Delta County Independent, Feb. 20, 2019 by Delta County Independent

NORTH FORK TIMES

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

HIGH AND DRY

SHARING THE LOVE

Leak triggers emergency boil order for water users in Paonia, B1

SPORTS

Surface Creek Seniors spring for lunch on Valentine’s Day, C1

DELTA COUNTY

ACTION STARTS THURSDAY The stage is set for state wrestling tournament in Denver, B7-10

FEBRUARY 20, 2019 VOL. 136, NO. 8

75¢

INDEPENDENT

www.deltacountyindependent.com

PUC declares jurisdiction over Tri-State Commission will next decide if Tri-State’s imposed exit charge to DMEA is unreasonable and discriminatory DMEA PRESS RELEASE

A major ruling Feb. 14 by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) set the stage for the commission’s review of an allegedly unreasonable and discriminatory charge demanded by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (Tri-State) from Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA). Last year, DMEA filed a complaint asking the PUC to rule that Tri-State’s demanded exit charge is unreasonable and to establish a “just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory” charge as required by Colorado public utilities law. Tri-State asked the PUC to dismiss DMEA’s complaint in a filing last month, argu-

ing the PUC was powerless to protect DMEA and its 28,000 retail customers from TriState’s charge. On Feb. 14, the PUC confirmed that it does indeed have jurisdiction to review the charge. “The commission is right to reject Tri-State’s claim that it can force rural Coloradans to pay whatever Tri-State wants when co-ops like DMEA exercise their right to leave the association,” said DMEA board president Bill Patterson. “This ruling moves us one step closer to an exit charge that ensures DMEA pays its fair share to Tri-State’s remaining members — but no more. It also prevents TriState from restricting DMEA’s access to more local power and holding our members captive to higher rates that hurt local economic development.” DMEA’s decision to bring a complaint against Tri-State before the PUC has received broad statewide support, with key entities, elected officials and stakeholders supporting the PUC’s jurisdiction over Tri-State. The Colorado Ener-

McMillan, Burke seek school board seat BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Two men with lengthy ties to Delta County Joint School District #50 were interviewed for the school board vacancy created by the resignation of Richard Hypio in January. The two candidates, Mike McMillan and Dan Burke, both reside in the Hotchkiss area district vacated by Hypio. The two men were interviewed by school board members Pete Blair, Jan Tuin, Jill Jurca and Ron Germann at a school board work session Tuesday morning. Prior to the interviews, school district attorney Julie Huffman advised the school board that the law requires only that someone be appointed to fill the vacancy within

60 days of Hypio’s resignation. The school district sought letters of interest from potential candidates, but technically, she said, school board members can appoint anyone from the Hotchkiss area they believe to be qualified and willing to serve. Regardless, the appointee will serve until the election in November. Although McMillan and Burke are well known to many school district employees, they met some of the school board members for the first time Tuesday. Burke introduced himself by saying he and his wife have lived on Rogers Mesa for 36 years. He retired from Delta County Joint School District #50 after 28 years as a teacher, coach, counselor, assistant SCHOOL BOARD TO A3

gy Office, which represents Gov. Polis and the state on energy issues, asked the PUC

Island clean-up

PRESS RELEASE

INDEX

Accent ........................... A4 Activities ....................... A9 Agriculture ................... C6 Back Page ................... D6 Business .......................A10 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Legals ......................... D2-3 North Fork Times ........B1-4 Obituaries ...................B5-6 School Zone ............... A5-6 Sports ........................B7-10 Surface Creek News ...C1-5 TV Listings ..................C3-4

part of the land use regulation update taking place this year. This first forum is titled “Why do land use regulations matter in building community prosperity?” The forum will feature a panel including an economic developer, a business owner, a local developer, a Delta County planning commissioner, and a Delta County commissioner. This interactive discussion will explore how land use regulations and policies impact our ability to grow community prosperity and economic development. The county is deploying various means of reaching out

legislators sent a bipartisan letter to the PUC in support TRI-STATE TO A3

City of Delta photos

With assistance from a prison work crew, the city’s parks department recently ﬁnished cleaning up a four-acre island situated between Fort Uncompahgre and the Gunnison River. This project is a continuation of ongoing efforts to rid the park and the fort of invasive tamarisk and Russian olive trees. The area was so overgrown (see the “before” photo on the right), it was of no use to the public, said Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and culture. The fort plans to use the island for outdoor science labs, while the city has long-range plans for river access and trail extensions.

Demolition, construction schedule outlined for West’s BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

The City of Delta is picking up the pace on the demolition of West’s Home Center at 327 Main Street. At a recent city council meeting, Betsy Suerth, utilities and public works director for the City of Delta, outlined an estimat-

Delta County launches land use and development forum Curious about how subdivision works? Want to understand more about zoning? Confused by our existing land use requirements? Interested in understanding the difference between a master plan and regulations? Delta County invites community members to the first in a series of community forums on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Creamery in Hotchkiss. The purpose of these forums is to build a solid base of understanding about the various land use tools and processes the county will be exploring as

to exercise jurisdiction and decide the case. Additionally, more than 60 Colorado state

to county residents, property owners and businesses during the land use update. Community forums are being scheduled over the next few months to help Delta County build an understanding of the different toolboxes available in land use regulations and the different ways those tools can be applied in Delta County to support the county’s vision and goals. To be notified about community forums, receive updates, and learn about other ways to get involved, sign up for email notifications at www. deltacountyplan.com.

ed schedule for the project. Council approval dates, notice of award dates, project design, construction times, and other dates are subject to change as they are influenced by several variables. In February, city staff will assemble, finalize and circulate the asbestos abatement/ demolition bid package with environmental, structural consultants and the city project manager. A request for proposals will be published in the Feb. 27 DCI. In late March, the CU Denver conceptual designs are expected. These designs are based on the input received during a community workshop held in January. March 27 is the deadline for asbestos abatement/demolition bids. The bids will be reviewed at the April 2 city council meeting. It’s anticipated that a notice to proceed will be issued the following morning. The city is estimating 10 weeks for completion of this phase of work, which puts the deadline for abatement/ demolition at June 17. On April 10, a RFP for a pocket park architect will be published in the DCI. The

deadline for submissions is April 30. At the May 7 city council meeting, council will approve a contract with the winning bidder. The architect will be expected to submit a final set of plans by May 31, then the project will go out to bid for four weeks. City council is expected to approve the project bids on July 16, and the contractor will begin work within a few days. Completion date is estimated to be Sept. 30. Suerth noted the project may actually require seven to eight weeks, but the city is allowing up to 10 weeks because without a final design, material availability and delivery issues can not be anticipated. The city is using a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to acquire, then demolish the building and create a pocket park. Total anticipated cost is $272,560, with CDBG funding limited to $234,402 and the city contributing $38,158. The CDBG grant is intended to assist the city with blight remediation within the Delta Urban Renewal Authority boundaries.

City creates marketing position

Community meeting scheduled

The City of Delta is meeting one of city council’s top goals for 2019 by launching a search for a marketing coordinator to promote the city locally and across the state. This new position will be housed at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, close to supervisor Wilma Erven, director of parks, recreation and golf. This individual will be expected to coordinate new and existing special events, facilitate citywide marketing and branding efforts, manage the city’s website and social media, and serve as a public information officer. The position is advertised in the DCI with an application deadline of March 1. Erven said she is excited to see how this position will dovetail with an effort that’s underway to increase tourism revenue for the city in partnership with Delta County Tourism and the Colorado Tourism Office.

The Delta Police Department announces a community meeting regarding a sexually violent predator who is moving into the community. This meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center, 531 N. Palmer Street. Details will be provided at the meeting, which is required by state statute. Educational information regarding sexual offending will also be presented by a team of professionals involved in the management of sex offenders in our community. The goal of the meeting is to enhance public safety and protection. The individual subject of the notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires law enforcement registration. Further, he/ she has been determined to present a high potential to re-offend and is subject to community notification regarding residence in this community. For more details, call the DPD at 874-7676.

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A2 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

OPINION

LETTERS Taxes are rigged for the wealthy Depreciation recapture actually PENALIZES average taxpayers by increasing their tax rate to 25 percent (the tax benefit of depreciation being merely 12 percent). Compare this to wealthier taxpayers (32 percent tax bracket for taxable income greater than $315,000). When they depreciate property, they realize a tax savings of 32 percent! If they sell this property at a profit, the depreciation recapture included in the profit is taxed at only 25 percent, a LOWER tax rate. For the wealthy depreciation recapture actually REDUCES their tax burden, while INCREASING the tax burden for average taxpayers. How can anyone believe this is fair? This is just one in many examples of

Dear Editor: If you don’t understand this about U.S. income tax policy, take note. Depreciation recapture is taxed at a 25 percent fixed rate. The average taxpayer/small businessperson filing a joint return is in the 12 percent tax bracket (taxable income up to $77,400). When depreciating property used for investment (say, real estate) or business (work truck, farm tractor), a tax savings of 12 percent would be realized on that depreciation. But if the property is later sold for a price greater than its depreciated value, one must first pay 25 percent tax on the depreciation included in the gain — called depreciation recapture — a MUCH HIGHER tax rate. What a deal!

how the entire tax code is rigged to benefit the wealthy. Scores of unfair, obscure tax policies are intentionally embedded in the tax code by legislators, their wealthy backers and industry lobbyists, providing the well-off and corporations a myriad of favored tax breaks at the expense of the average taxpayer. After all, how many of us have the time or ability to read and understand thousands of pages of tax code? The powerful and special interests fully realize this, knowingly playing us regular folk for suckers. Hands-off capitalism for we the people, government favors and corporate socialism for them. It’s time for a reckoning. Brian Wegner Paonia

in Delta. On Feb. 2, we attended the “Love your Libraries” Saturday children’s activity. Our twin boys were delighted to

DELTA COUNTY

INDEPENDENT

DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT (UPS 152-700) is published weekly on Wednesdays at 401 Meeker St., Delta, CO 81416. Second class postage paid at DELTA, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DELTA COUNTY INDEPENDENT, PO BOX 809, DELTA, CO 81416 401 Meeker St. • (970) 874-4421 editor@deltacountyindependent.com ads@deltacountyindependent.com MANAGEMENT General Manager ........... Randy Sunderland Managing Editor ................. Pat Sunderland Advertising Manager . Roxanne McCormick Production Manager ......... Ron Sunderland

YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delta County (includes Olathe Somerset & Maher) ....$32.00 Seniors in Delta County (65 and over) ....................................$29.00 In-State ............................................$36.00 Out-of-State .......................................40.00

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Murder in the Mountains Mini Noir Festival

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Yes, we have too many cats but it’s not their fault Dear Editor: The first thing you have to do when you have a problem, is admit that there is a problem. Okay, so we probably have too many cats running around. Now, it’s not the cats’ fault; it’s our fault. Yes, you and me or our neighbors or the jerks that “dump” these cats. These cats did not ask to be dumped. It just happened to them. So if you see someone dumping a cat(s), try and get their license plate number, or at least a description of their car and of them. Then call animal control and give the animal control officer this information. When someone new moves into a neighborhood, how about you take a batch of cookies over, introduce yourself, welcome them to the neighborhood and ask if they have any pet or if they plan to get any. Tell them as nicely as possible that you believe in getting cats spayed or neutered. If that

doesn’t work, get nasty. If they need any help with this, you check around for some help with them. Do not equate the cats’ sexuality with your sexuality. It’s not the same thing. But if you want to get spayed or neutered, that is mostly certainly up to you! A number of years back, representatives from the Snip & Clip Clinic in Montrose offered to come to Delta and do cat spay/neuter. All they asked from the town was to supply a building that had heat, electricity and water. They would pay for everything else. The city turned them down. That was then, this is now. Since then, we have a new city council, a new mayor, a new city manager, a new animal control officer and a new police chief. Maybe they are more forward thinking. The economy’s tanking has caused people to move and leave their pets. Too bad they didn’t

spay/neuter them before leaving town. It’s not the fault of the cats, it’s the fault of the people. Surely you can see that. How about let’s work together on this. Cause if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. At the fort, feral cats do not climb trees. Cats that were domesticated and then “feralized” might, but not feral. I’m sure I have managed to offend at least half of the good citizens of Delta. For that I apologize and please don’t be angry at those of us who feed the ferals. We just can’t stand to see the animals starve. Try not to blame me for being such a soft touch. I call it being Christian, you probably call it being something not as nice. And by the way, if you get these cats spayed/ neutered, their population is going to drop immediately. Fran Goetz Delta

Law enforcement blotter

Libraries are a tremendous asset Dear Editor: I’d like to write a belated letter of appreciation and thanks for our local library here

Delta County Independent

see Pete the Cat live and in person (if you don’t know who Pete is, just ask any 3-year-old). They also enjoyed the coloring project, and story time. Delta is incredibly lucky to have this historical community place, providing “outside the box” creative and innovative services. I’d encourage everyone in our community to check out what is going on at the library, it is a FUN and healthy place to hang out with your family. While some people may think that libraries have “passed their useful time,” I’d encourage you to look past the physical book shelves into the deeper resources and community sense of place they offer. The resolve of our local libraries to remain relevant and to evolve with the times is deep, and I know they will continue to be a unique pillar that reflects, mirrors, and supports Delta County’s unique rural way of life. Please support your library in any way you can — we certainly do! Library lover and advocate, Amy Crick Delta

Due to the Presidents Cedaredge. Day holiday, the Delta Police Feb. 14: At about noon, deputies Department blotter was not responded to 30396 Redlands available at press time. Mesa Road to assist the ColoFrom the Delta County rado State Patrol with a onevehicle, no-injury accident. Sheriff’s Office (partial list): Deputies were asked to conduct a welfare check on Feb. 12: Deputies took a report of a the mother of a Leadville resivehicle stolen from an address dent. Deputies responded to on B50 Road, Delta. A REDDI (Report Every a disturbance on Lamborn Drunk Driver Immediately) Mountain Lane near Paonia. report came in concerning a They contacted two individuChevy Tahoe traveling west on als who admitted they had Highway 92 in the wrong lane fought, but neither wished to of traffic. Deputies assisted press charges. They agreed to the Delta Police Department separate for the night. with a traffic stop near Auto Feb. 15: At about 6 a.m., deputies Zone. A K-9 sniff indicated the presence of narcotics. A responded to a one-vehicle search of the vehicle revealed rollover accident on Highway hypodermic needles with 50 near mile post 56. A male an unknown substance and driver trapped inside the vehipouches containing suspected cle required assistance getting narcotics. Ronald Fitzgerrel out. He was transported to St. was arrested for possession Mary’s Hospital. At about 8 a.m., deputies of Schedule II narcotics and responded to Payne Siding driving under revocation. Deputies assisted the Colo- Road in reference to a traffic rado State Patrol after a driver accident involving a snowplow broke away from a traffic stop, on its side. The driver was not got back in her vehicle and injured; the snowplow susdrove toward Delta at speeds tained moderate damage. The exceeding 100 miles an hour. Colorado State Patrol handled The trooper had identified the investigation. Deputies responded to a the vehicle and also was still in possession of a driver’s Delta area address for a male license belonging to Danielle party who was reportedly Saxton, 30. She was later making suicidal comments. located and arrested by the Feb. 16: Colorado State Patrol. Three possible cases of fraud were reported, two in Cedaredge and one in Austin. Feb. 13: At about 8 p.m., deputies assisted the Colorado State Patrol with a single vehicle accident near the address of 21558 Uintah Road,

KUDOS Charity Ball supports local programs Dear Editor: Each year at Valentine’s the Delta Elks Lodge hosts its annual Charity Ball to raise funds that help support various charities in Delta County. Throughout the year charity programs such as Special Olympics, Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot, along with various events for our local veterans as well as numerous programs for our youth such as drug awareness, and those that encourage Americanism, reading and more are supported by the Delta Elks both financially and with membership support. The financial support is in large part due to the funds raised at the annual Charity Ball. This year the Charity Ball was yet again a success thanks to great sponsorship from many of our local businesses The Delta Elks Lodge, BPOE #1235, would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to the following businesses which supported this year’s Charity Ball: 1440 Apparel, Ahlberg Farms, Alpine Bank, Alpine Fencing & Supplies, Area Best Pawn & Gun, Artisan Bakery, Auto Zone, Benson Brothers, Beyond the Salon, Box Canyon Lodge, Clyde’s Café, Colorado Thirteeners, D & B Liquors, Davis Clothing, Delta County Federal Credit Union, Delta County Sheriff ’s Office, Delta Floral, Delta Hardware, Denver Broncos Community Development, Doghouse Espresso, Doughty Steel & Machine, Esplin’s Wildlife Studio, Farmers Insurance, Ryan’s Finishing Touch, Guthries Carpet, Hair Designers & Nails, Hartman Brothers, Heirlooms for Hospice, Robert Helgeland Storage, Bruce and Nancy Hovde, JC Propane, Kroenke Sports Entertainment, Kwiki Tire, Michelle Mitchell, Moca Joe’s, Mountain Fresh Farms, Mountain OffRoad Enterprises, Mr. Concrete, Ouray Brewery, Pest Away Spraying, Pete Tarr Insurance, Quintana Construction, ReMax Today, Rocky Mountain Lumber, Shears to You, South Main Street Auto, Spotlight the Salon, Stone Land & Cattle, Sunflower Room, Tara’s, Taylor Funeral Service, UpTown Wines, Varner Equipment, Volgamore Construction, WalMart, S&E Ward’s Landscaping, Whiskey’s Wine & Spirits, and Duncan Wurm. With the funds raised at this year’s Charity Ball, and the volunteer support provided by our membership the Delta Elks will be able to support many great programs in Delta County. Thanks again, Leading Knight Mike Twamley

At about 8 a.m., deputies and the Delta Police Department responded to a traffic accident on Highway 50, mile marker 64. They found a passenger truck on its side. The driver was not injured. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. At 9:30 a.m., a traffic accident was reported on Highway 92 near Crawford. The driver sustained a neck injury; a passenger truck that landed on its side sustained moderate damage. The Colorado State Patrol handled the investigation. The Delta County Sheriff’s Office, Hotchkiss Marshal’s Office and Colorado State Patrol responded to an address on Scenic Mesa Road in reference to an unconscious male slumped over the center console of his vehicle. He was found to be deceased. Suspected cause of death is accidental discharge of a firearm, but the investigation is continuing and an autopsy is pending. Deputies investigated an assault at an address on Lamborn Mesa Road near Paonia. Feb. 18: Deputies contacted two individuals who were living under a bridge on 3400 Road near Hotchkiss. The two men, ages 25 and 34, were advised to move from the premises or be charged with trespass.

Phonics: The key to reading BY JOYCE RANKIN

State Board of Education

Why aren’t our third grade students able to read? I’ve been asked this question many times by constituents, and as an elementary school teacher I believe the answer may be as simple as one word — phonics. Phonics is all about using sounds to read words. The letter “C” makes the “kuh” sound, “a” makes the “ah” sound and “t” makes a “tih” sound. Together “k-ah-t” is the word CAT. Research over the years has proven that phonics is a critical factor in learning to read. With 90 percent of a child’s brain developed by age three, it’s very important to begin a system that works for very young children. According to “Hooked on Phonics” researchers, a three-yearold child’s vocabulary can predict third grade reading proficiency. And once a child is behind, it’s very difficult to catch up. Recent test scores of children in Colorado have shown that only 40 percent of the third graders in the state are reading at or above grade level. Could our teaching methods be the clue? Governor Polis has pushed for fullday kindergarten for this high-ticket ($260M) item. But research shows that even before kindergarten it is important to begin teaching basic phonics skills. And parents can help greatly by reading age-appropriate books to their child every day. Researchers have also found that children who are not reading at grade

level by fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of school. A more astounding statistic is that one out of seven adults have such low literacy skills that they can’t read anything more complicated than a child’s picture book. Illiteracy is proven to lead to poverty and crime. So, what can we do besides read daily with a preschooler? If your child is beginning to read words, you can help him/ her select age-appropriate books by using the clever “Five Finger Rule” developed by a company called Reading Rockets. First, choose a book that you think your child will enjoy. Let them help you pick it out. Then have your child read the second page. While reading, hold up a finger for each word he/she is not sure of, or don’t know. If there are five or more unknown words, choose an easier book. If you’re not sure, use the five-finger rule on the next two pages. You can also ensure your child’s teacher understands phonics instruction, especially at the early elementary grade levels. The key is “explicit phonics” which means teaching students the relationship between symbols and sounds in the English language rather than lists of sight words. So, be sure and read to your child, find a skilled phonics teacher and practice, practice, practice. Joyce Rankin represents the Third Congressional District on the State Board of Education.

LOCAL NEWS

Delta County Independent

Learn about Opportunity Tri-State PAGE A1 Zones at informational meeting ofFROM DMEA, and dozens of Delta County Economic Development (DCED) is partnering with the State of Colorado to host an informational meeting about Opportunity Zones — a “once-in-a-generation” chance for both investors and communities. The Opportunity Zone (OZ) program was enacted as part of the 2017 federal tax reform package. The incentive is a potential deferral, reduction or elimination of certain federal capital gains taxes when eligible investments are made within the identified OZ. DCED will host a discussion about creating OZ prospectus for attracting private investments to community projects in Delta County. OZ has the

potential for investment opportunities for property development, foundation, education and special initiative projects funding source. This is a free event. The discussion will take place Tuesday, March 5, at the Grand Mesa Oncology Center, 1501 E. 3rd Street. There will be two sessions. Session one, from 10 a.m. to noon, features Jana Persky of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Kimberly Bullen, Department of Local Affairs, Trish Thibodo, rural response, recovery and resiliency (4R) manager with DOLA, and the Telluride Foundation. Come and learn what

an Opportunity Zone is, development resources, how communities can support private investment, funding options and investor recruitment strategies. Session two, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., will consist of a workshop to identify and target potential investments for community projects and to encourage and recruit investors to the community. Contact Stacey Voigt, executive director at Delta County Economic Development for more information or to register. You can attend one or both sessions, but please RSVP as seats are limited: 970-847-4992, stacey@deltacountyed. org or on Facebook.

challenges. Another challenge is school safety. McMillan agreed that resources (in most cases money) are a challenge, but he believes the school district is getting “a lot of mileage” for its dollars. The biggest challenge is maintaining a competitive salary schedule to enable the district to recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers. Burke agreed teachers are the backbone of the school district. Money is one thing, but he would also look at innovative ways to provide incentives. There’s also the intrinsic value of knowing you’re making a difference in a young child’s life. Finally, “It’s always important to let teachers know they’re doing a good job.” In response to a question about dealing with concerns or complaints, Burke said it’s important to be an active listener, but to encourage the parent or citizen to contact the teacher or principal directly. “We need to address the problem at the building level, then go on from there. A school board member’s role is not to solve the problem, but to facilitate a solution.” McMillan agreed that an attempt to resolve the problem should be done at the lowest level possible (the classroom or the building), but when there’s fear of reprisal, the school board member can serve as an emissary to the principal, superintendent or personnel director. Concerning areas of the budget that warrant a closer look, McMillan cited “extra” buildings

being maintained by the school district, including the vacated district office in Read. Burke agreed the school district should look at selling the buildings that are no longer of use, to generate revenue for other needs, such as transportation and maintenance. The last question was the toughest: Which is more important, serving the community of Hotchkiss or serving the entire district? Burke said he would lean toward Hotchkiss’ interests, and would hope his fellow school board members would share his perspective. “It’s a balancing act,” he said. “The school board has to be united and respectful of each other’s opinions, but you have to be true to your community.” McMillan said it’s important that board members serve the entire district, rather than their communities. “We know we will get complaints and praise from the local community, but we need to remind ourselves that we are elected from the entire district, to serve the entire district.” In concluding comments, both candidates spoke to the importance of a well-rounded education that includes academics and athletics, as well as music and the arts. “One of the beauties of our small schools is that we don’t force our kids to specialize,” McMillan said.

School board FROM PAGE A1 principal, principal and director of testing and assessment. Before moving to the Western Slope, he taught in Kansas for seven years. He jokingly said he was born in a school; his dad was a superintendent and his mother a longtime elementary school secretary. Several of his siblings also pursued careers in education. As a volunter with the North Fork Ambulance, Burke said he has gained an understanding of the community’s perspective. McMillan spent his entire 42-year career in Delta County schools as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, personnel director, assistant superintendent and superintendant. He retired in December 2012. “I know the inside and outside of school districts, but only in the last seven years have I truly gained appreciation for what it takes to be a school board member,” he said. Asked about successes and challenges facing the school district, Burke said the district is financially stable despite funding

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Hartig Drive to be closed Hartig Drive Road will be closed from Monday, Feb. 25, to Friday, March 8. County road crews will be replacing a culvert on Hartig Drive at the bottom of the hill just south of Cherry Lane. Hartig Drive from Cherry Lane to intersection of F50 Road and 1740 Road will be closed. Motorists are advised to use Pioneer Road as an alternate route.

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Shop Your Local Merchants!

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Coffee with the police chief Chief Luke Fedler and the Delta Police Department invite the community to “Coffee with the Chief” Thursday, Feb. 28, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center conference room. Chief Fedler intends to utilize this time to build open communication between the department and the community. He will be sharing the state of the department and presenting the new ALICE (active shooter) program. Coffee and pastries will be provided by the Delta Police Department. All are welcome.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

the parties will testify reasonable exit charge is at a June hearing. The expected later this sumindividuals, trade indus- PUC’s determination of a mer. try groups, municipalities and non-governmental organizations have filed comments supporting DMEA. In addition, two large Colorado electric cooperatives, United Power and La Plata Electric Association, support DMEA’s complaint. United is a founding member of TriState and is the largest of Tri-State’s 43 members. La Plata, headquartered in Durango, is Tri-State’s third largest member. United and La Plata are unaffected by the ruling over Tri-State. Like every other Colorado distribution cooperative, they are subject to a separate law that limits PUC regulation. “This is a significant ruling and confirms that no wholesale electricity supplier — not even TriState — is above the law,” said DMEA’s chief executive officer Jasen Bronec. “Tri-State talks about its ‘core principle’ of ‘voluntary and open membership’ in public. But its legal filings say that the Tri-State board can stop members from exiting by setting abusive charges with zero oversight.” The PUC is expected to issue a written decision on its jurisdiction in the coming weeks, and

Legislative update scheduled Representative Matt Soper (R-Delta) will provide a legislative update on March 2 from 2-4 p.m. at Needle Rock Brewing Company, during an event titled “Your Legislator, Your Liberty.” This event is organized and hosted by the Libertarian Party of Delta County.

A4 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

ACCENT

Delta County Independent

Scholarships available for adults Delta County adults who are seeking higher or continuing education are invited to apply for

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a $1,000 scholarship, offered by Altrusa International of Delta, Inc. The deadline for applications is April 17. Applicants must reside in 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 2019. 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.

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from the club’s annual events, the 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. The mission of Altrusa International of Delta is to be leaders in service, addressing the needs of the community. We strive 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.

Retirement celebration planned for Father Tom

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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 and scholarship committee chair Kami Collins at 970-361-8905. Applicants will be notified by May 15 if they have received a scholarship, and the scholarship will be awarded in June. Proof of enrollment must be submitted to Altrusa prior to funds being released. The funds will be sent directly to the student. Funds for the scholarships are raised in part

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Father Tom Seibert of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Delta is retiring at the end of February. His last celebration of Holy Communion will be Sunday, Feb. 24, at the 10:15 a.m. service. All are welcome. A retirement celebration will be held Sunday, Feb. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Needlerock Brewing Company in Delta. Food will be provided and there will be a cash bar. All are welcome to bring a gift or contribute toward the gift from St. Luke’s. Please contact Yvonne Rowland

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Father Tom Seibert

at 970-210-0888 for more information. If you would like to contribute toward his gift, contact Yvonne Rowland as well.

Photo submitted

Presidential award

Samantha Cassel (right) was awarded the Bronze Presidential Service Award for volunteering over 100 hours at Delta County Memorial Emergency Room and Oncology Center. Cassel is a student at Vision Charter Academy, a member of the VCA student council, National Honor Society and plays for a state level hockey team. She plans to pursue a career as a physician. Pictured with Sami is Willyn Webb, executive director of Vision Charter Academy.

Fascinating history of Fort Uncompahgre to be presented Author and fort volunteer historian Dave Fishell will present a fascinating program on the fort and the trail Tuesday, March 5, at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. The free program will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and is open to the public. During the early 1800s Fort Uncompahgre, once located near today’s town of Delta, was a busy fur trade era post. The northern branch of the

Pioneer Social planned The Caddy family will be featured at the Montrose County Historical Society’s eighth annual “Pioneer Social.” This family is one of the early pioneers of the Colona and Montrose area. The social begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park in Montrose. For more information, call 249-2085.

Old Spanish Trail also connected the fort with Santa Fe, N.M., and southern California. This vast region was then part of Mexico. Fishell will also cover horse stealing, the slave trade that probably passed through the fort, flintlock rifles and how not to throw a tomahawk. A replica of historic Fort Uncompahgre is located at the entrance to Confluence Park in Delta. In September 2017 the facility was officially

BIRTHS Deseree and Stephen Drye of Montrose are the parents of a daughter, Aubrey LeAnn Drye, born Feb. 11, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 20 inches in length.

David A. Draves, born Feb. 11, 2019, at Delta County Memorial Hospital. He weighed 8 pounds, 2.4 ounces and was 20 inches in length.

Chance and Dani Jones of Delta are the parents of a daughter, Addison Michaela and Agus- Gail Jones, born Feb. tus Draves of Cedaredge 11, 2019, at Delta County are the parents of a son, Memorial Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches in length.

Square dance lessons will begin Feb. 27 Here’s a chance to add life to your years, and maybe years to your life! Learn to square dance with the Delta Hubwheelers Square Dance Club! It all begins with a free open house on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Partners Building, 511 East 10th St. in Delta. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with an introduction by Naaman Moorehouse of Grand Junction, club caller. Classes are

designated by BLM and the National Park Service as the first non-federal visitor center certified as an Old Spanish National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. It’s the only visitor center on the entire Old Spanish Trail between Santa Fe, N.M., and Los Angeles, Calif. The fort is open to the public March 1-Dec. 31. The first is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information please call 970874-8349 or go to www. fortuncompahgre.org.

open to all, whether you have a dance partner or not. Square dancing is the official state dance of Colorado, and there’s no better time to learn! After the open house, classes will be held mostly on Wednesday and Thursday evenings for five weeks at the same location. For more information, reservations and questions, contact Paul Ash at 773-4495 or Zee Pacheco at 835-3771.

Dustin and Ashlee Stracener of Delta are the parents of a daughter, Kassidy Marie, born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction at 1 p.m. Jan. 28, 2019. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19.5 inches in length. Her grandparents are DeAnna Terry of Grand Junction, Ryan Love of Nucla, Bud and Missy Whittington of Longville, La., and Chester and Shauna Stracener of Austin.

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SCHOOL

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Students should take FAFSA vertification process seriously The federal government requires many students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to verify the information on the FAFSA. The students are chosen by the U.S. Department of Education. Used to apply for most federal and many state student aid programs, the FAFSA asks detailed questions about the income and resources of students. Parents are required

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Students of the Month

Garnet Mesa Elementary School recently recognized the Students of the Month for January: McKenzie Murray, Monserrat Gonzalez, Rylee Horchem, Ariel Matthes, Cody Oberloh and Isabelle McMillan.

to provide their information as well if their children are dependent students. Students are considered dependent if they are undergraduate students under 24 years old, not married, have no dependents of their own, are not veterans or were not orphans or wards of the court until age 19. The college or, in some cases, an agency working with the college will contact students to let them know if their data is being verified. Students and parents need to take that process seriously, according to KHEAA. Students chosen for verification cannot receive their finanview at least five people cial aid until they have to learn about different completed the process. As career and schooling opportunities. Juniors were given the last half hour of the event to interview and begin to gather information about regional colleges and local career opportunities.

High schoolers explore college, career opportunities at Procrastinators Fair BY KAYLEE DUNHAM Contributing Writer

On Tuesday, Feb. 12, Delta High School held its third annual “Procrastinators Fair.” The fair was established so that Delta High School seniors could have one last chance to see opportunities and make postgraduate plans. “We kind of stole the idea from Grand Junction,” said counselor Shawna Magtutu. “It is this late in the senior year and over half of our seniors still don’t know what they are doing, or they say they want to do something but they have made no progress toward applying or interviewing for a job or learning about jobs.” If not for last year’s cancellation, this would have been the fourth year Delta High School has had this event. But the

cancellation didn’t affect the community response. In total, 30 professionals set up booths to talk with students about what kind of opportunities they offer. As an assignment, Delta High School seniors were to interview five people so they could understand what a day in their job was like — three that the students were interested in and two jobs they could never see themselves doing. This year’s event wasn’t just for Delta High School seniors. Magtutu said, “This year is the first year doing it countywide so we have attendees from Vision, and Grand Mesa Choice Academy, and possibly Cedaredge.” In addition, Delta High School juniors and freshmen attended the “Procrastinators Fair.”

There is a new grantfunded program at Delta High School for freshmen called Gear-Up, which aids in early college and career preparation. Freshmen had the opportunity to cycle into the “Procrastinators Fair” so they too could inter-

soon as they are contacted, they should provide any information that is required. Putting it off will only lead to frustration if the process isn’t finished when classes are ready to start. If students have decided not to attend a college that asked them for verification, they should let the college know so it will stop requesting information. KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents. For more information, visit www.kheaa. com.

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Photo by Kaylee Dunham

The “Procrastinators Fair,” held in the Delta High School cafetorium on Feb. 12, was a huge success, with over 300 students and 30 tables showcasing college and career opportunities.

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THE TEAM YOU TRUST

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Photo by Kaylee Dunham

Jessica Carlson (right) discusses postgraduate programs available at the Technical College of the Rockies.

Delta High School

Students of the Month Samantha Lane

Age: 18 Parents: Jeffery Lane and Michelle Lane

Favorite subject: Math Favorite teacher: Mr. Hale Most influential person in your life: My dad. He continually pushes me to try harder and work hard at everything I do. After graduation I plan to go to college either to become an accountant or financial advisor. Favorite musician/song: NF Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy Activities: I am involved in softball, Haven House tutoring and Red Cross. I used to be in swimming. In my spare time, I like to read books or play catch with my dad.

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Kyle Mock

Age: 18 Parents: Joe and Lisa Mock Favorite subject: Math Favorite teacher: Mr. Meza Most influential person in your life: My father has influenced me in many parts of my life, and I have always looked up to him as a role model. After graduation I plan to go to Kansas University and study illustration and animation. Favorite saying: “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” ~ Kevin Durant Favorite song: “Sicko Mode” by Drake Favorite musician: Dermot Kennedy Favorite TV show: Friends Activities: I play basketball for Delta and I’m involved with Key Club around my community. I spend my spare time with friends and family. I like to draw, listen to music, watch movies and watch basketball.

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A6 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Delta County Independent

Dodgeball tournament benefits Make-a-Wish BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor

Delta High School came up with a fun and entertaining way for the entire community to help raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization that grants life-changing wishes to children battling critical illnesses. Since the beginning of the year, student coun-

cil has been organizing activities to raise funds for this worthy cause. On Wednesday, Feb. 13, it recuited dodgeball teams from the community to join the effort. A total of 16 teams of six competed in the tournament. The Panthers battled their way to the top of the winners’ bracket to take on the Delta Police Department, winners of the losers’ bracket, in the championship game. The

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Panthers captured the title without incurring any losses along the way. Special awards recognized the “old farts” from the Delta Police Department, the “sunshine” team of ColeBug, the best-dressed team from Bill Heddles Recreation Center, an all-female team calling themselves the Dodge Moms, and the youngest team, the Broncos. “We knew for a long time that we wanted to do something bigger and we wanted to help a good cause,” Shawna Magtutu, a counselor at DHS and sponsor of the student council, noted in an earlier DCI article. In that article, DHS writer Charlie Costopoulos noted that a specific family in the Delta community that is battling cancer is the family of Clayton Abila, a senior at

Photo by Randy Sunderland

The “Panthers” team of Nathan Workman, Felipe Bedoy, Alexis Fausto, Caleb Miramontes, Hunter Hughes and Sean Horn was undefeated in dodgeball play. DHS. He was diagnosed with cancer in May 2018, and the school plans to use a portion of the money raised to grant Abila’s wish to travel to the Bahamas with his family this summer. To date, the school

has raised $2,700, which includes proceeds from the communitywide dodgeball tournament. “It was an exciting turnout and show of support from our greater Delta family!” Magtutu said. “We were thrilled to have participation from Montrose and Olathe youth and family teams as well. With the level of fun and teams that showed up last week, we hope to make the Wish Week Community Dodge-

ball Tournament an annual celebration of life, community and our youth. Special thanks to Reagan Clay for her vision and organization, to Eric Duncan and Kristen Alsdorf of Delta Christian Church for their help and to all our great teams! Any person or business wanting to sponsor with DHS student council for this annual community event should contact Shawna. magtutu@deltaschools. com.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

The “ColeBugs,” honoring the memory of Cole Lahoe, earned a sunshine award for its positive attitude.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

The team from Bill Heddles Recreation Center earned special honors for matching team T-shirts and baseball caps.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

The Dodge Moms chose aprons for its “uniforms.”

Photo by Randy Sunderland

The Delta Police Department was the recipient of an “old farts” award.

Photo by Randy Sunderland

Dodgeball is fun for all ages, as evidenced by this team calling itself the Broncos.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Delta County Independent

DCMH Foundation awards scholarships for continued education of employees The DCMH Foundation awards continuing educational scholarships to Jilleisa Jezak, registered dietitian, and Melissa Chapple, registered respiratory thera-

Jill Jezak

pist to gain additional certifications. Both Delta County Memorial Hospital employees are pursuing certifications that will allow them to be educators for their patients and for the community. Jill Jezak, RD, is studying to become a certified diabetes educator (CDE). The most recent statistics show that in Delta County alone, 7.6 percent of the community has been diagnosed with diabetes. “By becoming a CDE, my knowledge of diabetes management and prevention would increase significantly, allowing me to provide the highest quality of care to our patients,” Jezak said.

Melissa Chapple, RRT has been with Delta County Memorial Hospital for several years and she is now seeking her certification as an asthma educator. Chapple said,

Melissa Chapple

Tips for keeping your home warm and efficient this winter January, February and March are some of the coldest, snowiest and wettest months in Colorado. Temperatures will fluctuate into the low teens, single digits and even below zero over the next few weeks. LEAP, the lowincome energy assistance program, wants to share some helpful tips on how you can keep your home nice and toasty without dropping big bucks on a heating bill. 1. Run fans in reverse. Ceiling fans don’t just help to keep you cool. In fact, by running the fan clockwise you can force the warmer air near the ceiling down, warming the room and cutting your heating costs nearly 10 percent. 2. Lower the hot water temperature. By lowering your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or less, you can cut your water heating costs by 6 to 10 percent, while also reducing the risk of getting burned. 3. Reduce drafts. Cold drafts can potentially waste up to 30 percent of your energy use. By placing a rolled bath towel under the door, you can

Register for blood draws at health fairs Avoid the long lines and register for blood draws at the health fairs to be held March 13, 14 and 15. Online registration is available through the hospital’s website, www. deltahospital.org. The health fairs will be held Wednesday, March 13, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the tech college campus in Paonia; Thursday, March 14, 6:30 to 11 a.m. at Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta; and Friay, March 15, 6:30 to 10 a.m. at the Civic Center in Cedaredge. In addition to blood draws, free blood pressure screenings will be provided at the health fairs. The health fair in Delta on March 14 will also have health-related services and exhibitors at Bill Heddles Recreation Center. Lions clubs in Delta, Cedaredge and Paonia, and DCMH Volunteers will be partnering with Delta County Memorial Hospital to present this annual event. There are no price increases for any of the blood work this year. Fasting for 12 hours is required for all health screens requiring blood draws. Drink plenty of water, one cup of coffee is permitted, and take medications as usual. For the fourth year, Quest Diagnostics will be providing the health screen results in a booklet format to help health fair participants easily understand the meaning of each of the health screen results.

trap in the heat and keep the cold air out. There are also several products available to temporarily seal windows to reduce heat loss through singlepane windows. 4. Replace the filters. For as little as $10 you can replace your central air and heating system filters, resulting in improved efficiency and longevity. Use thick curtains to prevent heat loss through the windows. Curtains with a thermal lining are relatively inexpensive and can retain heat, reducing heat loss up to 10 percent according to the U.S. Department of Energy. However, it’s also beneficial to let sunlight in to naturally warm your home. So, whenever the sun fails to make an appearance in the winter keep those curtains closed. 5. Hardwood floors are a common theme in homes nowadays, but carpet is actually a better option for preventing heat from escaping. Floors account for as much as 10 percent of heat loss. If you have wood floors with gaps and cracks it’ll be beneficial to fill those in. You may also want to use more rugs and blankets to cover the floor and keep your feet warmer in the winter. 6. Lower the thermostat. Make it a habit to lower the heat when you leave your home. Be mindful of the energy you are using when nobody is home. Most households spend 50 to 70 percent of their energy budgets on heating and cooling. So, for every degree that you lower your thermostat when you aren’t there you can save one to three

percent on your heating bill. 7. Chimneys are also a common place for the outflow of heat. If the chimney is never in use, consider getting it capped by a professional. Otherwise, a removable chimney balloon may be used to prevent excessive heat loss when you don’t have a fire burning. 8. Remove window A/C units: Cool air can sneak through the cracks on any window A/C units. Also, be sure to caulk any gaps or cracks you may have in your windows, doors or walls that may be letting cold air in. For more information on how LEAP can help you during the winter season, visit https://www. colorado.gov/cdhs/leap or call HEAT HELP (1-866432-8435).

“I am passionate about the breathing needs of my patients that I am so lucky to care for. I am excited to bring this knowledge and enthusiasm into the community and know that I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those suffering from asthma.” The DCMH Foundation believes the education these certifications provide will benefit patients of Delta County Memorial Hospital and the entire community. Scholarships are made possible through donations made to the DCMH Foundation. Every donation, whether it’s $10 or $10,000 allows the DCMH Foundation to continue its mission and support continued education scholarships and programs that enhance the well-being of Delta County communities. “The hospital foundation’s generosity and continued support is paramount to the community and hospital. The role it plays is a pivotal one in the continued success in providing educational opportunities to increase the skill set of employees and helping in the funding of numerous hospital projects benefiting the community as a whole,” Jacque Davis, marketing director, said. For more information about the DCMH Foundation or to make a donation, please visit dcmh foundation.org or call 399-2610.

Check out the DCI Print Shop. Call Randy Crespin at 874-4421.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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Email ads to: ads@deltacountyindependent.com

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A8 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Delta County Independent

Nursing scholarships awarded to TCR students Technical College of the Rockies hosts a scholarship luncheon for its practical nursing students annually. This year through communitysponsored organizations, 26 scholarships were awarded to TCR practical nursing students, for

a total of $15,500. • The Delta Rotary Club was represented by David Torgler, president, Ed Sisson and Herbert Grigat. They awarded four scholarships of $1,000 each to Stephanie Belvill, Breanna Luce, Clover Markert and Eric

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Sanchez. • Barclay/Davis Nursing Excellence Award was presented by Shari Barclay and Judy Davis. This scholarship went to Lauren Fritzler in the amount of $500. This scholarship is awarded to a student with high academic standing in the program. Donations may be made to this scholarship through TCR at any time. • Horizons Care Center was unable to attend. Tony Bowling, TCR financial director and Cathy Hartt, director of nursing, together presented 11 scholarships. Ann Bailey received a scholarship for $1,000. Anameka Rutter, Rebecca Doll, Lauren Fritzler, Clover Markert, Iain Busby, Johnna Fachelle, Kylie Winn, Stephanie Belvill, Breanna Luce and Eric Sanchez were each presented with scholarships of $400. • Beta Sigma Phi of Montrose was represented by Joan Pride and Ruth Heath. They honored both Ann Bailey and Iain Busby with $500 each. These scholarships come from the sale of the organization’s annual pecan sales. • North Fork Valley Rotary Club was represented by Tony Bowling. On behalf of Felix Belmont, he honored Johnna Fachelle with a $1,000 scholarship. Fachelle is a longtime resident of the North Fork Valley. • Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1235 was represented by Clarence Mansker and Tom Rowan who awarded two students, Anameka Rutter and Rebecca Doll with $500 each. • Rob Turner, president of the Bank of Colorado, was unable to attend. Cathy Hartt, nursing director, awarded the bank’s $500 scholarship to Anameka Rutter. Three memorial scholarships were also awarded to nursing students. • The Alice Penick Memorial Nursing Scholarship was presented by the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) BK Chapter of Delta. Ann Renfrow, Susan Triebwasser, Carol Phelps and Birdie Young honored Stephanie Belvill with $500. • The Katie Jo Park Memorial Nursing Scholarship was represented

by Jessica Carlson and Donna Park. Miriam Gonzalez was awarded $1,000. Park was a graduate of the practical nursing program in 1999. She went on to get her RN and worked in the renal unit of Memorial Hospi-

tal in Colorado Springs for 15 years. • The Kelly Williams Memorial Scholarship. Jeanne Nortrup was present to present the scholarship on behalf of herself and Sherrey Williams of Northern Cali-

fornia. Kylie Winn and Anameka Rutter each received $500. The nursing staff and students at TCR would like to thank the community for their generosity and support.

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Beta Sigma Phi representatives Joan Pride and Ruth Heath presented $500 scholarships to Ann Bailey and Iain Busby.

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Horizons Care Center awarded 11 scholarships to practical nursing students at the Technical College of the Rockies.

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Clarence Mansker and Tom Rowan awarded Elks scholarships to Anameka Rutter and Rebecca Doll.

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Jessica Carlson and Donna Park presented the Katie Jo Park Memorial Nursing Scholarship to MIriam Gonzalez (center).

Scholarships provided for careers in health care Delta County Memorial Hospital Volunteers will be awarding $1,000 scholarships to 2019 graduates of Delta County high schools who are continuing their education in any area of health care. Applications are available from school counselors. Completed applications should be mailed to: DCMH Volunteer Scholarships, Attn. Education Department, PO Box 10100, Delta, CO 81416. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on April 19. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to a hospital Junior Volunteer. All funding for ths scholarships comes from the

operation of the hospital gift shop by the volunteer organization. For more information, contact Jacque Davis, marketing director, at 874-2291 or jadavis@ deltahospital.org.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Makayla Mills of Delta was named to the Vice President’s Honor Roll at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyo. Students receiving Vice President’s Honor Roll recognition have earned a cumulative 3.53.74 GPA.

Delta County Independent

ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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BY STACEY RYAN Valley Symphony Association

and many more. She resides in Grand Junction and serves as the artistic director of the Paonia Blue Sage Center for the Arts, where she created and directs their comprehensive and successful year-round concert series program. “Amadeus” is considered one of the best films of all time and a cinematic work of art. It was based on an award-winning, avant-garde stage play by the same name. The concert program will include references to these mixed media along with outside reviews and articles. The piece that opens the film opens the concert, and it ends, as does the film, with the concerto performed by Ellinger. “Being familiar with the movie will serve to heighten our audience’s experience during the concert, so we encourage you to make a day of it,” VSA board member Pris-

cilla Fry said. The free screening is open to the general public and starts at 9:15 a.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. (The film is rated R.) “Our hope is that our performance provides an elevated appreciation for Mozart and encourages people to enjoy the film and all the nuanced elements and questions it brings to life,” Fry said. “Many consider Mozart to be the ‘world’s

first rock star,’” Fry said. “With that teaser and student tickets (age 17 and under) at just $5, we encourage kids to enjoy lunch in town and our 3 p.m. concert for a fun outing.” An artist’s reception with light appetizers and a cash bar will immediately follow the performance. “This after-party provides the audience the opportunity to meet the guest artist as well as VSA orchestra, chorus, and board members,” Fry said. “And with adult tickets at $17 (seniors are $16), you can make an entire day of it by attending the free movie screening in the morning.” For information and tickets, visit Facebook @ValleySymphony Association or Valley Symphony.net. Tickets are also available in Delta at Clubb’s, in Montrose at Montrose Music and the Montrose Pavilion, and at the door on event days.

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The Valley Symphony Association (VSA) presents, “The Music of Mozart: Selections from ‘Amadeus,’” on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion. The VSA is an all-volunteer performing arts organization in its 48th season. Its winter orchestra concert features selections from the award-winning 1984 film, “Amadeus,” an opulent tale and fictionalized biography of Mozart. The public is welcome to attend a free screening of the film the morning of the concert. The VSA welcomes back soloist Susan Ellinger, who will perform her piano artistry on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, which plays over the film’s closing credits. “Mozart’s Concerto in D Minor is an incredibly dramatic and exciting work that I’m very excited to perform with the VSA,” Ellinger said. “This concerto is ... a very virtuosic and pianistic work that audiences love.” Praised for her “refined, poised and singular” vision, Ellinger has performed extensively as both a soloist and chamber musician, presenting recitals at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Auditorium, Tanglewood Music Festival, the Taos School of Music,

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It’s time for Pea Green Saturday Night

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Come to the Pea Green Community Center to hear an evening of oldtime and bluegrass music and humor on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 7-9:30 p.m. This month Pea Green Saturday Night will pres-

Susan Ellinger

Historic preservation in 3D On Feb. 20 the Colorado Archaeological Society presents Casey Dukeman discussing the use of 3D camera-based photogrammetry and drones to research archaeological features and create fascinating models of sites and settings. He will present innovations in use of digital photogrammetry and

ent The Last Spike and Gotta Be, along with the comedy duo, the Pea Green Brothers. Food, beverages and the famous “I’m a Pea Greener” lapel pin will be available. All of this is just one saw-

“Structure from Motion” technology to locate, document, and preserve cultural sites with examples from all around western Colorado. Dukeman is an archaeologist and technology manager with Alpine Archaeology of Montrose and past guest lecturer at Western State Univer-

buck ($10) at the door. So swing by and listen to some of our own local music and visit with the most neighborly folk this side of the Great Divide. The community center is located at the intersection of Hwy. 348 and

sity in Gunnison. He has 25 years of experience working in the archaeology of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as teaching at both grade school and college levels. The talk will be 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Montrose United Methodist Church, 19 S. Park Street. The public is invited; admission is free.

Banner Road, southwest of Delta. Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is limited. Some people bring a snack to share and you can do likewise if you want to.

Midwest tour brings Jersey Tenors to Delta The Jersey Tenors are on tour in the midwest and will appear in Delta on Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Performing Arts Center, 822 Grand Avenue under the sponsorship of the Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association. The concert begins at 7 p.m. The Jersey Tenors are a rock/opera mashup sensation that creates an explosive blend of the most popular opera classics alongside such rock ‘n roll greats as Queen, Journey, Elton John and Billy Joel to name a few. BUT — they are also “Jersey Proud” and do not forget where they came from as they highlight some of Jersey’s finest, including Frankie Valli, Frank Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Kool and the Gang and even Whitney Houston! Every member of this quartet has Broadway credits, including the leader, Brian Noonan who spent 17 years performing in such shows as “Les Miserables,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Noonan is joined by Danny Calvert, Cam-

eron Johnson and Vaden Thurgood. Noonan and Johnson lead the operatic selections, while Calvert and Thurgood bring their rock ‘n roll chops to the performance. All four are classically trained and the quartet has found a sound that really works, producing the exact blend to share their musical experiences on the stage each night. The Jersey Tenors grew out of a Frankie Valli tribute band and the Unexpected Surfer Boys, who performed a very successful 38-concert tour in the 2013-2014 season. These four charming guys will raise the roof with their powerful voices and will have you singing along before you know it. From Frank Sinatra to Frankie Valli to Figaro — they do it and you’ll love it! Everything from their beautiful voices, perfect harmonies, engaging humor and elegant costumes. Single admission and season tickets will be on sale at the door, which opens at 6 p.m. For further information, contact Bob Brown, 835-4480.

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Gotta Be

Let the good times roll Did you know that the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club’s Olathe unit visits Colorow Care Center every Wednesday? It is on these days that the elders from Colorow and the club kids get to interact, learn from each other, and enjoy each other’s company. In honor of that thriving partnership, the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) and Colorow are throwing a Fat Tuesday fundraising celebration! Join the two non-profits on Tuesday, March 5, at the Montrose

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Pavilion at 6 p.m. for a creole feast, live jazz band, photo booth, silent auction and more. All proceeds will benefit the continued programming partnership between Colorow and the BCBGC. So grab your Mardi Gras beads and head out for a festive evening. Tickets are $50 and are available online at www.bcbgc.org/events, at Colorow Care Center at 885 S. Highway 50 Business Loop in Olathe or at the BCBGC Montrose Unit at 2900 Sunnyside Road in Montrose.

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A10 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

BUSINESS

Delta County Independent

Chamber members celebrate ‘Viva Las Vegas’ like to recognize Dawn Standish as our distinguished board member. On Feb. 12 Delta Area We present these flowChamber of Commerce ers to Dawn Standish for threw its annual banquet her willingness to always at the Delta Elks Lodge. be present at chamber The event started at 6 events and to go above p.m. with music, Vegas and beyond to the chamgames, a cash bar and ber’s benefit. She has been catering by Needle Rock instrumental in the organization of the Deltarado Days Rodeo for a number of years and we could not do it without her.” Stockwell continued, “I would also like to introduce Portia Vigil. As many may know, Portia has been the chamber board of directors president over the last year. We could not have asked for better leadership and in light of all of her contributions to the chamber we would like to present these flowers to her in recognition of a job well Representatives of Vision Charter Academy accept done.” the award for Nonproﬁt of the Year. Vigil gave a brief

BY KAYLEE DUNHAM Contributing Writer

Brewing Company and Daveto’s. Paul Stockwell, executive director of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the event by presenting flowers to Dawn Standish and Portia Vigil. “At this time I would

speech recognizing the importance of the chamber of commerce in the growth of the community. She also gave the stats of the number of people and vendors at each of the chamber’s 2018 events. The chamber hosted the Spring Expo, Downtown Deltafest, Deltarado Days and Parade of Lights. The chamber ambassadors facilitated Dancing with the Stars. “Two business who were top notch last year and participated in events or put forth sponsorship was were JC Propane and Y Bar Hitch,” Vigil said. “JC Propane continually shows support and interest in our community events and growth. Y Bar Hitch works tirelessly at every event requested to bring their unique carriage ride.” She concluded by stating that at the end of

the year the chamber of commerce gained 20 new members for a total of 297 chamber members. Then Fred Carson was invited to the stage by Portia as the new chamber board president. Carson introduced the 2019 chamber board members — Jessica Good, vice president; Susan Welk-Valdez, treasurer; Dawn Standish, director; Cecilia Tafoya, director; Mariah Emond, director; Bonnie Mitchell, director; Kyle Alward, director; and Portia Vigil, director/ outgoing president. Award winners were then announced: Business of the Year — First Colorado Nation-

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After the awards were given out, everyone was invited to continue playing games, eating and drinking. DJ Tony Zane encouraged everyone to get up on stage and sing. Throughout the course of the evening raffle tickets were drawn. The event lasted until 11 p.m. and was considered a huge success.

Fly tyers to gather

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al Bank. New Business of the Year — Needle Rock Brewing Company. Nonprofit of the Year — Vision Charter Academy. Volunteer of the Year — Mary Pfalzgraff. Educator of the Year — Willyn Webb.

Photo by Kaylee Dunham

Fred Carson is now president of the board of directors of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce.

A “change of pace” for Gunnison Gorge Anglers Thirsty Thursday Tyers Table. Tyler Morris will demonstrate an assortment of his Grand Mesa flies, followed by an opportunity to tye his favorite fly, the Mountain Midge. All experience levels, and non-tyers are welcome Thursday, Feb. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. at 2 Rascals Brewing Company in Montrose.

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In keeping with the theme, “Viva Las Vegas,” casino games kept banquet attendees entertained.

NORTH FORK February 20, 2019

TIMES

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Water leak leaves customers high and dry Leak triggered state to issue order for Paonia water customers to boil water before use BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has placed the Town of Paonia under an emergency boil-water order. Under the order, all town water customers should bring water drawn from the system to a rolling boil for a full minute prior to using for cooking, drinking or brushing teeth. The boil order will remain in effect until lifted by the CDPHE. At about 1 a.m. Monday, also President’s Day, Public Works Director Travis Loberg was awaken by alarms from the town’s two-million gallon Lamborn water treatment plant, said town administrator Ken Knight. Due to the break, which the town had yet to locate on Tuesday morning, the tank had drained and was registering a negative fill level, triggering the boil-water order by the CDPHE. The town immediately posted a Code Red notice and boil order on its website and on Facebook page, Delta County issued a CODE RED emergency alert to all telephone landlines and registered cell phones, and the Paonia Police Department began going door to door to inform water users of the boil order. A loss of pressure in the delivery system caused by a break increases the risk of untreated water and harmful microbes including bacteria, viruses and parasites entering into the system, according to the CDPHE. Anyone experiencing symptoms including nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches may want to seek medical advice. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly may be at increased risk. The leak occurred as the town Public Works Department was bringing its one-million gallon Clock water treatment plant back online. By Tuesday morning, the plant was delivering water to seven of 10 delivery zones, including most of Paonia proper. That water must also be boiled until the state lifts the boil order. While they don’t know when or where the leak occurred, by the time Loberg arrived at the plant, the tank was completely drained. To find the leak, said Knight, requires charging the system zone by zone to isolate its location. Town employees are working

around the clock to isolate the leak, said Knight. Updates will be posted regularly on the town website, www.townof paonia.com, and on the “Town of Paonia, Colorado” Facebook page. All town water users were without water throughout Monday. With no indication of how long the outage or boil order would last, by Monday afternoon, Don’s Market in Paonia and City Market in Hotchkiss had sold out of 1- and 1.5-gallon bottles of water and people were driving to Delta for more. Brad Holt with Don’s Market said on Monday that their supplier in Salt Lake City would deliver a semi trailer of bottled water. Shelves were restocked by Tuesday morning. As long as the town is under a boil order, said Holt, Don’s will do all it can to keep its shelves stocked with bottled water. The Town of Paonia purchased most of the water and took it to Town Hall. Until the boil order is lifted, bottled water will be available for free. Those bringing their own containers can fill them from a water truck located in the public parking lot behind Town Hall, or can fill them with non-potable water for flushing toilets. Delta County schools are on break this week. Paonia High School district basketball games scheduled for Monday and Tuesday were held at Delta and Hotchkiss high schools. The school district is in contact with the town several times a day. If the situation is not resolved when school resumes on Feb. 25, classes in Paonia will be held for two hours a day until the boil order is lifted. The district will provide bottled water as needed. No water in the lines also means that no water is getting to fire hydrants. For the Paonia Volunteer Fire Department, “It’s a concern,” said Fire Chief Mike Byers on Monday. But they can still fight fires. The department has the ability to draft water from ponds and streams for fighting fires. They also have three full tankers ready to go at all times. The Hotchkiss Fire District also has three tankers at the ready and is willing to help, said Byers. “We’ll have a pretty good supply of water to start an attack.” Hotchkiss can also assist in shuttling tankers to and from the nearest water source, said Byers. While structure fires aren’t common in this area, people should always take precautions in preventing them, said Byers, “but be extra careful.” Knight said that once the damaged line is located and repairs are made, the system can be re-charged and service

Photo by Tamie Meck

Within hours of hearing Monday morning that the town was under a water boil order by the Colorado health department due to a leak in the water delivery system, most of the bottled water at Don’s Market had been sold. Shelves were restocked the next day, and the store will do all it can to keep bottled water in stock. The state will keep the boil order in effect for at least seven more days from today (Feb. 20). restored. While the town will recharge the system slowly, air in the system may result in some noises or banging when taps are opened and

toilets flushed. “We don’t anticipate any problems,” said Knight. Once the system is fully operational, the town will be

required to do several rounds of testing before the state lifts the boil order. “That will take a minimum of seven days,” said Knight.

Doc Vincent’s retirement will be felt by pet owners BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

What will we do without Doc Vincent? For almost 40 years, Norman “Doc” Vincent has been a blessing and an invaluable asset for pet owners in the North Fork Valley and beyond. Through his practice, the North Fork Veterinary Clinic, he’s given kittens and puppies their first shots, spayed and neutered countless animals, mended broken bones, treated infections and illnesses and ushered beloved pets on their final journey at life’s end. In treating all creatures great and small, he’s given advice on diet and exercise and daily care, and provided needed comfort and relief to grieving and stressed pet owners. He’s been reliable, professional and affordable. On Thursday, Feb. 28, Vincent will close his practice for good. Because he is the only veterinarian in the immediate Paonia area, the effects of his impending retirement are being felt throughout the valley. “It’s going to have a huge impact on us,” said Erica Howard, board president of Citizens For Animal Welfare and Shelter (CAWS). During the years CAWS ran its ani-

Photo by Tamie Meck

Norman ‘Doc’ Vincent poses with Morgan, a 5-year-old black lab mix that was at the North Fork Veterinary Clinic in Paonia recently for his physical. After more than 40 years, Vincent will retire on Thursday, Feb. 28. While Vincent is the only vet in Paonia, until another clinic opens, other practices throughout Delta County offer a variety of veterinary services. mal shelter, “He was a huge supporter.” Vincent helped CAWS maintain its policy of spaying and neutering animals and making sure the dogs and cats were current on their vaccinations prior to adopting them out. He also treated shelter animals for illness and infection. He went beyond helping the shelter, spaying feral cats and helping with sick and injured animals. And he was affordable, said Howard. “He always

worked with us. It didn’t matter what happened, he always managed to fit us in.” CAWS will open a new cat shelter in Paonia this spring. By law, shelters must have an assigned veterinarian, said Howard. While Vincent is helping CAWS through its licensing procedures, the nonprofit is considering its options as his retirement nears, and keeping its collective fingers crossed that another vet will DOC VINCENT TO B2

Paonia chamber seeks submissions for ‘Doc Vincent’ scrapbook BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Flock of starlings

Photo by Tamie Meck

As evening shadows fall last Saturday evening, a ﬂock of starlings dashes across the sky looking toward Hotchkiss and the Needle Rock and the Crawford area from the east end of Rogers Mesa.

In place of its annual February business/awards meeting, the Paonia Chamber of Commerce will host a community-wide potluck celebration this spring to honor retiring veterinarian, Norman “Doc” Vincent. Vincent, who has cared for the area’s pets for more than 40 years, is retiring effective Feb. 28. The chamber is asking the community to contribute to a community scrapbook, to give to Doc at the celebration. Potential contributors are asked to write their best Doc Vincent anecdotes, messages and memories on an 8-1/2 by 11-inch sheet of paper. Photos

can also be attached to the paper. Scrapbook pages and guidelines are available at First Colorado National Bank, 133 Grand Avenue; submissions can be dropped off at the bank no later than March 8, or at North Fork Veterinary Clinic through Feb. 28, and should include name, address and contact information with submission. High Country Printing and Graphics will print copies of the original scrapbook, which would be available for purchase. An account has also been established at First Colorado National Bank for those wishing to give a monetary donation to help Doc thoroughly enjoy his retirement.

B2 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Doc Vincent FROM PAGE B1 move into the area soon. With no local veterinarian, animals will have to go to Delta or Cedaredge for care. “We need to find someone as local as possible,” said Howard. The Paonia Police Department is also scrambling to replace the services related to stray and unregistered dogs, vicious animals, dog bites, and sheltering of animals provided by Vincent, said Police Chief Neil Ferguson. Because the department is required by law to take unregistered animals to an area shelter, Ferguson said he’s looking into utilizing other shelters in Delta County. While that would solve the problem of where to take animals, a single trip “puts the officer out of the area for almost four hours.” That extra time and travel costs money. The police department is currently updating its schedule of fines

and fees. Those related to animals running at large, vicious animals and other animal-related infractions will increase, said Ferguson. The town urges dog owners to invest five dollars and register their animals at Town Hall. If dogs are impounded, owners must cover impounding costs, licensing, food and water, and veterinary services before taking their pet home. “If we know who the dog belongs to, we will take it home,” said Ferguson. “That’s why people should get their dogs registered.” Pet owners are also urged to keep dogs current on vaccinations. Animal bites, by law, require a 10-day quarantine at the owner’s expense. In addition, owners of animals not current on shots can receive a court summons, pay a maximum fine of $2,650, or spend up to a year in jail. The Paonia Chamber of Commerce is honor-

ing Vincent as its Person of the Year (see related story). In addition to providing excellent care, “For over three decades he’s been a selfless vet for all of our dogs and cats — never charging enough,” said chamber representative Betsy Marston. “We know how amazingly low his rates are, because when friends visit from Denver or elsewhere, they’re envious and amazed. “Many of us are indebted to him for keeping our pets healthy and alive for what seems far longer than their usual life span. He is nothing less than a master veterinarian.” Until another veterinarian decides to open a practice in rural Paonia, Delta County has several options for pet care. The Yellow Pages list a dozen veterinarian and animal hospitals in Delta County. The closest to Paonia include the Animal Doc-

tor on Powell Mesa, and Houseweart Veterinary Clinic on Rogers Mesa. Bill and Betty Houseweart have specialized primarily in the care of dogs and cats for 51 years. Rumors that they are retiring are just that, said Betty Houseweart. “We’re going to keep doing this as long as our health allows us to. We enjoy what we’re doing.” Among the other vets in the county, Dr. Clark Martin, DVM, took over the Best Friends Animal Hospital practice in Eckert 19 years ago. Clark and his staff — Jodey, Kiffany and Raven — provide a wide range of services for animals only, mostly dogs and cats, and are taking new clients. Dr. Allan Dorr opened his Dorr Veterinary Hospital practice in Delta in 1987. They specialize in a wide range of small animal and equine services, and offer boarding for dogs and cats. Dr. Natalie O’Regan

� � � � � � � � � � ��

PAO N I A 133 Grand Ave. Paonia, CO 81428 (970) 527-4141

D E LTA 150 Gunnison River Dr. Delta, CO 81416 (970) 874-0100

recently took over Grand Mesa Veterinary Hospital at 1534 N. Highway 50 in Delta following the retirement Dr. Dick Steele after more than 30 years of operation. The practice treats large animals — cattle, sheep,

Photo submitted

Exceptional Eagles

On Feb. 15 the pictured Paonia Elementary School students were recognized for demonstrating SOAR behavior. From left to right the students are Mason Smith nominated for achievement and Sela Pabst nominated for respect. Paonia Elementary School provides a SAFE and ORDERLY environment that promotes high ACHIEVEMENT and growth, individuality and RESPECT. Way to SOAR students!

TDS challenges Elevate grant award Elevate received good news this month from Colorado’s Broadband Board — it was awarded more than $4 million in grants to build fiber and provide high-speed internet in rural areas near Crawford, Hotchkiss, Delta and Montrose. But, that good news was tempered when TDS, the longtime internet, phone and TV provider in Delta County, appealed the decision. In 2017, Elevate

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goats and horses — and cats and dogs. They also offer discounts to military members and veterans and law enforcement K9 and search and rescue animals. Dr. Steele’s Cedaredge practice is closed.

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received at $2.6 million grant from this same fund and was successful in beating a similar TDS appeal. State law allows for incumbent providers, like TDS, to challenge the grant awards and stake their own claim to the funds. TDS alleges that a portion of the areas DMEA was awarded funds for are already served with high-speed internet. In addition, it also asserts it is planning to improve service to many of the homes around Crawford and Hotchkiss and Elevate’s project would be unnecessary. “We send our sincere thanks to the broadband board for recognizing the need for better internet in our communities. But, we know these grants don’t come without a fight. Just like last year, TDS has appealed our award, asserting that the homes and businesses in our grant zones can already get high-speed internet. We know that’s not true,” said Kent Blackwell, Elevate and DMEA chief technology officer. Elevate is reaching out to members living within the specific grant zones asking for public comment to support their case. Specifically, members are asked to test their current internet speed at speedtest. net record that speed and compare it to the speed their carrier claims to provide. “TDS is making bold statements about the speeds they provide, particularly in the Crawford area. We’ve heard a different story from our members, and it’s that story that the state broadband board needs to hear now. I encourage anyone who receives a message from Elevate to participate, because community input is vital to the success of our efforts,” urged Blackwell. Elevate has until Tuesday, Feb. 19, to file a rebuttal. In the meantime, all zones within the grant application are in a holding pattern, and it estimated that it will take several months to clear all the hurdles.

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IN THE NEWS Evelyn McArtor, a psychology major from Crawford, has been named to the Dean’s List at Upper Iowa University for the 2018 fall semester. To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 grade point average for the semester.

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

No easy fix for Paonia potholes To state the obvious, potholes in Paonia are a problem this winter. A small child fell in This year’s snow and Played in China until rain, combined with spring freeze-thaw cycles, “is Paonia potholes — Teresa Shishim the worst possible recipe

BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

Photo by Tamie Meck

A pickup tire splashes into a pothole at the intersection of Second Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Paonia. The continuing freeze-thaw cycle, combined with wet winter weather and poor surface conditions, are resulting in a high number of pesky potholes while making it impossible to repair them.

for potholes,” said Paonia town administrator Ken Knight. “This has been a really, really bad year for freeze-thaw cycles. If it would stay cold, it would be better.” Fixing the problem isn’t as simple as some might think. To fix a pothole requires that it be dry, cleaned of debris, and ideally, cut straight along the edges. It’s then filled with a base and hot mix, which will last until the next wet freeze-dry cycle, said Knight. But as long as the rain-snowfreeze-thaw cycle conditions continue, “Simply put, there is no binder to work in these conditions.” To curb the problem, in recent days the town’s Public Works Department has been filling and compacting sand in some of the worst chuckholes. But those interim measures will last one or two weeks at best, said Knight. Until the ground dries and the weather warms, drivers are urged to take it slow on all roads and highways, because potholes are more than just

Space to Create survey presentation set for Feb. 27 BY TAMIE MECK Staff Writer

A community meeting to present the results of the Space to Create Paonia Arts Market Survey will be held from 6:308 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Paonia Town Hall. Paonia is the third Colorado community chosen for participation. Space to Create (S2C), a statedriven initiative to create affordable housing for creative-sector workers. S2C Paonia is a partnership between the Town of Paonia, the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition and Paonia Creative District, with funding and support by the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and others. Last fall, more than 400 individuals completed the survey, which was designed to help assess the local need and potential for developing affordable live and work space for the creative sector. It collected data from both the creative sector and secondary information from non-creatives wanting to support the initia-

tive. The data supports creation of up to 17 affordable housing units, 10 units of private studio space, and shared creative spaces such as a shared performing arts space and gallery/exhibition space. Representatives of Minnesota-based ArtSpace, the technical consultants chosen by S2C for determining feasibility, will give a roughly half-hour PowerPoint presentation outlining the results of the survey. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session. ArtSpace was chosen by CCI for the Space to Create Paonia initiative for their expertise in the field of developing housing and work space for artists and for the many studies they have done, said Creative Coalition board president Susie Kaldis Lowe. “We’re really encouraged for the statistics and findings in the report. The numbers in the survey indicate there is enough interest to move forward.” The S2C initiative “is

Blue Sage lists February events Come check out the March gallery exhibit “Fiber,” during the Final Friday Frolics Feb. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Blue Sage in Paonia. There will be a meetand-greet with the artists. Stop in or contact us at info@bluesage.org or 970-527-7243 for more information. Immediately following the exhibit opening, the Blue Sage will host open mic night. Get your music, poem, dance, etc. ready and come in from

7-9 p.m. Feb. 22. Sign up to reserve a stop: info@bluesage.org or 970527-7243, or stop in at the Sage. A Mardi Gras “Fat Tuesday on Saturday” will take place Feb. 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Beta Sigma Phi’s “Tools 4 Schools” fundraiser benefits North Fork Valley kids in need. Food, music, contests and more are planned. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door). Call 526-4585 for more information.

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potentially a way the town may grow,” said town administrator Ken Knight. For those with concerns over the rising cost of rentals in the area or where and how future growth may occur, “This meeting might be of interest.”

Paonia’s problem. According the AAA Colorado, pothole damage costs U.S. drivers $3 billion annually. In Paonia, Knight said, some of the worst potholes are located along Third Street and Samuel Wade Road near the Samuel Wade Bridge and Paonia Library, at the main downtown intersections, and along Third Street from Grand to Minnesota avenues. Third Street was torn up in 2017 during the water delivery system improvement project, and patched over until the town can afford to properly pave it. When streets are patched, said Knight, water seeps into the cracks in the patches and the freeze-thaw cycle exacerbates the problem.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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B4 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

NORTH FORK TIMES

Delta County Independent

Author shares ag tales with historical society welcomed all while downhome music played in the background, provided by Rod and Arlene Porteus. The election of officers was a straightforward affair, with no changes in the present configuration. The Historical Society officers are: President, Karen Lacey; Vice-President, Marilyn Tate; Secretary, Kathy McKee; Treasurer, Karen Martin; Corresponding Secretary, Inez Pottorff; Membership, Karen Lacey; Docent Coordinator, Nancy Phillips; Historian, Marilyn Tate; Curators, Nancy Phillips and Kathy McKee. Karen Lacey made a plea for volunteer sitters at the museum, a position requiring minimum previous experience or expertise. She then offered a heartfelt thank-you for the hard work of volunteers Nancy Phillips and Chuck Sheldon. Lacey mentioned the upcoming Quilt Show on Saturday, Mar. 15-17 at Heritage Hall in Hotchkiss, presented by S&B Quilters. Lacey referred to several new displays at the museum, including a collection of vintage photos from Somerset, when

BY ROBBIE WINNE Staff Writer

About 60 local history enthusiasts and members of the HotchkissCrawford Historical Society showed up at Memorial Hall on Sunday, Feb. 17 for the society’s 44th annual meeting. A spread of sweet treats and refreshments

Photo by Robbie Winne

Author and columnist Robert Silbernagel was the keynote speaker for the annual meeting of the Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Society. He talked about early agriculture on the Colorado Plateau. After the meeting he took time to sign copies of his book, “Historic Adventures on the Colorado Plateau.”

it was a thriving mining town, and an antique gun collection donated by John Hotchkiss. She also updated the group on the ongoing scanning and filing project of historic Hotchkiss Herald and North Fork Times periodicals. The annual meeting speaker was Robert Silbernagel, who served as the editorial page editor for the Daily Sentinel newspaper for 19 years. He retired from the paper but continues to write a regional history column, as well as several books. He has written “Trouble Trails: The Meeker Affair and the Expulsion of Utes from Colorado” and “Dinosaur Stalkers: Tracking Dinosaur Discoveries of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.” He is also the author of numerous articles for periodicals. His newest publication is “Historic Adventures on the Colorado Plateau.” The title of this year’s presentation was, “Early Agriculture on the Colorado Plateau” and Silbernagel provided a thumbnail geological sketch of the conditions that created the 130,000 square mile region, a thick, hard

basaltic layer with younger sandstone formations atop. The erosion of the softer sandstone layer creates the canyons and fissures that characterize the region. This geologic makeup informs the difficulty of accessibility and the conditions that have governed agricultural development for thousands of years. Although the Colorado Plateau was one of the last major regions to see wheeled vehicles, the area has been inhabited and farmed for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of maize cultivation on the Plateau dates back 2,600 years, alongside beans and squash, the “three sisters” of early indigenous agriculture; three crops that worked together to enrich the soil as well as sustain the early native farmers. With the arrival in the mid to late 1800s of European settlers, the focus on agriculture included the arrival of cattle and then, later (and contentiously) sheep. Silbernagel refers to the high incidence of cattle rustling, a common and often murderous practice. By the 1890’s the conflict between cattle and sheep

development on the Colorado Plateau came from harnessing the developing irrigation systems to provide water for more intensive cultivation. Fruit orchards, sugar beets, barley and hops grew alongside corn, beans and squash and provided the foundation for the farming culture that continues to adapt to changing tastes and conditions on the Colorado Plateau.

led to the Range Wars, with violence the norm. In 1907 the Sheep Army retaliated by arriving with 20,000 head of sheep and hundreds of armed sheepherders. These conflicts led to government policing of open range. In 1934 the Taylor Grazing Act led to the development of the BLM, which controlled permits and allotments for the grazing of livestock. The next agricultural

Photo by Robbie Winne

Rod and Arlene Porteus provided musical entertainment during the annual meeting. Rod is playing a washtub bass.

Good Luck to our area Wrestlers at the

2A STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

Thursday, Friday and Saturday • February 21-23 at The Pepsi Center in Denver

PAONIA EAGLES (2A)

CEDAREDGE BRUINS (2A)

Reagan Todd - 113 lbs. Sackett Chesnik - 138 lbs. Carlos Lozano - 152 lbs. Grey Neal - 160 lbs. Anthony Felice - 195 lbs. Austyn Norris - 220 lbs. Levi Peterson - 285 lbs.

w o D m E ‘ e k Ta

HOTCHKISS BULLDOGS (2A)

Lane Hunsberger - 106 lbs. Trey Geyer - 120 lbs. Adrian Nieto - 126 lbs. Sean Dale - 132 lbs. AJ Robidoux - 138 lbs. Brian Hoerr - 145 lbs. Austin Crawford - 152 lbs. David Lopez - 160 lbs. Toby Waddell - 170 lbs. Brody Wagner - 182 lbs. Kaleb Berardi - 195 lbs. Taj Van der Linde - 220 lbs. Derek Sanchez - 285 lbs.

Landen Mayberry - 113 lbs. Robert Cochran - 120 lbs. Presley Pene - 126 lbs. Sergio Campos - 132 lbs. Traycer Hall - 138 lbs. JD Miller - 145 lbs. Jace Peebles - 170 lbs. Christian Matus - 285 lbs.

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OBITUARIES

Delta County Independent

Elena Melgoza

Elena Jutta Melgoza died peacefully at home Feb. 16, 2019. She was 17. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Delta. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Rev. Albeiro Herrera-Ciro officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Delta City Cemetery. Elena was born on March 17, 2001, in Gummersbach, Germany, to Ruben and Jutta Melgoza. She was raised in Delta and was a senior at Delta High School. Elena was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Delta. She

participated in the Delta High School Red Cross Club, St. Michael’s Youth Group and in her junior year in high school she was on the yearbook staff. She was interning at Delta Pediatrics. Elena was an artist and enjoyed painting, reading, playing tennis, trivia and her kitty, Charlie. She is survived by her parents, Ruben and Jutta Melgoza of Delta; her paternal grandmother, Aurora Melgoza of Delta; a brother, Dario Melgoza of Delta; two sisters, Alaisa Melgoza of Tecate, Mexico, and Asiala Melgoza of Wiehl, Germany; and a large extended family. Memorial contributions to help offset funeral expenses may be sent to Taylor Funeral Service, 682 1725 Rd., Delta, CO 81416. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

Daryl Iacovetto

Eckert resident Daryl Elvin Iacovetto died at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction on Feb. 15, 2019. He was 77. Services for Mr. Iacov-

etto will be held at a later date. Mr. Iacovetto is survived by his spouse, Joyce Iacovetto; son, Justin Iacovetto; three daughters, Darylene Iacovetto, Rhonda Wolfe and Selena Reed; brother, Gary (Sandi) Iacovetto; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Isal McAnelly

Isal Angel McAnelly (Isa Shields) died Feb. 17, 2019, at her home in Cedaredge. She was 94. She was born on April 9, 1924, in Delta to Leon and Edith (Starr) Angel. She attended Delta schools, graduating in 1942. She attend-

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

ed CU Boulder for one year before moving to Cedaredge in 1944 with her mother. Mrs. McAnelly was married and divorced three times, with a child from each marriage. After remaining single for 30 years, she married Roy McAnelly. Mrs. McAnelly worked several jobs during her lifetime, including Holly Sugar mill in Delta, the Cedaredge meat processing plant, picking fruit for several growers in the Cedaredge area and as a delivery driver for Gazebo Florist until she was 91. She was also selfemployed as a house and sign painter. She volunteered extensively, serving individuals and organizations throughout Delta County. She was a member of the Surface Creek Historical Society and the Delta Rock Wranglers. Mrs. McAnelly enjoyed musical events, gardening and nature. She is survived by a son, Kenneth (Phyllis} Shields of Cedaredge; a sister, Ruth (Wilson) Douglas of Springfield, Ill.; two step-grandchildren; three step-great-

grandchildren; and five step-great-greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy McAnelly in 2004; a son, Roger; a daughter, Nadine; two sisters; and two brothers. A memorial will take place in April at a time and place to be announced. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Joseph Bever Jr.

Joseph A. Bever Jr. died at his home in Delta on Feb 16, 2019. He was 86. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Cedaredge Cemetery. Joseph A. Bever Jr.

was born on Oct. 1, 1932, to Joseph and Blanche (Barger) Bever in Delta. He spent his childhood and attended schools in Delta. He served in the United States Army. On Dec. 21, 1957, he married Esther Lampton in Delta. Mr. Bever worked as a logger after being honorably discharged from the Army. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, rock collecting and the outdoors. Mr. Bever is survived by his wife of 61 years, Esther Bever; two sons, Victor (Rachel) Bever and Kenny Bever; a daughter, Debbie (Rick) Straus; seven grandchildren, Mandy Cotten, Gavin Bever, Jairric Bever, Drake Bever, Dalton Bever, Dynah Bever and Journey Bever; and three great-grandchildren, Larissa Cotten, Brylan Cotten and Jayce Bever. He was preceded in death by a sister and three half brothers. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Good Luck to our area Wrestlers at the

3A STATE WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

Thursday, Friday and Saturday • February 21-23 at The Pepsi Center in Denver

DELTA PANTHERS (3A)

OLATHE PIRATES (3A)

Ben Koch - 126 lbs. Jeﬀrey Griﬃth - 160 lbs. Aiden Barrios - 170 lbs. Gauge Lockhart - 195 lbs. Eli Miramontes - 220 lbs.

Elias Ramirez - 132 lbs. Clay Yarnell - 145 lbs Brent Gray - 152 lbs. Wyatt Mansker - 160 lbs.

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B6 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Sally Olivas

Sally Olivas died on Dec. 28, 2018, in Denver after a long illness. She was born on Oct. 25, 1928, to John and Elena (Gallegos) Aranda in Rifle. She married Joseph Olivas on June 8, 1946. They first lived in McCook, Neb., then moved to various towns in Colorado before settling in Delta in 1967. After their daughters married, they moved to Denver. Mr. Olivas preceded her in death in 2014. Mrs. Olivas was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1951. She enjoyed her faith, helping others, teaching the Bible and spending time with her family. She is survived by her sisters, Vera Wells of Grand Junction, Chris Nelson of San Francisco, Calif., Irene Groulz of Vacaville, Calif., and Elaine Chacon of Denver; daughters, Evon (Larry) Goss of Denver and Charlette (Dan) Leon of Fort Collins; grandchildren, Jody (Eden) Goss of Plainview, Conn., Jerod Goss of Portland, Ore., Aaron (Brandee) Goss of Denver, Dannie Jo (Axel) Spallinger of North Carolina and Brandi (Matt) Robbins of Steamboat Springs; and six greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Fred, John, Tony and Henry; and sisters Pauline and a still-born baby sister.

OBITUARIES

she worked. She moved to Palisade, where she resided for 30 years, eventually moving to Cedaredge where she spent the past 12 years. She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed fishing, sewing, knitting, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. Ms. Moos is survived by her companion, Jerry Haffner; her daughters, Laura (Delbert Nielsen) Spahn of Westminster, Charlene Moos of Milton, N.Y., Jill (Dick) Cramer of Elbert and Doris Meyer of Pueblo West; her brothers, Thomas (Gisela) Mouser, James Mouser and Ronald (Julia) Mouser; her sister, Lois Wilkerson; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her son, Keith Moos. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements.

Sharalee Busey

brothers and spouses, Irving and Virginia Hendricks, Ivar and Harriett Hendricks, and Harlan and Helen Hendricks. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is handling the arrangements.

Carol Garner

Paonia resident Carol Jean Garner, died at her home on Feb. 13, 2019. She was 73. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel in Paonia. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Garner was born Nov. 18, 1945, to Merle and Phyllis (Mlaker) Powell in Somerset. She attended schools in Somerset and Paonia, graduating from Paonia High School in 1964. After high school she attended Mesa State College. In 1967, she married John Gear in Grand Junction. They had two sons. In 1998 she married Roy Garner. Mrs. Garner worked for the Center of Mental Health where she was the mental health coordinator. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and was a longtime volunteer for the Paonia Senior Center. She enjoyed helping anybody she could, volunteering, gardening, flowers, supporting our troops and spending quality time with her sister, Sherry. Mrs. Garner is survived by her sons, John (Kim) Gear Jr. of Round Rock, Texas, and Michael (Janell) Gear of Grand Junction; her sister, Sharon Brackeen of Paonia; grandchildren, Braydon, Jason, Justin, Evan and Grant; two stepchildren and several step-grandchildren; and extended family. Mrs. Garner was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years in November 2018 and her infant daughter, Hope. Memorial donations can be made to the Paonia Senior Center. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Sharalee Lucile Busey died on Feb. 4, 2019, after a six-year battle with cancer. She was 74. Mrs. Busey was born in Boulder on Jan. 13, 1945, to Harvey and Pearl Owen. She married her husband Bill near Hotchkiss in 1987. They had been residents of Saratoga, Wyo., since 1985, only moving to Cheyenne, Wyo., in October 2018 to be closer to doctors and daughters. Mrs. Busey retired from Carbon County Public Elizabeth Moos Health where she had Cedaredge resident been a CNA. She is survived by Elizabeth Moos died at her home on Feb. 10, her husband Bill; her daughters, Sara Kaka2019. She was 89. She was born in Pau- lecik and Laura Pate of lina, Iowa, to Horace Cheyenne and Gayle CorMouser and Ruby Gun- nick of Rochester, Minn.; six grandchildren, Chris ning on Oct. 9, 1929. Funeral services were Moody, Corrie Graham, held Saturday, Feb. 16, David Wang, Caitlin at Taylor Funeral Service Wang, Nichelle Howell Chapel in Delta. Inter- and Danielle Clemetson; ment will be held at a eight great-grandchillater date at Cedaredge dren; her brother, Harvey “Butch” Owen of Paonia; Cemetery. Ms. Moos spent her sister, Sandra Lewallen childhood years in Gran- of Hotchkiss; and sisterville, Iowa. She gradu- in-law, Kathi Cramer of Irma Sullivan ated from St. Joseph’s Delta. Former Hastings, A celebration of life Catholic School. She was a member of was held at the Moose Neb., resident Irma H. the Pioneers for the tele- Lodge in Cheyenne on Sullivan died Feb. 15, 2019, at Christian Homes phone company where Feb. 15. Healthcare Center, Holdrege, Neb. She was 98. A memorial service is �� scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at �� Evangelical Free Church � �� in Hastings with Pastor �� Matt Sass and Pastor �� Scott DeWitt officiating. Burial will be at a later � �� date. Memorials may be given to The Gideons or Christian Homes Healthcare Center of Holdrege. �� Mrs. Sullivan was born �� Dec. 19, 1920, to Nels and Esther (Johnson) �� Hendricks at her parents’ home. She gradu�� ated from Holdrege High School and cosmetology �� and business school. �� She enjoyed singing �� with a sextet touring the country following gradu�� ation. Later, she ran a �� beauty shop in Loomis prior to her marriage to �� Lowell Sullivan on Oct. �� 27, 1946. They lived in Colorado and Nebraska. �� Mrs. Sullivan enjoyed �� sewing, decorating, read�� ing the Bible, prayer and �� spending time with her �� family. She was involved �� with the Gideons. She is survived by her �� children, David (Patty) �� Sullivan of Grand Junc�� tion, Irmagene Mayer of Hastings, Neb., LuAnn �� (Raymond) Conant of �� Hastings, Neb., Scott (Cindy) Sullivan of �� Cedaredge, and Kent �� (Cathy) Sullivan of �� Orlando, Fla.; 41 grand�� children; and 65 great�� grandchildren. �� She was preceded in �� death by her husband, �� Lowell Sullivan; infant �� daughter, Kathy Bea; and

��

Delta County Independent

Carolyn MacPetrie Ogden

Carolyn M. MacPetrie Ogden died at her home in Delta on Feb. 15, 2019. She was 77. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Rivers Church in Delta. Interment will follow at Mesa View Cemetery. Mrs. Ogden was born Feb. 6, 1942, to Kenneth and Lois (Sanderson) MacPetrie in Ferndale, Mich. Her father was enlisted in the United States Coast Guard so the family lived all over the U.S. She attended

Port Angeles High School, graduating in 1960. On Oct. 1, 1962, she married Bob Odgen in Port Angeles, Wash. Mrs. Ogden enjoyed the outdoors, bird watching, hiking, shooting, beachcombing, reading, spinning and traveling. She belonged to the San Juan Weavers Guild in Montrose and the Rivers Church in Delta. Mrs. Ogden is survived by her daughter, Jean MacPetrie Ogden of Eckert. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 53 years, Bobby, in August 2016. Memorial contributions can be made to Kodiak Baptist Mission, 1944 E. Rezanof Dr., Kodiak, AK 99615. Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory is handling the arrangements. Visit the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at www. taylorfuneralservice.com.

Nadine Schmidt

Nadine “Deanie” Carleta Schmidt died on Jan. 23, 2019, due to Alzheimer’s. She was 89. Mrs. Schmidt was born in Grand Forks, N.D., on March 5, 1929, to Clyde Lee and Irene

Aulgur. She moved to Rocky Ford, where she graduated from Rocky Ford High School and then to Denver, where she became a radiology technician. She married Clifford Schmidt in Denver on July 7, 1951. Mrs. Schmidt enjoyed socializing and entertaining, shopping, traveling, golfing, skiing, hiking and spending time with her family and her dog, Capri. She was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Clifford Schmidt; her parents, Clyde and Irene (Aulgur) Lee; stepmother, LaVerne (England) Lee; and brother, Dwight Lee. She is survived by her son, Kevin; daughter-in-law, Karen; daughter, Gayle Kish; grandchildren, Shawn Roberts, Katherine “Katie” Schmidt and Grayson Pike; step-granddaughter, Tara Whitley; and her sister, Yvonne Rowland. A private service will be held in February. Mrs. Schmidt will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery alongside her husband, Clifford and near her brother, Dwight. Donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Rolland W. Skiles Aug. 20, 1939 ~ Feb. 17, 2019 Rolland W. Skiles, a resident of Watertown, Wis., for 11 years passed away on Feb. 17, 2019 at the age of 79. Ron is survived by his fiancée, Marianne Opperud of Watertown, his children Richard (Kari) Skiles of Colorado Springs, Michael (Lina) Skiles of San Antonio, and Karen (David) Caraway of San Antonio, and his two adopted children Sue (John) Sibley of San Antonio and Walter Skiles of San Antonio; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren. He is preceded by his parents James B. and Edna M. Skiles and his brother Marvin of Delta, Colo. Ron was born on Aug. 20, 1939, in Oak Creek, Colo., the son of James and Edna (McMillan) Skiles. Ron grew up in Delta, Colo., working with his father who was a ranch foreman. Ron graduated from Delta High School in 1957 where he played baseball and was an active member of the Delta Christian Church. Ron enjoyed singing in the church choir and also busting broncos. In 1958, Ron joined the United States Navy,

and quickly rose through the ranks achieving the rank of chief petty officer before becoming a commissioned officer in 1968 where he became a Naval Aviator. After 28 years of distinguished service he retired as a Naval Commander and had achieved many honors and recognitions including the Naval Commendation Medal. After retiring in 1986, Ron spent the next 20 years as a defense contractor living in Killeen, Texas, and Ridgecrest, Calif. Upon his retirement as a defense contractor Ron moved to Watertown, Wis., to be with his fiancée. Ron was an active member of the Jolly boys, Elks Lodge and attended regular Friday

night fish fries at the Country Club with his friends. He was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Wis. Ron was known for his Charisma and Charm and was a friend to all. The family would like to express a thank you to Rainbow Hospice Care and Heritage Homes for their care and compassion to Ron. Memorials in Ron’s honor may be made to Rainbow Hospice or Heritage Homes. A funeral service for Ron will be held at the Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Home in Watertown at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, with Fr. Michael Strachota of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church of Mapleton, Wis., presiding. A visitation will be held at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Burial with full military honors will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Watertown. Pederson-Nowatka Funeral Homes is caring for the family. To place an online condolence please visit pnfh.com. Paid obituary

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

SPORTS February 20, 2019

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Bruins qualify 13 for state BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

The Cedaredge wrestling team had to travel to the San Luis Valley for this year’s regional tournament, and it did it in style. The Bruins dominated the Class 2A Region 2 wrestling tournament at Walsenburg, qualifying 13 wrestlers for state and winning the regional crown with 259.5 points. Runner-up Centauri scored 196 points, and host John Mall High School placed third with 176 points. Scores drop off sharply from there at the 16-team tournament. This is the most state qualifiers for Cedaredge in head coach Cutter Garrison’s five-year tenure. Twelve of his 13 state qualifiers placed in the top three. “It was a good day,” said Garrison. Defending 120-pound state champion Trey Geyer won his first regional title. Geyer, who missed the last two weeks of competition due to a family matter, pinned his way to

Photo submitted

The Cedaredge Bruins dominated the 2A Region 2 wrestling tournament at Walsenburg. They will take 13 students to the state wrestling tournament, which opens Thursday at the Pepsi Center in Denver. the title. “It was fun to watch him get back on the mat,” said Garrison. Looking to this week’s state tournament, “We’ll see some good competition, but whoever you put out in front of him, he’s willing to give it his best.” Seniors Austin Crawford (152, 24-15),

Toby Waddell (170, 2013) and Taj Van der Linde (220, 31-5) all picked up regional titles. In a bracket that saw upsets over the two top seeds, Crawford was seeded third. “I’m very proud of Austin,” said Garrison. “He showed up and he took advantage of his opportunities.”

With few upper weight wrestlers, many competitors saw a lot of byes. Waddell won his two matches by fall, winning the title on a 50-second fall over third-seeded John Mall junior Kaleb Rehm. “Toby showed up today and took care of business,” said Garrison. Van der Linde and

heavyweight sophomore Derek Sanchez (32-9), who won silver, both wrestled in an eight-man bracket with three competitors. Sanchez wrestled tough in the final match against Centauri senior Bennie Chacon, said Garrison, “But he just wound up on his back.” Centauri’s 220-pounder failed to make weight, leaving No. 1 seed Van der Linde to wrestle one match to win the regional title. “That was a disappointment for Taj,” said Garrison. But in that one match, “he was dominant.” Sophomore Adrian Nieto (126, 14-12) placed third. Nieto lost the championship match to third-seeded freshman Eyan Chavez (20-7) of Centauri. Ranked second in state, until two weeks ago, Chavez wrestled for 3A Alamosa. “Adrian wrestled well,” said Garrison. Junior defending state champion Sean Dale (132, 30-4) will make his third state appearance. The No. 1 seed was

upset in semifinals by fifth-seeded Monte Vista senior Tyler Vigil and finished third. Freshman Lane Hunsberger (106, 29-16) also placed third. His only loss was by major decision in semifinals to No. 1 seeded freshman Cole Miller of Rye. Junior Brian Hoerr (145, 13-19) was seeded eighth and placed third. Hoerr upset second-seeded Tim De La Cruz of Dolores Huerta in consolation semifinals. Junior David Lopez (160, 15-4) placed third, defeating Fischer Jones (13-22) of Del Norte by a fall at 3:35. Sophomore Brody Wagner (182, 3-10) placed second, losing to Tyler Martin (8-17) of John Mall High School in Walsenburg. No. 5 seed Kaleb Berardi (195, 3-5) pinned No. 3 Ethan Hotz of Monte Vista to place third in the tournament. Sophomore AJ Robidoux (138, 23-15) was seeded sixth coming into the tournament and placed fourth.

Eagles win regional title, qualify 7 for state meet BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Paonia will send seven wrestlers to the Class 2A tournament. Sackett Chesnik will make his fourth appearance. Chesnik (138, 31-6), will be the No. 2 seed. He won the regional title, his first since his freshman year, on a 5-1 decision over the No. 2 seed, 256 Hotchkiss sophomore Traycer Hall. Chesnik knew he would face Hall. The match was their fourth this season. “He’s very tough, very disciplined, coached by a good coaching staff,” said Chesnik. He also remembers wrestling some tough match-

es against Hall’s older brother, 2017 Hotchkiss graduate Colton Hall. Chesnik was the first of four Eagles to win the regional title and is seeded second in state. In his first tournament win ever, 27-10 junior Carlos Lozano (152) won his title by decision over Norwood senior James Franklin. Paonia won the team title with 195 points. Hotchkiss was runner up with 183 points. “The team title was a good team effort all around,” said head coach Nate Wiggins. With the close scores, wrestlers like 120-pounder Ethan White, who scored extra points by winning his fifth-place

match by fall, made all the difference, said Wiggins. Making their second straight state appearance are senior regional champion Anthony Felice (195, 27-5), who placed fourth his junior year and is seeded first in the state; and junior Levi Peterson, also the No. 2 seed in the state, who claimed his second regional heavyweight title in a total mat time of 2 minutes, 22 seconds. About half his mat time went to defeating 14-6 junior Randy Herrera of Ignacio in the championship match. “I went for a headlock. Just went really smooth,” said Peterson. Junior Grey Neal

(160, 29-4) will make his third state appearance, and junior Austyn Norris (220, 17-18) will make his first. Neal was runner up on a 7-6 decision to 23-6 Austin Overholt of Norwood, while Norris lost his championship match to 17-7 junior Ridge Williams of Meeker. Eagles sophomore Reagan Todd (113, 2715) was seeded fifth and placed second. “Reagan had a heck of a day,” said head coach Nate Wiggins. Todd advanced to the championship match on an upset over No. 1 seeded Hotchkiss senior Landen Mayberry. “That was a really tough weight just to get to the finals,” said Wiggins.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Paonia sophomore Reagan Todd controls Hotchkiss senior Landen Mayberry in regional semiﬁnals. Todd, who won the match by fall, placed second, and Mayberry placed third.

Hotchkiss 2nd at 2A Region 1 BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Photo by Tamie Meck

The Paonia Eagles scored 195 points to win the 2A Region 1 wrestling title at the Montrose Events Center. Paonia qualiﬁed seven for the state championships, which open Thursday in Denver. Holding their regional championship brackets, from left, Levi Peterson (285), Carlos Lozano (152), Sackett Chesnik (138) and Anthony Felice (195).

Hotchkiss qualified eight wrestlers for this week’s state championships in Denver. The Bulldogs scored 183 points to place second at the 15team tournament. Hotchkiss sent three into the championship match. At 126 pounds, senior Presley Pene (378) pinned his way to the first-place match, placing second on a second-round to Highland High School freshman Zach Tittle (242). This is Pene’s second state qualification. He

placed sixth last season at 126 pounds. Sergio Campos (132, 26-4) was seeded second and placed second on an 8-6 decision to No. 1 seeded junior Chirichigno of Highland. Campos has a four-year win-loss record of 137-23 and is a four-time state qualifier. He placed third at 106 pounds as a freshman, and was runner up at 113 pounds as a sophomore. After winning the 2018 regional title at 126 pounds, he was seeded first in state, but missed HOTCHKISS TO B8

Photo by Tamie Meck

Hotchkiss 113-pounder Robert Cochran battles to a Photo by Tamie Meck win over Hayden senior Daylon Frentress to place Paonia heavyweight Levi Peterson pins Randy Herrera of Ignacio to win the 2A Region 1 heavyweight third at the 2A Region 1 tournament at Montrose Saturday. Cochran was also third a year ago. title. Peterson was the defending regional heavyweight champion.

B8 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Panthers qualify 5; Barrios wins 170 title BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Delta qualified five wrestlers for the 3A state championships. The Panthers scored 90.5 points to finish sev-

enth at the 14-team tournament. Senior 170-pounder Aiden Barrios was one of two Panthers to wrestle in the championship match. With less than three sec-

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onds remaining in the match, Barrios was down a point against Ian Reinhardt of Pagosa Springs. He and Reinhardt were both on their feet, shoulder to shoulder, when Barrios took Reinhardt to the mat for two points, earning him his second 170-pound regional title and his third trip to the state championships in Denver. “I knew I just had to hit something,” said Barrios. “He was ready for all my other attacks, so I was like, just gotta go for it. So I went.” The win was too close for the 35-7 senior. “It tells me I have a lot to work on this week,” said a humble Barrios. “It’s the last time I’ll ever do this in high school, so I’m giving it my all, all the time.” It was a roller-coaster tournament for head coach Clayton Curtis, who saw a lot of losses early on, and some big wins late in the tournament. Junior Gauge Lockhart (195, 31-11), who qualified for state as a sophomore, finished third. Lockhart ran into trouble in semifinals with a 12-3 loss to fourth seeded John Foutz (36-5) of Bayfield and wrestled and went on to wrestle to a third-place finish in the tournament. Sophomores Ben Koch (126, 33-11), Jeffrey Griffith (160, 23-17), and Eli Miramontes (220, 12-17) also qualified for state. Koch was seeded seventh and finished second. Griffith was seeded fourth and placed fourth, advancing to consolation finals on a 17-7 MD win over third-seeded Ruben Samuelson of Basalt. Miramontes, who started wrestling this year, was seeded seventh and placed fourth. After all the matches were wrestled and all the awards presented, Miramontes defended his state qualification by pinning challenger Asa Grice of Grand Valley in a wrestle-back. “This was a happy moment,” said Curtis. The team is young, but that’s okay, said Curtis. “It’ll be good for them to have some state experience.”

Photo by Tamie Meck

Sophomore 126-pounder Ben Koch glances at the clock in his 3A Region 1 semifinal win over Steamboat Springs. One of five state qualifiers for the Panthers, Koch placed second in the region. He takes a 33-11 record to the state meet, which opens tomorrow at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Photo by Tamie Meck

Panther Jeffrey Grifﬁth locks up Sebastian Garcia of Glenwood Springs at the 3A Region 1 tournament at Montrose Saturday. Grifﬁth is heading to state tomorrow after placing fourth.

Firor to run track at Western Colorado U. BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Hotchkiss High School senior Kaiya Firor signed her letter of intent to compete for the Western Colorado University Mountaineers women’s track team. Firor is an eight-time state medalist. In each of her two seasons on the team, Firor won two gold medals 300-meter hurdles and 400-meter dash. She also placed

third in the 100-meter dash and anchored three relay teams to top-three finishes. A multi-sport athlete, Firor is the starting point guard on the Bulldogs’ ladies basketball team, plays soccer for the Delta High School Panthers, and has played at kicker, wide receiver and cornerback the last two seasons on the Bulldogs varsity football team. Firor was recruited

by Montana State University, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Wyoming and Colorado Mesa University, but chose Western for its head coach Lindsey Grasmick and the coaching staff. Firor is also among the first students to enroll in Western’s new Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science and Engineering and plans to major in mechanical engineering.

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Photo by Tamie Meck

Flanked by parents Diane Perry and Jim Firor and backed by basketball coach Haillie Taylor, track coach Kelly Cowan and football coach Curtis Hintz, Hotchkiss High School senior, Kaiya Firor, ceremoniously signs her national letter of intent to run track at Western Colorado University in Gunnison. In two seasons, Firor won eight medals on the track, including four individual state titles.

Hotchkiss CONTINUED FROM B7 the state meet due to a medical condition. Traycer Hall, who won the regional title as a freshman, took second in the 138-pound division on a 5-1 decision to Paonia senior Sackett Chesnik. Landen Mayberry (113,

24-8), Robert Cochran (120, 17-5), Jace Peebles (170, 26-7) placed third. All three have at least one year of state experience under their belts. Sophomore heavyweight Christian Matus (24-2) placed third on a fall (4:34) over No. 2 seed-

ed sophomore Michael Johnson (23-13) of Highland. Wrestling at 145, junior JD Miller was seeded eighth and placed fourth. In quarterfinals, Miller lost by technical fall to top-seeded Meeker senior Tannen Kennedy (40-1).

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Delta boys 3A WSL champs BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The last time Delta High School’s boys basketball team won a league title was in 2012 when the Panthers were members of the 4A WSL. Von Mitchell was the coach then and his Panthers finished the season with a 10-2 league record and 17-6 overall. Delta had to settle for a share of the title with Palisade, a team it defeated in overtime (63-58), to earn a piece of the title. The Panthers won this year’s 3A WSL team title outright with a dominating 69-37 win over Olathe on Feb. 12 and a solid 56-35 win at home over Gunnison on Feb.14

to go 9-0 in league play and 15-4 overall. Gunnison finished the season in second place (7-2, 15-4). Delta 69, Olathe 35 The Panthers began the game with deliberate play and finished the first quarter with a 1613 lead with help from point guard Alexis Fausto’s seven-point effort. Dayton Sofka kept the Pirates close with his two 3-point goals. Another six points from Fausto in the second quarter and Delta stretched its lead to 3619 by halftime. At the break, Delta coach Rob Ames urged his Panthers to keep their foot on the gas pedal and not give the Pirates

a chance to make any kind of comeback. Like good student-athletes, the Panthers came out of their locker room to pounce on Olathe with a 27-point barrage behind Kyle Mock’s eight-point tutorial effort. The fourth quarter was shortened by the running clock after Delta had attained a 35-point lead late in the third period. Olathe won the fourth quarter with an 8-6 advantage but fell far short of any kind of a rally. Fausto’s 15 points led all scorers in the game with Mock’s 10 points the next highest scoring output. John Ames and Jon-

Photo by Wayne Crick

Delta senior Missa Webb scores two of her 10 points on this layup against Gunnison’s Cowboys last Thursday. The win gave Delta an undefeated 3A WSL campaign (9-0) to go with an 18-1 overall record for the season.

athan Robinson finished with eight points each and Andrew Baier had seven. Hunter Hughes and Joe Bules added six points each to the offensive effort by the Panthers. Olathe’s Dawson Walraven scored 10 points to lead the Pirates’ offense and Sofka finished with eight counters. Delta 56, Gunnison 35 The battle for the 3A WSL title was closely contested the first quarter and part of the second before Delta solved the puzzle of how to get to the rim for more offense. Delta held a slim 12-9 lead after one period. Mock’s eight-point

Photo by Wayne Crick

Senior Andrew Baier wins the tip to begin last Thursday’s Valentine’s Day battle for the 3A WSL championship. Delta used a potent second quarter to build a 34-18 lead at halftime. The Panthers won the league title with a 56-35 decision.

Delta girls 3A WSL titlists BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

Matt Hamm started the ball rolling for Delta High School girls basketball teams to be regular participants in post-season and state tournament play in 2011. Hamm led the Panthers to a 10-2 4A WSL record and 17-6 overall which led to a share of the league title with Moffat County. Though Delta lost to Thompson Valley in the first round, a proud tradition of winning had been established. Hamm returned in 2012 with another 10-2 season in the 4A WSL and a threeway tie for the title. Delta finished at 20-5 overall on the 2012 season. The Panthers were seeded fifth and defeated No. 12 Conifer in the first round and No. 4 Silver Creek in the second round. A loss to No. 1 D’Evelyn in the Sweet 16 ended Delta’s year. Hamm’s charges were

14-0 in 2013 and 4A WSL champions that year with a 19-5 overall mark. The Panthers, seeded fourth, had a bye in the first round and knocked off No. 5 Longmont in the second round but was eliminated, again, by No. 1 Pueblo West in the Sweet 16. Enter Kyle Crowder in 2017. The Panthers finished a paltry 5-4 in the 3A WSL with a 13-9 overall record to finish fifth in the league. Delta was No. 26 heading into the state tournament and defeated No. 7 The Academy in a first round game. A loss to No. 10 Liberty Common ended Delta’s season in the round of Sweet 16. In 2018 the Panthers were 7-2 in the 3A WSL and had a 16-8 record at season’s end. Delta (No. 17), defeated No. 16 Resurrection Christian in the opening round and lost to No. 1 Kent Denver in the Sweet 16 round to end the

season. All the Panthers did in 2018-19 was build a 9-0 3A WSL record to win the league title and are heading into this year’s post season with an amazing 18-1 overall record and a number three RPI ranking in Class 3A Delta had the WSL title well in hand before finishing its regular season with a 52-30 win at home over Olathe and cruising past Gunnison 62-42 on Valentine’s Day. Delta 52, Olathe 30 The Panthers had balanced scoring in the first quarter and took a sixpoint lead into the second period. Keely Porter’s five points led Delta scorers in the second quarter as the Panthers outscored Olathe by 10 to take a 30-14 lead at the break. Porter continued her strong offensive play in the third quarter with eight

points and Madison Gieck tallied seven of her 10 points in the game in the final period to help Delta DELTA TO B10

burst in the second quarter ignited a 22-9 Panther run that would spell the difference in the ball game. When the two teams went to their locker rooms for halftime, Delta was holding a 3418 lead. The game’s tempo slowed in the third quarter with Delta maintaining control in a 149 advantage fueled by John Ames and Mock’s five-point efforts, which included a 3-point goal from each. Each team scored eight points in the final period to make the final score 56-35. Against Gunnison, Mock’s 15 points paced Delta’s offense and Ames was next high with his 13 counters. Fausto and

Robinson chipped in eight points each and Andrew Baier had seven for the Panthers in the win. Kelita Baroumbaye scored 13 points to lead the Cowboys offense and Hunter Wood finished with nine. Coach Ames has maintained the abilities of his team from the start of the season. “If we play the way we know how to play we’ll be hard to beat.” The Panthers have followed another bit of advice from Ames and that is to “keep both hands on the wheel, at 3 and 9 o’clock and focus on what’s ahead.” Delta played Basalt on Feb. 19 and advances to the 3A District Tournament at Central High School on Feb. 22-23.

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ACCURATE TAX

& ACCOUNTING SERVICE ��

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B10 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

SPORTS

Delta County Independent

Hotchkiss girls, Paonia boys win WSL finales BY TAMIE MECK DCI Sports Writer

Regulation basketball season has ended and district playoffs are underway. But before the season could end, Paonia and Hotchkiss met on the court for a final conference game. Girls Bulldogs 39, Paonia 21 The Hotchkiss girls opened the evening with a 39-21 win over Paonia. It was the first conference win for the Bulldogs over Paonia since 2008. The game came down to possessions and percentages. With 16 rebounds for Paonia and 40 for Hotchkiss, the Bulldogs controlled the court for most of the game. Paonia scored on four of 21 field goal attempts, or 19 percent, while Hotchkiss made 14 of 45 (31 percent) of its two-pointers. Hotchkiss junior Shay Glaser led the Bulldogs in scoring with eight points, and Carson Collins, Elsie Vasquez and Kaiya Firor each scored seven. The Eagles scored 13 of their 21 points from the foul line. Six of Paonia senior Poppy Lightfoot’s game-high 10 points were shot from the line. Boys Paonia 57, Bulldogs 50

The key to the Paonia’s win over Hotchkiss was in containing Bulldogs lead scorer Jacob Stucker, who scored 14 of his 29 points in the paint. The Eagles led by 10 (44-34) to end the third period and came out relaxed in the fourth. Hotchkiss took advantage of the lull, and with 5:40 remaining in the game, held a 50-42 lead over Paonia. Landon Long came off the bench for Paonia to score on a three-point jumper with 4:25 remaining. Paonia held the Bulldogs scoreless for the remainder of the game. With 45 seconds on the clock and Paonia leading, 54-50, Hotchkiss called a timeout. When the game resumed, Paonia forced a turnover, and David Lozano scored two points from the line on an intentional foul. Elan Maulhardt and Justin Holt guarded Stucker throughout the game, sometimes doubleteaming him. Holt had four fouls when the timeout was called. Paonia coach Tim Esgar told his defense to guard Stucker, who had already scored five points from the foul line, and not to worry about the fouls, said Holt. “He’s one of the best play-

ers in the league and we wanted to make him shoot free throws.” With 20 seconds remaining, Lozano scored one more free throw on an intentional foul, then blocked a three-point attempt by Kenny Drbohlav to end the game. “We won the ball game,” said Holt. “Our team played great, and that’s what matters. I’m just happy we got the win.” Pigtail Games The Paonia girls’ seaPhoto by Tamie Meck son came to an end with Monday’s (Feb. 18) pigtail Mariah Grifﬁth guards Paonia’s Poppy Lightfoot in Hotchkiss’s 39-21 conferloss to the visiting West ence win over Paonia last Thursday. The last time the Hotchkiss girls won a Grand Mustangs, 33-28. conference game against Paonia was in 2008. That game was played in Delta due to a water condition in the town of Paonia. The Eagles end the year at 2-9 and 4-16. In other playoff games, Hotchkiss’s girls (#3) defeated Hayden (#6), 63-48 in a quarterfinal game, and the Hotchkiss boys beat Hayden, 6843 in a pigtail contest. Hotchkiss’s girls play in De Beque on Friday at 6 p.m. against a team to be determined. Hotchkiss’s boys played in Plateau Valley on Feb. 19 with that winner playing on Friday and the loser on Thursday in consolation action.

Bruins boys end year, girls head to districts BY WAYNE CRICK DCI Sports Editor

The Cedaredge boys basketball season came to an end this past week, Saturday, after a 46-40 loss in Craig to the Moffat County Bulldogs. An earlier 63-36 loss to Olathe occured on Feb. 14. Cedaredge’s girls were victorious in their final regular season finale with Olathe, with a nailbiting 38-34 overtime win in Cedaredge. Boys Pirates 63, Bruins 36 Cedaredge might have escaped the cellar had it won against Olathe on Feb. 14, but the Pirates had other plans on that happening with a dominating 63-36 3A WSL

win. The loss dropped the Bruins to 0-9 and 5-14 after completing their season schedule. A pigtail game against Moffat County on Feb. 15 was for the rights to enter this weekend’s district playoffs in Grand Junction. The Bulldogs squashed that possibility with a narrow 46-40 win that left the Bruins with an 0-9 league record and a 5-15 overall mark. Girls Bruins 38, Pirates 34 The Cedaredge girls needed a win against Olathe to keep third place in the final standings of the 3A WSL conference. The Bruins finished 7-2 and 15-4, a game ahead

Photo by Tamie Meck

Elan Maulhardt (31) and Justin Holt (34) double team Hotchkiss lead scorer Jacob Stucker. Guarding Stucker, who scored 29 points, was key to Paonia’s of Grand Valley, 6-3 and 57-50 conference win. 15-4. Cedaredge had a three -point lead after one period and led 14-10 at the half. Olathe outscored the Bruins 22-18 in the fourth quarter to push CONTINUED FROM B9 following a combined 39- game’s leading scorer with the game to overtime, outscore the Pirates 22-16 point performance. Sara 15 points and Geddes contied at 32-32. in the second half. Geddes had seven points tributed 12 with Webb and The Bruins were more Delta’s offense was led and Missa Webb another Porter adding 10 points offensive-minded in the by Porter’s 18 points with six to lead Delta’s offense. each. overtime and pulled away Gieck finishing with 10. Gunnison got six points Wise and Maddie Nelfrom the Pirates for a 38- Maddi Brown had seven each from Jenna Wise and son had nine points to 34 win. points to lead Olathe. Kylie Travis on four shots lead Gunnison’s offense. Cedaredge hosted Coal Delta 62, Gunnison 42 from behind the arc. Hayden Powers finished Ridge’s girls Feb. 19 with Delta took a 12-4 lead A free throw shooting with eight points. the winner advancing to after one period and all contest took place in the Delta’s girls played a district tournament play but had the game salted fourth quarter with Delta play-in game against Feb. 22-23 at Central away with a 29-15 half- winning on six of eight Basalt on Feb. 19 for pairHigh School. The top four time lead. shots and Gunnison four ings purposes in this weekteams meet Friday (girls Both teams were offen- of eight. Erika Kuta scored end’s district tournament and boys) and Saturday sive-minded in the third six points to pace the Pan- at Grand Junction Central to determine seeding for quarter with Delta holding thers in a 12-9 run. High School on Friday and regional play next week. a three-point advantage Kuta finished as the Saturday.

Delta

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SURFACE CREEK February 20, 2019

NEWS

Section

www.deltacountyindependent.com

Orchard City lifts drought rates, restrictions BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

On Feb. 13 the Orchard City Board of Trustees convened for its monthly regular meeting. During this meeting the trustees addressed new business items such as: dedicating Elevate fiber franchise fee to general fund, adding the preliminary community survey estimated costs of $2,500 to the budget, and entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Water Conservation Board regarding updating flood risk and hazard mitigation. Trustee Jan Gage requested to table the addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday for staff until next month. She was sick at the work session last week and unable to ask questions like how much it would cost and more reasons why OC should take that as a holiday. Next month the trustees will vote on passing ordinances to change municipal codes regarding clerk duties and town officers. They held the first reading for both ordinances at the meeting. Regarding annual designations the trustees renewed town administrator Melissa Oelke’s position and renewed the current town attorney and auditor for this year. An anticipated add-on to the agenda allowed trustees to approve a resolution rescinding June’s declaration of critical water supply and mandatory water conservation measures. Essentially, the drought rates and mandatory use restrictions are no longer in effect, retroactively

to Feb. 1, and water taps are accessible. Prior to this resolution vote, one concerned citizen criticized the trustees for “gouging” the citizens with drought rates given the amount of snow received. Trustee Dick Kirkpatrick clarified that they didn’t declare the rescission of the rates prior because last month there was still concern of whether there would be enough snow. Echoing the voice of the other trustees, Trustee Mel Cook said, “I’m glad to see drought come off and think it will help citizens.” The discussion then turned into wanting to do something with the water that runs off into the river. One suggestion was to pump it into the fruit growers reservoir, but this reservoir is a health hazard. Federal funding would likely be needed. Kirkpatrick said there are some options for doing this and that it might be worthwhile for discussion later on down the road. Trustee Fuller brought up that the thought on pursuing funding for the river water has been an item of value for the board for years. As an update, the town recently purchased a hydrovac machine, a John Deere tractor mower for the park is on order and two replacement trucks are on order. The board of trustees will meet next for a work session on March 6. This meeting is at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 9661 1200 Road in Orchard City. The public is encouraged and invited to attend.

Trustees discuss speed signs, contract changes BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

The agenda was short for the Cedaredge board of trustees at the Feb. 14 work session. First, it listened to Drew Abbott from Western Gravel Constructors about the contract change request from last month. “We had a lot of unknowns,” he said referring to the initial project bid. Due to many overruns, they requested a change to the contract. He reviewed the areas of overrun the trustees discussed last month. The town agreed last month to fulfill 55 percent of its initial requested amount at about $66,000. Abbott requested an additional $20,000, bringing it to about 70.5 percent of their initial request. Mayor Gene Welch brought up how WGC failed to come to the town when traffic control, the largest cost overrun, initially became an issue. He said the trustees would need to discuss the matter further. Next, drinking water violations were addressed. Public Works Co-Director Jerry Youg spoke about a sanitary survey recently completed that flagged the town with three violations. He clarified that it didn’t have to do with health but with minor logging/paperwork issues. “After we were made aware of the issues we resolved them within two weeks,” he said. “We’re no longer in violation.” Town administrator Greg Brinck updated trustees that they did receive one proposal for the contract planning request to overview subdivision matters outside of the town staff scope. After he finishes the preliminary screenings trustees will overview the proposal. CDOT recently reviewed the town’s speed limits. During a review, CDOT evaluates if the speed posted is

“unrealistic” with the area’s engineering. The signs transitioning from 45 to 55 near 9th Street and Jay Avenue were adjusted accordingly. In a pamphlet reviewed by the trustees, CDOT claimed, “An appropriate ‘just right’ speed limit will result in the maximum number of vehicles travelling at or about the same speed, thus reducing conflicts caused by speed differentials.” Several citizens contacted the town about the move of the speed signs, which is what they should do if they see a road segment where the speed limit seems to be too high or too low. Mayor Gene Welch expressed concern that in general the speeds through town are inconsistent and too dangerous at specific intersections that are high traffic for both pedestrians and vehicles. Brinck offered to see if CDOT could come and do another survey and monitor speeds to see if some changes can be made. However, there is a cost involved. He’ll develop some preliminary ideas on what the next steps should be. To conclude the meeting, they continued the discussion on WGC. Timing, lack of management, oversight neglect were all highlighted as troubling. However, they agreed the project was done to their satisfaction and they have a good working relationship with them. Brinck clarified that the additional $20,000 request will essentially make WGC break even on the project. No decisions can be made at work sessions so this discussion will continue next week. On Feb. 21 the trustees will meet for a regular meeting. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting is at 5 p.m. at the Cedaredge Civic Center, Grand Mesa Room, 140 NW 2nd Street, Cedaredge.

Snow and more snow

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

What a difference a year makes. Last year the Cedaredge Golf Course was open during January and February due to a lack of snow — the ﬁrst time in eight years. This year there has been plenty of snow and more is forecast over the rest of February and golf enthusiasts may actually have to wait until March and the snow to clear before being able to tee it up.

Local deer count begins BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Cody Purcell, district wildlife manager for Colorado Parks & Wildlife, assembled citizen volunteers and CPW staff to count the Cedaredge mule deer population. Ten areas were determined for the deer survey area boundaries. Counters each had maps and recorded the number, gender and location of animals spotted between 4 p.m. and dark. Count numbers are part of CPW efforts to deal with the town’s growing deer population. Last year two surveys discovered a drastic difference between summer and winter totals. In February of 2018 the group counted 49 bucks and 493 does. This is significantly more than the summer 2018 counts of 114 does, 70 bucks and three fawns. Overall these counts help CPW understand the size of the town’s resident deer pop-

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

Several volunteers gathered to count deer on Feb. 13 as part of efforts to understand and deal with Cedaredge’s growing deer population. ulation versus those which move with the changing seasons. Counting zone sizes and locations may change based on the data. As a reminder, citizens should not feed wild deer. Deer have unique digestive systems easily compromised by artificial feed such as corn,

grain, hay or other “domestic” foods. Fed deer become less fearful of humans and aggressive. This practice is also unlawful and can lead to citation and fines. Residents with questions or concerns are welcome to contact Purcell at 970-8353851.

Surface Creek Seniors share the love on Valentine’s Day BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

On Valentine’s Day, the Surface Creek Seniors (SCS) shared the love by sponsoring a community lunch for seniors at the Cedaredge Civic Center. They served about 37 people a meal of mashed potatoes, roast beef, vegetables and rolls. Food was made by the Senior CommUnity Meals program, but compliments of the SCS. The SCS is a board of volunteers which helps represent and advocate for the seniors, particularly with VOA. During the meal, the SCS crowned two “Queens of Valentines” and handed out sweet treats.

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

Surface Creek Seniors served a complimentary lunch on Valentine’s Day.

Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros

SCS board members pose with the “Queens of Valentine’s.” Dolly and Barb were selected for their volunteer work throughout the community and given a $25 Foodtown gift card. On Thursdays they often volunteer to collect the contributions for the Senior CommUnity Meals. Pictured left to right are Ginny Stohler, Dolly, JoAn Hanson, Barb, Carolyn Goller, Jeanne Palmer and Joyce Frey.

C2 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Vintage movies and more at Pioneer Town Thursday, Feb. 21 in the Pioneer Town Stolte Shed at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Any contributions will be used toward the preservation of the Pioneer Town Museum. Seating is limited, so come early to guarantee a

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS Staff Writer

Looking for an indoor activity to warm up from the snow? The Surface Creek Valley Historical Society (SCVHS) is showing “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” for a classic movie night

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spot. Free popcorn will be served with soda available. Additional movie nights will be “Stagecoach” shown Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. and “My Little Chickadee” shown Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. “Stagecoach” was chosen since it’s what fueled John Wayne’s career. “Chickadee” is the first film featuring W.C. Fields and Mae West together. SCVHS started movie nights a few years ago. It began with silent films like Douglas Fairbanks in the “Thief of Bagdad” and Charlie Chaplin in “Gold Rush.” “We chose to have old classic film nights in keeping with the historic nature of the museum,” said Pioneer Town Museum curator Jane Everett. SCVHS will also be holding its annual soup supper in Pioneer Town’s Stolte Shed on Saturday, March 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A $10 donation is suggested. Another fundraising effort, this time to benefit the digitization of The Surface Creek Champion, will be a concert featuring Rhythm Method. More details are to come but currently it’s scheduled for May 18 at the Grand Mesa Art Center, 195 W. Main in Cedaredge.

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All in a day’s work

Photos by Don Benjamin

The majestic tree on the Main Street property of the Cedaredge First Baptist Church was in need of trimming and the task fell to Andrew Biszant and Tim Van der Linde of APB Tree Service. Biszant (in the bucket) and Van der Linde (on the far left) started early in the chilly morning of Monday, Feb. 11, and the pair worked for hours on the shaggy tree which may be between 7080 years old. Their challenge was remove matted foliage while maintaining the character of the venerable landmark. The result, reached at dusk, is shown on the right.

Orchard City water loss still at 18 percent

water committee’s meeting was spent tackling Staff Writer citizen concerns over The majority of the water bills, questions regarding installation of a new tap on Happy Hollow, and concern over a private leak’s cost due to drought rates. After discussing these matters with the citizens, the trustees continued their typical agenda of unfinished projects, monthly treatment plant report, water audit and other water matters. Regarding the water audit, about 40 percent of total flows is being used. Springs flow is currently less than last year but less is being used than previous. Water loss is still in the double digits at 18 Photo by Emy Lynn Roque Cisneros percent, but part of that may be due to a fire near the west line and a leak. Victoria Creech, Cedaredge High School senior, The committee, specifwas awarded January Student of the Month by ically trustees Dick KirkOrchard City trustees. She has a 4.03 GPA and patrick and Doug Keller, has taken AP classes for two years. A member are still discussing finanof National Honor Society, she provides snow cial assistance for the shoveling for community service. She is the planned water improveVice President in ASTRA, her community serments. The committee is vice group, where she has provided additional also only a month away services that have included highway clean from the final draft of up, food drives and managing dinners at the working with an engiAbraham Connection. She has been accepted neering firm to assess the into Utah State University, Colorado Mesa treatment plant to better University, University of Colorado in Colorado prepare for droughts and Springs, Johnson and Wales University and general water use. University of Portland. She plans on pursuing Before taking the a career as a pharmacist. resolution to the trustees that evening the

BY EMY LYNN ROQUE CISNEROS

Student of the Month

committee discussed lifting the drought declaration. Town administrator Melissa Oelke reminded the group that because of the drought many people lost their yards and landscapes and will try to reestablish this next year and thus increase water usage. They eventually concluded there’s “still a mountain to climb” to feel secure again, but that continuing the drought rates at this time is not desired. “Drought rates are not for punishing people in the off season,” said trustee Dick Kirkpatrick. Currently there are 12 people, for example, struggling to fix private leaks that had drought rates inflate their costs. Going retroactive to November for water rates was suggested but logistically it seemed unrealistic to many staff members. A resolution to rescind the previous drought declaration was brought to trustees and passed. The trustees approved making the rate change effect Feb. 1. *** “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant...” — Anne Bradstreet

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CMS Students of the Month

Photo submitted

The Cedaredge Middle School named its Students of the Month for January. Pictured are: (back) Graceanne Prosser, David Martinez, Nolan Hanson and Mozelle Palmer; (front) Anita King, Tel Geyer, Hunter Pulver, Kayla Mitchell, Kaydee Aviles and Elliyah Hawbaker. Not pictured are Aniyha Cohick, Taylor Vincent and Tierre Koehn.

TELEVISION LISTINGS

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SURFACE CREEK NEWS

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Cedaredge UMC to host World Day of Prayer service The United Methodist Church of Cedaredge, 3rd and Aspen, will host the annual World Day of Prayer service at 10 a.m. Friday, March 1. All interested persons are invited and welcome to join in the celebration of prayer and unification by Christians around the world. Each year the World Day of Prayer program is fashioned by women in countries all over the globe. The 2019 program was created by the World Day of Prayer committee of Slovenia. Based on the scripture reading found in Luke 14, the women of Slovenia titled their program “Come (to the

table) — everything is ready.” Women and men from the churches in the Surface Creek Valley gather to perform the program that will lead to a better understanding of the role of Christianity in a country that was once under the rule of communism. After gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, residents of this small country of Slovenia, located in the heart of Europe, are once again free to worship as their grandparents did prior to World War II. A salad bar luncheon, provided by the United Methodist Women, follows in the lower level

fellowship hall. An eleva- information, contact the tor is available. For more church at 856-3696.

Health screenings offered at All Saints Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will offer affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings at All Saints Lutheran Church on March 1. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hard-

Kindergarten & Preschool

Registration Information ��

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ening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. For prices and to register, call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifeline screening.com/community circle or text the word circle to 797979.

Photo submitted

Volunteer builder

Blake Tullis, a sophomore at Cedaredge High School, a two-sport student athlete, and a Life Scout, was recently recognized by Little Sprouts Community Preschool for his role in building a shed for the school. Over a period of two months, Blake joined with other scouts from Boy Scout Troop 482 and community members to construct the shed.

Kindergarten & Preschool

Registration Information ��

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C6 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

AGRICULTURE

Delta County Independent

Delta County issues hemp fact sheet PRESS RELEASE

Interest in hemp related business activities has grown significantly in Delta County over the last several years. With the recent reclassification of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill, it is anticipated that interest in the growing

and processing of hemp will continue. Delta County is supportive of the growing and processing of hemp within the county. This agricultural crop and its products offer another opportunity for our agricultural community to

continue to diversify. The county is receiving numerous inquiries about how we regulate hemp operations. The following outlines Delta County’s regulations related to hemp: • The State of Colorado defines industrial

hemp as an agricultural crop. The cultivation of industrial hemp is regulated by the State Department of Agriculture. • The county’s specific development regulations exempt most agricultural operations from any land use approvals or regula-

March 3, 2019

tions. Concentrated animal feeding operation, slaughter and rendering facilities are the only exception to this exemption. • Agricultural exemptions from land use apply to both the growing/raising of agricultural products and the processing of those products onsite. For example, the county does not require review and approval of the growing of grapes, the processing of wine out of those grapes, or the tasting/sale/distribution of the resulting wine, on the same property. Similarly, the raising of goats, milking of those goats, and production of goat products (meat, cheese, lotions) would require no land use approvals. Likewise, a farm store or stand located on a farm that is growing produce would not require any approvals. The growing and processing of hemp would be treated similarly, even if the growing of the hemp occurs in a greenhouse or other structure.

However, a specific development review and approval would be required for a business that only processed or sold agricultural products that were not grown on the property. An exempt agricultural operation can also process products from other agricultural producers without any land use review. • Though the county does not review and approve the growing and processing of hemp for specific development, there may be other permits or approvals that are necessary for the growing or processing of hemp from the county’s public health department or State of Colorado. For more information, contact the Delta County Health Department at 970-8742165 or the Colorado Department of Agriculture at https://www.colo rado.gov/pacific/agplants/ industrial-hemp. Additional questions can be directed to Delta County Planning at 970874-2110.

Soil Health Conference in Delta this week

12:00 Noon - 3:00 p.m.

The ninth annual Soil Health Conference will be held Feb. 21 and 22 at the Delta Center for Performing Arts, located at 822 Grand Avenue in Delta. The focus is on ways to increase organic matter and increase the health of our soils by using cover crop, notill/minimum-till, green manure, grazing, composting, entomology and other sustainable practices for food and fiber production. NRCS soil health specialist and keynote speaker Jay Fuhrer will highlight the 2019 conference. Fuhrer will address the impact of soil health

Prices at the door will be Adults $10.00 Children (12 yrs. & up) $6.00

practices on forage quality for livestock, how to implement soil health practices inside high tunnels, and composting inoculants on large and small scales. The conference will also feature Daniel and Hana Fullmer. The Fullmers practice regenerative agriculture at Tierra Vida Farm in Durango and they operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce business. There will also be break-out sessions. For more information visit www. westerncolorado soilhealth.org.

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Delta County Colorado

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Classifieds

February 20, 2019

Real Estate

D SECTION

BUY • SELL • TRADE

Real Estate

Delta County Independent

Real Estate

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� ��TODAY

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Help Wanted

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Business Opportunities LANDSCAPE MANAGEment business for sale. Includes customer list, 6 1/2 x 10 trailer, two commercial mowers, aerator, string trimmer, blower, fertilizer spreader, backpack sprayers, and Ingersoll Rand compressor. Interested party should have landscape management and sprinkler experience. 65k. 970-260-8855. (3x7)

Rentals

Livestock 4-H PIGLETS, BLUE Exotics from AI sire “Tom Cat”, born 1-7-19. Very muscular, solid structure! Perfect for Montrose, Junction, or Delta fairs. Top two, $300 each, then $250 each. Pictures on Craigslist, Call or text 970-497-0800. (2x7) SELLING AT DELTA Sales Yard on March 7. 5 registered lim-flex and 1 purebred limousin coming 2-year-old bulls. All black and polled. PAP tested at 8200 ft. Fred & Bette Benson 970-596-1479 or 970-6411783 or bensonlim@msn. com. (3x8)

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BUYING OR SELLING Find it in the DCI Classifieds.

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10:00 a.m. Monday for Wednesday edition. Noon Monday for "Too Late to Classify." ��

�� 401 Meeker St. Delta • 874-4421

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Help Wanted

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CDL A DRIVER (NO tanks or Hazmat) with light mechanical abilities. Full or part-time. Apply in person. Bring current DMV driving record to 686 Industrial Blvd., Delta. (2x7) RENEGADE MANAGEment Inc. is seeking applicants for a full-time position in Guest Services at our Bear Ranch LLC location in Colorado. Persons interested are asked to call 970-929-5336 for an application and job requirements. Renegade Management Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (4x8) DOG SITTER NEEDED IN Delta on semi-regular basis. Starting March 28-31. Drop in twice a day or stay overnight. Pay negotiable. 928814-6754. (2x8)

$8.00 for first issue (25 words or less) 12¢ per additional word 1/2 off each consecutive issue. Customers must pay when they drop off the ad, mail in a check so it arrives at least by Wednesday, put the ad on their debit or credit card, or charge the ad to their established account.

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Classified Line Ad Rates

Deadlines

ROOM FOR RENT IN ECKert. Utilities included. No smoking. No pets. Month to month. 970-309-5912. (4x8)

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

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to reserve your space now!

D2 Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Help Wanted

CLASSIFIEDS

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Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Colorado Statewide �� Network

To place a 25-word COSCAN Network ad in 91 Colorado newspapers for only $300, contact your local newspaper or call Colorado Press Association Network at 303-571-5117.

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Cash for Mineral Rights �� Call: 720-988-5617 �� Write: �� Email: 303-571-5117 ��

Classified Ads are where buyers meet sellers. Call 874-4421 to place your ad now.

to the DCI. Call 874-4421

for the rates in your area.

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Help Wanted HELP WANTED: THE CITY of Delta is now accepting applications for a Marketing Coordinator. Position is Full-time with an excellent benefit package; starting salary is $22.44/hr. Under direct supervision of the Parks, Recreation and Golf Director, promotes the City of Delta by preserving and enhancing our community while supporting all areas of marketing. Successful candidate will organize and coordinate a variety of new and existing City special events; facilitate citywide marketing and branding efforts; research demands for the City’s products and services; provide short and long term market forecasts and reports by directing market research collection analysis and interpretation of market data; facilitate competitor research; manage the City’s website and social media; and serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO). Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Tourism, Graphic Design or related field from an accredited college preferred, and two (2) years of work experience in marketing, customer service, tourism relations or related field. Will be required to pass a preemployment drug screen and background check. Submit completed City of Delta employment application to the City of Delta, Attn: Human Resources, 360 Main Street, Delta, CO 81416 by deadline date of March 1, 2019 by 4:30 p.m. Full job description and applications available at the above address or online at www.cityofdelta.net. Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. EOE (3x7)

Public Service WHAT TYPES OF Cottage Foods Can I Produce? Whole eggs, spices, teas, dehydrated produce, nuts, seeds, Honey, jams, jellies, and preserves, fruit butter, candies, certain bake goods If you have any questions, please call: 8742165. Delta County Health Department. (4x7) 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. 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. 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” ALCOHOLICS ANONYmous meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. Friends of Bill W. Club. 897 Palmer Street, Delta. AARP DRIVER SAFETY Course. Save on insurance, keep up on newer traffic laws, learn defensive driving techniques. For details and schedule contact John Loring (970) 856-6924 or (970) 424-1778.

PUBLIC NOTICES ��

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PUBLIC NOTICES

Delta County Independent

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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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D4 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

CHURCH

Delta County Independent

Harmonious Heartbeat to perform

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Email ads to: ads@deltacountyindependent.com

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Lyrical, harmonious, upbeat and intimate, Heartbeat will perform at the Wright Opera House in Ouray Sunday, March 3, at 4 p.m. Heartbeat is an eightwoman a cappella group formed in Telluride by Ulli Sir Jesse and Sally Davis in 1994. Genres featured at their concerts often include folk, pop, bluegrass, jazz and foreign folk songs. Their current “Live As One” concert is inspired by a line from John Lennon’s song “Imagine.” The group has performed in many cities and venues around Colorado and Utah, including the Telluride Bluegrass and Telluride Jazz Festivals, the Blue Sage in

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Paonia, the Art Center in Moab and the Sand Island Bluegrass Festival in Bluff, Utah. “But some of our favorite concerts have been the impromptu ones, such as the post office, the bike path tunnel, the stairwell at the elementary school and even standing in the Gunnison River singing to boaters,” says member Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. “I think that part of what makes our concerts so much fun is that we have a lot of energy and spontaneity every time we perform. We’re up there having a great time making music.” Current members of the group are Suzan Beraza, Nancy deCastro,

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Donna Burd Fernald, Judith Kohin, Jen Sher Birrittella, Ulli Sir Jesse, Deb Stevens and Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer. Tickets are $12 in

Heartbeat

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advance online, $15 at the door and $3 for students (18 years and under). More information and tickets may be found at www.ocpag.org.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

Delta County Independent

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

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�� Sherry Petersen’s “At Your Service” Professional, Friendly Cleaning Service

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No matter what your printing needs, we can get the job done.

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D6 Wednesday, February 20, 2019

BACK PAGE

Delta County Independent

B A C K P A Adventure & purpose G in Antarctica E

Photos courtesy Mark Farmer and Angela Lodes

Mark Farmer and Angela Lodes standing on the Taylor Glacier, located in the McMurdo Dry Valleys area on the continent of Antarctica. The two recently moved to Cedaredge. They have alternated time in the United States and Antarctica for years.

BY ANNETTE BRAND

Staff Writer

ngela Lodes, at that time a volunteer in AmeriCorp, heard about an open position at the South Pole in 1998 and thought, “Why not?” She wanted to travel, applied for the position, was accepted, and left for Antarctica. In 2002 Mark Farmer, who was interested in Antarctica and its history, decided he would like to work in Antarctica. The U.S. Antarctica Program was building a new station at the South Pole and he looked into job opportunities at the new station. He found there were opportunities for carpenters, applied, was accepted and left for the South Pole. Although their starting points are far apart, the two crossed paths in Antartica. Angela is from Cedar Hill, Missouri, outside Saint Louis; Mark is from Burtonon-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Angela was working in Antarctica for three years before she and Mark met. In 2002 Mark and Angela were both assigned to the same construction crew, on the same shift, at the U.S. South Pole Station. Angela was assigned as Mark’s apprentice. Mark said, “We met and worked together as friends.” Angela explained, “Winter season at the South Pole lasts nine months, February through October. There is a six-month period of complete darkness.” “At the Palmer Station on the coast, there is a six-month winter season.” The season in Antarctica when the scientists are doing their research is from October through February. The support crews arrive in August to build all the needed structures to enable the scientists to begin their research as soon as they arrive. “The building construction is designed to directly aid the scientists’ research specialty, and the science supports the construction,” Mark explained. At the end of the season the construction crews go in and break the field camp down. Employees enter into fourmonth, six-month or year-long contracts. Mark and Angela signed six consecutive sixmonth contracts, all at the same base. The U.S. flies the contract employees down to New Zealand, and from New Zealand to Antarctica, and flies them back to the U.S. on the same route when their contract is up. “On the way back everyone stops in New Zealand for a vacation. It’s part of the job,” Mark said. “Angela and I chose a two-week vacation.” Their life schedules became flying to Antarctica for their six-month contracts ... on

their return to the U.S., stopping over in New Zealand for their two-week vacation ... then continuing on to Fairplay, Colorado, where they lived for six months. Then one day when they were in Fairplay, Mark and Angela looked at each other differently than they had been looking at each other before. Angela said, “Right away we fell in love.” They lived in Fairplay for half of each year for 15 years. Mark did construction work and Angela did other jobs in Fairplay. Mark and Angela began to talk about their life pattern of six months in Antarctica every year. Angela had worked in Antarctica for 12 years, Mark for 10 years. Ice covers everywhere the scientists and support staff work and live. Angela said, “We are outside as much as everyone else. Lots of people do this work for many years. We have friends who have lived this life for 20 years. “It takes a toll. Six days a week, nine hours a day and more, lots of hours day after day. After you get back to the States, it takes a couple of weeks for the body to recuperate, to get your energy back.” In Fairplay it snows until the end of May — nine months of snow. Mark and Angela knew they wanted to stay in Colorado, but they wanted to be at a lower altitude, where it was warmer and there was snow, but less snow. Mark had a friend in Cedaredge, someone he had met in Antarctica, who told

them about Cedaredge and its much better climate than Fairplay’s. Mark and Angela moved to Cedaredge last November with their border collie Mulligan. Angela has found a job as a special education aide at a public preschool. She started to work on Feb. 4. Mark, with all those years of carpentry experience, is remodeling their Cedaredge house and will be looking for work in construction. They have spent a lot of time exploring the area, going to Escalante and Dominguez Canyons. They love to swim and have joined the Bill Heddles Recreation Center in Delta. They love cross-country skiing. “There’s a big playground up there [on the Grand Mesa],” Mark said. “Mulligan is enjoying the exercise, too. We open the car door and Mulligan is in!” Angela, Mark and Mulligan are experiencing adventure in their newly-found Colorado home. “We love to go camping,” Angela said. “We’re going to buy a van and put a bed in it. In Antarctica we slept in a tent, as did everyone in the field camp. We had big, warm sleeping bags and I took a hot water bottle to bed with me. “But here at home, when we go camping we want more comfort.” Mark has a motorcycle, loves to drive it and is looking forward to checking out its maximum power on the long, open roads available in this area.

Mark digs out a doorway to a freezer cave where food is stored. He describes the freezer cave as “a big square hole we dig in the snow, put a temporary roof over the hole along with some steps to get down in there.”

Mark and Angela on a back packing trip in the south island of New Zealand on their way back from Antarctica to the U.S. Mark added, “We are really excited and happy to be here.” Angela has been looking around at their housing lot — which isn’t completely covered with snow — and anticipating taking up gardening. They have become aware of the Cedaredge Animal Shelter and look forward to becoming involved in its programs. Their plan is to become involved in the Cedaredge community. Mark and Angela also have strong commitments to Antarctica. Angela said, “Antarctica is a fantastic place to be.” Mark added, “There are jobs to fit all kinds of skill sets, fulfilling jobs supporting the front line of science.” Angela continued, “The United States spends millions of dollars in support of the U.S. Antarctica Program science research programs in

Antarctica. They need people to support the scientists — clerks, payroll staff, galley workers and dining room staff to see that the people get fed, and certainly construction workers. “It would be great for young people to go there for a season and have their eyes opened, to see how big the world is. And of course they would get to see New Zealand.” Angela and Mark have traveled all seven continents. Mark added, “I would encourage young people to explore, to have adventures. There is so much to be done in the field camps that it doesn’t exclude any skills. “I felt good supporting science and discovery on the cutting edge.” The U.S. Antarctica Program is funded by the National Science Foundation. For those interested in additional information, go to USAP.gov.

Angela fastening a vestibule to a tent at a seasonal camp in West Antarctica.

A seasonal camp in the Trans-Antarctica mountains.