Estes Park News, January 31, 2025

Page 1


Snowy Bond

Moose sightings are unusual, but this mom and her adultsized calf were recently seen walking through the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This time of year, they subsist on a diet of mostly twigs and bark.

Photo by Alan Lipkin www.shutterstock.com/g/alanlipkin

5,000 copies were printed this week, and distributed FREE to hundreds of Estes Valley locations including Allenspark, Glen Haven & Lyons. A National Online Audience With Loyal Local Readership

Ph: (970) 586•5800 Fax: (970) 692•2611

Opinions of our columnists are not necessarily the opinions of this newspaper. Owners/Publishers: Gary & Kris Hazelton

Editor: Kris Hazelton

Office Manager: Tim Buck office@epnews.com

Tech Operations: Andrew Donaldson ads@estesparknews.com

Advertising: Jordan Hazelton jordan@estesparknews.com

Press releases: kris@estesparknews.com

All editorial, photo content & graphic design is copyright of Estes Park News, Inc. & can not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of Estes Park News, Inc. ©2025

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Reserve space: Monday by 4:00 pm

Final submissions: Tuesday by Noon

Classifieds: Deadline Wed. by Noon

Presentation On Scams At Coffee & Tea At

The PD Feb. 6th

The Estes Park Police Department will host its regular Coffee & Tea at the PD, Thursday, Feb. 6 from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the lobby of Town Hall, 170 MacGregor Ave. Iced tea, lemonade and cookies will be available at 4 p.m. February's event will be a presentation on Scams and how to prevent becoming a victim by Detective Jenn Morrow.

The police department will be hosting Coffee & Tea at the PD monthly with odd months taking place from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. and even months from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.. On March 6, there will be a scheduled presentation from the Code Enforcement Officer on a variety of topics.

For more information on the Estes Park Police Department, please visit estes.org/pd.

Learn About The 2025 Power And Communications Capital Improvement Projects

The Town of Estes Park invites Power and Communications customers to join its staff to learn about the capital improvement projects planned for 2025. Joe Lockhart, Power and Communications Line Superintendent, and Sarah Clark, AMI Coordinator, will discuss current and planned electric system projects, their funding sources, and the ongoing electric rate study.

The meeting will be on Monday, Feb. 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library at 335 E. Elkhorn Ave. in Estes Park. For those who cannot attend in person, a virtual option is available.

To join the meeting virtually, follow

this link:

https://meet.google.com/meu-jpjd-jjs

To join by phone, dial 1-224-5410555 PIN: 510 960 557#

These public meetings give the community an opportunity to ask questions about projects and operations and discuss the need to review electric rates with cost-of-service rate studies.

For more information about Power and Communications and its programs and services, please visit estes.org/powerandcommunications. For more information, please contact AMI Coordinator Sarah Clark at sclark@estes.org or 970- 577-3588.

Estes Park Museum Members

Permanent Gallery Tour

On Friday, February 7 at 4:00 p.m. Estes Park Museum members will have the opportunity for a guided tour of Destination: Estes Park, the permanent exhibition in the main gallery of the Museum. Museum Director Derek Fortini and Curator of Interpretation Mikaela Fundaun will discuss Estes Park History, historic artifacts, local art and artists, and much more. Museum members may bring a plus one to this event, no RSVP necessary.

During this after-hours tour, members and their plus ones will explore features of the permanent exhibit including the

The charge(s) are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

On 1/21/2025 at 8:48 p.m. in the 500 block of Big Thompson Avenue, a 40 year old male from Denver, CO was contacted for a traffic violation and found to have two warrants for his arrest. The first warrant was for failure to comply, with the original charge being sexual assault. The second warrant was for an immigration

EVFPD firefighters generally respond to medical calls in their personal vehicles, allowing for a faster response. On other incidents, firefighters respond to a fire station to respond in department apparatus with specialized equipment.

During the week of January 19th, 2025, the Estes Valley Fire Protection District (EVFPD) responded to 11 calls for serv-

1909 Stanley Steamer Runabout, historic films, oral histories, and artifacts dating throughout Estes Park’s history. The Estes Park Museum gallery strives to connect the beautiful natural setting to the stories of growth and development of this unique mountain community. Not a member, but want to attend this and other special events at the Museum throughout the year? It’s easy to join by emailing Jeanna Edwards at jedwards@estes.org or by calling (970) 577-3766, or stop by the Museum to sign-up. The Museum gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

violation.The male was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.

On 1/26/2025 at 12:21 a.m. police contacted a 30 year old male from Estes Park in the 500 block of Big Thompson Avenue who was wanted on an outstanding warrant for a vehicular assault/felony. The male was arrested and transported to the Larimer County Jail.

ice. This included:

• Alarm Activation: 3

• Emergency Medical (assist EPH): 4

• Assist: 1

• Smoke Investigation: 1

• Odor Investigation: 1

• Gas Leak: 1 www.estesvalleyfire.org

First Annual Skijor Event in Estes Park: A Huge Success!

This past weekend, Estes Park played host to the highly anticipated First Annual Skijor Event, and it was a massive hit! The community and guests to our mountain town came together to enjoy a weekend filled with thrilling action, great food and plenty of fun in the snow.

For those who aren’t familiar, Skijoring is an exciting winter sport where a skier (or snowboarder) is pulled by a horse through a snowy course filled with curves and jumps. It’s a blend of adrenaline, skill, and pure winter joy, and it definitely captured the spirit of adventure in Estes Park.

The event was the brainchild of Nick Smith and Sean Jurgens who invited the talents of Mark Purdy and Kevin Benes to help out. Kevin Benes, Race Director with Running Wild Events said, “We were going to consider year one a success if we had 1,300 people attending. Our total attendance across the weekend with all competitors, spectators, volunteers and sponsors was right around 9,000 with 7,600 of that total as spectators. We had 250 course runs, 120 on Saturday, 130 on Sunday...well over sell out! The total prize purse for the weekend was $25,000 for the competitors!”

Though the weather played a bit of a trick on us early on, with Saturday bringing some bone-chilling cold, the event still drew crowds of eager spectators and participants who were determined not to let the chill ruin the fun. By Sunday, the skies cleared, and the temperatures warmed up, creating the perfect conditions for both skiers and spectators to soak in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains and the thrill of Skijoring.

The organizers did an absolutely fantastic job pulling it all together, ensuring everything ran smoothly despite the tricky weather. From the warming house to the amazing food trucks, there was no shortage of comfort or tasty options for attendees. Whether you were craving

something hearty to fuel up or a sweet treat to enjoy while watching the action, the food vendors certainly did not disappoint.

Local vendors also added to the excitement, offering unique goods and giving everyone a chance to take home a piece of the event. The entire atmosphere was full of good vibes, with people smiling, chatting and sharing in the fun.

Ticket sales being a resounding success only proves how much the community was eager to support this exciting new event. With the strong turnout and positive feedback, it’s safe to say that Skijoring is here to stay in Estes Park, and this event will only grow in the coming years.

A huge thank you goes out to the organizers, contestants, volunteers, sponsors, and all who made this weekend possible. It was a great start to what’s sure to become a beloved tradition in Estes Park for many years to come. Kevin emphasized these sentiments adding, “Now that we are wrapped for our first year, I can confidently say that this event is everything about why I love our town when it’s amped up to an 11. The process of connecting our horse and ski community was a blast. My new friend and Skijoring partner, Holly Spreitzer, I would have never met otherwise. From talking to the 48 Estes Valley teams that competed, many had a similar experience, meeting a member of our community from a different world that rarely crosses paths. The fact that we come together for the sickest extreme sport I can imagine is just the icing on the cake.

This event was more than we could have ever dreamed and I'm grateful for the overwhelming positivity Estes has shown our whole team.

If you thought this was good, just wait for year two!”

Kevin Benes, Mark Purdy, Nick Smith and Sean Jurgens Courtesy photo
Estes Park News/ Gary Hazelton

Aviation Club Celebrates The 40th Anniversary Of STS-51C

Forty years ago, the first space shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense soared into space. On Wednesday, February 12, the Estes Park Aviation Club will celebrate this anniversary. Relive this highly classified flight and learn about the crew that flew it. One crew member was an astronaut who played a critical role in Apollo 13 and later flew to the moon himself. The crew also included an astronaut, who sadly, would lose his life in the Challenger tragedy one year later, almost to the day. And the Shuttle pilot for this mission is a current Estes Park resident who, perhaps, might make an appearance. Come see how this reusable space plane pulled off a mission that was so classified that even the launch time wasn’t revealed until nine minutes before liftoff.

neering and spent most of his career working on Space Shuttle and Titan IV rocket missions. While working in Denver, he would come up to Estes Park on weekends to hike in Rocky and spend money in town. He is now a fulltime resident of Estes Park.

Since our normal meeting place, the American Legion, is undergoing a facelift, the February 12th meeting will

Presenter, Barry Power, spent a lot of time working on the STS-51C mission at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) near Denver. He was inspired to pursue a career in the Space Program by his father, who was an electrical engineer at Bendix Aerospace. After watching the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo flights, Barry got a degree in aeronautical and astronautical engi-

be at The Wapiti Colorado Pub (formerly Nicky’s) at 1350 Fall River Road. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. (not the usual 6:30), however, all members (visitors and guests as well) are invited to come at 5:00 p.m. for an optional social time, with food and drink available for purchase from Wapiti. The Aviation Club meetings are open to the public and all interested parties are invited to this fascinating program on a crucial Space Shuttle mission.

Crutches4Africa.org

Sunrise Rotary and Noon Rotary have been collaborating on a project titled Crutches4Africa. It is a 501(c)(3) organization and is the international project of Mountain Foothills Rotary Club in District 5450. David Talbot is a Rotarian and a polio survivor. He and his wife Candice, founded this organization after witnessing people in Africa struggling to move due to the effects of polio. Crutches4Africa is now a worldwide organization and every person participating in it is a volunteer. No one is paid. They do this out of the goodness of their heart to provide mobility devices to people stricken with polio. They are living Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.

Bill Howell, President of Sunrise Rotary, offered his garage as a collection site for donated items. If you have an assistive device you no longer need or want, bring it to our Rotary meeting on the first four Thursdays of the month at the American Legion at 11: 30 AM. I will collect them and deliver them to Bill at his home.

We have been offered an empty RV to serve as a collection site, but I need a 16 foot site where I can park it. If you know of a place, please contact me at anneslack@aol.com.

“Mobility, Health, Dignity, Access: We toil together to enable those we may never see. Hobbled in life by some illness, accident or act of violence. Many are hopeless. The generous donations given to Crutches 4 Africa are the tools we use to help raise the hindered, to lift them from the dust, and help them on their way.”

To contact Crutches4Africa, phone: 303-877-2803 or email: c4a@crutches4africa.org; To view their website go to www.crutches4africa.org. Please help us with this very worthy cause. Thank you, Annie Slack, 970-231-6697

One Hour with Jesus

Celebrating Our 2024 Graduation Rates

From: Ruby Bode

Superintendent of Estes Park Schools

We are thrilled to announce the release of the statewide 2023-24 graduation rates and could not be prouder of the accomplishments of our senior class! Estes Park High School (EPHS) experienced a significant increase in its four-year graduation rate, achieving the highest rate since 2019 at 94.2% well above the state average of 84.2%—a testament to the dedication of our students, staff, and community.

At EPHS, earning a diploma reflects the fulfillment of rigorous requirements. Graduates complete 26 academic credits and log 40 hours of community service—standards that exceed those of many traditional high schools across Colorado, where the typical requirement is 20–24 academic credits. These higher expectations help prepare students for

success in college, careers, and beyond, equipping them with the skills and resilience needed for the future.

Superintendent Ruby Bode highlighted the role of staff and the community in this achievement, stating: "This significant accomplishment reflects not only the perseverance of our students but also the focused efforts of our staff toward continuous school improvement. Together with the support of our families and community, we are preparing our graduates for bright futures."

Thank you to our entire Estes Park community for supporting our students in rising to and meeting these challenges, preparing them for success in college, careers, and beyond. We celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to seeing their impact on the world!

!"#$%&#'()#*&"$+,&-$#"$.((# /.+0(&#$1)+23#

4+-#,2#56&"$.1-"# 7&+((2#0&# +-"8&7&)3# 918#)1#8&# .-$&7:7&$#$%&# ;.0(&3#

!"#<1)#).==&7&-$# .-#$%&#'()# *&"$+,&-$#$%+-# $%&#>&8# *&"$+,&-$3#

918#)1#!# ?-183#

Senior Austin Tice crosses the stage to receive his diploma from Allie Hansen, Senior Class Sponsor, High School English teacher, and proud EPHS alum.

Do You Know A Woman Of Impact In Estes Park?

Estes Park is a town full of entrepreneurial spirit and go-getters who make wonderful things happen. Over the past couple of years, the Estes Chamber of Commerce has recognized more than 60 local Women of Impact. Nominations are now open for the 2025 honors, which will culminate in a recognition event at The Barrel on Thursday, March 6th, ahead of International Women’s Day.

answered ‘yes’ to these questions, then you know a Woman of Impact who should be nominated for the Estes Chamber’s 2025 Women of Impact recognition.

Park Hospital District Board Responsibilities May Change As UCHealth Partnership Develops

So, what exactly is a Woman of Impact? “We believe Women of Impact connect, encourage, engage, and enable positive change by inspiring actions that move our community forward, not only when they are actively engaged in a project or event, but also through living their lives with passion and purpose and embracing changes that innovate us for the future,” said Chamber President Colleen DePasquale.

As you think of women to nominate, consider this. Do they embody key attributes of optimism and persistence? Do they have a strong and powerful voice? Do they display a strong sense of self and confidence that they also instill in others? If you

“As a woman-owned business, The Barrel is thrilled to be hosting the recognition celebration for a third year,” added Ingrid Bush, owner. “I always enjoy seeing the honorees who bring their daughters and nieces to celebrate the successes that these women leaders have accomplishedyou can see the next generation being inspired to make this town great,” Bush said.

Nominations are simple, just log-on to the Estes Chamber website and click “Women of Impact” under the “Events & Programs” tab or at business.esteschamber.org/form/ view/34832 and tell us about your Woman of Impact, and how they're making Estes Park a better place to live, work, and play, between now and February 17th

We’ll reveal Women of Impact honorees throughout March, with social media recognition, articles here in the Estes Park News, and at our celebration on March 6th from 4:00 p.m. –5:30 p.m. (which will be open to the public).

Estes Park Health (EPH) and its board of directors continue to make progress on defining the agreement that will allow EPH to join UCHealth, likely in mid-2025. As the due diligence process continues, board members and hospital leaders are optimistic that the agreement will be finalized over the coming months.

“UCHealth leaders and the dedicated EPH board members are making progress toward this important partnership that will strengthen the health care services offered in our town and local communities,” said Vern Carda, Estes Park Health CEO. “Though we are all anxious to finalize the agreement quickly, we know the time spent now is important and will benefit patients for decades to come.”

The period for self-nomination for the Park Hospital District (PHD) Board is now open and will run through Feb. 20, with the election scheduled for May 6, 2025. With the election coming up in several months, EPH is sharing that the planned partnership with UCHealth will change the makeup and responsibilities of the PHD Board as Estes Park Health becomes a more traditional, nonprofit organization. The

agreement between EPH and UCHealth is not final, and details are subject to change.

If the partnership with UCHealth is finalized, EPH will create its own, nonprofit hospital board of directors. This board is expected to be made up of Estes Park community members, board members nominated by the PHD Board, and UCHealth leaders. The nonprofit board will help oversee the hospital’s operations, provider credentialing, quality, safety and overall performance. The EPH board will be separate from the PHD Board.

The Park Hospital District will continue as a special taxing district, helping to generate tax revenues that will support local health care operations and improvements. The PHD Board will oversee the tax district, but oversight of the hospital will transfer to the new EPH Board.

“Serving on the Park Hospital Board is an important responsibility that helps improve the health of our entire community. We want to encourage this service while also letting anyone interested in a position know that the board’s responsibilities will change as we plan to join UCHealth,” said Carda.

Wine & Chocolate Festival Brings Sweet Indulgence To Estes Park February 8

Mark your calendars and prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience! The 2025 Wine & Chocolate Festival is coming to Estes Park on Saturday, Feb. 8, offering a day filled with indulgence, relaxation, and discovery. This premier 21+ event combines the rich flavors of fine wine, decadent chocolates, and local delights with live music, exciting activities, and picturesque mountain views.

What to Expect: Sip and savor a curated selection of wines from local wineries and vineyards while delighting in the sweet offerings from artisanal chocolatiers and other gourmet vendors. Explore unique goods, treats, and handcrafted items from a variety of local businesses. Enjoy the signature sound of Ryan Flores, blending Latin Gypsy music styles such as Flamenco, Tango, Mariachi, and more, creating an energizing and danceable vibe. Immerse yourself in glow-in-the-dark mini golf, capture

memories with a fun photoshoot, or have your caricature drawn by the talented local artist, Jason Sauer.

Event Details: Saturday, Feb. 8, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way, Estes Park, CO.

Exclusive Lodging Offers:

The Quality Inn Estes Park and Holiday Inn Estes Park are proud sponsors of the Wine & Chocolate Festival, offering discounted hotel rates for attendees. Make it a weekend getaway and enjoy the comfort and convenience of these top accommodations.

Don't Miss Out! Celebrate love, friendship, and the finer things in life at this year’s Wine & Chocolate Festival. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so secure yours today for an unforgettable day of fun and indulgence. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit estesparkeventscomplex.com/wineandchocolate.

Sometimes Thunker readers contact me with column ideas. Here is one I received recently from a long-time hiking cohort, Dave M.:

I was just looking at a list of 14ers and was struck for about the millionth time by how little agreement there is on whether it is correct to write “Longs Peak” or “Long’s Peak.” I figured as a writer who knows the mountain you might be able to explain this to me, although I suppose this may be purely a matter of correct punctuation and have nothing to do with the mountain itself.

I've run across statements that “Long’s Peak” is patently incorrect but maddeningly common. I suppose this construction formally means “the peak that was possessed by Stephen Harriman Long,” which is clearly wrong since he never owned it or even came close to climbing it.

But then, what does the construction “Longs Peak” mean, or where does it come from? Is it merely an arbitrary name that somebody at the USGS [United States Geological Survey] put on an official map and in so doing gave the mountain its name? That explanation seems a little weak; if it is correct then the mountain could just as well be named “Long Peak” although doing so might confuse people into thinking that it is so-named because the peak is, literally, long (which it sorta is with that big flat top).

Then again, we usually don't stumble over “Hallett Peak,” or “Taylor Peak,” or “Powell Peak,” although I've read complaints that the former is sometimes mistakenly written “Halletts Peak.” And then there’s “McHenrys Peak” which has an added trailing “s” with no apostrophe. There seems to be no consistency in these names. Maybe it really was at the whim of some USGS cartographer?

I was just thunkering about this while fantasizing about next summer’s hikes. Ha! I changed thunker into a verb. Maybe your column should be “Thunkering,” in reference to the act, rather than “Thunker,” which makes it all about you (or Dott D.). [Dott D. introduced me to the concept of a thunker, which is a controlled daydream— usually occurring while on the trail. A thunker is also one who thunks.]

Coincidentally, I had heard from Will C. several months ago about the same topic but with a twist: You wrote a while back that place names seem to have inconsistent rules in use and spelling. One of the rules the US Gov’ usually follows is that if a place is named after a person who’s still alive, you use a ’ in the place name. Like Mike’s Camera in Boulder. If someone has passed on with a place named after them the ’ is usually dropped. Like Longs Peak. When Stephan Long was still alive the mountain was spelled Long’s Peak on maps. When he passed the apostrophe was dropped and we have the spelling we have now. Don't know if this is a help or a nuisance. If this explanation were true, it would be a help. Unfortunately it is misinformation. Even the suggestion that I wrote about place names is inaccurate.

Will must have me confused with someone else. I’m used to that. Although no one has ever mistaken me for Mike Royko, I’ve been called Thumper, Clunker, Stunker, and worse. It comes with the territory. Back to territory! To get to the bottom of the big fat question mark about using an apostrophe with a geographic name, I went straight to the source: the Domestic Names Committee of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Their 96-page document called “Principles, Policies and Procedures, Domestic Geographic Names” was a wealth of information. The Board on Geographic Names has been in existence since 1890 so they have history to back them up. This is what the document states regarding genitive apostrophes:

Apostrophes suggesting possession or association are discouraged within the body of a proper geographic name (Henrys Fork: not Henry’s Fork). The word or words that form a geographic name change their connotative function and together become a single denotative unit. They change from words having specific dictionary meaning to fixed labels used to refer to geographic entities. The need to imply possession or association no longer exists. Thus, we write “Jamestown” instead of “James’town” or even “Richardsons Creek” instead of “Richard’s son’s creek.” The whole name can be made possessive or associative with an apostrophe at the end as in “Rogers Point’s rocky shore.” Apostrophes may be used within the body of a geographic name to denote a missing letter (Lake O’ the Woods) or when they normally exist in a surname used as part of a geographic name (O’Malley Draw)

So there we have it. No possessive apostrophes. Generally, this is to avoid disputes over ownership.

There are five exceptions to this policy, allowing apostrophes in the names of the following places: Martha’s Vineyard, MA; Ike’s Point, NJ; John E’s Pond, RI; Carlos Elmer’s Joshua View, AZ; and Clark’s Mountain, OR.

While we’re at it, this is a perfect time to bring up the rules for punctuation inside and outside quotation marks. Take note:

A period should always go inside quotation marks, regardless of whether it is part of the quoted material itself. Example: “I thunk therefore I am.” Commas also go inside “quotation marks,” just like right there. Other punctuation marks like a question mark and an exclamation point (just one!) go inside the quotation marks only if they are part of the quoted material.

“You see?”

Is it “true”?

I see. All true, I thunk.

You may let The Thunker know what you think at her e-mail address, donoholdt@gmail.com.

© 2025 Sarah Donohoe

Estes Valley Foreign Policy Association February Lecture: Middle-East Situation Report #2

Staying well-informed and up-to-date on the prevailing American issues of our time has never been more difficult and complicated than it is right now. Understanding facts and learning unbiased information directly affecting you, your children, and your grandchildren has never been more important. Where can you find that kind of critical information in Estes Park? The New York Times?

The BBC? CNN or Fox?

The Answer: The Great Decisions Forum at the Estes Valley Library.

Thursday February 6th will be a Situation Report: Gaza, Israel, Syria Factions. This will be presented by Mr. Peter Gibbs, a local Mid-East Culture and Political Affairs Analyst.

Each month, the forum meets to discuss key social, economic, and security issues to understand fully how government policies and events affect us and shape our immediate future. The forum moderator (a local Estes Park neighbor of yours) leads the group through a short, highquality video lecture. Each video features up-to-date information developed by a nationally recognized subject matter expert. Forum attendees then freely discuss the topic, exchanging ideas and personal experiences. The Forum is apolitical and focuses on building an understanding that we need to be educated, voters and wise taxpayers. Diversity of ideas is heartily welcomed and embraced by all during our discussion.

Our international expert for this discussion will be Daniel Kurtzer. He has written the chapter for this discussion that you can find at the library in the booklet entitled Great Decisions 2025. Daniel Kurtzer has worked in the Middle East since the early 1980s. He was also part of the Clinton administration's team of advisers on the Arab–Israeli peace process. In 2006, he retired from the State Department and the U.S. Foreign Service and assumed a chair in Middle East policy studies at the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

The war in Gaza has brought the region to a crossroads. What are the possible outcomes of the war, and how might the United States use its influence to shape a long-term settlement that leaves both Israel and the Palestinians in a better position? How might Arab states in the wider region be brought into a settlement? What are America’s interests in the Middle East and how can it advance them?

Predicting the future of this hot spot, the Middle East, requires understanding its past and the many religious factions that inhabit the region. With all sides declaring God is on their side, how can long-standing conflicts and grievances be resolved? This lecture provides a groundlevel citizen's view of the autocratic, democratic, and theocratic powers swirling in the region. Is peace even possible?

The mission and purpose of the Estes Valley Foreign Policy Association, a nonpolitical, non-profit organization, is to educate citizens on the critical national issues of our time. Attendance is free. Presentations are conducted by leaders and executives from diverse fields, complemented by active involvement from local citizens. This meeting is held on Thursday, February 6th in the Wasson Room at our fabulous Estes Valley Library from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Be the best-informed Citizen you can be in 2025 and participate in these free educational sessions.

Mr. Peter Gibbs

Estes Valley Model Railroaders

February Meeting

It’s all for the love of trains! Please join us for a fun and interesting evening.

All aboard! The Estes Valley Model Railroaders will be meeting Wednesday evening, February 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Hondius Room at the Estes Valley Library.

Our meeting is open to all interested in trains and model trains. You don’t have to own a model train or do modeling to be welcome at this meeting.

People share their projects, share how they solved problems, share where to get materials needed, etc. We frequently have programs which include speakers, demonstrations, travel opportunities, etc.

It’s all for the love of trains! Please join us for a fun and interesting evening.

For further information on our club or if you have questions, please email us at estesparktrainshow@gmail.com or check out our website at RailsintheRockies.org.

Still Time To Enter Magic Of Masks Community Art Challenge

February 7th is the last day to enter the Magic of Mask Challenge!

There are just two weeks until completed masks are due at the Art Center of Estes Park, turn in dates are February 8, 9, 10 between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. When you turn in your mask make sure the following is complete:

• Make sure your hanging wire is attached to the canvas before you turn it into the Art Center.

• Is your mask right-side up?

• Complete your title card form with your title and price.

The opening reception is February 15, 2025, from 2-4, award presentations will begin a 3:15. Come early and vote for your favorite mask for the People’s Choice Award. Voting begins Friday, February 14 to February 15th at 3:00 p.m. Awards will be given in two categories, Students and Adults and People’s Choice Award. All masks are for sale, take home your favorite mask! We look forward to a fun evening!

For The Love Of Longs Peak: Lisa Foster Continues Her Stretch Of Consecutive Monthly Summits On The Iconic Mountain

When Lisa Foster and Steph Abegg stood atop Longs Peak in March 2024, they gazed over the surrounding landscape, reveling in the winter sun. They had pushed against strong and bitter winds, managed debilitating cold temperatures that had threatened to turn them around, and had battled through waist deep snow for hours. “It’s so beautiful,” said Abegg as the pair took summit photos. “And totally worth it!”

“March can be one of the more difficult months in which to climb Longs Peak,” Foster explained. And she should know. With her solo climb on January 8, 2025, Foster has logged 247 successful ascents of the celebrated 14er. She is the only

woman on the historical Top Ten list of climbers with the greatest number of summits of Longs Peak. She is also the only woman to have successfully climbed the mountain by a different route each month in a single calendar year. But the most impressive accomplishment is that she holds the record for the highest number of consecutive monthly summits: 61 months in a row, from January 2020 through January 2025. That represents over five calendar years of commitment and dedication. The only other person in history with a considerable number of consecutive monthly summits was the late and legendary RMNP Ranger Jim Detterline, who chronicled 30 successive monthly summits from

May 1998 to October 2000, which included one calendar year.

When asked what motivates her to continue climbing Longs Peak for years in every season and variable conditions, Foster explained, “The incredible beauty of the mountain speaks to me. Every time I climb it it’s different—different routes, the way the light plays on the mountain, sharing exciting experiences with climbing partners, the changing seasons—I find a lot of joy in returning to the peak; it’s like visiting an old friend,” she said.

Foster finished five consecutive calendar years of monthly ascents on December 3, 2024 when she and Micaiah White, Sarah Fritz and Jesse Turner climbed the Cables Route. The foursome encountered a significant amount of sugar snow over rock slabs on the technical section, making the ascent exciting.

White, a local mountaineer and climber, shared six months of ascents with Foster in 2021 (March, May, June, August, October and December), the year she completed her goal of climbing the peak by a different route every month. “When Lisa told me her goal of summiting via a different route each month of the year, I knew that the winter months would take strategy and teamwork. It requires the necessary skills, the grit to lean into blasting icy winds and keep moving upward, to trudge through snow drifts for hours on end, and it’s just not common. I’m so proud of her,” said White.

Foster agreed, “It was key to have a motivated partner like Micaiah,” she said. “He’s a good friend and an accomplished climber. He was willing to explore and test out alternative routes in diverse conditions. A good partner makes all the difference.”

That being said, Foster admitted, “Getting partners for winter ascents of a technical mountain like Longs is hard. It’s particularly difficult to keep partners interested for more than a few ascents. Even when people are psyched, I haven’t seen that enthusiasm last beyond a single year. For that reason, I end up climbing the mountain solo a lot, even in the winter.”

Out of her 247 ascents, Foster has completed 131 of them alone, many of which were in winter conditions.

In 2016, lacking reliable partners, Foster soloed the mountain in the difficult months of January, February, March and April. “For the January 2016 solo ascent, it was incredibly windy. The conditions were brutal. It took all my effort to stay attached to the mountain,” Foster said. Then again in 2022, she soloed the peak during the months of February, March, April and May.

In another solo experience, on December 3, 2020, Foster battled tremendously cold temperatures for the entire day. Verglas, a thin, unsupportive layer of

ice, coated all of the exposed surfaces. Foster remembered her husband Alex’s key advice for such conditions: “Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe!” Foster carefully placed each of her crampon points in the delicate ice as she ascended the slabs and blocks. “Being all alone, miles from civilization, in the wind, balancing on thin points of metal…it narrows your entire world down to each foot placement. The focus required for this is intense,” Foster said.

Conditions for her April 1, 2021 solo ascent of the Clark’s Arrow Route (also known as the Loft Route) were tricky— steep snow with scary exposure. “You just have to have confidence and place one foot after another,” Foster explained. “Being unroped on steep terrain requires a good head and confident movement. It’s counterproductive to let fear take over.”

Even in summer or fall conditions, Foster has found herself in situations that required all of her skills to ensure her safety. “On October 8, 2020, I was soloing the Beaver Skyline Traverse on the Southeast Ridge,” she related. “I had already committed to the technical section in what is called ‘The Staircase,’ when I realized that the freeze from the night before had caused ice to form in all the cracks, which I couldn’t see until I was up there. At that point, there was no going down; I just had to deal with it. I summoned all my experience to place my feet properly and gain positive enough traction not to fall down the Notch Couloir. I did it, but it was heady.”

In order to succeed in climbing a mountain of this size consistently, many factors need to be considered. The most obvious are the forecast, the conditions on the ground, and the intense winds that commonly batter the peak, but the logistics of the climb are equally challenging. Life complications such as work schedules, health issues, travel plans, family obligations, and other interests must be juggled in order to scratch out a day each month. “Something always comes up,” Foster laughed. And then there’s the issue of motivation. “In theory, it’s exciting to climb Longs Peak in winter,” Foster said. “But in reality, it’s intimidating to be on steep slopes on a big mountain for hours on end, especially when you’re alone. Anything can happen up there. It’s daunting and intense.”

March 2024 was case in point: After carefully choosing a day with good weather, manageable temperatures, light winds and favorable snowpack, one of Foster’s good friends needed help. “My friend had a sudden predicament right before my scheduled climb,” Foster explained. “I saw the huge storm in the forecast and knew that more than three feet of snow would fall on the peak, and I knew that skipping the day I had planned

Lisa Foster at Chasm View, with the Diamond visible behind, September, 2024.
Sunrise above the Boulderfield, April 2024.

could mean the end of my streak,” she said. “But I didn’t care—friendship is more important to me than this goal, and the experience of sharing a meaningful day helping my friend was more important to me than anything else.”

As predicted, the powerful winter storm struck the mountain and deposited nearly four feet of snow. Shortly after, Foster and three climbing partners, White, Dan Turk and Tommy Campbell opted to make an attempt. Due to the snow load on the mountain, they carefully considered the conditions and weighed their collective skills and experience. After much thought, they decided to tackle the Keyhole Route. The group slogged for hours through fresh snow, and when they passed through the Keyhole formation, they encountered what Campbell called “armpit deep snow” in The Ledges. Though the snowpack was stable, the immense effort required to traverse along the terrain eventually turned them back. Turk, a retired university professor and an active member of RMNP’s Preventative Search and Rescue program explained, “Just getting to the Keyhole was a workout. We encountered knee to thigh deep powder crossing the Boulderfield. We took turns breaking trail for a couple hundred yards before letting someone else take the lead. But on the final slope to the Keyhole, we had to “swim” and flounder, and made very slow progress. Knowing how much climbing was ahead of us, and considering the time left before dark, we decided to turn around after spending well over an hour trying to traverse The Ledges.”

sive ascents of big mountains throughout the United States. “I was even knocked down by the wind a few times,” she related. But the pair knew the winds were forecast to subside in the afternoon, and after spending time warming hands and pulling on extra layers of clothing, they decided to press on. “I’m glad we did,” said Abegg. “We were on the summit a few hours later, basking in the sun." As they stood on top, Foster marveled at the dozens of factors that need to fall into place to make climbing the peak each month a reality.

“It’s kind of a crazy goal,” she admitted. “But I love it.”

Summer on the mountain, though not as intense as winter, has its own rewards. Foster especially loves her yearly climb of the Diamond, the sheer 1,000foot rock wall on the East Face of the peak, which she usually shares with climbing partner Jason Cushner. “It’s like no other place on earth. Every time we are up there, I am completely blown away by the majesty of this extraordinary setting.

I feel so exposed, so intimidated…but also incredibly privileged to be there. The experience of climbing this wall, which is one of the most impressive and beautiful features on the planet, is unique and rare. I am fortunate to have a partner to climb it with, a husband and daughter who support my endeavors, and to live in a place with such beauty and opportunity,” Foster said.

One of Foster’s treasured memories is of their family climb of the Northwest Ridge Route (commonly referred to as the Keyhole Ridge Route) on Longs Peak. “Ellie was only 10 years old, and she loved the climb. There’s something about watching your child do hard things and loving it, and sharing that with your spouse. She climbed well that day, and was grinning throughout all of the technical sections. She loves being on a rope and pushing herself with difficult challenges. She has a lot of goals. For a while, she wanted to climb all of Colorado’s 14ers, and by the time she was 13, she had 38 of them. She also wanted to rock climb all the numbered Flatirons, and accomplished that by the time she was eight. The kid’s got grit!” Foster said.

When asked if she plans to continue her streak of climbing Longs Peak every month of the year for the rest of 2025 and beyond, Foster smiled, “Maybe. Who knows? My goal was to do it for five years, and I’ve accomplished that. So, I think from now on, I’ll just take it month by month.”

daughter, Ellie. She is the author of the renowned book, Rocky Mountain National Park: The Complete Hiking Guide, and is the only person in history to have visited every named destination (every peak, pass, lake, meadow, etc…) within Rocky Mountain National Park. Foster works with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program on an air quality project, hiking into Loch Vale each week to collect precipitation samples. She is an accomplished rock climber, ice climber and al-

Foster lives in Estes Park with her husband, Alex and their fifteen-year-old

After that experience, and with the month of March drawing to a close, Foster and Abegg decided to give it one more try. It was another less-than-ideal day, and by the time the duo reached the Boulderfield, Abegg’s hands were so cold that they considered turning around. “The wind chill was intense,” said Abegg, who has impres-

Foster’s favorite experience on the mountain is her annual climb with her daughter, Ellie. Ellie first climbed Longs with her parents when she was barely 6 years old, and has elected to climb it every summer since. “Climbing Longs Peak every summer is my longest standing goal,” Ellie acknowledged. “I’ve grown up seeing Longs every day from my bedroom window. It’s such a beautiful place, and one of the reasons I love it is because my mother loves the mountain so much. Every time I go up there, it’s an unforgettable experience,” she said.

pinist, and has climbed the highest peaks in North and South America. Foster has recently taken up mountain biking in an effort to keep up with her daughter, who has blossomed into a talented competitive mountain bike racer.

Ellie Kostadinov in The Ledges, Longs Peak, July 2024.
Dan Turk and Noah Simpson traversing The Narrows on Longs Peak, January 2024.
Tommy Campbell, Lisa Foster and Steph Abegg on the summit of Longs Peak, February 2024.
Lisa Foster setting off to lead Pitch 5 of the Casual Route, The Diamond of Longs Peak, August 2024.
Lisa Foster and her daughter Ellie at Chasm Junction, July 2024.

WINTER HOURS

Mondays - Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Fridays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

KEY

Ⓡ: Registration required. Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

BOOKS

& AUTHORS

Meet One Book One Valley Author Elizabeth LettsⓇ

Friday, January 31, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Fireside Theater & online

repeated Saturday, February 1, 23:30 pm., Fireside Theater

Don’t miss the culminating event of our 2025 One Book One Valley series: a visit from Elizabeth Letts, the author of this year’s title. Please note: Registration is required as we expect these events may reach capacity.

How We Create Pandemics, From Our Bodies To Our Beliefs: Author Talk with Sabrina SholtsⓇ

Tuesday, February 4, 12 - 1 p.m., online

What’s Happening At The Estes Valley Library

The COVID-19 pandemic won’t be our last – but while the very fact of being human increases our risks, it also gives us the power to save ourselves. Join us for this thought-provoking talk with Smithsonian Curator Sabrina Sholts, author of The Human Disease. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Dystopian Tropes from an Indigenous Perspective: Author Talk with Waubgeshig RiceⓇ

Tuesday, February 11, 5 - 6 p.m., online

You’re invited to a riveting conversation with Waubgeshig Rice, the bestselling author of Moon of the Cursed Snow, as he discusses the hotly anticipated sequel, Moon of the Turning Leaves. Presented with the Library Speakers Consortium.

ALL AGES

‘I Love My Pet’ Mugs Ⓡ

Friday, January 31, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Makerspace

repeated Friday, January 31, 1:303:30 p.m., Makerspace

In this hands-on workshop inspired by our One Book One Valley title – a story of love, adventure, and the bond between a woman and her animals –make your own personalized mug using the Cricut Mug Press. Recommended for adults and teens.

Handmade Valentine’s Day CardsⓇ

Saturday, February 8, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace

repeated Saturday, February 8, 2 - 3 p.m., Makerspace

Use our wide variety of papercraft supplies to design your own cards, and learn how to make pop-up cards, 3D designs, and origami hearts. All ages welcome.

Mountain Mornings:

A Creative Neighborly CraftⓇ

Thursday, February 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace

repeated Friday, February 7, 10 a.m.12 p.m., Makerspace

As we celebrate the spirit of community this February, connect with your neighbors and the stunning natural beauty of our surroundings by painting and assembling a wooden laser-cut mountain scene. Recommended for adults and teens.

Mixed Media Wood HousesⓇ

Thursday, February 13, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Makerspace

repeated Monday, February 17, 5:307:30 p.m., Makerspace

Explore our monthly theme, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” by building

mixed-media houses from found materials. All supplies will be provided but feel free to bring any personal items you’d like to incorporate. Recommended for adults and teens.

Neighborly BINGO!Ⓡ

Saturday, February 15, 2 - 3 p.m., Hondius Room

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for some good ol’ fashioned games of bingo! All ages welcome.

ADULTS

Monthly Writing GroupⓇ

Monday, February 3, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Wasson Room

Calling all writers, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in writing! Join us on the first Monday evening of every month to share your writing, enjoy others’ work, and receive and provide feedback. All genres and forms are welcome.

Election Information with the League of Women Voters of Estes Park

Thursday, February 6, 12 - 2 p.m., Library Atrium

The League of Women Voters of Estes Park will be on hand to help with voter registration, important election dates, and other information about voting in local, regional, and national elections.

TEENS & KIDS

Young Chautauqua ClubⓇ

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4 - 5:15 p.m., Hondius Room

Teacher and facilitator Katherine Dumont will lead participants through research about the life, words, and mannerisms of a historical character. Young Chautauqua Club culminates in live, costumed performances in late February and early March.

Make a Tiny Tin HouseⓇ Saturday, February 1, 2 - 4 p.m., Makerspace

repeated Tuesday, February 11, 56:30 p.m., Makerspace

Use recycled materials, miniature accessories, moss, hot glue guns, and other decorative items to craft tiny tin houses in this “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” program.

Dungeons & Dragons:

Brawling NeighborsⓇ

Tuesday, February 4, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Makerspace

Work together to help feuding neighboring villages resolve their differences. Beginner and experienced Dungeons & Dragons players welcome! Refreshments provided.

Beaded Friendship BraceletsⓇ Wednesday, February 5, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Makerspace

In honor of February’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” theme, we’ll be using elastic and a variety of beads to make friendship bracelets. Channel your inner Swiftie and make a bracelet to trade!

Tween & Teen Advisory CouncilⓇ Thursday, February 6, 6 - 7 p.m., Makerspace

Monthly meeting for tweens and teens (ages 11-18) who would like to recommend ideas for library programming, designs for future teen space, and collection purchases for their age group.

Lego Club: Make a NeighborhoodⓇ Tuesday, February 11, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Children’s Room

Explore different building and engineering challenges with Legos. In celebration of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” work with other attendees to create a Lego neighborhood!

KIDS & FAMILIES

Library Storytimes

Baby Storytime: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10 a.m.

Preschool Storytime: Thurs., Fri., & Sat. at 10:30 a.m.

Read to Therapy Dog Annie: Sat., February 1 at 11 a.m. & Thurs., February 13 at 11 a.m.

Read to Therapy Dog Bo: Thurs., February 6 at 11 a.m.

Storybook Explorers: Sat., February 8 at 11:15 a.m.

Puppet Show: Ringo’s Singalong Adventure

Friday, January 31, 9:45 - 10:30 a.m., Estes Park Elementary School repeated Friday, January 31, 1:302:15 p.m., Estes Park Elementary School

Ringo and Mike will lead the audience through musical favorites while providing engaging and delightful puppetry styles. Homeschoolers and preschoolers welcome. Presented in partnership with the Estes Park Education Foundation.

Daniel Tiger Day

Saturday, February 1, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Hondius Room

Join us for crafts as part of the community-wide festivities centered around being a good neighbor. Drop in to make crowns, thankfulness cards for loved ones, and Daniel Tiger friend buttons. Presented in partnership with The Inspired Living Group and Friends of the Library Foundation.

Early Childhood MusicⓇ Saturday, February 15, 11 - 11:30 a.m., Hondius Room

Children ages 6 and under (and their caregivers) are invited to join musician and music educator Annaka Hogelin for songs, movement, rhythm, and fun.

MAKERSPACE TRAINING CLASSES

Learn the 3D PrinterⓇ Monday, February 3, 10 - 11:30 a.m. repeated Monday, February 3, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).

Learn the Laser CutterⓇ Monday, February 17, 10 - 11:30 a.m. For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).

LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Study Session

Thursday, February 13, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wasson Room

Learn more about the Board of Trustees at estesvalleylibrary.org/board. FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION

Cliffhanger Used Books

Cliffhanger Used Books, located next to the Post Office, is operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

KEY Ⓡ: Registration required. Visit calendar.estesvalleylibrary.org to sign up.

The sound was deafening! Although no one was near enough to hear it, it ultimately echoed around the world. None of the passengers in the DC-4 ever knew what happened…they died instantly. That was February 15, 1947. The Avianca Airline flight bound for Quito, Ecuador, crashed into the 14,000 foot high towering peak of El Tablazo not far from Bogota. It then dropped, a flaming mass of metal, into a ravine far below. A young New Yorker, Glenn Chambers, was one of the victims. He planned to begin a ministry with the ‘Voice of the Andes’, a life-long dream, now suddenly aborted. Before leaving the Miami. Fla. airport earlier that day, Chambers dashed off a note to his mother on a piece of paper he found on the floor of the terminal. That scrap of paper had once been a printed piece of advertisement with the single word ‘WHY?’ scrawled across the corner. But, between the mailing and delivery of that note, Chambers was killed. When the letter arrived, there staring up at his mother was that haunting question – ‘WHY?’.

Of all questions it is one of the most searching, the most tormenting. I’ve heard it fall from the lips of a mother whose child has been diagnosed with leukemia, or a brain tumor, or an inoperable cancer at St. Jude’s Hospital or at the Shriner’s Hospital. The question: “Why does this disease attack an innocent child?” I’ve heard it expressed at the sudden loss of a husband or wife from a heart attack or brain aneurysm. The question, ‘Why?’ at the delivery of a stillborn child to a couple who has dearly longed for a child. I’ve seen it expressed in the eyes of a woman whose husband just committed suicide. “Why?’ – The unanswerable question.

Most recently, of course, the question ‘Why?’ is being asked by the thousands who have looked, or will soon, at the ashes of their homes and dreams, as a result of the LA fires. “Why?’ is the question in different forms: ‘Why me?’ ‘Why us?’ ‘Why my house?’ Having lived in the Altadena / Pasadena area of LA, I well remember that very area where those beautiful, often extravagant, homes graced those streets, and now, many are gone. Having performed our daughter’s wedding in Malibu, on the edge of the beautiful Pacific, in an area that has been hammered by the fires in recent days, I, too, ponder that question, ‘Why?’ But the answers are, all too often, not forthcoming.

Of course, there are always those who readily assume that they know the reason. And then the blame game begins. “It’s the governor’s fault!”, “It’s the mayor’s fault!”, “It’s the home-owner’s fault!”, “It’s all arson-caused!”, even some: “God did it!” And, once we feel like we have properly ‘placed the blame’, we may feel like we’ve done our part and don’t need to address the need.

But, the question ‘WHY?’ may never be answered. I well remember a hymn sung at my grandfather’s funeral service at a little church, in Fairview, a small town in Montana. Perhaps you remember those words: “Not now, but in the coming years, it may be in a better land, we’ll know the meaning of our tears, and then, aw’ then, we’ll understand.” I look forward to that day, don’t you?

In the Bible there was a man who asked that question, ‘Why?’ Servants came in and told him that all his livestock had been stolen. As this tremendous loss was beginning to register, other servants came in and told him his ten children had died in a tragedy as they celebrated together. Then, miserable sores began to cover his body. Everyone, even his wife, wanted to cast the blame on God. But Job remained strong…as are many in California…thanking God for sparing their most precious possessions…family and friends. Of Job it is said, “In all this Job did not curse God”, and God rewarded him, as He will others who remain faithful, despite the questions. Bob Lewis

Check Out A Soil Blocker, Nintendo Wii,

Or A Metal Detector From The Library Of Things

The days of only being able to check out a book, movie, or magazine from the public library are in the past. Now, you can check out a variety of practical or justplain-fun items from a special collection: the Library of Things.

Some of the most popular items from the Library of Things are the sewing machine, tele scope, karaoke ma chine, and county and state park passes. The Estes Valley loves to craft, make music, and explore outdoors.

This January, eight new “Things” have been added to the robust collection, allowing patrons to expand their skill sets or borrow muchneeded items. Here’s what’s now available:

microphone. You can record high quality voice recordings with minimal background noise.

Adventurous types can find hidden treasure (or just your lost keys) with the easy-to-use metal detector. Go exploring!

The Library of

Prep for spring gardening with the soil blocker, which creates four “potless pots” from potting soil, allowing plastic-free seed starting. And as the weather warms up, stretch your legs by playing disc golf. We’ll provide two sets of discs, bags, and guides to get you started.

A more stationary outdoor-inclined game: cornhole. This “go anywhere” version of the classic beanbag game is perfect for BBQs and sidelines – or take it indoors to the basement on a chilly night.

Speaking of inside activities, learn the delicate art of kirigami, cut and folded papercraft. Have friends and neighbors over for game night! Settlers of Catan will create some healthy (and fun) competition, or the Nintendo Wii is an excellent setup for classic multiplayer video games.

For our more tech-inclined patrons, especially those wanting to record a podcast or video voiceovers, borrow the USB

need to use from time to time, or to decide if a new hobby is right for you. View the full Library of Things collection by visiting estesvalleylibrary.org/lot. Have your library card handy to place an item or two on hold, and we’ll let you know when it’s ready to pick up.

Or, stop by the library next time you’re downtown to see what’s available – and grab one of those more classic collection items (books, movies, and magazines) while you’re at it. The public library is your one stop shop for winter entertainment, connection, and sharing.

Public Library Board Vacancy

The Estes Valley Public Library District is seeking a new member for its governing Board of Trustees. The vacancy is for the remaining three years of a four-year term ending December 31, 2027.

The board welcomes applicants with leadership skills, a business or governance background, and a love of the library. An ideal candidate will also have experience with construction oversight. Interested parties should visit estesvalleylibrary.org to become familiar with the Board’s bylaws and code of

ethics, as well as the Library’s policies and strategic plan.

Applications received by the Library on or before February 7, 2025 will be given first priority. Those with questions can contact the Board nominating committee at trustees@estesvalleylibrary.org, or Library Director Claudine Perrault at 970-586-8116.

Ready to make a positive impact on our community? Visit estesvalleylibrary.org/board today to apply.

Free Tax Preparation Service At The Estes Valley Library

February 3 through April 14, volunteers from the AARP Tax Aide program are once again offering free income tax preparation with electronic filing of federal and Colorado income tax returns. Appointments can be made through the Library in person, by calling 970-5868116 or by visiting estesvalleylibrary.org.

Some restrictions apply, such as no residential rental property income or out of state returns. Full-year residents aged 18 and above must file a Colorado tax return before October 15, 2025 to claim your TABOR sales tax refund (the amount varies depending on your income level).

Jason Lenz Brings His One-Man Orchestra To

The Senior Center February 4

You won’t want to miss this performance! The Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC) brings you the extraordinary talents of Jason Lenz playing jazz and classic rock hits in a fascinating display of musical mastery. Don’t let the name of the venue throw you off - everyone is welcome to attend Jason’s concert from 12:00-1:30 at the EPSCC, 1760 Olympian Ln., on Tuesday, February 4.

Jason Lenz is a multi-instrumental loop station artist residing in the Estes Valley. He performs live on guitar, bass, electronic hand percussion, and also sings, in a loop station - a computerized guitar pedal that records sounds and plays it back. Jason enjoys performing in a variety of musical styles. Expect to hear him perform jazz standards such as, “Don't Get Around Much Anymore,” “Fly Me to The Moon,” “Take 5,” and many more, and expect to hear selections from the Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, and Tom Petty. Jason

will also perform original music and improvise throughout the set.

Jason’s main instrument is bass. He studied the instrument with seven different professional musicians. In 2006, during his senior year of high school, Jason auditioned for and was accepted into the 43rd Army Band of the Nebraska National Guard. This provided many performing opportunities in various states such as Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Hawaii. Jason has also performed with other bands and orchestras in Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, California and Florida.

You may have seen Jason perform locally at Avant Garde Aleworks, Lumpy Ridge Brewing, Rock Cut Brewing Company, Snowy Peaks Winery, Ember Restaurant and Raven's Roast. You can follow Jason on Facebook and Instagram @jasonlenzmusic and at www.jasonlenzmusic.com

For the concert, you are welcome to bring your own lunch or pre-purchase a hot meal by placing your order before 1:00 p.m. on Monday, February 3. For this event, the Senior Center will be serving Chicken Cordon Bleu with roasted potatoes and vegetables. The cost of the meal is $7 for Estes Park Senior Citizens Center (EPSCC) members and $12 for non-members. If you become an EPSCC member for just $35 per year, you will not only enjoy meal discounts but also gain access to all the amazing activities. For more information about the EPSCC or to order a meal for the presentation, please call the Senior Center at (970) 581-2195.

Sweet Elsa Is In Need Of A New, Loving, Forever Family

Elsa she is an amazing girl. She weighs 60 pounds and is four years old. She loves to go for walks, is really easy on a leash and loves all humans. Elsa has so much love to give but we don’t think she’d be good with cats.

Elsa and several other great dogs and cats are currently looking for their forever homes. Please make their wishes come true.

Call (970) 286-1652 if you’d like to meet or foster Elsa or any other special pets. All pets are offered through the Pet Association of Estes Park, a non-profit organization that is the Estes Valley’s only humane society.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to the Pet Association by sending your check to P.O. Box 4342, Estes Park, CO 80517.

Estes Park Senior Citizens Center Menu

Feb 3 – 7

Monday, Feb 3 Country Fried Steak w/ gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Hashbrowns & Biscuit

Tuesday, Feb 4 Chicken Cordon Bleu w/ Roasted Potatoes & vegetables

Wednesday, Feb 5 Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potatoes, gravy & vegetables

Thursday, Feb 6 Meat Lasagna w/ garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Feb 7 Shrimp Basket (8 fried) w/ Homemade Chips & soup of the day

Feb 10 – 14

Monday, Feb 10 Chicken Quesadilla w/ salsa & soup of the day

Tuesday, Feb 11 Ham Dinner (topped w/ pineapple), Sweet Potatoes & vegetables

Wednesday, Feb 12 Bleu Cheese Bacon Burger w/ Potato Salad

Thursday, Feb 13 Chicken Alfredo w/ Pasta, garlic bread & side salad

Friday, Feb 14 Salmon (4 oz) w/ Pecan Crust, Au Gratin Potatoes & vegetables

Meals are $7 for current 2025 EP Senior Citizens Center members and are by reservation only. (Or 3 meals for $20; use pre-paid meal tickets.) Exact cash or check payment required. Reservations must be made by 1:00 PM at least one business day in advance. Note, if you want to reserve a meal for Monday, Feb 3rd, you need to call before 1:00 PM on Friday, Jan 31st. For reservations call 970-581-2195 and leave a detailed message. Pre-paid meal tickets and membership forms are available at the Estes Park Senior Citizens Center located at 1760 Olympian Lane.

The Center is OPEN Monday thru Friday 10 – 1 TriFit M-W-F 10:30-11:15 AM

Circuit Balance Monday 1-1:45 PM Qi Gong Tuesday 10:15-11:15 AM

Mahjong Tuesday 10 – 2 Yoga 1st & 3rd Thursdays 10:30–11:15 AM

Live Music & Presentations Tuesday @ 12:00 – 1:30 (TBA)

Aspen Club Blood Pressure Check Wednesday 10:00 – 1:00 (TBA); Presentations (TBA)

Bridge Group Every Thursday 12:30 – 4:30 PM with lessons in the morning Canasta & Pinochle 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Reserved Meals-to-Go delivered to your vehicle or EAT at the Senior Citizens Center Check out our website: estesparkseniors.org or call for the latest information

The Peak to Peak concert series is pleased to present Transversals with Chase Jordan, Viola , at 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 1st. John Wolf will be collaborating on piano. The concert will be held at the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, 2000 Ptarmigan Trail in Estes Park. There will be a reception following the performance. The Peak to Peak concert series is sponsored by the Oratorio Society of Estes Park. Concerts are free but donations are gratefully accepted.

The Transversals program is inspired by the geometric idea of transversal lines – lines that intersect systems of points, lines, or planes. Three pairings of musical works explore how the ideas of location, medium and time are related transversally. The first pairing of musical works explores the idea of place. American composer Maurice Gardner’s Phantasmagoria, for Solo Viola, explores the ideas of being immersed in subsequent images of a dream state. Bob Bassett’s April Snow, also for Solo Viola, explores a drive from the idyllic Estes Valley to the urban chaos of Denver.

The second pairing of musical works explores the idea of medium. Pulitzer prize-winning, Israeli-American composer Shulamit Ran’s Perfect Storm draws its inspiration from musical sources that all share the Scottish-Appalachian round, “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair” as their source, transforming this idea into a classical framework. Former University Of Colorado professor Daniel Kellogg’s Galatea references the statue of Pygmalion of Cyprus that comes to life in Greek mythology. This statue has inspired numerous paintings, statues, and now a

musical composition

The third and final pairing of musical works explores the idea of time. American Composer Ross McIntosh’s Three Impressions takes the impressions of life at different points within the day and paints short aural pictures of each one. The concert concludes with the final work of Soviet-era Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich, Viola Sonata, which is written as an autobiographical piece, and goes as far as to quote all 15 of his symphonies – a reflection on his creative legacy.

Recently arrived in the Estes Park community in 2023, Chase Jordan is a composer and violist who frequently collaborates with writers, visual artists, and choreographers in his artistic practice. His music, which has been described as an “engaging musical narrative” (Arcadia Winds, 2018) has been performed around the world, ranging from performances at YMCA of the Rockies to the Pärnu Contemporary Music Days in Estonia by performers such as the Wild Beautiful Orchestra, The Haven Trio, SHHH!!! Ensemble, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, and the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. As a violist, he has performed around the United States, including recitals with the New York Viola Society and the Philadelphia Viola Society as well as having premiered works by leading and upcoming American composers such as Daniel Bernard Romain, Hannah Rice, Caleb Walker and others. Chase holds a B.M. in Viola Performance from the University of Wyoming, and an M.M. in Viola Performance and Music Composition from the Hartt School.

We hope you will be able to join us for the first concert of 2025!

Melissa George Book Signing Feb. 4

On Tuesday, February 4th, 2025, local author, Melissa George, will be signing copies of her debut novel “The Enterprize” and talking about her journey as a self-published author. The event will be happening at Macdonald Book Shop on East Elkhorn Avenue from 5:307:00 p.m. She’s excited to invite you to a fun night of books, where snacks and drinks will be provided.

“The Enterprize” is a young-adult dystopian novel following fifteen-year-old protagonist, Iris, and her struggles to survive in a society where every crime is punishable by death. But when her and her brother are arrested, they are sent with fourteen other convicts to a house for the chance to pardon their crimes on national television. The only problem with the Enterprize? Get voted out, and you’re executed. Alliances are drawn. Secrets hidden. Loyalties tested and betrayal at every turn.

Who can Iris trust when even her heart is at odds? With only one leaving the Enterprize alive, Iris must discover a way to outlast the others. All while somehow, keeping her brother alive.

Melissa George is a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and resides in the peaceful mountain town of Estes Park. She has an MPH and enjoys exploring aspects of disaster management, which she incorporates into her dystopian writing.

When Melissa isn’t writing, she loves to spend her time running, biking, and kickboxing. She's a proud graduate of the University of Missouri Track and Field program, where she currently holds the school record for the 3,000m steeplechase. Outside of sports, she loves to spend time with her husband and their three tortoiseshell cats: Katniss, Primrose and Navi.

BY TOM THOMAS

2025 EARLY ACCESS APPLICATION WINDOW

Early Access is an eligibility process for early entrance into Kindergarten or first grade for highly advanced gifted children. Highly advanced gifted means the student demonstrates exceptional ability or potential. For more information, see the Early Access Handbook at estesschools.org under Services & Support: Student Services, Gifted and Talented.

Early entrance would be for students who are age 4 by October 1st for Kindergarten or age 5 by October 1st for first grade.

The application window is March 1st-April 1st. If you would like an application, please send the request to rachel_graham@psdr3.k12.co.us

Any questions or additional information needed? Reach out!

Erin Miller, Elementary Principal erin_miller@psdr3.k12.co.us

Rachel Graham, Pk-12 Gifted Coordinator rachel_graham@psdr3.k12.co.us

VENTANA DE SOLICITUD DE ACCESO ANTICIPADO 2025

Early Access es un proceso de elegibilidad para el ingreso temprano al jardín de infantes o primer grado para niños superdotados muy avanzados. Superdotado muy avanzado significa que el estudiante demuestra una capacidad o potencial excepcional. Para obtener más información, consulte el Manual de acceso temprano en estesschools.org en Servicios y apoyo: Servicios para estudiantes, Superdotados y talentosos.

La entrada anticipada sería para estudiantes que tengan 4 años antes del 1 de octubre para jardín de infantes o 5 años antes del 1 de octubre para primer grado.

El período de solicitud es del 1 de marzo al 1 de abril. Si desea presentar una solicitud, envíela a rachel_graham@psdr3.k12.co.us

¿Tienes alguna pregunta o necesitas información adicional? ¡Contáctanos!

Erin Miller, directora de primaria erin_miller@psdr3.k12.co.us Rache Graham, coordinadora de superdotados de preescolar a 12.º grado rachel_graham@psdr3.k12.co.us

LISTED

Smashing!

“Smashing” is an informal adjective originating in Great Britain. It means something is excellent, wonderful or impressive. Jimmy smashing a home run, Carolyn smashing her high school track record and your busi ness smashing last year’s revenue are all causes to celebrate. Heck, I hope some of you might find this article quite “smash ing!”

But no parent ever wants to hear the words, “Hey Mom and Dad, someone smashed my bumper in the parking lot!”

Anybody ever smashed their finger with a hammer? Or their toe when something heavy dropped on it?

comes pressing in harder than we think we can handle.

Since all of us are subject to being “SMASHED,” shouldn’t it mean that we don’t have to be alone on the journey? There is a reason we say, “Misery loves company.” Honestly, nobody should find themselves ignored, forgotten or alone while suffering. Most of the time, a grieving friend doesn’t need advice. They need the ministry of our presence. Sometimes, our presence might include rolling up our sleeves and getting sweaty and stinky. Or it might present an opportunity to write a check with no intention of payback.

“Smashed” and “broken” are kissin’ cousins I guess and while an egg has to be cracked before it’s of any use, nobody likes a broken heart.

But brokenness can have its benefits. In order for the true power of the atom to be discovered scientists had to figure out a way to smash it. Finding the hidden secret of the atom’s limitless and immeasurable power required it to be crushed. Sometimes things (and people) have to get broken for something powerful to be revealed. We’re kind of like concrete—guaranteed to get cracked. Nobody is exempt from feeling smashed, broken, fractured or cracked. Tragedy, devastation, suffering and loss are not partial or biased. One of our greatest common denominators is when the stuff of life

The Parable of the Good Samaritan in the Bible teaches us much about mercy, compassion, charity and love for our neighbor. We can walk by or pretend we don’t see. We can even say, “Hey man, I’ll pray for you!” Prayers are great. Sometimes cash fills a more immediate need.

Men on Fire meets this Saturday, 8:00 a.m. at the Community Center, 660 Community Drive for “Breakfast with a Purpose!” To a man, we’ve been smashed, broken and fractured. Some of our guys are struggling with real life hard stuff right now. While we don’t claim to have any quick fixes we can darn sure extend a sincere hand of help—or a few bucks if needed. MOF is a diverse group of guys striving to grow in our walk with the Lord. We understand talk is cheap. Actually walking in the deal is costly. Hang out with us Saturday. All men are welcome. What you’ll find is absolutely SMASHING!

Sunrise Rotary Invites Charitable Organizations To Apply For Funding

The Estes Valley Sunrise Rotary (EVSR) invites proposals from charitable organizations, in the Estes Valley, for grants to support programs and projects that benefit the Estes Valley community. This year (2025) we will be focusing on the youth of Estes Valley. To apply for funding, go to portal.clubrunner.ca/5242 and locate the 2025 Community Grants application. Please print and fill out the application and then email the completed application, and all required backup documents, to estessunriserotary@gmail.com no later than March 31, 2025. You will be notified in May if you are a grant recipient. For more information please email: estessunriserotary@gmail.com.

Circle Of Light: Eye Bank Photo Project On Display At Estes Park Health

A traveling exhibit by the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank (RMLEB) is on display through Feb. 28, 2025, at Estes Park Health. The Circle of Light Photo Project features pictures taken by patients who received corneal transplants.

“We exist to restore hope where hope may have been lost,” said RMLEB’s Ex-

year-old Jacob Degoey from Aurora, who received his cornea transplant in 2022.

Rae Price, Community and Professional Outreach Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank

ecutive Director, John Lohmeier. “The Circle of Light Photo Project shares the hope restored in people who can now see, thanks to the generosity of an eye donor.”

The exhibit features 19 pieces from 13 people who benefited from corneal transplants. The photographers are from Colorado, Wyoming, and Missouri. The youngest exhibitor is 19-

brought the exhibit to EPH on Monday, Jan. 27.

“We work with hospitals to recover the corneas,” Price explained. “The hospitals are on the front lines caring for patients while they are alive. Once

plant. In 2023, 2,544 eye donors across Colorado and Wyoming provided sight-restoring transplants for 2,336 people. Eye tissue is first placed locally,

they are deceased, it is up to the hospital to report the death and then we follow up to see if that decedent is eligible to donate their corneas. Nothing we do is possible without hospitals.”

Corneas can be recovered from almost any patient, even when other organs and tissues cannot be used.

“Last month, we recovered corneal tissue from a patient who was blind,” Price recalled “Much of the time when someone is blind, it is due to the lens and not the cornea. The family was so happy that their dad was able to donate his corneas, even though he had been blind.”

The Circle of Light Photo Project has been on display at various hospitals and libraries in Colorado and Wyoming since May of 2024. It has also been on display at Denver International Airport (DIA).

Eye tissue donation provides the gift of sight to those in need of a trans-

then domestically with other eye banks in need, and finally internationally.

RMLEB is the nonprofit organization responsible for the recovery of donated eye tissues from donors in Colorado and most of Wyoming. Its mission is to fulfill the wishes of eye donors and their families to help others overcome blindness through transplantation and research.

To see the exhibit, enter EPH through the front lobby and take a left. The Circle of Light Photo Project is on the walls of the first floor waiting area near the EPH eye clinic. The photos will remain up through the end of February. For more information about corneal donation and transplantation, go to www.corneas.org.

If you are interested in the Lions Club, contact Dwight Pfiffer, president of the Estes Park Lions at Dpfeiffer@bankofestespark.com.

The Circle of Light Photo Project shares the hope restored in people who can now see, thanks to the generosity of an eye donor.
This photo was taken by corneal transplant recipient Tammy Kluiber of Brighton. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank
The exhibit features 19 pieces from 13 people who benefited from corneal transplants.
Rae Price with the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank sets up the Circle of Light Photo Project at Estes Park Health. Photos by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health

Helping Hub Gaining Momentum

We started the new year off on the right foot, and with the help of many partners we were able to help an elderly man who was living in his car for more than a year get into permanent housing. What’s really great about his situation now is that he’s in the most affordable housing in town with rent payments based on 33% of his income. A lack of finances was one of the major reasons he became homeless and not able to secure housing. I’m so thankful for the work of case managers who were persistent in their work with this gentleman. He also came in for groceries quite often, so many of our volunteers who serve in The Market got to know him, and were always so encouraging to him. Within a few days of housing this gentleman, we had another successful placement in permanent housing for a grandmother who was living in her car with her teenage grandson. I’m so glad this all happened prior to the artic blast that hovered over our community. This loving grandmother and her grandson are now in a safe place with a kitchen, shower, and other amenities. In addition to helping them secure housing, we were able to connect them to some neighbors who had furniture they wanted to donate. It’s amazing to watch a plan come together, and the impact it has on the lives of everyone involved. Our Helping Hub is gaining momen-

tum in reaching people who are isolated from services that they really need. We are connecting volunteers to help meet the needs in our community. Please take a look at our flier to see all we’re offering through the Helping Hub. If you know someone who could benefit from these services, please pass it along to them.

Staying Alive in 2025. Being alive means more than just keeping your heart beating. It consists of fulfilling your purpose in life and making a difference in the place you’ve been planted. Some people appear as the walking dead, because they have no reason to live. I want to be Alive and Well so as to accomplish everything I was created to do on this earth. While writing down this thought, a familiar tune came to mind by the Bee Gees. Yes, for anyone of you living during the 70s you probably remember those long-haired brothers from the land down under who sang a song entitled “Staying Alive.” I’m not a very good dancer, but this song makes me feel like dancing. Being around people who are alive and well inspires me to live a purpose driven life. In the coming days, when I see others living life to the fullest, I’m going to tell them, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” And, if I start dancing, I might just “Dance the Night Away.” Remember, you were made for more so wake up every day with a grateful heart as you’re Staying Alive in 2025.

Leo Balduzzi 10th Grade

Congratulations to Leo Balduzzi, the Estes Park High School Student of the Week for January 31, 2025.

Leo is the son of Rachel and Michael Balduzzi.

At EPHS Leo plays football and baseball and has earned his varsity letters in both. He loves his auto class.

Outside of school, Leo likes to hunt, hang out with friends, snowboard and ride dirt bikes.

A place he loved visiting was Hawaii. He went with his family and best friend Hadley and said it was just amazing. It was warm and beautiful.

His favorite quote is “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” He loves this quote because it reminds him to try new things.

The best piece of advice he’s been given is to stop procrasti-

nating (from Marsha).
After high school, Leo wants to play sports or possibly go into welding.

Jane Harroff

War And Rumors Of Wars

This past Monday, I turned on the television, and the first thing I saw was a broadcast of the 80th Anniversary of the Deliverance of the Jewish Prisoners from Auschwitz-Birkenau.

I was in fourth grade when I first became aware of the “Holocaust.” It began during Math Class at Christ Episcopal Day School. I do not remember if it was an attempt to distract the teacher from learning more about fractions or some other reason. But the question was, “Why did Adolph Hitler try to kill all the Jews?” So much for math!

Our teacher, who was also the parish organist, was Mr. Fred Sofski. We, the class, soon found out that Mr. Sofski was very willing to be distracted in this way. We learned about the rise of Nazism, how Hitler was a corporal in the First World War, and how he and his party took over the government… gathering followers with his four points… The first, the Treaty of Versailles, was totally unfair; Secondly, true Germans were of the Ayran Race; Third, the Germans’ destiny was to rule the world. And last, but not least, it was all the “Jew’s Fault.”

A year later, my father was called to another Parish in Encino, California. At that time, Encino was about 80% Jewish. I didn’t see any difference, except, after school, they went to “Hebrew School,” and I went to Confirmation Class. In retrospect, I could have benefited a great deal at Hebrew School. It would have made certain classes in seminary much more bearable. It was also a time that we still had air raid drills on the last Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m “Duck & Cover.”

Many years later, I was serving a parish in Portland, Oregon. A retired priest, Vic Gibson, who was a member of the Parish, was asked to preach one

Sunday. He preached about true evil he had seen. As a Chaplain in the Armed Forces, arriving in Europe a few days after D-Day, he and his unit progressed across Germany. Eventually, he and his division reached Dachau Concentration Camp. As John McManus wrote, “For the last several days of its existence, Dachau was a small, self-enclosed universe of decay and death.” That happened in April of 1945.

Now, 80 years later, we are remembering again those events from our past. As the phrase goes, “Those who do not remember the past are bound to repeat it.” (George Santayana, 1905)

We are still in difficult times. A house I lived in for two years in Pacific Palisades is burned to the ground. All of us can see that there is great turmoil, war and saber-rattling that is occurring all over the world. As King David said in Psalm 20:

“Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

St. Francis Anglican Church is a Traditional, Apostolic and Evangelistic Christian church nestled in the midst of the pines and aspens in Little Valley. We invite you to join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. for a Service of Holy Communion (Morning Prayer is offered at 9 a.m.) We are located at 3480 St. Francis Way, Estes Park, CO 80517. Turn from Fish Creek Rd. onto Little Valley Rd. and follow the signs to St. Francis. If you have any questions or comments, please call Bishop Williams at (970) 577-0601. And see our website at stfrancisestespark.com.

Jane Helen Harroff, 85, of Estes Park, CO, passed away on January 17, 2025. She was born on January 21, 1939 to Ralph and Marion (Manty) Welch in New York. Jane had four siblings, two sisters, and two brothers. Jane attended and graduated from Sidney, NE High School and the University of NE (Kearney) and University of Northern Colorado. Jane was blessed to be a homemaker in her own home.

Jane and Jay met in Sacramento in 1962 and were married on February 17, 1963 in Sidney, NE. Three children were born into this family: Jill (1965-2020), Joel (1967-2019) and Daffney (2001).

Jane and Jay were very active in their community of Estes Park being very organized and caring while planning many events and activities together. Jane particularly enjoyed playing her clarinet and was an expert Bridge player. They were members of the Presbyterian Community Church of

the Rockies, and Jane was in PEO chapter GJ and a member of the American Bridge Society. She was also a great partner and mate to Jay. She and Jay lived in many wonderful places including Arkansas, Germany, Virginia, North Dakota, Hawaii, Omaha and Dallas, where they moved to Estes Park from. Jane and Jay also have two furry companions Buddy the dog and Potter the cat. Jane leaves behind her siblings and their spouses: Tuckie and Dick Peterson, Virginia and Gordon Cressell, Tom and Debbie Welch. She was predeceased by Bill and Betty Welch. While there are no services planned at this time, the family wishes for friends to consider donations to the Salvation Army. A service may be planned for later in the spring or summer. Allnutt Funeral Service is honored to walk alongside us during this time. Please visit allnuttestespark.com to leave messages to the family.

Kent Engel Dannen

August 27, 1946—January 18, 2025 (78 years old)

We bid farewell to Kent E. Dannen (Allenspark, Colorado), born in St. Joseph, Missouri whose journey of life tragically ended in the mountain forest near his home where he succumbed to Colorado’s bitter winter weather. Kent touched countless lives with warmth, kindness and humor leaving behind cherished memories that will forever echo in the hearts of many.

Kent graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph MO, the University of Kansas and received a master’s degree from the Lexington Theological Seminary. Annually Kent’s parents, Dwight and Mary Ellen Dannen, would bring Kent, his twin sisters, Debbie Lanham and Patti Morrow, and his brother, Douglas Dannen to Estes Park for summer vacations at the YMCA of the Rockies. This was the beginning of a lifelong passion for the Rocky Mountains and God’s amazing creation.

Kent guided hikers over the trails of Rocky Mountain National Park and In-

dian Peaks for more than 50 years. He began his professional guiding activities as hike master and naturalist for the YMCA of the Rockies and lead hundreds of hikes over thousands of miles. As a contributing editor of Backpacker magazine, Kent was also a prolific trail guide/hiking author and nature and show dog photographer.

Kent has received many awards and certificates of appreciation for his outstanding volunteer service in developing educational materials.

Kent was also very active in the Samoyed Club of America as a breeder and showing many of his championship dogs. As a member of the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park, Kent greatly enjoyed sharing his vocal talent in the choir and participation in many church ministries including a refurbishing of the church’s meditation trail.

Kent Dannen is survived by his son, Patrick Dannen, Debbie & Curt Lanham, Patti and Michael Morrow, Douglas and Carolyn Dannen and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a contribution to the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies where a funeral service will be held for Kent Dannen on Friday, February 7 at 1 p.m.

Allnutt Funeral Service is honored to serve this family during this transition. Please visit allnuttestespark.com to leave messages to the family.

Patricia White

Patricia Gay White passed away at her home in the presence of her loving family on January 14, 2025, at the age of 95 years young.

Pat was born in Davenport, Iowa on July 12, 1929. She was born to Charles and Florence Cruson and was the youngest of their six children. Blessed with sisters Nellie Cruson, Lucille Zesiger (Byron) and Madelyn Harbeck (Ernest) & brothers Joseph Cruson (Berniece) and Richard Cruson (Louise), who all proceeded her in death. She was married to “Bill” William R. White on January 25, 1947. They enjoyed 53 years together until Bill passed in 1999.

Pat will be remembered for her thoughtful caring ways and beautiful Christian faith. She loved her family and always put them first. She was always willing to help others. Pat volun-

teered for more than 20 years at Genesis Hospital in Davenport, Iowa. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star & Daughters of the Nile. Pat was active in her Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa.

On moving to Estes Park, she volunteered as an Ambassador at the Estes Park Visitors Center for many years. She also worked at Stage Western Family Clothing for her daughter and son-in-law. She always enjoyed meeting new people and being available to help and answer questions.

Pat & Bill had three children, Deborah “Deb” Holgorsen & husband Paul (Estes Park), Margo Jansen (preceded in death) & husband Ken (Davenport, IA) & William “Rob” R. White Jr. & wife Phyllis (Charlotte, NC). She leaves behind seven grandchildren, Michelle, Heather, Melissa, Amy, Amanda, Jessica & Patty. As well as six great-grandchildren, Josephine “Josie,” Patricia “Tricia,” Matthew, Amelia, Novalee, Kenny & Whitten Rae.

A celebration of life will be planned for her burial at the Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, in the spring.

The family wishes for donations to be considered to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals, per Pat’s request. Donations can be made at Donate.LoveToTheRescue.org.

AA & Al-Anon Meetings

Al-Anon (a 12-step program for family and friends of Alcoholics)

Thursdays from noon-1:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave. lower level, Estes Park.

AA of Glen Haven

Every Monday night at the Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Early Worms

Monday thru Saturday at 7:00 a.m. (Monday through Saturday hybrid meetings with Zoom #796 839 839 PW:Worms20) at St. Bartholomew Church, 880 MacGregor Ave.

Early Worms Women's Meeting 12 p.m. Mondays

St. Bartholomew, 880 MacGregor Ave. Mixed Nuts Al-Anon Group

We meet Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Church. The meeting is hybrid with Zoom #285 426 3644 PW: serenity.

One Day at a Time

Location: Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, 1700 Brodie Ave., Estes Park

Tuesday Noon Open discussion

Meets downstairs in Room 6

Park in the lower level parking lot

Thursday 6:30 p.m. Open discussion Meets upstairs in the lounge.

Park upstairs by the main entrance of the church.

Alcoholics Anonymous Fall River Group, 453 West Elkhorn, Estes Park.

Current Schedule for 1/1/2025

Zoom ID 999 829166 for AA Meetings Monday-12 p.m.-In person and Zoom-

O, D

Monday-7 p.m.--In Person and Zoom -O, BB

Tuesday-12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom-O, D

Wednesday-12 p.m.- In Person and Zoom-O, D

Wednesday-7 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D

Thursday -12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D

Friday-12 p.m.- In Person and Zoom-O, D

Saturday-12 p.m.-In Person and ZoomO, D

Sunday 12 p.m.-In Person and Zoom O, ABSI

Last Monday of each month is birthday night; 6 p.m. Potluck, 7 p.m. Speaker.s *** Contribute via VENMO @EstesCowboy

Other 12 Step Meetings Held at Fall River Group

Thursday-7 p.m.-Narcotics Anonymous “New Horizons” Group O, D In Person and Zoom 705 555 830 **O=open to all D=discussion

BB=Big Book

Zoom Meetings-Everyday at noon

Zoom #999 829 166 (no password needed).

Monday Zoom Big Book study at 7 p.m. #654 598 884 (no password needed). Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Zoom #999 829 166

Online AA and NA Meetings at www.intherooms.com

There are 70 AA Meetings and 30 NA Meetings a week.

A d ve n t u re Activities d irector

The Adventure Activities Director is responsible for the Aerial Challenge Course, Climbing Wall Facilitation, the Gear Shop, and the Mountain Center Desk at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center. This position hires, trains, and supervises staff in all aspects of Adventure Activities, while also facilitating and developing programs to benefit guests.

$20.36/h - $24.17/h with full benefits, generous PTO/vacation, YMCA membership, and many more employee perks.

To learn more and apply, please visit

j o b s .ym c a roc k ies . or g

Experienced House Cleaner Wanted

Join our team and EARN

$800-$1,000+ weekly

Homes

✨ Year-Round Permanent Position

✨ Paid Vacation

✨Matching 401k

HELP WANTED: Looking for a Plumber/ Service Tech with experience. Apply in person at 850 Dunraven St. or email resume to mhplumbing@qwestoffice.net

✨ Pay

$21.50 - $24 hourly

✨ Great Tips

Experience Preferred

✨ Supportive Team Environment

Apply now at www.Wayfindercleaning.com or call 970-585-8587.

Temporary night audit position

$18.00 an hour. Sunday through Thursday 10 pm to 6 am. Please apply in person 1450 Big Thompson Ave.

Cute cabin in Drake!

One level living with 3 beds, 2 baths, and open concept. Quiet, peaceful setting with excellent views. Monthly Rent: $2750. 417-551-1786.

Beautiful Home

$2500/mo, long term, 3 br/ 2ba, frplc, gar, deck, trees. 720-635-3824

2-bedroom house, Recently been renovated from top to bottom, Must see to appreciate.

$2000.00 p/m, Utilities not included. Call (303) 720-1211

Apartments

Perfect Winter Rental!

Furnished 1-bedroom apartment on Lake Estes.

$1,300 monthly with all utilities included ! Long term rental available now until Memorial Day. Contact us at 1-970-779-7455

2br 1 bath Walkout basement apartment, close to town, small yard, pets ok. Utilities included.

$1,850 per mo. Call (904) 687-8111

Cabins

1 Bedroom, 1Bath Cabin, $1600/month, includes utilities. No smoking, dog friendly. 2 miles to downtown. Call 970-581-8487

Duplexes

Small and cozy 1 bedroom apartment with a loft! Excellent views of the Rockies, $1,650.00 p/m, Utilities not included. Call (303) 720-1211.

Commercial Rentals

Prime Retail Space in Central Downtown Estes Park. 350 SqFt in busy location. $1,200/mo +++. (425) 818 - 4158.

Office Space for Rent 1377 Sq. Ft., Conference Room, 3 Private Offices, High Traffic Area with Great Exposure, Open Lobby Area, Printer Room. 351 Moraine Ave. Suite B 970-227-4865 nathan@kinleybuilt.com

Commercial Rentals

Class A Office

2014 Construction, Full Service, Furnished office in Downtown location, Near Town Hall. $800 per month. All internet options including Fiber available. Includes Conference Room, Handicap Restrooms, Copy and Scanning Facility, Coffee Room.

Call Thom at Verus Commercial, Inc. 970-586-2448

6 RIVERFRONT OFFICES FOR RENT

Incls: Private Parking, Utilities, WiFi, A/C, Alarm System, Kitchenette Upscaled Log Building $3,000 mo. 460 Prospect Village Dr., EP

Call Bret Freedman 970-215-2494

SERVICES

Sewing/Alterations

Remixed Custom Sewing Services. Small Furniture, Restoration, Cushions and Industrial Repair. Call for appointment 970-492-5446

Piano Tuning

Susan Novy, local piano tuner. Call for appt. 577-1755 www.estesparkpiano tuner.com

JOIN OUR TEAM! Full details on employment opportunities and the application can be found at estes.org/jobs.

Regular Full-time

Events Maintenance Worker I

Fiber Technician

Police Officer I - III

Public Works Director

Street Equipment Specialist I-III

Limited Term Contracted: Groundworker - Limited Term

The status of applications will be communicated via e-mail. By choice, the Town of Estes Park is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Wanted To Buy

Wanted to buy. Paintings and fine prints by Colorado and Estes Park artists. 30 + years experience in the national art marketplace. Lone Tree Antiques and fine art email: Lonetreeantiques @aol.com. phone: 970-301-0248.

Commercial

Commercial Spaces for sale and lease.

Call Eric. Anderson Realty. 586-2950

LEGAL NOTICE

Estate Sales

ESTATE/MOVING SALE Need to have one, but seems overwhelming. We do the work, you make the $. Local, Affordable, References. CALL JUDI 970-215-5548

Call For Nominations For Upper Thompson Sanitation District To Whom It May Concern, and particularly to the electors of the Upper Thompson Sanitation District of Larimer County, Colorado.

Notice Is Hereby Given that a regular election will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At that time, three (3) directors will be elected to serve a four-year term and one (1) director will be elected to serve a twoyear term.

Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms are available from Suzanne Jurgens, the Designated Election Official for the District, at 2196 Mall Road, Estes Park, Colorado or via email suzanne@utsd.org. Self-Nomination and Acceptance forms must be filed with the Designated Election Official for the District at the above address by the close of business not less than 67 days prior to the election (Friday, February 28, 2025).

Notice Is Further Given that applications for absentee ballots may be filed with the Designated Election Official of the District at the above address during normal business hours, until the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election (Tuesday, April 29, 2025). All absentee ballots must be returned to the Designated Election Official by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

Upper Thompson Sanitation District

By: /s/ Suzanne Jurgens, Designated Election Official

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS BUILDER

• Daycare • Outside group play

• Overnight Boarding • Grooming

• House and pet sitting

• Pet Photo Studio elenasbarkinglot.com elenasbarkinglot@gmail.com Call and text: 970 586 0340

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.