over the years: “You have to go home, be with your family, be a father and a husband, and don’t be a trooper all the time ... otherwise this job will eat you up.” Although law enforcement can be stressful, the negatives were generally offset by the positives. At the end of a shift, Hilling often quietly laughed to himself over an encounter he summed up with the words, “You can’t make this stuff up.” Hilling said he enjoyed working with minimal supervision, interacting with the public, and making a difference. He talks about patrolling Rabbit Hills Pass in February and coming upon a vehicle that slid into a snowbank. The driver had already called a tow truck, but was still so relieved to see the patrol car pull up. “In reality, you can’t do a lot for them, but they’re still so happy to see a trooper pull up to help them. Even when people crash they’re happy to see you.” Hilling plans to take it easy for a while and work in his 1980 Corvette.

ICELab Accelerator applications open Applications are now open for the 2018 ICELab Business Accelerator, a program that serves companies focused on growth and expansion. A maximum of five companies will be selected from Gunnison and Delta counties to participate in “Cohort Dos” or the second annual accelerator. The 12-week program, is free to selected participants and launches on Aug. 13, culminating in a community pitch day

event on Nov. 5. Throughout the course, participants will challenge their strengths and commitment to the business through gap analysis, assumption testing, market research and mentor guidance. To apply or learn more about last year’s inaugural participants, “Cohort Uno,” visit icelab.co/pro grams. Applications close May 1 and selected participants will be announced by May 15.

NORTH FORK March 28, 2018

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www.deltacountyindependent.com

The hunt is on for Easter eggs in the NF Hotchkiss’ annual Easter egg hunt is scheduled Saturday, March 31, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Delta County Fairgrounds, 403 S. 4th Street. This event is free for students 12 and under. In Paonia, children ages birth through fourth grade are invited to the annual Ute

Trails Car Club/Ellen Hansen Smith Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. sharp this Saturday, March 31, at Paonia Town Park. Easter bunnies will be on the scene, children can get their faces painted by Toad Stool Face Painting, and IHS Photography will provide photographs.

Master plan is Hotchkiss’ road map to the future BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The Hotchkiss Planning Commission is expected to formally adopt the town’s master plan tonight, then forward it to the Hotchkiss Town Council for ratification in April. A master plan for the town was first adopted in 2006 and has been updated periodically since. Lead planner Tom Wills, secretary of the Hotchkiss Planning Commission, organized goals and recommended actions into 10 topics: public facilities and services, economic development, downtown commercial center, recreation, small town atmosphere, land use planning, senior citizens, community spirit and tourism. The most recent update began with a comprehensive survey conducted by paper and online, and open to any area resident. Wills noted that no dramatic improvements were made, but he did draw attention to one new action statement under public facilities and infrastructure that addresses the town’s ongoing efforts to conserve energy. The town has been switching streetlights and town hall lighting to low energy LEDs, adding some passive solar water heating to the water treatment plant for filter washing, and working with DMEA to get the town’s small hydro generation plant back on line. Future goals outlined by Wills include: • Refine/clarify the annexation policy of the town; • Negotiate a revision of the town’s intergovernmental growth management agreement with Delta County; • Identify where senior housing could be sited and explore the options for facilitating development; • Build an off-highway path from town to the high school; • Build a sidewalk on Lorah Lane to connect to the Highway 92 path; • Construct sidewalks on East Bridge/Highway 92 past Fourth Street; and • Develop a capital improvements plan. The master plan is an advisory document intended to be used to plan for future utility, street and public facilities in the town, as well as the annual budget process.

“As a tool, its value is only as good as the amount of use the master plan receives,” the plan notes. “So please don’t put it on a shelf; it is full of valuable information based on public comments, concerns and input that provides a valuable guide for the future growth and development of the town.”

Photo by Dan Sullivan

Cavorting calves

These young calves were photograhed by Dan Sullivan as they ran and jumped in their pasture on an early spring day in the North Fork Valley.

Ideas, images sought for countywide tourism video BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

In his more than 35 years as a professional videographer, David Jacobson has told many a story through the art of the promotional video. He’s captured the history of Delta’s Egyptian Theater, shared stories of local musicians and artists, promoted establishments of higher learning, focused on film festivals, and created stunning visual tours of real estate properties. Ten years after moving to Delta County and the North Fork Valley, Jacobson believes it’s time to tell the story of Delta County to the world through a promotional tourism video. He’s hoping the community will help share the story. Mike Drake, a consultant and former Paonia Chamber of Commerce board president, is working with Jacobson to market the concept to the tourism community. Drake said he learned about videos as marketing tools from a 2014 Jon Schallert business symposium hosted by the Paonia chamber and took the idea to the annual joint chamber meeting in Crawford last year. When he suggested the idea to Jacobson, he jumped on board. “I’ve been wanting to do this for 10 years,” said Jacobson. Because the county has so much to offer — recreation, scenery, food and drink, agriculture, music, events and more — the list of what they want to capture in the video grows longer every day. They are reaching out to the public for unique video footage, photos, and ideas. The three- to six-minute video would be the first of its kind for Delta County and

could be posted to all local chamber, governmental, nonprofit and other websites, as well as on social media and youtube. They see video as an effective way of telling the story of Delta County and each of its unique communities. They want this video to be the first thing that pops up when people search Delta County or any of its communities, or even “places to visit in Colorado.” Local chambers of commerce, Delta County Economic Development and the Delta County Tourism board are expressing their support for the idea. “People in tourism have a passion for what they’re doing,” said Jacobson. “They really want to capture the flavor of what makes Delta County so wonderful.” First Colorado National Bank signed on recently as the first official sponsor. With each sponsorship, Jacobson will include a three-minute video of the sponsor’s choice, be it a promotional video for their business or a family video. Sponsor logos will appear at the start and end of the video and include a link to the business website. The idea of a county-wide tourism video has been suggested before, but barriers including cost and time have stood in the way. Jacobson estimates production would take about a year and cost about $45,000. He and Drake are seeking community buy-in similar to the fable of “Stone Soup” (stonesoupventure.com) in which during times of scarcity, everyone works together and adds a little something to the pot. The result is enough delicious soup for everyone

to enjoy. The stones are the ideas, content, testimonials, and financial support, said Drake. “If everyone contributes a little bit, we’ll be able to get this done.” They are also pursuing grant opportunities to help defray costs. Examples of promotion-

Photo by Tamie Meck

The annual Mountain Harvest Festival Grape Stomp is one of the many things that makes Delta County unique. Consultant Mike Drake and videographer David Jacobson have proposed making a countywide promotional tourism video and are seeking ideas, footage and photographs, as well as sponsors for the project.

Gunnison Gorge Anglers receive update on fisheries BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The Gunnison Gorge Anglers Fly Fishing Club met on March 15 at Needle Rock Brewery in Delta. Eric Gardunio, area aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, was the featured speaker. Gardunio addresses the club annually on topics of interest to area fishing enthusiasts. This year’s topics included the status of the Gunnison River fishery, information regarding a potential threat posed by trout parasites, and an update on a planned creel survey to be conducted along portions of the Uncompahgre River in Montrose. Gardunio stated

Photo by Tamie Meck

Succeeds Prize committee visits PES

Last week, from left, Matt Majeune with the non-proﬁt Colorado Succeeds, and Jason Van Tiem, senior academy dean of students at Green Valley Ranch High School in Denver, visit with Paonia Elementary School teacher Melissa Pizey and principal Sam Cox. PES is one of three elementary school ﬁnalists being considered for the $15,000 Succeeds Prize. Selection committee members toured the school and met with teachers, administration, students and parents as part of the selection process. Prize winners will be announced in September.

al videos and an overview of the video proposal are posted on Jacobson’s website, www.davidjjacobson. com. Anyone with ideas, videos and photos to share, or who is interested in sponsorship, can email Jacobson at deltacountyvideo@gmail.com, or call 970-773-5181.

Eric Gardunio

that the Gunnison Gorge club members have been reliable partners in his efforts to monitor and enhance regional fisheries and he welcomes their support and assistance. The next general meeting of the Gunnison Gorge Anglers takes place on April 19 at 7 p.m. at a location to be announced on the club’s Facebook page. The Gunnison Gorge Anglers are affiliated with the larger organizations of Fly Fishers International and Trout Unlimited. The club’s officers are president Trent Hannafious of Olathe, vice president Jeff Dean of Austin, treasurer Stan Hayes of Montrose, and secretary John Sandels of Delta. The club’s membership includes individuals from throughout Delta County and communities in the neighboring counties of San Miguel, Ouray, and Montrose. In addition to monthly meetings at locations throughout its broad service area, the club also hosts a monthly fly-tying gathering that meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at Two Rascals Brewery, 147 North 1st Street in Montrose.

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NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

North Fork Ambulance stays involved in community events During the month of March, North Fork Ambulance participated in several community events. On March 13, the ambulance associa-

tion attended the Delta County Memorial Hospital Health Fair at the Technical College of the Rockies campus in Paonia. The fair offered a

Photo submitted

State spelling bee

Graham Waltermire, a seventh grader at Paonia Middle School, competed at the Colorado State Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 10. It was held at Sturm Hall on the campus of the University of Denver. Waltermire won the Delta County Spelling Bee to advance to the state bee. More than 280 students from around the state began the day with a written spelling test and a vocabulary test. The ﬁeld was narrowed to approximately 30 for the verbal round. Angelina Holm, a sixth grader at Denver School for the Arts, was the 2018 state spelling bee champion.

number of health screen tests including complete blood count, Vitamin B12 and folate levels and gluten sensitivity tests. The following day, March 14, at the Technical College of the Rockies campus in Paonia, North Fork Ambulance was part of the Delta County eighth grade Career Fair. Crew members Tanya Applegate, Steve Simpson, Jared Cantrell and Katie Hedley answered questions about EMS, showed students the ambulance, and checked blood pressure. Over 300 students from Delta County passed through the fair. In addition, Girl Scout Troop 5056 paid North Fork Ambulance several visits this month! Tanya Applegate, Deb Leger and Kathy Steckel helped the girls make their own paracord bracelets and taught basic first aid. North Fork Ambulance places importance on community presence and staying active in Paonia, Crawford and Hotchkiss. For information on how to get involved or for event information please contact Katie Hedley at network@northfork ambulance.com. Check Facebook for the link to NFA’s monthly newsletter.

North Fork Pool seeks lifeguards The North Fork Pool, Parks & Recreation District is seeking adult lifeguards for the 2018 season. With most of the lifeguard staff made up of students, the district has a hard time maintaining pool hours during the month of August. A lifeguard certification training will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 1620, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta. Cost is $100. Call 8740923 to register.

Dixie State honor

Eddie Cambria was recently recognized as the Fall 2017 “Student of the Semester” in digital forensics at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. Cambria is the son of Brian and Lenore Cambria of Hotchkiss and a 2015 graduate of Hotchkiss High School.

Photo submitted

A delegation from the North Fork Valley met with Senator Michael Bennet (center) and other decision-makers in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

North Fork residents travel to D.C. to meet with leaders Community representatives returned to the North Fork Valley last week after what they describe as a “remarkable” set of meetings with western Colorado’s congressional offices and Senator Michael Bennet, as well as with an undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and planning staff with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. “The North Fork Valley sends a delegation of local voices to Washington each year, but this trip was especially powerful,” said Alex Johnson, executive director of the Western Slope Conservation Center, one of the trip’s organizers. “The decision-makers we met with were really listening, and we want to thank all the officials and staff who took the time to meet with us.” This year the Delta County group focused on three main issues: protecting and providing access to public lands, rural development through strengthening the region’s new energy economy, and securing the county’s agricultural base. “With the Farm Bill up for reauthorization, and the importance this legislation has in protecting family farms and our state’s rapidly growing local food scene, we thought it a critical time to meet with policy-makers,” said Pete Kolbenschlag representing the Colorado Farm and Food Alliance. “If people care about good food and healthy ingredients, then they need to pay attention to the Farm Bill and support strong conservation provisions.” Farm Bill conversations were particularly relevant for the North Fork residents, whose small-scale agriculture depends on clean water from healthy forests.

“Local stories matter to national decision-makers and those of us who live in Delta County are so fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing public lands,” said Karen Ortiz, chair of the board of the Conservation Center. “We will continue to make it clear to officials that responsible and sustainable management of those public lands support down-valley business, such as small scale farmers and ranchers, food processors, farm-to-table proprietors, agritourism, and recreation.” Officials thanked the Delta County group for their willingness to travel across the country to visit with them. Beata Ramza with Solar Energy International returned home with a strong sense that our officials were listening. “It was clear that the staff and elected officials remembered past North Fork delegations as well as the North Fork Valley itself,” said Ramza. “We are building connections that will last.” Those who took part in the trip agree that these long-term connections will be essential to success for many of the local collaborative, and rural resilience projects currently underway on the Western Slope. “Home-grown” solutions to vexing problems can address a range of issues. The Coal Mine Methane Working Group is an example of how creative solutions and shared values can bring diverse partners together. “We can solve two problems by pointing them at each other,” noted Chris Caskey, a climate and energy scientist and boardmember of the Conservation Center. “By using thermal energy from the

coal mine methane waste, now being vented from the valley’s mines, we can produce value-added ceramics such as brick and tile from the clay currently filling Paonia Reservoir.” Renown as Colorado’s “Farm-to-Table Capital,” the North Fork Valley includes Colorado’s highest concentration of organic farms, more than a dozen wineries, and a burgeoning local food scene. This vibrant economy relies on the watersheds protected by the national forests above the valley floor. The public lands, also important for hunting, fishing, recreation, and to the tourism that pumps millions into the county each year, are critical to the future of agriculture in the valley. “North Fork Valley growers depend on clean air and clean water to grow vegetables, livestock, fruit, grapes, grains, flowers, and more,” said Emily Hartnett, president of the Valley Organic Growers Association board of directors. “Our group represents over 100 small, family farms in the region, and our products go across the state. The North Fork has become a very popular agritourism destination — known for its outstanding food, wine, views, hunting, and recreational activities. We must preserve our watershed and our public lands to ensure the economic viability of this region.” The Delta County delegation included Alex Johnson, Karin Ortiz and Chris Caskey from the Conservation Center, Emily Hartnett and Molly Moore from the Valley Organic Growers Association, Beata Ramza from Solar Energy International, and Pete Kolbenschlag representing Colorado Farm and Food Alliance.

Five HK-8 students compete in Beef Cook-off Five gentlemen competed independently in the HK-8 Beef Cook-off on March 15. The competition is sponsored by the Black Mesa CattleWomen. All five participated in a class with Terrea Bear and Glenda Young at the HK-8. The Black Mesa CattleWomen provided instructional materials, assistance, judges and prizes for the event. The students received instruction about nutrition, recipes, menus, proper cooking requirements, table setting and beef facts. For the first time ever

in the event, all participants received a 100 percent on their written test. The cook-off score averages were from 186 points to 197 points with a tie for second place. First place went to Single Pringle, Blaine Peebles. The tie for second went to Lil Chill, Matthew Pachel and T-Bone Cafe, Sam Ware. Third place went to Lil Tort, Parker Pene, and fourth place went to Juan Burrito, Zaid Vazquez.

Blaine Peebles

Zaid Vazquez

Matthew Pachel

Parker Pene

Sam Ware

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Students sit in on Hotchkiss Town Council meeting BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The March meeting of the Hotchkiss Town Council, which was held at Hotchkiss High School, provided an opportunity for Hotchkiss Officer Chris McDonald and Bo Nerlin, town attorney, to give an update on the town’s marijuana regulations. With an emphasis on youth, Nerlin reminded those in the audience that the use of marijuana is illegal by anyone under the age of 21 without a medical marijuana card. Under state law, personal use is allowed by adults, but commercial grows and the sale of marijuana is not allowed in the Town of Hotchkiss. The town allows 16 plants for every three residents (over the age of 21) and those plants must be in an enclosed, locked space. The biggest violation involving marijuana in the Town of Hotchkiss is underage consumption, Officer McDonald said. The school and the marshal’s office work closely together. Smaller quantities are generally handled by schoool administrators; larger amounts can result in criminal charges of possession. A student found to be distributing drugs can be expelled. Paul Rodriguez, school principal, said it’s a concern among his colleagues on the Western Slope that there’s no reliable testing methods to determine if students are under the influence of marijuana. “Plus we’re probably a little naive about what edibles look like,” he said.

Hotchkiss chamber looks to the future Nathan Sponseller, president of the Hotchkiss Community Chamber of Commerce, announces a special work session to discuss the chamber’s future. “With two board members stepping back from their current chamber duties at the end of 2018 we feel now is a good time to discuss re-imagining HCCC functions in the future,” Sponseller said. The special meeting will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the basement of the Hotchkiss Library. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring your ideas!

Meet ‘Rising Stars’ at Blue Sage The Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia will present Final Friday: Rising Stars of the North Fork Valley,” from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The event features sculptures by Bobby Haas, paintings by Dona Doye, Willow Windgood, Justin Hess and Susan Stanton, with music by Jeanine Renee.

Elsewhere Studio artists reception on Thursday “Infinite Canteloupe,” a group exhibition by Elsewhere Studios’ March artists-in-residence, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at 107 Third Street, Paonia. Multimedia artworks by Xiaofu Wang, Yifan Renxu, Stephanie Kranstover and Margaret Hester will be featured. Light beverages and snacks will be provided.

In other business, trustees approved street closures for Duckworks Auto Parts’ customer appreciation barbecue and for a 5k run to benefit youth baseball. A donation of $500 was approved for the North Fork Pool, Park and Recreation District, which has obtained a GOCO grant to build four baseball/softball multi-usefields at the Crossroads Park property. Anita Evans updated council members on the Nature Connection, expressing appreciation for the town’s ongoing support. The organization’s central gear hub is located in Hotchkiss. The town signed a letter of support for Region 10, which is assisting the town with a grant appli-

cation for downtown revitalization. The first step is hiring a consultant to gather information from the community and its business owners. Two ordinances were adopted, one increasing court fees to more accurately reflect the cost of providing municipal court services. The second dealt with financing for replacement of the Barrow Mesa water storage tank, pledging bond repayment from water fund revenues. Upcoming community events were discussed and Morgan Miller, student council secretary, shared the good news from HHS. Students from HHS are invited to sit in on Hotchkiss Town Council meetings twice a year.

Photo by Pat Sunderland

Hotchkiss Town Council members Pat Medina, Mary Hockenbery, John Marta, Wendell Koontz (mayor) and Tom Wills are pictured with HHS students George Arroyo, Morgan Miller, Kenny Drbohlav, Sam Rodriguez, Jace Peebles and Adam Smith. Student council advisor Mike Muñoz and HHS principal Sam Rodriguez round out the group.

Trees a hot topic at Paonia meeting BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A tree planted at Poulos Park and an Arbor Day tree planting both provided valuable lessons and examples of community support at the March 14 Paonia town board meeting. Discussion at the newly re-established Paonia Tree Board’s most recent meeting focused on requirements of receiving “Tree City USA” designation by the national Arbor Day Foundation. The last year the town received the designation was in 2009. One of the four requirements, explained tree board chair Samira Hart, is to hold an annual Arbor Day celebration. Arbor Day falls this year on April 27, and the board is planning to plant a tree to celebrate

the occasion. In the past, explained Hart, Arbor Day trees were often planted in memory of or dedication to a local citizen. It was suggested to the board that this Arbor Day, a tree be planted in memory of Hart’s late husband, Paonia police officer, veteran and volunteer firefighter, Clarence “Bill” Hart, who lost his battle with cancer in 2017. While they are in the early stages of planning, the tree board is considering planting the tree, perhaps an autumn blaze maple or a red/silver maple cross, at Apple Valley Park. Cost of the planting and tree are estimated at $200. Hart asked trustees if they would be willing to purchase or fund in part a tree for the occasion. “And hopefully we

can pull together something really awesome for our first Arbor Day celebration in many, many years.” Trustees voted unanimously to fund the purchase of the tree. In discussing where funding would come from, citizen and frequent meeting attendee Jakki Taylor spoke up: “I would be happy to donate $200 in memory of Officer Hart, so you don’t have to worry about the budget.” Taylor, who received a big round of applause, explained that her late husband was also a retired police officer. “He wouldn’t have it any other way,” she said. The Public Works Department will assist in planting the tree, and trustees approved $200 for the celebration at the suggestion of town

finance officer Cindy Jones. Hart said the celebration “will be a nice way to bring back the tree board.” Trustees also discussed the possible removal of a problematic honey locust tree planted many years ago at Poulos Park. The tree grew to be bigger than expected. Its branches are damaging the bricks of the historic Masonic Lodge building, and the flags flying in the park are constantly catching on its branches. It’s also been pruned numerous times, and the most recent pruning was not done correctly. In discussing their options, said Hart, tree board members saw an opportunity to learn, and to educate the public on how to choose an appropriate tree for a particular location.

For now, the tree will stay and the town will consult with an arborist on what options exist for the honey locust. If it’s removed, said trustee Barry Pennell, “There will probably be a backlash.” A case in point, said mayor pro tem David Bradford, who represents the board of trustees on the tree board, is a private property owner in town who recently made the decision to remove some spruce trees on his property that still have a lot of growing to do before they become a serious problem. “I’m concurring with trustee Pennell,” said Bradford. “Because it’s not a good thing for the tree board to start off their first year by cutting trees down... It stirs up a lot of emotions.”

DELTA COUNTY ��

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Why you should be in the DCI’s Delta County Visitor Guide . . . ��

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B4 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

North Fork Reads! PEOPLE Delta County Libraries joins the Blue Sage Literary Committee and The Paradise Theatre in presenting “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle, the first North Fork Reads! Copies of the book are available at all five libraries in Delta County. At checkout the reader will receive a ticket to attend a free showing of the film at the Paradise Theatre in

April. The ticket is good for any show time of the film starting April 6. All Delta County residents are invited to participate. A discussion and comparison of the book and film will follow the Sunday, April 15, matinee. For all other show times please contact The Paradise Theatre at 527-6610 or visit paradiseofpaonia. com. Join the fun!

IN THE NEWS Colby Simpson of Paonia has been named to the Dean’s List for Academic Excellence at the University of Northern Colorado for the 2017 fall semester. He completed 15 credit hours as a financial major with a 3.93 GPA.

Learn the tale of two historic .45-90 rifles Chuck Farmer will present a special program to the HotchkissCrawford Historical Society on Saturday, April 14, at 1:30 p.m. at the museum at 180 2nd Street, Hotchkiss. He will relate the history of two .4590 rifles in the museum’s collection. One was given to Otto Mears by Enos T. Hotchkiss in 1872. The other was presented to Hotchkiss from Mears a few years later. All are welcome.

A night of great music

Photos by Tamie Meck

Under direction of Dee Holt, the cast of the 28th annual Paonia High School Dessert Show, ‘A Night On Broadway,’ performs “Circle of Life” from the Disney Broadway musical hit, “The Lion King.” Both Friday and Saturday night’s dessert show performances packed the school auditorium. Proceeds from dessert show fund instruments, equipment, competition auditions, trips and expenses. Pictured at the right, Seraya Talbott-Carey, Sophia Cox and Jordan Evans perform the Matchmaker scene from the Broadway musical, “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Wildfire mitigation programs available in Delta County ��

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At a recent meeting of the West Region Wildfire Council, local stakeholders and partners heard a fire weather outlook briefing. This year’s low snowpack, coupled with warmer than average

temperature and lacking summer precipitation predictions, draw clear similarities between conditions seen in 2002 and 2012 — two of the most destructive wildfire seasons in Colorado’s recent

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Master builders

Participants of the monthly Master Builder Club at Hotchkiss Library designed and built their own Iditarod sleds on Tuesday, March 6. The monthly club began meeting in September and has its ﬁnal meeting on Tuesday, April 3, at Hotchkiss Library.

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history. While the events of this upcoming fire season will only be known with time, residents are encouraged to take steps now to prepare for wildfire. Homeowners who live in Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray or San Miguel counties have access to wildfire mitigation programs through the West Region Wildfire Council (WRWC), a Montrose-based, nonprofit organization. Wildfire mitigation specialists from the WRWC are available to meet with residents to discuss specific wildfire risk reduction recommendations, a free service. The WRWC also offers funding assistance to homeowners who implement wildfire risk reduction projects, such as defensible space around homes. Additionally, WRWC offers a community chipping program. The chipping program provides free curb-side chipping to high wildfire risk commu-

Quilters guild hosts noted fabric designer It’s the purpose of S&B Quilters Guild to promote quilting and to expand and enhance our knowledge and enjoyment of quilting and quilting techniques in an atmosphere of sharing fellowship. It is also to provide a source of information and inspiration for fellow quilters and to preserve the heritage of quilting. To that end the guild brings notable quilters, teachers, designers and programs to our area; that said, Patrick Lose will be in Hotchkiss June 7, 8 and 9. A renaissance man by the very definition, Patrick Lose has spent his entire professional career being creative in one medium or another. Lose is well known for

his playful novelty designs and colorful trendsetting basics, which he has created over the 23 years he has spent designing cotton fabric collections for the industry’s leading companies and, now, for his new company, Patrick Lose Fabrics. As an author of dozens of quilting and crafting publications, Lose generously shares so many of his creative endeavors. Revered by quilters for his unique method of mixing traditional piecing with contemporary applique techniques, he focuses on creating a variety that attracts quilters of all ages and styles. The following is a schedule of events for June: Thursday, June 7 —

Class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet and greet at 5 p.m. Admission fee is $5 for non-members. Friday, June 8 — Class, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 9 — Guild meeting, program/ trunk show and ugly fabric exchange. Admission fee is $5 for non-members. There will be a drawing for a signed Patrick Lose Design Quilt constructed by Cynda Clay, S & B Guild member. More details to follow. For more information about Lose, go to patrick lose.com. For more information about the event in Hotchkiss, call Laura McCurdy at 970-2098326.

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‘Steppin’ out at the Sage

Photo by Tamie Meck

North Fork singer/musician Helen Highwater performs with the Swing City Express, a Grand Junction-based swing/jazz band, at the March 24 “‘Steppin’ out at the Sage” fundraiser for the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia.

nities across the region. Residents enroll their community in the program, follow material and piling guidelines to stack hazardous vegetation and register their address for chipping. On a designated date, WRWC chipping contractors arrive in the community and chip the piles, free of charge. “Since 2011, the WRWC has provided over $780,000 in funding to local residents to assist with the completion of mitigation projects. These projects have reduced hazardous fuels on approximately 2,500 acres in our communities that have the highest wildfire risk in the region,” says Lilia Falk, director of the West Region Wildfire Council. Homeowners interested in learning about their wildfire risk are encouraged to sign up for a free site visit. “A site visit is typically the first step. Homeowners can expect wildfire mitigation specialists to spend time discussing the home and property’s wildfire risk. Wildfire mitigation specialists will provide detailed recommendations for what homeowners can do to address wildfire risk and connect them with resources to help them turn recommendations into action,” says Jamie Gomez, WRWC assistant director. To learn more about the West Region Wildfire Council’s programs, or sign up for a free site visit, residents can call the WRWC’s office, 970615-7300 or visit CO wildfire.org.

Wildlife officer to talk bears Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Kelly Crane will talk about the black bears of western Colorado, and how to live in bear country, during her presentation in Montrose April 5. Her talk is especially apropos as bears will begin emerging from their winter hibernation around the end of that month. “I’ll be talking about bear biology and how to prevent issues with bears both at home and while being in the mountains,” Crane said. Her presentation is at the Montrose Field Office at the corner of Colorado and Rio Grande and will begin at 7 p.m. The public is invited. The free presentation is sponsored by the Black Canyon Chapter of the Audubon Society.

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS March 28, 2018

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Delta 1-1 in hardball action BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta’s Panthers are sitting in second place in 3A WSL baseball standings with a 3-3 record following last week’s split against Grand Junction and Montrose. The Panthers came from behind to slip past Grand Junction, 6-5, on Tuesday, March 20 but fell short in another comeback bid against Montrose in an 8-4 loss on Saturday. Against Grand Junction the Panthers gave up a pair of runs on a two-RBI double from Jared Hanks in the first inning with no outs. Delta starting pitcher Drake Horn got Christian Hafey to ground out,

struck out Chavis Nourse and Mason Naramore’s fly to Dylan Hollenbeck in center field retired the side. Delta countered with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the first with Jaspar Carmichael and Josh Reeder scoring after reaching base on errors. The Tigers broke the 2-2 tie in the third inning with two hits and two more runs to take a 4-2 lead to the fifth inning. A two-out single from Rowyn Carmichael drove in designated hitter Nolan Bynum, who had reached base on a single, to make the score 4-3 going to the sixth inning. Hanks was hit by a

pitch to give the Tigers a baserunner with one out in the top of the seventh. He would later score on Naramore’s bases-loaded walk to push Grand Junction’s lead to 5-3 with Delta coming to bat in the bottom half of the inning. Kolby Keller gave the Panthers their first baserunner after reaching base on an error and Jaspar Carmichael stroked a single giving the Panthers runners at the corners. Bynum singled to drive in Keller which brought up Reeder. A sharp double from Reeder (third hit of the game) plated Carmichael and Bynum for a 6-5 Panther lead heading to the top of the seventh.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta second baseman Rowyn Carmichael ﬁelds a ground ball as his shortstop brother, Jaspar, looks on. Rowyn made the throw in plenty of time to record an out against Grand Junction High School last Tuesday. The Panthers came from behind to score a 6-5 win in non-conference play.

Jaspar Carmichael, who relieved Horn after three innings, walked Jared Chapman for the game’s potential tying run. Grand Junction’s Dawson Wiehl laced a line drive toward shortstop that looked to be on its way to left field. Sophomore Skyler Kraai had replaced Carmichael at short when he came on to relieve Horn in the fourth inning. Kraai dived to his right and laid out to make a spectacular catch for one out, then scrambled to his feet and doubled Wiehl off first base on a laser throw to KC Carlson at first for the double play. Carmichael gave up a walk to Levi Prall before getting Sergio Moreno to end the game on a fly ball to Hollenbeck in center field. Delta finished the game with six runs on 11 hits while the Tigers had six hits and five runs in the game. Reeder was Delta’s leading batter with three hits in four at bats, including a double, with two RBIs. He also scored two runs for the Panthers. Jaspar Carmichael was 2-4, scored twice, had a double and also knocked in two runs in the win. Bynum had two hits and scored three times. Prall had two of Grand Junction’s six hits and scored three times for the Tigers. Naramore had two RBIs in the loss. Jaspar Carmichael (21) was the winning pitcher with four innings of work, allowing just one hit, one run and striking out six Tigers. Delta coach Steve Rei-

her spoke on how big the win over Grand Junction was for his Panthers. “It was big! Even though Grand Junction was winless, they are hungry. We gotta start winning games like these.” The play by Kraai was matter of fact for the sophomore shortstop. “I knew I was going to get the ball. I didn’t really think about how it happened.” When asked how he felt afterwards, “pretty good,” was all he could say with a broad smile. Jaspar Carmichael was asked about his clutch performance. He had inherited a bases loaded situation with no outs in the top of the fourth inning. All he did was strike out the side to leave the runners stranded. “I’ve been there before and knew I had nothing to lose. My job was to work hard and leave those runners on base,” quoted Carmichael. As the Panthers’ leading hitter in the game, Reeder was asked about his frame of mind before his two-run double to score the game’s winning runs. “I knew I was in a zone and hit the pitch I was looking for.” Saturday’s non-conference against Montrose was close for four innings. Delta enjoyed an early 10 lead for the first three innings. That lead came on a Reeder home run (second of the season) to left field. Reeder has had multiple hits in four of the six games played so far this season. Four Montrose runs in the fifth and another three in the sixth added to Delta’s frustration.

The Indians held an 8-1 lead going to the bottom of the seventh. Delta found its bats and banged out enough hits to come up with three runs to make the final score 8-4. Coach Reiher knows his Panthers have the talent to do things that produce a win but just haven’t found out for themselves they have the ability to get those wins. “We definitely had our chances today. We’re young and need to improve on our approach at the plate. We took way too many good pitches today (against Montrose). We’re improving and we’re going to get there!” Rowyn Carmichael was 2-3, scored a run and had two RBIs for the Panthers in the loss. Reeder also had two hits, scored a run with an RBI and had a home run. Jayden Lopez had three hits and two doubles for the Indians with Tristan Church and Dylan James recording two hits each as well. Dillon Shaw had a double and two RBIs for the winners. Lopez earned the win with seven innings of work, allowed nine hits and four runs with eight strike outs. Hollenbeck took the loss for Delta and is 2-2 for the season. Delta’s next opponent is Roosevelt for doubleheader action on April 3 with the first game scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. The Panthers host Coal Ridge on Saturday (March 31) at 11 a.m. and then face Gunnison in Delta on April 3 at 3 p.m.

Mendoza sprints to win in 300m hurdles BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Cedaredge boys track team is off to a good start. At Saturday’s Hotchkiss Invitational, the defending 2A state champion Bruins won three events and placed in the top three in five more. Danny Mendoza had two of those top three finishes. In the final heat of the 300m hurdles, Mendoza was lined up next to 6-foot, 3 inch senior Dylan Allen of Coal Ridge. As the other competitors dropped back, and with two hurdles to clear, Mendoza was a full four paces behind Allen. At the final hurdle, he was one pace back and overtook Allen in the final meters for the win.

“I wanted to catch him so bad,” said Mendoza after the win. After the race, Allen congratulated Mendoza and told him he didn’t see him coming. Mendoza, one of eight seniors competing for the Bruins, also placed third in the 110m hurdles with a time of 16.71, coming in just shy of his prior best time, just behind Allen, and just ahead of Hotchkiss sophomore Jace Peebles. As a freshman, Mendoza competed in the long and triple jumps before breaking his collar bone. About midway through his sophomore track season, and despite concerns about injuries, he gave hurdles a try at the urging of coaches

and friends. He qualified for state in both events. Last year he placed second in the 2A Western Slope League in both the 110m and 300m hurdles, and finished seventh in state in the 110 hurdles, and fifth in the 300m hurdles. His season is off to a good start. After two meets, he has three wins and one thirdplace finish and is currently ranked in the top 10 in the state in both events. Mendoza is also 5-7, which is atypical for a successful hurdler. While he gives a lot of credit for his success to practice and good coaching, a lot of it is mental, he said. “I’m not thinking that the guy next to me is 6-4.”

Photo by Tamie Meck

Danny Mendoza eyes the finish line while clearing the final hurdle in the 300m hurdle race Saturday at Hotchkiss. Mendoza passed Dylan Allen of Coal Ridge (right) in the final meters for the win. Mendoza also placed third in the 110m hurdles.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Jacob Stucker, of Hotchkiss, clears 6-2 at the Hotchkiss Invitational. Stucker, who placed fourth overall in the event, is a ﬁrst-year track team member and made his ﬁrst high jump attempt two weeks before Saturday’s meet.

Hotchkiss boys score 77 for fifth place finish BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Elijah Patrick had the sole win of the day for the Bulldogs, clearing 6 feet, 2 inches to tie for first in the high jump. Teammate Jacob Stucker cleared 6-2 to place fourth overall. Stucker, a junior, is a first-year track team member and started high jumping two weeks ago. At the meet, Roaring Fork’s Jasper Germain was declared the winner in the high jump after clearing the bar at 6-4 in a three-way jump off. After further review, it was found that Patrick and Plateau Valley’s Noah Castro, who also tied for first, had missed one jump at 6-2, and Germain had one miss at a lower height, Germain was awarded third place and six points. While 10 points are awarded to the winner of each event, Castro and Patrick were each awarded nine points for the tie. In other individual

events, Patrick also placed seventh in the triple jump (38-6). Senior Sam Rodriguez won silver in the 800m run with a time of 2:06.27. Jace Peebles placed fourth in the 110m hurdles (17.25). In the throwing events, senior Nolan Egging won bronze in the discus with a throw of 119-6 and Colton Peebles finished seventh with a throw of 103-8. In shot put, Jacob Stucker and Kevin Chavez placed fourth and fifth, respectively with throws of 395.5 and 39-4. The 4X200m relay team of Colton Peebles, Rodriguez, Malykai Klaseen and Robert Cochran placed third in 1:38.65, and the 4X400m team of Peebles, Peebles, Rodriguez and Cochran finished fourth in 3:47.96. The 4X100 team of Jace Peebles, Robert Cochran, George Arroyo and Colton Peebles placed seventh; the 4X800m team of Nick Jung, Myles Zoutte, Will Ela and Kenny Drbohlav

finished sixth in 9:39.91. George Arroyo, Saul Cortez, Oliver Mendoza and Jesus Macias also won the 800m sprint medley relay. While the medley is not an official boys’ race, it is offered at a handful of meets throughout the season. For the first time in recent years, no new meet records were set. For results and a list of records, visit scottmeets. wikispaces.com. Saturday’s competition also marked the first track meet held on the newly-resurfaced eightlane track and jumping pits. Seventeen boys teams and 18 girls teams competed at the meet, which was held under slightly cloudy skies and in temperatures that reached into the mid 60s. Spectators were able to watch the events from new bleachers. Hotchkiss competes this Saturday at the annual Cedaredge Invitational. Competition opens at 9 a.m.

B6 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Bruins maul baseball foes BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

With three wins this past week, Cedaredge’s baseball team moved its season record to 5-2 with

no league games played to date. The Bruins took on Eagle Valley, a team they defeated 10-0 to start the season, and scored a 9-7 win on March 21

in Cedaredge. A doubleheader with Monte Vista was played in Cedaredge on Saturday with the Bruins claiming a pair of wins, 16-0 and 14-3. Against Eagle Valley Cedaredge pitchers scattered four hits over seven innings on the way to a 9-7 decision. Senior Jacob Lewis started the game and the Bruins took an 8-0 lead to the fourth inning. Lewis got the win on four innings of work giving up two runs on one hit. Senior Pedro Madaleno and sophomore Dusty Emig and senior Brayden Blair combined efforts over the final three innings to preserve the win. A two-run fourth, and a five-run seventh, had Bruins fans gnawing at their fingernails before the final out was made giving Cedaredge the two-run win. Cedaredge scored the game’s first runs in the second inning. Lewis started the inning with a triple and scored on a passed ball. Peter Carlson initiated Cedaredge’s next scoring threat with a single. After stealing his way to third, Madaleno drove Carlson in on his single. Madaleno was on third when a balk was called

and he strolled home giving the Bruins their third run of the inning. Senior catcher Colton Hoerr ignited Cedaredge’s five-run third with a two-run blast over the left field fence. After that, Lewis was walked and stole his way to third and later scored on a passed ball giving the Bruins a 6-0 lead. Dusty Emig reached base on a single but ended up on second on a throwing error. A passed ball moved Emig to third and he scored on an error by the Devils’ second baseman. Carlson drew a walk and scored the Bruins’ eighth run on a sacrifice fly to center field off the bat of Sean Dale. The Bruins tacked on a single run in the fifth to lead 9-2 following Eagle Valley’s two-run fourth. Cedaredge weathered a five-run seventh to claim the victory. Emig’s 2-3 was Cedaredge’s best hitting performance and he scored two runs with a double and triple to his credit. Hoerr finished 1-3 at the plate, scored a run and had two RBIs. Madaleno and Carlson had one hit apiece and an RBI for the winners. Five players had one hit each for Eagle Valley.

Saturday’s twin bill against Monte Vista began with a 10-hit attack which produce 16 runs in the first game. Lewis (3-3), Hoerr (2-3), Chase Meyers (1-3) and Carlson (1-2) all had two RBIs for the Bruins. Sean Dale was 1-3 with an RBI as well. Cedaredge scored three runs in the second inning and added 10 more in the third. A three-run fourth ended the game in the fifth when the Pirates failed to score any runs. Lewis, 3-0, was the winning pitcher. Game two had a big start for the Bruins with eight runs being scored in the first inning. The Pirates picked up a single run in the top of the second and then didn’t score again until the fifth with two runs. Cedaredge countered with three runs of its own to end the game via the 10-run rule, 14-3. Carlson lead the RBI parade with three runs knocked in on a 1-2 game at the plate, including a double. Madaleno drove in three runs with a 12 day with the bat and Emig was 2-2 with two RBIs to his credit. Monte Vista had two hits from Tristan Holder, including a double, and Griffin Whitmer was 1-1.

All three batters had an RBI. Carlson (1-1) picked up the win with three innings of work after one hit, one run and striking out four batters. The Bruins are at Hotchkiss April 4 at 4 p.m. and travel to Craig for an 11 a.m. contest against the Bulldogs on Saturday, April 7. Cedaredge hosts Gunnison on April 11 beginning at 4 p.m.

Photo by Wayne Crick

Cedaredge catcher Colton Hoerr glances toward the dugout on his way around the bases after hitting a thirdinning two-run dinger against Eagle Valley.

Bruin boys second at Hotchkiss track meet BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Montrose won last weekend’s boys Hotchkiss Invitational team title with 91 points. Host school Hotchkiss placed fourth with 72 points. Cedaredge’s Bruins fin-

ished with 81 points to place second. Cedaredge seniors Ty Grant and Danny Mendoza won individual titles. Grant was a double winner with victories in both the 100 and 200m dashes. Grant had a time of 11.46 for the 100m and recorded a 23.22 in the 200m. Mendoza won the 300m hurdles with a time of 43.25 and placed third in the 110m high hurdles in a time of 16.71.

The Bruins scored seven points in 400m competition with Drew Markley placing fifth (55.14), Zack McMillan seventh (56.20) and Jordan McMillan eighth (56.24). Sophomore Tevin Keller finished eighth in the 800m run (2:16.50). Cedaredge’s relay teams finished second in three races and were third in a fourth. Second place finishes went to the 400m relay (46.52), 1600m relay

(3:41.77) and the 3200m relay (8:50.21). The Bruins’ 800m sprint medley relay team finished third in a time of 1:46.41. High jumper Alex Barron finished seventh (510), Josh Jenkins was eighth in long jump (191.25) and Jenkins was fifth in triple jump (391). Cedaredge is set to host an invitational meet March 31 with opening events slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Cedaredge girls take second at Hotchkiss BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Last weekend’s Hotchkiss Invitational track meet saw some familiar names atop leaderboards. In girls com-

petition, Montrose took home the meet title with 131 points and Cedaredge High School was a distant second with its 89 points. Cedaredge had but

Photo by Tamie Meck

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Shannon Goff, of Cedaredge, reaches for more distance in last Saturday’s triple jump competition at the Hotchkiss Invitational track and ﬁeld meet. Goff placed second in both the triple jump (28-10) and long jump (14-5.5).

two titles and they came at the hands of senior thrower Katie Hyke. Hyke won both the discus (103-0) and shot put (38-10) competitions. The Bruins had top eight placers in 13 events on Saturday. Beginning with the 200m dash, Reganne McIntire was seventh (29.49); Courtney Freeman was fifth (2:39.12) in the 800m run; Kylin Mitchell placed fourth (6:09.75) in the 1600m run with Merielle Comerer placing sixth in the 3200m run (14:45.08) and Hannah Hatheway seventh (14:45.49) in the same race. The Bruins fared well in the 100m hurdles with Nicole Miller finishing fourth (18.57), Taelor Mills fifth (18.83) and Baylee Harris and Emily Tullis tying for sixth with times of 18.88. Miller placed eighth in 300m hurdles competition (55.06). Three of five Bruin relay teams were top eight placers. The 1600m relay team was second (4:24.92), the 400m relay team finished fourth (54.94) and the 3200m relay team was fifth in a time of 11:37.34. Eighth place finishes went to Shannon Goff in long jump (14-5.5) and triple jump (28-10). Joining Hyke in top eight finishers in discus were Grace Andrews (3rd-99-1), Holly Jenkins (4th-95-7) and Hannah Gardner (8th-84-3). Hyke was joined in the top eight for shot put by Dalia Alejandre (4th-332) and Andrews (6th-329.5).

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Delta girls third in meet BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Delta High School girls track team earned two first-place finishes in Hotchkiss last Saturday. One was an individual competition with junior Kaley St. Peter winning the long jump for the second straight week. This week’s jump was six inches farther than last week’s 16-3 effort to win the Delta Invitational. The second first-place finish for the Panthers belonged to Delta’s 1600m

relay team consisting of Beki Atchley, Katalina Rodriguez, Marcy Schaal and Tayler Huntley. Delta’s winning time was 4:23.01. St. Peter figured in helping the Panthers earn 26 points with her fourth place in the 100m dash (13.56), fourth place in the 300m hurdles (52.76), first place in long jump and as a member of the third place 800m sprint medley relay team (1:58.68). Other members of the sprint medley relay

team included Atchley, Baldwin and Schaal. Progressing through the events in order listed, Atchley was fifth in 200m dash competition (28.71), Tayler Huntley was fifth in the 400m (1:05.54), Kat Rodriguez was seventh in the 400m (1:06.81) and Remi Baldwin finished second in both the 100m hurdles (17.31) and 300m hurdles (49.60). Delta’s 400m relay team (Rodriguez, Madison Gieck, Marcy Schaal, and Alesha St. Peter)

finished fifth (55.05); the 800m relay team (Atchley, Baldwin, Schaal and Huntley) finished second in 1:51.85 and the 3200m relay team (Emma Corbasson, Jessica Dexter, Hannah Sterns and Jada Lannon) finished sixth (11:43.63). In other field events, Sterns was seventh in high jump (4-8), Samantha Cassel finished fifth in discus (90-10), freshman Keely Porter was sixth in discus (86-2) and Porter was seventh in shot put with a throw of 31-1. Delta’s girls will split forces and send a team to the Mickey Dunn at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction and field another squad to participate in the Cedaredge Invitational on Saturday. Both teams will begin competition at 9 a.m.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Delta’s Colton Johnson hands the baton off to Noah Nortnik on the way to a fourth-place ﬁnish in the 800m medley relay. While CHSAA does not offer a boys medley relay, some meets do hold them, and some meets have a “throwers” or “heavies” relay.

Panther boys track team scores 72 points BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Photo by Tamie Meck

Kaiya Firor, middle, wins the 100m dash for Hotchkiss on Saturday. Firor also won the 300m hurdles and 400m dash. Delta’s Kaley St. Peter, left, placed fourth in the 100m dash, fourth in the 300m hurdles, ﬁrst in long jump and was a member of the third-place 800m sprint medley relay.

Hotchkiss girls earn fifth with 47 points BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

vidual events, finishing seventh in the 100m dash in 13.94, and in the 800m run with a time of 2:42.34. In relays, seven was the number of the day for the Hotchkiss girls. In the 4x400 team of Mariah Griffith, Isabella Spano,

Nadia Hill and Adair Ela placed seventh (4:48.74); the 4x800 relay Morgan Miller, Jordan Tamayo, Griffith and Hill placed seventh (12:03.34); and the 800m medley team of Gaub, Electra Lovato, Tamayo and Ela placed seventh.

The Hotchkiss girls scored 47 points to place fifth Saturday at their annual home invitational track meet. Kaiya Firor won three events and finished fourth in another. The junior, who won state titles last season in the 400-meter dash and 300m hurdles, opened the day by winning the 100m dash in 12.80, edging close to the 2001 meet record of 12.36. In the 200m dash, Firor won with a time of 26.7 seconds, and in her signature event, Firor won the 300m hurdles in 48.07. Firor also cleared 4 feet, 8 inches to place fourth in the Photo by Tamie Meck high jump. Yasmine Gaub wins her heat in the 100m dash Saturday at the Junior Hotchkiss Invitational. Gaub ﬁnished seventh overall in the Yasmine Gaub placed event and was seventh in the 800m run as well. She also had a in two indi- top 10 ﬁnish in the meet’s 200m dash.

The Delta Panther boys scored 72 points to finish sixth in a field of 18 teams at the Hotchkiss Invitational track meet. Montrose won the team title with 91 points. Delta had a first-place finish in the 1600m relay and finished second in the 400m dash and discus events to highlight its competition in Hotchkiss. The Panthers’ 1600m relay team members included Logan Freed, Jacob Wear, Jarret Hernandez and Hezekiah Huff. Their winning time was 3:38.19. Wear finished second in the 400m dash with a time of 53.50 and Cameron Schaal threw the discus 124-11 for another second-place finish for the Panthers. Delta’s top eight finishes, beginning with the 100m dash were Huff (11.93), Wear in the 200m (8th-24.77), John Ames (800m-4th, 2:10.54), Ames (1600m run 3rd, 4:47.42), Jesse Phillips (6th in 110 high hurdles, 19.52) and Logan Freed (4th in 300m hurdles, 46.31). Delta placed in all but one of five relays on Saturday in Hotchkiss. The team of Kula Moo, Hernandez, Huff and Dah Wah finished eighth (47.67) with the 800m sprint medley relay team (Noah Nortnik, James Goff, Colton Johnson and Kole Granger) placing fourth with a time of 1:47.05. The Panthers placed seventh in the 3200m relay race with a time of 9:51.10. That team was made up of Thomas Neil, Syni Lujan, Carson Roithmayr and Enrique Gonzales. Schaal completed the scoring for Delta with his

second place finish in discus and a sixth place in shot put (39-1). Delta will split its team for this weekend with a portion of the team

heading to Grand Junction for the Mickey Dunn at Stocker Stadium and another portion participating in the Cedaredge Invitational.

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ACCURATE TAX

& ACCOUNTING SERVICE ��

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B8 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Paonia girls 4th at Invite na Leighton placed third in shot put with a throw of 33 feet, 5 inches. Alexandra Eaton had a fifth place finish in the 300m hurdles with a time of 53.10, and McKenna Johnson placed fourth in the triple jump at 30-8,

and was seventh in 300m hurdles (54.68). Brooke Hillman placed eighth in the 400m dash (1:07.14). In relays, Paonia placed second in the 4x100m (54.41), and fifth in the 4x200m relay. In

the 4x800, Poppy Lightfoot, Lee, Randi Rapke and Hillman placed The Paonia girls placed second with a time of fourth with 63.5 points 11:00.78. Saturday at the annual On the boys’ side, in Hotchkiss Invitational throwing events, senior track and field meet. Marco Carrillo blew away In individual events, his old personal shot put Mckenna Palmer finrecord of 36ished second in 9.5, placing the long jump third with a with a jump of 15 throw of 40 feet, 8.5 inches, feet, one-half and placed third inch. in the 100m hurSenior dles (17.40). In Cyrus Malekthe triple jump, Madani placed Palmer placed fifth in the fourth with a disdiscus with a tance of 30 feet, throw of 1158 inches, Lyla 08 to earn four Hayutin-Baril points for the placed fifth (30Eagles. 1.75), and Carly Caden MeiHorn placed sixth lner placed (29-0.45). fifth in the Hayutin-Baril 800m run tied for fifth with with a time of Coal Ridge with and a high jump of 4Photo by Tamie Meck 2:13.59, 8, and Sadie Lee From the left, Paonia’s Mckenna Palmer, Katie Sherwood of Montrose placed seventh finished eighth in and Remi Baldwin of Delta sprint to the ﬁnish line of the 100m hur- in the 1600m high jump with a dles at Hotchkiss’ Invitational on March 24. Sherwood won the event run with a subminute jump of 4-6. with Baldwin ﬁnishing second and Palmer third. Baldwin, a sopho- five time of 4:56.19. Junior Sabri- more, also took second in the 300m hurdles.

BY TAMIE MECK

DCI Sports Writer

Paonia tennis team wins BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

After losing most of ita varsity team to graduation, the Paonia girls tennis team is off to a good start this season. Following a 4-3 conference win over Cedaredge (see story on B8) Paonia defeated the Fruita Monument junior varsity squad, 6-1 Saturday at Apple Valley Park. After all three singles players graduated, doubles players are adjusting to their new roles on the

court. Making the jump from a doubles player to singles isn’t easy, says Paonia head coach Dee Holt. For seniors Ashley Ziemer and Cambry Hall, both students at Hotchkiss High School, the jump was a big one. Ziemer moved up to one singles, and Hall to two singles. As last year’s one doubles team, Ziemer and Hall went into regional competition unranked and placed second to qualify for the Class 3A state tourna-

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ment. After Saturday’s matches against Fruita were over, they paired up with a team from Fruita for some welcomed, nopressure doubles action. “Doubles is a lot more fun,” said Hall. “You still get points, you still play hard, but you have each other to have fun with and remind each other that it’s not super serious. But when you’re playing singles, you kind of get in your own head a lot more and it’s a little more difficult to loosen up and just play. At least that’s what I’ve noticed.” Hall had the only loss of the day against Fruita, but made her competitor work for her 4-6, 6-4 (1210) win. The game was “definitely longer than I wanted it to be,” said Hall. Both players said that playing at singles is almost a completely different game than playing doubles. In singles matches, said Hall, “You have to be a lot more in control of yourself and in control of your emotions and be able to pick yourself up.” After her 6-1, 6-2 win over Fruita, Ziemer said one of her biggest challenges has been her mental game. “I honestly struggle a lot with getting into my own head, and I don’t have someone to help me with that,” she said. As a team, if one player got down, the other would pull them up and they’d start having fun again, she said. Now that they’re on different courts, she misses that camaraderie. After Ziemer played baseline last season, and Hall played at the net, both are struggling to cover the entire court. “It’s been rough having to do everything,” said Hall. Like Hall, Ziemer said she’s having a hard time covering the net and getting back into position before the ball is lobbed

over her head. “Against these singles girls that are just like crazy good, definitely have to change the game a little.” Former Paonia boys player Enoch Kropp has been working with the three singles players. “He’s definitely helpful,” said Ziemer. “He serves hard, he hits hard, and that’s what we’re seeing a lot more of this year.” At the same time, said Hall, those lobs and soft and high second serves can be tricky because they don’t get them in practice. Kropp has helped them to improve their own serves, too. With only two matches behind them, the toughest games — against more seasoned teams like Aspen, Glenwood and Montrose are still ahead. “It’s going to be a hard season,” said Ziemer. After last year’s success as a doubles team, “We’ve kind of accepted that we’re probably not going to be as successful as last year. But it’s a learning experience.” Holt said she’s very happy with this year’s team. At 1D, Alice Carrillo and Jaquelin Mora defeated Fruita, 6-2, 63. Carrillo opened the season at three singles, and moved to one doubles after losing a challenge match to Sariah TalbottCarey. Carey also won her three singles match against Fruita, 6-2, 6-1. The change was a positive one, said Holt. Carrillo and Talbott-Carey “are happy in those spots.” At two doubles, Shayne Bayles and Sophia Cox won, 6-1, 6-3. The three doubles team of Shay Glaser and Carson Collins won, 6-1, 6-1; and at four doubles, Alejandra Gomez Lissarrague and Kristal Camacho won, 61, 6-3. Paonia will play a conference match at Glenwood Springs (1-3) this Saturday, and will host Delta (2-3) on April 3.

Photo submitted by JH

Delta’s Kaiya Firor (8) battles to steal the ball from Montrose’s Janey Alex during action in Montrose March 20. Montrose won the match 1-0.

Delta loses 1-0 soccer games BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

A pair of one-goal losses leaves Delta High School’s girls soccer team with an 0-3 record in 2018. The Panthers gave up one goal in the first half of their soccer match against Montrose on March 20 and lost by a 10 decision to Grand Junction Central last Saturday. Central’s winning goal came with 19:47 remaining in the second half. Delta has just three seniors (Jade McGovern, Jessica Craig and Addie Schwarz) on the Panthers’ 17-member roster. To further detail how young this year’s Delta soccer team is ... there are only three juniors, including Kaiya Firor, Missa Webb and Morgan Hamm. The four sophomores listed on this year’s roster include Mairany Jaraucaro, Abby Williams,

Haylin McCullough and Elsie Vasquez. Making up the bulk of Delta’s roster are seven freshmen, including Aubree Andre, Tawny Roberts, Abby Reedy, Allison Godwin, Arianna Nelson, Ty Diehl and Joslyn Carpenter. Delta is sixth in the eight-team 3A Region 3 standings with its 0-3 record. Roaring Fork is on top with a 3-1 overall mark and 1-0 in league play. Aspen is next (30 and 1-0), with Vail Mountain third (1-3, 02), Basalt (2-1,0-0), Coal Ridge (0-3, 0-0), Delta, Grand Valley (1-1, 0-0) and Moffat County (0-0, 0-0). The Panthers faced Grand Valley on March 27 and are set to take on Moffat County this Saturday at 11 a.m. The Panthers will wrap up a three-match stretch with an April 3 home game against Roaring Fork beginning at 6 p.m.

Paonia sweeps doubles for 4-3 win over Bruins BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

In its opening matches of the season, Paonia swept the doubles matches to defeat visiting Cedaredge, 4-3, on March 19. Cedaredge swept the singles matches in straight sets. At one singles, Samantha Ribbens defeated Ashley Ziemer, 6-0, 3-6; at 2S Clarity Call defeated Kambry Hall, 63, 6-3; and at 3S Sabrina Gilmore defeated Alice Carrillo, 6-0, 5-7. In the doubles matches, at 1D, Seraya TalbottCarey and Jaquelin Mora

defeated Niala Stair and Payton Donahue in a marathon 6-6 (7-5), 5-7 (10-5) tiebreaker; at 2D Shayne Bayle and Sophia Cox defeated Megan Branson and Julia Jackson, 6-4, 6-4; at 3D Shay Glaser and Carson Collins defeated Bruins Olivia McCrackin and Luiza Goes; and in another barn burner, at 4D, Alejandra Gomez Lissarrague and Kristal Camacho defeated Rebecca Hofius and Jordan Taylor, 6-6 (7-5), 5-7 (10-4). Paonia will travel to Cedaredge for a match on April 17.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Paonia one singles senior Ashley Ziemer returns the ball against Cedaredge on March 19. Paonia’s girls’ tennis team is 2-0 after its 6-1 win over Fruita Monument’s junior varsity squad last week.

SURFACE CREEK March 28, 2018

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Lions plan Easter egg hunt Saturday Bring a basket or a bag to gather goodies on Saturday, March 31, for another fun Easter egg hunt, sponsored by the Surface Creek Valley Lions Club. This event is for children ages 4 to 10. Meet in the parking lot at St. Phillips Church, next to the old Hunsicker Elementary

School. The hunt will start (promptly) at 10 a.m., so arrive a few minutes before. Children will be grouped by age to allow the youngest a fair chance at the goodies. Parents welcome to assist. For information, call Pat Means, president, at 970640-6614.

Webb, Vietnam vets to be recognized BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Everett Webb and his wife Darlynn of Hotchkiss attended the Delta County veterans’ coffee last week where Everett received an eagle head cane recognizing his military service. The presentation of canes to honor returning veterans is an American tradition dating back to the Civil War. Webb served with the U.S. Air Force from 1966-70 including service in Vietnam. He and other veterans will be further honored later this week by National Vietnam Veterans Day. President Donald Trump

has designated March 29 as a national day of recognition to honor and commemorate the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families. The Welcome Home Alliance for Veterans which is headquartered in Montrose sponsors monthly meet-andgreet coffees for Delta County veterans on the third Tuesday of every month. Veteran services officers are on hand each month to answer questions and make referrals. The next coffee will be held on Tuesday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pondy in downtown Cedaredge.

Photo by Don Benjamin

Enough is enough

An energetic group of 52 citizens gathered in Cedaredge to support last Saturday’s “March for Our Lives.” Led by local World War II veteran, Phil Ellsworth, the group carried banners through downtown and along Colorado Highway 65 calling for an end to gun violence and an increased emphasis on school safety.

Cedaredge trustees begin new terms in April BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Although the Town of Cedaredge municipal election was cancelled due to lack of candidates, the town’s board of trustees has moved forward by declaring three candidates elected to serve four-year terms. Raymond Hanson and Patti Michael will continue as trustees and Catherine Brown will join the board in April as a new member. Hanson and Michael were running unopposed and Brown was a writein candidate. During election season, the DCI traditionally runs photos and profiles to acquaint voters with candidates for municipal elections. Given Cedaredge’s unique situation, the newspaper has decided to publish profiles of all six town trustees — both new and familiar faces — so residents can be familiar with the individuals who have stepped forward to serve their community. Mayor Eugene “Gene” Welch Trustee: 2006-2014 Mayor: 2016-2020 Photo by Don Benjamin Gene Welch was appointed Everett Webb, a veteran of the Vietnam War, was honored as a town trustee in 2005, with an eagle head cane last week. He’s pictured with his then elected to a four-year wife Darlynn. term for 2006-2010 and then

One thousand paper cranes for art center BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

On Saturday, March 31, children and the young at heart are invited to downtown Cedaredge to learn the art of origami. Lessons in folding paper cranes will be presented by a group of local folding enthusiasts known as “The Craniacs.” The instructional fee is $10 with the proceeds going to support the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center. The event is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at Stacy’s at 260 West Main Street. As a special tribute on Sat-

urday, local resident Shelley Rae will read aloud from the children’s book “1,000 Paper Cranes.” The book is the story about Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who survived the World War II bombing of Hiroshima but died a decade later from the effects of radiation. Before Sadako died in 1955 at age 12, she began folding paper cranes. Ancient legends maintain that a person who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. At the end of her life Sadako faithfully and persistently folded the symbolic cranes. Her

wish was to live in a world at peace. After Sadako died, her school classmates continued to fold cranes in her honor. When other people learned of her wish for peace, they erected statues in her honor. Over the years since her death, her cranes have been placed in peace memorials all over the world including Pearl Harbor and 9/11’s ground zero in New York City. Images of her have been erected worldwide and her story continues to be retold by those who long for world peace.

Gene Welch re-elected again to serve from 2010-2014. In 2016 Welch was elected as mayor for a term which ends in 2020. He retired from a corporate career in sales and management, and he has owned a local business with his wife for 18 years.

Catherine R. Brown Trustee: 2018-2022 Catherine R. Brown has been declared elected to the Cedaredge Board of Trustees. She is a write-in candidate who will take office in April for a four-year term. Brown and her husband Dave have lived in Cedaredge for two years but the couple started vacationing in the area over a decade ago when they began spending time at a cabin on Grand Mesa. Brown was born in Weymouth, Mass., and raised in Binghamton, N.Y., where she graduated from high school. She earned an associate degree at a private college in Syracuse. Brown moved west in the early 1970s and lived for a time in Vail and Eagle before relocating to California where she worked for 25 years in public school nutrition services eventually rising to a management position. It was in California that she met and married Dave Brown, a career electrician, who also worked for the public school system. When the Browns retired from the Palm Springs school district, they decided to relocate and were drawn to Colo-

rado. They had visited friends in Cedaredge and decided that they liked the small town atmosphere. The Browns have two children, a son in San Diego and a daughter in Nashville, and three grandchildren. Catherine is a member of a local garden club and she participates in pickleball. She volunteers at Pioneer Town and Heirlooms for Hospice in Delta. Catherine and Dave are members of the Cedaredge Rod & Gun Club and the Grand Mesa Southern Baptist Church. The couple enjoys outdoor sports and can often be found fishing at area lakes.

Mayor Pro-tem Ray Hanson Trustee: 2012-2016, 20162018, and 2018-2022 Raymond (Ray) Hanson was born in Cedaredge in 1948 and graduated from high school here in 1966. He attended Western State College, where he earned a B.A. in 1970 with a major in history and minors in political science and philosophy. At Western he also received a fellowship to pursue graduate studies in history and economics and he graduated with academic honors in 1971. In college he met his wife, Sandy, and they married in Denver in 1970. The couple have two grown children: Misty of Fort Worth, Texas, and Sean and his wife Rachael of Grand Junction. For several years Hanson has operated his own local business as a master plumber. He was first elected as town trustee in 2012, was subsequently re-appointed in 2016, and in February 2018 he was declared eligible to continue through 2022. In addition to serving three terms as a town trustee, Hanson fulfills the role of mayor pro tem, and acts as needed in the absence of the town mayor. He is active in the Surface Creek Lions Club. He is a lifeCEDAREDGE BOARD TO C2

ImpressionZ Gallery Photo by Stacy Malmgren

The Cedaredge “Craniacs” meet every Saturday morning to fold origami cranes. On Saturday, March 31, they will teach children and adults to fold the colorful paper birds. The folding lessons and ﬁnished cranes are part of a community fundraiser to support funding for the new Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center slated to open in downtown Cedaredge in June 2018.

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C2 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Benefit concert supports Cedaredge board FROM PAGE C1 Cedaredge Community Garden member of the Cedaredge Rod & Gun Club and has served in the past as the club’s secretary/treasurer. He has served on committees for the Delta County Ambulance District, the Home Rule Charter Commission, and the town planning commission.

BY DON BENJAMIN Staff Writer

The popular Dawson Springs Band will entertain music lovers this Saturday evening at a benefit concert for the Cedaredge community garden. The concert will take place on March 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church, 210 N. West 3rd Street in Cedaredge. Donations will be accepted at the door. The Cedaredge community garden is entering its tenth season of operation. The garden is open for use by residents within the upper Surface Creek region defined by the 81413 zip code. In particular it provides garden space for those who do not have room for a garden at their residences, or for low income individuals who may

Dawson Springs Band Each active member be unable to afford the expense of maintaining receives a garden space a garden. The garden is consisting of a 10x20-foot governed by a volunteer area. There are currently association whose offi- 24 garden spaces availcers are elected by active able with four raised members. beds. Most tools needed to work the garden space are provided. The sole activity of the garden is the growing of vegetables for each member’s use with any excess produce lives the high life while donated to the Cedaredge Jekyll’s normalcy contin- Food Bank. Members eligible to ues — until Hyde’s pasparticipate pay an annusions begin to turn up a al fee of $25 for a garden body count. The performance space. There is a reduced begins at 7 p.m. Friday rate for the raised beds. and Saturday, April 6 Space is limited for the and 7. Tickets are $6 for 2018 growing season adults and $5 for stu- so anyone interested in dents and seniors. Please participating should connote: This performance is tact the garden secretary not suitable for a young John Steighner at 970856-1011. audience.

CHS announces theater performance The Cedaredge High School theater program presents, “The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” by Noah Smith, April 6 and 7. Dr. Jekyll is a brilliant scientist frustrated by dull “respectable” life in 1888 Victorian London. He creates a formula to unleash his inner brutish but oddly compassionate Edward Hyde. Hyde

Dayton Myers Trustee: 2012-2016 and 2016-2020 Dayton Myers moved to Cedaredge in 1973 and graduated from Cedaredge High School in 1977. He attended Mesa State College and earned an associate degree in 1979. Dayton is married to Karla and they have one son. His experience includes construction work. He was previously employed by the Town of Cedaredge from 1987 to 1995. Since 1995 Myers has worked for Upper Surface Creek Domestic Water Users Association. He continues to hold that position. In his free time he enjoys hunting and fishing.

�� Cedaredge Methodists observe Holy Week ��

On Easter Sunday, Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus at its 10 a.m. worship. According to Pastor Joe Agne, “The Roman Emperor wanted to entomb love forever by crucifying Jesus. On

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Gospel chorus is being formed Cedaredge Community United Methodist Church is putting together a gospel chorus for a concert in May. Interested singers and musicians are invited to rehearsals at 6 p.m. Mondays beginning April 2 at the church on the corner of 3rd and Aspen. If there is enough interest, after the gospel concert the chorus will continue rehearsals for a patriotic concert in July. Join your friends and lift up your voices in praise and patriotism. For information, call Bev Gardner at 856-6780, the church at 856-3696 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MondayFriday), or the Methodist Thrift Store, 856-4116 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

Friday it looks like Caesar wins. But on Sunday love wins.” Pastor Agne’s message for the morning is “Love Is Loose in the World.” The service will open with a fanfare from Verdi’s Requiem and close with Handel’s Halleluiah Chorus. The congregation will sing many Easter hymns. The week leading up to Easter will be eventful, as the Methodist Church observes Maundy Thursday with a traditional Passover Seder, beginning at 6 p.m. Those attending will engage in the ritual that Jews have celebrated for thousands of years. The seder also features a full dinner and communion at the end of the ceremony. Holy Friday will be a return to traditional solemnity with a vigil in the sanctuary from noon to 3 p.m. Friday evening, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Methodists are gathering at All Saints Lutheran in Eckert for a Tenebrae service at 7 p.m.

Patti Michael Treasurer and Trustee: 2014-2018 and 2018-2022 Patricia “Patti” Michael and her husband Bob both serve as Cedaredge town trustees. Patti was first elected to serve as trustee in 2014 and in February 2018 was subsequently declared eligible to continue as trustee until 2022. In addition to her trustee role, she serves as the board’s treasurer. Patti was born and raised in Sarasota, Fla. She and Bob met and married in Tennessee, where they owned and operated a dental laboratory for 20 years. Then the couple moved to New Jersey where she worked as senior dental research technician for Dentsply International. She enjoyed a successful career in the dental industry until retirement. Patti and Bob have a son, Bryan; a daughterin-law, Jenna; and grandsons, Robert and Anthony. She also serves as “Nana” for Bob’s six other grandchildren. Patti has served on the board of the Surface Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and is very active with various community organizations including the Surface Creek Area Lions Club and Cedaredge Ladies Golf Club. She is also a Rotarian.

Robert Michael Trustee: 2016-2020 Robert (Bob) Michael and his wife Patti both serve as Cedaredge town trustees. He was elected to his four-year term in 2016. Bob was born in Casper, Wyo., and grew up in Bethesda, Md. He attended college at East Tennessee State University and graduated from Tusculum University, with majors in organizational management. Bob served eight years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era after which Bob and Patti owned a dental laboratory for more than 20 years. Later, Bob worked as manager of technical services for Dentsply International. Patti worked there too and they were fortunate to have the opportunity to travel much of the world. Bob’s last career position was vice president of technical services for Coast Dental, based in Florida. The Michaels have a son and two young grandsons as well as seven other older grandchildren. He and Patti relocated to Cedaredge in 2008 and purchased Mesa Liquors which they continue to own and operate. Bob has served on the town planning commission and is active in the Cedaredge Rotary Club, men’s golf club as well as other community activities.

Photo submitted

Caring for each other

Following the successful Cabin Fever “fun” raiser for the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center, advisory committee member Mitchell Gronenthal brought the remaining donations of chili to the Abraham Connection shelter in Delta.

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

Laser Hair Removal ��

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Crane Lady About four feet tall with a wingspan of six feet (Sibley guide says 46” tall and a wingspan of 77”). Weight at about 10 pounds with the male larger than the female. In any book, the sandhill crane is a large bird! And this is March 22, 2018. We have 1,100 sandhills at Fruitgrowers Reservoir. So our total to date is about 6,500 cranes. Of the total group of 20,000 we can expect to have one half to three-fourths of the birds here at the reservoir, or 10,000 to 13,000 cranes. I used to wonder about the rest, but I know now that these birds stop in other places, often depending on the weather and often on the condition of the birds themselves. I’ve watched them since we first came to the Delta area (about 1989) and I’ve been the “official” monitor of the flock since 1995. The plan to utilize

Photo by Bill Schmmoker©

the sandhills as surrogate parents for whooping crane chicks was called off about that time and so no trained person was necessary. Rod Drewien and Mr. Peterson of Eckert (who worked at the office in Delta) asked me if I would be the “official” monitor — I was just standing around admiring the cranes and so I said, “Sure!” And I’m still at it! This has led to a new “career” for me and I’ve never regretted my answer that day. I like being called the “Crane

Lady” just as I enjoyed being called the “Plant Lady” when I led flower walks on Grand Mesa and other locations. But the crane. Lovely gray plumage with a bright red crown. When it’s nesting time the birds paint themselves with iron-rich water and they turn a tawny-reddish color. And the offspring are the same tawny color. Although the female lays two eggs, usually only one chick survives and this pattern holds with most raptors. Seems so sad to us but this is the natural way. And the young must grow to adult size in a single summer so that they can migrate with the parents. And this night we have 1,100 cranes at the reservoir, making a total of about 6,500 for the season ... so there are more to be expected to pass through this spring. Enjoy them while they’re here!

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SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Area churches observe Holy Week Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, is filled with traditional observances. Local churches urge you to use this time to walk with Jesus Christ from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem to his resurrection. Cedaredge Community Methodist Church 3rd & Aspen Holy Thursday — Traditional seder, 6 p.m. Good Friday — Tenebrae service at All Saints Lutheran, 7 p.m. Holy Saturday — Vigil, noon to 5 p.m. in the CCUMC sanctuary. Easter Sunday — Worship, 10 a.m. Message: To whom do we belong? St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church 290 NW Cedar Cedaredge Holy Thursday — Mass at 4 p.m., followed by adoration until 9 p.m. Good Friday — Stations of the Cross, 3 p.m., followed by Passion, Adoration of the Cross and communion service. Easter Sunday — Mass, 8 a.m. Grand Mesa Southern Baptist Church 110 SE Jay Avenue Cedaredge Easter Sunday — Services begin at 10:45 a.m. Pastor Dennis Scroggins is in a sermon series, “Revelation: What They Saw,” and the message Sunday will be “The Proof of a Victory that is Certain.” A baptism will be celebrated and the choir will provide music. All Saints Lutheran Church 20101 Deer Creek Road, Austin Maundy Thursday — service at 7 p.m. Open communion. Good Friday — Service, 7 p.m. Easter Sunday — Worship, 10 a.m. Open communion. Worship services are open to all.

Eckert Presbyterian Church 13025 Highway 65 Easter Sunday —Easter breakfast, 9 a.m. with an Easter egg hunt to follow. Easter services commence at 10:30, with Sunday school during service. Delta Christian Church 795 1600 Road Easter Sunday — Morning worship, 10 a.m. Community of Christ 1061 Meeker Street Delta Easter Sunday — Worship service with communion, 10 a.m. Presbyterian Church of Delta 4th & Meeker Easter Sunday — Morning worship with communion, 10:30 a.m. Come early for a continental breakfast beginning at 9:30 a.m. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 5th & Palmer, Delta Maundy Thursday — Holy communion/foot washing, 5:30 p.m., followed by The Watch from 9 p.m. to midnight. Good Friday — Holy communion, 5:30 p.m. Holy Saturday — Easter vigil, 5:30 p.m. with reception after service. Easter Sunday — Holy communion, 10:15 a.m., followed by an Easter egg hunt. Delta United Methodist Church 5th & Meeker, Delta Maundy Thursday — Service, 7 p.m. Good Friday — Service, 7 p.m. Easter Sunday — Services, 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Grace Community Church, Delta Good Friday — The Lion and The Lamb, a community service at the Delta Center for the Performing Arts, 6:30 p.m. Easter Sunday — Celebrate and experience the

Living God - His Name is Jesus at the Delta Performing Arts Center, 10 a.m. After the service, thousands of eggs, candy cannons and prizes will be dropped from a hot air balloon. Calvary Baptist Church 1290 A Street Delta Easter Sunday — Breakfast potluck, 9 a.m.; worship service, 10:30 a.m., followed by Easter egg hunt. Rivers Church (formerly Delta First Assembly of God) 762 Dodge, Delta Easter Sunday — Sunrise service at 1600 Road and Highway 50. Breakfast at the church, inflatables for the kids, 8 a.m. Easter service, 9 a.m. Kids’ bell choir, teen dramatized scripture and special dramatized message. The Kids Blast children’s ministry will join the adults for the special Easter service and nursery is provided. Come early as the service will be full! Grand Mesa Bible Church 710 Crawford Avenue Delta Thursday, March 29 — Good Friday drama, “Two Thieves,” 7 p.m. Friday, March 30 — Good Friday drama, “Two Thieves,” 7 p.m. Easter Sunday — Early morning service with communion, 8:30, followed by a potluck breakfast at 9 a.m. and worship at 10 a.m. (instead of 10:30). First Baptist Church of Delta 1250 Pioneer Road Good Friday — Walk of the Cross, 5:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come walk the cross from City Market to the Performing Arts Center (for the community worship service at 6 p.m.), then up to the Mountain View Park. Meet in the parking lot behind Dairy Queen.

National

Doctors’ Day 2018

Happy Doctors’ Day! �

Celebrate March 30th by thanking a doctor who’s made a difference in your life!

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Transportation will be provided to return everyone to their vehicles. Easter Sunday — Community Son-Rise Service at the pow wow arbor in Confluence Park. This community event begins at 7:15 a.m. Please bring your own chairs, gloves, coats and blankets. Following the service, breakfast will be served at the First Baptist Church. Easter services continue at the church with Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. and the church service at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to come remember Christ’s sacrifice for us and his resurrection. For more information, call First Baptist Church at 8743847. Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church 298 Bert Street, Delta April 7 — Paschal nocturns, 11:30 p.m. April 8 — Pascha (Easter) matins and divine liturgy, midnight. Redeemer Lutheran Church 1000 Pioneer Road, Delta Maundy Thursday — Communion service, 7 p.m. Good Friday — Worship, 8 p.m. Easter Sunday — The Resurrection of Our Lord/ Easter service, 9 a.m. St. Michael Church 628 Meeker Street Delta Holy Thursday — No 8 a.m. Mass. Mass for the sick of the parish and nursing home and homebound communion ministers, 11 a.m. Soup to follow. Mass, 7 p.m. (bilingual) followed by adoration until midnight. Good Friday — Collection is for the Holy Land. Stations of the Cross, noon (English) and 1 p.m. (Spanish). No soup. Passion, Adoration of the Cross and Communion Service, 5 p.m. (Eng-

lish) and 7 p.m. (Spanish). Holy Saturday — Services will be at St. Michael at 3 p.m. in cry room. Bilingual Mary’s Pain (Dolores de Maria). Parishwide Mass at 7:30 p.m. (bilingual). Easter vigil. Easter Sunday — Mass, 10 a.m. (English) and noon (Spanish). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Easter Sunday — A live broadcast begins at 10 a.m. in the church buildings in Delta, Cedaredge and Paonia. The semiannual general conference includes an Easter message. Hotchkiss Community United Methodist Church 2nd and Orchard Maundy Thursday — Worship, 7 p.m. Good Friday — Worship, 6 p.m. Easter Sunday — Worship, 11 a.m. Traditionally this is a week of somber reflections that leads us to journey deeper in our faith and moves us to understand the resurrection and the light of Christ in our lives. Paonia United Methodist Church 307 Onarga Avenue Maundy Thursday — Worship, 7 p.m. Good Friday — Worship, 7 p.m. Easter Sunday — Worship, 10:30 a.m. Mountain View Bible Church 3100 Road, Lazear Easter Sunday — Sunrise worship and breakfast, 7:30 a.m., followed by morning worship at 10 a.m. The 11 a.m. worship service has been cancelled. First Baptist Church of Hotchkiss Dec. 21-23 — Christmas break vacation Bible school, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 —

Christmas candlelight service, 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25 — Worship the King service, 11 a.m. Christmas Day. Immanuel Lutheran Church 5th & North Fork Paonia Maundy Thursday — Worship, 5 p.m. Good Friday — Worship, 5 p.m. Easter Sunday — Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., followed by worship at 9 a.m. Paonia Friends Church Easter Sunday — Pancake breakfast, 7:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Free. First service, 9 a.m.; second service, 10:45 a.m. Child care available for both services. For additional information, call 527-6151. Bible Baptist Church 112 Main Street Olathe Easter Sunday — Morning service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a candy hunt for the kids. Olathe Assembly of God 402 N. Highway 50 Business Loop, Olathe Easter Sunday — Free breakfast, 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:45 a.m.

Good Friday worship scheduled A Community Good Friday worship service is scheduled at the Delta Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 30 at 6:00 pm. Also, the Walk of the Cross through Delta will start at 5:15 pm from the Delta City Market parking lot on the same day and pass through the Good Friday service.

C6 Wednesday, March 28, 2018

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

DCC crews provide valuable service for Delta County BY TRACY IHNOT Delta County Libraries

Crews from Delta Correctional Center are able to help nonprofit and government agencies. Currently, they provide regular assistance to the BLM, Delta County fairgrounds, U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department of Transportation, City of Delta, and many more. “DCC is a level 1, minimum security facility,” says labor programs lieutenant Jami Ware. “The average length of stay is six months. All of these offenders will be returning to our communities. It is important to provide them with opportunities to make positive behavior changes.”

In recent months, DCC crews have provided a much-needed service to the community through work completed at the public libraries in Delta County. “The crews have played a significant role in managing the grounds at all five libraries as well as assisting with various book sales,” explains Lea Hart, district director of Delta County Libraries. Many library friends groups have worked closely with crew members to complete important work that would otherwise be very difficult to manage. “I must say, I have been quite impressed with the quality of work done by DCC crews, as well as their politeness

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and courteousness,” says Larry Beezley, a Paonia Library friend. “Not to mention the quantity of work accomplished.” Beezley goes on to explain that in 2017, Paonia Library had almost 15 cubic yards of wood-chips delivered, an amount that would have kept him busy for several weeks. “Three or four of the crew with two wheel barrows got all the chips spread in a couple of hours,” Beezley reflects. Jude Kieca is a member of the Cedaredge Library Foundation and is responsible for overseeing the grounds at Cedaredge Library. “Last fall was the first time we used a DCC crew and they were a delight to

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Photo submitted

The Cedaredge Library is pictured last fall following the trimming, weeding, and clean-up work that was done by crews.

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compliments about how tidy the grounds stayed all winter.” Crawford and Hotchkiss Libraries have had similar experiences with book sales. “The crews are an absolute necessity,” explains Deberah Imlah, a Crawford Library Friend. “Our active volunteers are getting to a point where they are physically unable to haul all the boxes,” Imlah says of their January 2017 Cabin Fever Book Sale. “It is pretty much a given that without the help of the DCC crews, we could not have a sale.” Hotchkiss friend Sue Whittlesey agrees. “We could not do it without them. One of our volun-

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teers said, ‘We hope you are able to help with our next book sale.’ The crew said they do not plan to be at the DOC in six months. We all had a good laugh!” “This has been a valuable partnership and the offenders enjoy going to the libraries, meeting people and assisting within the community,” states Lieutenant Ware. Perhaps Imlah sums up the sentiment of the entire library district when she concludes, “Simply said, without the help of the crews, our major fundraisers and the landscaping would suffer tremendously. Many, many thanks to the DCC staff and crews for the service they provide!”

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work with,” Kieca says. “They raked leaves, trimmed the perennials, trimmed tree branches, dug up weeds from our children’s garden, and left our grounds looking great! We received lots of

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Classifieds

March 28, 2018

Yard Sales

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THANKS TO ALL THE folks from the HotchkissCrawford Historical Society who helped me with my talk on Rube Dove...the refreshments were great...and to those who came and suffered thru my talk, the help with the pictures, Dave Bradford, especially, and all of you who shared your families’ memories of this old hermit...I am amazed, after all these years, how many stories there are to tell! I’ll do a notebook with some of my stuff to leave at the museum to share. Please do visit our museum, we have such precious old historical displays, obituary and family files to share. Thanks again for coming to my talk. Jill VanDenBerg. (1x13)

Help Wanted

Help Wanted HIGH COUNTRY NEWS, based in downtown Paonia, seeks a talented and motivated individual to provide help desk support and assist with larger IT projects. Ideal candidates will have prior support experience, are eager to continue hands-on learning with technology, and are willing to take on larger and more complex projects as they learn about the needs of the organization. Part-time position: $15.50-$18.25 per hour DOE; requires occasional on-call availability. To apply, email letter of interest and resume to jobs@hcn.org for more information visit hcn.org/ helpdesk. (2x12) LOCAL FIRM LOOKING for an MS Access database programmer. Contract position. Submit resume with references and rates to: sunny@prospace.biz. (1x13

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�� SALES PERSON WANTed! Computer experience, great customer service, and knowledge of trailers and farm equipment is a must. Pay is dependent upon skill level. If interested please apply in person at Varner Equipment, 1375 Highway 50, Delta, CO 81416. (3x12)

SECTION

BUY • SELL • TRADE

Real Estate

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ADVERTISING MAKES SENSE. CALL

874-4421.

Delta County Independent

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FOR SALE BY OWNER 4 bedroom 1-3/4 bath farmhouse on 2 acres. UVWU irrigation water, outbuildings, horse corral and chicken coop. Ash Mesa with 360 degree views. $269,000. Call 970-596-8218. (2x13)

Subscribe to the DCI. Call

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SEEKING PART TIME, energetic, caring, experienced dental hygienist to join our general practice in Paonia area. We are looking for someone who values quality patient care, is a strong communicator, team player, understands dental needs, and believes in periodontal. Call 970-527-4853 or email PAONIADENTAL@gmail. com. (4x12)

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for the rates.

Help Wanted

Real Estate

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874-4421 Help Wanted

Real Estate

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Help Wanted

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HELP WANTED: THE City of Delta is now accepting applications for a Project Manager in the Public Works Department. Position is Full-Time, FLSA Exempt with excellent benefits. Salary is based on qualifications with range of $59,446 to $72,069. Under general supervision of the Director of Public Works and Utilities, performs professional level planning and management of construction; replacement and repair projects for City infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, bridges, utility improvements and extensions; identifies, drafts and manages grant opportunities; collaborates with City departments and outside agencies to draft and update master plans; tracks and updates asset management systems; maintains records, maps and computer files for projects. Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related technical field of study; up to 5 years of progressively responsible work in civil infrastructure construction or related experience; public sector work preferred, but not required. Will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen, physical and background check. Submit completed City of Delta employment application to the City of Delta, Attn: Human Resources, 360 Main St., Delta, CO 81416 or kathy@cityofdelta.net by review date April 6, 2018. Applications and a complete job description are available at the above address or online at www.cityofdelta.net. Incomplete applications will not be considered. EOE (2x13)

THE TOWN OF CEDARedge is accepting applications for a golf course mechanic with experience in small tractor and turf care equipment. This is an on call seasonal position. Hourly wage is $15-$20 depending on experience for an estimated 750-950 hours during the 2018 golf season. Job descriptions and applications will be available at the Cedaredge Golf Club as well as the Cedaredge Town Hall or at www.cedaredge colorado.com. Interested persons may submit a completed application on or before noon March 30, 2018 to Cedaredge Town Hall, 235 W. Main, (P.O. Box 398 for mailing) Cedaredge, CO 81413. The Town of Cedaredge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (2x12) THE TOWN OF CEDARedge is accepting applications for golf course maintenance mowing/labor positions. All positions are seasonal. There are both parttime seasonal and full-time seasonal positions available. New employees start at $10.20/hr and returning employees or those with previous golf course experience start at $10.70/hr. Job descriptions and applications will be available at the Cedaredge Golf Club as well as the Cedaredge Town Hall or at www.cedaredge colorado.com. Interested persons may submit a completed application on or before noon March 30, 2018 to Cedaredge Town Hall, 235 W. Main, (P.O. Box 398 for mailing) Cedaredge, CO 81413. The Town of Cedaredge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (2x12)

TRUCK MECHANIC, PREferred experience in all phases, heavy truck/trailers, including computer diagnostic. Apply in person LOOKING FOR QUALITY LOOKING FOR QUALITY or mail resume, 2135 East employees? Advertise here employees? Advertise here Main, Montrose. (2x13) in the DCI Classifieds. in the DCI Classifieds. SUBSCRIBE! 874-4421

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The Gallegos Corporation is seeking full-time experienced

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D2 Wednesday, March 28, 2018 Miscellaneous

CLASSIFIEDS

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Public Service

HOW DO I SELL MY Cottage Food products? You may sell your products directly to the consumer from your residence, roadside stand, Farmers’ market, community supported agricultural organizations, or other similar venue. If you have any questions, please call: 874-2165. Delta County Health Department. (4X11) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Support Group for Adults and Children: Every Wednesday in Delta from 5-7 p.m. there will be a free support group for adults whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence and a separate group for children at the same time. Please call 970-8744941 to sign up.

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Public Service

THE DELTA COUNTY Independent runs these items as a public service free of charge for non-profit organizations, if no fees are charged. However, each group is asked to please keep them current by calling 874-4421. THE KINGS TABLE SOUP Kitchen needs egg cartons. If you have any to give please call 250-6637 and we will pick up. CO FATHER’S NETWORKdedicated to providing community and education to fathers of special needs kids. Meets twice monthly on the 1st Saturday at 11 a.m. and the 3rd Monday at 6:30 p.m. - 511 E. 10th St, Delta. See our website for more details: www.codads.org

you Why advertise

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

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 AL-ANON AND ALATEEN: referral, or for informaHope and help for families tion on how to volunteer and friends of alcoholics or donate. www.Delta meets in Delta: Al-Anon and A b r a h a m C o n n e c t i o n . Alateen, Tuesdays at 7:30 org. pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 145 W. 5th St., con- HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS tact Elizabeth 970-874-9832 Wanted! Delta County or Shirley 970-323-5067. Memorial Hospital needs hospital volunteers. Days CARING FOR CARE- and hours are flexible. There givers, C4C - support- are currently openings ing hearts that care. Open in the ER, Oncology, Gift to ANY caregiver. Meets Shop and some additional monthly in Delta, 2nd areas. If you are interested, Tuesday at 11 a.m. - 511 E. please contact Volunteer 10th St, Delta. Coordinator, Barbara Hall at 250-2105 for an application.

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

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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”

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

Public Service THERE IS A VFW MEETING on the first Monday of each month. At 6 p.m. there is a potluck and the meeting is at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd., Delta. For further information, call 874-8172 Jim Baker, Quartermaster. HILLTOP COMMUNITY Resources offers free services and support to victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. There are also ongoing support groups. Please call our office at 970-773-2251 for more information or if you are in crisis please call our 24 hour crisis line at 1-844-990-5500. AL-ANON: HOPE AND help for families and friends of alcoholics meets in Hotchkiss: Al-Anon, Mondays at 6:30 pm, Methodist Church 285 N. 2nd, contact Elsie 970-2108090 or Marjorie 970-4331856.

WOMEN ONLY AA MEETings, Delta, Saturdays, 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5th & Palmer (back CHAPTER, UNITS OF DAV door). regular meetings on the SUPPORT THE DELTA second Monday of each Library. Give a gently used month at 7 p.m. at the book in the Downstairs Veterans Building, 15th & Book Store. Howard, Delta. For further information, call Paul Carter WELCOME RETURNING 874-5150. Veterans, Post 9221 VFW meets at 5:00 p.m. on the YOU HAVE THE POWER TO 4th Thursday of each month change a child's life! in Cedaredge. To find out Children are waiting for how to participate in pro- senior partners in Delta moting patriotism and County right now! Can you assisting veterans, contact spare 3 hours a week? We Wayne Hamrick, (970) 250- need your help! Call today 1180. for more information. Please volunteer to spend time with AARP DRIVER SAFETY a child in our community. Course. Save on insurance, Partners of Delta, Montrose keep up on newer traffic and Ouray, 874-4661, www. laws, learn defensive driv- partners-west.org. or www. ing techniques. For details deltayouth@montrose.net. and schedule contact John Loring (970) 856-6924 or PAONIA AMERICAN (970) 424-1778. Legion runs a year round non-perishable emergency AL-ANON: HOPE AND food pantry. This is for the help for families and North Fork area. For inforfriends of alcoholics meets mation, call 527-6252. in Cedaredge: Al-Anon, Thursdays, 8 pm, Wick Hall FREE DIAPERS FOR UP behind First Baptist Church, to one year! Pregnant 370 W. Main St., contact women in Delta County can Mary M. 970-856-6123 or now get help to quit smokJim 970-874-7855. ing and get something they can really use after their HOTCHKISS-CRAWFORD baby arrives — free diapers. Historical Museum. Winter Healthy moms have healthy hours, Saturdays 1-4 p.m. babies. Enroll in the Baby & $3 admission or free to Me Tobacco Free program members. Come see our today. Contact the Delta museum at 2nd & Hotchkiss County Health Department Streets in Hotchkiss. 872- at 874-2165 or your local 3780. physician. CHECK OUT THE BOOK AL-ANON: HOPE AND store at the Delta Library. help for families and You'll find a great selection friends of alcoholics of paperbacks at reasonable meets in Paonia: Al-Anon, prices. Wednesdays at 7 pm, YOU CAN QUIT. WE CAN United Methodist Church, help. Colorado Tobacco 3rd & Onarga, contact Lisa Quitline offers free, confi- 970-395-3608, Chris 970dential assistance. Call 1- 527-3366 or Marjorie 970433-1856 800-QUIT-NOW. THE AMERICAN RED Cross needs you. Become one of the Red Cross volunteers who says, “We’ll Be There, Because Help Can’t Wait!” Call your local Red DELTA FOOD PANTRY Cross Chapter at 970-242needs meals for Delta fami- 4851 or 1-800-HELP NOW lies who are temporarily for information on the difin need. Donations of non- ference you can make in perishable food may be someone’s life as a disaster brought to 628 Meeker. volunteer. DELTA HAS A BOOKstore in the basement of the library featuring gently used books and magazines. Come check it out!

HELP!!! KEEP THE animal population under control, and SAVE an animal's life. Adopt your new cat or dog from the Delta County Humane Society. Adoption fee is minimal. Call 874-2149.

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

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Delta County Independent

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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

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D4 Wednesday, March 28, 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. Delta County Seed Library. Patrons can check out seeds to grow their gardens! Contact or visit any of our libraries to learn more and start

browsing seeds. Or, visit our booth at the 2018 Spring Expo at Bill Heddles Recreation Center to learn more. Friday, April 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cedaredge Storytimes. Storytimes for babies, tots and preschoolers are Thursdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Windows 10 Tutorial. Swing by with your device and delve in to the world of Windows 10.

Litwin and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. Visit Cedaredge Library after your walk for activities and books related to the story. Pick up a musical take home craft. Seed Packet Maker Space. Make a simple, eco-friendly gift. Seed packets made from craft paper, scrap paper, fabric and more! All month long at Cedaredge Library. Crafts Group. Crafters meet every Tuesday at 10 a.m. to share ideas and show and tell.

We will be covering the fundamentals, but feel free to bring your own questions as well. Friday, April 13, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. April StoryWalk®. Groovy Joe is having a dance party. But, oh no! More and more doggies are knocking on his door, asking to come in. Will there be enough room for everyone? The April StoryWalk® on the Surface Creek Trail is “Groovy Joe: Dance Party Countdown” written by Eric

Delta Police, sheriff’s blotter From the Delta Police Department: March 18: Austin J. Akins, 21, of Delta was issued a summons for a headlight violation and failing to provide proof of insurance. Nichole D. Brown, 31, of Delta was issued a summons for displaying fictitious license plates and driving while license suspended. A 15-year-old juvenile was issued a summons for charges of shoplifting at 37 Stafford Lane, Walmart. A 16-year-old juvenile was issued a summons for charges of shoplifting at 37 Stafford Lane, Walmart. Officers responded to Riverwood RV Park for a possible theft. Benjamin T. Hecht, 18, of Cedaredge was issued a summons for charges of third degree assault. J. D. Hecht, 39, of Venango, Neb., was issued a summons for charges of third degree assault. March 19: A 16-year-old juvenile was issued a summons for charges of illegal possession of marijuana by an underage person. Officers responded to 677 Hwy. 50, Riverwood RV Park to assist Delta County Ambulance District. Officers assisted Grand Junction Police Department with a stolen vehicle located on Columbine Circle. Officers responded to 1080 Pioneer Road, Vision Charter School, for a report of drugs inside a student’s vehicle. Officers responded to 1400 Pioneer Road, Delta High School, for a traffic accident. Officers took a report of a vehicle trespass on Albany Street. Joel Marchington, 34, of Delta was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and wanted person with no bond. Deli J. Whomble, 50, of Delta was issued a citation for failing to yield when proceed-

ing from a stop light. Benjamin F. Sanchez, 41, of Delta was arrested on an outstanding warrant with no bond. Officers responded to 2200 Southgate Lane, Affordable Storage, for a report of a possible theft. Officers responded to the 400 block of Main Street for a report of a traffic accident. Officers responded to the approximate intersection of Main Street and 4th Street for a traffic accident. Ian S. Kester, 19, of Crawford was arrested for an outstanding warrant with a bond amount of $1,000. Officers responded to 1430 Hwy. 50, Phillips 66 Fuel Station for a report of a possible protection order violation. March 21: Officers took a report of a civil problem in the 100 block of Palmer Street. Officers took a report of a juvenile problem at a residence on Pioneer Road. Officers responded to the 1700 block of E 5th Street for a report of a trespassing. Officers took a report from 103 West 11th Street, Center for Mental Health, regarding a citizen assist. Officers took a report of a hit and run traffic accident in the 100 block of Palmer Street. Officers took a missing person report in the 200 block of Dodge Street. Officers responded to 180 Gunnison River Drive, Quality Inn, to execute a court order. March 22: Officers took a report of a vehicle trespass in the area of Elm Way. Officers took a report of a vehicle trespass in the 500 block of Munro Street. Officers took a report of a vehicle trespass in the 1400 block of E 6th Street. March 23: Officers conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Crawford Avenue and Cedar Street. The driver was issued a proof of service and the driver’s license was con-

fiscated. Officers took a report of a traffic accident in the 200 block of Main Street. Officers took a report of a possible sex offense. Angelica C. Jimenez, 31, of Delta was issued a summons for shoplifting at 122 Gunnison River Drive, City Market. Dennis J. Jameson, 22, of Delta was arrested and jailed for 5 outstanding warrants with a total bond amount of $5000. Officers took a report of a shoplifting at 122 Gunnison River Drive, City Market. Gabriel J. Annis, 19, of Delta was arrested and jailed for charges of illegal vehicle lights and driving under the influence - drugs. March 24: Alan S. Hawk Jr., 34, of Cedaredge was arrested and jailed on an outstanding warrant with a total bond amount of $5,000. Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Palmer Street on a call of suspicious activities. Several items were located and placed into lost/ found property. Officers responded to the 600 block of Sloan Street for a report of vehicle theft. Citations: 11 tickets were issued this week for various traffic violations. Please remember: All criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty.

reported she was bit on the wrist by a puppy while trying to untangle the dog from a rope. Deputies found no evidence to support an accusation of drugs being sold out of a camper on BLM land on 25 Mesa Road. March 21: A 2005 silver Nissan Sentra reported abandoned on BLM land near Fairlamb Road and Oak Creek Road was determined to be stolen out of Cedaredge. Cedaredge officers responded to that location and took over the investigation. A Delta area resident reported the possible theft of a Chevy pickup he had loaned to an acquaintance. He contacted deputies after he spotted the pickup being driven by an unknown individual in Austin. The pickup was returned to its lawful owner and no charges were filed. March 22: Raul Caloca, 30, was transported to Delta County Memorial Hospital by ambulance after possibly breaking his arm in an ATV accident on the Stirrup Bar Ranch near Crawford. Caloca, an employee of the ranch, was driving down a steep embankment, moving goats, when the ATV rolled and crushed his arm. March 22: Deputies responded to one suicide attempt and two unattended deaths. March 25: Jacob Jones, 32, of Delta was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop on H38 Road, Delta, at about 1 a.m. Deputies observed Aranda LeybaBush behind the wheel of a vehicle. Aware her driver’s license had been suspended, they pulled her over. Deputies also contacted Jones, her passenger, and determined he was wanted on an outstanding warrant. During his arrest, deputies conducted a pat-down search and discovered the illegal substances.

From the Delta County Sheriff’s Office (partial list): March 20: A resident of Ridge Road, Delta, reported the theft of milk cans from her front porch. An Austin resident who moved into a vacant home was confronted by a previous tenant, who threatened to hit her boyfriend with a metal pipe. A court order was filed for civil removal of one of the tenants. A Crawford woman

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. Genealogy. Who’s 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. Crochet Club. For beginners and old pros! Come and learn or come and teach. Bring your own yarn and hooks. Every Friday at 10 a.m. Scrapbooking. Join friends at Crawford Library and get your pictures and other treasured items in your scrapbook. The first Monday of every month at 11 a.m. 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 Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m. Information Station. Technical assistance with computers and tablets is available for all ages and skill levels. Attendees will also receive an introduction to utilizing library databases for online classes. Saturday, April 2, at 4 p.m. Friends of the Delta Library Meeting. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Wednesday, April 11, at 3 p.m. Plant a Seed Maker Space. Plant a seed in a cup and watch it sprout as it develops into a plant. All month long in April during library hours. Who Hatches Scavenger Hunt. Locate different eggs in the children’s area, crack the egg to discover what creature

hatches. All month long in April during library hours. 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. Master Builder Club. Explore your creativity as a master builder with LEGO and other materials! All ages welcome, children under 7 should bring an adult. Tuesday, April 3, at 4 p.m. Birdsong Workshop. Teens are invited to a Birdsong Workshop using Cornell University’s Bird Academy. Visualize bird songs and then test your skills as a juvenile bird imitating an adult expert. Wednesday, April 4, at 4 p.m. Knitting Group. Do you knit or crochet? Join us for ideas, help, and good company the second Thursday of every month October through April. Anyone is welcome to join! Thursday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m. 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. Tech Café. Tech assistance for all ages and skill levels. Every Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m.

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Delta County Independent

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

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B A C K P A G E

Delta County Independent

Let ‘em eat cake!

Photos courtesy Carol Vela

Young J.L. Vela designed his birthday cake and his mother Carol prepared it for him. Cars and trucks travel on J.C.’s highway on the left and cars speed on his race track on the right.

BY ANNETTE BRAND

Staff Writer

arol Vela is widely known as the person to contact if you want a special cake for a special occasion. Your delicious cake will be decorated especially for your occasion and its decoration will be a work of art. “The first cake I decorated for someone other than our family members was in 1986. It was a wedding cake,” Carol said. “I did a ‘practice’ cake earlier, practicing the stacking. “My mother-in-law, Hazel, did cakes for weddings and other occasions. I wanted to learn from her, but she would always say ‘you’re too busy.’ I had a job outside the ranch. “But those words were a challenge to me. At a yard sale I found a Wilton cake decorating book and some supplies. I bought them and taught myself how to make roses and other flowers and to do other decorating techniques.” Carol is left-handed and most instructions are written for a right-handed person, so when learning she had to reverse the decorating instructions in her mind. Through the years, she has adapted, she says. Carol uses good cake mixes in baking the cakes: Pillsbury, Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines. “I follow the high altitude directions on the box for mixing and baking the cake,” she said. “For a 14-inch, two-layer cake, I usually use three boxes of cake mix. A 12-inch cake takes one mix per layer. One cake mix will make one 10-inch layer and one six-inch layer.” Carol uses Wilton cake pans or other pans with straight sides. “Cakes will curve up in the center during baking. You can use a Teflon strip wrapped around the outside of the cake pan to help the cake bake more evenly,” Carol said. “But I make my own strip. I take a strip of an old bath towel, wet the strip, squeeze the water out, and wrap the wet strip around the outside of the cake pan, and it lets the cake bake more level.” Carol has a method for keeping the cake from stick-

Brandi and J.L. Vela prepare to cut their wedding cake, which was created by his mother, Carol. ing to the bottom of the pan. Before she pours the cake mix in the pan, she greases the bottom and sides of the pan, puts waxed paper in the bottom of the pan, greases it, then flours the bottom and sides of the pan. When the cake has baked, and after 10 to 15 minutes for it to cool slightly, she turns the cake out onto a cooling rack and takes off the waxed paper. Using another rack she turns the cake right side up to finish cooling. Carol is often asked if she freezes the cake after it is cooked. “No,” she replies. “I want the cakes to taste good.” Usually she bakes the cake the day before the scheduled event and allows at least 10 hours for thorough cooling before icing and decorating it. A cake or cakes for a large event may need to be baked two days ahead to allow adequate decorating time. Flowers are made several days ahead and allowed to dry for ease in placing on the cake. After icing the cake she creates a smooth finish by placing Saran wrap over the cake and sliding a cake knife over it. Carol uses decorating bags and a variety of metal tips for the various designs, flowers and leaves. She often makes white roses with colored edges. To get the colored edge, she puts a strip of color in the decorating tube first, then fills it with white icing. She can create about 10 roses before the colors start to blend.

The Jim Vela family, photographed in 2013, left to right: Carol, daughter Cheri Burch (now deceased), Jim, son J.L. and daughter Cindy Tattershall.

“Then I stop, clean everything out and start over again,” Carol says. “But it’s fun.” For a wedding reception, the “cake” usually includes three cakes decreasing in size from the large bottom tier to the top small bride and groom cake. This should provide at least 100 servings. Four separate similarly decorated cakes often accompany the tiered wedding cake for an additional 80 servings. Carol and husband Jim have transported cakes to other cities for special weddings or anniversaries. In those instances the cake, or cake tiers, have a base icing put on at home then go in separate boxes and Carol does the decorating in their travel trailer or at the location. She takes the icing, flowers and all other needed supplies with her. They and a three-tiered cake for the wedding of Jim’s niece traveled to Denver and Carol finished placing numerous roses on the top cake at the restaurant where the reception was being held. The restaurant owner was apprehensive about the “sturdiness” of a “family supplied” cake until Carol explained how it was put together. On another trip to Denver for a large wedding reception at a country club, they took seven separate cakes. It made a three-tiered cake with four separate cakes placed under the tiered cake. Carol decorated it in their travel trailer. They have taken cakes to Fort Collins, Riverton, Wyo. and Moab, Utah. “Decorating cakes is my hobby,” Carol said. She has a degree in home economics from Colorado State University (CSU). Carol taught home economics on a half-time basis at Delta High School for two years in the 1960s. She also served as a substitute teacher for a number of years in the Cedaredge and Delta schools. “I still keep track of some of the former high school kids I had when I subbed,” she said. Carol left fulltime teaching after two years and was later hired as a Home Extension Agent with the Tri-River Extension Service, working with the home economics part

Carol Vela’s three tiered wedding cake — accompanied by four separate cakes — for a large wedding reception at Conﬂuence Park in Delta. of the 4-H program in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray counties. Carol served in this capacity for 14 years. Carol and her husband, Jim, met while they were at CSU and married shortly after they graduated. They spent a year in Fort Collins. In May 1961 they came back to Eckert to work with Jim’s parents on the family ranch. “We are the third generation on the ranch, which was started in 1893 by Jim’s grandparents. They immigrated to the United States from northern Italy in 1888,” Carol said. “Our son, J.L, is now part owner of the ranch and intends to keep it in the family for at least another generation. He and his wife, Brandi, have two sons. “I helped with some of the ranch work for a number of years. Now I pretty much just keep the records, pay the bills, run errands, etc. I try to have a garden and do some canning.”

Carol serves in several capacities in the community. She has been an active member of Eckert Presbyterian Church since 1961, served as an elder on the session several times, and chairs the annual Harvest Dinner, a must attend event for families in Surface Creek. She restarted the church newsletter in 2006 and serves as its editor. Carol has been secretary for the Eckert Cemetery District since about 1984. She keeps the records, sells burial spaces, arranges for burials, and is responsible for the annual budget.

The children at Eckert Presbyterian Church asked for a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas time.